Kyle Pratt - Through Many Fires

Again the governor nodded. “Unless we get the economy moving the people can’t go home to their jobs, but unless the people go home to their jobs the economy can’t get moving.” He sighed. “How many Washington refineries are operating?”

“Only the Tacoma facility was damaged in the blast. The others are operating, but the pipeline was cut by the bomb. We have enough fuel to support military, police and fire operations and keep hospitals with power problems operating. No more. We just do not have the fuel to move hundreds of thousands of people back to their homes and even if we did they would starve after they arrived.”

Someone asked, “Can we get aid from other countries?”

“The Durant administration tells us that some will be coming from Canada, Australia and South America, but not enough. Trade with Europe has halted and that, along with the collapse of several large banks, will likely send their economies into a downward spiral. The Japanese stock market has been closed for a week. Their economy is in depression.

The only economy strong enough to send significant aid is China and, we have been informed, they are demanding trade concessions and continued payment of our treasury and other debts to them in something other than dollars.”

Briefings continued from each advisor or agency representative, but Caden’s attention was drawn to a large map at the far end of the room. It displayed the Seattle metro area with a red oval enclosing the southern portion of the city, several suburbs and the international airport. This area was labeled, ‘Blast Damage.’ A slightly larger area outlined in blue line was labeled EMP. At least the bomb was detonated at ground level. If it had been launched by even a short range rocket the electromagnetic pulse would have covered the entire metro area or more.

A wavy orange line labeled, ‘Fire Damage,’ outlined a much larger area. An even larger black oval extended south into Tacoma and east toward the mountains was labeled, ‘Fallout.”

Waterborne disease, looting, burning, shortages of bandages and pharmaceuticals, brownouts and blackouts and it will all probably get worse. Caden slumped over in his chair as the weight of the troubled nation pressed down on him.

Suddenly people stood and moved toward the door. Roused from his thoughts Caden looked for Monroe and found him in a cluster of people still talking and listening. I really want to explain to him about Maria, but how do I get a moment with him? He stood and continued to watch the governor. Their eyes met.

“Caden, stay there. I want to talk to you.”

He smiled weakly and nodded. Monroe knows I deceived him about Maria. I should have just told him the truth. This job, my career, they’re over.

Monroe walked over with a serious look on his face. “These meetings are depressing.” Then he smiled and shook Caden’s hand. “I know you want to see your family, but I need you to do some things for me while you’re down there.

“We don’t know much about how the people are doing in those communities. I want you to assess the needs. Maybe we can help.

“However, there is good farm land in that area. This spring we need it planted in crops we can use to feed people there and in this area. I need you to be my liaison to local community leaders and farmers. Can you do that?”

“Yes sir.”

“One more thing. As you know there is a National Guard armory in Hansen.”

Caden nodded.

The governor paused as if in thought. “I told you I wanted you on as an advisor, but right now I have a more pressing problem. The commanding officer of the Hansen armory is dead. I want you to assume command.”

“I’m not in the National Guard.”

“You are now—Major. I need you to secure the armory and hopefully find someone local to command it. I would prefer to have you here in Olympia.”

Caden took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes sir, but before I go there is something I need to tell you. I…I haven’t been truthful with you about Maria and Adam.” As briefly as possible he explained when and how they met. When he was done he said, “So you see they are actually not my family.”

“Yes, I knew.”

“You knew?”

He point to Caden’s finger. “No wedding ring and no mark for one. I had David do a background check on you.” He shrugged. “I figured you were helping someone in your extended family or a friend. I’m glad to know the facts though. What you tell me about Maria is impressive and you did the right thing by helping her and Adam.”

“I’m sorry about the deception, sir.”

Monroe smiled. “Trust me in the future. Find David and he’ll get you everything you’ll need, and then go visit your family, find out the status of the situation in the county and then get back to Olympia by this coming Monday. We have a huge amount of work to do.”

What day of the week is it? “ Yes sir.” Caden smiled. “I’ll see you on Monday.” Whenever that is. As he left the conference room he pulled out his phone and dialed home. Again, all he heard was a rapid busy signal.

As Caden walked into the lobby, David walked toward the room, looking at his clip board. He talked with half a dozen people before getting to Caden.

“A secretary took Maria to this guest house.” He wrote the address down and handed it, along with two keys on a ring, to Caden. “Has the Governor briefed you on what he wants?” David briefly reiterated the Governor’s instructions while Caden nodded. When David was done he crossed out a line on his list. “Good. Go to this office in the Wainwright building. It’s on the same floor as the Emergency Operations Center. They will get you official orders and a uniform.” He handed Caden another piece of paper. “We have a staff meeting scheduled for Monday at 9:00 a.m. Governor Monroe wants a report on conditions from as many counties as possible. I’ll see you then. Okay? Good.” He turned.

“Oh, two things before you go. What day of the week is it?”

“Today? Monday. The meeting is next Monday.”

“Yes. Just making sure.” A week at home and back here. Good. “Also, is there a phone that I can use to call New York? I need to contact a friend in the administration.”

“Try my office,” He pointed, “but long distance calls are always problematic.”

As Caden stepped away, David called to a person across the lobby and lined out another item on his list.

Picking up the phone, he glanced at his watch. Nearly two in the afternoon, that would be five in New York. She’ll still be at work. After a half-hour of attempts, disconnections, phone trees and transfers he was getting worried, but finally he heard Becky’s voice.

“Caden is that really you? I thought…I feared…is it really you?”

“Yes, it really is me. It is great to hear your voice. I was afraid you died in the Atlanta blast, but then three days ago I saw you on TV.”

“I was afraid that you were in Atlanta when it happened. I’ve really missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” he said, but the words sounded strangely hollow. “A road block stopped me or I would have been right there looking for you. When did you get out of the city and how did you end up as the press secretary for President Durant?”

“It had been an incredible two weeks.” She described being on the edge of the metro area, seeing the flash and feeling the torrent of wind buffet the van she was in. “I think I was close like you were. The remote studio was damaged. It took two days to get back on the air and almost as soon as we were, President Durant asked me to join the administration as his press secretary. How could I say, “no?”