Against the Storm: A Fortress Farm Novel

by G. R. Carter

  “You really believe that?”

  “I've seen it happen. In my life, I’ve seen nearly everything happen,” he said with the engaging smile he used on his followers.

  Rebekah paused again. I really am being manipulated, she thought. There's no right answer here, the Diamantes will do what they want, regardless of the effect on anyone else.

  “Okay, Uncle Jack,” she smiled sweetly. “How can the Republic make our best friends in the entire world happy?”

  Uncle Jack smiled back. “I knew we could count on you, Rebekah. I know it's difficult, but this is the smart move for your country, and for your family.”

  Condescending old bastard, Rebekah thought behind her pretty blue eyes. Touch my family and I’ll kill you myself.

  “I'm afraid we're going to need something difficult for your honor to accept. But please remember the bigger picture. We must maintain order, otherwise everything ARK and the Republic have built will fall apart.”

  “I understand. I'm not saying we'll go along with everything, but we'll do whatever we can to keep our friendship whole. You know how bad we need you, how indebted we are to ARK for everything you've done for us,” Rebekah said. Too far with that one, be careful, Bek, she scolded herself.

  “That's my girl. Here's what Tony thinks will be a show of good faith. Mt. Horab needs to turn over any and all armed aircraft, specifically the one that killed our people and any others like it. Mt. Horab will cede all rights to bases and settlements outside of their current city. Once that is done, Tony wants Huffman to be jailed,” Uncle Jack said matter-of-factly.

  Rebekah snorted with a stifled laugh. “You're joking, right? Those terms mean all-out war.”

  “Tony's made a pretty good case that's what Huffman wanted all along. You don't poke a bear and then cry when it turns on you.”

  “They're an independent country, Uncle Jack. We don't run their affairs.”

  “Right, just like you don't run the affairs of America, or Riveoria, or Lafayette, or Evansville…”

  “You're mixing provinces of the Republic with allies of the Republic. We no more have control over Evansville than we do of ARK. But if you really want to bring it up, our provinces are largely autonomous. You should know that, since you've been going behind our back, talking to Riveoria about joining ARK,” Rebekah said.

  “Ironically, the man who originally approached us about that is dead.”

  “That is ironic, isn't it? Whoever did it, I'm sure it was ‘just business’ for them,” Rebekah said, suddenly sorry she broke an unwritten rule between them. “I'm sorry, Uncle Jack. I shouldn't have gone there.”

  The old man gave what appeared to be a legitimate wince. “No, it's okay. I guess it just shows how you really see us.”

  “We can't let these things come between us, though. There's too much at stake.”

  “What you call 'these things' are our future, Rebekah. ARK's goals are ambitious. You have to understand, we're aiming to create a thriving people, a great culture that could rival the ones written about in history books. We can't do that with a bunch of religious fanatics sucker-punching us. More important, we can't do that with our friends blocking our every move!”

  “Alex has never once tried to stop you from what you're trying to do out west. Neither have I.”

  “The whole reason we had to go west was because your Republic sucked up everything else around here. We're completely blocked off to the east by your territory, and now you're trying to block us to the south by supporting Mt. Horab.”

  Rebekah felt herself losing patience. “I'm tired of rehashing the same arguments. Mt. Horab is not even a protectorate of ours. Even if it was Essie flying that plane, she was doing it on her own accord. She's engaged to one of the Horab Electors, remember?”

  “And why was she shooting down our skyships?”

  “Because you were trying to bomb them!” she snapped. “Alex would have had your people and your boats back within a couple of days!” Rebekah shouted. “But you couldn't stand to wait. You kill their people in the middle of the night, try to bomb a base they've been working on for months, and then get pissed because they fought back? What did you expect!”

  Both stood in silence, flush in the face with frustration. Each tended to get what they wanted out of negotiations. Sometimes through strength of will, more often just by being smarter and better prepared.

  “I've got Tony's written demand that I'm supposed to personally deliver to the Mt. Horab representatives,” Uncle Jack finally said, grimacing with the effort of self-control.

