Chinn chuckled. “That’s the one.”
Another voice chimed in with a deep Western North Carolina accent. “There wasn’t room for but one of me.” Joshua turned to see an old man wearing a black U.S. Marine Corps World War II Veteran baseball cap, a pair of neatly pressed tan pants and a dark brown shirt. The man, who had a scar running down the right side of his face, in front of his ear, to the base of his neck, steadied himself with a hand-carved wooden cane. “Glad you made it, Major.”
“Good to see you, Colonel.”
The old man slowly turned to Jack and extended his hand. “Lester Wade.” He released the handshake and pointed at a young man who stood at his side. “This is my great-grandson, Ricky.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Colonel. I heard a lot about you at basic.”
“Horror stories, I’m sure. They were even worse than what you were told.” Lester turned to Joshua. “Who are y’all?”
“I’m Joshua Winston.” Joshua gestured toward Rebecca and Jim. “This is my wife, Rebecca, and this is Jim.”
Joshua could almost feel the old man’s eyes fixated on him. “Joshua Winston,” he said. “Well, well, well. Heard a lot of good things about you, son. This country needs more leaders like you. My generation saved the world from the Nazis.” He gently poked Joshua in the chest with his index finger. “Now it’s your generation’s turn. Stick to your principles.” The colonel gently slapped Joshua on the side of the head. “And don’t let it go to your head.” Lester turned toward Jack. “So tell me more about your background, Gunny.”
Joshua’s mind was spinning as the three Marines dove into a deep conversation. The pieces were falling into place. The network Drew had built was far larger than he had ever imagined, and apparently Drew had helped other groups replicate the simple yet effective system of self-government they had developed in the camp. The number of people present at this gathering was proof that Drew’s network had the potential to develop into a movement, and that it was possibly already doing so. The Armando administration wasn’t looking for Drew because they thought he had anything to do with the attack in Watts Bar Lake. They had been looking for him because his network was growing into a threat. A threat to their power. Drew is missing, and now they’re looking for me, he thought. That means the administration has captured Drew. Or worse. He gritted his teeth. But that doesn’t have to be the end of his work.
***
5:48 p.m. – Ray Sawyer’s Barn near Bryson City, N.C.
Rebecca studied the young woman who accompanied Major Michael Chinn. Her reddish-blonde hair was a bit out of sorts, and her green eyes were tinted with sadness. She was seated alone on a wooden bench in the barn. Rebecca wondered how the young woman came to be in the company of this Marine. They didn’t seem to have much in common, and it appeared as though Chinn was her protector. Who was she, and what was her background? Chinn was engaged in a conversation with Jack and Colonel Lester Wade. Joshua seemed preoccupied, his eyes a thousand miles away. The woman looked like a duck out of water in this setting. Alone in a crowd of people.
Rebecca claimed the seat beside Melanie on the bench. “Your name is Melanie, right?” She extended her hand. “I’m Rebecca.”
Melanie jumped, as though startled out of a trance. “I’m sorry… what did you say?”
Rebecca chuckled. “I’m Rebecca. You’re Melanie, right?”
Melanie shook her head. “Yes. I apologize. Melanie Blanchard.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Melanie. So how did you end up here?”
“It’s… it’s a long story.”
Rebecca gestured toward Major Chinn. “We’ve got time. Those Marines will be telling war stories until it’s time to eat.” She looked at Joshua, whose eyes were still a million miles away. “And my husband seems a bit preoccupied.”
Melanie heaved a deep sigh. “I worked for the governor of Texas. I was with him in Watts Bar Lake when the attack happened.” She wiped her eyes. “When he was killed. If I had been near the stage I would be dead too.”
Rebecca fought back a tear. She put her arm around Melanie. “I’m very sorry. That had to be difficult.”
Melanie looked up, her eyes narrowed. “More than you can imagine. Governor Harper was more than just my boss, he was a friend. His chief of staff was my mentor. A lot of my friends died that day.”
“What did you do for the governor?”
