by Cliff Deane
“Yeah, me too,” Gus smiled at Levi and asked, “Where to, boss?”
Levi laughed and answered, “You know, I have never seen the Cherry Blossoms in D.C. What say we start there, and then drift west?”
Everyone agreed, and were anxious to get started when Kate asked; “Dad, what about the two guardian angels trailing us?”
Levi smiled and said, “Oh, yes, Darren, what say you go on back and bring those two sneaky Pete’s up here to say a final goodbye, before sending them home?”
Darren, who tended to be the strong silent type, laughed and said, “Yes sir, on the way.”
Both Tim Carter and Kevin Simms slipped from their Jeep, and red-faced saluted and reported to their General.
Levi tried to look stern, but it just wasn’t in him, especially when it came to these two. “All right, you two do know the punishment for desertion, right?”
Both young men tried to speak at once, until Levi pointed to SSgt Carter and said, “Okay, what’s the story here?”
“Sir, we’re not deserters. We have been placed on special assignment to look after all Y'all.”
Smiling uncontrollably now, Levi said, “Special assignment, huh? Well, can you prove that?”
Reaching into his pocket, Carter handed Levi a letter from Colonel Eldridge. It read:
Levi,
I’ll bet you nailed these two rapscallions by your first rest stop. Okay, but you know these are two great soldiers, and I have given them orders to accompany you.
No, don’t say it; they may not come home until you do. So, if you send those men away, they will just follow along like a couple of very sad puppy dogs.
Please, sir, as a personal favor to me, take them along, hell, they might turn out to even be good for something. You know, of course, that I’m joking here. They will do you, and the 1st Cavalry Regiment proud.
God Bless you, and good hunting,
As always; your friend,
Scott
Levi passed the letter around and finally asked, “Gus, whadaya think?”
Gus smiled and said, “Your call, Levi, but if I get a vote, yeah, let ‘em stay. They can wash dishes, well, if we ever get any dishes, that is.”
Levi looked at these two young men and said, “Oh, all right, you can come, but knock off the sir and general crap. My name is Levi; agreed?”
Both men snapped to attention and said, in unison, “Yes sir, of course, sir.”
Levi just hung his head while Gus, Kate, and Darren cracked up. Levi mumbled, “Heaven help me, I’m in the hands of maniacs.”
He then turned to his small troop and said, “Okay, line up. I need two scouts; volunteers take one step forward.” Gus, Kate, and Darren took one step back before Carter and Simms could even begin to take a step in any direction.
“Well, all right, that’s more like it. Gentlemen, thank you for volunteering. You are now the designated scouts of this mob.”
Like twins with one voice, they responded, “Yes sir.”
Levi asked God to give him strength and told them to get their trailer hooked up to the pickup, then report back to Gus to get their first assignment.
“Nest; Path 6; Commo Check; Over.”
“Path 6; Nest; hear you five by five; Over.”
“Nest; Put 1 or 6 on the line; Over.”
“Hello, Path 6; Nest 6; You spotted them, didn’t you? Over.”
“Yeah, well Kate did, and I’m going to let them ride along for awhile until they get in the way; Over.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it; Over.”
“We’re on the way to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms and check in on our old buddy President Clanton; Over.”
“Good plan, please let me know how that goes. Anything else? Over.”
“Nah, we’re good; talk to you soon, Path 6 Out.”
Other than dodging deserted vehicles with mostly flat tires, the drive through the ROA controlled territory was very pleasant. They spotted several crews out picking up bones, and one crew using an ancient wrecker removing vehicles from the road, one at a time.
Gus smiled at Levi and said, “Now that, my friend is job security.”
They spoke with several people who came out to wave and say hello. The biggest question was, “Will we ever get electricity again?”
