At the end of Sean’s suggestions, Mike said, “Well, the county Judge Executive has invited me to speak at the next Fiscal Court16 meeting tomorrow evening. Apparently, they’re expecting quite a crowd of county voters to attend. I won’t go into any of these specifics, but at least I can nudge them toward beginning preparations themselves. Oh, and let’s get the word out an important neighborhood meeting will be held in three days. I want to start putting Sean’s ideas into motion. Before that happens, even after further discussion, I want us to be able to sleep on this. Can we plan on meeting around 7:00 p.m. day after tomorrow to lay out our plan for refinements? Also, Fred would you invite Matt Gibson to attend that meeting at 7:00 p.m.? His trucking company hauls most of the propane, fuel oil and even some gasoline for customers in the county. I think he’s a good man to get involved.”
Rather than break up, the group began to discuss a lot of different considerations this new reality had forced upon them. It was after midnight before all decided they had nearly reached data overload and needed sleep.
Chapter 20
The New Year - Plus Nine Days
Singapore Changi Airport
1230 Hours Local Time
Eli Fredericks walked down the ramp to his private jet parked at the last public terminal gate. He had been escorted by a Singapore police Colonel to the gate, where gate personnel seemed to have paused their usually busy day. Private aircraft always suffered long delays and difficult parking arrangements at this busy, international airport. However, since his arrival, everything had worked smoothly, almost too smoothly. Chen’s power base here was broad and obviously very strong.
Entering the plane, Eli allowed himself to shiver and draw a deep breath in a combination of terror and exhilaration. His meeting with Chen had gone well but was haunting nonetheless. Chen chose to use a beautiful Chinese girl in her mid-twenties as his interpreter. He had explained that the interpreter spoke ten languages and was completely trustworthy. Although he did speak English, he said, “I would not wish there to be any misunderstanding due to some misinterpretation of my inexact choice of words.”
The meeting had lasted over three hours. Through Chen’s skillful direction, the men had come to an agreement on what was essentially a splitting of the world into spheres of influence. All of the Pacific Rim was to be under Chen’s control, as well as Africa and most of Asia, to include the Middle East. If Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, or any other parts of Asia or the former British Empire didn’t want to kowtow to China, they would be brought into line harshly.
When Eli commented that Chen didn’t appear to need his help, Chen stared at him for five full seconds before saying, “Both your President and my Premier are wild cards in this very dangerous game. I believe I can control Premier Song and the most powerful members of the Politburo. I cannot control your President. That is your job.” Chen thought to himself about whispered reports that Song did have some type influence over the American President.
Chen said, “What Song did by discontinuing oil purchases was not in my original plans and could have been considered an act of war. I see that you have arranged for your President to react, ahhh, shall we say, cautiously? We should each be sure to continue building control and pressure points over key parts of our governments. Do you agree?”
Eli nodded his agreement. After all, Eli was to control all of North and South America and to have substantial mineral rights in Africa. This would include all of South Africa and its unmined diamond reserves.
“And the North Koreans and Russians,” Eli asked quietly, “who will control them?”
Chen responded with a cold, emotionless smile at the question. “The fool in North Korea has nearly fulfilled his usefulness. I anticipate a military coup may occur in the very near future, before anything stupid can be done with their nuclear weapons.” Chen didn’t even notice that he had stopped using his interpreter, instead using correct English with a slight British accent. “As to Russia, negotiations are underway to deal with the decadent Europeans. Russia may have, shall we say, significant sway over the European Union governments. With all of their Muslim refugee problems, Europe may welcome the Russians with open arms if only they can stop the rioting and prevent institution of Sharia law. The Russians have had some success using their brutal methods in the past. We will see.”
“Great Britain, on the other hand,” Chen continued, “could present a problem. That is where your influence may be needed to prevent any attempt to aid the countries they abandoned under Brexit. You can do this?” Chen asked the question casually, however, Eli was aware it was another critical item in both of their calculations.
“That should not be a problem,” Eli said softly. “The Brits have been less than supportive of the President, and she was strongly against Brexit anyway.”
“You can do this?” Chen asked the question again, while looking into Eli’s eyes carefully. Eli had to remind himself that he was every bit as ruthless as Chen and that he had people in a position to kill Chen if he did not leave the meeting alive.
Returning Chen’s stare and with a return to his black radical college roots, he said, “Yeah, muthafucka, I can.”
A short pause later Chen looked away and nodded his head. “Good. We are concluded here?”
“Yeah, sure. We be done here.” Eli didn’t even try to hide his annoyance at the implied threat by Chen. Chen understood this and accepted it.
“One more thing,” Chen said in conclusion. “Song is obsessed with retaking the renegade province of Formosa that you in the West call Taiwan. He may decide to take the losses an invasion would involve within the next few weeks. It will be better for us both if the American Navy is not in the vicinity when this happens. He plans to deal with them if they try to come to the aid of Formosan forces. You understand?”