Melanie twisted her shoulder-length hair between her fingers. “I was his grassroots point person. His organizer. I handled the outreach and logistics for the Watts Bar Summit.” She sniffled. “I… I invited all of the governors to the place where they died.”
Rebecca gripped Melanie’s shoulder. “You can’t blame yourself for that. No one could have foreseen everything that’s happened. We’re in uncharted territory.”
Melanie looked up. Rebecca found her green eyes to be piercing. They revealed a combination of strength and pain, of determination and deep wounds.
“I keep telling myself that,” Melanie said. “But it doesn’t help.”
“The wounds are still fresh,” Rebecca said. “Time will heal them.”
“I hope so,” Melanie said. “But I honestly believed Governor Harper was the last hope for our country. First President Wagner, then Governor Harper. Now Armando can run roughshod over the people, and there is no one to stand in his way.”
“You sound like my husband,” Rebecca said. “But I believe someone will fill the gap.”
“I hope so.” Melanie choked up. “I feel like I’m completely alone. Major Chinn has been a true gentleman, and he probably saved my life. But I know he’ll have to go back to his base at some point. He’s offered to take me with him, but I’m not sure that’s where I need to be.”
Rebecca pursed her lips. “Don’t you have anywhere you can go? Any family?”
“Not anywhere near here. My parents are in Louisiana, and they’re hiding from the Armando administration. I’d never been to Tennessee or North Carolina before this.” She wiped away a tear. “I have no idea where I’ll go or what I’ll do.”
A male voice with a thick western North Carolina accent rang out over a loudspeaker. “Folks, please stand, remove your hats and bow your heads. Pastor Jim Davidson, who’s with us for the first time, will bless our food.” Rebecca looked for the speaker, spotting it atop a pickup truck that was parked near the back of the barn. Ray Sawyer stood in the truck bed, Jim Davidson beside him.
The room fell silent, and Jim offered the prayer in his Georgia twang: “Father, thank you for this place and for these people. We thank you for the freedom we have long enjoyed, and we pray that we will be worthy of the many blessings you’ve given us. We ask you to bring about revival in the hearts and minds of the American people so that they will once again turn to you. Restore our nation to its prior strength so that it can once again be a beacon of hope and freedom. Father, thank you for this food, which smells like the essence of heaven itself. Please bless the hands that prepared this food, and keep everyone safe as they depart this place tonight. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
As Rebecca joined Joshua in the food line, she reflected on Melanie’s words. This young woman had enlisted her life in the service of a leader she believed in and trusted. Now he was gone, along with many others -- others she had helped invite to what became the place of their deaths. Now she felt all alone in the world and seemed to have lost all hope.
***
6:18 p.m. – Ray Sawyer’s Barn
Melanie sat next to Rebecca as she inhaled the pork BBQ that was cooked in some sort of tomato-based sauce. This was a far cry from the beef BBQ she was accustomed to eating in Texas, but it hit the spot. She savored the smoked sausage, some other unidentifiable but tasty meat, and even the green beans. These mountain people definitely knew how to cook.
As she ate, Melanie surveyed the environment around her. The people here seemed like down-to-earth people who loved America. Patriots, she thought. While they may no
t have grown up in the Louisiana Bayou, and while their tastes in food were different than the Cajun dishes she had enjoyed as a child, she was beginning to have a good vibe about them. She studied Rebecca, who was deep in conversation with her husband. They seem like good people, she thought. This Joshua guy seems to have made a name for himself without even knowing it. I wonder if he is as real as they say?
The man everyone called Ray approached Joshua as Melanie took another bite of smoked sausage. “Joshua, we’re going to have our program in a few minutes. I’d like for you to say a few words.”
Melanie noticed that Joshua looked genuinely surprised. He looked at Rebecca and then back at Ray. “About what?”
“Whatever you want to talk about. Maybe how you guys set up your camp council. Thanks, buddy!” Ray turned and walked away before Joshua could object.
