“The Federal Forces are doing much more than that. The chatter indicates they are mobilizing for a full invasion on the North. They are selling it as Northern treason against the union. The major Social Safety members will end up controlling it all,” Harold panicked.
“My brother and grandparents are still there,” Dexter worried, as Trucker whined beside him, upset by this change in character. “I’ve got to tell Bennet. We need to get there right away!”
“Dexter, get to this address,” Harold explained without hesitation. He had to get this boy out of this city. He wrote steadily on a piece of paper. “The woman who lives there, Yolanda, will help you. Go get your crew and get out tonight. I’ll get her the message and she’ll be ready.”
“Okay,” Dexter agreed, his mind reeling as he grabbed the paper from Harold. He hugged the man deeply again.
“We will see each other again. Now go,” Harold ordered as they walked to the door.
As Harold opened it for them, he stared into Dexter’s eyes and asked, “Where are they?”
Dexter knew he meant his parents. “They’re down south. Maybe headed your way,” Dexter replied as he went out the door with Trucker and Johnny. “Good to see you, Rob. Take care of your old man,” he concluded as he and Johnny slipped into the shadows and melted away.
They double-timed it back to MSgt Bennet as the late afternoon began to slip away. They found a master sergeant with a vein bulging from his forehead, pacing the floor.
“Well, it’s about time, gentlemen,” Bennet said with relief as they entered. “Where have you been?”
“We ran into Rob Duncan,” Dexter informed him.
“Harold’s son?” the master sergeant questioned.
“The same. Harold’s been stationed here. He has a way out for us, but we have to go tonight,” Dexter sputtered.
“Do you still trust him, Dexter,” Bennet had to ask.
Dexter paused for a moment as he checked over his pack.
“Without question,” Dexter replied.
“You sure? Time can change people. He has a nice, comfortable federal job now. Why would he want to put that at risk?” Bennet prodded.
Dexter stopped what he was doing and looked at Bennet, “Why did you, sir?”
Bennet didn’t have an answer and began packing his gear. Dexter gave him the paper with the address and explained the news about the northern invasion to him.
“What are you talking about, Master Sergeant? We are not heading west. We are going north. Johnny’s dad, my brother and grandparents, Major Virgis, they are all there. We have to help them,” Dexter pleaded passionately.
“Help them do what, Dex? Evacuate to the West? Look around, there’s four of us. We knew this day might come, and the plan is to regroup with the Mercenaries and refugees in the west and plan our strategy from there.” The Master Sergeant knew he had to look past the emotions of the situation and follow the game plan.
“Fine, then Johnny and I will go,” Dexter puffed, infuriated.
“No, Dex, we won’t,” Johnny chimed in. “My dad’s in trouble too, but I think the master sergeant is right. We must regroup with the Mercenary force if we have any hope of winning this war.”
“You’re only saying that because there’s no hope of saving your dad,” Dexter snapped at his friend. “My brother needs me.”
Johnny was obviously dejected by Dexter’s hurtful words.
“Dexter!” the master sergeant countered. “If you go north, you will die and then you’re no help to anyone. Right now, we need to focus on getting out of this city, and I need both of your heads one hundred percent in the game. Do you hear me, soldiers?” Bennet demanded.
Their training and instincts brought them back to reality. “Yes, sir,” they responded, strapping on their gear.
Chapter 18
after being ushered into a large meeting room, Erika stood with Vince, waiting. Watching the people in the room, it looked to Erika like most of the Militia leadership had made their way here for this meeting. Her eyes focused on Cassidy. Melvin had escorted her and Erika over here so fast there was no time to properly attend to their wounds besides receiving a quick washing and a wrap to stop the bleeding. Cassidy was talking frantically with two of the men who Erika had watched kidnap her husband.
The other groups present stood somewhat isolated from one another. It was apparent to Erika who the regional representatives were by the attention of their entourages. She recognized some of them. Ted Ferguson, the man Erika had met in Houston was there with his wife, Paula. Another man she recognized from the governing board review. He was the man who had been the Constitutionalist Representative for the Central region. She thought hard, trying to remember his name. Then it came to her: Emery Hahn.
Erika was growing tired of the delay, as her wounds began to swell. Vince looked at her with concern in his eyes, the effects of the ether still fuzzing his brain. He worried about her but desperately wanted to hear the news about the north. Finally, Governor Dixon appeared with Melvin. Erika had noticed security in the room increase before his arrival, but he entered quietly and without ceremony.
“I called you all together because of an urgent situation we feared was going to happen, but now it has become a reality. The Federal Forces have made some bold moves in the last twenty-four hours. The Constitutionalist Party Members have been arrested and are sitting with General McClintock in federal prison under a charge of collusion with the resistance movement. Their seats have been given to Social Safety Party members as well as those from the Congressional Party that they are able to control.
“Their first order was to eliminate the Mercenary and Militia soldiers. Members had to join the Federal Forces or accept a refugee designation for themselves and their family. We received word that most are headed west. We have communications being routed to their commanders as we speak.
“Attacking the governing board and the independent factions was not enough, though. They are performing a full-on invasion into the Northern Region under charges of grand treason. It is being wiped clean of landowners and refugees alike.” Governor Dixon paused for a moment as a large murmur went through his assembled leaders.
