by Ryan King
Kevin pulled his pistol, but Vincent swung the chain up into the guard’s hands. The pistol flew upward and Kevin screamed in pain and then turned to run.
Vincent ran forward and looped the chain around the man's neck, dragging him back off his feet. Both fell heavily to the floor. Vincent pulled with all his might while wrapping his legs around the man's midsection to maintain control before looping the chain around his throat again to take up the slack. Kevin's frantic struggles grew faint and finally stopped. Vincent kept pulling tightly while he silently counted out three hundred seconds. He knew that just because Kevin was unconscious didn't mean the guard was dead. If Vincent released him now, the man might wake up. Vincent wanted him dead. He held on tightly and silently counted out "...two-hundred ninety-eight, two hundred ninety-nine, three hundred" before relaxing and getting up.
Vincent rummaged in James' pockets and found the keys to his manacles. He took them off and began undressing Kevin, who was closer to his size. After he put on the dead guard's uniform, Vincent took both their pistols. One he placed in the holster at his side and the other in the small of his back. Vincent took all the keys he could find in case there were more barriers ahead.
Dragging the two bodies into his cell, he kept an ear open for anyone else coming, but all was quiet. Vincent closed the cell door carefully, and then walked out of the cell block. Several men and women saw him, but he nodded and smiled and they responded in kind. He passed through the final barrier and was outside. Vincent couldn't believe that security was so lax. General Vincent Lacert would have skinned his men for not searching everyone coming and going, but he guessed things had gone downhill since he left.
Looking around the open parking lot, he saw several vehicles covered in thick snow indicating they hadn't moved in some time. In the far corner of the lot he saw a Humvee that had been cleaned free from snow and ice. Someone was sitting in the driver's seat, so he walked in that direction.
He tapped lightly on the Plexiglas window, awakening the man inside.
"What?" the man said groggily.
"What's this vehicle for?" Vincent asked.
"This is the commander's vehicle," the man said. "His official use only."
"Good," answered Vincent. "That's what I was hoping you would say. He's got to drive down to Jackson tonight and wants to make sure the fuel is topped off."
The man shook his head. "The commander should know I keep it topped off all the time anyway. What's he thinking?"
"Who knows?" Vincent said reaching for the door handle. "Here let me show you something."
"What?" asked the man curiously watching Vincent's smiling face.
Once the door was open, Vincent put the pistol in his hand up against the man's temple and pulled the trigger. Blood and brains exploded out onto the passenger seat. There was hardly any sound at all, only a muffled pop. Vincent took the dead man's thick jacket off and put it on. Then he manhandled the body over the central divider and into the passenger seat area, shoving the body down into the floorboard. Vincent climbed into the driver's seat and closed the door.
Reaching down, he pushed the button to warm the glow plugs and after a couple of seconds the red indicator light went to green and he pushed the engine ignition button. The man hadn't lied, the Humvee gas tank was full.
Vincent grinned and took off out of the parking lot. Once away from the small military base he turned south on the nearest highway. He wasn't sure where he was going, but knew that didn't matter.
He was free again, with a long list of scores to settle.
Chapter 9 - Winds of Peace
Harold Buchanan looked at the expanded map of Land Between the Lakes on the table before him. The map used to hang on the wall in the old park ranger's station thirty miles south of there, but someone had thought to bring it with them when they fled north. It would be a long time before anyone made new maps, at least ones as nice and accurate as the one before him.
"They're here," said General Butch Matthews pointing at several locations on the map. "They have also secured the western bridge and have brought troops across that way."
"What about the eastern bridge?" asked Reggie Philips.
"Our allies to the east have blocked it off at their end," answered Major Luke Carter.
Harold scanned the room. "Well, is there any debate about whether we should accept this?" he asked pointing at a typed piece of paper on the table before them.
"No," answered Nathan, "we need to stop the fighting as much as he does."
"But, we could add some conditions," said Luke.
"Conditions?" asked Luke.
Luke nodded his head. "I would write back and say we will agree to the peace talks in Fulton in two weeks granted all the WTR and JP forces have withdrawn from New Harvest."
"That seems like a pretty strong demand," said Reggie.
"We have to play it," said Luke. "The last thing you want to do it try to negotiate a peace on their turf with their troops occupying our territory. We need them out. As soon as they're gone we reoccupy our original positions."
"Will Ethan Schweitzer go for that?" asked Butch.
Nathan nodded. "I believe so. We've heard that General Vincent Lacert is out of favor and no longer in command of their army. No strong leader has stepped up or been appointed to replace him. Their advance is stalled."
"They're quietly pulling troops out of New Harvest in order to put down rioters and protests in the Jackson Purchase. If we possessed the men and equipment, we might be able to punch through right now."
"But we don't have the men or equipment," said Harold.
"No," answered Butch. "What men we have are exhausted, and supplies and ammunition are low."
"Fortunately, the same is true for our enemy," said Luke. "And they're running lower on food than we are."
Harold let the silence hang in the air for a moment. "So, we respond to Schweitzer's offer by accepting it under the condition that he remove all his troops from New Harvest."
