The Arizona State Guard Trilogy

by Jeffrey M. Fortney

  The border defense forces also increased the size of their radar detection units, air fleets, and anti-air arsenal as well. Any UAV approaching from Mexico was given a single warning. If that warning was not heeded, the UAV was immediately shot down. Manned aircraft were given two warnings to turn back to Mexico. If those weren't obeyed, the aircraft was ordered to land at specially prepared fields along the border. Any aircraft that failed to heed this order would be forced down by helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft with extreme prejudice. If they didn't land, the border defense forces would fire upon them.

  American military scientists and engineers soon developed a new type of drone that could remain on station along the border for several days at a time. This type of drone could also carry and launch several smaller drones, each of which could attach itself to the engine cowling of an aircraft and knock out its engine with an electromagnetic pulse. Once deployed, unauthorized aircraft could be brought with greater ease, the landing left to the pilot's ability to glide a fixed-wing aircraft or auto-rotate a helicopter.

  Numerous Liberal/Progressive groups held protests in major Arizona cities and along the border near ASGuard compounds. None of the protests were very large or lasted very long. The rest of the people of Arizona, long sick of poor border security, illegal immigration, drugs, violence, and such, simply ignored the protestors. Without media coverage and in-your-face confrontation, the protestors finally realized they'd lost this particular argument.

  Disgusted, many of the protestors decided, like Bill Montag, that it was time to live amongst people more to their liking. They sold out, packed up, and moved away to California or Washington to be with their comrades. One of their more famous ringleaders, a heavy-set, middle-aged woman with long stringy hair, moved home to Austin, Texas. She wasn't there very long before she learned that the fairly large population of Progressives who had once lived there had either moved away or gone deep underground having learned their political philosophy was no longer welcome there. Soon, she too picked up stakes and moved to the Left Coast.

  One group, however, continued to march, protest, and otherwise badger the government and people of the State of Arizona. That group, who called themselves "El Pueblo" (the People), was composed of Hispanics who felt the Southwestern states had been stolen from them and were adamant about reclaiming the land for themselves!

  The ASGuard continued to work diligently to treat each illegal trespasser humanely, fairly, yet firmly. Upon being arrested, each person was fingerprinted and compared against the existing database of prior offenders. If a person was a prior offender, they were shunted to the deportation wing, given basic medical treatment for any injuries or illnesses, then promptly deported. For first time offenders, their identity was determined and entered into the database, they were given medical treatment if needed, then interviewed by ASGuard personnel. During the interview, they were told they would be deported and not to attempt another illegal crossing. They were also given paperwork to explain how to go about applying for legal status.

  After this, the offenders would be taken to the transportation wing and loaded onto an armored bus. The bus would be escorted to the village by four ASGuard armored vehicles. At Aduana del Sásabe, the offenders would be off-loaded and the convoy would then return to Sasabe, Arizona.

  Criminals with arrest warrants issued in the United States were not returned to Mexico but were sent to Tucson to be processed and prosecuted. If convicted, they served their prison sentence and then were deported to Mexico. Many of the Middle Eastern offenders turned out to be on the Terrorist Watch List and were turned over to the U.S. military.

  Strangely enough, relations between the Arizonans and the people of Aduana del Sásabe actually improved! The people of Aduana del Sásabe who survived being used as human shields reported to their relatives that the Arizona border defenders had tried very diligently to avoid harming the innocent civilians. Also, by capturing or killing hundreds of cartel members, Central American gang members, rogue Mexican military personnel, and other miscreants, the crime rate in Aduana del Sásabe dropped dramatically.

  As peace spread across the Sasabe Sector, Marcus and Teresa decided to take a few days leave. Marcus called ahead to the security team to let them know that he and Teresa would be going to the ranch. The security team leader assured him that they would stay on alert while they were there. Once all the details were worked out, they hitched a ride on an early-morning ASGuard helicopter flight headed to Tucson. The pilots were happy to deviate slightly from their flight plan and drop the Romans at Roman Ranch. Marcus and Teresa spent a day and night there, checking on the ranch, talking with the ranch workers and the security guards, and having a little time to themselves.

