“Senator, I really do not know what we can do to make people move. Without declaring martial law and forcing them to move, it may be hopeless.” General Seale felt General Walden, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, stiffen beside him.
“That is something that has been discussed Mr. Harper,” replied the Senator. Sometimes, people don’t know what is best for them. Maybe we should institute martial law. Maybe this should be decided in a national referendum.”
General Walden stood up as everyone starting talking and arguing and cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. When they were all looking at him he spoke. “Mr. President, esteemed Congressmen, and other committee members,” he said. “The military serves at the will of the people, to protect the people. I have spoken up against the idea of martial law before and I will do so again. If you declare martial law, you will be starting down the slippery path to becoming a military state. I believe we would end up no better than what is happening in Russian and China right now. They are forcibly dragging people from their homes and land and moving them south into their newly acquired territories. They are doing this to protect their populace they say. That may be, but at what price. If you order our army to round people up and stick them on trains and transports to the south how do you think they will react? There will be riots, looting, pillaging, and it could escalate out of control until we are in civil war. Whose side will the military be on? Protecting people’s right to keep their possessions and freedom, or the side of the government trying to take all that away from them?”
The General paused a moment to let that sink in and then continued. “I can honestly say that I will resign my commission and retire before I give an order to drag a grandmother off of a farm that has been in her family for hundreds of years. A farm that probably has a small family cemetery where all her ancestors are buried. What right does anyone have to do that? What right do any of you have to do that? Believe me; I know what is going to happen. Millions of people are going to die in earthquakes, floods, landslides, fires, and other disasters in five years because they were too stupid or too stubborn to follow the recommendations of those who know what is going to happen. But, they will die by a choice that they made. Remember our ancestors that founded this country. They thought it was better to die free than enslaved by a government they do not support. I implore you to not even consider the option of martial law.”
“Yes, we know what is going to happen. People will wake up one morning and see the Dwarf Star in the sky, and the tides will start churning, and the ground will start heaving. Then all hell is going to break loose. The evacuation that the planners want to do over the next four years is going to happen over a six month period when all hell is breaking loose. Then, the snows will begin, and people stranded in the far north are going to be crying for help, and who do you think is going to have to provide that help?”
The General stood quietly for a moment, and then he spoke with great resolve and pride. “Then do you know what is going to happen?” he asked them as he looked at each of them in turn. “The men and women in the uniform of the United States are going to risk their lives to try and rescue them and take them to safety because they were too stubborn, to stupid, or too lazy to have done it themselves. You want to know something else? I would gladly give that order to the men and women that serve under me rather than give an order to impose martial law. The soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and astronauts that serve under my command, and your command, as you are the legally elected representatives of this great country, will follow their orders because that is what they do. They serve the people of this country and the constitution of this country. They swore an oath to do so, and I would like to remind all of you that you did the same. I beg you not to make this country another Russia, or China, or any of the other countries where basic rights and privileges have been forsworn just to make ends meet. The end result is not always worth the price paid!” The general sat down in a hearing chamber so quiet that it could have been a morgue.
General Seale looked around the auditorium. Everyone was looking at the General with various expressions on their faces. Senator Gonzales was contemplating a new enemy. Representative Jenkins had a stunned look on her face. The President was in thoughtful contemplation, and the other Congressmen and Senators were just looking at him in silence. It was the expressions of the non-elected participants and people in the room that caught his attention. In their faces he saw awe, hope, and admiration. He was also acutely aware of the news cameras that had been broadcasting this entire hearing live across the United States and much of the world. He looked at General Walden and leaned over and whispered to him. “I think that you may have just started a campaign for the Presidency, General.”
General Walden glared at him and said, “Like Hell!”
Senator Gonzales spoke up, “If it would please the rest of the committee, and you Mr. President, we will resume our discussions after lunch.”
…
In an air conditioned parlor in Bolivia, Benjamin Greco sat watching the live news feed with several friends that he had invited over for lunch. The video of General Walden’s speech was being played over and over on all the US news feeds and world networks. “Now that my friends, is the type of man that the United States needs as president during the encounter,” Benjamin exclaimed.
“That is not likely to happen,” said Geoff Weinstein. “You will have some despicable lobbyist kissing ego manic elected. All the polls are showing that Senator Gonzalez will lead his party to victory. If he does, mark my words, he will try and incorporate Mexico into the United States. If that fails, then his party will press for Texas to secede and merge with Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California to form a new country.”
“That would rip your country apart,” said Hsijan Besshi. I would fear for our world then. What was left of the United States would be unable to support the space force. Those men and women up there may well be all that stands between us and extinction if a dangerous comet or asteroid wanders our way.”
“Listen to the commentators and what people are saying about this guy,” said Geoff. “Everyone is gushing over him.”
