President Connor has not spoken with James Preston since their first meeting in January 2015 at the Governors' Conference. Neither felt any affinity for the other, but matters had come to a head. Connor would rather avoid the national publicity of domestic military action, but that required the cooperation of Preston, his staff, and much of Wyoming. Such was unlikely.
Connor has a call placed to Preston. Without preamble he says, "Governor Preston, you have exhausted the Government's patience and restraint."
"Actually, Mr. President, it's the other way around," Preston says evenly, "but I take your point."
Momentarily derailed by Preston's carefree resolve, Connor continues, "Sir, you have evaded being placed in federal custody, and you have conspired with others in your administration to violate numerous federal laws. You have fomented in Wyoming an armed insurrection against the lawful and constitutional order."
"I and most of my fellow Wyomingites wholeheartedly disagree, sir. It is the Government which has broken its solemn pact with America. Since you brought up the Constitution, please explain to me how your administration, or any other, has guaranteed the States under Article 4, Section 4 a republican form of government. When has our supposed agency, the Federal Government, abided by the letter of the 2nd Amendment or the spirit of the 10th? What we now have is a national form of government, which was not the expressed object of the Constitution. Our Bill of Rights is in tatters, and we in Wyoming will no longer stand for it."
President Connor is gripping the phone so hard his knuckles are white. With extreme effort he manages not to lose his temper. "Governor, you are speaking of legal issues which can be decided only by the courts."
Preston chuckles. "You mean the federal courts, don't you? Federal institutions arbiting federal authority. Speed freaks managing the pharmacy. Everyone sees through the façade by now, Mr. President. The game is over."
Connor takes a laborious breath and says, "Governor, I'm not going to argue the Constitution with you. Wyoming is in a state of insurrection, and I am empowered to suppress it with federal troops. Now, I will give you one last chance. We know that your militiamen have stepped up their training in anticipation of armed rebellion. For the sake of your people and of our nation, do not continue down this road to a civil war which you cannot win. Governor, you must instruct your citizens to lay down their arms."
"Molôn labé! "
With that, the line goes dead.
The phone still in his hand, President Connor turns to the room with a befuddled expression. He evidently does not know his Greek history.
National Security Advisor Bruner does know. He explains, "Sir, it's from a battle in 480 BC. Thermopylae was a suicidal holding action at a mountain pass to delay the Persians until the Greek navy could mobilize. Even though the Spartans were wiped out, their sacrifice rallied the Greeks to later prevail with renewed vigor. Xerxes abandoned his conquest of Greece, thus preserving the cradle of Western civilization and saving Europe."
Connor smirks. "So, Preston fancies himself the head of some modern-day Sparta? Saving America from the federal hordes, eh?"
Bruner replies, "He probably does imagine a vague parallel, yes, sir."
The President begins to pace next to his desk, which was always a sign of anger. "Well, what does 'mo-lawn lah-bay' mean?"
Bruner coughs. "The phrase means 'come and take them.'"
Connor frowns. "Come and take them?"
"Yes, sir. Their guns. If you can. It's a challenge not a surrender."
Connor stops pacing. The change on his face terrifies all present. It was later described as "an icy, demonic calm."
The President nods his head grimly and says, "A challenge, eh? Fine. Challenge accepted."
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Thursday, 18 June 2020
"And now, for my latest favorite bumper sticker," announces Preston over the air. "He who laughs last thinks slowest."
Action likely within 60 days.
Fort Carson, Colorado
July 2020
A team from the SFC at Bragg arrives to brief commanders of the 10th Special Forces Group. Their Second Battalion would be instrumental in next month's operation.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Thursday, 16 July 2020
"Oh, I saw a really good one in traffic yesterday," says Preston over the microphone.
He can imagine all of Wyoming waiting, breathlessly. At times he was amazed that the feds hadn't cracked the code, but then he calms himself with the assurance that militiamen knots consist of men who have known each other for years. Many have been friends since childhood. Newcomers were not automatically part of the inner cadre. They had to be invited, and that only happened after months of training, observation, and background checks.
