“Things are going to be crazy busy now that the President has officially vacated the seat,” she said. The tone of her voice made it sound like she was thinking out loud rather than speaking to the colonel.
“Yes, I heard about it, ma’am. Kindly extend my condolences to the President’s family.” Again, she did not respond or acknowledge.
“Colonel,” she said as she set down the sheets of paper she had been fiddling with. “What I need you to do is to make sure that our constituents have enough food supply. The last report I got was that food supply is running scarce in the major cities. Is that true? What are we doing about this?”
“I understand, ma’am. We’re doing our best to ensure that everyone stays fed.”
“But how come I’m still receiving reports about the scarcity? Are these reports insubstantial or misleading?”
“We’ve already coordinated that with the army, ma’am.”
“Please make sure this is addressed as soon as possible,” she irked.
“Where do you plan to source out the food supply?”
“Anywhere you can find it!” she remarked with a gasp at the end.
“You can confiscate from those who has more than enough! Do whatever you need to do to make sure the majority is fed, not just a select few. Use force if you need to,” she gnarled.
Colonel Caesar paused.
“What difference does that make of us from the marauders? Is there a need to employ force?” questioned the colonel. Vice President Christie, who got up her seat to pour tea onto a cup, was stopped on her tracks.
“Colonel, have you not been paying attention? I said when you need to,” she snide back at him, putting stress on the last two words.
“And by the way,” she continued, “this is an order, colonel. I did not speak to you to get your consensus on the matter.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said humbly. “I’ll be forwarding your orders to the army.”
The Vice President had given the colonel permission to end the call. She was due for another phone call with Captain Phillips this time.
WhenColonel Caesar received the order regarding the confiscation of food supply, he quickly met up with Benjamin at the hospital. Benjamin was worried about the urgency of the meeting.This was uncharacteristic of the colonel to show up unannounced. This made Benjamin extremely worried.
“Is something wrong?” Benjamin said in an anxious voice.
“I am on my way to the farm now,” he said.
“Why? What’s wrong? Tell me!” Benjamin was all riled up.
“I just spoke to the Vice President,”he started. “They might be headed to the farm.”
“Who? For what?”
“She has ordered the army to confiscate any sources of food supply. They are targeting the farms first and foremost,” he said in between gasps of air. Benjamin was left speechless. He gathered himself back together.
“Do you think it can get dangerous?”
“I don’t think so,” the colonel shrugged.“But I heard that Captain Phillips will be leading that group of army. I can’t say that he will be nice either.”
This made Benjamin let out a silent gasp.
“I need to go now, Dr. Perry. I need to get there before the army does,” he said as he walked off.
***
Chapter 30 – The Right to Bear Arms
The next day, Captain Phillips and his troops arrived to the town and made his way to Sheriff Dunn’s office to announce their purpose of why they came.
“Sheriff, good day to you,” Captain Phillips greeted the Sheriff.
“Good day to you, Captain. What brings you here?” the Sheriff answered.
“We received word from the President to take any sources of food supplies to support the major cities. Food supplies are getting scarce out there.”
“But the people will get angry because you are taking their food supply…they have the right to protect their supplies for their family.” He protested.
“We will only get those who has more than enough per the President’s orders”, the Captain answered.
“Oh, and we need you to report to the newly established headquarters at the courthouse,” he added. “We will take over the town and that the militia is no longer needed. From now on, you and Dr. Perry will be following our orders."
The Sheriff just nodded. He was about to protest, but decided not to. He could not go against the orders of the President and he knows the army is just following orders.
Meanwhile, Benjamin received word that he needs to report to the office and have a meeting with Captain Phillips. As he was approaching, his heart was pounding, his mind was racing… he knew what the meeting with the Captain would be.
Tok! Tok! Tok!
"Come on in," Benjamin heard a faint voice from the other side of the door.
As Benjamin entered the room, he was greeted by Captain Phillips. "Ah, Dr. Perry how have you been?"
"I am good, Captain" he responded. Without hesitation, Benjamin went right to the point, "You called me?"
"Yes", was the Captain's reply; "You probably have gotten the word why we are here in town...” Capt. Phillips paused for a while waiting for Benjamin’s reaction.
Benjamin just nodded.
"Yes, well it is true that we will be taking over the town. Like I said to the Sheriff, the militia will no longer be needed and that you and the Sheriff will report directly to me for any updates." the Captain paused again and added, "you also know that we will be taking the food supplies from the farms, right? Although we will only take the excess food supply because the major cities are scarce on food."
