by Tara Ellis
General Montgomery thrust his arm out in front of Dillinger before he had a chance to answer. The fool had already done enough damage. It was time for him to take control before things got out of hand. He turned to the leader of the SEAL team, who was still squared off with James. “Sergeant—”
“Enough!” Colonel Walsh yelled, startling Montgomery into silence. Moving up next to the general, he held his arms up in surrender. “Stand your men down,” he said first to the SEAL leader. “Please,” he continued, turning to face James. His head swiveled from Jesper Duke to Tom, the senator, and then back to Montgomery. “It’s over, General. I…we can’t let this go any further.”
A clap of thunder rumbled overhead as if on cue and Montgomery could see his soldiers flinch and then look at each other with uncertainty. He didn’t care what they thought at the moment. He was concentrating on Walsh and his choice of words.
“I was hoping Mercy wouldn’t be so…volatile,” Walsh stammered. “And that we could just sort this out later today in a less dramatic fashion. Considering who’s involved, I should have known better.”
Eyes narrowed, Montgomery took a measured step, closing the gap between them. “Would you care to explain who you mean by ‘we’?”
Lowering his arms, Walsh cleared his throat and instead of answering the question, looked over Montgomery’s shoulder toward Tom and his group. “Your message got through, Senator. There was a quorum this morning and by now, you should officially be the new president pro tempore.”
Betrayal. General Montgomery’s face burned with it. The greatest mistake a leader could make was to let their personal feelings cloud their judgement. It was his own fault for allowing the weasel to slide along for far too long. Walsh had been working with Senator Jenson the whole time, undermining him and orchestrating a coup.
His face a mask of anger, the general had a hard time maintaining control of his emotions as he stared at the man whom he thought was a friend. “Arrest him.”
When no one moved immediately, he spun toward the SEAL leader and pointed at Walsh. “Arrest the colonel now for treason, or else you’ll be next!”
“No!” Walsh yelled back, standing his ground. “General Montgomery, I hereby relieve you of your command by orders of the Joint Commanders, Major General Visor and Sergeant Major O’Shane. You are being charged with conspiring in the assassination of Vice Admiral Baker, conspiring to kidnap Senator Jenson, and ordering—”
Montgomery reached out and grabbed Walsh by the front of his uniform and for a moment, could envision wrapping his hands around the man’s throat and squeezing until he could never utter another foul word. But as their eyes met, he saw a truth and understood that none of the accusations could be denied. He had perpetrated them all, and would make no attempt to refute it.
Grunting, the general released Walsh and took a step back, never looking away. “Kelly, you of all people understand why those things had to be done. It was the only way. Our society will crumble and wither away unless we harbor and nurture it.”
“It’s over, General.” Walsh’s voice was no longer accusatory but resigned.
“I did it for them,” Montgomery urged, gesturing to the people surrounding them in the road. “The soldiers, farmers, and townspeople. The survivors.”
“No,” Walsh said, shaking his head and taking another step back, like he was repulsed. “You did it for yourself.”
Four-star General Andrew Montgomery had always been a virtuous man. He believed in facing the truths of one’s own moral character, even when they were hard to accept. He believed in the rule of law and upholding an oath. He blinked, unable to find a valid argument to counter the accusation. Perhaps it was because there was no justification for what he’d been forced to do, but then, he knew that from the first moment he realized he was involuntarily in charge of what was left of the world. He was handed an impossible task; one above the ability of any one man.
Reaching up, Andrew removed the insignia pins from first one shoulder tab, and then the other. Placing the stars in Kelly’s hand, he moved past him and made his way past his silent troops and a rancher seeking revenge. Dirt crunched under his polished shoes as he skirted the motionless helicopter and walked down the mountain road, the storm swirling overhead.
Andrew’s only regret was that he’d left the old, faded photo of his wife and son in the bottom drawer of a desk, deep inside a mountain he would never return to.
