by Steven Smith
"What's your perimeter security and weapons situation?" asked Jim.
Pasquale shrugged again. "We have a few rifles and a couple of shotguns," he replied. "We keep a guard at our front and back doors at night. That's about it."
"You're going to need more," said Jim, turning to Christian. "Can we provide Redemption with some weapons and security training?"
Christian nodded. "Sure. We can take some up there when Pasquale goes back and start doing some training this week if that's alright with him."
Pasquale nodded and started to respond, but Captain Collins interrupted.
"Excuse me, Mr. Wyatt. What you are proposing sounds dangerously close to the development of a private militia and vigilantism. One of the reasons I'm here is to establish communications with you and your people, and to advise you that the National Guard has been tasked by the governor to implement and enforce security measures within the state.”
Collins looked around the table as if to establish his authority over each person there. “I have been put in command of this area, and I feel that the further training and development of private security elements could prove counterproductive to reestablishing competent legal authority. Therefore, I must request that any further such training or unit development be discontinued immediately."
The room fell silent. Jim saw that Freelove and McGregor were looking at Collins with a mixture of anger and shock. Dehmer was looking straight ahead with a blank look on his face and the others were looking back and forth between Jim and the captain.
"Well, that's good news, captain," said Jim, keeping his face impassive. He looked at Dehmer. "Is the Highway Patrol part of the enforcement mechanism, lieutenant?"
Dehmer looked straight at Jim. "The Patrol command structure has been informal for almost two months, sir. The state legislature adjourned the day after the grid collapse and the governor and executive staff left a couple of weeks later. To my knowledge, no one has received communication from any national command structure, or any command structure at all, until Captain Collins showed up at Forbes Field a couple of weeks ago with a couple of squads from Topeka. I was unaware of any such directive from the governor or any other authority until just now."
Jim nodded slowly, looking at the men. "Sheriff Freelove, were you aware of this new development?"
Freelove shook his head. "First I've heard of it."
"Sheriff McGregor?"
"Nope," said McGregor, studying Collins through narrowed eyes.
Jim looked back at Collins. "Captain, it seems we're all surprised. Have you been in touch with the governor?"
"No. My orders and authority come from disaster contingency directives signed by the governor and Kansas Guard Commanding General Paxton."
"And have you spoken with General Paxton?"
“No. Communications have not been reestablished throughout the guard. That is the reason for contingency directives, Mr. Wyatt. Direct communication is not necessary for directed measures to be implemented."
Jim leaned forward, steepling his fingers and looking intently at Collins. "And what exactly are your directives, captain?"
Collins sat up a little taller, lifting his chin and looking around the table. "The National Guard is the representative of the United States government and is directed to establish order, enforce all laws, provide for the safety and welfare of the populace and secure all provisions necessary for the providence of such safety and welfare. In order to accomplish this, we will need an inventory of all provisions currently being held by private parties, including all food supplies, weapons, ammunition, livestock and active crop production."
The words sent a coldness through Jim, and he fought to keep a calm demeanor before answering. "I see. And why is such an inventory necessary, captain?"
"In order to facilitate the orderly distribution of resources as needed," replied Collins.
Jim knew exactly what that meant, but wanted Collins to put it into words for everyone to hear. "What does that mean, captain?"
Collins hesitated, then answered. "There are many people nearing starvation, Mr. Wyatt. Others have more than they need. My directives authorize me to receive surpluses from those with excess stores and distribute them to those who need them."
Jim let several seconds pass before continuing. "Receive, huh? You know, Captain Collins, I used to work for the government, and I was always amused at the beaurocrap language they used. You said you are 'directed to receive surpluses from those with excess stores and distribute them to those who need them'. Some might say that means 'take'. Others might say it means stealing from those who prepared in order to give it to those who didn't. How would you characterize it, captain?"
Collins started to reply when Mike came in the door. "Sorry to interrupt, Jim. Do you have a minute?"
