“Her name is Matilda.” Allexa’s face scrunched up and the tears began. “Oh, poor Joshua.”
“And your brother’s house wasn’t just destroyed, it’s completely gone,” Tom said. “You really were very lucky. Apparently the funnel cloud only clipped your trees and not your house. The trees did all the damage.”
Allexa rolled to her side, away from Tom, and he quietly left.
***
“Can you get me one of those canes I kept beside the TV?” Allexa asked of Jason.
“You mean like this one?” he held up a cane that had belonged to Allexa’s mother.
“That will do. The swelling in my knee is already going down. I only need something to take pressure off when I walk.” She took the cane and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Oh, and thanks for bringing me some clean clothes too.” She stood and tested a few steps with the cane.
“Tom said you’re going back to his house.”
“Only temporarily, Jason. It’s one floor, so no steps. I would really like my own place.”
“We’re working on it, Mom. Several of us have been scavenging the house and collecting everything that wasn’t damaged and storing it out of the elements in the barn, which wasn’t touched, by the way.”
“I appreciate that and I feel bad that I can’t help.”
“Help? Mom, you almost got killed,” Jason said. It was obvious to Allexa that he was deeply distressed and fighting tears so she took his hand.
“I didn’t, though and that’s the most important part, isn’t it? I’ve got a few bumps and bruises, that’s all. I’m fine, really.”
Jason cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about the house for now, okay? We’re taking care of it.”
“Someone needs to water the plants in the greenhouse.” Allexa frowned, feeling left out of everything.
“There is no greenhouse,” Jason said bluntly. “Eric has already moved all the plants that survived.” Allexa looked at him questioningly. “Three trees fell, one of them on top of the greenhouse. We did manage to save the solar panel and the battery.”
“That’s a small bonus. I wonder if it would have made any difference if there had been some advance notice,” she wondered out loud.
“Doubtful. If you’re ready, I’ll drive you over to Tom’s. Dr. James said you are not to do any unnecessary walking, and you need to keep your knee iced.”
“I know. He gave me the same line.” She stood to leave. “Can we drive by the house first? I want to see the damage myself.”
“As long as you stay in the car.”
***
“Oh. My.” was all Allexa said when she saw her house. The roof over the kitchen area was caved in. The timbers that had held the glass panels for the greenhouse were broken and splintered, and the glass shards glistened in the morning sunlight. Three of the five stately maple trees that graced the front of her house now lay across the front yard. A crew of workers was removing branches and thicker limbs, another crew busy bolting the trunks. Nothing could go to waste.
They passed by Joshua’s house and Allexa wept. “When is the burial?”
“This afternoon. It’s summer, Mom, we can’t wait much longer,” Jason said softly. “I’ll take you to Tom’s and he will drive you to the service.”
“What did you do with Bossy?” she asked, concerned about the docile cow.
“She’s been taken care of,” he whispered.
Nothing could go to waste.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Journal Entry March 12
The funeral service for Joshua was brief, led by Father Constantine. Emilee wailed openly for the loss of her best friend. Many cried with her and for her, including me. Joshua was a big part of our family.
***
“You can’t just leave!” Tom shouted at Allexa.
“And you can’t stop me,” she retorted. “Tom, listen, this is important to all of us. We need communication with Sawyer and I think Major Kopley can help. Besides, he needs to know the colonel is missing.”
There, she was the first to admit he was actually missing.
“We’ll only be gone two, maybe three days. I promise. I also promise to walk as little as possible.”
Allexa had washed and carefully ironed the uniform she wore while on the road trip with the colonel a year earlier, and now stood before Tom, an Army lieutenant. Eric had resurrected his BDUs from the limited clothing he had brought from Florida and with his maroon beret on, stood by her side.
Eric picked up her duffle and added it to his already in the remaining Humvee. Jason and he had discussed this trip and they both felt it was good timing to finish their project. Eric’s mission now was to keep their mother away so Jason could complete the details without having to hide.
“With 150 open you should make decent time,” Tom said, pouting.
“I’m sure we will. We’ll be back in no time.” Allexa gave him a hug and left. She climbed in the Hummer and slipped her military ID into the visor next to her son’s.
***
“Did Rayn give you a hard time about leaving?” Allexa asked.
“Not really. Remember, Mom, she is still military, and she understands missions,” Eric said, turning south on county road 150. They rode in silence for several miles, bumping along the poorly maintained gravel road. Eric slowed as they approached the hairpin turn, maneuvering the Hummer around a few stray rocks that littered the road.
Allexa, lost in thought, stared out the side window at the passing scenery.
“You’re awfully quiet, Mom. Is there something wrong?”
She smiled painfully at her son. “Yes. Everything is wrong. Our lives have been turned upside down in the last two and a half years. Yet here we are, driving along like it’s just another day in our lives.”