Chapter 28
TOM
South Gate, Mercy, Montana
“Let him go.” Senator Jenson’s order surprised Tom and he looked at her questioningly.
“She’s right,” Bishop agreed. “It’s easier this way.”
“How is it easier?” Danny asked, eying the conflicted soldiers nervously. Tom saw that most of them had lowered their weapons and were trying to decide who to take orders from, but a few still had them trained on James and his team.
“It’s going to take some time before I’m officially recognized as acting president as well as a lot of work to establish a proper chain of command,” Jenson answered while motioning for Walsh to join them. “If Montgomery wants to voluntarily walk away from his post rather than go through a convoluted process, I’m fine with that. The amount of time we’d waste trying to decipher and argue the laws and how they apply in our situation would overshadow what’s really important. Even now, we’re going to need to rely on a mutual effort between myself and the Joint Commanders. Are you able to act on their behalf?” she asked Walsh.
Colonel Walsh removed a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “I managed to get a signed declaration from them both before we left, though having you appointed as the acting president will help speed things along.”
Tom figured whatever document the soldier named Walsh had was a good thing, based on the senator’s reaction. It was clear he’d been working with the civilian government to stop his commander. However, the only thing Tom cared about at the moment was the stand-off that had yet to be resolved. He was acutely aware of how vulnerable they all were, and that his mother and Danny were standing next to him.
He decided to make the first overt move and lowered his rifle the rest of the way. “Why don’t we allow the residents of Mercy to return to town while you all figure out who’s in charge?” he said loud enough for everyone gathered to hear.
“We have no way of knowing if anything they’re saying is true,” the SEAL nearest to James barked as the two of them continued to square off. Tom couldn’t even guess how a fight between the two would play out, and he didn’t want to find out.
“The man standing beside me is Colonel Campbell of the US Army, Master Chief,” James said evenly, without looking away.
“Again,” the Master Chief said with growing agitation. “I have no way of confirming who this guy dressed like a farmer is and last I heard, Sergeant, you were AWOL.”
“Stand down, Chief,” Walsh directed. When the SEAL leader hesitated, the much smaller man stood rigid and pointed a finger at him. “In case you need a lesson, Chief, I outrank all of you and am now effectively in command of this unit. Are we going to have a problem? Because you’re welcome to join Montgomery. I’ve heard this part of the state is really quite beautiful, so you might enjoy the hike.”
Tom hadn’t been sure of his first impression of the colonel, but as he watched the SEAL leader lower his weapon and nod at his men to do the same, he decided he liked the man.
“There’s been enough fighting,” Walsh continued, stuffing the paper back in his pocket. “From now on, we’ll be focusing on rebuilding together, alongside the civilians, and will only invoke our rights under martial law to maintain lawful order for safety.”
Several of the soldiers behind Walsh nodded in agreement and looked relieved. Tom imagined most of them weren’t that different from the people of Mercy and were only following orders. One of Montgomery’s mistakes was that he allowed Dillinger to run with his own agenda and turned a blind eye to what he was do
ing because it was helping to advance his goals.
Tom knew that kind of mentality was something they’d have to keep dealing with, moving forward. Communication was limited, and with everyone being so isolated, it was easy to make excuses to justify what you had to do in order to survive. The real job of their leaders would be to clearly establish and then maintain the law and order Walsh mentioned. Because it was different now. The world was different and the survivors left behind would have to redefine the rules to fit the new reality.
Turning to the crowd of people behind them, Tom lifted the rifle over his head. “Mercy is safe today!” he shouted, to the cheers and applause of more than three dozen men and women of all ages. “Go back and finish celebrating with your friends and family!”
As the group dispersed, he saw Patty jogging up the road toward him. She was holding the radio and didn’t look happy. “Tom!” she yelled, weaving her way through the throng of people.
He winced and grabbed for his own radio before she could reach him. He should have already given an update. “The situation at the south gate is resolved,” he said, keying it up. “I repeat, there is no threat. North gate, advise the sergeant that a Colonel Walsh has ordered the military to stand down.”