Jim continued to look at Collins for several seconds, then excused himself and joined Mike on the porch. "What's up?"
"The captain brought some more people who didn't come in with him. We figure another squad outside the perimeter."
"Can you take them?"
Mike nodded. "Sure, we can take them."
Jim thought for a moment. "Think you can take them without hurting them?"
Mike shrugged. "That will be harder and take longer, but we can try."
"Okay, try. But not if it means any of our people getting hurt. Secure them somewhere and get what you can out of them, but try to keep it civil in case we can turn them."
Mike nodded and left.
Jim looked across at the patio where Tracy and some of the other young women were keeping the guardsmen's glasses filled with iced lemonade and sweet tea, made stronger than usual in order to mask the taste of the vodka they contained. It was hot, and the spicy salsa they were dipping their heavily salted chips into made sure they were drinking plenty. He smiled. They would know more about these guys pretty soon.
Jim turned and walked back into the room, hearing McGregor talking in a low voice.
"Let me explain something to you, soldier boy. In Kansas, hell, I think everywhere, but sure as hell in Kansas, the Sheriff is the highest-ranking law enforcement official in the county. That means my newest deputy can relieve you at his discretion, because I won't overrule him. But he won't have to, because nobody here is going to take you seriously."
McGregor looked up to see Jim returning. "Sorry, Jim. I don't mean to speak out of turn or be rude to another one of your guests, but captain kangaroo here is starting to chap my ass with his superior attitude."
"No problem, Rod," said Jim as he sat back down. He felt the same way, but he wanted to buy some time for Mike, and also for what Tracy and her friends were doing on the patio. He softened his voice and the look on his face.
"Captain, we've been a little out of touch out here in the sticks, so please forgive our caution. Sometimes we start to fight back when we should be listening. Of course we want to help out. Could you tell us a little more about the plan so we can better understand how we can help?"
Freelove and McGregor gave Jim a look like they couldn't believe what he was saying, then saw Bill hiding an amused smile by stroking his mustache. The others kept their faces non-committal.
They spent the next couple of hours listening to Collins explain the protocols of inventory and selection, and the mechanisms by which supplies would be secured and transported to feeding centers in the cities. By asking a myriad of questions, they soon had a basic understanding of the program and Collins' plans, and had succeeded in making Collins believe they were willing to cooperate.
When Jim felt that the time was right, he stood up. "We have a daily tradition here at Stonemont that we have found works better than a clock and a dinner bell." He motioned outside. "When the sun dips below the western tree line it's time for supper. And, in addition to that, the smell of that pig tells me he's done and needs our attention, so let's adjourn until tomorrow and go eat."
As they left the longhouse, Collins noticed that his men had melded in with the
residents of Stonemont as they gathered around the pig roasting over the huge fire pit. They seemed a bit louder and more boisterous than usual, but he understood how the atmosphere might draw them out of the bored discipline they had been under lately, especially since each of them seemed to be talking to a pretty girl.
The tables were loaded with platters and bowls overflowing with corn on the cob, baked beans, mashed sweet potatoes, fresh baked cornbread and peaches. Jim led the conference group up to the pit where he grabbed a pit iron and banged it around the inside of the iron signaling ring that hung at one end of the pit. The crowd quieted their chatter and gave Jim their attention.
"Evening folks!" he started. "Everyone ready to eat?"
A cheer came from the crowd.
“Good. We'll get there in a minute, but before we start, I just want to let our guests know how happy we are to have them with us. I hope we're making you all feel welcome."
Another cheer rose up and Jim noticed that Collins looked irritated that much of the noise came from his guardsmen.
"I'm starting a new tradition here tonight, and I'm going to call it 'first cut'." He drew his large knife from its sheath. "As Stonemont host, I will carve the first piece and give it to someone we are especially happy to have with us tonight."
