The Shelter: WAR

by Ira Tabankin

  “Shit, I didn’t know he did that.”

  “Most people don’t know.”

  The three men spent three hours together. The Marine Colonel, who escorted Admiral Jefferson was met by John, wearing his old Marine uniform. They hit it off like long-lost brothers, which in a manner of speaking, they were, both being Marines. John gave the Colonel a tour of the farm and the outside defense positions.

  “I like the WARNING MINE FIELD signs. Nice touch, does it scare many people away?”

  “Not really, they leave parts of themselves all over the farm. They become a pain in the ass to clean up.”

  “Wait a minute, those signs are real?”

  “Yes, same with the warning electrified fence signs. There're 240 volts in the fence when we flip the switch. We take our defense very seriously.”

  “What happens if you’re facing overwhelming odds?”

  “That’s classified. If Jay agrees, we’ll show you our ace in the hole card.”

  “You’ve piqued my curiosity, can’t give me a hint?’

  “Nope, not even for a brother Marine. I’m the facility security officer, it wouldn’t look very good if I broke my own rules.”

  “I understand.”

  They’re interrupted by John’s phone pinging. He looks at the message,

  “We’ve been invited to join the brass.”

  “Lead the way.”

  John led the Colonel to the conference room. Knocking,

  “John, Colonel, please join us.”

  Entering the conference room, Admiral Jefferson asks,

  “Colonel, what do you think?”

  “Sir, I’m impressed and you know it takes something special to impress me.”

  “I understand we haven’t seen anything yet.”

  “John told me they have an ace in the hole, but refused to say what it is.”

  Jay smiles, “I think it’s time for the two of you to follow me, by the way, can you stay for dinner?”

  “Mr. Governor, we’d love to, that is if we’re not putting you out.”

  “Never, we’re used to having guests. Please follow me and don’t stray, whatever you do, don’t step off of the walkway.”

  “I remember, mines.”

  “Correct.”

  Admiral Jefferson is thinking, these guys bluff really well. No one would mine their own lawns and part of their own fields.

  “Let me show you our ace in the hole, we call it the shelter.”

  Two hours later Admiral Jefferson and his Colonel escort are sitting in the shelter’s small conference room.

  “My God, you surprised the shit out of me with this one. I can’t believe you built this under the fields. I have so many questions, I also respect opspec so I won’t ask them. I can’t believe this. If you had heavy weapons, you’d have an underground battleship.”

  General Arthur laughs,

  “Admiral, we do have heavy weapons, plus we’re building additional shelters across the street, our plan is to tunnel under the road and connect the three of them together. When we have time, we’re going to build offices to run the government underground.”

  “You’re going to build an underground city?”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes. It’s the best way we can think of to protect the government and key people from an attack from the North,”

  “Okay, I’m one hundred percent in. What can I do to assist you?”

  Fred looks at Jay, who nods,

  “Sir, use of one of your helicopters would greatly not only speed up our construction by allowing us to look for and carry back here preformed concrete sections, it would also allow us to more quickly assist and protect the people of the State.”

  “Colonel, when we get back, make it so. Get them anything we can spare to help them.”

  “Yes, sir.” Said a smiling Colonel.

  “Jay, Let’s compare notes on what I can do to help you.”

  “Admiral, why don’t we head back to my house and have dinner. I’d like you to meet my wife and some of the other key players of this little band of crazies.”

  “I can’t wait. Lead on. Jay, I think Governor Abrams picked the right person to lead the state. I’m thinking you should consider running for the big office.”

  “Sir, I told the Governor I’m not a politician, I don’t do bullshitting, ass kissing or kissing babies. I don’t like telling people what they want to hear. I’d suck as the President.”

  “No, I think you’re what the new country is going to need. We don’t need or want another empty suit.”

  “Speaking of which do you mind if I take mine off before dinner? I hate the damn things.”

  Laughing, Admiral Jefferson replies,

  “It's your house, dress any way you want. I’m your guest. By the way, do you mind, If I ask what’s for dinner?”

  “I was going to serve you stale MREs, what you must be used to while the rest of us have grilled steak, fresh salad, and spuds.”

  “I like your idea better.”

  Chapter 26

  C17s take off from Texas Air Force base’s while commercial airliners take off from Atlanta’s Hartfield International Airport and Orlando International. The C17s broadcast over GUARD they are a mercy flight bringing aid to the Northeast. The FAA gives them clearance to enter American Air Space. The planes fly over New York City, Baltimore, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Boston. They first drop leaflets informing the people help is coming.

  The people on the ground are surprised to learn the help isn’t coming from their Federal Government, but coming from the Confederacy; the breakaway Southern states their media has been screaming are pure evil.

