The Shelter: WAR

by Ira Tabankin

  Jay and his closest friends are crowded in his family room like everyone else, waiting for the election results. Lacy and Nancy are still glowing after their successful away mission. They located an untouched small grocery store the just across the border in Kentucky. The store had a basement full of unopened cases of food which yielded five truckloads of canned and boxed food. They made three trips to strip the store down to its bare shelves. Four of the floor refrigerators were also taken to help the community store meat and other products which required refrigeration. The discovered food will help feed the people for another couple of months.

  They moved six large monitors into the family room and made pots of coffee, the teens set up tables with small snacks and finger food. The room began filling up an hour before the announcement. By 9:00 PM there are forty people crowded in the room.

  Fred, who was one of the first to arrive waved to Jay, yelling to be heard over the loud volume of voices,

  “Jay, want to bet on the results? I’ve got one gold coin that says we secede.”

  Tony yells across the room,

  “I’ll take that bet; Jay you want in on this?”

  “Nope, count me out. I don’t want to bet on our future.”

  Fred laughs, he tries to yell back, however, since he’s has a mouthful of snacks, he sprays food on Lacy when he responds,

  “You used to bet all the time, it’s how you made your fortune. You bought lottery tickets, isn’t that betting?”

  “Yeah, but that was different. I thought I was playing a game with my day dreams. I never thought we would win.”

  “Come-on, you can easily afford one coin. Or has your new best friend, the Governor already told you the results?”

  “It isn’t the coin; and no, he didn’t tell me anything. I’m not going to place a bet because I agree with you. I think the people voted for their own demise. I think we’re going to be fighting the rest of the country before we’re prepared for the war. I really worry we’re going to be repeating our history, we didn’t learn from history’s mistakes and are doomed to repeat its mistakes. I worry about our future.”

  “Don’t you think this time D.C. will leave us alone?”

  “Nope, they’re drunk on power, they won’t leave us alone, they won’t be happy until they control every aspect of our lives from our births to our deaths. Soon they will try to dictate who’s allowed to be born and who’s not.”

  Their discussion is interrupted by the talking heads that announce they are expecting the Governor’s to announce the election results in five minutes. The room quickly quiets as everyone’s focus is on the monitors. At 9:30 the screen shows thirteen small boxes, each of the southern governor’s heads appear in one of the boxes. The thirteen Southern governors smile into the cameras. The Texas Governor looks up from his wheelchair.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for allowing us into your homes. We’re here this evening to announce the results of today’s election. We previously announced we wanted more than a simple majority to vote pro or con our plan to secede. We set the bar at 60% which most of the so called experts said was an impossible number. They said the country couldn’t agree on anything, let alone 60% agree to secede without knowing all of the ramifications of breaking the bonds with the Union. I’m happy to be selected to make the results of our election known.” He’s handed a gold envelope with a wax seal, he rips the envelope open, breaking the seal. Looking into the camera, he smiles saying.

  “It looks like the talking heads, as usual, were wrong. The results of the election are, 67% voted YES to secede and 33% voted to stay in the Union. We are now declaring our independence from the United States of America. I’m happy to welcome the people of the South to the Confederate States of America!”

  Jay shakes his head mumbling,

  “And so it begins. I’m reminded of T.S. Eliot’s poem, ‘This is the way the world ends not with a bang but a whimper.’ When this is over whoever survives will be whimpering. I’m not ashamed to admit, I’m afraid.”

  He’s interrupted by the phone ringing, everyone in the room looks at Jay, they’re afraid it’s Todd in the security room calling to inform everyone they’re under attack.

  “Hello, this is Jay.”

  “Hello General, what can I do for you?”

  Jay listens for a couple of minutes,

  “Come on over, we’re all in the family room, I’m sure we can squeeze you and the Major in.”

  Hanging up, Jay doesn’t have to tell his friends, they all heard him tell General Arthur to come over. He hangs up the phone and it rings again.

  “Hello, this is Jay.”

  “Hello, Captain. Yes, we’re all watching. Sure, come on over, the more, the merrier.”

  Jay looks at his friends,

  “We need to make a little more room, we’re about to have a couple more visitors. General Arthur and Captain Black are on the way over.”

  @@@@@

  Al Afi watches the election results,

  “The stupid country is confused and about to be broken up, this is a good time to attack, they won’t be thinking about us. Prepare the main army to attack both the North and South at their border, we’ll keep both sides off balance. I want to hit them within twenty-four hours before they can figure out how to respond. This is our time to grab more land and kill thousands of infidels.”

