After the Republic (21 page)

Bob found Kane and they hid the rifle in Thomas’ Suburban. As they were doing so Drew came down the mountain and hopped into the back seat. He had a blue backpack over his right shoulder. Bob silently glared at Drew.

As the vehicle headed down the mountain Bob said, “That Thompson boy still worries me.”

“He worries me sometimes too,” Joshua agreed. “But he has a point that we haven’t had to defend or rescue him yet.”

Bob sent a puff of cigar smoke in Joshua’s direction. “Yet!”

PART III

CHAPTER 9

The full moon pierced the cloudless pre-dawn sky, illuminating the ripples atop the water like a million tiny stars. The mountains rose around the lake like walls on a stone fortress and the waves gently lapped against the canoe. Joshua’s breath was visible in the cold, pre-dawn air. The darkness was not defiled by man-made lights, penetrated only by the moon and stars.

Joshua took a deep breath of the cold winter air. He scratched Reagan behind the ears and the now full-grown dog raised his head in response.
I can’t believe how much you’ve grown
, Joshua thought.
For that matter, I can’t believe we’ve been here a year.
Reagan was a best friend to everyone in the camp but was at the same time territorial, fearless, protective and always on the alert for anything that might pose a threat.

Joshua’s mind wandered to the events of the past twelve months. So much had happened since they had made the trek to their new home in the mountains. On the one hand, it was hard to believe they had been in the camp a full year. On the other hand, it seemed like they had been here forever. Their farm, his time in the legislature – it all seemed like a distant memory.

The terrorist attacks had left the United States a mere pale reflection of what was once a shining city on a hill. In their aftermath hunger had reached epidemic proportions. Grocery stores were cut off from their supply chains and few Americans had the knowledge or skills to grow or hunt their own food. This, combined with the abrupt halt in government benefits and the collapse of the nation’s financial network, left millions desperate for food and put the nation on the pathway to widespread violence that overwhelmed state and local governments and law enforcement. The death toll from the hunger and violence was nearly as incomprehensible as the number killed in the terrorist attacks.

In Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, Mexican drug cartels had taken advantage of the chaos to seize control of the southern border. In many cases the remnants of local law enforcement and National Guard personnel were split between defending the border and sparring with Homeland Security police.

Street gangs had claimed control of large chunks of territory in urban areas. In Texas and Arizona gangs were battling drug cartels for control of many cities’ streets. In the remnants of New York and Chicago the gangs’ primary opposition was newly emboldened organized crime.

AIS had made good on its threats to launch ground attacks on American soil. The first came in Philadelphia, where they had seized control of a large chunk of the city, destroyed the Liberty Bell in a mainly symbolic victory and raised an Islamic flag over the city hall. The terrorist group was eventually defeated – not by local law enforcement or the American military, but by a well-organized, well-armed street gang that wanted the city for itself.

AIS had launched attacks in other areas, primarily along the east coast. In Virginia, they surrounded and burned a Methodist church full of worshipers. A Catholic church in Maryland met the same fate. The terrorist organization launched an all-out offensive in New England, where they seized and still maintained control of significant portions of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Throughout the country AIS-affiliated suicide bombers had blown themselves up in crowded areas. AIS militants and lone-wolf copycat terrorists launched small-arms attacks targeting civilians. No one felt safe anywhere, and the peace and comfort so many Americans had long taken for granted was no more. Local law enforcement was ineffective or nonexistent in many areas. The American people had no one to defend them; they had to defend themselves.

Closer to home, AIS had seized control of the port in Morehead City. The terrorist group had begun an inland move from the port before being met by forces from Camp Lejeune led by U.S. Marine Corps Major General Samuel Cloos. The conflict had not yet reached the mountains, but Joshua’s gut still told him it would in due time.

While the teetering nation was reeling from the brutal attacks and lawless chaos on its streets, those living in the camp had gone relatively unscathed in the months following Thomas’ kidnapping. Most had learned the lessons of the incident and now willingly followed Bob’s security protocols.

