Avalon- The Construction

by L. Michael Rusin

  He turned to look at the others.

  “We have to bring in some people who can grow crops for us. With the Militiamen out there, patrolling the way they are, and hanging everybody they catch, we’ll have to be a little smarter than we have been.”

  As Slasher spoke, some of his head people fidgeted. They knew he was right, but they weren’t happy about it.

  “We’re going to have to look squeaky clean from now on. We’ve got enough food to last us for a while and we were able to come out with some trade goods for more food later. The growing season is on us and unfortunately we’re going to have to grow our own, so let’s get busy.”

  Slasher rubbed the spot on his jacket where his button was missing.

  “And somebody find me a button that matches. This is my favorite jacket, and I can’t walk around looking uncivilized, now can I?”

  They all snickered.

  “I said move!”

  He reached toward his waist for his handgun and they all fled, tripping over themselves with...

  “Yes, boss!”

  And.

  “We’re on it!”

  He heard it from more than one.

  Slasher smiled as he turned back to the window, things might not be going according to his original plan, but they were going well enough. Well enough, indeed.

  ◆◆◆

  Mike and Bob sat at the table in the restaurant at Avalon. They were discussing the Militiamen and the results from their patrols. People were settling down once again and their fears were subsiding.

  The unexpected haul from the Red Man store was very productive and was filling the need for several items. Even though the store had been pillaged, those living in it had done a decent job keeping things in check.

  Until the end, that is.

  “We’ll never know, Mike, it’s another one of those tragedies this new world we live in has presented to us.”

  The governor was thinking out loud, and Mike agreed.

  Beth rolled the button between her fingers, wondering. Sooner or later, she’d find its owner, and their fate was practically sealed. She’d see them stretching a rope; these senseless killings needed to be stopped. If there was any way for her to bring those responsible to justice, she was determined to do whatever it took to bring them before a hangman for their final moment in life. She would stare into their eyes just before the rope choked the life out of them and they would know she was responsible for that moment.

  chapter 30

  The Traitors

  The roving patrols of the Militia were yielding results. Several raids were foiled, and the perpetrators were hanged on the spot. Mike congratulated Randy Stewart, his voice showing the admiration for these men when he said with his deep rich voice,

  “You and your people have done a great job, Major. You have effectively reduced the raids by the outlaws and brought a semblance of peace to all of us. I want to thank you for that.”

  Mike’s comments were sincere and received in good stead by those being complimented.

  The admiral looked at this tall, lean ex-soldier and admired him as a fighter and as a man he hoped most of the people at Avalon and Fitch would gravitate toward and emulate. His thoughts were private as he pondered this individual,

  This man could have been a SEAL at one time.

  A supreme compliment coming from a man who valued his training and respected anyone who earned the Trident. The golden eagle, anchor, trident and flintlock pistol worn on their chest by those who completed the arduous training curriculum called BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) that all SEALs endured before being accepted into their elite community.

  He was the kind of man everyone should aspire to be like. He was honest, a family man and a fearsome fighter when he had to be. He was also a man that was tempered with a sense of justice and fair play. While it’s true he had hanged some of the raiders that plagued the area, he was also steeped in a sense of justice. A good example not long ago was the two teens he released and allowed to escape the rope. So far, his decision was a good one. When he was asked why he did it, he said in a matter of fact way,

  “Because, I believed they could serve a better use staying alive. I gave them a second chance on a gut feeling.”

  No one questioned his decision. It was a choice that he alone and the other patrol leaders had the power to exercise and he used this decision-making sparingly. Those that worked with these Militiamen knew it was a judgment call, showing others there could be mercy, in a manner of speaking. He had the utmost trust of his commander and he knew it. Their job, after all, was to exercise a justice system within a loose framework of what was acceptable and what wasn’t. If you murdered, you were doomed by that act. If you raped, set fires, or trafficked in other human beings for sale, you also set yourself up to be hanged. Occasionally, one ran across a younger person, or someone riding with these criminals who didn’t participate in any of these crimes, being new to their fold, and they were listened to as they related their stories. If there was a plausible rendition of what those facts appeared to be, they were released, but only once. It wasn’t a perfect plan of action. It was a plan that Randy and other patrol leaders like him discussed at length, agreed on mutually, and used to try to make the correct decision before the final act was carried out. Deciding on the death of an outlaw who simply did not want to live within the laws of common man was a simple choice. There were the witnesses as well, those who were on the receiving end of the acts of terror these people perpetrated on others, and they were listened to as they told their stories; and the details unfolded.

  The patrols with their regularity, as the different groups went out on a steady basis were yielding results. The crimes against the ordinary people was greatly reduced, but unfortunately, not stopped totally. Getting some semblance of a grip on the situation was what it was all about in the end. They were getting resolutions from reducing those wolves that preyed on the weak. It was telling, as people were observed walking along the empty roads packing their belongings on their backs or in push carts as they moved from one place to another, simply looking for safety, and realizing it was relatively secure to go from here to there finally; a good sign when one reflected on how it was six or more months ago. Traveling any significant distance was always taking a chance. Oftentimes, individuals or groups were attacked and frequently killed. Their goods were carried off as well as their children and women, never to be seen again. It had taken some time but at long last, the situation was changing, and for the better. People were free from danger to a great extent. There was still danger to individuals, but greatly reduced.

