by Ryan King
David used his thumbs to flip the two safeties off the triggers. He closed his eyes and thought of his parents, and Joshua, and Alexandra. He thought of Harold and Butch who were at Schweitzer's home right now. He thought about sacrifice and how ultimately someone must give so others could live.
He opened his eyes and stared into the rising sun. David raised both hands over his head and then squeezed the triggers at the same time.
The world turned white.
Chapter 13 - A New Dawn
Susan stared at the fishing line attached to a cork floating still on the surface of the grey water. To the left of her Mindy's line and then Jasper's stretched out into the water in parallel lines. They had learned that the fish bit better in the morning, despite the winter temperatures. At least the lake's surface wasn't frozen yet.
Susan was keenly aware that she and Jasper seemed to be spending more time together now that Mindy was with them. The little girl had become attached to both of them and it felt comfortable when the three were together. Whenever Mindy was not around, when it was just Susan and Jasper, there was an awkwardness that had never been there before, as if something between them remained unsaid and unrecognized.
Feeling uneasy, she turned and looked to the northwest. The sky in that direction above the line of trees carried an odd glow in the morning sun. Jasper and Mindy felt it too and turned to gaze in the same direction.
"Why is the sun rising in the east and the west at the same time?" Mindy asked. She was beginning to talk more lately.
"That's not the sun," said Susan with foreboding.
They next heard a dull boom from far away. Then Susan's ears popped painfully and a rough breeze washed over them from the direction of the glow. Horses in the nearby corral whinnied in alarm and several dogs barked. After a few moments the breeze reversed direction and blew back toward the northwest.
Jasper looked at her pointedly. "What do you think that was?"
"I don't know," Susan lied. "Whatever it was is far from here. Besides we can't do anything about it."
Reeling his line in, Jasper looked back out over the water. "They don't seem to be biting today. Must not be hungry."
"They're scared and hiding," said Mindy sadly.
"You must be right, Little Lion," said Jasper ruffling her hair.
Susan still looked to the northwest and could see a hole opening up in the clouds in that direction, as if a mighty force was pushing itself skyward, immense heat and energy expanding through layers of cooler air and moisture.
"Think we're safe here?" asked Jasper.
Susan thought for a moment. She calculated how far away the hole in the sky was and tried to concentrate on formulas she really didn't want to think about. "We should be okay," she finally answered. "My bet is small yield. Anything more and the overpressure would have been worse."
Jasper nodded. "We best let the Creek know so they steer clear of there."
The Creek, she thought. They needed some boundaries. After an initial orgy of violence and raiding they had settled down into methodical assaults and found all opposition surprisingly non-existent. They had heard that the war between the WTR and New Harvest was ending soon and expected West Tennessee forces to come after them. Despite this, Billy Fox and Chicoca remained unconcerned, believing they were destined to take the land they were occupying.
"Maybe we should go on back anyway," Jasper said.
"Won't catch any fish today," Mindy said.
Susan pulled in her line and picked up their gear. They walked together the short distance back to camp, Mindy as always between the two adults. Susan wondered if the little girl thought of them as her new parents and found the idea didn't bother like as it once would have.
They found the Creek milling about and looking to the northwest. Billy Fox walked up to them, an anxious look on his face.
"Is that what I think it is?" he asked Susan.
She nodded and then felt a moment of inspiration. "It is a sign."
The Indian chief looked at her skeptically for a second and then grabbed her arm. "Come on, let's go talk to Chicoca."
They followed Billy Fox to one of the larger yurts and after knocking on the door climbed inside. The interior was dark, stuffy, and seemed overly warm after being outside. Susan could hardly pick out the old man, bundled up in furs sitting in the dark corner.
"She says it's a sign," Billy announced.
Chicoca smiled. "What does Susan Who Calms the Horses know of signs?"
"Plenty," she said. "That was my profession before all of this. I watched for signs. They told us when to arm our missiles, when to fuel them, when to stand down, and when to fire them. Signs were my life. We watched developments throughout the world to see if there was danger and how great it was. I know something of signs."
"I see," said Chicoca. "And what does this sign tell you?"
Susan stared at the old man as hard as she could. "That it is time for the Creek to stop making war. They have recovered their land that was foretold in prophecy. It is time for peace."
"We knew that we would not regain our land without bloodshed," he said. "It is good that the people here fear us. It is good that they flee."
"No, it's not," Susan answered. "Fear is what got us into all this mess. Fear is what made the fire fall from the sky and burn the earth. It is not good that those around you fear you so desperately that they are willing to risk their lives to destroy you."
Billy Fox nodded. "She is right, uncle. We already have more land than we can control."
"We will grow as a nation here," Chicoca said. "The Creek need space to expand."
"Then they can when the time is right," said Susan. "There are powerful forces to the west that the Creek are not ready to face. Not yet. Let the time for war pass."
Chicoca frowned. "The blood moon told us to take what is ours."
"And what is the sign to stop?" Susan asked. "Or are the Creek supposed to make war eternally once they reach the land foretold to them. If that is the case, they would have been better to stay in Iowa."
