“That is correct, sir.”
“Then who is in control?”
“That is a mystery to us, sir. But we need to get to the bottom of it.”
“I agree,” said Governor Harper. “And what about the rumors that the AIS Supreme Leader is on American soil?”
“That rumor is unconfirmed, but we believe it is plausible.” Major Chinn pounded his chest with his fist. “If he is here, I hope I’m the one who finds him.”
“I admire your spirit, Major,” Governor Harper said with a chuckle. “What other intelligence do you have on AIS?”
“They seem to be embarking on a campaign to seize control of major pieces of infrastructure.”
“Such as?”
“Dams, ports, power plants.”
Governor Harper’s brow furrowed. “The type of things that indicate they intend to be here for a while.”
“That is correct, sir,” Major Chinn said. “They appear to be intent on establishing a caliphate here on American soil.”
“We cannot allow that to happen,” the Governor said with a resolute tone.
“No, we cannot,” Major Chinn agreed. “And that’s why it’s important for people like you and General Cloos to work together.” Governor Harper nodded, and Chinn continued. “I’m a bit exhausted from the drive. Could someone direct me to wherever you want me to stay?”
“Absolutely.” Governor Harper gestured in Melanie’s direction. “This is Melanie Blanchard. She is a member of my staff, and she can provide you with anything you need while you’re here.”
Major Chinn extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. I promise I’ll be a low maintenance guest.”
***
Thursday, October 18, 2018 – 11:15 a.m. – Watts Bar Lake
Late the next morning Melanie worked the crowd that was already gathering in front of the dais. She enjoyed meeting the people she had only communicated with electronically or via phone. She spoke to the numerous governors and other dignitaries whom she had invited, then joined Governor Harper, Chief of Staff Heather Tate and Brandon near the stage.
Governor Harper put his arms around Heather and Melanie. “Team, this is it. This is the day we begin taking our country back. Are you ready?”
“Absolutely, sir,” Brandon emphatically responded.
“Yes, sir!” Melanie grinned from ear to ear. “We are going to make history!”
“I’m glad to have each of you on our team,” Governor Harper said. “Heather, I want you on stage with me. Brandon, you stay near the stage in case we need anything. Melanie, I want you in the back, where you can attend to Major Chinn and our other guests.”
Melanie felt her heart sink. The enthusiasm drained from her countenance.
“What’s wrong, Mel?” the governor asked.
“Am I that obvious?” She tried to wipe the frown off of her face. “I was just hoping to be closer to the stage. This is historic, and I want to be a part of it.”
The governor put his hand on her shoulder. “And you are. You are a critical part of it. We wouldn’t be here without you.” He gestured toward the stage. “You don’t have to be up there to be an important part of what we’re doing. What I’ve asked you to do is important. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, sir,” Melanie said, attempting to mask her lingering disappointment.
***
11:45 a.m. – Watts Bar Lake
Drew Thompson turned his silver king-cab F-150 onto the road that led to the cabin on the edge of Watts Bar Lake, falling in line behind a black Chevy Suburban with tinted windows. He nodded as a Tennessee National Guardsman wielding a Colt M16A4 Rifle waved him past.
Drew parked his vehicle near the cabin as directed by another National Guardsman. He pushed his wire rim glasses tighter against his slightly pudgy face, then exited the F-150 and silently walked toward the crowd gathering around the stage. His neatly pressed khakis, white long-sleeve dress shirt and dark blue sweater vest fit in with the attire worn by the numerous dignitaries who were milling about.
I’ve always felt like I was destined to make history, to be part of something world-changing, he thought. He unfolded a white handkerchief that had been in his pocket, wiped his balding forehead, and then blew his nose, resulting in a honking sound that could easily have been mistaken for a duck call. He neatly folded the handkerchief and returned it to his left pants pocket, then pulled his smartphone from his right pocket and fixated on the screen. Today is that day.