  Mike asked for the release of Eric Bell and his spotter Sergeant Tim McNamara from active duty and it was acknowledged. This allowed Mike to put the two of them in a training situation to instruct others to do what they did best, take out any hostiles before they could harm others or the patrols. Once Eric and Tim trained an adequate number of snipers and spotter teams, it was Mike’s decision along with the governor’s to put Eric in charge of all the snipers and spotters. That objective had not been reached yet, so they were biding their time until it was reached.

  ◆◆◆

  “Mike?”

  It was the governor,

  “I’m very satisfied with the results we’re getting from the Militia. Our roads and outlying areas are very secure through their efforts.”

  He spoke in a calm voice and it was a reassuring statement.

  “Yes Governor, we’re getting the job done. It’s too bad so many of these young men had to be hanged, but the results are telling. The areas where we are sending the patrols are getting reasonably less vulnerable to attacks as a result. I look forward to people being able to travel all roads in relative comfort, and they can be assured they are safe, and not have to worry about being killed, robbed or maimed.”

  The governor nodded his head. He too longed for peace. He replied,

  “As an old law enforcement veteran, I know we will never eliminate all
of the crime, but we sure as heck can reduce the quantity that happens right now, and all too frequently.”

  Mike acknowledged,

  “Absolutely we can do that, Governor, and of course that has been the goal since day one.”

  There was a touch of sadness in his voice as he spoke. Most of them at Fitch and Avalon had many regrets about the many battles and other confrontations that had come and gone. Most telling were the deaths of friends. That definitely had an impact on their emotions. His thoughts were obvious, we never get over losing those we love or care about. It sticks to the roof of your mind.

  The governor’s voice changed. He moved in closer and spoke in a softer voice, almost a whisper as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear what he was saying. The words came out and sounded as if he was out of breath or somehow rushed. He had an urgency in his mannerisms and his voice was a bit strained, he reached out a hand and grasped Mike’s arm when he spoke, to emphasize what he was about to say,

  “Mike, you and I both know where the main trouble spot is—Gold Nugget.”

  This was said with an inflection of hardness and he maintained his grip.

  Mike didn’t answer right away, as he thought about the right words to use in answering the governor. He looked at the man and then said, and his words were softer than the governor’s had been,

  “Yes, Sir. I am aware of that, but we don’t really have any substantial proof only loose talk here and there, a suspicion, circumstantial evidence, I know it and so do you but that isn’t enough for us to make a raid on the town. If only it was that simple. We have to always keep in mind when we do anything, how will we be judged by others later? We will be you know.”

  Mike paused and waited before continuing, he wanted to make sure his words were sinking in. The governor released his grip and cocked his head as if to listen better to what Mike was saying to him. He turned and looked directly into the eyes of the governor,

  “A sudden retaliation will be looked at as not just retaliation, but as justified, with solid proof, so as not to be misconstrued later as being simply an act of revenge.”

  He waited just a moment to catch his breath,

  “Also, and most important, do we want to lose some of our people needlessly to find out later we erred in our judgment? We’re building a new world, a new country with towns and industry. We cannot allow later generations to pronounce us harshly for what we do now. It all has to be documented and it has to have an absolute basis in truth. We don’t want to fight wars simply to exercise power over others. Live and let live, should be our goal and we should make sure we don’t allow people who will be in control of others later, to move us in a direction of violence, simply because they have the power to do so. I am a warrior, I learned to fight for my country and for those who would send me into battle, but I’ll tell you this, I don’t want to go to anymore funerals of friends, or anyone else for that matter, unless I believe deep down inside of me it was necessary, when all other options have failed. Also, and very important, I am growing a family. I want future generations that will come along to look on us in a favorable light and I do not want to be the cause of any embarrassment to my heirs for exercising a wrongful call.”

  Mike eyed the governor and they both concurred, they had to have better proof before any of them could act against those they believed were responsible for the trouble in the area. At least the bulk of the raids had stopped or been curtailed to a great extent.

  “What do you want to do if we do get the proof, Mike?”

  Mike looked at the governor and hesitated a moment, his words had to have a solid meaning,

  “Governor, we both know what we’ll have to do, but rather than dwell on it, I say we just wait and forgive the pun, give them enough rope to hang themselves with. I’m very reluctant to send people into battle without a real concrete reason. It tore my heart out when my two absolute best friends died, we have to have reasons we can justify later when someone decides to dissect our justifications and the decisions, we reach for having done what we will do. We need to wait and see what develops. Once we have enough just reasons, backed up by uncontestable proof, then we’ll act on it. That’s when, with your permission, we’ll pull out all the stops and go for the jugular.”