“It is just another day in our lives, though, Mom. Our new lives. I’ve gotten used to it, haven’t you?”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever really get used to it. This life, this world, is so much more difficult than I thought it would be,” Allexa said. “And in another hour we’ll be at Sawyer, so you better get used to calling me lieutenant colonel, Sergeant.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Eric grinned. They came to a “T” in the road. “Right or left? I’m not familiar with this route.”
“Left. For future reference, this is a loop. Either direction will take us to US41, left is shorter and in the direction we want to go.”
“Where was that subdivision you and the colonel found?”
“Up behind Walstroms,” she replied. “Maybe on our way back we can stop there again. Jim and I explored only the one road, but there was another that was blocked by a downed tree.”
“Glad I stuck a chainsaw in the back.” Eric laughed, obviously enjoying their adventure. He turned left onto US41 then down a few miles to the turnoff that lead to Sawyer Air Force Base.
“Interesting…” Allexa mumbled. “This road has been smoothed out. Last time much of the pavement had been buckled. I’ll have to ask Major Kopley about that.”
A half hour later, they spotted the guard gates and Eric slowed.
“I know you have a level head, Eric, just remember we are both military from now on, and you trust no one, and I mean no one with the truth about me.”
“Yes, Lieutenant Colonel, ma’am!” he said, slowing down at the gate. They both reached for their IDs and Eric handed them to the guard.
“Lieutenant, welcome back to Sawyer.” The sergeant snapped a quick salute. He peered into the Hummer and confirmed Eric’s picture. “Sgt. Rush, may I ask your business here?”
“Sgt. First Class Rush is my PA,” Allexa answered for him. “Where I go, he goes. Will you please let Major Kopley know I’m here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The gate lifted without further questioning and they drove to the main compo
und.
***
“Lt. Smeth, good to see you again,” Major Kopley greeted her warmly.
“Steve, it’s good to see you too. May I introduce my PA and bodyguard, Sgt. First Class Eric Rush.”
Eric snapped a clean salute. “Major.”
“So,” Kopley eyed the young soldier in front of him returning his salute, and then turned back to Allexa, “what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Allex?”
“Where can we sit and talk? I need to stay off my feet.”
“I noticed a slight limp and now I can see bruises. You look like you were in a fight. What happened?” the major asked with genuine concern.
“In part, it’s why I’m here,” she said, evading his question.
“Do you need our medic? I’ll summon him immediately.”
“That won’t be necessary, Steve. Moose Creek has a very competent doctor, but thank you.” She settled in a chair across from him at his desk. Eric stood at parade rest behind her. “I dislocated my knee last week during a tornado.”
“Ah, we had that on radar. Did that hit you?”
“We had a touchdown. The injuries, and deaths, could have been prevented had we some forewarning, and that’s why I’m here. I’m hoping you can get me communications between the two posts. Nothing fancy, maybe a long range mobile unit, like a MBMMR,” she suggested. Eric had briefed her on what to ask for. “Had we gotten some warning I could have taken better cover.”
“Of course. That would be easy to do,” Kopley said. “May I also suggest a vehicle mount – SINCGARS, which is what I keep here in my office. I’ll have my techs get right on it.” He picked up a requisition form, filled in a few lines and signed it, then handed it to Allexa.
“Thank you,” she said. Without looking at it she handed it to Eric. “It will be nice to have a heads-up next time.”
“I’ll make certain it comes your way immediately. What was the extent of your injuries, Allex?” Kopley asked.
“A dislocated knee, which is doing much better now,” she said, “multiple bruises, and a fractured wrist from when my housing was hit and collapsed on me.” She held up the soft cast on her left hand. The purple and yellow bruises on her face and neck were still visible.
Steve paled. “You mentioned deaths, how many?”
“Two, and they were very important members of the community.” She wasn’t about to tell him one of those deaths was a cow.
“I’m sorry for your loss. What else can I do for you?” the major asked.
Allexa turned to Eric. “Sergeant Rush, will you see to getting this requisition filled?” Eric looked stunned that she was dismissing him. “And would you see that the mail satchel gets to the post mail room, and anything for Moose Creek is picked up.” He nodded and left the room.
Steve watched the maroon beret walk out the door, then leaned back in his chair.
“Steve, the colonel is missing. He left for a two week reconnaissance to the Keweenaw the first of November and I haven’t heard from him since. It’s been four months.” She tapped her fingers rapidly on the arm of the chair in frustration. “I don’t know what you can do, but I thought you should know.”
“I see.” Steve looked away momentarily. “He was here in early November and went on to the Soo. A week later he was back here and had orders for my Corp of Engineers.” He wiped his large hand over his smooth face.
The news stunned Allexa. “I thought he went directly to the Keweenaw. I wasn’t aware he was going to the Soo. However, he doesn’t tell me everything. And since he outranks me, I don’t expect him to. Then again, there are times he likes to surprise me.” She let her face go neutral even though her thoughts were running rampant.