  Hundreds of thousands of small packages start dropping out of the C17s in their second pass over the cities. People rush into the streets to grab the packages drifting down from the sky. People fight over the boxes. The boxes contain food, water, first aid kits and battery-powered lanterns. Each box contains a note of prayer from the Confederation. The note also explains there will be thousands of energy workers arriving to repair the grid, the leaflets ask the people in the cities not to attack the workers. If they’re attacked, the workers will leave without completing the work.

  Neighborhoods band together to offer protection to the electrical workers coming to help them. Gangs plan to rob the workers of their trucks and equipment. The President urges the country to reject the offer of help from the South.

  “People of America, I urge you to reject the phony offer of help from the Southern States. They’re not coming here to help you; they’re coming as an invasion force. They destroyed the grid, it wasn’t a lighting strike. They bombed the grid. This is another part of their plan to crush America and win the civil war before the first shots are fired. They’re coming to enslave you. I call upon all of my African American brothers and sisters; resist the invaders, they are coming to enslave you. Remember your history, remember the stories your grandparents told you about how the South treats people of color. You will have no freedom, no right to vote, they will reintroduce segregation. Do any of you remember restrooms and water fountains marked white and colored? Do any of you remember having to give up your seat on a bus to a white person? You talk about White Privilege, the South will enforce a White’s only policy, you will not be able to be a citizen. I urge you to reject their phony offer of help. They may repair the grid, but they will have the ability to turn it on or off at will. Tell them to go home, tell them you’d rather live in the dark as a free black person than with electricity as a slave. Do you want them to sell your children? Do you want them to rape your wives and girlfriends whenever they want to? I urge you to reject their offer.”

  Jay is shocked at the President’s speech. He excuses himself from dinner with General Arthur, Admiral Jefferson, Lacy, Tony, Nancy and Fred and his wife. He calls the Texas and Alabama LT Governors to discuss issuing a statement. He’s worried when he can’t reach them. He gets a recording saying both of the numbers have been disconnected. Jay’s
face is pale white; his body is shaking when he returns to the dining room. His friends look at him with concern. They stop eating, Tony jumps up rushing to his friend.

  “Jay, what’s wrong? What happened? You can talk to us, tell us what’s going on?”

  “It’s impossible, it can’t be.”

  “Jay, you’re not making any sense. Slow down and tell us what’s going on.”

  General Arthur picks up his phone, he punches number one on his speed dial,

  “Intel, tell me what’s going on, I need to know if we’re under attack, give me a summary of the top news.”

  “Sir, the President just urged the people to reject our help, he called on the African Americans to fight the electrical workers; he told the citizens the workers will enslave the African Americans.”

  “That’s total bullshit, what else do you have?”

  “Sir, the only other item on the board is unconfirmed.”

  “I don’t care, quickly tell me.”

  “Sir, we have received short scrambled messages from five Southern capitals that they’ve been attacked by armed DHS agents. Something about attacks against the LT Governors.”

  “Put all of the Confederate Military on Alert. I want another protective platoon here NOW, not in five minutes, NOW!”

  “Yes, sir.”

  General Arthur looks at Fred,

  “Sound your alarm, arm your people.”

  Admiral Jefferson looks at General Arthur,

  “Are we under attack?”

  “I believe we are.”

  The Admiral takes his phone out, he texts the Colonel, “Set GC, no drill!”

  “YES, SIR.”

  He turns hearing Jay say,

  “The numbers are gone; their numbers are gone.”

  Admiral Jefferson bends down to Jay, who’s sitting on the floor, his breathing is labored, his face is pale and clammy. Jay’s eyes are unfocused, he’s perspiring and starting to shake.

  “Get your doc here ASAP!”

  Fred lifts the handset on the wall,

  “Medical to Jay’s dining room, CODE BLUE, JAY, CODE BLUE!”

  Lacy is sitting on the floor placing a cool napkin on Jay's forehead.

  “Honey, tell us what happened.”

  “They’re gone, just gone. We’re next, we’re at war, alert, set full alert, save us.” Jay tries to stand, “Must get rifles, prepare for an attack, sound the alarm.”

  Lacy wraps her arms around Jay.

  “Honey, the alarm has been sounded, people are ready, the army is here. We’re not under attack yet. We’re okay. Tell us what happened.”

  Doctor Basco pushes Lacy away from Jay, he lays Jay on the floor, “Give me room.” He takes a portable EKG out of a bag. He rips Jay’s shirt open, Lacy helps him place the wires on Jay’s chest, the machine starts recording his heartbeat.