Several FBI and ATF agents had been discovered posing as bona fide libertarian gun owners in order to infiltrate the militia. Preston's nickname for them was "mushrooms." Kept in the dark and fed shit. Often they were sent to separate and distant training missions in the grasslands.
Preston blinks his eyes and clears his head. "Yeah, I really laughed when I saw this one," he chuckles. "Ask me about my vow of silence."
Action likely within 30 days.
Denver, Colorado
August 2020
The mayor of the Mile High City shakes hands all around. "Thank you for coming, gentlemen. I assure you Denver's complete cooperation. It's about time the President took action up there. We've been losing many of our productive citizens to Wyoming for years. Businesses, too."
A US Army brigadier general nods. "We completely understand, Mr. Mayor. We appreciate your part in restoring constitutional order to the West."
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Thursday, 6 August 2020
"The word 'gullible' is not in the dictionary," Preston says over the air.
Action likely within 7 days.
A nation preserved with liberty trampled underfoot is much worse than a nation in fragments but with the spirit of liberty still alive.
— Private John H. Haley, 7th Maine Regiment (1860s)
The Oval Office
Monday morning, 10 August 2020
"Sir, I have Major General Adison of Special Forces Command on secure video link from Fort Bragg."
Connor nods firmly at the image of his SFC two-star. "Good morning, General Adison. What is the status of Operation Defend Constitution?"
"On schedule, Mr. President. H-Hour is 0545 MST tomorrow. Delta is handling the Cheyenne DA2. For OPSEC3 we will use Fort Collins, Colorado as FOB4 versus any Wyoming base. Delta will helo infil by MH-6N Little Birds courtesy of 160th SOAR, supported by 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group ODAs5 in MH-60G Pave Hawks from the Colorado ANG.
"Three Cheyenne ODAs are tasked for the Governor's Mansion on Central Avenue, the Barrett State Office Building, and the Capitol Building. A fourth ODA will helo infil south of Casper to Governor Preston's ranch to support Delta there. All four ODA commanders have liaisoned with their FBI counterparts to handoff prisoners for arrest and facilities for search. Casper and Cheyenne FBI SWAT will be standing by if needed. An ODB6 will set up in the Capitol with secure comm to SOCCE.
"Second Battalion, 10th SFG is less than three hours down the highway at Fort Carson. Although they will have to drive through Colorado Springs and Denver, it will be after midnight on a weekday. Their cover will be a training mission in the Roosevelt National Forest. The 2/10th will stage 8 miles south of the Wyoming state line on Highway 85 by 0300 in order to relieve Delta and the Cheyenne ODAs by H+30 Minutes. Their road time to Cheyenne will be no more than 20 minutes.
"3rd Battalion, 19th SFG will provide support from Draper, Utah. The 3/19th will be on station near Evanston, Wyoming for a possible eastern I-80 barricade, though I don't expect that'll become necessary. The bordering states' ANGs7 will contain the Wyoming perimeter."
The President is pleased. He enjoys working with military professionals. Such a change from his years on the Hill. "Exce
llent, General, excellent! I have your Time and Phase Deployment Schedule right in front of me and I will study it today before I rejoin you by video from the Situation Room tomorrow morning at 0300. Director Klein will also be in the FBIHQ's SIOC room at 0300 to coordinate his field agents during Operation Defend Constitution. Meanwhile, my staff will keep in touch with you today as necessary. Good day, General Adison, and thank you."
Wyoming
Monday morning, 10 August 2020
Nearly 50,000 militiamen pagers go off simultaneously. The numerical code means "Action likely within 24 hours." It is the second highest alert. For communications redundancy, the alert code is echoed on TV, radio, and the Net. Men from 17 to 55 years of age don their gear and grab their rifles.
