From the center of Sonoita at the only intersection in town Raz turned north and drove several miles to Continental Road. It was a side road which meandered through dense forest land, past numerous worked-out silver mines, territory now mainly used by local cattle ranchers. This route avoided Interstate Highway 10, which Raz was positive would be closed down, or at least monitored or patrolled. It was a dark and narrow road leading toward the far south side of Tucson, some forty miles away.
The long ride gave Cody time to think, time to generate a bunch of questions which popped into his head and hadn’t yet been answered. He wondered out loud. “Raz, you think those Army buses are taking everyone to a camp of sorts in the desert?”
“Pretty sure.”
“I was thinking,” Cody continued. “Why wouldn’t our families and all the others be taken to some place closer? It’ll be a lot easier.”
“Ya’d think,” Raz snorted. “But there ain’t no other closer place ta handle that many. ‘Cept maybe Fort Huachuca.”
“Yeah, the fort,” Cody jumped, disturbing the resting Nick.
“Already filled up, is my guess.”
“Filled up?” Cody asked, totally confused.
Raz at first just nodded, then he answered. “Where’d ya think all ‘em soldiers went ta?”
“Hadn’t thought of it,” Cody said. “With all that’s happening I never really gave it a thought.”
“I’m sure somebody has,” Raz assured him. “Bet my bottom dollar that every one of ‘em soldiers and their kin, ‘cept for the few who mighta turned ta the other side, are held up inside.”
“Why in the world would you say that? They’re soldiers, they have guns, they’re patriotic and all that. If what you’re saying is right and there is a foreign group or radical faction responsible for this…this attack. They’d be on the streets, in the neighborhoods, helping people, fighting back.” Cody caught himself. He finally realized what had been happening was actually some sort of unbelievable attack on his country.
Raz knew he had to explain, and now was as good a time as any, considering the long dreary drive ahead of them.
“First, soldiers don’t carry weapons around all day. Firearms are secured and used for drillin’ and trainin’. No guns, or very few, would be readily available ta the troops on post without authorization. Second. Ya’re right, sonny. Most of ‘em are devoted and loyal ta their country. Most of ‘em would fight ta the death in the face of danger. Lots have. Patriotism is in their blood. They breathe it. They bleed it. I know. I’ve worked with ‘em for a long, long time. I knew a lot of boys who gave up their lives for what they thought was right. They’re the true believers and every one of ‘em took a solemn oath ta defend this country and its citizens.”
He stopped for a second. “Damn right they’d fight back. If they could.”
Cody waited. “Well…?”
“There’re places on the fort ready for such a situation. Lots of buildings capable of holdin’ captives. NCO clubs, the officer’s club, a few gyms, schools, several warehouses. They can be easily converted inta detention centers. But there is one place off the beaten path, set back toward Garden Canyon up in the back hills, away from the rest
of the base. Been there a few times too, years back. It’s a large facility, very secure, and fully equipped.
“My suspicion is the soldiers on base was ordered ta assemble at that facility before all hell broke loose. Of course, they’d follow orders. That’s what they do. Just over five thousand troops are stationed at the fort. Maybe a third of ‘em are deployed overseas at any one time. So that leaves ‘bout thirty-five hundred or so on site. Be
pretty easy ta keep ‘em contained. It don’t take too many guns ta keep unarmed people, even soldiers restricted.”
“You really think so, huh?” Cody asked.
“Said so, didn’t I?” Raz barked. “So that’s why ya families ain’t there. All the soldiers who are there are prisoners by now. They won’t be helpin’ nobody. We’re on our own right now.”
“Jesus, we’re screwed,” Cody commented.
“Ya got that right,” Raz said. “This country is bein’ taken over. Everyday a little piece of it gits stolen from us. Bits and pieces. Most people never notice what’s goin’ on. They’re like those giant birds…what the hell ya call ‘em? Oh yeah…ostriches, who stick their heads in the ground and never look up. Outa sight, outa mind attitude. They think if they can’t see nothin’ then nothin’ can bother ‘em. People don’t want ta be bothered ‘cause they’re stuck in their own miserable little worlds. So, without much resistance, the powers that be keep takin’ and takin’.”