The old man didn't answer, only looked at her thoughtfully.
Susan insisted. "That infernal device of terrible destruction that I prayed I would never see or hear again, that is your sign to stop."
"It could also be the gods preparing the way for us," said Chicoca. "Their resistance would be nothing to us now. The Creek could seize that whole area."
"And do what with it?" asked Jasper.
Sitting very still, Chicoca closed his eyes.
Susan thought they had been dismissed, but after about a minute his eyes opened again. He turned from Susan to Billy Fox.
"Tell them it is a sign," he said carefully. "The time for blood has ended. We will try to live in peace for now. We have reclaimed our land."
Billy nodded and left the yurt, letting in a wash of cold air and confused voices, and then they were shut in again.
"Thank you," said Susan.
"It won't last," said Mindy softly.
Chicoca smiled and reached out to take the girl's hand. "It never does child, but while it lasts we will be joyous. We will hunt, and graze our flocks, and plants crops. We will sing and dance and build houses. We have become a new nation today and centuries from now our ancestors may tell tales of us. The great warriors and people of courage who traveled through the ravaged land from a far off place to reclaim their birthright."
"I think I would like to hear that story," said Susan.
The old man chuckled. "Why, Susan. You don't need to hear it. You have lived it. And Susan Who Brought The Creek Home is the heroine."
Susan was surprised by the amount of emotion she had to choke down. "I never wanted to be a heroine. I just didn't want to hurt anyone. There's no one likely alive who has killed more people than I have."
"You have fulfilled a destiny that was foretold centuries ago," Chicoca said. "Let this burden leave you. It is too heavy for you. The time for regret and sadness is over."
Jasper reached out and took her hand. "He's right. None of this is your fault. Let it go. It's not your fault that the bombs fell and it's not my fault that my family is gone. It just is."
She wanted to yell out that they didn't understand. That iswas all her fault. Instead she fell into Jasper's arms and sobbed. She found it felt safe there.
Chapter 14 - Glimmer of Hope
The weekly game night was Bethany's idea. Nathan resisted at first, but finally gave in. He was surprised by how much he enjoyed those evenings. Not a social person by nature, interacting with people for very long tired him. Even so, it reminded him of better times. Growing up in Kentucky, most family gatherings revolved around cards and dominos, and this game night was always cathartic to him. He sensed others felt the same.
"Your turn," said Bethany sitting across from him.
They were playing a card game called "Hand and Foot" against Reggie and Janice. It was the two hundred hand and they weren't even down yet. It looked like they would get beat again, but that didn't bother Nathan. He was competitive by nature, yet found the light interaction relaxing. He discarded one of his black threes.
Glancing across the room, he saw Joshua and Alexandra playing against Conrad and his small quiet wife Denise. Bethany eventually warmed up to Conrad and although Nathan wouldn't say she forgave him, she at least found a way to be polite and civil. Besides, Bethany liked Denise. Also, seeing how hard Conrad took Jack's death seemed to humanize him in her eyes.
Nathan shook his head as Janice laid down most of her hand on the table. He turned to Reggie. "I didn't think we'd have time for this."
"It's important to make time," answered Reggie. "We can't do it all ourselves. There's lots of good people out there."
Nathan had to agree. Reggie had been asked to be the new interim president and his first act was to reappoint the executive council and empower the mayors and judges from each county in the Jackson Purchase and West Tennessee. They also turned the electricity back on as much as they could. And then there were those with radiation poisoning to help.
His wife kicked him under the table. "You do know that we go in a circle. If you watch closely you'll discover a pattern."
"Thank you," said Nathan smiling at his wife. He drew a four and another black three which he discarded with disgust.
The bomb had vaporized the center of Fulton and done considerable damage to the town's outskirts. No one from the peace negotiation survived. Much of the WTR defense forces were killed or wounded in the attack. Without Ethan Schweitzer's domineering, most of the WTR and JP residents reverted to local cooperation and government. Food was still a problem, but they brought in tons of acorns from across Givens' Bridge as fast as they could. Acorn mash wasn't terribly tasty, but it was filled with calories and nutrients. They might just survive after all.
Nathan saw in time that it was his turn. He counted the points in his hand and realized he could only lay down one hundred eighty. Maybe next time. He discarded a five and caught Bethany smiling at him. She laid one hand on her cards and the other protectively over her expanding belly. They had managed to get an ultrasound machine up and running and discovered that she was expecting a girl. Bethany had wanted a girl for years.
This thought made him look over at Joshua again, who would soon be a big brother. He wondered how David would have been with a baby sister and felt the sadness and pain run through him again. If only he could relive that last conversation. Nathan even wondered if something he said had somehow pushed David into his final act or reaffirmed his decision. Everyone was happy with the peace, though Nathan for one would accept the fighting again if only he could hold his youngest son in his arms.
"Are you thinking of going back to your home in Mayfield?" Nathan asked Reggie in order to get his thoughts out of dark places.
"Maybe in the spring," said Reggie. "We're comfortable here at New Harvest."
