A NATION DIVIDED - THE SECOND CIVIL WAR (The Second Civil War - BOOK I 1)

by Marshall Huffman

  The President just looked at her but she refused to break eye contact. She wasn’t about to back down when they had a golden opportunity like this at hand.

  Finally the President said, “Ralph, Sarah. Would you mind stepping out for a minute? I would like to speak with Ms. Cole privately.”

  “Yes sir,” Ralph said and Sarah nodded that she understood. They left by the side door of the Oval office.

  The President tapped his pen on the ink pad for several seconds before he finally spoke.

  “Ms. Cole. I understand your passion. I know what you want to accomplish. We all do but we are not going to put ourselves in a position to get caught up in a big lie. I simply will not stand for it. Perhaps at the last meeting I didn’t make myself clear enough so let me put this as clearly as I can. If you ever talk down to my people or disrespect this office again, I will strip you of your position as Secretary of State. That Ms. Cole is not a threat. It is a simple fact.

  Now I will tell you what you are going to do and you had better not balk. You are going to make a tour of our Middle Eastern Embassies. You will visit each and every one. The purpose will be to assess the security of each embassy. That is the cover story that will be issued,” he said, standing and coming from behind his desk.

  “If I may ask, what about my current agenda? I have several functions that are the duty of the Secretary of State to attend.”

  “We will have a cover story released to the press stating that we have creditable information that terrorists intend to attack one of our facilities. Their safety must take precedence.”

  “And you honestly think they will believe that?”

  “It doesn’t matter Ms. Cole.”

  “It does to me,” she said.

  He looked at her for several moments before he finally said, “Ms. Cole. Air Force two will be ready to depart at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. You will either be on that plane or I will expect to see your letter of resignation on my desk. Now, this has taken quite enough of my time. You are dismissed Ms. Cole.”

  He could almost feel the hatred as she looked at him before standing, gathering her briefcase, and turning to leave.

  “I will have to give this some thought,” was all she said.

  “You have until nine o’clock tomorrow. Oh, and please have Clarke and Sarah come back in as you leave.”

  “Yes sir, Mr. President, sir,” she said as she headed for the door.

  All he could do was shake his head. God, he hated that woman.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Twenty-six men stood or sat in a cabin, deep in the woods of North Carolina. Each of them had taken every precaution to make sure they had not been followed. They knew that the FBI kept them under constant surveillance.

  As leaders of their respective militia groups, they had been spied on for years and were used to it. This meeting was so important that they had taken even more precautions than normal.

  “Thank you all for coming. I know how difficult it was for you to get here undetected but unfortunately the current situation warrants the risk,” the spokesman said.

  He was just a little over six foot two with short gray hair and steel gray eyes. His age was hard to guess because of his tanned skin. His face wasn’t as wrinkled as you would expect of someone who obviously spent a great deal of time outdoors. His demeanor projected confidence and an ease at being in command. He was wearing khaki pants, a tan polo shirt and loafers. Even dressed as he was, it was obvious to the others that he was ex-military.

  “My name is Craig Hawkins. I am the commander of the First Regiment Militia of Alabama. As most of you have probably guessed, my background is mostly military. I did a stint with the FBI for a few years but...well, let’s just leave it at that,” he said.

  Several people chuckled and others shook their heads knowingly.

  “I also understand your curiosity as to why I would ask you to come here, especially knowing that you are under constant surveillance. Obviously I feel that there is a pretty good reason. I guess there damn sure had better be or I’m going to be standing in front of twenty-six pretty pissed off people.”

  Again a laugh and head shaking took place. While the subject matter was serious, Hawkins always felt a little levity would help break the tension.

  “Okay, to the heart of the matter. A few days ago I was informed by a very well placed person that the current administration has been working on a three pronged plan to change the content of the second amendment. That in itself is probably not big news to most of you. What you probably don’t realize is how far they are willing to go,” he said, pausing to let it sink in.

  “Phase one is an all-out blitz to brainwash the American people. By that I mean, using the print and electronic media as propaganda to instill fear. I know, I know, what’s new about that? They have hired two companies to create subliminal messages to flash during television commercials.”

  A quick murmur ran through the audience.

  “Yes, it is illegal. No, they do not care. One group was eliminated when the HCI building blew up. As fate would have it, they happened to be there along with most of the board of directors when someone blew up the place. That, however, is not the end of it. New Age Media was competing with the other group and have produced their own advertisements with subliminal messages embedded. I’ll come back to that in a moment.”

  Several people shot up hands, wanting to ask questions but he ignored them.

  “Phase two is to stack the Supreme Court in favor of the administration. As it stands right now, all they need is to replace one chief justice and they will be able to control the Supreme Court. Only Judge Foley stands in their way,” he said, taking a drink of water.

  Again he waited for that part to sink in. He had used the same technique many times. You had to let people think about things and mull it over in their minds before going on.