“I haven’t forgotten that you outrank me, Lt. Colonel,” Major Kopley said humbly.
“I hope you realize that was an angry slip. No harm, no foul.”
“Have you been into Marquette recently?” he asked, shifting the focus.
“Not in a year. It was still too hot and the trip was…grim.”
“The city has burned itself out, but the coal yard is still hot and likely will be for years to come.” Kopley leaned back in his seat, wondering if he should further explain that Col. Andrews had issued orders for the 695 bridge in Marquette to be repaired or replaced if needed. Perhaps this was one of those times Jim wanted to surprise her. Kopley kept silent; she’d find out soon enough.
“That would explain why the road has been smoothed out.” She paused, and then said, “I’d like the use of an office and computer. I’d like to check in with my geeks in the Soo.”
“Of course, but Sgt. Toth is here if you want to speak to him directly.”
“Billy is here?” She grinned.
***
During his stay at Sawyer under the command of Major Kopley, Sgt. Billy Toth, computer genius, observed how inefficient the military was in getting things done. Necessary things, like getting supplies to outlying posts. In November, he had overheard Colonel Andrews and the major discussing those very necessary items for Moose Creek and how slow the delivery had been. Knowing command worked from the top down, Billy got busy.
Accessing the Pentagon email site wasn’t difficult, since he was on a military computer and a secure server. Finding the right dormant email was a bit more challenging, though not impossible. After an hour of stealthy searching, he found what he was looking for: a general’s email address that hadn’t been used for two months, ever since the latest super flu outbreak hit DC. It wasn’t only the public that suffered from these devastating outbreaks that left those remaining unsure and sometimes floundering; the military had also been hit hard. The conclusion Billy came to was the general had succumbed to the illness and either no one knew or no one knew to delete his access. Billy looked up the general’s statistics and service record. It was perfect for his project. He couldn’t take the risk that someone actually knew this general so he changed the name.
With a real service record, any search into the new fictitious general would produce real and accurate information. Any email coming from the address had the option of being labeled “Classified” with a verifiable banner. This was not a private server; there were no multiple devices used. Billy made sure the account was secure. He also made sure that a single keystroke would activate a sub-routine and wipe that email clean, leaving no traces back to him.
Billy’s alter ego, Four-star General Brent Langley, was created. And the general was most generous. The general also always went through channels. It looked much more legit for a four star general to make his request to a two star general, who in turn gave orders to a colonel or a major. In the last several months, no one had questioned a single order that Sgt. Toth as General Langley had issued, mainly because Billy intercepted all of the major’s outgoing email, and knew exactly what they were asking for, mainly food and fuel.
***
“Hello, Billy,” Allexa said, leaning against the doorway to his large office.
“Lt. Smeth!” He jumped from his seat and gave her a hug. “Oh, sorry, it’s just good to see you.” A red flush creeped up his neck.
“It’s really good to see you too, Billy. I have something I need you to do for me.”
Billy listened intently while Allexa explained the situation.
“I’ll need more than several minutes to do that. I have an idea that will buy me some time that is quicker.” He wrinkled his nose, snickered, and started typing.
***
Major Steve Kopley finished his email to General Jameson, reporting on the disappearance of Colonel James Andrews and the arrival of Lt. Col. Allexa Smeth. He hit send and pulled up the classified site that listed all military personnel records and began typing in his personal access code. As un-military as Smeth felt to him, Sgt. Rush was very military. That this young man was her personal assistant was another conundrum.
An email notice from G**Jameson popped up and he deleted his partially filled in code as protocol demanded before moving to read the mail from the two star general:
“That Col. Andrews is now MIA is worrisome. Use whatever means necessary to find him. I will issue formal orders to that effect shortly.
On the brighter side, it’s good to know Smeth is well. She’s been dark for many months. Good call on issuing a means of comms. This is an officer we don’t want to lose touch with again. The Pentagon has been asking about her. General Langley, a four star in G3 in particular. Knowing she was instrumental in getting that half of Michigan back on-line has not gone unnoticed and they don’t want to misplace that valuable asset again. **G
So much for him still doubting her military background. Kopley sighed, and hit reply.
I will be sure to tell her you send your regards. Her PA is overseeing the installment of a SINCGARS to their HV, and they will take an MBMMR with them.
He waited patiently for a reply. After five minutes he started to pull up the personnel site again then stopped when another email popped up.
Sorry for the delay; Langley contacted me. The Pentagon has issued orders to promote Smeth to a full bird colonel, in essence replacing Andrews. Wish I could be there to do the honors, but you will have to take care of that for me.
Steve leaned back and stared at the screen for a moment, then he reopened the personnel site, tapped in his password, and typed in Rush, Eric, Sergeant First Class. The file came up classified.
In Washington, General Jameson frowned. At some point he had been left out of the loop. He had no idea who Smeth was, but he certainly wasn’t going to admit that to anyone, especially not a four star.
The Journal: Martial Law Page 13
