by Kurt Winans
“So in accordance with your report, you maintain that all of the men and women from Texas should remain at Annapolis to complete their studies no matter what their current class standing?”
“Yes sir I do.”
“Then they should fulfill their obligation to the United States by serving in the navy for at least the required minimum of five years beyond their respective dates of graduation?”
“That’s correct sir.”
“Alright, your point is well taken. Is there a differing opinion?”
The Secretary of the Army wasted no time with his reply. He said, “Well that may be the way the navy would handle things, but the army will pursue a different approach. It is my intent to have every cadet at West Point from Texas immediately dismissed.”
From across the table he then heard, “Dismissed? Why should those cadets be punished unnecessarily for the actions of certain political leaders in Austin?”
Turning to face the Secretary of the Air Force who raised the question, he replied, “West Point demands duty to one’s country beyond all else sir. I feel that the cadets in question would now lack the level of resolve which we require.”
“Why would you say that? Did they not have a sense of duty before gaining admission into your academy?”
“Most certainly they did, but I feel that with the current circumstances those individuals could become a cancer within the academy.”
The Secretary of the Navy then asked, “A cancer, how so?”
Shifting his gaze once again, he replied, “Because the motto of West Point is duty, honor, and country. If the cadets born and raised in Texas were not loyal to their newly formed republic by following the example set by those in Austin, then how could we believe that they would be loyal to their former country of the United States?”
“That is a reach Mr. Secretary. None of the cadets or midshipmen at any of our three military academies had anything to do with Texas seceding from the United States, and I doubt that many of them care about the political implications of that separation.”
“Perhaps that is true and it would be of no consequence within your branch or that of the air force, but the army maintains a different standard. We would require our forces to have loyalty to the United States without question.”
“And are you implying that the army is the only branch of the service where men and women with such loyalty can exist?”
Before the volume of the discussion and their blood pressures could rise any further, the Secretary of Defense intervened with a motion of his hand. Then he said, “Now gentlemen, let’s not get into a pissing match over this. You all have valid points in defense of your particular point of view, but if past history is any indication, none of you will budge to appease the others.”
With a smile toward his superior, the Secretary of the Army replied, “I suppose that’s true sir, and I intended no personal disrespect to either of my colleagues. Each of them will of course handle matters at their respective academies in their own way.”
“I’m afraid that is not the case in this instance, and the reason for this meeting. I know that each of you, and your respective predecessors, have always handled the business within your branch of the military in the past. Such latitude is but a single aspect of diversification of power within our government structure, and an important one at that. Unfortunately in this instance our entire military must project a unified front, so each of you will adhere to the wishes of a higher authority.”
“How’s that sir?”
“I have had discussions with President Harwell regarding this matter, but as you would imagine, the topic is not his top priority at this time. Therefore he has agreed to follow my recommendation for a resolution which I believe will be fair for all those involved. I want you to consider the following items to be directives from the top, and each of them will be implemented without exception.”
After glancing at his two fellow secretaries for verification, the Secretary of the Navy again took the initiative by stating, “We understand sir. What are those directives?”
“To begin with, none of our three military academies, or even the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, shall consider any future applicant who hails from Texas as a candidate for admission. Those individuals who have already received acceptance into an academy for the upcoming academic year shall be notified by your respective departments of a reversed decision with regard to their application. In conjunction with that stance, those candidates from Texas who were still in consideration for admission, or ones which had been placed on a wait list, shall also be denied entry. Have those responsible for any such notifications also inform each of the impacted candidates that other institutions, such as the Citadel in South Carolina or the Virginia Military Institute, could be open to receiving them. However it should also be known that such a decision would fall upon the individual institutions.”
“Understood sir. That addresses the future, but what of the present?”
“That leads to my second directive. The first class cadets or midshipmen from the former state of Texas will be allowed to complete their final term before graduation without question. They have all put in three and a half years of determined effort and hard work within the various academies and shouldn’t be denied the right to graduate with the remainder of their class this coming spring. Besides, as senior classmen only others within their class standing would be so bold as to harass or mistreat them over the issue of Texas succession. In addition, those men and women will be given a choice upon graduation if they wish to pursue a career in the armed forces of the United States.”
With a raised eyebrow of disbelief, his underling asked, “Given a choice sir?”
“That’s correct Mr. Secretary. We all need to be honest with ourselves and each other on this matter. Many of our cadets or midshipmen attend the academies in order to serve their country, but they also do it to obtain a topnotch education which will help prepare them for what they will encounter during their more adult years. It’s true that some become career officers, but for the most part, many serve the five year requirement after graduation from an academy and then enter either another aspect of federal employment or the private sector. If the loyalty of those from Texas to this nation is in question, then let’s provide each of them with an option to forgo the five year commitment.”