Vince put his arm gently around Erika, flushed with concern for his family.
“It’s true,” another man said. “They opened up the gates and started rolling in tanks. They headed for the Mercenary bases first.”
“There’s nothing we can do now, Derrick,” Dixon admitted sadly. “But we will take it back one day. We are not going to sit here and wait for them to set their sights on us, though.”
“What are you suggesting, Governor?” an older man with sandy gray hair and a beard that matched asked.
“Bernie, I’m suggesting that we take the opportunity to reclaim all of Texas. The battle for the South is about to begin,” Governor Dixon replied.
“Ted, do you think your men are ready to accomplish this?” Bernie asked the man that Erika had gone to for reinforcements in Houston.
“We could use all the help we can get, but I think we are ready. Especially if they are focused on the North,” Ted answered.
“Derrick’s Northern soldiers are retreating to the badlands with the Mercenaries. Can you send any reserves in to help attack the New Mexico border, Cassidy?” The governor looked to her.
“Yes, sir, I have three teams at the ready as we speak,” she answered confidently.
The governor turned and addressed a tan-skinned man with black hair and a small mustache next.
“Yamir, I can’t even get you back into the Central Region, so I know you can’t get anyone out.”
“You got that right, sir. We are working on a way, though. If you’ll give me an hour of your time later,” the man requested.
“You got it,” Dixon responded. Then he turned to face Emery. “Do you think you can get any teams across the water?”
“No sir, the Federal Forces have four battleships out in the Mississippi Sea. Any disturbance from the
Appalachian Region and those ships will be aimed right at us. With all respect, sir, you can flee inland, but we cannot,” Emery answered. Erika was confused. She remembered Emery as the candidate for the Central Region, but now he was representing the Appalachian Region.
“We’re working on a solution, but right now we have to just hope that cutting them off our fuel will cripple them enough to get a foothold until we can organize with the mercs in the badlands,” Governor Dixon assured Emery. “The last order of business is that you may have noticed that I invited Erika and her husband Vince Moore into our inner circle. We have agreed to help her get her mom out of Dallas when our teams move in…” Dixon was interrupted by a woman in Ted Ferguson’s group.
“Erika’s mother, Nancy Fisher, is no longer in Dallas. I have contacts within the textile factories that reported that Mathew Tweed came and removed her himself. The assumption is he took her to the Vegas Camp,” she relayed.
“Great, just great,” Erika mumbled, her body starting to rock back and forth slightly with frustration.
“Thank you for the intel, Katie,” the governor said, a little perturbed that she had stopped him mid-sentence. “Anyhow, please welcome Erika and Vince and give them any assistance they need. I’ll talk to you both privately in a minute,” he addressed them. “Now… Let’s get ready to take back what’s ours!”
The assembled crowd clapped, cheered, and then fell into groups of chatter amongst one another. Erika was headed straight to the medical center to get patched up. Her body was starting to ache as the adrenaline depleted in her veins. The governor caught up to them on the way out.
“I still want you to join us. We’re headed to Vegas too. One branch of the army will head west around the Southern Tip of the Ogallala Lake and attack the southwestern border crossing. We’ll contact the mercs and start taking the West,” the governor explained. “It will take some time, but we’ll get there.”
“Time may not be something we have a lot of,” Erika answered in a half-delirious state of exhaustion.
“Why, what’s going on?” the governor wondered. What was the pressing matter that was driving this couple like there was a whip to their backs, he wondered? Vince and Erika hesitated to answer, and it only added to his curiosity. “Come on, I’ll walk with you to see my doc.”
As they walked down the hall of the large building, Vince and Erika laid it all out for the governor. They informed him of the likely scenario that another massive quake was imminent. It was questionable what the new coastline would look like after that, or if this time there would be even more volcanic activity than last time. During the Great Quake they had gotten lucky; the supervolcano in Montana remained dormant.
The governor took the news in stride and understood the realities of this new information. Texas would lose more land, but Las Vegas would be completely wiped out along with most of the badlands. Erika’s mom had been taken directly into the danger zone, and now the need to get there was even more urgent in Erika’s mind.
The Governor left Vince and Erika at his private doctor’s rooms, awaiting their decision of staying with the Militia or heading out on their own. Erika’s tricep injury was the worst gash she had received, but the one on her face was the one she hated the most. The tricep muscle was stitched carefully back together with dissolvable stitches, and the skin was sewed together over that. The slice in her cheek received eight ugly stitches of its own.
“We need to go, now,” Vince urged Erika.
“I know, Vince,” Erika agreed. “Things are way out of control now. We have to find Bennet and find out what happened to Daniel.”
“I can’t believe this happened. I knew we shouldn’t have split up and now we’re spread out all over the country. God knows where Dex is now. What happened to Star? We need some info ASAP. What are we going to do?” Vince babbled nervously.
“I know, Vince. I’m sorry. I had no idea this would happen,” Erika mumbled, trying to say something that would make it better. Unfortunately, there were no words.
The curtain that surrounded Erika’s bed flew open in a sudden burst as Cassidy ripped it back.