The one commonality amongst these folk was that no one was overweight. The folks might be safer in the ROA, but until this year’s crops were in allowing people to fill their larders, and trade for other things they needed, life would still be hard. Hard, yes, but living in safety with the chance to fill those larders without some gang coming thru and stealing everything was something for which the citizens could be thankful. Here they, at least, had the chance to prosper.
Most days were sunny and warm, but as April brought the seasonal rains that would be a boon to the farmers; they would create a muddy mess for villagers.
As they progressed, it became obvious that the roads were breaking up and would deteriorate very rapidly as weeds grew through the cracks making room for larger growth plants. In another five years, this road would be impassable for anything but horses, well, not counting tanks.
Both Levi and Gus felt sure that it would be another two hundred years before mankind was able to make a serious comeback. The infrastructure simply was no longer there, and more importantly, the population in the old U.S. had dropped from three-hundred and fifty million to less that thirty-five million. It would be a long, hard, and painful trek back to anything resembling a modern civilization.
Kate interrupted and asked, “Why two hundred years? I didn’t take that long to go from 1850 to 1950; only one hundred years. So, why can’t we do what they did?”
Levi said, “Sweetie, in 1850 the manufacturing infrastructure was being put into place in well-established cities in the Eastern part of America. Today, there are no well-established cities. This generation is concerned with surviving and getting food to the family.
From where will the mechanics, engineers, and all the other trades come? Everything will require relearning, and that is why school and the three R’s are so important. The one advantage we do have is that we have the books that can help to rebuild civilization. Still, by the time our population reaches levels to build both established cities, and a manufacturing infrastructure, the current state of the country will degrade over the coming years. It will probably be easier to just start all over, except in the coastal cities which will have to be torn down and rebuilt opening the path to sea trade.
No, Kate, I think that infrastructure is going to take generations to recover. Think about it; people need to eat before they can create. Even though much of the machinery used to run things will be, for the most part, okay, who will know how to run them even if they had electricity?”
“He’s right, Kate,” added Gus.
◎
15 April
ROA Border
Deep Creek, VA
It took Levi and crew five uneventful days to travel one hundred miles before they saw the first roadblock. It was manned by men wearing the uniform of the Army of the ROA. As they stopped and exited their vehicles, a challenge came from atop the barricade. Hello, are you planning on going north?”
Levi shouted back and said, “Yes, my friends and I are going to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms.”
“What the…Are you nuts, hasn’t anyone told you about the insanity on the other side of this barricade? Who are you crazy people?”
Levi said, “My name is Levi Levins. My companions are Gus and Darren Murtaugh, my daughter Kate, SSgt Tim Carter, and Sgt. Kevin Simms of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment of the ROA.
“Did you say, Levi Levins, Colonel Levi Levins?” asked the guard.
Gus whispered to Levi, “They haven’t heard of your promotion, General.”
“Shut up, Gus.”
Smiling, Gus shouted up, “That’s General Levins now.”
“Gus, I am going to kick your ass, I mean it,” whispered Levi. “Yes, that i
s correct, and who are you?”
“Staff Sergeant Andrew Malone. General, please lay your weapons down and then can come around to the right side of the barricade and show me some identification.”
Levi laid down his weapons and glared at Gus saying, “I’ll get you for this,” but he was smiling.
He then followed the direction of SSgt. Malone and made his way to the right side of the barricade where two privates patted Levi down before giving the all clear to SSgt Malone.
Levi asked why he needed to prove his identity and was told that they didn’t get too many visitors claiming to be Colonel Levi Levins.
“Sergeant Malone, I’m sorry that my friend, who I now suspect is a name-dropper, so freely offered my identity. Anyway, here is a letter from President Bassett, and my driver’s license, which will have to serve as my identification card.”
SSgt Malone then stiffened and asked, “Then, you really are General Levins?”
“Not anymore, sergeant, now I am just a private citizen. I officially turned over command to Colonel Eldridge, five days ago, on 10 April.”
SSgt Malone stuck out his hand to Levi and said, “Sir, I can’t wait to tell my CO that I actually met General Levi Levins. Wow, now I’m very nervous, sir.”