With a nod of disappointed comprehension at the thought of losing some potentially good young officers, the Secretary of the Navy replied, “With all due respect sir. Although I can see your point, I don’t agree with letting them go.”
“Your comment is noted. Now as my third directive, the same opportunity to complete the current term will be offered to members of the second, third, and forth class as well without consequence. In their case however, they will not be permitted to continue beyond that point into the next academic year without first publically disavowing allegiance to the Republic of Texas and reaffirming their oath to the United States.”
“Once again with respect sir, your third directive seems rather risky. Such an action could be detrimental to the health and welfare of certain men and women, along with the public image of each academy.”
“I understand your misgivings Mr. Secretary, I really do, but this point is not open for debate. I’m aware that the cadets and midshipmen in question are now citizens of a different country than the United States, but when they began their journey within the confines of academy structure that was not the case. If any of them are true Americans and wish to publically swear an oath to that point, then we should honor the fact that we thought them to be of quality character in the first place by allowing them to remain. With that said I also believe it to be fair that those young men and women should not be required to make such a life altering decision within the coming days. They will therefore have the opportunity to swear the oath at any point during the current term. Alternatively if any of those from Texas wish to leave either immediately or at the conclusion of the current academi
c year, then they shall be granted that request without dishonor.”
“That will most certainly address some of the issues at hand sir, but what about the instances of brutality which have been perpetrated upon many of those from Texas during the past few weeks?”
“Those instances were unfortunate to be sure, and the result of some individuals who were not yet mentally disciplined enough to handle their emotions in a more productive manner. Of course further occurrences of such behavior will need to cease, but it will be challenging to fully monitor that intent. However by proclaiming that those from Texas will be required to either disavow any allegiance to that republic or depart from the academy, we should see a substantial decline in any such actions of brutality.”
“Yes sir. That will most assuredly help, but unfortunately it won’t cover all aspects within the current term. Your directive could make things more difficult for those who wish to stay since they won’t be required to swear an oath until the end of the term. They could be in danger of further reprisals from other cadets or midshipmen who distrust their loyalty and that would be especially true for those currently in their plebe year.”
“That is an excellent point Mr. Secretary, but one of the things that our academies attempt to instill in all cadets or midshipmen is a state of growth which includes mental toughness. The plan which has been laid out will surely assist many of those from Texas in the further development to that aspect of their personality, while also helping them to decide which course of action to follow in the future. Now we could debate this issue for days, but as I said before, this and my other directives have the full support of the President. They will be administered without delay, and I expect the three of you to make it clearly understood to the commandants and their support personnel that such negative reprisals to which you speak will be met with harsh disciplinary action.”
“Yes sir, I understand that quite clearly. But if I may speak for my two colleagues, each of their academies is currently in a transitional phase of replacing a commandant who was killed during the attacks of this past November. Adhering to this mandate would be a difficult disciplinary undertaking for even the most seasoned of administrators, so it may be too much to ask of what in affect are two interim commandants.”
“Then let’s consider this action to be a good limpness test for each of them as well Mr. Secretary. But since you broached the subject, perhaps your commandant at Annapolis, being as seasoned as she is at the job, could also be of assistance during this troubled time by offering some sage advice to the interim commandants.”
Feeling self-cornered by speaking so bluntly to the matter, he conceded the point and replied, “Yes sir. I’m sure Admiral Ellis would be happy to help if asked for advice.”
“Good, then we are all in agreement over what must be done to move forward.”
Once again glancing in the direction of his colleagues for verification, the Secretary of the Navy replied, “Yes sir. We shall work together to initiate this course of action.”
With a nod of approval the Secretary of Defense stood and exited the conference room. He was quickly followed by others who scattered to resume their duties, so within minutes the room was empty except for Kristen Royce and her counterparts. They had been left behind in order to perform the mundane task of gathering up empty cups and restoring the conference room to its former cleanliness.
Roughly three hours later when a safe and secure opportunity presented itself for a brief communication, Commander Calvin Foster, based on the report from his operative Kristen, reached for his burn phone and dialed a familiar number. A female voice answered simply, “This is number twenty-three. What do you have to report?”
“This is number twenty-nine. Please inform number two that directives have been passed down from the Secretary of Defense with the full endorsement of President Harwell.”
“Understood, please proceed.”
“First, each of the military academies will no longer admit a candidate from Texas, and those who had already received acceptance for next year will now be denied entry. Second, all senior year cadets and midshipmen from Texas, without condition, will be allowed to remain and graduate with their class. Lastly, those from subordinate classes can remain beyond the current term for any additional academic years, but that will be conditional. They must first publically denounce Texas and swear a loyalty oath to the United States.”