Patty’s frown changed to a smile as he finished talking and she waved her radio. “I can do one better than that,” she gasped, out of breath from her sprint. “Caleb got on the radio and reached out to the Malmstrom base to see if someone there had enough pull to help us, and he was informed that it’s been announced Senator Jenson was voted in as the new president!”
“President Pro Tempore,” Senator Jenson corrected. “It means I preside over the senate and am third in line to the succession of the presidency. So, by default, I’ll become the acting president. However, I still have to be sworn in and there’s a lot to discuss as far as what acting president means, especially in regards to the current martial law and lack of anyone else remaining in the presidential office positions. There’s a lot of work to be done,” she continued, looking at Walsh. “Which is why I need to get back to Idaho, and then both of us will go to Cheyenne Mountain together.”
Colonel Walsh smiled for the first time and gestured to the helicopter. “I think I can help with that, but we still have some unfinished business here.”
Tom continued to be impressed by the colonel as he approached him and stuck out a hand. “We haven’t been formally introduced, Mr. Miller, though we both know how important it’s going to be for us to set the right example for the rest of the country, and potentially what’s left of the world.”
Shaking Walsh’s hand, Tom was struck by the enormity of his words. Somehow, their small town of Mercy had become a central piece to a very complicated puzzle. In that moment, he vowed to do all he could to preserve their way of life, while hosting whatever farming program they came up with to help feed the survivors in the rest of the remaining civilization. It would start there, and hopefully spread until it included everyone.
“We’ll do our best,” Tom assured him, and then glanced over the colonel’s shoulder at Dillinger. The corporal looked like he had a permanent scowl on his face as he glared at Tom, reminding him of what he’d threatened to do. “But I can tell you right now that it isn’t going to happen with that man in charge of anything,” he added, pointing at Dillinger. “He threatened to slaughter my family in the street just before you arrived, and I believe he would’ve done it.”
“He’s already done it!” Jesper Duke yelled, jumping down from his horse. His men mumbled behind him in confirmation and Tom was astounded at the change in Jesper. He’d lost enough weight to look sallow and pale, and his clothes were muddy and torn. Tom guessed it was the result of being chased off his farm and left to scavenge in the woods.
“I was under direct orders and this man resisted,” Dillinger said somewhat dismissively. “He made the choice not to comply.”
“Choice?” Jesper bellowed. “You shot my son in the back as he was running from your men, who were ransacking our property!”
“It’s true!” A female soldier dropped down from her horse and approached Walsh and Dillinger. “I was there. The man wasn’t a threat and was trying to leave. Corporal Dillinger didn’t have to shoot him, and he’s done it before.”
“Enough!” Dillinger yelled as he turned toward the woman, and Tom reacted automatically when he saw the corporal start to raise his hand as if to strike her.
Lunging forward, Tom grabbed Dillinger’s arm, stopping it mid-air. Dillinger spun on him, his other fist coming around, but Tom anticipated it and delivered a solid uppercut before he connected.
The corporal’s head snapped up and he staggered back a step, thrown off balance by the unexpected blow. Before he could recover, Sheriff Waters and Bishop each grabbed an arm, while Tom felt Danny pulling him back.
“It’s done, Tom,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him from behind and pressing her head against his shoulder.
If it had been anyone else, Tom might have tried to shake them off, but it was Danny. She somehow already knew him better than anyone, and her touch was the one thing that could penetrate his temper. Relaxing, he took a steadying breath and then reached up to squeeze her hands to let her know he was in control.
Releasing him, she moved to his side and then grinned at him as the sheriff manipulated Dillinger’s hands into cuffs. “Karma,” she whispered.
“Do you have the ability to handle this man back at the mountain?” Senator Jenson asked Walsh.
The colonel rubbed at his jaw while frowning at Dillinger. “I saw enough at the Duke Ranch and Pony Express station to add my own testimony. I know what your orders were, Corporal, and you extended your authority and actions far beyond them. We’ll take him back and organize a court martial,” he said to the senator.
