by Ira Tabankin
“That is very good news, when do you plan on having this sit down in D.C.?”
“As soon as the president informs us he’s ready. We’re hoping it will be within the next few days. We’re packed and ready to go. We’ll fly in different planes so a mechanical problem can’t bring all of us down. We’re hoping the President will yield to the will of the people and let us go our own way. He never did like us, back in 08, he complained that we were backwoods simpletons clinging to our guns and Bibles. We’re going to show him, we’re more than what he thought us to be.”
“Mr. Governor, I wouldn’t. I’d let him think we’re nothing but a bunch of simpletons, he might not be on guard so much if he thinks we’re all some backwoods morons. He might be happy to get rid of us so he can rule the progressive North and West Coasts the way he wants. It’s worth a try.”
“I’ll think about it.”
General Arthur taps Jay on the shoulder,
“By the way, I haven’t seen Franco and his sons or many of the people from the surrounding towns in a while, where are you keeping them?”
“I think they spend most of their time down by the lake. Those crops are irrigated; they need to be tended to more than the dry, dusty fields by the castle.”
“I see; they wouldn’t be working on a new construction project would they?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I thought we had an agreement whereby Franco was going to assist us in the construction of our shelter. Since he hasn’t been around, I assumed he’s building something for you. There’s also the question of a lot of missing concrete.”
“Really? I’ll have to speak to Fred and Tony to see if they know anything about missing concrete.”
“Jay, don’t bullshit an old bullshit artist like me. I know you have something up your sleeve, why don’t you share your plans with us? Maybe we can help you.”
“General, I’m sorry, I don’t have anything up my sleeve, I’ll send a message to Franco asking him to stop by your HQ, will that satisfy you? I don’t think this is the time to discuss your failure to meet your shelter schedule.”
“Okay, I know you’re up to something, but, I won’t push you. Please send Franco by at his earliest convince.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Said a smiling Jay.
General Arthur looked at Jay’s smile thinking, the more he smiles, the less I trust him. I know he’s up to something; I need to find out what it is so I can determine if it’s going to be a threat to us.
Chapter 15
The President smiles holding the message from the breakaway governors. This is an excellent idea, I won’t have to hunt them down, they’ll be coming to me. Once here, they’ll never leave. I’ll have the AG charge them with treason, put on a nice show trial and have them incarcerated for the rest of their lives. With their leaders gone, the Confederacy will quickly fall apart. I’ll do them a favor by sending military support so they don’t kill each other. While there, we’ll disarm the traitors. I’ll appoint military governors who will make sure this sort of shit never happens again. The South will never rise again. That bullshit ends right now.
He presses the intercom on his desk.
“Please advise the governors, I agree to their request for a meeting. I suggest we hold it ASAP to avoid any senseless violence. I suggest they land and we meet at Andrews to keep the media away from the meeting.”
The fools will be like flys landing on the spider’s web. I can’t believe how stupid they are. I’m not going to let them spoil my legacy. They’ll be quickly forgotten and my name will live forever as one of the country’s best Presidents.
The thirteen governors are excited by the President’s acceptance to their meeting request. Jay taps the Governor on the shoulder,
“Sir, my gut tells me this meeting isn’t a good idea. Why don’t you call in sick that day? Stay in the shelter, we’ll seal the doors, you’ll be safe there. I don’t think you’ll return from this meeting. Please don’t go.”
“What are you talking about? This is history in the making, I have to be there. I can’t allow the others to steal all of the glory. History will laugh at me for hiding in a shelter while they reach a peaceful agreement with the President to form the new Confederacy.”
“Governor, he’s not going to agree. You’re being blinded by your own bullshit press releases. Once he has all of you in one spot, he’s either going to kill you or have you arrested and taken someplace where none of you will ever be heard from again. He’ll say, you never arrived, he’ll declare martial law to protect us from ourselves. Please listen, this isn’t going to end well. We’ll never see you again. I begging you not to go.”
“Why are you always so negative? This is a historic evening, we WON! Celebrate.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll hold my celebrating until the President signs an official peace treaty recognizing the South. The only thing we’ve won is the right to get ourselves attacked.”
“Jay, you’re pouring water on the party, why don’t you calm down. I’m telling you, nothing bad is going to happen.”
“Famous last words, like there're no icebergs this far south or General Custer saying, there aren’t any Indians around. Sir, you're walking into a trap. If you insist on going, bring a lot of heavily armed security guards with you.”
“His message asked us to limit our security to two people for each of us so we don’t overwhelm the facility.”