Cody nodded, partly in agreement. He was thinking as Raz rattled on.
“Do ya have any idea what’s happenin’ ta our nation, boy? Our country is bein’ torn apart, piece by piece. We’re losin’ our civil rights protected under the Constitution. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceable assembly. ‘Ems all been taken away. Try voicin’ your opinion against the government. Call your senator a liar, call the president an asshole. Try printin’ up somethin’ against the thievin’ politicians who are pickin’ us clean. Ya just try that nowadays, boy, and ya’ll have the FBI or NSA up ya ass. Worse yet, the fuckin’ IRS will camp at ya doorsteps ‘til ya give in or git stripped ta the bone. Things will happen ta ya, boy.”
Raz turned angrier. “Hell, just t’other day the feds set up restricted first amendment zones for anyone who wanted ta complain. Bet ya haven’t heard of that one. Like ya can only speak ya piece in certain approved areas. What the hell’s with that? Show me in the Constitution where’s that’s allowed.”
“Well…” Cody began.
“Well, shit! You’re a history teacher, ain’t ya? Don’t ya know what in the hell is happenin’? The United States Constitution, the supreme law of our land, is bein’ ignored. Hell, if anythin’, it’s bein’ completely disregarded, circumvented for evil purposes. We’re all bein’ turned back inta subjects of the king and the royals. Serfs ta the elite. Slaves ta the rich. And ya know why? ‘Cause nobody done shit ta stop it.”
Cody knew the Constitution inside and out. It was his business to know. But over the years, as textbooks changed and written history was altered and pressure came down from higher up about procedures and policies and lesson plans and agendas, funding for the ‘right types’ of classes and curriculum became supreme. State and private education boards bowed to the feds in order to get their share of funding. Go against the system and they got nothing. That was understood. Arm twisting techniques and compromises allowed the nation’s education system to slip into the ranks of third world countries. The two almighty evils of power and money had trumped learning. Americans were getting dumber and dumber. The kids were being turned into fuckin’ retards and social misfits.
Raz had lots more to say.
“Then there’s the big push ta confiscate our guns. They want us defenseless. Don’t ya see all the big cities and spineless states doin’ whatever they can ta git the guns out of the hands of law abidin’ American citizens? Cash for guns. Food for guns. Turn in your armed neighbors. It’s the patriotic thing ta do, they try ta convince ya. Every time there’s a shootin’ the libs want ta make ownin’ guns illegal. For our own protection, don’t ya know. But of course they can keep theirs for their own protection. And the criminals won’t ever stop havin’ guns.
“Hell, the problem isn’t too many guns in our citizens’ hands. It’s not enough guns,” Raz went on. “Did ya know it has even been suggested that every gun owner should wear a bracelet of some sort ta control the use of his gun? I can just see the government gittin’ their filthy hands on that information. All I can say for sure is if they want
ta take my guns away from me, they’re gonna’ have ta pry them from my dead hands. I will never give up my guns because I love my country, and I need ta stand ready ta protect it. Ya know the Constitution states that it’s the citizen’s right and duty to
fight a spoiled government? Well hell, of course ya know that.”
Raz continued driving along the deserted road periodically glancing in the rearview mirror for lights. Cody remained quiet. He was taking in Raz’s rantings.
“Yup. Then there’re the hundreds of executive orders. Did ya know that if the President don’t agree with the Congress or the Congress won’t side with the President, the Prez can simply bypass the lawmakers and sign in his own laws? He just said t’other day that he has a pen and will do whatever the hell he wants ta do. Of course ya know all that too. You’re a god-damn history professor.”
“Yes, I know that,” Cody said, getting madder by the minute at Raz’s accusations that he didn’t know his history, that he wasn’t aware of recent political irregularities. But, in truth, he also knew that much of what Raz was saying made sense.