  ◆◆◆

  It was windy, blowing from the south, and on the horizon, clouds began to form into ominous forewarnings of a storm that would be coming their way. The clouds were laced with grays and black, punctuated with billowing white as they climbed to lofty heights. It was warm, and the rain and cooling it would bring would be welcomed.

  The governor simply shrugged his shoulders. He knew what Mike was saying, and it was tempered with sound judgment. He didn’t want to attend any more funerals any time soon either. He knew full well, history could make for harsh judgments. Like Mike, he had already been witness to the burials of people he cared about and missed terribly; it makes a lasting dent in your memory. Remembering his deputy, the day the bikers rode into town, sickened him. They literally beat him to an unrecognizable pulp. A piece of bloody meat in a deputy’s uniform lying in the street like a dead dog. That memory resurrected itself time and again in his thoughts. Such a nice kid; such a damn shame.

  The governor and Mike knew they were honorable men trying to get a bad situation resolved and they were limited in how to deal with people who were hard core individuals and not afraid of the law. Those who were committing the crimes were afraid of the hangings that were taking place. That was definitely a deterrent. As long as it was yielding results, it was what was most expedient for the time being. There were some at Fitch and Avalon who didn’t like this method but, by and large, they kept those sentiments to themselves. People were reluctant to voice any kind of protest. The war and the hardships had hardened people, and their opinions on many things. It also made realists out of them. People weren’t as naive as they once were. Everyone recognized the hangings were yielding results. Those who lived here were safe among people who guarded everyone’s safety with their very lives; and to criticize any of it was not the kind of thing most people wanted to do. The feeling among the residents was, “Why rock the boat?” You might not like the deed, but everyone liked the results.

  The patrols were regular, and they traveled different sections each time they went out. Sometimes they patrolled to the north of the highway leading toward the west. Some patrols went south, and others explored toward the east. It was a good plan and the coverage was yielding positive results. There was no set system that could be monitored by others to set up an evasive tactic or to make an ambush of the Rangers. The bulk of the action that was consistent always came from the patrols that went toward Gold Nugget. The activities were beginning to diminish as time went by. Still, on occasion, the Rangers came across the scene of an attack that had occurred moments before they came along. It was psychologically debilitating to the Rangers knowing that if they had only gotten there fifteen minutes sooner the tragic outcome could have been prevented.

  The governor pulled up his collar on the light jacket he was wearing and looked off toward the distant sky.

  It’s going to rain, and the temperature is dropping.

  He thought it but didn’t say anything as both men turned and walked toward the sheriff’s office.

  Chapter 31

  Decision Time

  A contingent of people from Gold Nugget came toward Fitch. Mike and the governor were waiting when they reached the town’s outskirts near the fairgrounds, off to their northwestern quarter. Mike approached them with the governor at his side. As was agreed at an earlier time, through messengers, both groups were carrying a white flag and they all appeared to be disarmed. Shimmering waves of heat rose from the ground, distorting things here and there with a rippling effect. As each group approached one another, they walked slowly. In a moment they came face to face, and it was Alvin Cobb who approached Mike and the governor to talk. He smiled warmly as he approached the two men and held out a hand to shake with them whi
ch they all did in turn. Alvin was meticulously groomed, with a fresh haircut, a shave, and his clothes were clean and pressed.

  Mike returned the smile. Unbeknownst to the Gold Nugget contingent, they were in the scope of Eric and Tim, his spotter, who were hidden from view in the distance. Another pair was off on a knoll to the far left of them with Ghillie suits on and nearly invisible. Tim and Eric were on a slight prominence about two-hundred-fifty yards away; an easy shot for Eric if he needed to take one or more of these outlaws out. It was a precaution, just in case. Mike didn’t trust them and felt that since he and the governor were disarmed, there was no reason to be stupid about it. Call it insurance. If nothing happened, then who would know the difference? If anyone decided to do more than talk, they were going to be in for a deadly surprise. Mike hoped nothing would happen. It wasn’t always smart to show one’s hand.

  “What brings you here?”

  His voice was mellow but firm as he asked the question.

  Mike looked at the leader of this group. The weather was warm, and they were all sweating as the sun radiated down on them; quite a change from the rain storm yesterday. Beads of sweat formed on each person’s forehead and above their lips. An eagle soared above them in a blue sky devoid of clouds as he searched for a meal, and there was no breeze. In the distance, you could see the heat radiating off the ground, as it was doing here with a shimmering effect. Alvin studied Mike’s face before he responded, and then he said in a non-threatening tone of voice,

  “We want to discuss some of the hangings that are occurring to my people. We think…”

  and he looked back to each side to signify they were of the same opinion, satisfied with what he saw in the others’ faces, he continued speaking,

  “My people are of the opinion you are getting a little overzealous with your hangings. It appears your Militia are killing innocent people. That’s what brings us here today.”