Levi took Malone’s hand and said, “Well, no need to be nervous, if fact, what say we just be friends?”
“Oh, hell yes,” said Malone, and sir, may I have your autograph?”
Levi thought, Oh Lord, autographs now, but said, “Of course, son, if you’re sure you want one.”
Malone shouted to a guard, “Smitty, call the others up. Jones, go get the CO.”
Levi jumped in with, “That’s not necessary Sergeant Malone. We’re just passing through, and not on any official business.”
“What?” said Malone, a bit too loudly, “Sir, please, if you don’t meet the CO, he’ll have my butt. I mean it, General, please wait, he’ll be her in fifteen minutes.”
Levi smiled and with a look of resignation said, “Sure; Andrew was it?”
“Yes, sir, Andrew, Andrew Malone, my Daddy named me after some guy in a song back when he was in the Army. Oh, and these guys are Dirk Smith and Del Jones, oh man, my wife will never believe I met you, sir.”
Gus tapped Malone on the shoulder, and said, “Easy son, I happen to know for a fact that he puts on his pant one leg at a time.”
“What? Oh, yeah, I’m sure he does, but this is the man who started the ROA and helped give us a safe place to live. Hell, we owe everything we have to him. Do you have any idea what it was like before the 1st Cav came in here and hanged the murders who ran things?”
Gus lost his smile and said, “Yes, son, I do, and I apologize because you are right. General Levins is a great man, and I am proud to be his friend…”
Levi smacked Gus on the back of the head and said, “Do I have to send you back to the truck? You really are pissing me off now.”
It took full twenty-five minutes for the CO and 1st Sgt. to arrive and became most apologetic when they realized this really was General Levins and company. The CO absolutely insisted they join Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry for lunch and then offer a few words to the troops.
◎
16 September 0700
City of Deep Creek
ROA
The clan was able to make their way back to the roadblock and proceed toward DC, but not without several warnings of the dangers beyond the barriers.
The last sight of the ROA was a sign that said;
Warning:
You are now leaving the Republic of America,
there is mostly farmland ahead
until you get to Windsor,
proceed at your own risk.
As they passed the sign Levi, who had asked Gus to join him in the pickup for awhile said, “Gus, please don’t ever do that again. You embarrassed the crap out of me.”
Smiling, Gus said, “Sure Levi, I promise, but everyone, especially SSgt Andrew Malone will have a wonderful memory of meeting the ROA’s George Washington, for as long as they live.”
“Oh, jeez, give me strength; just, remember Gus, you promised, no more of that hero worship bullshit.”
“Gotcha Boss,” but that meeting will spread throughout the ROA, and one day there will be a sign outside of Deep Creek saying General Levi Levins slept here. Oh, man, it will be a huge tourist attraction in two hundred years.” Gus and Levi both laughed and laughed.
◎◎◎
Chapter 3
Careful Katie, There Be Monsters About
18 April 0530
Listening Post
Four miles outside of Windsor, VA
Darren awoke Sgt. Kevin Simms, “Kev, wake up, I just heard the tin can alarm.” This alarm consisted of tin cans with a few loose rocks in them strung onto a wire at about waist height. If those cans are jostled, they sing out.
Kevin, like most professional soldiers, was instantly awake and as he listened he heard a semi-hushed voice say, “Damn you, Leroy, I told you to be careful.”
“Fuck you, Tyrell, I can’t see shit, it’s so dark out here.”
“All right,” said Tyrell, “just shush up and let’s get this job done, and you remember I get the first crack at that cutie girl.”
“Over my dead body, you do.”
That was the last thought Leroy ever had as Kevin and Darren had heard enough. They watched the two men from no more than fifteen feet away, and opened fire, killing Leroy, and wounding Tyrell. Tyrell was only alive because Kevin knew that Levi would like to ask him a few questions.
