The Journal (Book 6): Martial Law

by Deborah D. Moore

  Journal Entry March 12

  The funeral service for Joshua was brief, led by Father Constantine. Emilee wailed openly for the loss of her best friend. Many cried with her and for her, including me. Joshua was a big part of our family.

  ***

  “You can’t just leave!” Tom shouted at Allexa.

  “And you can’t stop me,” she retorted. “Tom, listen, this is important to all of us. We need communication with Sawyer and I think Major Kopley can help. Besides, he needs to know the colonel is missing.”

  There, she was the first to admit he was actually missing.

  “We’ll only be gone two, maybe three days. I promise. I also promise to walk as little as possible.”

  Allexa had washed and carefully ironed the uniform she wore while on the road trip with the colonel a year earlier, and now stood before Tom, an Army lieutenant. Eric had resurrected his BDUs from the limited clothing he had brought from Florida and with his maroon beret on, stood by her side.

  Eric picked up her duffle and added it to his already in the remaining Humvee. Jason and he had discussed this trip and they both felt it was good timing to finish their project. Eric’s mission now was to keep their mother away so Jason could complete the details without having to hide.

  “With 150 open you should make decent time,” Tom said, pouting.

  “I’m sure we will. We’ll be back in no time.” Allexa gave him a hug and left. She climbed in the Hummer and slipped her military ID into the visor next to her son’s.

  ***

  “Did Rayn give you a hard time about leaving?” Allexa asked.

  “Not really. Remember, Mom, she is still military, and she understands missions,” Eric said, turning south on county road 150. They rode in silence for several miles, bumping along the poorly maintained gravel road. Eric slowed as they approached the hairpin turn, maneuvering the Hummer around a few stray rocks that littered the road.

  Allexa, lost in thought, stared out the side window at the passing scenery.

  “You’re awfully quiet, Mom. Is there something wrong?”

  She smiled painfully at her son. “Yes. Everything is wrong. Our lives have been turned upside down in the last two and a half years. Yet here we are, driving along like it’s just another day in our lives.”

  “It is just another day in our lives, though, Mom. Our new lives. I’ve gotten used to it, haven’t you?”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever really get used to it. This life, this world, is so much more difficult than I thought it would be,” Allexa said. “And in another hour we’ll be at Sawyer, so you better get used to calling me lieutenant colonel, Sergeant.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Eric grinned. They came to a “T” in the road. “Right or left? I’m not familiar with this route.”

  “Left. For future reference, this is a loop. Either direction will take us to US41, left is shorter and in the direction we want to go.”

  “Where was that subdivision you and the colonel found?”

  “Up behind Walstroms,” she replied. “Maybe on our way back we can stop there again. Jim and I explored only the one road, but there was another that was blocked by a downed tree.”

  “Glad I stuck a chainsaw in the back.” Eric laughed, obviously enjoying their adventure. He turned left onto US41 then down a few miles to the turnoff that lead to Sawyer Air Force Base.

  “Interesting…” Allexa mumbled. “This road has been smoothed out. Last time much of the pavement had been buckled. I’ll have to ask Major Kopley about that.”

  A half hour later, they spotted the guard gates and Eric slowed.

  “I know you have a level head, Eric, just remember we are both military from now on, and you trust no one, and I mean no one with the truth about me.”

  “Yes, Lieutenant Colonel, ma’am!” he said, slowing down at the gate. They both reached for their IDs and Eric handed them to the guard.

  “Lieutenant, welcome back to Sawyer.” The sergeant snapped a quick salute. He peered into the Hummer and confirmed Eric’s picture. “Sgt. Rush, may I ask your business here?”

  “Sgt. First Class Rush is my PA,” Allexa answered for him. “Where I go, he goes. Will you please let Major Kopley know I’m here.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The gate lifted without further questioning and they drove to the main compound.

  ***

  “Lt. Smeth, good to see you again,” Major Kopley greeted her warmly.

