Lone Star Rising

by Kurt Winans

  Samuel stressed that if possible, any gathered information should include the number of planes taking off from a base as well as the number of those landing. If the tail numbers of multiple aircraft could be obtained, that would be even more useful. Such knowledge could help to determine if the same planes were being used repeatedly to remove equipment, supplies, or personnel from each base. The identical strategy should be employed by the operatives to determine the number of singular trucks or convoys which departed versus the number which returned, and were those trucks riding high or low on their axels. If they were low to imply a heavy load, then what type of equipment were they transporting? Samuel knew that certain aspects of the information gathering could be more difficult, or perhaps impossible, to accomplish as opposed to others. But he also knew that with telephoto lenses at their disposal, perhaps some valuable intelligence would be obtained.

  When asked how such intelligence would be gathered to combat the problem of misinformation by the United States, Samuel laid out his intended plan. It called for the formation of several small groups within the ranks which would contain both male and female operatives acting as a unit. A handful of such units would then be sent to various bases that the American military forces had not yet vacated. Their task would be only that of reconnaissance, and they were to employ a system which would rotate vehicles along with the personnel inside them. A vehicle with a pair of operatives would monitor and take note for several hours of any activity which occurred near their assigned position, before repeating the action in a different vehicle stationed at a new location the following day. Samuel believed that by rotating the elements of the surveillance near each base, which would be coordinated by number forty-seven, the chances of them being identified as operatives would be decreased. If they were detected and subsequently approached by members of the American military forces, then he wanted the various units to have a feasible and well-established cover in place. Such a cover would be essential in order to explain their extended presence in a parked vehicle near the respective base, which could help in offering some level of defense against any inquisition. Therefore Samuel felt that their level of preparedness should also include an extreme measure to avoid any suspicion, which meant that a surveillance team might be required to passionately embrace at a moment’s notice.

  In closing Samuel discussed a requirement of each unit. They were to report the findings of their observations on a daily basis to one of the three instructors from the training facility, and that information would be passed on to number forty-seven. His thought was that if a unit were unfortunately detained for some reason by American forces, then any intelligence which they had gathered from their reconnaissance efforts would have already been passed on. When it could be verified with certainty by a particular unit that a base which they had been observing was completely vacant of American forces, they were to report those findings and prepare for their next assignment. At such a time number forty-seven would then inform number thirty-one and Mason that more operatives would be made available to them. The units would be sent to the training facility for a few days of briefing on the upcoming mission specifications, and then reassigned to number thirty-one. He and Mason would then become their direct report, and they would decide where to position each unit within the western reaches of the republic near El Paso.

  Ambassador Pearson shook his head from side to side with obvious frustration, as the information contained within the progress report of February twenty-second from the Secretary of State was not good. While quickly reading through the report, he discovered that there were a few obvious discrepancies from the information which he had received via number twenty-nine and Lieutenant Royce. As had been the case at each of the other weekly meetings in the office of his counterpart, the report was not completely accurate. However the Ambassador couldn’t lead on that he was aware of that fact, so he chose to reveal a less than subtle measure of disappointment with regard to the efforts of the United States.

  Looking across his desk toward the visiting dignitary, the Secretary of State asked, “Is there something troubling you Mr. Ambassador?”

  Feeling quite sure that the Secretary would understand his position, he replied, “Well yes, as a matter of fact there is Mr. Secretary. While I’m pleased that many of the military bases and facilities have been vacated per the agreement between our two nations, I’m also disappointed in how long the process of complete withdrawal is taking at a handful of others.”

  After a heavy sigh, the Secretary replied, “Yes Mr. Ambassador and I feel that I owe you an apology in that regard. It seems that a few of the base closures are taking more time than we anticipated as well.”

  “Well the apology is appreciated Mr. Secretary, but that doesn’t help to remove your military presence from bases within our republic now does it?”

  “No Mr. Ambassador it doesn’t, but you know how the mindset of the military can work sometimes. It’s just not in their makeup to surrender a position without an enemy forcibly taking it from them, so it seems that a few of the base commanders are dragging their feet somewhat.”

  Nodding his head in apparent understanding if not agreement, the Ambassador stated, “Well I suppose that makes sense in a way, but once again, that doesn’t help my position. You, and please understand that when I say you I’m referring to the United States or the American military forces, are woefully behind schedule in vacating your bases within Texas. As a result, you are disrespecting the terms of a treaty between two friendly neighboring nations. Now wouldn’t you agree with that assessment Mr. Secretary, while at the same time believing that something should be done to rectify the situation?”

  With a return nod, the Secretary replied, “I would indeed Mr. Ambassador, but perhaps not to the level which you would believe. However I once again apologize on behalf of the United States, and perhaps there is something which can be done to ease your troubles.”