Jay hugs the Governor.
“What was that for?”
“I’m saying goodbye.”
“If you feel so strongly that I won’t be returning, how about a little wager on my return?”
“What do you have in mind and if you don’t return how do I collect?”
“If I return, you allow me to bring ten staffers with me into the shelter, if I don’t return, you assume the office of Governor.”
“Shit, that’s a lose-lose for me if I ever heard one.”
“If I don’t return, you’ll be governor and able to run the state as you think required.”
“Is that even legal?”
“I’ll appoint you as my LT Governor. Mine didn’t make it out of Nashville. That makes it all legal.”
“Sign the forms before you leave.”
A smiling Governor replies,
“Let’s go to your office, I’ll draw them up right now, when I’m in D.C., you’ll run the state in my absence. I needed a new LT Governor anyway; you should fit right into the position.”
“I’m not a politician. I hate kissing babies.”
“No baby kissing, you’re first task will be to work with the military and militia figuring out what survived the mass riots and outside attacks in the state and what has to be rebuilt or repaired. I need to know which parts of the state have working water and electricity, which areas are in the most need for what and what resources we have to assist those in need. I’ll expect a detailed report when I return. Any man who could build a shelter under a working farm is the man I need to get things done in the new state of Tennessee.”
“Shit, this sounds like a lose-lose to me.”
“It’s a win-win for me. Either way, the people of Tennessee and I are going to win. I’ll see you in six days. Have a good time, Mr. LT Governor.” Said a laughing Governor.
Lacy walks by Jay’s office, she looks in at him sitting behind his desk mumbling to himself.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“I screwed myself. I allowed myself to get taken to the cleaners by that smooth talking politician.”
“Did he appoint you Chief garbage collector or dog catcher or something else?”
“Worse, he appointed me his LT Governor. He’s going to visit D.C., he left me in charge of the state with a long list of reports and research he wants done while he’s up North.”
“He appointed you LT Governor? Should I address you as your highness?”
“Not funny. Do you realize if something happens to him, I’ll b
ecome Governor? I told you, I’m not a politician.”
“That’s why he wanted you. I’m so proud of you, I’m going to the family room to tell everyone.”
Lacy leaves, a couple of minutes later Jay hears cheering coming from down the hall. He decides he better show his face, upon entering the family room, everyone jumps to their feet cheering him. Tony yells to be heard over the cheering.
“Here he is, our own, LT Governor, I present you, our Governor, Jay Tolson.”
“I’m not the Governor, I’m the LT Governor.”
“General Arthur pats Jay on the back,
“You’re a little old to be an LT, I guess, I have to address you as sir now.”
“Wait a minute. You don’t have to do that…”
General Arthur smiles, he yells,
“Attention in the room, the esteemed LT Governor of the great state of Tennessee is with us this evening. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present, LT Governor, Jay Tolson.”
Everyone in the room cheers and applauds. The military snaps to attention and salutes him. Jay’s getting angry thinking, the sum bitch screwed me. I bet he’s laughing his ass off right now. He’ll use me to carry out every nasty and dirty task he doesn’t want to do. He’ll use me as the bad guy so he’ll get re-elected. Damn him. I wonder who I resign to?
Nancy grabs Lacy’s arm,
“I told you so, he only has two positions between him and the President of the Confederacy, I told you he was going to become the big cheese.”
“Nancy, he’s only been placed in charge while the Governor is away.”
“If something happens and the Governor doesn’t return, Jay will become the Governor of the state, that’s only one position below the Presidency. I’m so happy for you, you’re going to be the First Lady. Remember, ask Jay to appoint Tony to a position.”
“Jay’s not going to remain in office long. The Governor will return in a week.”
“That’s what you say. I heard Tony talking to John, they don’t think the President is going to allow any of them to leave D.C. alive. That’s going to boost Jay’s political career.”
“Don’t tell him that, he’s not very happy about the current state of events. If he thinks he’s going to have to be Governor until he can arrange new elections, he’ll go nuts.”
“Do you know when the Governor is leaving for D.C.?”
“Jay told me he’s leaving first thing in the morning.”
“My God, that’s going to make you the first lady of the state tomorrow. How should I address you?”
“Want me to hit you? This has nothing to do with me.”
“Yes, it does. When he assumes the position of Governor, you assume the position of First Lady.”
“Oh, God damn it. I didn’t think of that. I’m going to tell him he has to find a way out of this mess he’s gotten us into.”