***
11:59 a.m. – Fontana Dam
Nearly everyone in the camp had crammed themselves into Joshua’s cabin and crowded around the television. Drew was gone, but had refused to tell anyone where he was going. Kane was also noticeably absent.
Everyone in the room went silent and fixated on the screen as Texas Governor Bennett Harper made his way onto the stage, flanked by an entourage of leaders from a number of states.
Rebecca squeezed Joshua’s hand. “Where are they holding this?”
“Hopefully somewhere out of the way,” Joshua said. “They’re pretty bold to make the live stream available to the networks.”
Governor Harper opened the summit: My fellow Americans, twenty long months have elapsed since the United States of America was brutally attacked by the terrorist organization that calls itself American Islamic State. The attacks brought our great nation to its knees.
Unfortunately, due to the failed leadership of Nelson Armando, America has been on its knees ever since. While our nation should get on its knees before God Almighty, we should never cower before these terrorist thugs. Sadly, this administration has done nothing to fight AIS, and they seem more intent on controlling our own citizens and showcasing their own power than on rebuilding our nation. Nelson Armando has taken no steps to reconstitute Congress and return power to the people.
Today, we are here to say ‘enough is enough!’ Today, we the people will rise to our feet and begin taking our nation back.
The crowd at the event erupted into applause, and those gathered in Joshua’s cabin followed suit.
“I like what I’m hearing,” Joshua said. “Maybe we can finally turn the corner. Governor Harper sounds like a reincarnation of Alan Wagner.”
***
1203 – Camp Lejeune
General Cloos leaned back in his high-back leather chair, his feet atop his otherwise empty desk. Colonel Kenneth Brookhart and several others sat in his guest chairs, backs arched in perfect posture, all focused on the live stream of Governor Harper’s event.
Governor Harper introduced the governors of South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Montana, Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arizona, Wyoming, Indiana. Massachusetts and North and South Dakota, all of whom were in attendance. The governors lined up behind Harper on the stage. Harper also stated that the Governors of Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Delaware were on board with his plans, but were unable to attend.
“That’s a pretty impressive lineup,” Brookhart said.
“That it is,” Cloos agreed. “Harper can be a real ally moving forward. As can everyone on that stage.”
“Yes, sir, Brookhart agreed. “It would be nice to know where the rest of our military stands.”
They watched in silence for a few moments. Cloos suddenly felt a cold chill come over his body. He jerked his feet off of his desk and vaulted to his feet. “Why the hell are they doing this out in the open?”
Brookhart stared at him. “Sir?”
“Get Major Chinn on the line, NOW!”
“What’s wrong, sir?”
“They’re sitting ducks. That’s what’s wrong.”
***
12:06 p.m. – Watts Bar Lake
Melanie and Major Chinn stood near the back of the crowd near the cabin, listening intently as Governor Harper outlined the governors’ united plan to begin reconstituting Congress.
Major Chinn pulled his phone out of his pocket and cocked an eyebrow. “I’ll be back in a moment.” He
did an about-face and disappeared behind a vehicle.
Melanie returned her focus to Governor Harper, only to be interrupted by Craig Shackleton. “I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself earlier. I’m Craig.”
“I’m Melanie, and now’s really not a good time to talk.”
“I’ll take that as a promise that we’ll talk later.” Craig winked and walked away. Melanie rolled her eyes and again turned her attention to the governor.
Governor Harper said, “My fellow Americans, if we are to reclaim our nation, if we are to reclaim our heritage as the leader of the free world, it is imperative that we have an open, honest, fair presidential election in 2020, just two short years from now. The other governors here and I are committed to just that, and we are in the early stages of putting together the infrastructure necessary to hold an election in 2020 – with or without Nelson Armando’s cooperation.”
Melanie felt the hair stand up on her neck as the crowd erupted into a frenzied applause. We are truly making history, she thought. She made eye contact with Brandon, who was standing at the edge of the stage.
