Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) (23 page)

For
the next hour, over a simple meal of chicken, corn and potatoes at a
nondescript diner they discussed the likelihood of war and the future of the
country.

As
long as the discussion had been on policy and relief efforts Caden was engaged,
but the subject had turned to the economy. He pushed his plate back as his eyes
drifted to the soldiers by the door and their quiet discussion. The artwork on
the walls and thoughts of home danced through Caden’s mind.

Weston’s
phone chimed and he quickly pulled it from a pocket.

“
That
phone is official business,” Governor Monroe said to those around the table.
Then in a hushed voice he added, “I think he keeps it on even when he showers.”

Everyone
laughed.

“
Huh?”
Weston said slipping the phone back in his pocket.

“
I’ll
explain later,” the governor said. “What was the call?”

He
shrugged. “The screen said it was the Emergency Operations Center, but the call
dropped before I heard anyone.”

“
I’ll
go by the EOC when we’re done,” General Harwich said.

Dropped
calls were too common to be of concern.

The governor
nodded. “We’re nearly done.”

The
treasurer continued a discussion of currency issues.

Caden
continued his contemplation of restaurant artwork until a familiar engine sound
focused his attention. His eyes locked on the street. The two soldiers by the
door stopped talking as a Stryker vehicle lumbered past. Caden turned to
General Collins. “Was that from your base?”

The
general’s eyes narrowed. “It must be.” He stood and walked toward the door.

Caden
watched General Collins march from the diner and go left, in the direction the
Stryker had gone. Caden followed him, but hesitated just outside the door.

The
glow from streetlights and a few windows cast long sinister shadows as Collins
walked along the middle of the empty road toward the vehicle parked at the
corner. The gunner had the M2 machine gun pointed at the diner.

Instincts
that had served Caden well in combat now roared again to life. He looked back
up the street and, as he expected, another Stryker was parked at that corner. A
squad of soldiers and two civilians stood nearby.

One of
the guards from inside the restaurant joined Caden on the sidewalk. “What’s
going on?”

Caden
whispered, “Find a way out the back and get everyone to safety.”
Where ever
that might be.
He stepped inside with the soldier and, looking at the group
of civilians said, “Everyone needs to go—
now
.” He felt like a mouse
sniffing cheese at the edge of a trap.
Any second now this thing will spring
on me.
But he needed to assist the general and give the governor and others
more time to get away. He sighed, tapped his holster, and joined General
Collins down the street.

Looking
up at the young soldier behind the M2 in the turret, the general demanded, “On
whose authority are you here?”

“
I
don’t know sir.”

“
Then
get me someone who does—now!”

A
young lieutenant stepped out. “Sir, we were ordered to provide protection for
the U.S. Marshals.”

“
Lieutenant
that is not what I asked. I can see what your orders are; I want to know who
gave them to you.”

Footsteps
clicked on the pavement behind him. He turned.

“
U.S.
Marshals.” The man held up his badge.

It was
the restaurant customer with salt and pepper hair. He was followed by another
man in a business suit.

“
I’m
Deputy Marshal Reid, this is Deputy Marshal Smith.”

Caden
grinned inwardly.
Why didn’t I see it before? Reid looks like one of the Men
in Black. Actually both of them look like movie federal agents.

Reid
continued. “At our request Colonel Shaw ordered them to assist us with the
arrest of Governor Daniel Monroe. Both of you need to leave the area
immediately.”

The
General turned from the Marshal back to the lieutenant. “Stand down and return
to JBLM.”

“
Yes
sir.” The young officer took two steps backward toward the Stryker.

Reid
demanded, “He is not going anywhere until we have....”

Two
shots rang.

Everyone
flinched.

The
Marshals and Caden went for their guns.

Caden
was quickest. As he moved the pistol slightly to cover the two marshals he was
certain the shots came from behind the diner.
The others must have left the
diner and ran into trouble.
“Actually, I think it is time for the General
and me to leave.”

Soldiers
ran down the street.

Collins
nodded. “A change of plans lieutenant, the Major and I will be joining you, but
we aren’t going back to base.” He, Caden, and the befuddled young lieutenant,
hurried up the ramp into the Stryker as more lights came on up and down the
street.

The
lieutenant climbed into the driver’s seat.

“
Go to
the parking area behind the diner,” Collins ordered.