He took a large fork from the carving table to hold the piece and cut a thick slice from the pig's shoulder. Holding the slab up high, he spoke in a loud voice. "Austin Booker, bring your plate up here, son."
Everyone looked around for Austin as he started walking to the pit with an embarrassed smile on his face, and a round of applause broke out when he got to Jim.
Jim placed the slab on Austin's plate, put his hand on his shoulder and turned back to the crowd. "For anyone who doesn't know, Austin stayed with us a while back and we weren't sure if he was going to make it. He did the right thing when another man did the wrong thing, and he came out on top. He also brought his mom and dad with him, who are our kind of folks.”
He turned to Austin. “It's good to have you here, son, so eat up.”
Then, he turned back to the crowd. “Everybody let Austin through to the tables. That's a part of the new tradition I just made up too, the recipient of the first cut also gets first shot at the rest of the food!"
Another round of applause exploded as a sense of celebration ran through the crowd, and they lined up behind Austin to head to the food table before circling back to the pig and then sitting down.
Jim quietly moved to the patio table to join Kelly, the Garners, the Bookers, Freelove, McGregor and Dehmer, who were sitting down waiting for the line to shorten.
Kelly put her hand on his arm and smiled. "That was nice, honey."
Jim chuckled. "I thought I almost saw Mason smile there for a minute."
Mason chuckled back. "You'll see me smile around a piece of that pig in a minute. But seriously, that was nice Jim. Thanks."
"Did I miss Jim being nice?"
The table turned to see Christian stepping up onto the patio.
"I'm nice all the time, youngster, you just don't recognize nice when you see it. Showed up just in time to eat, I see."
"I learned from the best," Christian replied, winking.
"How did it go out there?"
"We got them all. Mike's holding them in the barn."
"Any trouble?"
Christian shook his head. "None to speak of. A couple of them got bumps on the head, but they'll be okay."
"How about our people?"
"Fine. Not a scratch."
"Did you get anything out of them?"
Christian nodded. "Yep, but that's an interesting thing. None of them habla'd the Englese too bueno, if you know what I mean."
Jim looked at him quizzically. "Really?"
"Yep. Mexicans. Or maybe Salvadorans or Hondurans, I don't know. But they all spoke Spanish. Fortunately, Emily Rodriguez was with us, so she could talk to them."
"Did she get anything?"
"Oh, yeah. It seems they were up here working; roofing, landscaping, you know. When it hit the fan, they were stuck here with no jobs and no quick way home. They finally started walking out of Topeka when they ran into Collins, who promised them citizenship if they served in the guard. Food and clean uniforms sealed the deal and now they think they're American citizens in the U.S. Army."
Jim looked at him for a moment. "You're kidding."
Christian shook his head. "Nope. They're pretty proud to be Americans too."
Jim looked around the table and saw everyone was as surprised as he was. He turned back to Christian. "Did they give you any trouble?"
"Not really. They were easy to sneak up on and most gave up when we told them to. Two of them tried to fight but that didn't last long. Collins had given them rifles, but no ammo. He probably didn't trust them. He told them we'd be scared just seeing the guns."
Jim looked out at the crowd and the food line, which was still long. He saw Collins walking through the crowd trying to disengage his men from their new female friends, and not having much luck.
"Aren't you all going to eat?" asked Tracy as she walked toward the patio.
Jim smiled. "Just waiting for you, Tracy. Can you give us a short briefing before we go load up?"
"Sure," she said, sitting down and pouring a glass of lemonade. She made a show of sniffing it. "Not spiked, is it?" she giggled and took a long drink.
"First off, that was a great idea. Those guys have been cooped up with each other for a long time drinking bottled water and eating those ready meals or whatever they call them. We can't shut them up.”
She took another sip and continued. "Bottom line is that most of them are Kansas guys who Collins convinced they had to stay at the Topeka armory or they would be court-martialed for desertion. They've started questioning that lately, since no superior officers have come by since LO." She smiled at Jim. "I like that, 'LO'.