“I understand and will relay this information to number two. He will be pleased to learn that his operatives can remain in place for the winter and spring.”
Throughout the three full weeks since convening for their initial session on Monday January fourth, the Texas Legislature had continued to work diligently in order to shape the constitution of their republic. As a result of such effort, the determined assembled mass of men and women had put forth several declarations of both internal and external concerns which were then subsequently ratified and penned into the doctrine.
Although pleased with the expediency of their efforts as opposed to those of the ever lethargic United States governing body, number five understood that there was still much for them to accomplish. In fact she realized that there were a multitude of issues, including a number of which she and others had most surely not yet thought of, which would need attention in the coming weeks and months. Within the body of that unknown timeframe, a discussion phase would occur so that each side or viewpoint of the various issues could be bantered about. That phase of the process would then be inevitably followed by some sort of action with regard to the outcome of the deliberations. While gazing over those eager souls for whom she resided, number five hoped that all of them realized the depth of what they faced. This Legislature, more so than any other subsequent variation of it, would be in for several more lengthy sessions before any type of meaningful recess could be called.
With regard to progress made concerning internal issues for Texas, a decision was reached which would keep nearly the entirety of the previously established code of state laws in place. In conjunction with that determination, so would the various accompanying levels of punishment for those not adhering to the code. Such punishments for breaking the law would also include the sometimes controversial death penalty. Just like several other of the previous fifty states, it had been employed by Texas as one of those tools to enforce an extreme and ultimate level of discipline.
A separate category of laws, such as those previously put in place by the United States federal government, had been correctly established to grant certain rights or privileges for individuals. It was that body of laws which most concerned number five. They were more susceptible to discussion which could lead to varied interpretations of intent and therefore subsequent alteration, so number five had done her best to make sure that those within the Legislature moved cautiously when addressing such items. The Madam Speaker understood that the last thing the Republic of Texas, as a fledgling nation or otherwise, needed to exhibit toward the world at large in the present moment was a posture of slipping backwards. Such regression of decades or centuries within the human evolutionary thought process over basic human rights would be ill-advised and detrimental toward the ultimate end game. In simple terms, if the republic truly intended to successfully establish trade relations separate from those of the United States with other nations of the world, then it needed to embrace a modern way of thinking. To maintain an old-school approach and the retroactive stance of believing and thusly treating various human beings as inferior would be foolhardy.
Aside from the establishment of Texas law and punishment, a more global encompassing and thus extremely vital internal issue had been brought forth. Originally set aside for any discussion by number five until a few other pressing matters had been acted upon, the Legislature had begun a deliberation process over the future Texas monetary system while Samuel Tillman was in route to College Station with news regarding the future military. Fortunately the deliberation process on the matter had moved quickly, and the elect
ed officials subsequently voted to employ a currency which would be tabbed as the dollar. However just like many other nations around the world to use such a label, the dollars for the republic would be different from those of the United States. Those decisions were subsequently ratified into the constitution, and although the news of them had been kept secret for a few days, the world at large was now aware.
To back the solvency of the new currency, which had been targeted as being designed, printed, and ready for distribution by the first of March, the republic would rely on two substantial assets within its borders. First would be that of the gold standard, and the cache of gold bars currently in the possession of bank vaults located upon Texas soil. Representing what was deemed at the time by both parties to be an equitable arrangement, a small portion of the nation’s gold supply, which in terms of percentage rightfully belonged to the lone star state, had been legally removed and transferred from the federal reserve of the United States to Texas in 2015. The request for such a move had been made by Texas in order to safeguard against the rather paranoid belief that a terrorist attack upon the federal gold reserve could cause a potential collapse in the American dollar. Fortunately for the nation and perhaps the world at large, that belief had never come to fruition. However since Texas had now been in possession of their fair share of gold bars for nearly twelve years, conspiracy enthusiasts could argue that the action had been an early preemptive move toward independence for the republic.
The second substantial asset of Texas was that of her extensive oil reserves. The liquid commodity to which much of the world still foolishly relied upon was one of the significant reasons why Texas had prospered into its modern economic state. Samuel Tillman, along with countless others during more than a century of time before him, was one business tycoon who had benefited from accessing the plentiful supply. Although the oil in Texas represented the tiniest of fractions with regard to the global supply, it was a significant percentage of what could easily be accessed within United States soil. No longer having that oil as a portion of what the country previously possessed, could cause quite an impact on the American domestic market. In spite of the recognition, development and enhancement of, and then of course, the eventual exploitation of several alternative energy sources during recent decades, oil continued to be used as a global bargaining chip. Consequently, the Republic of Texas could now potentially leverage her oil holdings in order to help maintain friendly trade relations with other nations of the world.
