Kyle Pratt - Through Many Fires

Weston stepped close to Cheng. “Yes, I think I do want to violate that treaty.”

The two Chinese guards ran toward the general.

“And when the American people hear about this treaty many of them are going to want to shove it back where it came from.”

“You are a fool.” With a shake of his head he said, “But you are not my concern. President Durant must deal with American agitators.”

“I’m no fool…”

“You and Governor Monroe should be arrested.”

“…I am a patriot.” With the last word Weston planted his finger in the Major’s chest.

At that moment the first Chinese soldier arrived at the side of the major and slammed the butt of his AK-47 across Weston’s nose.

Caden jumped forward to catch his friend, but Weston fell to the pavement with a loud thud. Blood covered much of his face.

The second soldier reached the group and raised his rifle to strike another blow.

Caden pulled out his pistol and shouted, “No!”

Major Cheng’s hand was already out to stop the second strike.

With gun still drawn, Caden stepped over his unconscious friend. “We’ll take David and leave.”

Cheng nodded and moved back.

He lifted Weston with the help of the two American soldiers. The injured man moaned as they moved him. Only then did Caden notice the microphone under David’s jacket. A wire ran down to what looked like a cellphone on his belt.

The limo that Weston arrived in sped off.

What is going on here?

David Weston’s swollen eyes blinked, opened and slowly seemed to come into focus. “Where am I?” His voice had a nasal quality.

Caden decided not to tell him that much of the left side of his face was black, blue and purple. “Olympia General Hospital.” He smiled. “Did you have a nice rest?”

“How long was I out?”

“Just over a day.” Caden pulled out his phone. “The governor was here earlier. He said to notify him when you woke up. He wants to personally thank you for getting Major Cheng to admit to the details of the treaty and then he wants to strangle you for pulling such a dangerous stunt.”

“What happened?”

“You don’t remember?”

“Most of it I do, just not why I’m here with….” He felt the bandages on his head. “I remember arriving at the port in the limo and….” He looked confused. “What happened?”

Caden had replayed the incident so many times in his head it was easy for him to retell it to David. “…so, the soldier smashed you in the face with the butt of his rifle, broke your nose, and you hit the pavement so hard you have a concussion. But what I don’t understand is why you chose to hide a news cameraman and reporter in a limo?”

“I couldn’t roll up in a news van. If Major Cheng had any idea he was being filmed he would have done his best to talk like a diplomat. I wanted him to speak frankly about the treaty and what he thought, so I needed an unmarked vehicle with plenty of space and tinted windows. When you think of ample space and tinted windows, what vehicle comes to your mind?”

Caden laughed.

“Did they get the video on the local news?”

“They sure did. Durant won’t let the networks touch it and has tried to keep it off the Internet, but the Olympia media was using it within the hour. Reporters and others friendly to Monroe’s campaign have passed it along. I know it has been seen in much of the west and perhaps the entire nation.

“Oh, and despite Durant’s best efforts, the clip of Major Cheng saying Governor Monroe should be arrested went viral about the same time President Durant’s order to do it was reported by the media. The timing made it look like Durant is a puppet of the Chinese military.”

“He’s ordered Monroe to be arrested?”

Caden nodded. “The governor is the voice of the opposition.”

Weston looked down at his hands and sighed. “Durant is no puppet, but he is an arrogant fool and he is in over his head.”

“I always believed he was a self-centered egotist, who enjoyed power, but it doesn’t matter what we think, the press, at least those outlets not under Durant’s control, are showing your video over and over again. The silence of the New York networks on the issue just plays into the public doubts about Durant. You getting your nose broken by the butt of a Chinese rifle made it all the more dramatic.”

Weston moaned. “I didn’t plan on that. I just wanted the treaty stopped.”

“Well, I think you accomplished that. As of this morning, Senator Cole of Montana has spoken against the treaty and five states have appointed new senators and instructed them to reject the treaty. Those states have also adopted resolutions to hold elections in November. Another six states are discussing appointing new senators and holding fall elections.”

“Good.”

Caden sighed deeply. “But Durant’s not backing down. His arrest order for the governor still stands. He’s even threatening to arrest the new senators and he still says there will be no election. I don’t know what’s going to happen if he doesn’t back down.”

“War… that’s what will happen… civil war.”

“Governor Monroe will be arrested soon.” Becky pointed her finger at Caden’s nose. “You need to be smart or you’ll be in the next cell.” She threw up her arms and in an exasperated voice asked, “How could you point a pistol at a Chinese official?”

“I pulled it to stop the soldier, not Major Cheng. My friend, David Weston, had just been hit and….”

“They’re here to help us! And how could you be a part of that awful video?” In a mock male voice she repeated some of what he said, ‘America is stronger than you think.’”

“I believe that, and the rest of what I said about not sacrificing liberty or our natural resources to China.”

Becky laughed sarcastically. “Do you really think America is strong now? Millions are dead, injured or homeless.”

“People are returning. Look around, homes and businesses are….”

“Yeah, they’re going back in Olympia, Boise, and similar hick towns, but there was rioting in New York just last week and other large cities like Boston and Chicago are war zones. Gangs rule entire districts, looting is rampant…troops are still working their way through Baltimore to Fort Meade. Don’t you see? We’re on our knees and unless we get massive aid quickly millions will starve. We need help, not you brandishing a gun or Weston planting his finger in the chest of a Chinese official. You do realize they are the largest economy now?”

“China is using this tragedy to establish a sphere of influence on our west coast. Do you realize it’s a ninety-nine year treaty?”

“Do the math. How long will it take to pay back a trillion dollars?”

Caden shook his head. “Even so, will the Chinese troops just march back on the boats when the treaty expires?”

“Who knows, but whether they leave or not isn’t going to be my problem, or yours.”

“So you don’t care if they stay after this crisis is over?”

“I didn’t say that.”

He shook his head. “I can’t agree to the treaty and just leave it for my children or grandchildren to deal with the consequences.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Right now you don’t have any children and I’m beginning to think that you may never have any—at least not with me.”

Caden drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No you and I never will. We moved in different directions and I don’t see a future for us. It’s not your fault, this month has changed me… probably changed everyone.”

Becky stared at him for several moments then spoke with slow deliberation. “You are a different man, that’s for sure, but you’re the one without a future. Change your allegiances or you’ll end up in jail.” She turned and marched from the room.