Kyle Pratt - Through Many Fires

Lisa looked at Brooks, “You said that all Guard units were activated. What does that mean?”

Caden answered. “It means we are no longer subject to state authority. We’re under federal government command.” And I’m liking this less the more I think about it. “But the only thing I know for sure is that I’m to attend a meeting tomorrow, so let’s not get too worked up.” There will be plenty of time to get upset tomorrow. “So XO, why did you drive down here? The phones are working—I think.”

“They are,” he said heading back to the car, “but I thought you might need this.” He set two, five-gallon gas cans, on the ground. Then he handed Caden a neatly folded uniform, “And you might need this since I got blood on your ACUs,”

“So that was your blood?” Lisa asked. “He told us what happened. That was you? Are you okay?”

He gently touched the side of his head “Ah…yes, yes and yes ma’am. The medic sewed me up.”

Lisa invited him inside, but he declined. “I better get back to the armory. I’ll have four soldiers and a Humvee here at 0730 to accompany you.”

Thinking the Humvee was excessive he started to object, but then reconsidered. If I’m not well protected Maria might insist on riding shotgun and I don’t want that. The safest place for her is right here on the farm. “Have the soldiers bring four MREs with them in the morning. Thanks.”

As Brooks drove away and the family filed back into the house, Lisa turned to him. “So, what’s his first name?”

“David. Why?”

She smiled. “He looks good in a uniform.”

The soft glow of the oncoming sunrise heralded a new day as a Humvee pulled up in front of the farmhouse. One young soldier in a flak jacket and carrying an M4 climbed out.

In his new ACUs Caden stepped out on the porch carrying a briefcase that belonged to his father. In it was the list of needed supplies from the emergency manager and a map of the area. He hoped to get everything his community needed, but knew that was highly unlikely. He turned to his mother, and hugged her. “When my leg is better I’m going up the North Road and look for Dad, Susan and Peter.”

“Your father is a resourceful man. He’ll come back to me. I hope with Peter and Susan, but we can talk about it later.”

Dad is a resourceful man and if he is alive he will find a way back, but people are killing each other out there for food, drugs and gas. “Okay Mom, we’ll talk about it later.” He hugged his sister and Maria.

Maria pulled him back tight. “Be back tonight.”

He smiled, hugged her again. “That’s my plan.”

The soldier climbed into the SUV with Caden and following the Humvee they headed toward the freeway.

At the causeway barricade they stopped and Caden told the guards that he would be back that evening, hopefully with other trucks. Then the Humvee and car crossed over into the ten mile no-man’s-land between the blockade and the freeway.

As they approached the freeway overpass, Caden noticed several burned-out cars that were not there a couple of days before in the otherwise deserted church parking lot. Across the street, in the convenience store parking lot, were a dozen vehicles, but only one was familiar. Turning to the soldier beside him he said, “I’m going to pull off here for just a moment. Tell the guys in the Humvee.”

Using his radio, the soldier informed the others.

The few people in the lot were all male. Caden saw desperate eyes follow him across the lot.

The Humvee circled back as Caden stopped beside a worn Ford minivan with a tarp duct taped to the top and supported by tree limbs. Turning to the soldier with him he said, “Tell everyone to keep watch.” He stepped out as a thin man with a graying beard came around from behind the van. “Hello Henry. I’ve got something for you.” He handed him a five gallon gas can. “I know it is not enough to get you to your farm in Oregon, but it’s all I can spare.”

Henry’s eyes widened. “Thank you. It might be enough. If it’s not we’ll walk the rest of the way. Thanks.” He called to his wife and boys. “We better be quick. Most of the people here are criminals or crazy. The only reason they leave us alone is that we’re armed and don’t have anything.”

Caden glanced over his shoulder. Four soldiers stood behind the SUV and Humvee with their weapons pointed at several, dirty, wild-eyed men as they cautiously approached. “Yeah they look desperate enough to do something stupid.”

“Hey, you got more gas?” One man called out.

One boy tore the tarp from the car as Henry poured the fuel into his tank. Caden handed the four MREs to the wife. With tears in her eyes she thanked him as the family climbed into the minivan.

Another man, holding a pistol, yelled, “Hey, you got more food?”

“Henry’s auto sputtered, shook and then started. He did a ‘thumbs up,’ to the soldiers.

Caden called to the soldiers, “Let’s move out fast.” The soldiers jumped in and all the vehicles quickly drove out of the lot.

The SUV and Humvee pulled onto the freeway heading north and, in his rearview mirror, Caden caught a glimpse of Henry and his family heading south. God, I hope they make it home.

The meeting was held in the same conference room as the one he attended just days before. When he walked in all the seats were taken at the table. Caden recognized Governor Monroe, his chief of staff David Weston and, from his picture at the armory, Adjutant General Harwich of the Washington National Guard, but not anyone else.

Clusters of people stood along the walls, including one group of military officers. Caden was tempted to walk over to them, but the way was blocked by other groups.

Chairs were brought in and Caden finally got one along the wall.

After about five minutes the governor stood. “Thank you all for coming. The president is about to address the nation. The speech will be carried by the national media, but we were planning a meeting for Monday so, I felt it best we watch it together and have the meeting right afterwards. If we have to make plans based on the President’s address we can do so right then.” With that someone turned on a large television on the wall. An announcer was just concluding his comments and then President Durant appeared on screen.

“My fellow Americans,” he began and for several minutes engaged in the normal political platitudes. “While we hunt down those who aided the terrorists we will also restore this great nation. To speed the process of restoration I am taking the following actions today.”

This was the part he wanted to hear. Caden leaned forward.

“As acting President of the United States I have already imposed martial law on several states and regions. I am now extending that to all fifty states and territories. The Posse Comitatus Act is suspended…”

The military can now arrest civilians. Is that legal?

“…and I am suspending the writ of habeas corpus.”

And the military doesn’t need to charge someone with a crime when arresting them and citizens don’t get a day in court.

“Contrary to reports in the media I am not activating all Guard and reserve units. While I have considered it, many state governors wish to retain more direct control of their Guard soldiers so, at this time, only select companies in Maryland, Virginia, Georgia and California have been called up.”

Good! I don’t work for President Durant—yet anyway.

“However, all military commands are ordered to cooperate with our allies to maintain order and distribute aid. This relief will soon be arriving from a number of countries. In the east I have asked our NATO allies to take the lead in relief efforts. China will manage aid in the west.