“Anyway, they say Collins has been getting weird lately, talking about how they are the only ones left in the area with national authority and how they needed to start implementing their emergency plan. Some of the guys were about to head back to their families when Collins heard that Lieutenant Dehmer was coming here and latched himself on for the trip."
"Are there any more troops back at the armory?" asked Jim.
She nodded. "Another squad or so, they said, but some of them doubt they're still there. They were ready to head home too."
"Well, isn't that interesting?" said Jim, looking out over the compound.
After a minute of silence, Bill asked, "What do you think, Jim?"
Jim smiled. "I think our Mexican friends could use some good Kansas barbecue."
"Mr. Wyatt welcomes you to Stonemont, his family's home," Emily Rodriguez said in Spanish to the stunned prisoners sitting on the ground in the barn. "He is sorry for the misunderstanding Captain Collins led you into, and regrets that he must ask you to remain here for just a little longer. But while you wait, he would like to share our supper with you."
Behind Emily stood Jim, Kelly, Bill, Ann, Tracy, Christian, Rebecca, Mason, Bonnie and Austin, each holding plates filled with barbecue pork, baked beans and corn on the cob. A small wagon stood beside them holding a large container filled with lemonade.
Emily motioned for the Hispanics to stand, which they did hesitantly. Once they were all standing, Jim walked over to one he felt was a leader.
"Bienvenuto, mi amigo," he said, holding out his plate to the man.
The man stared into Jim's eyes and slowly accepted the plate. "Gracias," he said with a brief nod of his head.
Each of the Stonemont group then stepped forward, handing a plate to one of the men. Once they all had a plate, Emily again spoke to the group in Spanish.
"If you would like some lemonade, Mr. Wyatt would like to pour you your first glass. After that, please feel free to refill your glasses as much as you would like."
The men moved as a group to where Jim stood by the wagon and filled a red plastic cup
for each man while Kelly gave each one a napkin and plastic ware. When every man had been served, they returned to sit on the ground together.
Emily stepped forward again.
"What Captain Collins told you about getting citizenship for serving with him is not true, but Mr. Wyatt wants you to know that doesn't matter. Mr. Wyatt wants you to know that he will help you if you want to return home or if you want to stay here - either way. He is going to explain this to Captain Collins, and will invite you out to enjoy the barbecue in a little while. Until then, please enjoy your food and lemonade."
With that, the Stonemont group went back to the barbecue where they loaded their plates and returned to the patio.
As they began to sit down, Jim turned to Christian. "Bring Collins up here."
They were well into their pork when Christian returned with Captain Collins, seating him at a middle seat where the Stonemont group could see him from every angle.
Jim nodded at Collins. "We're just now sitting down, captain. Did you get some food?"
Collins nodded. "Yes, I did, Mr. Wyatt. Thank you."
"Good. We've been talking about the information you've given us and we've talked to your men." Jim gave a signal to Emily to let the men out of the barn.
"My men?" Collins asked, shocked. "You've been talking to my men?"
"Yep," Jim nodded. "They seem like a good bunch of boys, too, including the hispanic ones you had hiding out in the woods."
Collins' face started to flush, his superior demeanor starting to crack. "I have to protest you talking to my men." He looked around the compound, frantically wondering about his men's loyalty and what Wyatt might know. "Where are they? I demand to know where my men are. You are tampering with official army business!" Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and upper lip. He started to rise from his seat but was held down by Christian's hand on his shoulder.
"Relax, captain," said Christian.
Jim took a slow sip of his lemonade and leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table and interlacing his fingers. He looked at Collins for a moment. "First off, captain, you didn't need to demand, which you are in no position to do anyway. You could have just asked. As you can see, your men are having a nice time mingling with our folks." He looked up, seeing Emily leading the group from the barn. "And here come the rest of them. They've already eaten, but I invited them to join us for the rest of the evening."
