Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“No babies at all. We asked them that when they were in DC, right?”

“Yes, ma’am, and it seemed as though they were telling the truth.”

“Yes, it did, as far as I could tell,” agreed the colonel. “Give me more.”

“Yes, ma’am. Their weapons arsenal would likely include adequate access to rifles, shotguns, and sidearms with a significant amount of appropriate ammunition. This quasi-police unit was put in place early on, so it was obviously valued. And Ken, the emissary from last July, did launch into a story about losing ninety-one men two years ago during a large-scale raid attempt on their Cleveland stronghold. Apparently, a well-organized militant group from Erie, Pennsylvania initiated the raid. Ken was quite passionate about that, I remember.”

“Is that where Phoenix took out Erie?”

“Yes, ma’am. He said that the Erie bunch had about 600 men attacking Cleveland from two fronts in a well-planned night raid. But all of the attackers were killed except for one. Phoenix had expected such a two pronged attack and had defenses in place. Later, the next day, he had the community drag the bodies out into the freshly tilled soil and burned the dead in rows. At the evening bonfire, he served fresh Walleye to all with fresh baked bread and told his people that the dead could help fertilize the crops that would feed their future.” Major O’Malley paused to let the colonel digest this information.

“Go on, major.”

“Would you like any details of the actual skirmish, colonel?”

“No, major. We can come back to that later if needed. Please continue.”

“Yes, ma’am. The next morning, Phoenix sent seven men and seven women to Erie to claim the spoils of victory. They took the one Erie survivor with them to explain to the Erie leader, a Mr. Murdock, that ‘war-time reparations’ were to be made. Or else.”

“Or else, what?”

“Or else the entire Erie community would be annihilated within 180 days. Phoenix’s demands were simple: send one hundred horses and one hundred high-quality young women along with fifteen thousand rounds of ammunition. When this demand was refused, Phoenix crushed the Erie community forty days later. He returned to Cleveland with all the surviving Erie women, horses, food, and ammunition. He’s also managed to commandeer and man six additional fishing vessels, bringing them to Cleveland. In the meantime, he systematically destroyed Erie, setting fire to anything that would burn and dumping anything on their fields that would make the soil infertile. Put simply, he left no man standing and set the city on fire.”

“Phoenix doesn’t play games, does he?”

“Ma’am, I’m just saying that if you’re thinking of asking Connor MacMillen to meet you in Cleveland, we might end up with more than we bargained for.”

“Yes, major, I understand he might be somewhat of a force to reckon with. Go on.”

“Sure. We’re told that Phoenix put into place something called a five-year plan. He immediately forced all able-bodied individuals to work, creating arable land for crops, planting both within the city limits and in the outlying suburbs. Asphalt and concrete were removed and transported from city central to create a defensive mound three miles outside the city limits. Overall, the project was a minimal success the first year, but he kept after his people relentlessly and since the second year the farms produce fresh vegetables and fruit in excess of population needs.”

“I’d love to have a fresh salad. That’s something I definitely miss from the old days.”

“I agree, ma’am, a salad would be nice.”

“I’m sorry, major, go on.”

“Sure. It seems Phoenix has served as Mayor of Cleveland for a little over four years. Not only has he held the city together, but he continues to build a population that does his bidding. He set up a voting system for key community positions every year between Christmas and New Year. The voting system includes the mayor position. Since Cleveland is on Lake Erie, he’s put together a working navy, capable of defending Cleveland from a lake attack while also supplementing the food supply with a significant amount of fish. He had seventeen operating ships and all are well armed.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Yes, ma’am. So we’re told. He was once a powerful superintendent for the elevator industry. He’s well read, mostly focusing on historical writings. He’s very charismatic, a natural salesman. Runs a tight ship, ma’am.”

“Yeah, major, it sounds like it. What are you afraid of?”

“Phoenix is a relative unknown, ma’am, and a powerful force. He clearly wants power. Wants to expand his realm. He’s organized and has a firm power base. He’s very well suited to respond militarily, so I’m not sure we want to cruise into his neighborhood with our limited resources.”

“I wouldn’t call our Superhawk and men a limited resource, major.”

“No, of course not, ma’am, but we don’t know what he has to go up against it.”

“Yeah, good point. What are your recommendations?”

“I suggest we direct any rendezvous with Colonel MacMillen more to the south—maybe Akron, for example. No reports of organized groups in that area.”

“Sound advice, major. But I’m a little surprised at your reticence. Have you forgotten that you’re talking to the President of the United States?”

“Never, ma’am, but to that Cleveland bunch you might just be some fine puss—” Major O’Malley stopped abruptly, clamping his lips shut tight. Blushing red, he averted his eyes, swallowing hard. He turned to Captain Daubney, seeking assistance, but the captain was staring at him, mouth agape.

“Major!” snapped Colonel Starkes.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You have my permission to speak freely.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What were you saying, major?”

“Uh…”

“Major!”

“Yes, ma’am. Um… well, ma’am, it’s just that this Cleveland bunch may see you as… um… a desirable female and not necessarily the President of the United States.”

The colonel smiled at his tact, but was pleased by his use of the word “desirable”. “You raise some valid concerns, major.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Captain Daubney, what’s your opinion?”

“We go back to Camp David, ma’am. We found CJ and Nicole—our mission’s accomplished. Let’s take them to where they’ll be safe. We can go after Colonel MacMillen after we replenish our supplies and secure more men. Maybe that second ’copter.”

She wiped CJ’s face with a red mechanic’s cloth and adjusted the blanket around him to protect him from the oncoming evening chill. His green eyes shone brightly with interest, following her movements. She returned her gaze to the two men beside the hammock.

“Give me some time to think about what you’ve said. Gentlemen, I thank you for your input. Captain Daubney, you’re dismissed.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The captain walked off to check on the perimeter guard.

“Major?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Let Nicole know that if she’d like more of a break, CJ can sleep with me in my quarters for a while. I still have almost a full bottle. Tell her she might use this opportunity to take that bath that she’s wanted. Make sure that she has all the heated water she needs and she’s welcome to a bar of the scented soap none of you men would ever use.”

“Yes, ma’am.

“Let her know that she can have CJ whenever she wants, but that he’s welcome to stay with me the entire evening.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that, ma’am.”

“Dismissed.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

“Major, this is what I want included on the leaflets.” Colonel Starkes handed the major a sheet of paper. “I want his name centered on the paper in large bold letters. The information should be included on both sides of the paper.”