  The following morning, they took some steaks from the freezer to let them thaw for dinner that evening. Then they climbed into one of the ranch pickups and drove to Tucson. One of their first stops in the desert city was a large used book store, David's Paperbacks and Comics. As they entered the store, an elderly man stepped from behind the counter and walked over to greet them.

  "Why...hello there, Marcus! How have you been?" he asked, giving Marcus a bear hug.

  "I'm well, David," Marcus replied. "Please allow me introduce you to my wife, Teresa. Teresa, this is David Abrams."

  Teresa smiled and held out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir!"

  "A wife now?" David asked shaking Teresa's hand. "Welcome, welcome, Teresa, to my humble establishment. Marcus, I remember when you and your parents first came to the store...back at our old location. You were what...eight, nine?"

  Marcus chuckled and nodded at his elderly friend. "Yes sir, I was eight!"

  David turned to Teresa and spoke conspiratorially. "Your husband has been one of my favorite customers for many years. Ah, the books he has asked me to find for him over the years! Such wide spread interests! Not to mention the comic books!"

  Teresa turned to Marcus. "You read comic books?"

  "Read?" said Marcus. "No, I read and collected comics for years. It's a habit I picked up from an unlikely source...my Grandfather Maximus. Remind me when we go back to the house to show you my collection in the vault."

  "A vault? Full of treasure?" Teresa asked.

  "It's quite a set-up," said David.

  "You've seen it?" Teresa asked.

  "As I said, Marcus has been one of my favorite customers for years. As were his father and grandfather before him," said Mr. Abrams. "So, to what do I owe the honor of your presence today, my young friends?"

  Marcus smiled and said, "Teresa and I have met one of my father's and her grandfather's favorite authors...Liam W. Evanston."

  "Ah...yes, yes! Mr. Evanston has visited the store from time to time. A true gentleman! And one of my most asked after authors, I might add!"

  "Well, Teresa and I would like to see if you have two of his books for us give to Dad and Abuelo Ernesto...after we get them autographed, of course," said Marcus.

  "Capital idea!" exclaimed David. "Do you have the specific titles? I can punch them into my computer and see if it'll work with me today." Teresa told the bookstore owner the names of the particular books they wanted and David typed them into his database's search function. He said a few choice curse words under his breath, apologized for their use, and typed the names in again...correctly, this time. "Yes! Yes, I do have them. I even have a couple of first printings in excellent condition. Come, come...this way!" For an old man, David Abrams was quite spry and capable of moving quickly.

  He led the Romans through row upon row of shelves covered in books. "Ah, yes! Over here!" Abrams said and led them to an entire set of shelves dedicated to Liam W. Evanston books. Teresa saw a copy of the book she wanted for her grandfather and reached for it.

  Abrams said, "Hold on, Teresa. You don't want that copy." He reached over and behind the stack of books where Teresa had been looking and pulled out an even nicer copy of the book she wanted. It was in pristine condition for a first printing of a book th
at was over two decades old. "I set these behind the others and save them for my best customers, like your young man and his family!" He moved down the aisle and reached behind another stack of shelved books and brought out an equally pristine copy of the book Marcus was looking for. "And here you go, Marcus!"

  The sound of a bell reached them and Abrams excused himself to go welcome another customer. When he was out of ear shot, Teresa said to Marcus, "He's a charming gentleman, Marcus!"

  Marcus nodded and smiled, thinking about all the years he'd known the man. "David and his wife, Ruth, helped mold my reading habits...almost as much as my Grandfather and my parents. They have been like another set of grandparents to me."

  "Is Mrs. Abrams here? I would love to meet her," said Teresa.

  Marcus shook his head. "No, Mrs. Abrams passed away a couple of years ago. She had Alzheimers. It was very sad for David and their friends. Ruth was very well read and bit by bit, it was taken from her." Tears glistened in Marcus' eyes as he thought of the dear, sweet lady who would tell him stories to tweak his curiosity and then guide him to the books in which the stories resided. "She was a very special lady. And she would have loved you!"