  “A-fib, his heart is beating way too fast, 400 beats a minute. He’s not getting enough blood/air into his brain. I have to shock his heart to slow it down.”

  Lacy turns pale,

  “Won’t shocking his heart stop it? Isn’t there a good chance you’ll kill him?”

  “If I don’t stop his A-fib, there’s a good chance he’ll have a massive stroke, he’ll be useless to us and the country. Stand back, I’ve charged the paddles, here goes.”

  He applies them to Jay’s chest. Jay’s chest jumps, he yells in pain, his entire body shakes. “Again!”

  The second time Jay’s body jumps, the EKG shows a steadying heartbeat.

  “Much better. Jay can you talk; can you tell me how you feel?”

  @@@@@

  The Armed DHS agents waiting at the Nashville Airport receive updated orders, their commander smiles,

  “We’re going to grab the Tennessee Governor right now. The other teams were successful, we’ve killed six of the eight, the seventh will be taken in a few minutes which only leaves our target. Since there’s a good chance he’s been alerted to the attack we’re going to break through his fence and hit him head on before he can prepare. The Group from Texas is on the way to support us, their helicopters will land in his fields at the same time we break through his fence. Mount up.”

  The DHS agents are excited to get their mission completed, they believe they’re ending the civil war before it begins. Their commander is excited the other teams succeeded in surprising their targets. The convoy moves north on Interstate 65 towards Jay’s farm. Traffic is very light; they’re driving north at 65MPH. The commander texts his headquarters, “will arrive at 9 PM, no traffic, condition green.”

  “Your order is GO, confirm GO. Would like alive, if not possible, dead is approved.”

  “Confirmed.”

  The DHS commander smiles knowing he doesn’t have to worry about taking the Tennessee Governor alive. He’s decided he’s not going to risk any of his people trying.

  Jay’s able to sit at the table,

  “The numbers for the other LT Governors are all disconnected, that means they must have been attacked. I can’t reach any of them at their offices, homes or cells. I believe they’ve all been killed or captured. It appears the President sent hit teams to take out our leaders.”

  Tony shakes his head,

  “Jay, that makes no sense. You’re still here. If they were going to grab the others, you would have been on their list. No one has approached the farm. You don’t have to worry, no one can get in, we’re on full alert.”

  “Something is wrong; if the others weren’t grabbed where are they?”

  General Arthur speed dials his phone,

  “Intel, can you reach the militia or military officers assigned to the other Governors?”

  “Sir, I was going to call you, all of the numbers we have are off the air. Either their landline and cells have been disconnected, or the radio traffic has been jammed.”

  “Let me know if you can reach anyone.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He speed dials the second number on his phone,

  “Send an attack copter to check on the KY Governor. I want it in the air within five minutes.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Looking at Jay,

  “I fear you’re right. I think the President just scored a major coup, we can’t reach any of the military teams assigned to the Governors.”

  “General, was there any other damage?” Asked Admiral Jefferson.

  “Not that we know of. My guess is the President sent small hit teams, either Delta or Green Beanie’s.” Says General Arthur.

  “I don’t think so. Delta and the Special Operating Forces are based in the South; he doesn’t trust the military. My guess is he sent the DHS. His new black shirts. I wonder why he didn’t make a play for Jay.” Says the Admiral.

  “Maybe he’s planning on leaving Jay to negotiate with. He needs someone to sign a peace accord.”

  “Not like him. He doesn’t want to sign anything, he wants to go on television and announce the misunderstanding in the South is over and we’re back to normal. Then he’ll announce how he’s going to rule the South with federally appointed Governors and disarm the people so they can never attempt another secession. My guess is the team charged with hitting Jay either got lost or were planning on striking Jay later in the evening, maybe the other teams jumped early. I don’t know if we’ll ever know. My gut says we’re going to be hit and should be ready.”

  Jay smiles,

  “Admiral, don’t worry about it. When we’re on full alert, we’re ready for anything. We’re in a much better position with the military supporting us. We should be able to handle anything the DHS throws at us. Why don’t we move to the security room in the shelter so we can watch whatever is going down as it happens.”

  Doctor Basco listens to Jay’s heart.

  “I’d feel better if you’d come to the medical facility so I can keep an eye on you.”

  “Doc, I’m fine.”

  “I’m sure you think you are. Why don’t you let me give you a good check up?”

&n
bsp; “After whatever is going to happen happens.”

  Admiral Jefferson pats Jay on the back,

  “Jay, you realize, you’re it now. Being the only surviving Governor, you’ve just de facto become the leader of the Confederacy. You need to allow us to protect you. There will be chaos if something happens to you.”