  “They refused to come if ARK was present. Said any type of agreement reached here that included you wasn't worth discussing.”

  “Convenient. I suppose you know how to get it to them? Perhaps you can have your sister-in-law hand it to her fiancé?”

  “Uncle Jack, you can't prove it was Essie flying that plane!” Rebekah snapped.

  “Please. How many women with patches matching your family coat of arms are flying around in this age? You think a description like that is just made up? There's what, maybe one hundred pilots on the whole continent right now? And the Republic has almost all of them, only one of whom is a woman!”

  “First off, that's not true. We've got several women piloting Raptors and Talons both,” Rebekah said.

  “I'd say you're missing the point, Mrs. Hamilton. Mt. Horab doesn't have pilots or planes, at least none we know about. Or have you been holding that piece of information from us?”

  Rebekah steamed. “Okay, Uncle Jack, if this is how you want to play things. Fine, I'm done trying to be nice. So let me lay this out for you as simply as I can. The Republic is going to invite all Midwestern Free States to join. That includes you, Mt. Horab, Evansville, Paducah, Texarkana… Even the Creeks from Clarksville. Vincennes, too. We're proposing a unified country from west to east.”

  “You know we'll never give up sovereignty.”

  “I'm just saying we're inviting. No one's being forced to join. But let me make one thing clear. Whoever joins will be under our protection.”

  “That's crap, Bek. The Republic wouldn't even exist if ARK hadn't stepped in to save your ass.”

  “And ARK would have starved and froze to death long before that if the Okaw Valley hadn't shipped you food and fuel. You sure as hell wouldn't have your precious skyships without our Wizards drawing up the plans for you. Oh, or your irrigation and sanitation, or even your rail system. All that's from our Archives and our Wizards. Let's not even talk about how many of your Peacekeepers I've personally trained! Shall I go on?”

  Uncle Jack stood and thought for a moment. “No, my dear, I think you've made your position perfectly clear. So now let me make myself clear, also. You've got one week to get Mt. Horab to comply with the terms of reparations.”

  Rebekah tried reason one more time. “Come on, Uncle Jack, we don’t have time for petty rivalries.”

  “Ah yes, you mean like Alex’s fixation on that New American dictator?”

  “This is a lot bigger than that. The Caliphate's coming for all of us, and we can only stop them by working together.”

  “Perhaps your sister-in-law and her buddies should stop ambushing our people, then.”

  Bek sighed and threw her head back. With a groan she lost her patience. “Ugggh. Fine, Jack. I'm sure the Horab Electors will have an answer for you promptly, but you probably aren't going to like it.”

  “Make sure they know it wouldn't be wise for them to refuse our requests. Perhaps you should remind them of what our family business is, eh, Rebekah?” the old man said with a cynical mock question. “I'll be staying on ARKShip One. Make sure Captain Oliver is delivered to us by this evening.” He turned and walked towards the door, followed closely by two of his black-clad Peacekeeper guards.

  “Tell Nicole she'll get Oliver when we get Maxwell,” she yelled to his back.

  “This evening, Rebekah. No negotiations,” he replied without turning around, then he was gone.

 
Chapter Sixteen

  Unified Church - Cathedral of the Saints

  Mt. Vernon, Grand Shawnee

  Year 12 A.G.R.

  Night before the Free State Summit

  Hugs passed around as the Hamilton family entered Bishop Ellis Bonner’s cozy living quarters at the back of the Unified Church’s Mt. Vernon Cathedral.

  “You sure you want our circus coming to invade your sanctuary, Bishop?” Rebekah Hamilton laughed as she shifted her baby from one arm to the next. The other Hamilton children ran to the back hallway, heading for the Cathedral’s nursery packed with toys for young families to use while at Wednesday and Sunday services.

  “You know it’s my pleasure to have you here, Rebekah. Not every little servant of God gets the honor of hosting the Founding Family,” Bonner assured her.