  “Steve, it’s good to see you too. May I introduce my PA and bodyguard, Sgt. First Class Eric Rush.”

  Eric snapped a clean salute. “Major.”

  “So,” Kopley eyed the young soldier in front of him returning his salute, and then turned back to Allexa, “what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Allex?”

  “Where can we sit and talk? I need to stay off my feet.”

  “I noticed a slight limp and now I can see bruises. You look like you were in a fight. What happened?” the major asked with genuine concern.

  “In part, it’s why I’m here,” she said, evading his question.

  “Do you need our medic? I’ll summon him immediately.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Steve. Moose Creek has a very competent doctor, but thank you.” She settled in a chair across from him at his desk. Eric stood at parade rest behind her. “I dislocated my knee last week during a tornado.”

  “Ah, we had that on radar. Did that hit you?”

  “We had a touchdown. The injuries, and deaths, could have been prevented had we some forewarning, and that’s why I’m here. I’m hoping you can get me communications between the two posts. Nothing fancy, maybe a long range mobile unit, like a MBMMR,” she suggested. Eric had briefed her on what to ask for. “Had we gotten some warning I could have taken better cover.”

  “Of course. That would be easy to do,” Kopley said. “May I also suggest a vehicle mount – SINCGARS, which is what I keep here in my office. I’ll have my techs get right on it.” He picked up a requisition form, filled in a few lines and signed it, then handed it to Allexa.

  “Thank you,” she said. Without looking at it she handed it to Eric. “It will be nice to have a heads-up next time.”

  “I’ll make certain it comes your way immediately. What was the extent of your injuries, Allex?” Kopley asked.

  “A dislocated knee, which is doing much better now,” she said, “multiple bruises, and a fractured wrist from when my housing was hit and collapsed on me.” She held up the soft cast on her left hand. The purple and yellow bruises on her face and neck were still visible.

  Steve paled. “You mentioned deaths, how many?”

  “Two, and they were very important members of the community.” She wasn’t about to tell him one of those deaths was a cow.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. What else can I do for you?” the major asked.

  Allexa turned to Eric. “Sergeant Rush, will you see to getting this requisition filled?” Eric looked stunned that she was dismissing him. “And would you see that the mail satchel gets to the post mail room, and anything for Moose Creek is picked up.” He nodded and left the room.

  Steve watched the maroon beret walk out the door, then leaned back in his chair.

  “Steve, the colonel is missing. He left for a two week reconnaissance to the Keweenaw the first of November and I haven’t heard from him since. It’s been four months.” She tapped her fingers rapidly on the arm of the chair in frustration. “I don’t know what you can do, but I thought you should know.”

  “I see.” Steve looked away momentarily. “He was here in early November and went on to the Soo. A week later he was back here and had orders for my Corp of Engineers.” He wiped his large hand over his smooth face.

  The news stunned Allexa. “I thought he went directly to the Keweenaw. I wasn’t aware he was going to the Soo. However, he doesn’t tell me everything. And since he outranks me, I don’t expect him to. Then again, there are times he likes to surprise me.” She let her face go neutral ev
en though her thoughts were running rampant.

  “I haven’t forgotten that you outrank me, Lt. Colonel,” Major Kopley said humbly.

  “I hope you realize that was an angry slip. No harm, no foul.”

  “Have you been into Marquette recently?” he asked, shifting the focus.

  “Not in a year. It was still too hot and the trip was…grim.”

  “The city has burned itself out, but the coal yard is still hot and likely will be for years to come.” Kopley leaned back in his seat, wondering if he should further explain that Col. Andrews had issued orders for the 695 bridge in Marquette to be repaired or replaced if needed. Perhaps this was one of those times Jim wanted to surprise her. Kopley kept silent; she’d find out soon enough.

  “That would explain why the road has been smoothed out.” She paused, and then said, “I’d like the use of an office and computer. I’d like to check in with my geeks in the Soo.”