  “Phase three is to have the military, FBI, ATF, and every other federal agency to sweep in and confiscate the fire arms of individual citizens. Obviously that includes militias as well. The thinking is that even if it is illegal, they will have the guns and can destroy them before the people can get an injunction to stop them. It would work too. They have the registration records of gun owners, lists of members of gun clubs, and files on your militia members. They intend to sweep in and confiscate them during the night.”

  The place erupted in angry shouts of indignation. Hawkins just waited. He knew they needed to express outrage. This was America after all, not Russia or some third world country where citizen's rights were abolished overnight. After it had settled down some he started up again.

  “I can tell you for a fact that that is the plan. My source is very highly placed. This is not just a threat but a reality. The timeframe hasn’t been set but certain individuals on the administration's inner counsel are aggressively pushing the agenda forward.”

  “What are you suggesting?” one of the men spoke up.

  “Actually, I am suggesting nothing. I am simply giving you the information. Wait. I take that back. I guess I am suggesting that we openly discuss what, if anything, we intend to do. Some of you may want to just walk out of here and do nothing. Others will want to overreact and try to take on the government alone. Neither of those will work. This is far too big for one group to handle. I’m sure the administration would consider what I am saying to be treason. Well then, there it is. What the Continental Army did during the revolutionary war and the South attempted to do during the Civil War was considered treason. If that is the case, then so be it.”

  “Are you saying we need to try to overthrow the government?”

  He didn’t answer for several seconds. It became very quiet in the room.

  Choosing his words carefully he answered, “That is something that I alone cannot decide. I wouldn’t presume to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. What I do know is that a militia’s job is to protect the rights of Americans. It is not to play solider in the woods and have meetings that are
just talk. To me a militia is a means by which the Constitution of the United States assures that no government could suspend our most basic freedoms. Protecting the rights spelled out clearly in the Constitution is the sole purpose of a well-regulated militia.”

  The shuffling of feet and a few creaking chairs was all that could be heard.

  “Just to make sure I understand. What we are talking about is resisting the military, and other government officials if they try to eliminate our second amendment rights?”

  “I would respectfully suggest that that is what you all need to discuss and come to a consensus about. I already know what my people are going to do,” Hawkins said.

  “I can’t do that without talking to my people,” one of the men spoke up.

  “As it should be. However, you need to be in agreement as to what action your militia is going to follow before it is too late. The clock is ticking for all of us.”

  “What is our next step?”

  “As you said. Go talk to your people. Keep in mind that you have spies in your groups. Don’t delude yourselves into thinking that you don’t. Talk in generalities and do not mention the information you now have and that you have attended this meeting. If you do, the Feds will sweep in and that will be end of your group.”

  “Then what?”

  “I suggest another meeting. I will contact you thirty days from now and set a time and place. If you come, you are interested in learning the next part of the plan. If you don’t then you go your own way.”

  “I mean no disrespect; but how do we know you aren’t still working for the FBI or the government?”

  Hawkins didn’t answer. He just pulled on his lower lip for a few seconds.

  “I guess you don’t,” he finally said and left it at that.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Is everything in place,” Hanna Cole asked.

  She looked around to make sure no one was listening. A public phone was the only thing that she felt was secure enough to use.

  “We’re ready on our end. Once you give the word there is no turning back. My people will not stop until the mission is accomplished. You understand that don’t you?.”

  “Of course,” she said irritably, “I’m the one that set this up so all you have to do is your job.”

  “When I see the money in my account.”

  “That is the least of my worries.”

  “But not mine.”

  “Fine. It will be transferred to your account by five o’clock tomorrow. That will be the signal for you to proceed. I will not talk to you again.”

  “Understood,” the man said and hung up.

  Cole stood there another minute, acting like she was still talking while looking around the terminal. No one was showing the least bit of interest in her, other than her staff that was hovering nearby. Satisfied she hung up the phone and walked over to her people.

  “Is everyone aboard?” she asked.

  “Hennery is in the restroom, everyone else is ready,” Brenda Young, her personal secretary reported.

  “Then let’s get aboard. We go in ten minutes with or without Hennery,” she said starting toward Air Force Two.

  As much as it galled her, she knew she had to make the trip as the President had ordered. If she resigned she would no longer be involved in the decision process and that she simply couldn’t have. Actually, she thought, it will actually help if I am out of the country. No one would be able to point a finger at her. She smiled as she realized the bastard had given her the perfect alibi. She stepped more lively to the waiting plane.

  ***

  “She decided to go?” Sarah, his Chief of Staff asked.

  “Apparently so. Air Force Two reported that her people had shown up in force at the hanger.”

  “Well, that’s one way of getting her out of our hair for the time being.”

  “Unfortunately it’s only temporary.”

  “Still, it’s better than nothing,” Sarah replied.

  “Right you are. Okay, the commercials are ready to run?” he asked, switching gears.