Bill Russell's grandson, now of militia age, hefts the Krassny FAL and slings it. On his hip is the WW2 vet's Colt 1911A1. The young man feels as though he has instantly matured another year. Months of training have prepared him to defend his liberty, his family, his state. He isn't alone. Many of his friends and most of his kin will also be at their staging points. They are all in it together, and the young man has never felt more proud. His grandfather hands him a Thermos full of hot coffee, and hugs him. "Rely on your knot, let them rely on you, and you four men will do just fine."
A private page is sent to a special team known as "The Gardeners." They are in charge of harvesting, at exactly the same moment, all Wyoming "mushrooms." It's salad time.
The Oval Office
Monday morning, 10 August 2020
Moments after the SF general logged off, Connor's secretary buzzes the intercom and says, "Mr. President, I have the Governors of Idaho and Montana both holding in conference call. Line seven, sir."
Connor picks up the phone with executive briskness and stabs the blinking "7" button. "This is the President. Good morning Governor Dewey; good morning Governor Troxel."
"Good morning, Mr. President," the governors intone in unison.
With salutations out of the way, Connor gets right to it. "Gentlemen, tomorrow morning I will formally declare Wyoming in a state of insurrection. Its citizenry is openly and wantonly flouting federal law and Census 2020, as well as United Nations rewilding directives all with the direct assent and support of the Wyoming government. Governor Preston was personally instructed by me to ensure his state's compliance with several congressional gun control acts, but he categorically refused to intercede with his law enforcement or guard forces. Therefore, I am federalizing the national guards of Wyoming's contiguous states to augment the military action by US Special Forces required to effect the arrest of Governor Preston, his staff, and several members of the legislature. I have already heard from the governors of Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. They are acting to seal their borders with Wyoming tomorrow by 0530 MST."
Montana Governor Troxel says, "Sir, we're quite aware of the situation in Wyoming. Governor Dewey and I are calling to inform you that we've mobilized our state guards for stationing at the Wyoming border."
President Connor beams. "Excellent, gentlemen, excellent! Since time is of the essence, I have to move on Cheyenne at dawn. You both will be ready then, I take it?"
This time Idaho Governor Dewey speaks. "Actually, Mr. President, our guard troops will be in position within a few hours."
The President is puzzled. "But the Army won't be ready to act any earlier than dawn, and your ANGs are to coordinate with General Adison and his forces."
Dewey replies, "Sir, we won't be coordinating with General Adison."
Troxel chimes in, "That's correct, Mr. President."
Connor stares at the phone in amazement. "But coordination is necessary for the Cheyenne mission. We must — "
"Sir, the Idaho and Montana guards," says Governor Troxel "are not mobilizing for the Cheyenne mission."
"What? But Chey — "
Troxel cuts him off with, "Mr. President, we have just learned that the Wyoming state capital has been relocated to the Cody area until further notice. Governor Preston and his staff are already there, and enjoy full continuity of government. The Wyoming guard is establishing an internal main line of resistance from South Pass to Shoshoni, thus sealing off southern access to the Big Horn basin. Their guard is also staging on I-25 from Ranchester to Kaycee to prevent eastern access to the basin."
The Oval Office is tomb quiet, stunned.
National Security Advisor Bruner then quietly remarks to the Chairman of the JCS, "If Wyoming were a chessboard, I'd say Preston just castled."
Homeland Security Director Thaddeus Desmond overhears this and glares at Bruner.
Connor says, "This is wonderful intel, but how —"
"We know because Governor Preston requested our help in preserving the Republic, Mr. President," Dewey explains. "We have mobilized our state guards to protect Wyoming's western and northern flanks, not to invade our neighbor or support your unlawful military operation."
The President is speechless for several seconds before he erupts. "So, the poison of rebellion has spread outside Wyoming! This is treasonous!" Connor yells. "You are both traitors! Traitors to your country!"
"Sir, the Federal Government has violated its constitutional compact with the 50 states, especially in regards to the Bill of Rights. Under treaty law, this nullifies the compact, and any state may therefore act independently as a fully restored sovereign if it so desires. Wyoming evidently so desires, and we will aid her. You may have picked a fight with Governor Preston, but he will not have to fight alone."