  Marcus and Teresa wandered through the store for more than an hour. They pointed out favorite authors and books they had read over the years. Each selected more a couple of more books to add to their collections.

  As he rang up their purchases, David Abrams asked Teresa, "So how do you like my little bookstore, Teresa?"

  Teresa smiled at the old gentleman. "It's marvelous, Mr. Abrams! I can't wait for our next visit!"

  "Ah, ah," David began, "it's David. Mr. Abrams was my father. Did Marcus tell you about my search and hold policy? He didn't? Shame on you, Marcus! Teresa, if you think of any book you are looking for, just send me an e-mail...Marcus has the address...I'll find it for you, get you a better price, and hold it for you until you pick it up. Or I can mail it to you, if you would like!"

  "Awesome! I'll definitely be in touch!" said Teresa. Marcus paid for their purchases and the Romans shook hands with Abrams before leaving his shop. Their next stop was the largest mall in Tucson where they could look for some new clothes, music, grab some lunch, and take in a movie. By late afternoon, the Romans were on their way back to the ranch. They stopped at a small bakery as they left Tucson and picked up some fresh bread, rolls, and pastries then drove on home.

  Teresa carried the bakery items into the kitchen while Marcus carried their other purchases to their room. Walking into the kitchen, Marcus asked what he could do to help prepare dinner. Teresa asked him to fire up the grill on the patio while she prepared the steaks and vegetables. Marcus quickly got the grill going and returned to help Teresa in the kitchen. Soon the steaks were seasoned, the vegetables and were sliced and wrapped in foil, and Marcus had fixed them drinks.

  Out on the patio, Marcus put the steaks, vegetables, and bread on the grill while Teresa sat down at one of the patio tables near the barbecue. The couple chatted and sipped their drinks while Marcus worked the grill. After a while, Teresa went into the house to bring out a tray laden with plates, silverware, napkins, and condiments to set on their patio table. Marcus pulled the bread from the grilled and Teresa tore the foil away releasing the fresh scent of the warm bread. While waiting for the rest of their meal, the young couple nibbled on pieces of warm bread dipped in cinnamon butter. As Marcus prepared to remove the steaks and vegetables from the grill, Teresa ran back into the house to refresh their drinks.

  Soon, Marcus and Teresa were enjoying their meals and the crispness of the evening as they watched the sun set in the west. With their meal finished and night upon them, the Romans took their dishes into the kitchen. While putting the leftovers in the fridge and their dishes in the dishwasher, Marcus asked what Teresa would like to do for their evening. Teresa reminded Marcus, "Someone mentioned a vault, today!" Marcus chuckled, nodded, and took his wife by the hand.

  Marcus lead Teresa to the large pantry off the kitchen. He turned on the overhead light and said, "Watch carefully." He opened a circuit breaker box on the wall to the right and switched the lowest breaker on the left side of the panel to the off position. He closed the breaker box cover and stepped over to one of the shelves along the right wall. He pressed firmly on the left side of the shelf unit and it swung inward, exposing a set of stairs leading downward.

  "Walk this way, my dear," Marcus said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down like Groucho Marx. Teresa giggled at her husband's silliness and followed him down the stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Marcus pointed to a glass-covered panel to the right of the door. "Place the palm of your right hand on the cover, Sweetheart," he told her. As she did so, she saw Marcus press some buttons on a small control pad in his hand. A light bar ran horizontally down the glass panel as it scanned Teresa's palm. Marcus pressed more buttons on his device then said, "Say 'Open'." Teresa said, "Open!" The door popped open.

  Marcus opened the door fully and took Teresa by the hand to lead her into the small room beyond. Another heavier steel door was on the far wall. Marcus pressed his hand to the scanner panel to the right of that door. He swung this door open, flipped on a light switch, and said, "Honey, welcome to the Roman Family vault." Teresa gasped when she saw what was beyond the door.

