Two shots rang.
Everyone flinched.
The Marshals and Caden went for their guns.
Caden was quickest. As he moved the pistol slightly to cover the two marshals he was certain the shots came from behind the diner. The others must have left the diner and ran into trouble. “Actually, I think it is time for the General and me to leave.”
Soldiers ran down the street.
Collins nodded. “A change of plans lieutenant, the Major and I will be joining you, but we aren’t going back to base.” He, Caden, and the befuddled young lieutenant, hurried up the ramp into the Stryker as more lights came on up and down the street.
The lieutenant climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Go to the parking area behind the diner,” Collins ordered.
Caden and the General sat on opposite benches in the cramped rear of the vehicle. More shots rang out.
A bullet ricocheted off the vehicle with a loud ping as they bumped over the curb and into the lot.
Looking back the lieutenant said, “Several civilians are pinned down behind a dumpster.”
That must be the governor and the others.
“Pull up beside it and open the back,” Collins commanded the lieutenant, and then turned to Caden. “If those are our people get them in here.”
Caden jumped out as the two federal marshals rounded the corner and shot at him. He leapt behind a car. The turret gunner provided cover fire, pinning the marshals down. There was no time to think about the wisdom of shooting at federal agents or why army units were now involved. Caden was functioning on well-honed combat instincts. He returned fire.
“Get in the vehicle now!” The god-like voice of General Collins commanded over the Stryker loudspeaker.
Both the turret gunner and Caden provided cover as several civilians ran up the ramp. The treasurer, secretary of state…there goes the highway patrol chief…and Governor Monroe. The soldiers, Weston, are they already inside? He squinted into the dark as the last three came into view. Weston and a soldier carried the other man into the vehicle.
Caden ran in as the ramp lifted. With a roar from the engine the vehicle headed off.
The wounded comrade lay in the middle of the small compartment. His trouser leg was torn and blood soaked. Someone used a belt as a tourniquet.
Caden felt for a pulse, but found none. Only as he looked up did he see that the governor staring at the floor in bloody clothes. He held a pistol by three shaky fingers.
“Governor, are you all right?”
He looked up. The color was gone from his face. His eyes unseeing.
The other soldier covered his fallen friend. “We couldn’t stop the bleeding.” With a tilt of the head toward Monroe, the soldier added. “He tried to help…pulled off his belt and wrapped it around the leg. Then he grabbed the pistol and shot one of the civilians shooting at us. I saw the guy drop.”
I’ve seen this before. “Governor, you’re in shock. Give me the pistol.”
The Governor looked down and gripped the pistol tight.
General Collins directed the lieutenant to the Emergency Operations Center.
The state treasurer puked on the floor.
As the smell of blood and vomit filled the cramped compartment Caden reached across to the Governor. “Give the pistol to me, please.” He touched Monroe’s hand. It was cool and clammy. “Just let it go. I’ll take it.” Gently Caden plied the pistol from the governor’s hand.
Setting the weapon on his lap, Caden leaned back and sighed. It’s going to be a long night.
For nearly a minute the drone of the engine increased and then became a steady whine.
Looking up to the turret gunner, General Collins asked, “You see anyone following us, soldier?”
“No sir.”
“Keep watch,” the general said, “This isn’t over.”
“How do you do it, Caden?”
Caden opened his eyes at the sound of Weston’s voice. “Huh?” He blinked and then focused on the governor’s Chief of Staff sitting across from him.
Weston repeated the question. “There’s a body on the floor between us. We’ve all been shot at. I feel scared and sick. How do you stay calm?”
Caden’s mind raced back to his first days in Iraq. “I wasn’t calm the first time…or the second. I was scared…still get scared, but eventually combat becomes….” Unable to find the right words he shrugged, leaned back and closed his eyes.
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 81st Brigade and 96th Troop 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.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
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.”