  Al Afi doesn’t know he has an FBI spy in his group who reports his plans to the Head Quarters of the FBI.

  @@@@@

  El Chapo is thinking the same thing as the ISIS commander,

  “This is our time. Hit them hard, we can take back some of our territory before they can organize. Their military is frozen trying to figure out which side they’re on. Tell our commanders to begin their attacks tonight. The South will be partying, we should hit them while they’re drunk and not watching. This is our time.”

  His son smiles nodding his head.

  “I’ll go to lead our men.”

  “No, I want you here, send the orders. Stand by me and learn how to command an army.”

  “Yes, father.”

  The orders are sent to both the ISIS and Cartel armies to begin their attacks.

  @@@@@

  Admiral Jefferson and his senior captains watch the election results. He shakes his head saying,

  “Here we go again. Damn it. I hoped the people would come to their senses and not go down this road again.”

  The Captain of the Missouri looks at him,

  “Sir, I thought you understood the South’s issues with the Federal Government.”

  “I didn’t say I don’t agree with them; I hoped we didn’t have to fight another civil war. The only winners of the war are going to be the Chinese. I bet they’re having a huge party in Beijing. If I were the Premier, I’d be sending a congratulations note to the Southern Governors. I expect China will quickly announce their recognition of the Confederacy. Unlike the first time when France withheld their support which could have won the war for the South, this time, I bet the Chinese planes will be landing in the South within a couple of days. I’m wondering who the Governors will select to lead the Confederacy. I hope it’s a logical person and not another typical politician.”

  “Sir, I found it very interesting their leader wasn’t announced last night. Do you think it means they haven’t selected one yet? I wonder if the thirteen governors are fighting among themselves to see who has the most support to be the first President.”

  “I wish I knew. I can imagine the infighting going on among the Governors, I hope they reach outside their group and find someone else to be their first President or whatever they’re going to call their leader. I’m expecting orders from the NCA any moment, my dilemma is deciding if I’m going to follow the orders. I have decided I won’t open fire on the Confederacy unless they open fire on us first. I won’t kill Americans, no matter which side of the line they live.”

  The heads in the ward room nod their agreement. Admiral Jefferson silently wonders
what he’s going to do when the orders arrive. He tells his staff,

  “I’m going to my cabin for a while. Feel free to stay and debate and discuss the election as long as you’d like. Keep our eyes and ears alert for anyone breaching our defensive line.”

  He returns to his cabin wondering when his new orders will arrive. Fifteen minutes after sitting down in his cabin, his phone rings,

  “Admiral, the CNO is asking for you.”

  That didn’t take long. “Thank you, please patch him in down here.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  @@@@@

  The Governor, General Arthur and Captain Black squeezed into Jay’s family room with the others. The Governor smiles,

  “Does anyone have any questions I may be able to answer about our new nation?”

  Jay’s lost in his own thoughts when he hears Fred ask.

  “Governor is it true that you’re planning on taking over our shelter?”

  “No, Jay was kind enough to invite two of my aides and me to join you in your shelter. We have no intention to take over the shelter. I’m sure you know most of Nashville was destroyed. The Assembly and State House were burnt to their foundations. I needed a secure location to run the state’s government. I promise you, I’m not going to kick any of you out of the shelter. I appreciate and recognize all of the hard work and sacrifices you made to build the shelter. I promise not to get in your way and I’ll do my best not to get underfoot and cause you problems.”

  Randy smiles saying, “Welcome aboard, are you aware of the lack of sound deadening in the shelter? Everyone can and does hear everything everyone says. You’ll quickly learn to whisper and tip toe, or we’ll know all of your darkest secrets.”

  The Governor laughs, “Randy, thank you, I was warned about the way sound carries in the shelter. I promise to keep my voice down and not eat any gassy foods.”

  Everyone laughs, Fred replies,

  “That’s why certain foods, like beans, aren’t served in the shelter.”

  General Arthur enjoys the joking; he stands to get everyone’s attention,

  “Governor, ladies and gentlemen, you too, Jay. May I have your attention for a moment?”

  Everyone snickers at the General’s joke before they become silent, giving him their full attention.

  “Now that we have the results of the election, it’s only a question of when the President will order an attack on us. We have to be on guard twenty-four-seven.”

  The Governor looks at General Arthur shaking his head.

  “General, I’m sorry to disagree with you. However, I don’t think he’s going to start another civil war. We held an election where more than 60% of our people voted to form a new nation, he’s not going to go to war with us because he knows he’ll lose the PR battle. It will hurt his legacy; he lives to ensure history will record him as one of the country’s best Presidents.”