  “Of course, but Sgt. Toth is here if you want to speak to him directly.”

  “Billy is here?” She grinned.

  ***

  During his stay at Sawyer under the command of Major Kopley, Sgt. Billy Toth, computer genius, observed how inefficient the military was in getting things done. Necessary things, like getting supplies to outlying posts. In November, he had overheard Colonel Andrews and the major discussing those very necessary items for Moose Creek and how slow the delivery had been. Knowing command worked from the top down, Billy got busy.

  Accessing the Pentagon email site wasn’t difficult, since he was on a military computer and a secure server. Finding the right dormant email was a bit more challenging, though not impossible. After an hour of stealthy searching, he found what he was looking for: a general’s email address that hadn’t been used for two months, ever since the latest super flu outbreak hit DC. It wasn’t only the public that suffered from these devastating outbreaks that left those remaining unsure and sometimes floundering; the military had also been hit hard. The conclusion Billy came to was the general had succumbed to the illness and either no one knew or no one knew to delete his access. Billy looked up the general’s statistics and service record. It was perfect for his project. He couldn’t take the risk that someone actually knew this general so he changed the name.

  With a real service record, any search into the new fictitious general would produce real and accurate information. Any email coming from the address had the option of being labeled “Classified” with a verifiable banner. This was not a private server; there were no multiple devices used. Billy made sure the account was secure. He also made sure that a single keystroke would activate a sub-routine and wipe that email clean, leaving no traces back to him.

  Billy’s alter ego, Four-star General Brent Langley, was created. And the general was most generous. The general also always went through channels. It looked much more legit for a four star general to make his request to a two star general, who in turn gave orders to a colonel or a major. In the last several months, no one had questioned a single order that Sgt. Toth as General Langley had issued, mainly because Billy intercepted all of the major’s outgoing email, and knew exactly what they were asking for, mainly food and fuel.

  ***

  “Hello, Billy,” Allexa said, leaning against the doorway to his large office.

  “Lt. Smeth!” He jumped from his seat and gave her a hug. “Oh, sorry, it’s just good to see you.” A red flush creeped up his neck.

  “It’s really good to see you too, Billy. I have something I need you to do for me.”

  Billy listened intently while Allexa explained the situation.

  “I’ll need more than several minutes to do that. I have an idea that will buy me some time that is quicker.” He wrinkled his nose, snickered, and started typing.

  ***

  Major Steve Kopley finished his email to General Jameson, reporting on the disappearance of Colonel James Andrews and the arrival of Lt. Col. Allexa Smeth. He hit send and pulled up the classified site that listed all military personnel records and began typing in his personal access code. As un-military as Smeth felt to him, Sgt. Rush was very military. That this young man was her personal assistant was another conundrum.

  An email notice from G**Jameson popped up and he deleted his partially filled in code as protocol demanded before moving to read the mail from the two star general:

  “That Col. Andrews is now MIA is worrisome. Use whatever means necessary to find him. I will issue formal orders to that effect shortly.

  On the brighter side, it’s good to know Smeth is well. She’s been dark for many months. Good call on issuing a means of comms. This is an officer we don’t want to lose touch with again. The Pentagon has been asking about her. General Langley, a four star in G3 in particular. Knowing she was instrumental in getting that half of Michigan back on-line has not gone unnoticed and they don’t want to misplace that valuable asset again. **G

  So much for him still doubting her military background. Kopley sighed, and hit reply.

  I will be sure to tell her you send your regards. Her PA is overseeing the installment of a SINCGARS to their HV, and they will take an MBMMR with them.

  He waited patiently for a reply. After five minutes he started to pull up the personnel site again then stopped when another email popped up.

  Sorry for the delay; Langley contacted me. The Pentagon has issued orders to promote Smeth to a full bird colonel, in essence replacing Andrews. Wish I could be there to do the honors, but you will have to take care of that for me.