  Alex Hamilton stepped through the doorway, leaning on an ebony colored cane. He raised it up and saluted Bonner, a silver hawk with outstretched wings perched on the top as a handle. The symbol’s sapphire eyes sparkled, catching and reflecting the light coming from the room’s massive fireplace. “If you’re just a little servant of God, Bishop, then I’m the local dog catcher,” Alex joked.

  Two Home Shield escorts carried in leather bags packed with the Hamiltons’ personal items. Six others stood outside, the latest model Steinbrink 76 rifles at ready position while their eyes scanned the quiet streets for any sign of danger. Just around the corner in each direction sat a matte black Snapping Turtle, prepared to spring into action if the Founder’s personal escort should call. Rounding out the security detail were six huge Guardian dogs, each trained to follow the Hamilton family everywhere they went. Not exactly sweet family pets, but perfectly genteel around the children’s rowdy play and laughter.

  Martin Fredericks and Sam Hamilton were already seated in the Cathedral library, a two-story wood-trimmed space packed with precious pre-Reset books on subjects from farming to theology to history. Alex stepped into the room—Sam called it waddling—stopping briefly to take a deep smell of the aged books.

  “I never get tired of that smell. No matter how many times I walk into a room full of books, that smell lightens my mood,” Alex said. He settled into an overstuffed chair, surrounded by the soft leather.

  “Your mood’s going to need a little lightening, brother,” Sam said. “We got the discussion started a little early before you got here. Turns out our friends have been real busy making plans without us knowing.”

  Alex nodded in acknowledgement. His gut told him something was definitely afoot in Grand Shawnee, he just couldn’t find the time to look into it. The rest of his trusted circle faced the same problem. Sam was trying to help Mt. Horab while keeping fifty-year-old planes in the sky. Celeste spent her time with the Wizards trying to increase production of everything the rapidly-expanding nation was consuming. Fredericks was dedicated to integrating America, a territory doubling the size and population of the Republic. Julia Ruff was still trying to keep relations with Vincennes at least cordial, and Rebekah prepared the next generation of Red Hawk leaders at Old Main - the Republic's MIT and West Point combined. If that wasn't enough, Rebekah also had to play the role of the gracious First Lady while Alex juggled the politics of strong personalities in remote locations across thousands of square miles.

  “And I’m guessing our good friends in ARK City and Vincennes are encouraging it,” Alex replied.

  “Where do those people find the time?” Fredericks asked.

  “Don’t know. We’re going to have to decide what to do about them and Mt. Horab. This could get ugly quick. Tony wants to add them to the satellite communities he’s got stretching all the way out past Kansas City. Texarkana’s mayor accepted ARK Citizenship, so they’re in the bag. That leaves the Buckles surrounded on their side of the river.”

  “I thought they were just going west to get the helium for their airships. Kansas, right?” Fredericks asked.

  “That’s what we all thought at first, too. But something else is going on.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been so out of the loop.”

  “Yeah, well, true love of country will do that to a man,” Alex laughed. “By the way, how is America coming along? And more important, how is Maggie handling the stress?”

  “Quite well on both accounts. Thanks for asking. The Fortress Farms are happy with all the improvements the Republic’s provided. But everyone’s nervous about the Caliphate,” Fredericks replied. “We can get into that whenever you want.”

  “Now’s as good a time as any. Julia tells me the Senate passed approval of the militia call-ups. That’s good. I was going to do it anyway, but I’m glad they’re on board now.” Alex paused for a moment. “Here’s where it gets interesting. The new Senators from Shawnee got the resolution passed.”

  Stunned silence met his smile. “Eric replaced his mother’s cronies with Shawnee locals. His wife’s family, to be exact. Turns out having a lot to lose makes you see things a little different,” Alex said.

  “I don’t know what to say. How did you make that happen?” Fredericks asked.

  “Don’t ask me, ask Bek. She and Maleah conspired to get Eric and I back on speaking terms. I’ve had to make some compromises, which I didn’t mind one bit, truth be told.”