Eli looked probingly at Chen for a moment before saying, “Yes, I can see that. I think protecting the United States from a major war may become the most important priority for the President.”
With one more nod and without a handshake or other acknowledgement, Chen turned and walked from the room.
On the way to his plane, Eli picked up his secure satellite phone and immediately called to order several dramatic shifts in his investments.
Chapter 21
The New Year - Plus Nine Days
Cronin, Kentucky
1800 Hours EST
Mike tried to calm the butterflies floating around in his stomach. For several minutes, he had felt nearly paralyzed with stage fright, even in light of recent events. Not even the two shots of vodka he drank a short while ago seemed to help. Though he wasn’t in charge of those present, his fears involving leadership created nearly overwhelming anxiety. Deep breaths seemed to diminish his trembling slightly as he looked out over the audience at the county Fiscal Court meeting. He saw only friendly and concerned people.
When the Judge Executive called Mike to invite him to speak at the meeting, he had first declined before calling him back and agreeing to come. It occurred to him that if he didn’t start speaking out, at least a little, then the only thing people would hear was the kind of socialist drivel being spouted by the administration and mainstream media. It was still an effort to keep his voice from cracking.
“Hi, folks. And thanks for that grand introduction, Judge.” Mike nodded to the Judge Executive as he said this, drawing a smile in return. “I guess what I’m doing up here this evening is sharing a little of what we’ve been doing in my neighborhood to help each other, and, really, reminding everyone what it means to be an American.”
Mike’s words were humbly delivered without great polish, but they connected with almost everyone present.
“First off, let me say the state has really done a
good job listing all the things folks should be doing, if they can, to prepare for emergencies. Gathering together as a neighborhood and talking about the ‘what ifs’ of an emergency is a really good start. To me, being an American doesn’t mean I’ll sit back and wait for the government to help me and everyone else out. Shoot, we’ve all seen what the government has done with health care, and I defy anyone to tell me anything the government does efficiently. The military is an exception, of course. Rather than wait for the government to do it for you, I suggest you begin today to do it for yourself and your loved ones.”
“Isn’t that why we pay taxes, for the government to give us a safety net?” The question came from a man in the second row. He was one of the few unhappy with what Mike was saying.
“Yes, and through FEMA and both state and local emergency managers there is somewhat of a safety net. We’ve all appreciated the shelters being set up for the homeless and some of the other things available for folks in need. But let me ask you, is the government feeding more people or are church volunteers? Judge, what do you think?”
The Judge Executive was caught off guard, but stepped up and said, “You’re right, Mike. Most of the hungry and out of work folks are being fed by donations and volunteers.”
Mike nodded and said, “That goes right to my point, Judge. The more anyone looks to the government for help, the less help there will be. We can take care of our own, if we only decide to do it.
“Sure, that’s what all you rich people say,” said the man in the second row. “Maybe if you paid your fair share there’d be enough to go around.”
“At least I pay my taxes,” Mike fired back with rising anger. “Seems to me those that whine the most don’t even pay taxes. How about you? How much did you pay in taxes last year?”
The man was startled and sheepish as he sat without answering. The audience was somewhat taken aback by Mike’s temper. It was only with great effort that Mike took a deep breath, shook his head, and thought about what he had been saying.
“Folks, I’m not elected, and I’m just here to say what I think. Politically correct and other bull talk is, in my opinion, one of the reasons we’re in this fix. The first question I have for anyone that whines about others not doing enough is to ask what they have done themselves. Were they one of the rioters in masks protesting and busting up things for fun? Are they someone that always asks for help but never even tries to help someone else? Is that the kind of people you want leading you? Leading you to what?” Again, Mike had to stop himself as he saw the small smile forming on the face of the man in the second row.
Mike said, “Let me get a show of hands. How many of you here think there’s been too much political correctness and slamming of what should be plain ol’ American values?” Almost every hand in the room rose while people glared at the man in the second row. His smile had been erased. With apprehension clearly showing on his face, the man settled in his chair and didn’t say another word.
In his mind, Mike chided himself for letting the asshole get his goat. It was, however, a good lesson for him. The stress kept building over the past several weeks so he found it more difficult to control the rising frustration, especially when he watched the way the news twisted things and apportioned blame to the people working the hardest for themselves and their families.
“Ahem, where was I? Oh, yes, talking about what everyone can do to help. How many farmers in this community need help getting their fields ready for spring and don’t have the money to hire help? Cash money is becoming hard to come by. Maybe some of those out of work could help out those farmers for a meal and a small share of the coming crop? Maybe many of the things we think of as necessities are only in the ‘nice to have’ category. I know I cut my cell phone bill in half by getting rid of the features I don’t absolutely need.”
