Glimmer of Hope (Land of Tomorrow Book 1) (14 page)

Chapter 19 – Camp Beaver

Nathan’s band knew they were close to the Jackson Purchase two days before they arrived. They saw the glow of lights in the dark night sky off to the west. It was a sight that struck wonder and awe in their collective spirit. It was real, they said to each other in hushed whispers as if they might scare it away with the sound of their voices. They had dared to hope, but tried to remain skeptical, not wanting to be let down. Seeing the lights meant more than most dared to imagine.

Their pace became unconsciously brisk and the mood upbeat. Everyone wanted to see what was on the other side of each hill and beyond the next bend in the road. Talk was light and laughter easy. Smiles were present, but more and more Nathan noticed long looks and glances his way. He couldn’t figure it out at first, but then he understood. Their collective fates were in his hands as they saw it. Unless he got them into the JP, they would probably never get in. Not getting into the JP meant a cold, dark, miserable life filled with dangerous people and a crushing lack of hope.

The sun was bright the day they arrived at Camp Beaver. They saw it from a rise, and the makeshift camp was fairly impressive in all the wrong ways. Row upon row of drab tents and shacks spread out before them like something from the crowded slums of Brazil or Haiti. Even at a distance Nathan could sense the squalor, desperation, and danger. Nathan wasn’t sure how the camp got its name, but it possessed none of the charm, order, or ingenuity that a beaver would have provided. They formed up and proceeded.

As they drew closer to the camp, people began to approach them either to beg or sell, but the sight of the armed men on either flank of the road, and probably the sight of a functioning vehicle, caused them to keep their distance. The air was filled with the smell of sweat and cooking fires. Yet, not everything was bad Nathan noted.

For one, Nathan did not see sick or dead in the streets, nor human waste or garbage for that matter, which could cause sickness. The next thing he noticed were figures walking throughout the camp with plastic buckets filled with what looked like clear water. As they got near the center of the camp, Nathan saw why. There was a well in the ground with a neat and orderly line of people waiting their turn. Two swarthy men stood nearby with thick bundles of car radio antennas taped together, clearly to beat anyone who refused to maintain order.

Nathan also saw a raised platform nearby with three sets of rough wooden stocks, one of them actually occupied by a skinny and bruised boy. Two other men with antenna batons stood nearby. Nathan noticed a large wooden sign posted to the front of the platform with bright blue painted words. The sign read: “Camp Beaver Rules” and underneath: “1. No stealing 2. No fighting 3. Everyone pulls their weight 4. No drunkenness 5. If sick, go to the infirmary 6. Only relieve yourself at the latrines 7. No disrespect to women 8. No bullying 9. Obey the camp authorities 10. Report all infractions.”

It was crude, but Nathan was impressed. The camp was poor and dirty, but not overly so. It appeared people were going about their business without apparent fear. They soon came to what was obviously the infirmary and also a food distribution center, with another set of guards. All the guards so far had eyed them suspiciously, but made no attempt to question them or impede their progress.

There were also thin metal poles at regular intervals along the main avenue with lights and loudspeakers attached. These people might be poor by the standards of a year ago thought Nathan, but by today’s they are fabulously wealthy.

The actual entrance to the JP almost caught them by surprise. The road led right to the I-24 bridge across the Cumberland River. The near side of the bridge contained several makeshift bunkers and approximately a dozen armed men in uniform with rifles and machine guns. Even more amazing, there was an American flag waiving bravely on a long pole in the gentle breeze. The men were lazily sitting around until they saw Nathan’s armed band come into view. With a crisp order they all moved back behind the barriers and pointed their weapons at them. Nathan’s crew stopped.

Nathan walked up to Harold. “Let me handle this, I’m an old pro at it.”

“Yeah, we saw how well that worked out for you last time,” said Harold.

Nathan smiled. “Just make sure whatever happens, no one from our end shoots.”

“No problem,” said Harold, “but be careful,” he added as an afterthought.

Nathan nodded and handed Harold all his weapons. He turned and began slowly walking towards the men with his hands raised. He eased forward with all eyes upon him. When he was about twenty yards from the barricade he heard “That’s far enough. Stop and state your business.”

Nathan couldn’t see who addressed him, but he lowered his arms and spoke to the uniformed group eyeing him over their weapons. “I am Major Nathan Taylor, U.S. Army and I have come home with my family. I grew up here and this is my home.” Nathan took a hard swallow. “Please let me in.”

There was silence for a moment and then the voice again almost bored. “Do you have any documentary proof of your claims?”