  The vault was not one large room but was obviously constructed of several rooms off a common wide corridor. Shelves along the walls held food, equipment, games, and books...lots of books! Racks along one wall held a variety of weapons...from bows and knives to pistols, rifles, and even combat weapons of various calibers and destructive capability.

  "Wow..." Teresa said. "It's huge! Look at all this stuff."

  Marcus chuckled. "My Great-Grandfather, Romulus Augustulus, had this built as a bunker after World War II. He thought if we could drop atom bombs on our enemies, they just might try to bomb us. They built the new parts of the ranch house over the reinforced structure. My Grandfather, Maximus Augustus, made a number of modifications following the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Dad added the modern computer systems, communications gear, and security systems. All of us at one time or another have added to the weapons cache."

  They continued deeper into the bunker/vault. The first side room they came to was a large bathroom facility with sinks, showers, toilets as well as a washer and dryer system. Another room was a larger storeroom filled with food, water, clothing, and other supplies. Next to that room was a sparse but functional kitchen. A large open area served as a dining and entertainment area. Off to one side radios and computers lined one wall. Yet another housed ammunition in sealed canisters inside heavy metal cabinets. Some rooms were obviously sleeping quarters. The walls of the last room they entered were lined with floor to ceiling metal cabinets.

  "This is the vault," said Marcus opening one cabinet. Its shelves held racks of gold, silver, and platinum coins. "Emergency funds and a number of collectibles. And, over here in this one, voila...Grandfather's comic book collection! Want to see a near mint Action Comics #1, first appearance of Superman? Or, maybe you're more of a Marvel Comics fan? Let's see...here it is...Captain America Comics #1! Although, technically, that would be Timely Comics."

  Teresa could only shake her head and chuckle as her husband's "inner geekiness" began to show. While she recognized the characters from modern culture, she had never been a comic book fan. She fervently hoped Marcus wouldn't hold it against her.

  Marcus opened another cabinet. "Here's my comic book collection. I picked up more or less where Grandpa Maximus left off. I'm more of a DC Comics fan than a Marvelite. I stopped my collection when DC scrapped their entire continuity a few years back. Their rebooted characters were horrible! Ugh!" He actually shuddered as he said the last.

  "These cabinets over here have many of our first edition books, picked up through the years. We have first editions of all of L. Frank Baum's Oz books thanks to Great-Grandma Roman. Edgar Rice Burroughs books, too!" Marcus opened the cabinets to show the carefully preserved books
neatly lining the shelves; then closed and secured each door. "These rooms are climate controlled to protect everything, especially the books! So what do you think, Sweetheart?"

  Teresa just shook her head, still numb from all she had seen and heard. "Wow still sums it up pretty nicely!" She followed Marcus as he shutoff lights and led the way from the bunker. On their way out, Marcus showed her how to close the bunker/vault, automatically resetting its security system. Minutes later they were back in the kitchen. Teresa looked up at her husband and said, "You and your family continue to amaze me!"

  Marcus drew his beautiful wife into his embrace and kissed her upon the lips. Glancing up and toward the bedroom down the hall, he said, "Then follow me, pretty lady, and I'll amaze you even more!"

  Teresa cracked up! "Yeah, right! I've heard you say that before, lover boy! This time you'd better deliver!"

  "A man loves a challenge, Sweetheart!" said Marcus. "But, alas, what's this? The lady is armed! That just won't do!" He pulled her clip-on holster from her belt and set it and the automatic pistol within on the kitchen counter.

  Teresa played along, running her hands around his waist. "Oh, look! You're hard already but in all the wrong place! Is that an automatic...or are you just happy to see me?" She pulled his holster and weapon from his belt and put them on the counter next to hers. Giggling, Teresa took Marcus by the hand and led him to their bedroom.

  It is understandable that a man and a woman can become forgetful in the heat of passion. That night Marcus and Teresa Roman experienced two lapses in their normal routine...both of which would bite them in the ass and which they would ultimately regret...later.

  Chapter 12