Drew was the only person who consistently left the camp without a security escort, and he was remarkably bull-headed on this issue. Though he had not yet caused any known security breaches, his secretive ways and obstinate refusal to follow basic security protocols frustrated Joshua and raised suspicions among other council members.

Most camp residents had become adept hunters, fishermen, farmers or gardeners. Thomas had secured and planted several full-grown apple and peach trees, and they had already produced fruit. Camp residents had grown a variety of vegetables, including squash, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, potatoes, collards and corn.

The camp had done such a good job of generating its own food supply that several families still had portions of the non-perishable food they brought with them a year earlier. Drew never hunted or fished, yet curiously never seemed to need food from others.

All in all, morale was high. Caroline still had bouts with depression and some of the kids in the camp still struggled to adapt, but most residents seemed to have adjusted well and developed strong community bonds. Notable exceptions were Drew, always the loner, and Bob and Kane, who kept to themselves when not performing official duties.

Andrea had put her background as an educator to use teaching the children. Despite the wide age range among the children her efforts seemed to be working, and the teenagers were helping the younger kids along. Since there were no textbooks Andrea made do with what she had: Bibles, copies of the U.S. Constitution,
The Boy Scout Handbook
, biographies Joshua had brought along and an assortment of books Thomas had in his cabin.

Jack taught the teenagers how to safely use firearms and other weapons. Thomas educated them on construction and farming, Bob instructed them on military strategy, personal security and physical fitness and Joshua taught them about the U.S. Constitution and the American government. Joshua reflected that the lessons on the American government now seemed like a
history
class, not a civics class. Joshua and Perry gave fishing lessons and Keri taught basic first aid.

Jim was still leading a weekly worship service, which nearly everyone attended. Drew attended but usually seemed disinterested. Bob and Kane were typically present but appeared to be there only out of a sense of duty.

John and Ruth were no longer in Joshua’s cabin. They had made a deal with Thomas, who built a small, two-room cabin for them across the clearing from Joshua’s. They were sociable at times but tended to keep to themselves. Jim and his family were still living in Drew’s cabin.

Joshua again scratched Reagan on the head. “We’ve come a long way in a year, haven’t we, boy?” Reagan’s tail thumped against the canoe in response. Things were going well. Almost
too
well. Joshua’s instincts told him more storms were coming.

Joshua closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the cold winter air. The sound of the mountain breeze was relaxing. He had always been drawn to the water; that was one of the reasons he had taken up fishing as a hobby. Now, fishing was more than a hobby – it was a necessity for survival. Still, he enjoyed the peace and quiet of the lake, particularly at this time of morning. While it paled in comparison to the ocean, which he missed, the lake was a quiet place to think, reflect, and connect with God’s creation. Reagan seemed to look forward to this time of day alone with Joshua.

Others, particularly Caroline, had stated that they felt like they were prisoners in the camp, but in many ways Joshua felt freer than ever before. He didn’t have to go to someone’s office and punch a time clock. There were no income taxes, no homeowners’ association rules, no zoning laws, no rat race – none of the sources of stress that seemed to burden so many people before the attacks. The more modern and “advanced” society had become, the more stressed people had become. Life here was
simple
.

The organizational structure they had developed in the camp emphasized personal freedom combined with personal responsibility, and it had not been contaminated by the same encroachments on freedom that had clouded government in America in recent decades.
Not bad
, he thought.
So far
.

Two hours, two largemouth bass and three large catfish later Joshua paddled the canoe back to shore. Deep red streaks were beginning to pierce the darkness, but the orange ball had not yet risen from behind the mountain. Reagan stood on the nose of the canoe, silently scanning the shore for potential threats. His ears and tail were perked up and he was as motionless as a hood ornament.