Melanie thought it odd that Joshua would hesitate to speak to the group. From what Major Chinn had told her, Joshua had apparently served in the State House. She couldn’t recall ever meeting a politician who would turn down an opportunity to speak to a group of people, even in these unique times.
Ray climbed back into the pickup truck and called out over the loudspeaker. “Folks, we have a special guest tonight, and he’s going to come up and say a few words. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a warm Smoky Mountain welcome to Mr. Joshua Winston.”
Joshua looked at Rebecca, who nodded toward the stage. He stood motionless until Rebecca put both hands on his back, pushed him forward and said, “Go!”
Melanie tossed her paper plate into a trash receptacle and moved closer to the truck. She was curious about what Joshua would have to say. The barn went silent as Joshua climbed into the truck. Ray handed him a microphone, which was connected to the loudspeaker atop the truck cab, and stepped back.
Joshua stood silently for a moment, then raised the microphone. “Most of you don’t know me, and I didn’t come here tonight prepared to give a speech. I think the best place to start is by telling you who I am and how I wound up in this part of North Carolina. I served three terms in the State House until I decided not to run again in 2016. I’ll come back to that. I grew up in Wilson’s Mills, a small town in Johnston County. After graduating from high school, I studied economics at N.C. State University in Raleigh, and worked for a bank after graduating. When my parents died, I inherited their hardware store in Wilson’s Mills. My wife, Rebecca, is here. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Pastor Jim Davidson introduced us ten years ago, so I owe him in a big way. A few years ago, Rebecca and I decided to buy a farm in Chatham County. It was our dream home. My plan, our plan, was for me to get out of politics and enjoy our time together. I share these things to tell you that I’m just an ordinary person, like all of you. Before the attacks, I was focused on my faith, my wife, my dog and my farm.” He gestured toward the audience. “The same priorities most of you have. We moved out of Raleigh, to a farm in rural Chatham County, because we wanted to be left alone and have the freedom to live our lives as we see fit.”
Joshua paused for a moment, then continued. “All of that changed when America was attacked. Everything changed for all of us. Rebecca and I left our farm behind and moved here with a group of friends to get even further away from the mayhem. We felt this was a place where we could hopefully continue to be free to live our lives. And those of you who live here have not disappointed us. We’ve been impressed with the down-to-earth people we’ve met who love God, love America, love their families, and just want to be left alone.
“Ray asked me to talk about the way we organized our camp. It’s really very simple. We established a set of rules which essentially serve as our camp’s constitution. Our rules adhere to a few simple, yet critically important, principles. No one person should have too much power. With a few minor, necessary restrictions, people are free to live their own lives. We will operate under a free enterprise barter system. No one should expect something for nothing. Private property rights and free enterprise must be protected. The power to make certain decisions is vested in a council, which is elected by camp residents.
“These are simple, timeless principles, and they were shared by America’s founding fathers. The Bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. We didn’t create a new system of government, we just applied the same principles of freedom and responsibility that our founders espoused.
“Unfortunately, the evil hand of AIS and the heavy hand of the Armando administration have made their way to western North Carolina. The terrorists want to take away our right to live, and the Armando administration seems bent on trampling every other right. The administration is ignoring the Constitution at every turn.
“Folks, our country is basically gone. We are living after the fall of the republic. What remains of the federal government is not on our side, and many of our state governments have been decimated. But I still have hope. My hope is inspired by people like the ones in this barn. We can reclaim and rebuild our nation. One family at a time. One community at a time. Folks, it’s up to us to rebuild our nation. By the grace of God, may this gathering be the start of a movement that does just that. Thank you, and may God bless you all.”
Melanie felt goosebumps form on her back as the crowd erupted into applause. The loudest applause came from the person closest to her: Rebecca, who was beaming. She surveyed those around her. Major Chinn and Colonel Wade were nodding their approval. Pastor Jim Davidson was applauding, as was the Marine who accompanied Joshua and his group. She wondered if she had just witnessed the genesis of a new movement that would change the face of America, the initial ascent of a new leader who would rebuild a shattered nation – and who did not yet understand his own destiny.