Caden
and the General sat on opposite benches in the cramped rear of the vehicle.
More shots rang out.

A
bullet ricocheted off the vehicle with a loud ping as they bumped over the curb
and into the lot.

Looking
back the lieutenant said, “Several civilians are pinned down behind a
dumpster.”

That
must be the governor and the others.

“
Pull
up beside it and open the back,” Collins commanded the lieutenant, and then
turned to Caden. “If those are our people get them in here.”

Caden
jumped out as the two federal marshals rounded the corner and shot at him. He
leapt behind a car. The turret gunner provided cover fire, pinning the marshals
down. There was no time to think about the wisdom of shooting at federal agents
or why army units were now involved. Caden was functioning on well-honed combat
instincts. He returned fire.

“
Get
in the vehicle now!” The god-like voice of General Collins commanded over the
Stryker loudspeaker.

Both
the turret gunner and Caden provided cover as several civilians ran up the
ramp.
The treasurer, secretary of state…there goes the highway patrol
chief…and Governor Monroe. The soldiers, Weston, are they already inside?
He
squinted into the dark as the last three came into view. Weston and a soldier
carried the other man into the vehicle.

Caden
ran in as the ramp lifted. With a roar from the engine the vehicle headed off.

The
wounded comrade lay in the middle of the small compartment. His trouser leg was
torn and blood soaked. Someone used a belt as a tourniquet.

Caden
felt for a pulse, but found none. Only as he looked up did he see that the
governor staring at the floor in bloody clothes. He held a pistol by three
shaky fingers.

“
Governor,
are you all right?”

He
looked up. The color was gone from his face. His eyes unseeing.

The
other soldier covered his fallen friend. “We couldn’t stop the bleeding.” With
a tilt of the head toward Monroe, the soldier added. “He tried to help…pulled
off his belt and wrapped it around the leg. Then he grabbed the pistol and shot
one of the civilians shooting at us. I saw the guy drop.”

I’ve
seen this before.
“Governor, you’re in shock. Give me the pistol.”

The
Governor looked down and gripped the pistol tight.

General
Collins directed the lieutenant to the Emergency Operations Center.

The
state treasurer puked on the floor.

As the
smell of blood and vomit filled the cramped compartment Caden reached across to
the Governor. “Give the pistol to me, please.” He touched Monroe’s hand. It was
cool and clammy. “Just let it go. I’ll take it.” Gently Caden plied the pistol
from the governor’s hand.

Setting
the weapon on his lap, Caden leaned back and sighed.
It’s going to be a long
night.

For
nearly a minute the drone of the engine increased and then became a steady
whine.

Looking
up to the turret gunner, General Collins asked, “You see anyone following us,
soldier?”

“
No
sir.”

“
Keep
watch,” the general said, “This isn’t over.”

“
How
do you do it, Caden?”

Caden
opened his eyes at the sound of Weston’s voice. “Huh?” He blinked and then
focused on the governor’s Chief of Staff sitting across from him.

Weston
repeated the question. “There’s a body on the floor between us. We’ve all been
shot at. I feel scared and sick. How do you stay calm?”

Caden’s
mind raced back to his first days in Iraq. “I wasn’t calm the first time…or the
second. I was scared…still get scared, but eventually combat becomes….” Unable
to find the right words he shrugged, leaned back and closed his eyes.

A
minute later the lieutenant said, “State patrol vehicles and officers in SWAT
gear up ahead.”

The
turret gunner yelled, “They’re aiming at us. What should I….”

“
Get
down here!” Collins ordered. “Don’t get yourself shot.” He slapped the driver’s
shoulder. “Stop.”

The
two generals and the patrol chief exited the back with their hands up. When
they were recognized the vehicle was allowed to proceed to the Emergency
Operations Center.

General
Harwich ordered the EOC duty officer to report.

The
officer glanced at Governor Monroe’s bloodstained suit then turned back to
Harwich. “Sir we tried to contact you and the Governor, but phone lines are
down. Soldiers from an unknown unit took control of the switching center about
40 minutes ago. The state patrol reports at least two Stryker vehicles and
perhaps a squad of soldiers engaged in street fighting near the waterfront.” He
circled the location on the map with his finger.

General
Collins grunted. “Yeah, we can confirm that. Do you have a situation report
from JBLM?”