  “Thank you for recognizing my position on the matter, and the apology. Now to state the obvious, I would suggest that someone light a fire under the base commanders in question to speed things up. Beyond that, perhaps a concession on your part would be helpful.”

  “That seems reasonable Mr. Ambassador, and I do possess a certain amount of latitude to discuss possible solutions. So did you have something specific in mind or are we just starting from scratch?”

  Wanting to always plant a seed which could be perceived as a potential weakness of the fledgling republic, the Ambassador took a chance by stating, “Well Mr. Secretary, there are many things that Texas must work on to ensure prosperity for her citizens. But perhaps the best place to start would be that of infrastructure. Many of our roads and highways had been slated for necessary repairs before our declaration of independence from the United States, but now those projects will be difficult to complete. Is there a way in which we could receive our former federal highway funding allotment for another year or two?”

  Shaking his head from side to side, he replied, “Unfortunately I’m afraid that wouldn’t be possible Mr. Ambassador. Large portions of our infrastructure are in dire need of some attention as well, and you are talking about a sizeable amount of money which could go toward that end. I suggest that we discuss another option.”

  Knowing that receiving federal highway funding, although perhaps useful toward the real desire, had never been his true intent, the Ambassador looked dejected. Then appearing to search for something of use, he asked, “Alright then, how about a few of your Coast Guard vessels and some of the pertinent equipment? I’m sure that you don’t feel the need or desire to monitor the waters offshore from Texas in the Gulf of Mexico anymore, but Texas will need to. If the United States were to give our republic a handful of the cutters and smaller vessels so that we could patrol our coastal waters, then it would help to maintain border security from both illegal entry and the drug trade. Such an action would serve the interests of both of our nations, while also demonstrating to Texas your desire to rectif
y the unfortunate misunderstanding which has developed as a result of your determined and committed base commanders.”

  Nodding his head in approval of the suggestion, and how it could also benefit the long term interests of the United States, the Secretary asked, “That sounds like something which we could discuss further. So tell me Mr. Ambassador, exactly how many of our Coast Guard vessels do you believe are in question here?”

  With a slight shrug of his shoulders, he replied, “I think four would be sufficient.”

  “Four? Well I think that could probably be arranged. Shall we discuss the details of the transaction?”

  Throughout the next thirty minutes the two men discussed the specifics. When all was said and done, an agreement was reached which stated that the United States would freely provide the Republic of Texas with four steel hulled vessels from the Coast Guard fleet which were stationed at various ports within the Gulf of Mexico. Two would be cutters of at least one hundred fifty feet in length while the other two would be a minimum of seventy-five feet. Additionally, all equipment either on or within the vessels, if not deemed to be of use for national security purposes by the United States, would be included in the deal. In order to further emphasize that the arrangement had been brokered as a gesture of apology from the United States, the transfer of the vessels would take place without fail by the final day of February. The only stipulation to the contract as set forth by the United States was that each vessel be repainted to remove any emblem, insignia, or colors which would identify it as a member of the United States Coast Guard fleet. In order to begin that process, each would be immediately dry-docked at the nearest facility to its current patrol sector for the removal of its crew and their personal belongings.

  At the conclusion of their meeting, Ambassador Pearson stood to shake the hand of his counterpart. Then he said, “I thank you Mr. Secretary for working with me today. It’s a pleasure to know that I’m dealing with an honest man as we continue to iron out the details of what will hopefully be a long-lasting and strong friendship between not only our two nations but each other. Now if I may suggest sir, why don’t we plan on having some lunch together after our meeting next week? It will be my treat.”

  Shaking the man’s hand while feeling as if he had gotten the better of him during the deliberations, the Secretary smiled and replied, “That sounds like a wonderful idea Mr. Ambassador. Thank you and I look forward to it.”

  When the Ambassador returned to his offices, he placed a call to Texas President Marcus Stoddard which he knew would be monitored by the American intelligence network. His message was that he and the Secretary of State had reached an agreement about the concern over the base closures, but unfortunately he had been unable to procure any of the much needed funds for highway and infrastructure repair. President Stoddard had then voiced that many of the previously planned repairs of roads or bridges would therefore need to wait, but he felt that eventual funding could be trickled in that direction.

  Later that evening the Ambassador sat with number twenty-nine and Kristen Royce in their often used secure location. He dialed up number twenty-three on the burn phone and after she answered he said, “This is number eleven. Please inform number three and number five that I have procured four steel hulled vessels from the Coast Guard as a concession from the United States. They should serve us well as the foundation of our naval forces, and we can have them docked at Flour Bluff within the next two weeks.”