“I heard you talking about your family and I understand how hard it is to be away from them, but you can’t leave now,” Cassidy urged them. “I hated you, Erika. I wanted to kill you so bad. I heard your story everywhere: The Lone Survivor of Sacramento. I hated that too. I couldn’t escape the talk about the heroes defying the new system. I even hated the hope it was giving people that we could be free once again.
“You have to be there to help. The people will need to know you are with them. They will follow you because they identify with you. Don’t throw that momentum away now.”
“Cassidy, even though I had to fight all my life to survive, I’m no soldier. I led a Rescue Team. We ran in and grabbed supplies before the disaster struck. There’s nothing I can do here and my family and friends, they need us,” Erika tried to explain.
“And what about all these people, willing to pick up pitchforks and fight battleships? What about their families? What about all the refugees that can no longer have families?” She knew this comment would hit Erika deeply. Erika’s oldest children had been unlawfully infertilized while they were in the refugee camp. As landowners, it never should have happened. “They need you too,” Cassidy countered.
“I don’t know, Cassidy. Right now, all I want is some sleep,” Erika answered.
“I get that,” Cassidy agreed, feeling the same exhaustion from their grueling battle. “You’re one brutal lady.”
“As are you,” Erika said with a smile.
Vince walked quietly next to Erika on their way back to the room. He hadn’t said a word since the altercation with Cassidy.
“What’s up?” Erika finally asked as they entered the room.
“Nothing,” Vince said distractedly.
“Come on, Vince. I’m tired. What’s up?” Erika pried.
“That woman, Cassidy, maybe she’s right,” Vince replied.
“What?” Erika was surprised.
“You’re a figurehead, you rally the troops, just like Bennet wanted,” Vince explained.
“It doesn’t matter, Vince. They used us to try to change the country. Now we’re going to war and I have no idea what’s happening to my children,” Erika relayed, undressing for bed.
“We’re where we are for a reason. I always say: God has us right where he wants us. Well, maybe God has us right where he wants us. Governor Dixon will establish communications with the merc army and we’ll get news that way. Hopefully, Major Virgis got my mom and dad and Daniel out before the invasion,” Vince thought out loud.
“Are you serious, Vince? You’re the one who wanted to leave so bad,” Erika said as she climbed under the covers.
“I know, but that woman... She wanted to kill you, Erika, and look what you did?” Vince tried to explain how he had come to his conclusion.
“Got cut up and barely survived,” Erika sighed.
“No, you stood your ground, and now she is begging you to join her army. It’s incredible. Life is what it is, and we are where we are. Who’s to say we’re not right where we’re supposed to be?” Vince explained.
“I’d feel much better if I knew the kids and our parents were safe,” Erika said closing her eyes.
“I agree,” Vince admitted, kissing her gently.
Chapter 19
Bennet followed Smith down an alley while Johnny and Dex brought up the rear. They were sour with one another and only made eye contact to communicate tactical information. Bennet worried constantly about the status of the Mercenary soldiers. The time they feared might come one day had finally arrived.
Thanks to Erika and Vince’s rash move, he was on the wrong side of the country. His training had been for an evacuation plan for the mercs in the North but not the South. His mind wandered to the Mercenary soldiers still being held at the base here in Dallas. He wished he could save them, but the numbers didn’t work.
Dex
ter sulked behind the team. He couldn’t believe this was happening. If I’d never joined the mercs, I could have been there for Daniel, he cursed himself.
He tried desperately not to think about his brother and focus on the task at hand as they crept down the street. His footsteps slowed, and he found himself absentmindedly falling behind. Dexter watched the team turn a corner in the distance. You know what? Screw this, he said to himself, running toward Harold’s house. He sent Trucker out to the edge to watch from afar and stored his gear in a garbage can that he could return to on the way back.
As he walked down a street laden with stores, he saw a federal search party coming his way. He tucked into a candy store and looked at the wares with one eye on the door. A group of young adults entered together, jovially laughing. They knew what they wanted, made their purchases, and were soon headed out the door. Dexter walked out the door following their group, making it look like he was a local, enjoying a moment with friends. He passed right by the soldiers. He walked behind the young adults for a while before he slipped down another alley headed for Harold’s house.
Dexter stood, dripping with sweat on the doorstep, rapping at the door sharply. It opened.
“Dexter!” a woman’s voice declared.
The door swung open farther.
“Dexter! Oh, my goodness. Is that you? Come in,” she exclaimed.
“Yes, Betsy, it’s me,” Dexter agreed, quickly entering the home.
He hugged her tightly and her green eyes sparkled with joy. Harold approached from the kitchen.
“Dexter, what are you doing back here?” Harold wondered.
“Back here? You didn’t tell me you saw Dexter today,” Harold’s wife, Betsy, accused him. She was a lively lady who had been like an aunt to Dexter for most of his life.
“He’s wanted by the feds, Betsy. Lieutenant Ashish was at the house today. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t have to lie,” he told his wife. “What are you doing back here? You have to get out tonight,” Harold directed his attention to Dex.
The Changing Earth Series (Book 4): Battle for the South Page 10