Pointing
to the communications center he said, “Colonel Johnston informed us via the
radio that elements of several units have mutinied and he is engaging them.”

“
I’ll
need to use your radio,” Collins said and started to walk away.

Governor
Monroe touched his arm. He still looked pale, but seemed to have regained his
composure. “The next twenty-four hours will determine the future of this
country.” Eyes focused on Collins, he said, “I need you to secure the joint
base. If Durant’s forces seize the control of those units, the airfield and
equipment, they’ll head this way in force and we won’t be able to stop them.
Can you keep control of JBLM?”

“
Yes
Governor, I can.” He hurried to the communications area.

“
Looking
at General Harwich he said, “Durant has loyal units in Oregon.” He pointed to
the freeway heading north from there to the city. “How can we protect this
route?”

“
Most
of Durant’s support is in the Portland-Salem area. I’ll take the 81
^st
Brigade and 96
^th
Troop Command and secure the border by controlling
the bridges.”

“
I
want you here advising me. Put someone else in charge of the southern defense.”

Harwich
looked truly disappointed. “Perhaps Major Westmore could command those units?”

Caden’s
jaw dropped. “Ahhh…”

“
No,”
Monroe said. He traced his finger along the highway through Hansen. “I’m
worried about this route.”

“
It’s
a small mountain highway,” Harwich said. “Trucks would have to go slow and the
road is easy to block. I wouldn’t use it to attack Olympia.”

“
Still
it worries me.” He looked Caden in the eye. “You know this area. If they come
that way, stop them.”

“
Yes
sir, I will.”

Caden
wanted to immediately head back to Hansen, but he needed to alert the armory so
he joined General Collins at the EOC communications center.

The
general talked over a secure radio link to the joint base. “Hold the airfield
and the freeway. I’m convinced that is what they want. I’m going to deal with a
couple of units here and then go to JBLM.”

It
took only a minute for Caden to contact someone at the armory using a SINCGARS
radio. He didn’t have a secure link so all he said was, “Tell the XO to
implement the Hansen route contingency plan. I’m leaving for there right now.”
He cringed, thinking he had said more than he should over an unsecure radio,
but there was no taking it back. “Out.”

Within
minutes Caden raced down a nearly empty freeway. Once he left Olympia, trees
lined much of the now deserted highway.
Six lanes of emptiness.
It was
times like this, sealed in a car, surrounded by darkness, that doubts pressed
in on him.
In just a few hours I could be fighting units of the most
powerful military in the world. What are my chances of living through this day?

Becky
had asked him to join her on Durant’s team. She believed they would have been a
powerful, and well-off, couple. Visions of state dinners, meetings with world
leaders and living large in D.C. with Becky at his side, filled his head.

Those
thoughts were gradually replaced by images of Hansen, the farm and family.
Family.
His thoughts turned to Maria and Adam.
It may not be official, but they are
family just the same.
Even though he tried to put the small town of his
youth behind him, the values of that place had become a part of him. He could
never abandon it, or Maria and Adam.
There must be a way to protect my
family, my home and my country.

The
speedometer inched toward ninety. He slowed only as he went up the ramp to
Hansen. On the far side of the overpass, soldiers stood guard behind sandbags.
Two-by-fours had been fashioned into a checkpoint gate. Several military
vehicles were parked in the convenience store lot and, for the first time since
he had been back, lights illuminated the church. He came to a stop at the gate.

The soldier
immediately recognized him and saluted. “Welcome home, sir. I hear we might be
fighting soon.”

“
Pray
we don’t,” Caden replied. “What’s going on at the church?”

“
Cleaning
and repairs, sir,” the soldier said as they raised the gate.

Restoration
and destruction, serenity and conflict, how often have I seen them
side-by-side?
He
drove on into the night. The blockade at the far end of the causeway was gone
and the bulldozers moved up the hill. Farther along the highway he saw a faint
light flickered in the darkness and wondered if it came from the Westmore farm.
He turned down the narrow road and to the family home.

The
barn door hung open, swaying gently in night breeze. A weak light came from
inside. His father stepped out, followed by the puppy.

Caden
noticed a holster on his father’s hip. Stepping from the car he said, “I had
planned to go straight to the armory, but saw the light on.”