Benjamin had to agree. People were being interviewed on the street and when asked who they would want as president, one of the three candidates that were already running, or General Walden, nearly eighty two percent of the voters that had seen and heard his speech were saying the General.
“You know, with some financial backing it is not too late for him to enter the presidential race said Hsijan. I am quite sure that our circle of friends would all like to see this man elected. A campaign fund could be set up through a proxy and I am sure that the contributions would start rolling in. The fund just needs some seed money to get it started.”
Geoff nodded his head in agreement. “It would be clean, no lobbyists, special interests, or other favor seeking groups involved. People would just start a ground swell of the voters wanting a true leader to guide them through the dark days ahead.”
Benjamin looked at his friends closely. “And what would our friends want in return for this seed money?” he asked them seriously.
“It would be nice if someone could get what is left of Interpol and all of the other security agencies off our back. It is time they got over their whining about the immunization program. Everyone with any sense at all agrees that what we did was probably a good thing,” said Hsijan.
“Everyone but all those childless women over in Asia and Africa,” replied Geoff, “but the way that Russian and China are purging the local populace in their newly conquered territories, there are not that many of those left except in India.”
“Something needs to be done about that,” said Benjamin.
“That something could only be done by a strong United States. The British Commonwealth and other European countries are too fragmented. There is no one else,” said Geoff.
“Setting up a seed fund by proxy may be the easy part,” said Benjamin thoughtfully. “T
he real question is, can the General be convinced to resign from his position in the Military. Only then could he run for President.”
“From that speech, it is obvious that the General is a passionate man and truly wants to do what is best for his country. It may be true that he has blinders on and cannot see that elected government leaders really don’t give a shit about their country as long as they get re-elected and continue to enjoy the perks that come with their office. At any other time, the Washington establishment would eat him alive for his idealistic views, but this may be a special time in history. It is similar to the situation that your late President Montgomery found herself in when she started all the preparations for the encounter with the dwarf,” said Geoff. “When aroused sufficiently, the power of the people cannot be stopped.”
“Well, I do have some contacts that might be willing to try and convince him that it would be the best for the country to have a leader with proven leadership skills during the crisis. If it is put to him that way he might agree to run. But again, what do we want in return for assisting him?” asked Benjamin.
“I know all I want is to be able to leave this god forsaken country here and see Europe again before it is covered in ice. Preferably, I would like to go without some agent from the CIA, Indian Intelligence Bureau, or some other country gunning me down or arresting me. Call it a pardon if you like,” replied Geoff.
“I think most of us would settle for that,” agreed Hisjani.”
“I might have a special request of my own,” said Benjamin. “It seems that neither one of my sons is interested in learning to manage my financial interests when I grow too old to do it myself. They are both twenty one now. Both have finished their college studies and have degrees in aerospace engineering and have also obtained their pilots licenses. Both are itching to apply for the United States Space Force Academy. I have been told the selection process is very tough, but perhaps with a word from the ex-Joint Chief of Staff… we will see what happens.”
Chapter 42
June 19th, 2038
New Washington, Georgia
The old man leaned on his cane and pressed the door buzzer. He looked back at the two policemen on the curve and waved. After about thirty seconds, when no one answered, he pressed the buzzer again. Inside Dana Walden looked into the den from the kitchen where she was cleaning up from lunch. Her husband, General Hans Walden, was sitting in his recliner trying to read a book. “Hans, do you think you need to see who is at the door?”
“I do not want to speak to any more damn reporters,” he growled. “Just ignore it and they will go away.” The buzzer started back up in a series of short aggravating bursts. “Damn it,” General Walden fumed as he stood up from his chair. “I thought the police were supposed to keep all the kooks and reporters away from the house.” He went to the window and pulled back the curtain to glance in front of the house. He could see two civilian police talking to a group of about a hundred people with “Walden for President” signs. There was an armored military patrol vehicle in his driveway and two Military Police sitting inside of it. “So who the hell is ringing that damn buzzer?” he asked himself. The general cursed himself again for that speech he had made at the hearing. He had not had a moment of peace since he had spoken up against martial law a week ago. Every nut in the country wanted him to run for president just because he had the balls to say what he felt. He should have known to just keep his mouth shut.
Before he could stop her, his wife crossed the room and opened the front door. She spoke briefly to someone and then stood back and beckoned them in. “Hans, we have a visitor dear,” she called out. General Walden just shook his head. He did not feel like talking to any more political flunkies trying to feel him out about him entering politics, or worse yet, another stupid reporter.