The camp was instantly up and prepared for an assault which did not come. The predawn light began to brighten the immediate area into full daylight some fifteen minutes later, and the two sergeants dragged Tyrell into camp. Darren had provided sufficient first aid to stem the flow of blood. That first aid did not, however, stem the pain; morphine was not for murderers.
Levi looked down at Tyrell and said, “Howdy, boys, nice of you to drop by for a visit. Now here is how this thing is going to go down. I ask a question, and if I like the answer, we don’t add to your current level of pain; you with me, boy?”
Tyrell looked up at Levi, Gus, Kate, Darren, Kevin, and Tim looking down at him and knew this was not going well. He said, “Yes sir, I understand, what do you want to know? Can you give me something for the pain? He shot me in the ass, and it hurts like a bastard.
Levi said, “Of course we can, but first let’s talk. Question one; what is your name?”
“Yes sir, my name is Tyrell Chaney.”
Levi smiled and said, “There, see how easy that was? Okay, question two; how did you get here?”
“Well, sir, we come by pickup truck, it’s a 68’ GMC. We parked it about a mile back up the road.”
Levi said, “Very good, Tyrell, may I call you Tyrell?”
“Oh, yes sir, but most folks just calls me Tee.”
“I see,” said Levi, “then I’ll just call you Tee. I must say Tee; you are doing well. I’ve asked three questions, and you’ve told the truth each time, good boy.
Now; what did you plan to do here?”
Tee realized this was a loaded question, and that the real answer might not be a good option, so he said, “Sir, we was lost and didn’t even know you was here. Honest, that’s the Lord’s truth.”
Kevin looked to Levi and shook his head, no. He then asked, “Sir, that’s a lie, may I do the honors? Darren, and I really did not like what these two said about Kate.”
Upon hearing this Kate suddenly became Katie as she moved somewhat behind Levi and held his hand.
“Oh, so you knew about my daughter, Kate, huh? Well, I guess Tyrell, might need a couple of lessons about lying to us and calling out the Lord as a witness to his lies. Go ahead Sergeant, lesson one if you please.”
Kevin didn’t want to do it, but he didn’t want Levi or Gus to enhance this interrogation, so he took a stick from the ground and lightly probed against the bullet hole in Tyrell’s
right buttock, causing a loud scream of both pain and panic.
“Okay, okay, please stop, I’ll tell you.”
“Well,” said, Levi, “I’m waiting, you know the question.”
“Yes sir, we was sent up here to capture all Y'all and take your stuff back to base.”
“Really, capture all of us with just the two of you. Is that right?”
“Yes sir, the boss wanted to talk to all y'all.”
“Hmmm,” said Levi, “I have to say, Tyrell, that I don’t think you are telling us the whole truth. Are you sure you want to go with that story?”
Kevin moved threateningly toward the wound and Tyrell screamed, “No, wait, I’ll tell, I’ll tell! What we was actual told was to bring just one of you back alive.”
Levi held up a hand to Kevin and said to Tyrell, “Whew, Tee that was a close one. Okay, next question, “Who is this boss?”
“Oh please,” begged Tyrell, “if I tell you he will have me skinned alive.”
Levi nodded to Kevin who again probed the wound causing Tyrell to scream.
Levi looked hard at his prisoner and finally said, “My friend, what your boss will do to you will seem like a cakewalk when we get through with you. Now, are you sure that is your final answer? SSgt. Carter, please go and heat up the knives. We may just need them.
Now Tee, I don’t want you to worry about infection because we’ll cauterize each little cut, okay?”
Kevin’s stick entered the wound. Tyrell screamed and begged for mercy.
“Tee, sometimes the quality of mercy is strained, and this is one of those times, so answer the questions, as asked, or I’ll have Darren get started on you, and I must warn you that he is sweet on Kate.”
Kate blushed, squeezed Levi’s hand with all her might, and gave Levi one long, evil look.