"I miss my garden," Janice said.
Reggie smiled at his wife. "There's lots to miss, but for now this is fine. Besides, I find my presidential duties much lighter here away from everyone."
"Are you going to start the radio broadcasts again?" asked Bethany.
He frowned. "I'm not sure. Haven't really thought about it."
"I think you should," Bethany said laying down the cards in her hand and picked up the second hand, the foot, in front of her.
"It's good to connect to people," Nathan said. "I think hearing from you reassures everyone. Makes them feel like they know you and can trust you. They need that. You're good at making people feel they are part of a larger community."
"Thank you," said Reggie. "Maybe I will start them soon now that the electricity is back on. Can we continue to supply everyone and our allies also?"
Nathan nodded. "At least a few hours a day. We rotate the hours per county so we don't burn anything out. If people know the schedule then they can plan to get things done during those times."
"I hear your Indian friends have finally turned domestic," said Reggie.
"None too soon," said Nathan. "They were beginning to be a problem from what I understand."
"I'd like you to go visit with them one of these days," Reggie said. "We need to establish good relations with them. No more raiding."
Nathan didn't answer. He really didn't want to leave Bethany's side until the baby was born.
"In the spring," Reggie finally said looking at Nathan.
He smiled and agreed. "In the spring."
"Think there's any more of those bombs?" asked Janice casually laying down a trio of tens.
Everyone looked at each other, hesitant to talk about it.
Nathan cleared his throat. "We believe this one came from the depot in Milan. I suspect there might be more. We've asked the WTR forces to go there and secure the base."
"Do we trust them?" asked Bethany.
"We have no choice," answered Reggie. "If we can't trust them this isn't going to work and we gain nothing by showing distrust."
"Can those bombs be destroyed?" asked Janice.
Nathan had thought long about this himself. "I'm not sure. I'd be afraid to try. The best we can do I think is keep them safely locked away."
"It's tough to think of them just sitting there," said Bethany.
They fell silent again.
"We'll be fine," Reggie finally said. "I said before that all of this was growing pains. We'll move forward, pick ourselves up, and live in harmony as best we can."
"I've always loved your optimism," said Nathan.
"What's not to be optimistic about?" asked Reggie. "We've got electricity. Friends to the south and east. The food shortage is getting less every day with the acorns and food farms at the dam. Ethan Schweitzer is gone, as is Vincent Lacert. Lots of pluses there."
"Just need to survive the winter without getting eaten by bears," said Bethany.
"Exactly," answered Reggie. "Avoid bears and everything is golden."
"Speaking of golden," said Janice laying her last card on the table, "I'm out."
Nathan and Bethany groaned.
"How do you win every time?" Nathan asked.
"Good living and years of playing cards," Janice answered. "My generation didn't have video games and DVDs. This is what we did, used our heads."
"Looks like future generations won't have them either," said Bethany. "At least not as much."
"That's not a bad thing," said Reggie. "Not everything we left behind was good. We can make it better."
"There's that optimism again," said Nathan his eye spotting something off. He got up from his chair and walked over to the crooked picture. Tilting the bottom corner up, a little piece of paper fell out. Nathan bent down to pick it up as he sat back in his chair. Unfolding the piece of paper, he smiled and closed his eyes for a moment saying a prayer of thanks. When he opened his eyes the three were looking at him expectantly.
He wasn't sure what to say, instead he folded the piece of paper up and put it in his wallet for safe keeping. Even tho
ugh they didn't use paper money anymore, it was hard not to carry a wallet. "There's plenty to be optimistic about, I guess," Nathan said. "It could be much worse, but the future might also be promising."
"That's not optimism," said Reggie seriously. "That's hope. It's the most powerful force in the universe. Even a little hope goes a long way."
"That's good," said Nathan, "because that's what we've got."
"It'll be enough," said Reggie dealing cards for a new game.
A glimmer of hope, thought Nathan picking up his hand and smiling.
Epilogue - Cheyenne Mountain
Specialist O'Neil looked at the clock and counted the seconds until his shift was over. Tonight they were showing Ben Hur in the break room and he planned on being there. Tony had fixed the popcorn machine and the home brew beer was finally ready so it promised to be a nice night. Abby might even be there.
He closed his eyes and laid his head down on the metal desk that ran for twenty meters to either side of him. He faced a computer screen and keyboard, an exact mate of dozens of others around the room. To the front of him were several large projector screens, all black now. Radiating away from the screens and upward were half-moons of desks with computers on them. O'Neil sat at his spot on the third row.
Four other people were in the room, but they were either sleeping or reading books. It was exciting the first few months after they'd been locked in the underground bunker, but the excitement slowly faded. Some even talked in awed whispers about wanting to go outside, even though that would be suicidal. Northern Command at nearby Colorado Springs had been hit with at least three nukes.
He heard movement behind him and was surprised to see Lieutenant Commander Porter. He was usually only around during the day shift, not that day shift differed from night shift anymore since you couldn't see the sun, still for some reason most people were on day shift.