“I was acting under the direct orders of General Montgomery!” Dillinger spat blood from his mouth, still struggling against the sheriff.
“And you’ll have the opportunity to explain that,” Walsh replied flatly. “Take him to the helicopter,” he directed to the SEAL leader.
The master chief glanced momentarily between his former commander and Walsh and then gave a curt nod. “Yes, sir.”
Tom breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the SEAL team escort Dillinger away and he could feel the rest of the tension leave with him. “Jesper,” Tom called, motioning to his friend. “You and your men are welcome in Mercy. We’re having a cookout in the center of town and there’s plenty for everyone. For all of you,” he added, turning back to Walsh.
“We appreciate that,” Walsh answered. “But we really need to get the senator to Idaho as quickly as possible, before there’s a chance for any unrest. Who’s the ranking officer?” he asked the remaining troops.
The woman who had stood up against Dillinger raised her hand. “I am, sir. Lance Corporal Meyers.”
“Corporal Meyers, you’re to return to Command Center Two and turn all of the land and property back over to the owners. I’ll leave it up to you for now to see if you can manage to work together with the farmers in a way that’s beneficial to everyone.”
“I can help with that,” Jesper Duke said, his voice rough. “I don’t want to see anyone else hurt during this process. We’ll do whatever needs to be done. I appreciate the offer of hospitality,” Jesper added, tipping his hat at Tom. “Except the day is still early, and if Corporal Meyers wouldn’t mind heading out now, I’d appreciate returning to my family and righting things as soon as possible.”
“Sir,” Meyers saluted Walsh before doing an about-face and motioning to her unit. “Let’s go!”
“We’ll arrange a meeting soon,” Tom assured Jesper as he pulled his horse about. “We have a lot to talk about.”
As Jesper’s men and the soldiers began to form an unlikely brigade, Walsh focused again on their need to get moving. “Senator?” he gestured to the helicopter that was already starting to spin up, apparently at the master chief’s request.
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Senator Jenson nodded but then hesitated, looking at Tom. “I’m going to need an ambassador. Someone to act as a liaison between Mercy and whatever government we establish.”
Tom was shaking out his fist, and the pain in his hand made it evident to him that he wasn’t the right person for more than one reason. His gaze shifted to his mother, who’d been standing calm and strong next to the senator throughout everything. “I can’t think of anyone who’d represent Mercy in that capacity better than my mother.”
Sandy raised a hand to her chest and began to shake her head, but Senator Jenson took a hold of her arm and stopped her. “He’s right,” she said emphatically. “I know enough from our long conversations that you have both the political intelligence needed, as well as the obvious farming experience. Plus, I wouldn’t mind getting together over a bottle of wine every once in a while.”
Sandy smiled then and the two women hugged. “You might be able to sway me, Senator. Are you sure you have to leave immediately?”
“Timing is critical right now,” the senator said, pulling away and looking at each of them before walking over to gaze up at James. “Sergeant, I feel like I have you to thank for this outcome. I know you have some unfinished business and the rest of your family is in California, but when you’re settled, we should talk about a special assignment. I have a feeling your dad is going to be in need of a good security team.”
James laughed, squinting down at her. “I think you might be right, Senator. And I wonder if you could arrange for some fuel to find its way to my grounded bird?”
Senator Jenson looked back at Walsh, and he scratched at his forehead. “We’ll contact Malmstrom. Shouldn’t take more than a few days if it’s close by.”
“Good. We’ll make it happen,” Jenson assured James. “Not only will you need it to get home to your family, but it’ll come in handy for that stretch of road between here and The Farm. Speaking of which,” she said while waving a hand at Walsh. “We’ll need to make a pit stop. I lost my head of security along the way.” Walsh stared at her and tilted his head questioningly. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell ya on the way. I’m just glad we don’t have to walk.”