Raz squinted into the darkness. “Secret treaties, back-door alliances, hidden agendas, illegal wiretaps, unlawful NSA snooping, criminal IRS shenanigans, sanctioned killin’s, illicit gun runnin’, clandestine death squads, martial law, the list goes on and on.”
Maybe what Raz was saying really was true, Cody thought. The old man knew things. He seemed to know what was happening and what might be coming. He looked over at his long time friend, not certain what to believe. In some ways Raz reminded Cody of his dead friend Jonathan who used to talk about some of the same things.
“I know ya think I’m one of ‘em conspiracy type nuts. A little crazy talkin’ ‘bout all this shit that can’t be real. Think what ya like, sonny. It’s all fact and I got proof. They want ta git rid of us ‘useless eaters.’ That’s how they see the majority of the earth’s population. Worthless consumers at worse, indentured slaves at best. Submission and ultimate annihilation is their long term plan. Problem is, it ain’t long term no more. It’s right now. Everywhere ya turn there’s interference and intimidation, threats and conditionin’, mistrust and lies. High rankin’ people go missin’, outspoken people have ‘accidents,’ free thinkers get incarcerated.”
Nick was rocking back and forth in the seat between the two men, apparently asleep. “How much farther?” Cody asked.
Raz pulled at his beard. “Reckon about two more hours, once we hit Route 19. The road will be a lot slower and rougher the nearer we git. Might be a bit uncomfortable for ya friend.”
“He’ll be okay,” Cody added.
“He’s kinda a wimpy fella, ain’t he?” Raz said, referring to Nick.
“Yeah, well, he’s a computer nerd,” Cody answered.
“He’s awake,” Nick said, overhearing the conversation. “Just been resting and listening to you guys. Nice talk about your sleeping friend.”
Within ten minutes the Chevy truck merged onto Highway 19 heading south. Mexico was a half hour away, but Raz knew where to
turn off before the border. The six-lane freeway was smooth and fast. Cars had been shoved to the shoulders. There were no lights on the road, no moving traffic. They were about fifteen miles from the abandoned dirt road leading to the camp Raz was sure the Army buses were headed.
Inside the cab nothing was said for the longest time. Raz was staring over the steering wheel, avoiding broken glass and pieces of car parts. He watched the highway marker signs written in kilometers flash by. It pissed him off seeing U.S. roads leading to Mexico measured in metrics. “God damn it,” he said to no one in particular.
Nick was resting his eyes again trying to sleep, but with the constant swerving of the truck and Raz’s continuous bitching, it was impossible. Cody was calculating all this new information inside his rational mind in an attempt to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. He gazed out the side window into the one-dimensional darkness.
Just as they peaked over a hill in the road Raz looked in his rearview mirror. His eyes went suddenly wide. “Oh shit, boys!”
Chapter 24
“What? What is it?” Nick said, sitting up in the seat.
“We got company, boys,” Raz barked, his eyes scanning the road ahead, flicking back and forth to the image in the rearview mirror. A bright set of headlights kept popping over the hilly roadway bouncing off the mirror from about a mile behind them.
Both Nick and Cody turned around to see what Raz saw. A fast moving vehicle with glaring lights was racing toward them. The lights were set far apart, like those on a wide vehicle. Then a pair of fog lights mounted high above the vehicle flashed on, flooding the road in front of it in dazzling daylight.
“What do you think?” Cody asked.
“Think we got us some trouble,” Raz said. “That ain’t no civilian vehicle comin’ that big and that fast. Sure as hell can’t out run it in this.” The lights were getting brighter and brighter, sporadically reflecting off the mirror, causing Raz to squint and move his eyes away. The next exit off the highway was six kilometers south, almost four miles away. No way in hell could they reach the turn-off before the vehicle chasing them caught up.
“Who do you think it is?” Cody wondered aloud. “Maybe they can help us.”
“Don’t know, sonny.” Raz looked over at the young men. “Could be cops, highway patrol. Soldiers, maybe. Security of some sort. Whoever they are, my guess is they ain’t here ta help us.”