“I have a driver’s license from Graves County and my military identification card. I also have family in there that will vouch for me.”

The man who had been speaking stood from behind the barricade, and Nathan noticed he was a Staff Sergeant. “Proceed forward,” he said, and then moved his eyes to the rest of the group. “Just you.”

As Nathan walked slowly forward to the edge of the barricade the man stuck his hand out and Nathan at first thought he was going to shake his hand but then realized he wanted the documentation. Nathan pulled out his entire wallet and handed it to the man. The Sergeant took the wallet and quickly began flipping through the contents looking up at Nathan every now and then. “And how many are with you?” asked the man.

“My wife, two sons, and about forty others all told,” he said.

The man looked at him for a moment and smiled slightly. “And
all
of them are from the JP?”

“Well no, my family and I are, but I can vouch for the others and would like to speak to whoever is in charge about getting them in,” said Nathan.

The man started to retort with a smart reply and then looked down at the military identification card and paused. “Wait here…sir,” as he walked off. After a few moments Nathan could hear the squelch of a radio and a conversation. Nathan couldn’t hear what was said, but it was brief.

The Sergeant quickly came back. “You and your family can come in, the rest have to wait until after the review process. You’re to proceed to the other end of the bridge where my commanding officer will meet you and talk to you further.”

Nathan thought about arguing the point further, but saw the man’s set look and knew it would be no use. Orders were orders. The man obviously didn’t like this job and had probably been through this a hundred times before.

“Let me go talk to my group and get my family,” Nathan said.

“Sure, no problem,” said the Sergeant, “take all day if you like,” he said with obvious sarcasm.

Nathan turned back and looked at the man quickly realizing he was on the verge of giving the man a serious ass chewing.

Get it together
, he told himself taking a few quick breathes. The Sergeant must have seen the look because he quickly turned and moved back behind the covered barricade area.

Nathan walked back to the group where he met Harold, Jim Meeks and his family. “Only us for now,” said Nathan, “but I’m going to talk to the commanding officer at the other end. Don’t worry.”

Harold lowered his head and said nothing. Jim cursed quietly.

“We could stay together, we don't need the stupid JP,” said Joshua.

“No,” said Jim softly. “You all go. It’s only right, you'll be better off in there.”

Joshua looked anguished, but said no more. Jim patted him on the shoulder and turned and walked away without another word.

“I keep my word,” Nathan said, looking Harold in his eyes. After a moment the two shook hands. Nathan took back his weapons before turning and walking towards the barricade with Bethany and the boys falling in behind him. At the barricade the sergeant checked all their identification and then turned them over to the care of another soldier who placed all their bags and belongings in a shopping cart and pushed it ahead for them towards the far end of the long bridge.

As they walked west into the JP, Nathan looked back at what had very quickly become his extended family. All he saw were dejected, scared, and disappointed faces. He knew it would do no good, but he just couldn’t help himself. He looked towards them and waved.

Several raised their hands in return and then Nathan Taylor turned his back on them and walked across the bridge with his family. Finally home, but feeling almost sick.

Part II

From The Ground Up

Chapter 1 – A Proposal

General Clarence Anderson made his way down the hill towards a quaint little cabin near the water. Butch Matthews was with him, along with Captain Terry Johns, the National Guard commander in charge of the troops at the dam. Johns had been given very specific instructions and when he called Anderson telling him they might have found what he was looking for, Anderson didn’t waste time hitching the horse or getting on a bike. They drove.

Johns told him everything he knew, which was plenty. He also told him that the man they were meeting was none too happy about being detained, and Anderson certainly understood. He hoped it didn’t get in the way of their business. If the man was the unreasonable sort, he probably wasn’t who they were looking for anyway, thought Anderson.

They went around to the back of the cabin which faced the water and onto a wide deck that took full advantage of the wonderful view and the brilliant sunshine. It was cold, but the sun took away most of the bite of winter. He saw a relaxed guard nearby and a family of four at a wooden table. A dark attractive woman was working on a jigsaw puzzle with a handsome and smiling blond teenager. Anderson also saw a stocky man playing chess with a lean dark-haired teenager. The boy was up a few pieces, but his queen was in the center of the board and his pieces were not fully developed. The man was about to spring his trap. The teenager looked up at Anderson as he approached and immediately gave him a stern look which amused Anderson, although he did not show it.

Captain Johns walked to the middle of the group and said, “Good afternoon, Taylor family. Let me introduce Lieutenant General Clarence Anderson and Major General Butch Matthews. They have come a long way to meet you.”