“
Well,
I’m glad to see you, but I guess I should have shut the door. I forgot how far
you can see a light out here at night.”

Caden
nodded and together they walked back to the barn. “What are you working on?”

“
The
old Deere tractor. The carburetor is gummed up.” He shook his head. “I think
it’s the new ethanol gas.” Picking up a wrench, he returned to his work.

“
Dad,
I think there may be fighting around Hansen in the morning.” Caden felt like a
child telling his father he had done something wrong.

Trevor
sighed, dropped the tool on the bench and sat on a bale of hay looking at his
son. “I knew this day would come. I hoped it wouldn’t reach our town, but I
knew the conflict was coming.”

“
Really?”
He told his father the events at the restaurant and what Governor Monroe had
asked him to do. “I shouldn’t have even stopped here. I’ve need to get to the
armory. ”

The
older man hugged his son. “Go on. Do your duty. We’ll be fine.” Tears welled in
his eyes. “Now go. You’ve got a lot to do.”

“
Tell
Maria and Mom…everyone, I love them.”

“
You’ll
see Maria soon.”

He
smiled at his dad’s vote of confidence and left before his own tears came.

Every
light seemed to be on at the armory. Again he was stopped at the gate, but
quickly allowed to pass. Several trucks idled as soldiers climbed on. Walking
across the parking lot he noticed a familiar face. “Lisa?” She stood at a table
passing out coffee and MRE’s to soldiers loading onto the trucks.

“
Hi
brother, would you like some coffee?”

“
No.
What are you doing here?”

“
Helping
out.”

“
I see
that, I mean….”

She
laughed. “I know what you mean.” Still handing out coffee she said, “David was at
our house eating dinner when the armory called. I drove him back and stayed to
help. Maria is here too.” She pointed.

“
Maria?”

She
carried a box of MREs and at the sound of her name their eyes met. She smiled,
put down the box and raced into his arms.

He
didn’t know what to say so he just held her for a moment. “I’m glad to see you,
but you need to go somewhere safe.”

“
Where
would that be?”

He had
no answer.

“
When
you leave with the soldiers, Lisa and I will go back to the farm.”

He
nodded and then as if by mutual agreement, they kissed. The warmth of her lips
enveloped him and he knew as long as she was with him, he would be happy.
Stepping back, his eyes lingered on her. “I’ve got to go.”

“
I
know.”

Caden
hurried into the armory and found the XO, First Sergeant Fletcher and the squad
leaders in the small office area. “What’s our status?”

“
Three
of our soldiers are in position at the pass east of town,” Brooks said.
“However, fog is limiting visibility. Hopefully it will lift in time. We’re in
radio contact and….”

Caden
shook his head. “When we’re done here, send one man down the far side of the
pass. They can relay any contacts to the scouts at the summit.”

“
Yes
sir. The squad leaders have done the pre-combat inspection. Will the MOPP level
be zero?”

Chemical,
biological warfare? I sure hope there’s none.
“Yes, zero.”

“
Then
the men will be ready to go in thirty minutes.”

“
Good.”
Caden glanced at his watch, it was just after midnight. “If they’re coming this
way we should know before dawn.” He left to pack his combat gear. When he
returned Brooks, a sergeant and a corporal were in the office.

“
We’re
ready to move out.” Brooks said, “These two will be staying here to relay
situation reports to….”

The
radio crackled. “Base this is Recon 1. Forward position reports 18 vehicles,
jeeps, Humvees and deuce and a half trucks moving west toward the pass.” The
transmission paused. “Forward position reports they are under fire.”

Caden
took the mic and said, “Recon 1, the convoy may be listening in on your
transmissions. Proceed to position 2 immediately. Over.”

“
Roger
Base. Out.”

We’ve
lost the pass without a shot. That was our best chance to stop them.
He relayed the report
to the operations center and advised JBLM would need to secure the North Road.
Then he turned to Brooks. “Deploy the troops to the fallback position.”

“
The
causeway? But….”

“
We’ve
discussed this. Do you have a better plan?”

Brooks
shook his head.

“
Then
deploy the men along the west bank of the causeway. If Durant’s forces push it
they could be here in a little over an hour.” He picked up the phone and dialed
911. “This is Major Westmore, inform Sheriff Hoover that in just over an hour a
large military convoy will move through town. I recommend everyone stay inside
and allow them to pass through.” Moments later Caden’s phone rang.