Now the fierce lights were about a half mile from the Chevy and moving ever faster. Cody and Nick had no idea what to do. They just looked at Raz, hoping he had a plan, an escape route.
And he did.
“Gonna have ta pull on over, boys. Figure out what these guys want.” Raz shifted into a lower gear, slowed his truck down, and coasted onto the graveled shoulder of the road.
“But Raz,” Cody protested.
“But nothin’. We need ta handle this head on. Deal with the situation as it progresses.” Raz stopped his truck, leaving the engine running and the lights on.
The chase vehicle flashed its burning high beams several times and pulled up twenty paces behind the pickup. The glaring sets of lights blinded the three men in the Chevy. All they could see through the back window were blistering lights blanketing them and the inside of their truck. Everyone sat and waited.
Whoever was in the heavy vehicle took their sweet time exiting. Raz heard two solid doors slam shut, then, through his side mirror he saw a figure dressed in serious gear crunch his way on the gravel. Still blinded by the lights, Raz assumed the other guy was holding back near the rear of the pickup. “Keep calm, boys. I’ll do the talkin’, but stay alert.”
Nick and Cody nodded their heads in rapid succession. They were scared to death and had no alternative but to follow Raz’s lead.
“Cody,” Raz said with a severe glare.
Cody stared back at him like a toddler about to be punished.
“Keep ya hands in ya pockets. Ya hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
A huge shadow approached Raz’s driver’s side window, then there was a loud rap on the glass, strong enough to almost crack it. Raz saw the figure through the fogged pane. It appeared to be a soldier dressed in a black uniform and black helmet. There were no noticeable insignias on the uniform. The man held what looked like an AK-47 rifle aimed at the glass. He made a hand motion for Raz to open the window.
Raz held up his hands to assure the man he was no threat. The boys copied him. Raz then slowly rolled down his window and a blast of frigid air filled the cab. The cold made them more alert, like a sharp slap in the face. “What can I do for ya?” Raz asked. He watched every move made by the soldier.
“Where you going, gramps?” the man asked in a casual, almost friendly manner, with a hint of an accent.
Raz didn’t trust the guy one bit. He didn’t trust anyone pointing an assault rifle at him. “That a ways,” he said, pointing straight down the road. He wanted to size the soldier up, see what he was after, get a feel for his reaction. Then, after he learned a few things, maybe Raz could do something.
“To Mexico?” the soldier asked, realizing that some Americans would try to escape across the border. But
nobody was going to get pass him.
Raz noticed the man had dark skin and wore a thick, black mustache. Probably Mexican, he reasoned. Raz had to determine if the soldier was a good Mexican or a bad Mexican. It gave him an idea. “Nah, don’t much like Mexico. Filthy country run by a bunch of inbred drug dealers. Ain’t too safe down there nowadays.”
Apparently he pushed the right button. The soldier shouted, “Get the fuck out of the truck. Now!” His angry voice produced a more pronounced accent.
It was exactly what Raz expected. He couldn’t do anything while stuck in the truck cab. He opened the driver’s door as the soldier backed off, his weapon aimed at Raz’s head.
“Damn cold out here, Jose,” Raz said, adding to the fire.
The soldier shoved the old man against his truck and stuck the icy cold rifle muzzle deep into Raz’s neck. Nick and Cody sat still in the cab, frozen in place wondering what to do. Why in the hell was Raz trying to piss off this guy? They both thought.
“One last time before I shoot you,” the soldier yelled. He hated redneck gringos, especially ones with an attitude. “Where were you going?”
Raz knew it was time to regain control. “We was takin’ our friend here ta the hospital. He’s got a hurt leg.”
“The hospital’s closed,” the soldier said with a devious grin. “They’re all closed.”
The second soldier at the back of the pickup banged the side of the truck and yelled inside. “You two, get the fuck out of there.” Nick and Cody jumped in their seats, then they slipped out of the cab through the passenger door.
“Over here,” the soldier ordered, directing them to stand next to the tailgate. The boys obediently moved.
Treasonous Behavior- in the Beginning Page 16