  For Samuel his strolls through the grounds of the Tillman estate had always been a wonderful way to serve multiple purposes, and since his return from the training facility roughly thirty-six hours earlier, he had been attempting to clear his schedule for one such stroll with Courtney. He intended to discuss a rather challenging assignment which he had specifically designated for her, and now on the morning of Thursday February twenty-fifth, he hoped to make that intent a reality. Soon after the youngest three members of the Tillman clan had headed off to school, Samuel looked across the breakfast table and asked Courtney, “When you are finished with breakfast, how do you feel about taking a long walk with me?”

  Standing to take her plate to the sink, she replied, “Sure Samuel. Just let me rinse this off so Ms. Holloway doesn’t have to, and I’ll get my shoes.”

  Roughly twenty minutes later they arrived at the bench near the gravesite of Chance, and Samuel in typical fashion motioned for her to have a seat. Then while still standing he looked at Courtney and asked, “Do you remember what we discussed on our last visit to this site number thirty-seven?”

  Shifting quickly into the character which Samuel sought, she returned his gaze and replied, “Yes I do number two. Is the subject matter of that discussion still relevant?”

  “Indeed it is number thirty-seven, and I feel that the time has come for me to provide you with additional information toward that end.”

  “Very well number two. And should I assume that you want me to move forward with this assignment quickly?”

  Pulling a letter sized envelope from his pocket, Samuel replied, “First I would like to show you who the target is. If you are prepared to take on and follow through with the sanction, then we can discuss the timetable and other specifics.”

  Nodding with understanding, Courtney reached for and then opened the envelope. Along with a folded piece of paper, there was a small photograph of the intended target enclosed. When she looked at the picture to see who it was that Samuel wanted her to kill, she was surprised. Unlike the mission target of the past November in Colorado, whom she had never seen or even heard of before shadowing his movements, this person was known to her. After a moment of contemplation in an attempt to ascertain Samuel’s motives for the sanction, she looked at him and said, “Alright number two, I’ll do it. And now that I have agreed to do so, is there a certain way that you would like this sanction to be handled?”

  “Not with regard to the act itself. And to be quite honest number thirty-seven, I don’t care how you do it. Just please understand that it must be done. Now if you look at the piece of paper which I put in the envelope, you will notice that it provides you with both where it should take place and the block of dates that you have to work with.”

  Unfolding the paper, Courtney read over the brief notes which were scribbled upon it. The dates listed would provide her with some time to prepare, and she intended to put that time to good use. As to where the sanction would be carried out, Courtney realized that she needed to do some research in order to become more acquainted with the area. After another moment of solitary thought, Courtney looked directly into Samuel’s eyes and replied, “Alright number two, I understand the parameters of the sanction. Now you also stated that it could be carried out my way. If that is indeed true, then I have a thought as to how I should proceed.”

  “So you are accepting the assignment fully with no reservations?”

  “Yes I am number two.”

  “That’s excellent my dear, and thank you.”

  “Well I have lots of work to do before I will be ready for the attempt, so perhaps you should save the thank you for the time being. However if I’m successful, then you can thank me afterward.”

  “That sounds fair enough.”

  “I’m glad you agree, because I may have a favor to ask of you upon my return.”

  On Monday March first, the Republic of Texas demonstrated another example of their firm resolve for complete independence from the United States. By unveiling a separate version of the dollar as the new currency of the republic, Texas had remained true to her stated declaration of intent in early January. In the process, Texas provided proof to not only her former parent nation, but also to the world at large, that the newly formed republic was ready to become a player on the global economic stage.

  Throughout the entirety of February at a temporary mint facility in Austin, Texas dollars and various fractions thereof had been either printed or stamped into the form of multiple denominations of currency notes and coins. Voted upon by the
Legislature during the latter half of January, the notes would be parallel to those of the United States in values of one, five, ten, twenty, fifty, and one hundred dollars. However unlike America which no longer printed any paper currency of a greater value, Texas would also provide notes of five hundred and one thousand dollars. With an intent to alter the appearance of all paper currency from the look of United States money as well, Texas dollar values of one hundred or less had been designed to be slightly smaller and of a square shape as opposed to their rectangular counterparts. The five hundred and one thousand dollar notes would also be square, but they would be larger in size than all others to help avoid confusion. Additionally, all notes regardless of their value would not be printed in the American traditional color of green. Various shades of blue ranging from light to dark were chosen for the bills of one through one hundred, while maroon had been selected for the two higher denominations. For the time being there would be no human depiction placed on any of the various bills, but there would be various identifying markings and references to landmarks within Texas.

  As for the coins, there would be a break from the established patterns of the United States as well. Although the republic would have five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty-cent coins in conjunction with one valued at a dollar, no coin would be minted to parallel the American one-cent penny. Additionally every coin would resemble the color of brass as opposed to silver, while the variation in sizes from smallest to largest would correspond with the increases in value.