“
Well,
Mr. Military.”

“
Hello
Sheriff.”

“
I
thought you were going to head them off at the pass. What happened?”

“
It
doesn’t matter. We won’t fight them in the town. Just let them pass through. That’s
all I can say. I’ve got to go.” He turned to Brooks. “Everyone leaves the
armory. Move out.”

It
took well over an hour for the convoy to reach recon position 2 at the east
edge of town. The two remaining scouts fell back to position 3, a jumble of blackberry
bushes along a stream near the turn off to the Westmore farm. Hours later the
scouts still reported no contact.

In the
pre-dawn darkness Caden looked through his binoculars from position 3. He could
barely see a group of Humvees on the west edge of Hansen. The damp and cold
made him shiver. “They’ve been there for hours. Why haven’t they made a move?”

The
question had been rhetorical, but one of the privates beside him shrugged.

As
they continued to watch the convoy the red-haired boy and girl Caden had seen
so often in the area strolled across the field to the stream carrying fish
traps.

Caden
froze.

The
teens moved along the bank for a while, and then put their traps in the water
just twenty yards from recon position. The two sat idly nearby looking in the
direction of the trucks.
Go home kids.
But there was no way to
communicate the message without exposing his position.

Caden
pulled out his radio. “CW returning to unit.” Looking at the scouts he
whispered, “Keep watch on the convoy. When they move out, alert us.” Crouching,
he headed back around the corner and then on to his jeep. As he climbed in the
vehicle he felt the vibration of his phone. “Hello?”

“
Hey,
you know who this is.”

“
Yes.”
He recognized Hoover’s voice.

“
I’m
guessing things aren’t going according to your plan. Most of the convoy is
parked at the city limit.”

Thank
you for calling and telling me what I already know.
“I thought they would
just drive straight through town. I’m not sure why they stopped.”

“
The
commander asked me if there was another way around the lake. He even looked at
my maps. I think they know you’re waiting for them and they’re looking for
another route.”

“
There
isn’t another way,” Caden said flatly. “Is there?”

“
Nope.
Not unless these guys are amphibious or they want to build a bridge.”

“
Good,
but we shouldn’t talk. They could be monitoring your phone.”

“
Actually
they’re working to take down the phone system. Good luck, Mr. Military.”

Caden parked
his jeep well up the hill from the lake and walked down toward the shore. His
unit was dug in along the tree line on both sides of the road. Several yards up
the highway two huge Douglas firs had been cut down blocking it and several
more trees were notched and primed with C4.

Walking
among the sixty soldiers under his command, Caden confirmed that they were well
concealed and then climbed into his foxhole and waited. He placed a few more
sandbags along the edge and moved the biggest rocks he could find to the front.
My orders were to stop Durant’s forces from getting through to Olympia and,
at the moment, I’ve done that.
He looked up at the still dark sky, anxious
for dawn.

With a
crackle the radio came to life. “Forces deployed west of Hansen this is the
U.S. Army convoy commander. I’m coming forward under a white flag in a single
Humvee with a driver. I want to talk. I propose we meet on the causeway. Do you
copy?”

The
voice sounded oddly familiar.

Brooks
raced along the tree line to Caden’s position. “It’s not safe, don’t do it.”

“
Being
here isn’t safe. Meeting him is no worse and buys us more time. If I have to,
I’d rather fight them in daylight.” Into the radio he said, “Copy. I’ll meet
you there.” To a nearby private he said, “You’re my driver.”

As
Caden and the soldier walked up the slope, Recon 3 reported a single Humvee
moving along the highway.

The
driver rummaged through the first-aid kit, setting the green bandages aside and
retrieved some long white gauze. He then tied it like a streamer to the antenna
at the rear of the jeep. Together they headed slowly down to the edge of the
lake. The other vehicle was already on the far side. The drivers moved
deliberately along the road toward each other.

Roughly
in the middle they stopped and the convoy commander walked to the front of the
Humvee. Caden stepped around the front of the jeep. As they neared, he
recognized the man he had first met at a blockade on the Georgia border, the
officer who had helped him from the pit of despair and convinced Maria to get
on the plane when they all flew to Washington state. “Hello, Lieutenant Turner.
How are you doing?”