"Are you both insane?" Connor shouts. "Do you honestly believe that three states with a total of three million people can hold off the might of the United States military?"
Governor Troxel says, "For now, yes sir. And three million people may not seem like a lot, but you're talking about America's Switzerland. Wyoming is, as we speak, fielding 50,000 trained militiamen, all with 7.62 battle rifles, and fully supported by their hitherto National Guard. You really should reconsider military action, Mr. President. Whether the US won or lost, it wouldn't be worth it. The British learned that the hard way with thirteen colonies, and you sure don't want to go down in history as the 21st century's King George. Good day, Mr. President."
The line goes dead with Connor's mouth still hanging open. He turns to Sowers and barks, "Get me General Adison again."
"Yes, sir, right away."
Wyoming
Wyoming steels herself for a federal invasion, her streets swelling with armed citizens packing their .308 battle rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, water, bivvy shelter, and three days of provisions. Since most had stored their gear in their cars and trucks, transforming themselves into militiamen takes only minutes.
The Oval Office
"Mr. President," Chief of Staff Sowers says, "I have General Adison back on video link."
Connor turns to the screen and says, "General Adison, I am aborting Operation Defend Constitution. You are to stand down immediately."
Adison is stone faced. "Operation aborted, Mr. President, I understand. Our intel just informed me that the Wyoming ANG are sealing off the Big Horn basin. Also, their entire citizens' militia are mobilizing. Our OPSEC was extremely tight, sir, but somehow word must have leaked to Governor Preston's staff."
"Thank you, but we know all this, General," huffs Connor. "We're still not done here. On my authority commence with Operation Restore Liberty. The 7th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Cav Regiment in conjunction with the 101st Airborne are to occupy Wyoming and neutralize its ANG. Militiamen are to be arrested for rebellion and detained for trial. Activate the tasked air wings for support. How soon can you move in?"
If General Adison is taken aback by the escalation, he doesn't let on. "Since those units are already on alert, just 24 hours behind the previously scheduled operation, Mr. President. H-Hour will be 0545 Mountain Standard Time, Wednesday, 12 August. We'll roll this up in a week, Mr. President."
"Excellent, General. See to it."
Wyoming
Tuesday, 11 August 2020
As the militiamen and guard forces were instructed to maintain readiness for the next 72 hours, the entire state remains coiled for defense.
All "mushrooms" have been picked, and are in cold storage.
The Pentagon
Tuesday, 11 August 2020
The inner halls of E-Ring bustle with uniforms, scurrying with nervous signals of the US military brain to its many extremities.
The White House
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
National Security Advisor Bruner arrives at his office at 7:00AM, ready to brief the President on tomorrow's operation. Reporters have gotten wind of all the military activity and are beginning to ask questions. Press Secretary George Bishop will have his hands full "denying" the well-placed rumors that President Connor was preparing for action against North Korea.
Bruner feels his wireless PDA vibrate. The Caller ID reads UNA. Unavailable. Nonetheless, few people have his private number so he answers it. Such an early call had to be important.
An unfamiliar voice says, "Have you opened this morning's couriered package yet?" And then disconnects.
Bruner frowns as he opens the small sealed parcel on his desk. Inside is a CD marked with a Sharpie pen, "From Wyoming to the President."
Bruner hurriedly makes his way to the Oval Office. Already present are the Homeland Security Director Thaddeus Desmond, Chief of Staff Sowers, the JCS Chairman, and several aides.
Bruner holds up the CD and says, "I just received this. It seems to have come from Cheyenne. It could be related to tomorrow's operation."
Connor exasperates, "Well what the hell are you waiting for?"
"Yes, sir," Bruner says as he inserts the disk into his running laptop. After a few seconds a media manager window opens with the query:
Play .mpg video file "Jigs Casey" now?
Molon Labe! Page 53