Brandon smiled and winked at her. Melanie felt herself blushing. Then the entire front of her body felt warm. No, hot. She felt herself flying through the air. Then she felt the wind knocked out of her as she crashed to the ground on her back. Then she felt a weight on top of her. Then everything went black.
***
12:07 p.m. – Fontana Dam
Joshua stared at the television. His cabin was consumed by an eerie silence -- the same eerie silence that had engulfed his farmhouse the night of the terrorist attacks twenty months earlier. The image on the screen was upside down, and images of feet frantically scrambling about repeatedly obscured its view. Joshua had been following Governor Harper for the past year, and had grown increasingly hopeful that the governor was the leader America needed. Now, the stage where Harper had stood just moments earlier was gone. Blown to bits. Nearly everything displayed on the screen was on fire, and Governor Harper’s voice had been replaced by screams and wails. Joshua felt his stomach twist into knots as the camera through which the scene was being streamed appeared to be kicked over. He saw feet, then fire, then sky, then feet, and then darkness.
“What just happened?” Jim asked.
“Déjà vu,” Joshua answered. “Unless my instincts are way off base, someone just took out the governors of well over a dozen states.”
“Including Governor Harper,” Jim said.
Joshua shook his head. “I’m afraid he may have been America’s last hope.” He looked at Rebecca, who was seated beside him on the couch, and grabbed her hand. “Things just went from bad to worse.”
“The next time you invite me over to watch a political speech, I’ll pass,” Perry chimed in. “I wonder who was behind this one?”
“The obvious choice would be AIS,” Joshua said. “But it does appear that anyone who speaks out against the Armando administration gets killed.”
***
1207 – Camp Lejeune
General Cloos slammed his fist onto his desk. “Dammit!”
“Who do you think did this?” Colonel Brookhart asked.
“My money is one of Armando’s goons,” Cloos growled.
“Sir, do you really think President Armando would order the assassination of all those governors?”
Cloos shook his head. “Colonel, wake up. He sent a drone to attack us, didn’t he? I think he’s capable of anything.”
“What do we do now?”
“First, we need to see if we can reach Major Chinn and ascertain his status. And put everyone on high alert.”
***
12:07 p.m. – Virginia Beach
Benjamin stared at the video screen in the presidential conference room in disbelief. Texas Governor Bennett Harper, along with the governors of 17 other states, had just been blown away right before their eyes. Everyone in the room was silent.
President Armando finally broke the silence. “Who… who did this?”
Anthony Russo immediately chimed in. “Mr. President, it has to be AIS. It allows them to further destabilize our nation. That’s why we need to utilize our Federal Protective Service personnel to take them out.”
Benjamin cleared his throat and then weighed in. “Mr. President, it’s also why we need to take immediate steps to appoint a vice president, and then ensure that the two of you are never in the same place.”
Abdar offered his opinion. “Mr. President, we have no proof that American Islamic State was behind this attack. We need to reserve judgement until all of the facts are in. Regardless of who was responsible, the U.S. Military should handle the response, not Mr. Russo’s Homeland Security Police.”
Russo fired back, “Mr. President, with all due respect, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 limits the powers of the federal government in using federal military personnel on American soil.”
Abdar rose to his feet and raised his voice. “Russo, you are overstepping your bounds!” Adilah put her hand on Abdar’s and stared into his eyes, and he went silent and returned to his chair.
President Armando raised his right hand and the room went silent. “For now, Mr. Russo’s Federal Protective Service personnel will handle our efforts against AIS.” He gestured toward the television. “I also want to know who did this. Additionally, we will consider – notice I said consider – taking steps to appoint a vice president. Finally, we must make a statement on today’s attacks.”
***
12:07 p.m. – Watts Bar Lake
Melanie saw nothing but darkness. Pitch black. She felt like she was floating. Drifting away to some unknown destination.
“Melanie, WAKE UP!”
The deep, authoritative voice jarred Melanie from her slumber. She realized the person speaking to her was on top of her. She opened her eyes and came face to face with Major Chinn.