  “Yes sir. They start tonight. They will air three times during the Emmy Awards. The other major channels will be blocked as well so no matter if the home viewers switch channels they will still see them.”

  “Roland?”

  “We have been talking to every base commander of any size. We have told them just the very basics of what would be required of them. Most understood. A few didn’t seem concerned one way or the other. Only four or five really questioned the legality of what we were going to do.”

  “You have the names of those commanders?” the President asked.

  “Yes sir,” he said, sliding a paper across the desk. The President quickly scanned the list and then laid it back down.

  “And how are you going to handle them?”

  “We will have our own men on base when the time comes with orders from your office to relieve them of command unless they comply.”

  “Do you think that will really work?”

  “Well, I don’t see why not. You're the Commander-in-Chief. They will have to abide by a direct written order from you.”

  The President rubbed his chin, “Alright if you’re absolutely comfortable with that.”

  “Yes sir, I am.”

  “Okay, what else?”

  “The mayors of cities with more than 100,000 have been contacted and given their marching orders when directed by your office.”

  “Lord. How many cities was that?”

  “Over two hundred and seventy-five, sir.”

  “You have been busy.”

  “We didn’t stop there. Most Sheriff's offices in larger counties have been alerted as well. A lot of fire power resides in country settings. We need to round up as many of those as we can,” Roland replied.

  “Then what? Once you have the weapons and ammunition?”

  “We will destroy them immediately. We will fight it out in court later but the damage will have already been done. Hopefully you will have the Small Arms Treaty signed and be pressing congress to act on accepting it.”

  “That will be done. As long as it is before Congress I feel we can go ahead with the confiscation. Like you said, we can sort it out in court later. You just make damn sure the weapons are destroyed.”

  “We have it all worked out,” Roland assured him.

  “Noel, you have the changes ready that will redefine the second amendment?”

  “Almost sir. Just tweaking a few more words so that nothing slips through the cracks.”

  “There damn sure had better not be anything slipping through any cracks. Not with the risks we are taking.”

  “It won’t. That’s why we are being so cautious.”

  “Good. No screw-ups at this point,” the President replied.

  ***

  NEW YORK TIMES: WHITE RIDGE MILITIA RESPONSIBLE FOR BOMBING

  “A high ranking official divulged that the FBI has determined that a group calling themselves the White Ridge Militia were responsible for the bombing of the Handgun Control Building in Washington D.C. last week. Over one hundred and eight people perished when the building exploded.

  “This was a direct and cowardly act carried out by American terrorists,” the source is quoted as saying.

  "Recovery of security tapes shows a white van with several people inside talking to a guard before finally being permitted to enter. Immediately the group unloaded from the van and took the elevator up to the main level."

  “When Homeland Security Director Adam Little was asked to comment he said, “This is a new and dangerous group. We have no records on the White Ridge Militia. We suspect it is a splinter group from various other Militias throughout the country...”

  “Damn it Adam. You should have just said no comment. Who the hell is this White Ridge group anyhow,” the President said, throwing down the paper in disgust.

  “Sir, they just jumped me. I didn’t know what they were even talking about until they filled me in. I don’t
know where the information came from. I just stammered out what I thought was a reasonable answer.”

  “Jesus Adam. No comment is the only reasonable answer. You should know that by now. I shouldn’t have to tell you that. You’re a damn professional.”

  “Yes sir. Sorry sir. I just didn’t think.”

  “No more of that crap, understand?”

  “Clearly.”

  “Who is the high level official they are talking about? It had better not be Ms. Cole.”

  “I don’t know sir. We are trying to find out. We're calling in all markers to see if we can get a line on who it was,” Adam said.

  “Dig. I don’t care what it takes. Find out who planted that story. They will be clamoring for a statement from the White House and I need to have something to tell them,” the President said.

  “You want Sarah to work on it with Roland and Noel. They are your best bet in coming up with a plausible story,” Adam said, trying to get back in good graces.

  “Not a bad idea. Alright, go find out who did this. No more screw-ups.”

  “Understood sir.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Mr. President. I hate to disturb you but I think you will want to hear this.”

  “What is it Sarah? I’m pretty busy.”

  “Chief Justice Foley. She died last night.”

  “What? How?”

  “Apparently it is being ruled a homicide. Her house was broken into and someone strangled her.”

  “Oh my God. Oh heavens. Do they have any leads?”

  “Here,” Sarah said, turning on the large TV set.

  “Justice Foley’s body was discovered this morning by her maid. Police are still questioning her at this time. According to Captain Sellers she was murdered sometime between midnight and four a.m. Of course they will know more after the autopsy. Justice Foley has been on the Supreme Court for the past twenty-four years and was the most senior member,” the announcer said.

  “Do the police have any suspects at this time?” the announcer asked.

  It was obvious that they didn’t but he liked to hear himself talk.