Anderson could see the man forming angry words, but his beautiful wife jumped in gracefully, moving up in front of the two men. “Generals, it is my pleasure to meet you. I’m Bethany, my two boys Joshua and David, and my husband Nathan. As far as you’ve come to meet us, I bet we’ve come much further to meet you by a long-shot.” She smiled broadly and Anderson followed suit, breaking the tension.

Well done little lady
, he thought.

Nathan approached the generals and held out his hand. “Good afternoon gentlemen, I am Nathan Taylor, most recently of Fort Meade, Maryland.”

Anderson and Butch shook his hand and then looked at each other before looking back at Nathan. “We are very pleased to meet you and coincidently that was exactly what we wanted to talk to you about.”

Anderson detected suspicion in Nathan's demeanor, although his face remained neutral. Nathan started to voice a question, but Butch turned to the woman, “Ma’am, would you mind terribly much if we borrowed your husband for a little bit? We promise to have him back to you soon.”

Bethany obviously a seasoned military spouse knew how things worked, “By all means, gentlemen, as a matter of fact I insist that you dine with us tonight.”

Anderson could see that this comment made Captain Johns uncomfortable and figured the Taylor family fare was pretty meager and the Captain probably thought unfit for the two visiting generals. The man would likely have a nervous breakdown trying to ensure there was a suitable feast that night.

“We would be delighted,” said Anderson, smiling broadly. “Now, with your permission.”

*******

The three went into the cabin and sat around the kitchen table. Johns and the guard stayed outside on the deck.

Anderson started to speak, but Nathan had evidently had enough, holding up his hand.

“Sir, I held my tongue out there for the sake of politeness, but now it's my turn to talk.”

“Go ahead,” Anderson said with a resigned tone and sat back in his chair.

“Thank you very much,” Nathan said sarcastically, “Now where to begin. Oh yes, with being prisoners.” Anderson started to speak and Nathan just kept talking. “We walk eight hundred dangerous, cold, terrible miles to get home and when we arrive, we’re separated from our party and imprisoned here. I haven’t even been able to call my family and tell them we’re alive.”

“Where is your family?” asked Butch suddenly.

Nathan was temporarily thrown off his tirade which he had rehearsed in detail over several days. “My wife and I are both from Mayfield.”

“No kidding!” said Butch, “That’s where General Anderson lives!”

Nathan looked at them in surprise and wondered if they were playing with him, but saw serious looks. “Did you go to Mayfield High School or Graves County High?” asked Nathan simply as a point of conversation, his brain working quickly to process information.

Anderson shook his head, “Graves County consolidation was before my time, I went to Wingo High.”

Nathan smiled in spite of himself, “Wingo? My uncle Dale Turpin has a farm out there.”

“Crazy Dale,” Anderson smiled. “Knew him well when I was younger. Now only see him every so often.”

Nathan re-focused himself, “I was planning to give you hell for what you’ve done to my family, but this conversation has made my point for me. Damn man! I’m from here! Our families are from here! We probably know two dozen of the same people. Why are you putting us through this? You know we belong here!”

Anderson sighed, “Yes I know. You getting in was never in doubt. I just wanted to meet you and thought it was important enough to keep you where I could find you until we had a chance to talk.”

“Are you serious?” Nathan asked incredulous. “This wasn’t the best of beginnings, I can tell you.”

“I understand that,” Anderson explained. “But it was necessary. Let me ask you a question.”

“By all means, go ahead,” said Nathan, still annoyed and trying hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

“Why did you come here?”

Nathan was momentarily taken aback, “To see my family, to make sure they were okay, and to make sure they knew we were okay. We’ve lived a lot of places in the military, but at the end of the day this is home.”

“What about the people you came with, why are they here?”

Nathan was glad Anderson had mentioned them instead of him having to do it. “Actually they came because they heard this was the last place where there was courtesy, civilization, and decency. Imagine their disappointment.”

“Yes, I think I can,” said Anderson. “But…as wonderful as all of this is, especially compared to the outside world, it is in reality a house of cards, ready to blow away at the first strong wind.”

Nathan was surprised and kept quiet. The man had his attention.

Anderson continued, “We have electricity and good borders and that’s it. We also have everyone else in the world trying to get into the JP and our resources just can’t support that many. And we also have a covetous neighbor to the south who is only waiting his chance to take what we have.” Anderson let that all sink in. “One wrong move and we’re done for.”

Nathan nodded. “Sir, I appreciate that, but what does that have to do with me and my family?”

“In short, major, we need you,” said Anderson. “We don’t have enough smart and capable military men to protect our borders. Our National Guard troops are spread too thin and new recruits are raw and unreliable. We need you to take charge.”