  Jay clears his throat so he can get the Governor’s attention.

  “Mr. Governor. I don’t agree with you. He could lose every battle and the media would declare them as victories. The media turns his turds into gold for him. One of the first things we need in the new Confederacy is a strong press. We need to turn the President’s game around on him.”

  Tony, who hasn’t spoken much all evening, looks at the General and Governor,

  “I have one little question, that is if you guys don’t mind me asking.”

  The Governor turns to face Tony,

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Who’s running this little show?”

  “That’s the best question of the evening. We, the governors decided none of us should run the new country, we decided we’ll form a governing committee until we can arrange elections for President, Vice-President, and a new Congress.”

  Jay smirks, “Interesting, you guys are going to be a sort of ruling junta. How did you plan for the people to be ready to elect a new government quickly? Where is the capital of the country going to be? Since Virginia is a mess, I assume it’s not going to be in Richmond this time.”

  The Governor smiles turning towards Jay.

  “I talked to the other governors; I proposed we make Nashville the new capital. Until we rebuild the city and organize everything, there’s your shelter and, of course, the militia’s shelter across the street. We can connect them and add additional ones, creating the offices we need to run the country underground and be safe from attack.”

  He sat down smiling.

  Chapter 14

  “What the hell do you mean; you’re thinking of making the capital right here? I thought you said you weren’t going to displace us? I told you, you could have a room and a second for two of your aides, where the hell did this thought come from? Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be to build all the space the capital’s going to need underground?” said a screaming Jay, whose face turned a deep red. Tony started laughing, saying.

  “Jay, I warned you. Once you let the devil in the door, he would take over. He’s among us now and we’re stuck with him.”

  “No, we’re not! Mr. Governor, how the hell are you planning on connecting the two shelters when the militias is nothing but a hole in the ground and we’re very limited in the number of bodies. How the hell do you expect us to work the fields, feed the communities and build you an underground complex large enough to run a nation?”

  “Jay, calm down, please calm down. Let me explain.”

  “Please, God Damn it do, because right about now, I feel betrayed.”

  “Jay, Tony, everyone, I know it’s impossible for you to build the capital underground. I didn’t mean you’d build it. I thought the other governors would send the equipment and people required to build the facility.”

  “Did you even think about asking me? You’re planning on placing a lot of your new capital under my land. One of my concerns allowing you to use my shelter was you’d make us a target, placing your capital under my farm will paint a giant bullseye on my home, the homes of my family and friends. You’ll make us the primary target of the North’s military. Christ, you’re going to get us all killed.”

  The governor stands in the center of the room.

  “Please, may I have all of your attention? We have so much work to do. We have to create an entirely new government for the Confederacy; do any of you have any idea how much work we have to do? Do you think people are going to be happy with their decision when the checks and services stop? The last time the South tried to secede there weren’t fifty percent of the country living on the government’s dole. Nor did people live on the web for instant gratification.”

  Fred shakes his head.

  “This is the time to cut out most of the bullshit government. We don’t need so many of the agencies we used to have. This is a great opportunity to get rid of the waste we had. We don’t need a Department of Education, Labor, Indian Affairs, Interior and maybe even Energy. Let’s start with fewer agencies and see how it goes before we clone the mess we’re trying to leave behind. I’d say the most important agency right now is Defense. If the President decides to attack us as Lincoln did, we’re going to need to be ready. What have you guys decided about defending us from the North, the Cartel, and ISIS?”

  Jay’s face is still dark red,

  “Fred, damn good points. How are we going to defend ourselves?”

  General Arthur smiles, he pats Jay on the shoulder,

  “Chill out a minute, let me explain our plans. Of all of our departments, defense is the one area we’re in the best shape. Many in the US military have told us they plan to join us. If they bring their weapons with them, we’ll have the strongest military in the world, not the North.”

  Jay shakes his head,

  “General, you’re guaranteeing a civil war. When the President sees his military heading south, he’ll order them to stop, he’ll order his loyal troops to open fire on those he’ll say are traitors and terrorists to block them from bringing their weapons here. The two groups could end up f
ighting each other along the highways which connect the country. Many civilians could get caught up in the battles. I suggest you find a way to work with the North to allow a peaceful separation. Our people voted, it’s no different than the vote in Hawaii where they voted to join China.”

  A smiling Governor holds up his hands to stop the debate between Jay and General Arthur,

  “There’s no reason for us to fight among ourselves. We, the thirteen governors plan to visit Washington to offer proposals for a peaceful split. No one wants a violent separation. We have learned from our history.”

  Jay smiles,