Jay grabs General Arthur’s arm,
“Can you give me a minute?”
“yes, sir, Mr. LT Governor.”
“You can drop that shit. Listen to me. I’m very concerned the President’s going to use the meeting in D.C. as a smoke screen. He’ll have all of the governors out of their states, it would be a perfect time to attack us. Can you get in touch with all of your counterparts and put us on alert?”
“Good idea, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go to the Shelter’s radio room and send the alert.”
“I hope I’m wrong.”
“Me too, We’re not prepared for an attack.”
“And he knows that. Which makes this the perfect time for him to hit us.”
@@@@@
Admiral Jefferson is woken by the speaker over his bunk calling him.
“Radio to Admiral Jefferson.”
“Admiral to radio, what’s up Sparks? And by the way, great timing, I just fell asleep, do you have a camera in my quarters so you know just when to wake me?”
“Sir, you have an urgent and personal message from the CNO.”
“Could you please have it sent to my cabin?”
“On the way.”
I wonder what’s so urgent and personal the old man has to get a hold of me by message versus calling.
Knock, knock.
“Come”
The Marine guard hands Admiral Jefferson the sealed envelope,
“Sir, the message requests you sign for it.”
“Here you go. Thank you.”
“Sir, should I wait for a reply?”
“If I need to reply, I’ll stick my head out and call for one of you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Admiral Jefferson rips the envelope open. He unfolds the message slip. Shit, he sent it in code. Never a good sign. He takes his decoding computer from his safe to read the message. He sits at his desk surprised by what he read. He decodes it a second time and rereads it. Shaking his head, he reaches for the 1MC.
“Captain, Admiral here, can you please come to my cabin?”
“Sir, on my way.”
Knock knock.
“Come.”
The Captain enters the Admiral’s cabin,
“Read this, I just got it from the CNO.”
“He’s coming here?”
“Yup, according to his message, he should be here in eight hours. I think we should make sure the old girl is spic and span for his arrival.”
“I agree; I’ll get right on it. Thanks for the heads up. Do you know why he’s coming?”
“All he told me was it’s a matter of national security and very important. Too critical to send by radio. He’s afraid of the message being compromised.”
“Damn, okay, I’ll get the ship ready for him.”
“I’m going to tell the entire Task Force the same, no telling if he’ll want to visit the escorts.”
“Good idea. Damn, eight hours can fly when we’re having a good time.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Chapter 16
The President sends armed DHS troops to meet the Southern Governors arrival at Andrews Joint Base. The governor’s planes land one after the other at Andrews, which has been cleared of all press and unnecessary civilians. He watches from a secure conference room at the airport. He’s sitting in front of a wall of monitors enjoying a cup of coffee.
The DHS troops are hiding in the Air Force hangers waiting for the Governors to deplane. The President told the Governors the meeting would be held at Andrews so they didn’t draw unwanted attention from the press. Plane by plane lands and is waved into a secure hanger. The Governors’ security people open the plane’s door, seeing the hanger is empty. They tell their governor,
“Sir, it’s safe for you to deplane.”
“Thank you. I think the President has arranged a comfortable room for you, our security people, to wait for us. There will be monitors set up so you can keep your sensitive eyes on us the entire time we’re meeting with the President.”
The lead security officer for the Tennessee Governor pleads, “Sir, I guess it’s too late for me to talk you out of attending the meeting.”
“Don’t worry, he wouldn’t have agreed to meet with us if he meant us harm.”
“Sir, it places all of you in one location, it makes it very easy for him to take care of all of his problems at one time. None of us like the idea of this meeting.”
“He wouldn’t dare. The people would never forgive him. Our people voted to secede. They wouldn’t ever forgive him doing anything to us. I have faith he will negotiate with us in good faith.”
“Mr. Governor, I’m paid to not trust anyone. He’s proven he only acts in good faith when he benefits from it. I don’t trust him. You pay me to not trust anyone.”
“Go have a beer and something to eat, you’ll feel better when you see everything goes as planned.”
The security men are led to a conference room on the other side of the hanger, the Governors are led to the room where the President is waiting for them. As the Governor is led inside the conference room, he’s grabbed by the armed DHS agents. He’s
hands are pulled behind him where they’re zip-tied. He’s gagged and pushed out of the room’s back door into a waiting black van.
When the security men are shown to their conference room, each is struck by tranquilizer darts, they fall to the floor unconscious. DHS agents gag them, they zip tie their arms and legs together. Each security officer is carried into a different van where they are driven to a secure secret prison.