After another deep, calming breath Mike continued, “Now I can only speak for myself, but I’ve had a cut in pay at the college and expect many of you folks have, too. Last fall, I decided to turn most of my yard into a garden, which will be planted with the kind of food and herbs that can get my family through next winter, if need be. Quite frankly, I used to buy an awful lot of things I figured out simply weren’t needed.”
Mike continued with several other suggestions of what he and his neighbors were doing to become more self-sufficient.
“On another topic, Judge, it looks to me like this economic situation is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. But let me say we can and will get through it if we all stick together and watch out for each other. I suggest the county start using any available money to start buying up some food and medicines. Especially focus on those things that are critical and won’t be available in an emergency.”
Mikes words seemed to have much more sway than could be attributed to the content. He was beginning to demonstrate that intangible known in some circles as ‘presence.’
Mike concluded his talk with, “I probably don’t even need to mention this here in Central Kentucky, but I also think it’s a good idea for each family to have the means to protect itself and what you’ve worked for and saved. Most of us have the firearms and ammo to do just that, but if you’re behind the eight ball, you may very soon be out of time to get what you need.”
Mike looked directly at the man in the second row. “And should any of you think you’ll just take what others have if you need it; remember they probably have the means to protect it.”
After Mike’s talk, the Fiscal Court voted to place all available money and half of the county’s reserve funds into the hands of the well-respected county director of emergency preparedness. Mike made a mental note to himself to tell the Judge those supplies should be stored in a secret location to avoid being seized by the soon-to-be-appointed regional Governor.
The Judge shook Mike’s hand afterward and said, “Thanks, Mike. I’ve been trying to tell the Court and anyone else that would listen what we needed to do, but I was just ignored.”
On his way home, Mike detoured to the big sporting goods store and bought all of the .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition they had in the store. Expensive, but he had put off the purchase far too long. It was for his semi-automatic heavy caliber hunting rifle that, in a pinch, would serve as a sniper rifle.
It didn’t surprise Mike to see the gist of what he had said in the meeting was published in the local newspaper the next day. The article included a recommendation for folks to acquire six months of everything they might need should an emergency or natural disaster cut off supplies.
Chapter 22
The New Year - Plus Ten Days
Beijing, China
0900 Hours Local Time
Lao met General Secretary Song along the walkway between Song’s office and a nearby garden. The walkway was lined with latticework that was thickly covered by vines, leafless this time of year, but still effectively screening the area from view. Both men’s security teams kept the area cleared of all foot traffic.
After Lao’s initial bow and the bare-minimum formal pleasantries, Lao gave Song the information he had just obtained from General Hu. Like Lao, Song was pleasantly surprised to learn of the high effectiveness of the virus despite having been told early on of the initial ninety percent effectiveness.
Song said, “Lao, how secure is the Black Orchid operation?”
“General Secretary, it is as secure as I can make it. My top agent has been sent on a solitary vacation with instructions to see no one until contacted by my deputy. He can be recalled with a twelve-hour notice. Hu’s team of medical people is equipped and will be ready to travel to anywhere, with their special forces escorts, by the end of this week. My best “wet group” is being kept available to remove the handful of personnel that are aware of this operation, including the team dis
pensing the virus. Hu and his people will be effectively quarantined for the next year with a guard force to insure their privacy. None of the guard force is aware of who or what they are guarding, only that their testicles and families will be removed should they fail in their protective mission. Hu’s scientists will remain alive in case their services are needed for something unforeseen.”
Song listened quietly to Lao before asking, “Anything else I should know?”
Lao replied, “No, General Secretary.”
“Good. Lao…”
Suddenly a series of gunshots rang out with Song’s shirt collar rapidly becoming bloody from the bullet that had just gone through it, nicking his neck as it passed. Lao reacted immediately by jumping on Song, bringing him to the ground to shield his body. Another bullet sprayed chips of concrete from the pathway into Lao’s leg. Shouts rang out from both the General Secretary’s protection detail and Lao’s. Suddenly a deafening round of gunshots was heard as one of Song’s bodyguards was cut down by a combination of Lao’s and Song’s security details. He had been standing about twenty meters away to shoot at Song with no intention of trying to escape.
Lao shouted, “No, no, don’t kill him,” several times, however, the assassin was riddled with bullets before anyone heard him. Lao was unable to rush to the assassin’s body because he was pressing a cloth to Song’s neck to stem the flow of blood. Within seconds, Song’s medically trained technician on his detail took over to immediately apply a blood clotting agent and then a cloth bandage. He glanced quickly at Lao and said simply, “Not serious.” Lao nodded before limping over to the bloody carcass of the assassin.
Chapter 23
The New Year - Plus Ten Days
A Deserted Farm Outside of Cronin, Kentucky
The Final Proclamation (An America Reborn Thriller Book 2) Page 12
