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.
“Maria?”
She carried a box of MREs and at the sound of her name their eyes met. She smiled, put down the box and raced into his arms.
He didn’t know what to say so he just held her for a moment. “I’m glad to see you, but you need to go somewhere safe.”
“Where would that be?”
He had no answer.
“When you leave with the soldiers, Lisa and I will go back to the farm.”
He nodded and then as if by mutual agreement, they kissed. The warmth of her lips enveloped him and he knew as long as she was with him, he would be happy. Stepping back, his eyes lingered on her. “I’ve got to go.”
“I know.”
Caden hurried into the armory and found the XO, First Sergeant Fletcher and the squad leaders in the small office area. “What’s our status?”
“Three of our soldiers are in position at the pass east of town,” Brooks said. “However, fog is limiting visibility. Hopefully it will lift in time. We’re in radio contact and….”
Caden shook his head. “When we’re done here, send one man down the far side of the pass. They can relay any contacts to the scouts at the summit.”
“Yes sir. The squad leaders have done the pre-combat inspection. Will the MOPP level be zero?”
Chemical, biological warfare? I sure hope there’s none. “Yes, zero.”
“Then the men will be ready to go in thirty minutes.”
“Good.” Caden glanced at his watch, it was just after midnight. “If they’re coming this way we should know before dawn.” He left to pack his combat gear. When he returned Brooks, a sergeant and a corporal were in the office.
“We’re ready to move out.” Brooks said, “These two will be staying here to relay situation reports to….”
The radio crackled. “Base this is Recon 1. Forward position reports 18 vehicles, jeeps, Humvees and deuce and a half trucks moving west toward the pass.” The transmission paused. “Forward position reports they are under fire.”
Caden took the mic and said, “Recon 1, the convoy may be listening in on your transmissions. Proceed to position 2 immediately. Over.”
“Roger Base. Out.”
We’ve lost the pass without a shot. That was our best chance to stop them. He relayed the report to the operations center and advised JBLM would need to secure the North Road. Then he turned to Brooks. “Deploy the troops to the fallback position.”
“The causeway? But….”
“We’ve discussed this. Do you have a better plan?”
Brooks shook his head.
“Then deploy the men along the west bank of the causeway. If Durant’s forces push it they could be here in a little over an hour.” He picked up the phone and dialed 911. “This is Major Westmore, inform Sheriff Hoover that in just over an hour a large military convoy will move through town. I recommend everyone stay inside and allow them to pass through.” Moments later Caden’s phone rang.
“Well, Mr. Military.”
“Hello Sheriff.”
“I thought you were going to head them off at the pass. What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter. We won’t fight them in the town. Just let them pass through. That’s all I can say. I’ve got to go.” He turned to Brooks. “Everyone leaves the armory. Move out.”