Kyle Pratt: Through Many Fires

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 stBrigade and 96 thTroop 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.