  Steve leaned back and stared at the screen for a moment, then he reopened the personnel site, tapped in his password, and typed in Rush, Eric, Sergeant First Class. The file came up classified.

  In Washington, General Jameson frowned. At some point he had been left out of the loop. He had no idea who Smeth was, but he certainly wasn’t going to admit that to anyone, especially not a four star.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  “Done!” Billy said. A ping sounded on his computer. “And it looks like just in time. Major Kopley just tried to access his file.”

  “I knew he would try,” Allexa said. “How far did he get?”

  “Sgt. Rush’s file is now marked classified and it shows him being assigned to Operation Boy Scout, which is a dead end,” Billy said. He looked away and then back at Allexa.

  “Okay Billy, I know that look. What’s up?” she asked. “You read his file first, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I did. I only took a glance. I speed-read and have a photographic memory though,” he confessed. “I know who he is. I also now know why it’s important to keep his file, a real military file, hidden. You must be very proud of him.”

  “Oh, you have no idea how proud I am. If anyone were to find out he’s…what our relationship is, it could be used against either of us.” Allexa stood and moved toward the door.

  “I won’t tell anyone,” Billy assured her.

  She stopped and turned back. “Billy, if I had any doubts at all, I wouldn’t have asked you to do this.” She smiled warmly at him and left to find her son.

  As soon as she left, Billy got busy.

  ***

  “Sgt. Rush,” Allexa called, spotting Eric in the commissary. “Have any difficulties with the radio installment?” She moved him away from the limited display of boots.

  “None whatsoever, Lt. Smeth. In fact, it seems that requisition included new tires and a full tank of diesel.” He looked back at the display. “Do you think I could get new boots while we’re here?”

  “Come with me.” She moved him to the uniform section where she spotted a familiar face. “Smitty!”

  “Lt. Smeth, it’s good to see you again.” The corporal grinned broadly at her. “What can I do for you?”

  “My PA, Sgt. Rush, needs new boots. Can you help him and put it on my or the colonel’s account?”

  “No problem ma’am. Major Kopley stopped by earlier and said if there was anything you needed you now have an open accou
nt.”

  “That’s good to know, thank you, Smitty. Outfit Sgt. Rush with whatever he wants.” She turned to Eric and said, “I’m going over to the medic’s for an ice pack. Meet me in the officer’s lounge at 1600 hours.”

  “Excuse me, ma’am, before you go,” Smitty said, looking up from his computer. “I just now received an order from Major Kopley to outfit you with a set of dress greens. If you can wait a few minutes to try them on…”

  “Of course, Smitty.” When he was gone to the back shelves, she said to Eric, “I wonder what that’s all about.”

  Eric shrugged.

  “Here you are, ma’am. Dressing room is still behind the curtain,” Smitty said, handing her a pile of clothes.

  ***

  Emerging from behind the curtain, Allexa was met with two smiling men.

  “Those look really good on you, Mo… uh, ma’am,” Eric stumbled on his words.

  “They fit you perfectly.” Smitty smiled proudly. The dark green pants fit her trim waist and the pale green short sleeved blouse accented her muscled arms. “If you leave your BDUs, I’ll have them laundered and returned to your temporary quarters before you return from dinner.”

  ***

  Allexa sat with her left leg resting on the leather couch, an ice pack balanced on her knee. She closed her eyes and rested, savoring the cool relief from the ice.

  “Excuse me, ma’am,” a civilian said softly to waken her. “There’s a non-com here requesting admission, saying you asked him to meet you here.”

  “I’m assuming that’s Sgt. Rush. Let him in, please.” Allexa shifted to sit up, keeping the ice pack in place. “Have a seat, Sergeant.” She grinned at him. “Did you get everything you needed?”

  “I did, thank you.” He sat in the chair beside her. “How long will we be here? I’m feeling nervous.”