“Take charge? Of what, exactly?”

“Well, I’m going to have to explain a little bit of background first,” said Anderson as he pulled out a map. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the Land Between the Lakes Park which basically makes up the JP’s entire eastern border. Well, it doesn’t technically fall into any county for government, nor does it have inhabitants to protect it. We thought about abandoning it, but we just can’t.”

“Because of the dam,” said Nathan, looking at the map.

Anderson smiled, impressed. “Exactly right. The dam sits right at the top of the park and makes electricity from the water flowing northward from those two manmade lakes. We can’t abandon the park without making the dam vulnerable. We’ve already got squatters and other people making their way into the park and we have no control over them. The southern portion is also a wide open highway for General Sampson, should he choose to come north.”

“You mean invade?” asked Nathan, surprised.

“Yes,” said Butch. “This is the Wild West, friend. We’re going to have to fight to keep what we have, and real soon. Which is why we need your help.”

Anderson got to the crux of the matter. “I want you to be the military governor and commander of the Land Between the Lakes region.”

“We’re prepared to overlook any charges we could bring against you for desertion of your post at Fort Meade,” said Butch casually.

Nathan was suddenly furious again. He pointed his finger in succession at first Matthews and Anderson. “One. Piss off and piss off. Two. You can take that desertion crap and shove it up your asses. You’ve been here the whole time and have no idea what is going on out there.”

Both men’s face showed surprise and then anger. They started to say something, but Nathan overrode them by talking louder. “And three, I’ll do it.”

The generals became quiet in sudden surprise.

“But…” said Nathan in a very intense tone, “I have conditions to accepting this headache of all headache jobs and I’m not going to quibble about it. If you don’t give me what I want then you can let us go and I’ll be on my way. I’m serious.”

“So are we,” said Anderson. “Tell us your conditions.”

Nathan paused as he quickly ran things through his head. “First, the group I came in with gets into the JP. Not next week, not tonight, right this very freaking minute. We’re not going to discuss a damn thing until you tell me that’s happening.”

Nathan sat back and crossed his arms and the two men stared at him for a moment and then at each other. Anderson shrugged his shoulders and Butch got up and spoke quietly with Captain Johns who then ran off.

“Done,” said Anderson. “But they settle in the park. They’re your first settlers.”

“Fine,” continued Nathan tersely, but inwardly immensely relieved. “Second, if I’m in charge, I want to be in charge. Oh, I know I’ll have to report to you or the guy in charge of the JP, but you know what I mean. If it’s
my
business, you’ll let it be
my
business and that means appointing who I want to be in charge of stuff to include military commissions and such. I’m not just some major anymore."

“Again, no problem and more power to you…” Anderson held up his finger for emphasis “…as long as you get the job done. We don’t have the luxury to tolerate someone who can’t do the job.”

Nathan smiled, “Wouldn’t want it any other way, besides what are you going to do, fire me? Don’t think so. Last one. I want support, real support. You’re not going to give me a job and then not equip me to do it. I’ll not be your fall guy. That means men, equipment, food, houses, electricity, and whatever else I decide I need.”

Butch spoke up, “We understand the importance of the job we’ve given you, and we need it to succeed. We’ll give you everything we can and support you in every way we can, but…you are going to have to solve problems yourself and find resources on your own.”

Nathan wasn’t sure what that meant exactly, but he decided to let it go for now. “Sorry, one more thing I almost forgot about.” Nathan looked at them both as he leaned across the table towards them on his elbows, “If you ever confine me or any of my family again, that will be the end of us working together on anything…ever.”

Anderson sat silent for a moment staring at Nathan and then said, “Well, it looks like we understand each other. Welcome aboard. Butch here will sit down with you tomorrow to help work out a strategy and to see what you need. I have to go back tonight after we have dinner.”

“So that’s it then?” asked Nathan as they stood suddenly.

“Not quite,” Anderson said as they walked back outside onto the deck. He pulled a box out of his pocket and stood stiffly in front of Nathan. “As of now you are promoted to Colonel and assigned as the military governor of the Land Between the Lakes.” Anderson pinned the bright shiny eagles to the collars of Nathan red flannel shirt.

Nathan was stunned and almost laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of it all. “Sir, is that even legal?”

“Who cares?” said Anderson. “It’s legal in every way that matters now and I’m deadly serious. Never doubt that.”

Bethany and the boys were looking at him with some confusion and surprise.

“Does this mean that we get to go home now?” asked Joshua.

“No,” said Nathan. “It means we
are
home now.”