An elderly gentleman, who had to be in his eighties, stepped into the living room and held out his hand. “General it is good to meet you. I understand you are not talking to reporters or anyone else for that matter, so I appreciate you seeing me,” he said as he shook the general’s hand. “Do you mind if I sit down? Unfortunately, my knees and hips are not what they used to be when I was a younger man.” Mrs. Walden cleared a place for the man on the sofa and he slowly sat down grimacing in discomfort as he did so. She started to leave them but the man motioned for her to stay and sit. “Actually I want to speak to both of you, so please stay my dear.”
The General could not place the man; he looked familiar but he just could not put a name to his face. He sat down beside his wife and said, “I am sorry; you have me at a disadvantage. I think I have met you before, but I cannot remember your name.”
The old man laughed. “You probably have not seen or heard of me for about sixteen years. That was the last time I did anything that would have caused my name to be mentioned by anyone I am afraid. I have been in retirement and somewhat of a recluse since then. I think the last time I spoke in public was at the funeral for our late President Montgomery.”
The General was frustrated, he knew he should know this man, but just could not make the connection. His wife saved him. “Elliott Dewy, your Elliott Dewy, you were the Chief of Staff for President Montgomery.”
The old man nodded and laughed. “Her two terms as well as for the president before her also. I am afraid that age is catching up with me, I started losing my boyish good looks quite a few years ago.”
Recognition came to the General at last. “I remember now, I was at the funeral for President Montgomery, you gave the Eulogy.”
“Yes I did. Paula Montgomery was a remarkable woman, a very good President, as well as an old friend. I miss her terribly. She was a true believer in doing what was best for the citizens of our country and managed to keep her head clear of that quagmire that is our capitol.”
“And that General, is why I am here. I am the last person living that was on the senior staff for her administration. I want to see her legacy survive. And most of all, I want to see the country that she loved so dearly survive the cataclysm that approaches.”
“Mr. Dewey, the scientists have assured us that the world will not end when the approaching dwarf passes us. We are in for some hard times but the human race will survive,” General Walden said.
“General, you misunderstand me; I am not talking about the survival of the human race here, although that may also be at risk. I fear for the survival of our country and what it stands for.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Dewey?” asked Mrs. Walden. “What can we possibly do to help you that has anything to do with the late President Montgomery?”
Mr. Dewey looked closely at them. “Who do you think is going to win the presidential race in November?”
“That pompous asshole Senator Gonzales pretty much has it wrapped up,” said the General. “Neither of the other two candidates has a chance.”
“I take it that you do not approve of the Senator?” asked Mr. Dewy.
General Walden grunted. “Hell, he is about as crooked as they come. He has so many lobbyists lining his pockets that they could never be sorted out. It will not be easy taking orders from him after he is elected.”
But I am willing to bet that you would though, right?” asked Elliott Dewey.
The General nodded. “Unless he tries to declare martial law, then I will resign as I said.”
“That would please him immensely, General,” said Elliott. “Then he could replace you with someone that would eat out of his hand and not get up and make very patriotic speeches on TV that make him look like the snake he really is.”
“Off the record, I believe you are right Mr. Dewey,” said the General. “He is the worst possible person that could be elected president for the next few years. His type of leadership would guarantee that all that is great about our country would be lost during the passing of the Dwarf. First, he would declare martial law, then he would extend it, and then extend it again, and soon the constitution would be shelved for the good of the people. Before you know it, we woul
d find ourselves with a dictator.”
“You are right General Walden,” Elliott said. “None of the other candidates have a chance of beating him. I am afraid that all of the things that Paula Montgomery believed in when she started preparing our country for the coming of the Dwarf Star will be for naught. I can foresee this country falling into civil war if he is elected. If that happens, our Space Borne Defense Forces will be recalled and all those preparations for protecting our planet will be lost. Then, all it will take is one good size asteroid to wipe the entire human race out. Catastrophe is our destiny if he wins the election. You can see it just as well as I.” General Walden sat quietly in thought and said nothing.
“There is an alternative though,” said Elliott. “What this county needs is a leader to see it through the encounter and the years immediately after it. We do not need a politician who has his nose up every lobbyist’s ass in New Washington, but a true leader. We need someone who believes in our constitution and all that makes this country great. That leader is you General Walden.”
“There is no way I am going to run for president,” said the General as he stood and walked over to the window to look out. He pulled the curtain back and pointed at the small mob of people out in the street with their Walden for President Signs. “Just look at all those kooks out there.”
“Those people are not as big a bunch of kooks as you think them to be General. Those are people who are afraid and know what this country needs. They know they do not want Senator Gonzales and his cronies in power. They can recognize what a real leader looks and acts like. This country needs you General, and needs you badly in order to survive intact as we go through the encounter.”
“I am not a politician,” said the General. “I know nothing about running a country. Give me a damned division of armor and an enemy I can see and I will win that battle. I can do that, but that is not the same as running a country.”
Dark Star Rising Second Edition (Pebbles in The Sky) Page 28