The other men in the room looked at each other and nodded.
"What about the peace process itself?" asked Reggie. "What do you think Schweitzer will want?"
"First thing, he'll want is to save face and maintain his power over WTR and JP," said Nathan. "In the big scheme of things, the loss of New Harvest is small potatoes to him. He may ask for electricity back so that he can claim victory."
"Do we want to agree to that?" asked Luke.
"I don't see how we can't," said Butch. "Electricity for ending the war and getting through the winter sounds reasonable. We can always look to cut them off later."
"What do you think he's going to do to all those people?" asked Reggie quietly. "The ones who rebelled and resisted at my urging. Don't we owe them any loyalty?"
"We can't protect them," said Luke. "The past conflict proves that. If anyone is going to get rid of Ethan Schweitzer it has to be the people under him, not us. At least not now."
"But, he'll punish them," said Reggie. "Imprison and torture them. Murder them. All because I asked them to resist."
"It's not your fault," said Nathan. "You did what you needed to do to get us through the crisis."
"The hell it isn't," said Reggie angrily. "If it's not my fault then whose is it?"
Harold held up his hands to calm everyone down. "We can demand at the peace conference that he grant pardons for all his people that rose up in civil disobedience. That should give them some measure of protection if he wants to appear credible. We also should remember all those people in the internment camps in Tennessee. We can demand they be given pardons and released. He may not go for it, but it doesn't hurt to take a hard stance at first and see where it goes."
Reggie still looked angry, but he nodded. "Okay. That would be something."
"What about the Creek Indians?" asked Nathan. "They helped us too."
"Their actions helped us," said Butch, "but they did not intentionally aid us. I recommend keeping our distance from them. They're pushing
civilians south and west and killing anyone who resists."
"Besides," said Harold cutting off Nathan, "I don't think they need our help. They are building a nice little coalition themselves. Having the Creek as a thorn in the WTR side suits us just fine. We don't have to go against them, but we also don't have to rally to their cause. Especially when they didn't ask for or want our help. If Schweitzer demands we get them under control we need to be able to credibly argue that there is no association between us."
"Fine," said Nathan folding his arms. "I forgot how frustrating and tedious all this political bull was."
"And this is the exciting part," said Harold with a smile.
"So who goes to Fulton?" asked Luke.
"I believe I should definitely go," said Harold.
"And I," said Butch.
"Wait a minute," said Nathan, "you two are the key leaders of New Harvest. Are we sure both of you should go?"
"Butch and I have talked about this," said Harold. "We have to maintain credibility at this conference. If Ethan is there, and the invitation says that he will be, then we need to be there."
"We sent three to the last peace process when the WTR surrendered," said Reggie. "Maybe three should go this time. I might be of assistance."
"I don't think that's a good idea," said Nathan.
Reggie looked only slightly annoyed. "And why not?"
"Because you tried to kill him the last time you were face to face."
"He tried to have me assassinated and was responsible for Janice losing her leg," said Reggie.
"I'm not saying you were wrong to try to kill him," said Nathan. "It's just that your presence at the peace table might be a distraction at best and an obstruction at worst. I think you should stay here."
"I suppose you want to go," said Reggie.
"I do," answered Nathan, "but I made a promise to stay close to my family for a little while. They've been through a lot lately and I believe my place is here. I would be obliged if you didn't ask me to go to Fulton."
"That's understandable," said Harold. "Your place is here. Besides, I'd like you and Reggie to keep New Harvest together until we get back."
"You mean like be in charge of things?" asked Reggie. "I left all of that behind me."
"Well, then pick it back up," said Harold. "We need your help. While we're away you can be in charge of New Harvest and General Nathan Taylor can resume his position as the head of our defense. I don't expect anything to happen while we're gone, but I'd feel better knowing you two were watching the store back here. Any problems with that?"
Reggie and Nathan looked at each other and then around the table at the other faces, but didn't say anything.
"Fine, then," said Harold. "We'll put together a suitable response and give it to Schweitzer's courier outside who can deliver it. We will also provide him with a satellite phone number so they can call to confirm instead of sending couriers back and forth."
Luke Carter cleared his throat. "I'd like to go as well. I'm originally from Tennessee as you may know. Might help with the process to have them deal with someone they recognize as one of their own."
"No," said Butch immediately.
"Might I ask why?" asked Luke.
"Because we need you here," said Butch. "We need your recon forces out there keeping an eye on things and getting Nathan good intel. Besides, you're not the diplomatic sort, if I might be so blunt."
"I see," said Luke, frowning.
"We'll ask Doctor Brien to go," said Harold. "He's a respected man and never loses his composure. I think having a medical doctor on our emissary might just set the right tone and offset General Matthews."
"Agreed," said Butch. "Wait...what do you mean by that?"
"Is there anything else?" asked Harold, ignoring Butch's look.
"Yes," answered Nathan. "Don't screw this up."