  “Someone has to be the adult in the room,” Bek cut in. “It wasn’t going to be you two testosterone junkies.”

  “He pulled me into the mix, too,” Sam said with genuine reservation. “He’s gonna force me to take on an equal role in some power-sharing scheme.”

  “Had to do something to get you out of your dangerous toys. Celeste made me promise so you didn’t end up looking like me!” Alex replied.

  “Maryanne must be furious,” Bishop Bonner said quietly. “Her inspectors have been harassing anyone suspected of being affiliated with the Buckles. She says it’s to promote safety and security, but their actions are giving us all a bad name with some of the local villages.”

  “Good Lord. I thought we got rid of bureaucratic crap like ‘code violations’ when the computers went to sleep,” Fredericks said with disgust.

  Bonner nodded and continued. “Supposedly they found a couple of Buckle churches giving food to groups considered Ditchmen. These poor wretches were starving, so the pastors got food together and put on a meal for them out in the woods.”

  “Sounds like the right thing to do, if these Ditchmen were ready to turn their lives around,” Fredericks said.

  “I agree. Better to convert than to kill! But Maryanne used it as an excuse to crack down on these little churches. Something about aiding and abetting domestic terrorists. The whole episode embarrasses the Green and Silver because it looks like the Republic is forcing all other faiths out,” Bonner said.

  “Which leads to more bad blood with the locals,” Rebekah said. “Seems like it’s all part of bigger picture we can’t see yet. Mom told me the Creeks had a guy claiming that the federal government exists still. They’ve just been in hiding until now and they’re on the move for some reason.”

  “Can we confirm that?” Bonner asked.

  “The Creeks say that Vincennes intercepted the group, kept Jenkins for themselves. J.D. Creek is so mad they didn’t even come. Says it’s war anywhere they see the V and bars,” Rebekah replied.

  “So what do we do about these schemes?” Bonner asked.

  “Nothing tonight,” Alex said. “We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Are we all still in agreement about offering Republic membership to every Free State, along with their protectorates?”

  Hesitant nods met Alex's single-eyed stare. “I know we all have reservations about it. Julia told me she and Dad had the same questions about new members when they first put the Republic together. I just feel like if we don’t get some binding agreement now, in a few years all the regionals will have their own agendas. That might put us into conflict with each other, and we’ll take our eyes off the real threat.”

  “I know, big brother. I just get the feeling our real en
emy is still unseen. I know you’re worried about the Caliphate, and I am too. But they’re simple creatures up there, without much in the way of strategy except to overwhelm with numbers. I mean, look how long it’s been since we dropped the bridges and they still haven’t figured out how to get a big attack going,” Sam said.

  “Or maybe they’re smart enough to wait until they’re ready this time,” Alex challenged.

  “Maybe. But I still feel like our biggest threat isn’t external but internal.”

  “You mean Eric?” Alex said with surprise.

  “Naw, probably not him. He can be a jerk, and a wannabe ruler sometimes. But in his heart I still believe he’s a Red Hawk. More importantly, he’s Okaw. I don’t believe he’d ever do anything to intentionally hurt the Republic, even to satisfy his hatred for you,” Sam said.

  “Comforting,” Rebekah said sarcastically.

  “I believe Sam is right, Alex,” Bishop Bonner said. “There does seem to be something dark in the air these days. I can’t explain it, or give you facts. Just call it a feeling, or perhaps a premonition.”

  “A message from the Creator, Bishop Bonner? You’ve turned me into a religious man, but I’m not sure I buy the whole ‘signs from God’ thing,” Martin Fredericks cut in.

  “Come on, Martin. Don’t be naive. You know the message won’t be painted on the side of the wall. The Creator gives you messages in your heart, in your mind. It’s our choice whether we listen or not.”

  Fredericks started to say something, then thought better of it. Bonner was one of the Bishop’s Council, a committee of five tasked with leading the Unified Church. Two of the five were combat veterans, and all were veterans of hours of theological discussions. The four men and one woman were kind people, but strong and completely committed to their faith and the apologetics used to defend it.