"Yes, I have heard," was what Benjaminjust said, and he added, “But would that cause protests from the farmers and their families? You cannot do that!” “You simply cannot just force them to give their supplies that was meant for them,” he started to get upset, but he knew that Captain Phillips was just following orders and there is nothing he can do to change his mind.
“Now, Doc, you know we are just following orders and even if it seems not right, we can’t do anything,” the Captain explained.
“Yes, I suppose you are right,” Benjamin reluctantly agreed. But that doesn’t mean he should just let it happen if there is anything else he can do about it.
Back at the White House, everyone has gathered around the West Wing for another conference. President Christie was holding another meeting with the Senate leaders. Some of the Senators such as Senator Lee are protesting against the President’s decision with regards to confiscating food supplies from the farmers.
“But Ms. President, this will cause a riot, this time from the farmers! Don’t you think it is unfair?” Senator Lee protested.
“Like I said, Senator Lee…this is part of Martial Law – no exceptions. This is for the good of the nation,” the President continued.
“You should support the decision since you were also all up for Martial Law.” She added.
“Martial Law, yes, but not force the farmers to give up their supplies that were for their families. That is not right,” he exclaimed.
“That is the only option to feed the rest. Besides, I don’t want to hear any more of that,” the President said.
With that, the President moved the next agenda of the meeting. Nothing Senator Lee would say or do could change the decision of the President.
Benjamin hurried back to meet Walter, Chris and the rest of the militia.He informed them of what Captain Phillips and the colonel told him. Expressing his fears of what might become a riot coming from the farmers and their families.
“This is not good,” Walter was saying. A concerned look in his eyes mirrored Benjamin’s.
“We need to make a plan to protect the farmers and preserve any impending riot from this,” Chris started.
“We need to talk to all the farmers. What has Sheriff Dunn said about all this? Did he know?” asked Walter.
“Yes, he was the first person whom Captain Phillips informed,” was Benjami
n’s reply.
“So what now?” Walter was looking at Benjamin, then at Chris while the two were deep in thought devising a plan.
“We need to talk to Grandpa Taylor and get him involved,” one of the men chimed in.
“Yes, we should,” Chris replied.
The men hurried to the farm and met Grandpa Taylor – trying to devise a new plan.
“Dad,” Benjamin called Grandpa Taylor as the men reached the farm house.
“I am at the living room, Ben. What seems to be the problem?” Grandpa Taylor answered, sensing the urgency in Benjamin’s voice.
“The President has ordered the military to confiscate the food supplies of farmers,” Benjamin blurted. “We need to devise a strategy that this will not happen to us,” he added.
“That is not positive news indeed and we need to plan it right before they do come here,” Grandpa Taylor said. The men were deep in thought and didn’t notice the women coming in.
“Benjamin, Dad, what’s wrong?” Mary asked alarmed – sensing the serious faces around her.
Benjamin told her about the military’s plans in confiscating the food supply from the farmers. This alarmed Mary and she was worried for her father and her mother and her kids and everyone else.
“That can’t be right!” she exclaimed.
“Damn right it’s not. But we have to figure out a plan to fight back in case they will have to use force on us,” Chris said.
Everyone nodded in unison.
As if an idea had struck him, Benjamin told them of his plan.
“I will talk to Captain Phillips one-on-one,” he said. “I will tell him the consequences of what will happen and we will make some demands. I will need to talk to the President myself”.
“In the meantime, we need to make house calls and contact all farmers and have our town meeting,” Benjamin added.
“Yeah, good idea,” Walter chimed in. He too, was worried about what will happen if in case the military will use force against the farmers.
The group decided that they need to make their move now before everything is too late. Chris and his militia men as well as Anthony went to visit farmers in their town to invite the farmers the next day for a meeting regarding the new developments. While Benjamin and Walter secured the farm house and discussed further their plan of action.
“In the town’s square, farmers and their families gathered round and everyone was anticipating on the news that has circulated about having their food supplies and resources be confiscated.
“People, listen up!” Chris proceeded holding a megaphone. “Benjamin has a plan that can save us all from getting attacked by the military. We will try to have no bloodshed as much as possible,” he added.
Chris handed the floor to Benjamin and Benjamin cleared his throat, looked towards his family and nodded.
“Before I am going to discuss my plan of action, first let me ask you all whether you have heard about the military confiscation of our food supplies?,” he asked them.
“There was a deafening buzz and someone shouted, “Yes, but they are not going to take what is for me and my family.”
Right! Everyone all nodded.