Chapter 10 - The Realization
It still felt strange to Nathan to be sleeping in a bed after all the time on the road, especially when he was lying next to a beautiful woman. It took him nearly a week to get used to the novelty well enough so he didn't have trouble going to sleep. He was awake now, but didn't want to bother Bethany who had always slept later in the morning than he did. She would be awake soon enough. For now it was nice just to be close to her.
He looked around at the small room they shared. It was little more than a closet with a bed not much bigger than a cot, still it was theirs. It was warm, dry, and safe and that was enough. With any luck they would be back at their old cabin home to the south in a few days. Ethan Schweitzer had accepted their conditions and was pulling his troops back out of New Harvest.
Harold, Butch and Doctor Brien began their journey south a few days before by boat in the company of several of Schweitzer's escort personnel. Everyone was alert to treachery, though they decided it was worth the risk. Schweitzer truly did need a truce as badly as they did. He would gain little by seizing the New Harvest delegation. All had agreed beforehand that if this did happen, there would be no ransom or prisoner exchange under any circumstances.
Even so, Nathan told Luke Carter to try to infiltrate several of his teams into Tennessee. If things went badly he wanted friendly forces nearby. Harold was supposed to check in with Reggie and Nathan once they arrived and every evening after that on the satellite phone. As a gesture of good will, they decided to turn the electricity back on throughout the JP and WTR for a few hours each day.
He felt Bethany watching him and turned his head to look at her.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked sleepily.
"The delegation to Fulton," he said. "I worry about them."
She snuggled up close to him. "I'm still surprised you didn't go with them."
"My place is here," answered Nathan. "With my family. With you and the baby."
"That never stopped you from running off before," she said with a smile.
Nathan sighed. "Things are different now, that's all."
"You're not wrong, dear," she said. "Did I tell you I'm glad you’re back?"
"You did."
"And I'm glad you aren't running off again so soon. Maybe you should stick around a while."
Nathan was silent, thinking again. Finally he asked, "How are you doing? I mean with the baby? Is everything all right?"
"Doctor says things are okay," she answered. "I could use some more calcium and rest, but nothing serious."
"You wouldn't just say that to protect me, would you?" asked Nathan. "If something is wrong, you can tell me."
She leaned up on an elbow facing him. "There's nothing wrong. I know worrying is your favorite hobby, but there's nothing to worry about here. Everything is fine."
He stared at her hard. "David told me about the troubles you've been having. How you almost lost the baby several times."
"What?"
"Now don't get mad at him," Nathan said guiltily. "I promised him I wouldn't say anything to you. I can understand why you didn't want him to tell me, but I'm glad he did. You shouldn't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you."
"Nathan, I'm not keeping anything from you," she insisted. "Honestly, I don't know what you're talking about."
He frowned in thought. "You haven't had any trouble with the pregnancy?"
"Nothing serious," she answered. "I mean it's no picnic, but nothing out of the normal. Backaches, morning sickness, and hormones. The doc put me on bed rest for a few weeks, but then I was okay."
"Then, why...why would David tell me..."
"Why did he tell you that?" she asked. "Did he ask you to do anything?"
"Yes," answered Nathan. "He didn't want me going on the Fulton delegation. Convinced me my place was here with you because of the problems you were having with the pregnancy."
"That's very strange," she said. "I'm glad you're here, but David rarely does things without a reason."
"I know."
"Nathan, where exactly is David now?" Bethany asked.
He threw the covers back
and swung his feet out on the floor. "I'm going to go find out."
"I'd still rather you didn't go running off, troubled pregnancy or not."
He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm staying. Don't worry. Back in a bit." Getting dressed quickly, he threw on boots without bothering to lace them and walked out of their small room deep in the dam.
Making his way steadily higher and higher, he hoped Major Luke Carter hadn't moved south yet. Nathan had issued orders for units to slowly retake the ground the WTR forces gave up, but not to come into direct contact with them. The last thing they needed right now was anymore gunplay.
Turning a corner, Nathan walked into a small conference room filled with people. He sighed with relief when he saw Luke in his office.
"Attention!" ordered an NCO in the room startling Nathan as much as the others in the area.
"At ease," said Nathan. "Carry on." He sometimes forgot that he was a general again and it made him feel slightly nervous when he was around people. Everyone wanted something or expected something from a general. You couldn't justbe a general, it was necessary to act out the persona of a general. Nathan found it draining.
He strode into Luke's office where the man was standing up ready to greet him. "Might I speak to you a moment?" Nathan shut the door behind him.
"Certainly sir," said Luke. "Please have a seat. Can I get you some tea?"
"No thank you. David told me he received a mission down south in preparation for the peace talks. Can you tell me where he's at and what sort of mission he was given?"
Luke Carter looked at Nathan curiously. "Sir, your son isn't on a mission."
"Yes, he is," insisted Nathan. "He told me himself a week ago."
"Sir," said Luke slowly, "David asked not to be placed on a mission, said he needed a break."
"A break?
"Yes, strange for David. He is usually bugging me for missions, but I figured he had earned a little leave if that's what he wants."