When they reached the shore Joshua quickly cleaned the fish and hid the canoe and fishing equipment. The uphill climb back to camp was now an easy stroll – quite a change from a year ago, when the mountainous inclines took a toll on his cardiovascular system.

As Joshua and Reagan approached the clearing Drew’s motorcycle whizzed by, headed toward the road. He was wearing the same blue backpack he wore every time he left the camp. Joshua shook his head. No one knew where Drew went, and he refused to tell anyone where he was going or what he was doing. Joshua had considered having Bob or Kane follow him one day, but decided that might cause more problems than it solved.

Joshua kicked off his boots and left them on the porch. When he entered the cabin he was greeted by the welcome aroma of brewing coffee. Reagan followed him in and curled up in the corner.

“Any luck?” Rebecca asked as she came down the hall.

“Decent.” Joshua took the fish out of the bucket and put them on a plate on the counter. “Two bass and three catfish.”

“Not bad. Ready for tonight’s meeting?”

Tonight the residents would elect their new council. Deep down Joshua wished someone else would step up and assume the chairmanship, but he wasn’t holding his breath. “Not yet, but I’ll work on that in a bit.”

They ate breakfast and Joshua took his Bible and coffee and sank into one of the rocking chairs on the front porch, perching his cup on the rail. Reagan sat on the edge of the steps and kept watch.

A short time later Reagan growled, stood up, and walked down to the bottom of the steps, his tail pointing straight up into the air. When Bob and Kane entered the clearing he relaxed, wagged his tail and returned to the top of the steps. “Good boy,” Joshua said. Reagan’s tail wagged a bit harder.

Bob and Kane raised the American flag as they had done nearly every day since arriving in the camp. Kane disappeared into the woods and Bob made his way to the porch. “Joshua, do you have a moment?”

“Sure, Bob, what’s up?”

“I wanted to give you a heads-up about tonight’s meeting. As you are aware, I believe we would be well served to have someone other than Drew on our council. I have spoken with Ruth and she has agreed to accept my nomination. I believe we have enough votes to elect her. Everyone is obviously planning on voting to re-elect you, Thomas, Perry and myself.”

Joshua felt his stomach twist. “I’ve had some concerns about him myself, but I’m not sure this is the way to address them. Drew has a pretty strong relationship with Thomas, and Thomas has been very gracious in letting us use his land.”

“I understand your concern, but I feel strongly about this.” Bob removed his camouflage cap and scratched his short, gray hair. “I trust you will not tip Drew off.”

“I doubt if we’ll see him before tonight.” Joshua avoided directly answering the question. “I saw him heading out this morning when I was walking back from the lake.”

After Bob left Joshua went inside. “I think we may have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Rebecca asked.

“You know Bob has had it in for Drew from day one. He just told me that he’s talked Ruth into running against him tonight.”

“Well, it’s an open election. He has the right to nominate her.”

“True, but it worries me. Drew seems pretty close with Thomas, and Thomas has been awfully gracious to us. And most of this land
does
still belong to him.”

***

As the sun was setting camp residents gathered in the shelter next to Drew’s cabin, now referred to as the community center. The community center had detachable walls that protected those inside from the cold wind but which could be removed during warmer weather. People huddled near the fire pit as they waited for the meeting to start.

Seven o’clock rolled around and Joshua called the meeting to order. Jim offered an invocation. The sound of Drew’s motorcycle grew louder as the prayer commenced, and he arrived at the community center just as Jim said “amen.” He was now often the last to arrive – a marked change from his behavior before the attacks, when he was always one of the first to arrive at any event. Drew used the mirror on his motorcycle to comb his hair before dismounting. As Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance Joshua wondered whether the nation whose flag they were saluting really still existed.

“Folks, we all know why we’re here.” Joshua ascended onto the massive stump that Thomas had converted into a makeshift dais. “Our main business tonight is the election of our council for the next year. Every adult over the age of 18 who resides in the camp has one vote. Tommy, that means you get to vote this year!” Everyone gave Tommy a round of applause.