“I know and that is why I need you to hear me about my suggestions,” Benjamin continued.
Benjamin started to tell them about his plans in meeting with Captain Phillips if he has to be summoned again; and if they are going to result in force then the farmers not only have to arm themselves, but stop producing foods – enforce a peaceful strike if possible. The last thing Benjamin wants is bloodshed.
The people agreed. Although there were others that wanted to just go fight to the death, but Grandpa Taylor answered, “If we can fight in a peaceful manner, then we take that option. We don’t have to go radical on them – we have had enough nightmares when we fought those marauders. What makes you think we will win in arms with the army when they got the big guns?”
“Yeah, we don’t have a fighting chance with their big guns,” Chris echoed his agreement to Grandpa Taylor.
“Just come prepared,” Anthony chimed in.
“Hide as much supplies as you can somewhere that the army can reach or find,” Benjamin said.
The meeting continued on for about an hour and the crowd dispersed just as the sun was setting. All they can do now is to keep watch and wait.
Back in the farm, the men have started stashing their extra food supply in Grandpa’s underground den. Nobody really knew about this until Grandpa Taylor showed them. His wife just looked at him and acknowledged.
“How come we never knew about this before, dad? Why didn’t you tell us about this when the marauders were here?” Aaron asked his dad confused and upset that his father forgot to mention this part especially when they were in the face of danger before and his kids and his wife’s safety were compromised.
“Yeah, I didn’t even know we have this here which was perfectly hidden in the old barn,” Mary also said. “I came here often and hang out when I was a kid and you and Anthony were milking cows.” She added.
“I’m sorry kids. I totally forgot about this before and really didn’t think about it until now. Old age has its curse,” Grandpa Taylor said apologetically. “I really didn’t want to get anyone of you hurt and this really escaped my mind,” he went on to say…
“I created this along with my father and my brothers because somehow my father knew something like this might happen. Although nothing like this happen in his generation, but in this generation, this certainly comes in handy. If things really go bad, I do not want my family harmed. This is why I had this hidden for years. This has been my father’s legacy – his last resort to protecting the family and now I am doing this for my family.” He said reminiscing the days when their father and brothers just started digging a hole in the ground.
When the men went down the dark hole, with a built-in ladder going way down – 8 feet down to be exact; Grandpa Taylor was leading the group with a torch and lighted the lamps along the way. The men found out that it was a huge tunnel with small rooms. There were was a big space of what looked like a common area.
When the men came up the underground hole, everyone was excited and at the same time continued with discussing their plans further.
***
Chapter 31 –The Last Stand
The very next morning, a platoon of soldiers rolled up to the gate at the farm in Humvees and an armored personnel carrier lead by Lieutenant Payne, but the militia were able to stop them in entering the farm.
“Halt!” barked one of the militia men that were standing on guard. “What is your business here?” he added.
“This is Lt. Payne and we have orders from the President,” he said. “We need to pass and execute the order,” he continued on.
“You are not allowed to pass here.”
“You need to inform your Captain that you are not allowed in this area. This is our territory.”
The army returned to their base and informed Captain Phillips. This didn’t sit well with the Captain at all.
“What!” he barked.
“Who is leading this resistance?” he asked his lieutenant.
“It’s Dr. Perry’s group, Sir,” the lieutenant answered.
“What?!” was the Captain’s bewildered reply. “He should already know that we need to get this job done and if possible don’t have to turn into violence but this is ridiculous!”
After a brief pause, the lieutenant asked Captain Phillips, “what shall we do now, Sir?”
“Call Dr. Perry ASAP and bring him here,” was his stern reply.
“Sir, yes Sir!” The lieutenant saluted him and said further, “Permission to leave the room, Sir?”
The Captain nodded and turned his back… looking at the window deep in thought. So, this is what the Doc wants. He is making a big mistake by going against the orders. He will regret this.
Back at the farm, the men were preparing for the worst, in case the military were to use force. Anthony was carr
ying supplies and placed them in their underground headquarters, while Chris and his men were getting more ammunition and more weapons in town. They have also provided the rest of the farmers with more ammo and more guns. Briefed their families in case of emergency cases, and everyone was doing their part to protect their survival.
Benjamin on the other hand was getting more medical supplies in town. He was accompanied with Mary, Justin Walter and Victoria. He squeezed Mary’s hand assuring her that everything is going to be alright. Although, he can’t say that it’s going to be 100% alright, but it is all he could do at the moment to ease the worriedness in Mary’s eyes. He, too is worried but there’s got to be something done.
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