Joshua jumped down from the truck began making his way toward Rebecca. Melanie watched as he was mobbed by people who wanted to shake his hand. As he worked the crowd, a slender woman with brown hair who appeared to be in her mid-50s and a tall, muscular African-American man joined Ray in the truck bed.
Ray’s voice boomed over the speaker. “Folks, we have two more special guests. Kelvin Harris is a Congressman from Georgia, and Jacqueline Haines is Governor of Kentucky. They are like-minded people. Please give them a warm welcome.”
Melanie’s jaw dropped as applause rang out. She had reached out to both Congressman Harris, who had been absent from the State of the Union due to a death in the family, and Governor Haines on behalf of Governor Harper. He was a fairly liberal Democrat, and she was a Tea Party Republican. They came from totally different socioeconomic backgrounds and held polar opposite views on many political issues -- prior to the terrorist attacks. The attacks, and the Armando administration’s subsequent inaction, had united many who were previously political enemies. Adrenaline surged through Melanie’s entire being as she wondered how these two leaders had ended up here, of all places.
Congressman Harris was the first to speak: “Thank you for inviting me to join you tonight. I’m guessing many of you consider yourselves conservative Republicans.” A slight cheer rose from the crowd. The Congressman grinned broadly. “Well, I don’t. I was considered one of the more liberal members of Congress. But those differences really don’t matter now, do they? Whatever political differences we once had are insignificant in comparison to the challenge before us: trying to rebuild a broken nation.” He gestured toward Joshua. “Mr. Winston is right. Given that the administration has taken no steps to reinstitute Congress, we have to rebuild America one community at a time. It’s up to us. Thank you again for having me.”
Governor Haines took the microphone. “Congressman Harris is right. Whatever political differences we once had became irrelevant on February 21, 2017. He’s black, I’m white. He’s a liberal Democrat from an urban community, I’m a conservative Republican from a largely white, rural area. But we’re all Americans, and we were all attacked on that day. And now our country is being occupied by two enemy forces: one that invaded from without, the terrorist group that calls itself American Isla
mic State, and another of our own making, President Armando’s rogue administration. The fact that he has not appointed a vice president or taken steps to reconstitute Congress is inexcusable. Again, I agree with Congressman Harris.” She gestured toward Joshua. “Mr. Winston is right on point that we have to rebuild our nation one community at a time. And from what I hear, he’s shown us how to do it. Sadly, it may require more than a political fight, and that’s where we’ll need dedicated men and women like you. Let this be the day that we begin the movement to restore America’s freedom.”
Ray reclaimed the microphone as applause once again filled the barn. “Thank you to Congressman Harris, Governor Haines and Mr. Winston. They are all here because of Drew Thompson. Quick announcement. For any of you who need gas, same routine as always. And remember, we wouldn’t have that resource without Drew Thompson. Unfortunately, Drew couldn’t be here tonight. Hopefully he can rejoin us next time.”
Melanie tapped Major Chinn on the shoulder. “I’ll be right back.” She made a beeline for Congressman Harris and Governor Haines.
***
6:39 p.m. – Ray Sawyer’s Barn
Joshua’s head was still spinning as he slowly traversed the crowd, thanking well-wishers and shaking hands along the way. I didn’t come here to give a speech. I had no idea what I was going to say when I took the microphone from Ray. And now a Governor and Congressman are saying that I’m the example people should look to? Our little camp? If they had any idea how many problems we’ve had, they wouldn’t say that. He zeroed in on something Ray had said. Ray has no idea Drew is MIA.
Joshua motioned for Rebecca, Jack and Jim to move closer to him. “These guys don’t know Drew is missing. I think we should tell them.”
Jack scratched his thinning, dirty blonde hair. “Do you think they’re trustworthy?”
Joshua gestured around the room. “Look around, Jack. Yes!”
Jim chimed in. “I agree, Jack. We need to let them know.”
Jack nodded.
“Jack, make sure Major Chinn doesn’t leave before we talk. I’ll go get Ray.”
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