“Melanie, are you okay?” Major Chinn stood up and extended his hand. “We need to get out of here, NOW.”
Melanie shook her head, as though trying to loosen the mental cobwebs that had taken her mind captive. “What… what happened?”
“There was an explosion.”
Melanie rocketed to an upright seated position. “Governor Harper! Heather?”
“They’re gone,” Major Chinn said. “Now we have to get out of here while we still can.”
A morbid chill consumed Melanie. “Brandon!” she screamed.
“Anyone who was on or near that stage is gone,” Major Chinn said. “I’m sorry.”
Melanie felt her whole body convulse, as though every muscle in it was simultaneously being jerked into tiny knots. She summoned the energy to mount a primal scream that echoed through the woods.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Chinn said. “But we really have to get out of here. NOW.”
Melanie looked up at Major Chinn through eyes blurred by tears. He extended his hand, helped her to her feet, then motioned for her to follow him. Melanie stopped and stared at the wreckage of the stage. It was gone, shattered into splintered remains that covered a good portion of the scorched yard. She spotted several body parts mixed in among the devastation. The sight of the human carnage nauseated her, and she convulsed but did not vomit.
Major Chinn stopped and turned to face her. “I know this is hard for you, but you really need to come with me NOW if you want to make it out of here alive.”
Melanie nodded and followed him. As they navigated the maze of stunned onlookers, many of whom appeared to be in shock, they found Craig Shackleton. The young man was silently staring at the devastation.
“Son, are you okay?” Major Chinn asked. There was no response. “ARE YOU OKAY?”
Craig snapped out of his apparent trance. “Yes, sir. I just can’t believe it.”
“Come with us.” Major Chinn motioned for Craig to follow them, and he complied.
Melanie struggled to put one foot in front of another as they made their way through the crowd. Governor Harper, the man she thought wo
uld lead America back to greatness. Gone. Heather Tate, her role model, mentor and personal hero. Gone. Brandon Slater, the one guy should have seen herself settling down with. Gone. How could this happen?
She fought back tears as Major Chinn led them past the cabin, down the entry road to a nondescript, tan Ford Explorer. He unlocked the doors. “Get in and get comfortable.” Craig opened the front passenger door for Melanie, then claimed the seat behind her. He revealed a Desert Eagle .357 Magnum pistol that had been concealed beneath his shirt, checked to make sure there was a round in the chamber, and again concealed the weapon.
Chinn walked around to the rear of the vehicle, popped the hatch and retrieved an M4 carbine rifle. As he returned to the driver’s side Melanie heard a shrill, high-pitched sound. Major Chinn spun and raised his rifle. As he did, the cabin erupted into a thunderous fireball.
Melanie watched as Major Chinn dropped to one knee and studied the sky through the scope. He visibly tensed up, suddenly focused on something he saw. He squeezed the trigger and fired off a shot, but kept the rifle raised. After a few moments he fired off another shot. Melanie heard the sound of the round impacting metal, then spotted a flame-engulfed object plummeting to the ground on the opposite side of the property. Major Chinn remained in position for a few moments, still studying the sky through his scope, and then rocketed to his feet and ran toward the remains of whatever he had shot down.
“What… what was it?” Melanie asked.
“Drone,” Chinn yelled over his shoulder. “Likely one of ours.”
Melanie slipped out of the Explorer while Major Chinn took several pictures of the fallen object. She entered the entry code on a black Ford Excursion parked two vehicles away, retrieved a black computer bag, and reclaimed her seat in the Explorer.
“Time to get out of here.” Chinn returned to the vehicle. “What’s so important about that bag?”
“I helped organize this event, and all of my data is on this laptop.” Melanie patted the computer bag. “Where are we going?”
“I’m not sure yet, but we can’t stay here,” Chinn said. “We need to get somewhere secluded and away from crowds, and then I have to make contact with General Cloos.” He turned and looked at Craig. “So what’s your story?”
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