Molon Labe! (76 page)

"Three Cheyenne ODAs are tasked for the Governor's Mansion on Central Avenue, the Barrett State Office Building, and the Capitol Building. A fourth ODA will helo infil south of Casper to Governor Preston's ranch to support Delta there. All four ODA commanders have liaisoned with their FBI counterparts to handoff prisoners for arrest and facilities for search. Casper and Cheyenne FBI SWAT will be standing by if needed. An ODB
⁶
will set up in the Capitol with secure comm to SOCCE.

"Second Battalion, 10th SFG is less than three hours down the highway at Fort Carson. Although they will have to drive through Colorado Springs and Denver, it will be after midnight on a weekday. Their cover will be a training mission in the Roosevelt National Forest. The 2/10th will stage 8 miles south of the Wyoming state line on Highway 85 by 0300 in order to relieve Delta and the Cheyenne ODAs by H+30 Minutes. Their road time to Cheyenne will be no more than 20 minutes.

"3rd Battalion, 19th SFG will provide support from Draper, Utah. The 3/19th will be on station near Evanston, Wyoming for a possible eastern I-80 barricade, though I don't expect that'll become necessary. The bordering states' ANGs
⁷
will contain the Wyoming perimeter."

The President is pleased. He enjoys working with military professionals. Such a change from his years on the Hill. "Excellent, General, excellent! I have your Time and Phase Deployment Schedule right in front of me and I will study it today before I rejoin you by video from the Situation Room tomorrow morning at 0300. Director Klein will also be in the FBIHQ's SIOC room at 0300 to coordinate his field agents during Operation Defend Constitution. Meanwhile, my staff will keep in touch with you today as necessary. Good day, General Adison, and thank you."

Wyoming

Monday morning, 10 August 2020

Nearly 50,000 militiamen pagers go off simultaneously. The numerical code means "Action likely within 24 hours." It is the second highest alert. For communications redundancy, the alert code is echoed on TV, radio, and the Net. Men from 17 to 55 years of age don their gear and grab their rifles.

Bill Russell's grandson, now of militia age, hefts the Krassny FAL and slings it. On his hip is the WW2 vet's Colt 1911A1. The young man feels as though he has instantly matured another year. Months of training have prepared him to defend his liberty, his family, his state. He isn't alone. Many of his friends and most of his kin will also be at their staging points. They are all in it together, and the young man has never felt more proud. His grandfather hands him a Thermos full of hot coffee, and hugs him. "Rely on your knot, let them rely on you, and you four men will do just fine."

A private page is sent to a special team known as "The Gardeners." They are in charge of harvesting, at exactly the same moment, all Wyoming "mushrooms." It's salad time.

The Oval Office

Monday morning, 10 August 2020

Moments after the SF general logged off, Connor's secretary buzzes the intercom and says, "Mr. President, I have the Governors of Idaho and Montana both holding in conference call. Line seven, sir."

Connor picks up the phone with executive briskness and stabs the blinking "7" button. "This is the President. Good morning Governor Dewey; good morning Governor Troxel."

"Good morning, Mr. President," the governors intone in unison.

With salutations out of the way, Connor gets right to it. "Gentlemen, tomorrow morning I will formally declare Wyoming in a state of insurrection. Its citizenry is openly and wantonly flouting federal law and Census 2020, as well as United Nations rewilding directives all with the direct assent and support of the Wyoming government. Governor Preston was personally instructed by me to ensure his state's compliance with several congressional gun control acts, but he categorically refused to intercede with his law enforcement or guard forces. Therefore, I am federalizing the national guards of Wyoming's contiguous states to augment the military action by US Special Forces required to effect the arrest of Governor Preston, his staff, and several members of the legislature. I have already heard from the governors of Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. They are acting to seal their borders with Wyoming tomorrow by 0530 MST."

Montana Governor Troxel says, "Sir, we're quite aware of the situation in Wyoming. Governor Dewey and I are calling to inform you that we've mobilized our state guards for stationing at the Wyoming border."

President Connor beams. "Excellent, gentlemen, excellent! Since time is of the essence, I have to move on Cheyenne at dawn. You both will be ready then, I take it?"

This time Idaho Governor Dewey speaks. "Actually, Mr. President, our guard troops will be in position within a few hours."

The President is puzzled. "But the Army won't be ready to act any earlier than dawn, and your ANGs are to coordinate with General Adison and his forces."

Dewey replies, "Sir, we won't be coordinating with General Adison."

Troxel chimes in, "That's correct, Mr. President."

Connor stares at the phone in amazement. "But coordination is necessary for the Cheyenne mission. We must — "

"Sir, the Idaho and Montana guards," says Governor Troxel "are not mobilizing for the Cheyenne mission."

"
What?
But Chey — "

Troxel cuts him off with, "Mr. President, we have just learned that the Wyoming state capital has been relocated to the Cody area until further notice. Governor Preston and his staff are already there, and enjoy full continuity of government. The Wyoming guard is establishing an internal main line of resistance from South Pass to Shoshoni, thus sealing off southern access to the Big Horn basin. Their guard is also staging on I-25 from Ranchester to Kaycee to prevent eastern access to the basin."

The Oval Office is tomb quiet, stunned.

National Security Advisor Bruner then quietly remarks to the Chairman of the JCS, "If Wyoming were a chessboard, I'd say Preston just castled."

Homeland Security Director Thaddeus Desmond overhears this and glares at Bruner.

Connor says, "This is wonderful intel, but how —"

"We know because Governor Preston requested our help in preserving the Republic, Mr. President," Dewey explains. "We have mobilized our state guards to
protect
Wyoming's western and northern flanks, not to invade our neighbor or support your unlawful military operation."

The President is speechless for several seconds before he erupts. "So, the poison of rebellion has spread outside Wyoming! This is
treasonous
!" Connor yells. "You are both
traitors
! Traitors to your
country
!"

"Sir, the Federal Government has violated its constitutional compact with the 50 states, especially in regards to the Bill of Rights. Under treaty law, this nullifies the compact, and any state may therefore act independently as a fully restored sovereign if it so desires. Wyoming evidently so desires, and we will aid her. You may have picked a fight with Governor Preston, but he will not have to fight alone."

"Are you both
insane?
" Connor shouts. "Do you honestly believe that three states with a total of three million people can hold off the might of the United States military?"

Governor Troxel says, "For now, yes sir. And three million people may not seem like a lot, but you're talking about America's Switzerland. Wyoming is, as we speak, fielding 50,000 trained militiamen, all with 7.62 battle rifles, and fully supported by their hitherto National Guard. You really should reconsider military action, Mr. President. Whether the US won or lost, it wouldn't be worth it. The British learned that the hard way with thirteen colonies, and you sure don't want to go down in history as the 21st century's King George. Good day, Mr. President."

The line goes dead with Connor's mouth still hanging open. He turns to Sowers and barks, "Get me General Adison again."

"Yes, sir, right away."

Wyoming

Wyoming steels herself for a federal invasion, her streets swelling with armed citizens packing their .308 battle rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, water, bivvy shelter, and three days of provisions. Since most had stored their gear in their cars and trucks, transforming themselves into militiamen takes only minutes.

The Oval Office

"Mr. President," Chief of Staff Sowers says, "I have General Adison back on video link."

Connor turns to the screen and says, "General Adison, I am aborting Operation Defend Constitution. You are to stand down immediately."

Adison is stone faced. "Operation aborted, Mr. President, I understand. Our intel just informed me that the Wyoming ANG are sealing off the Big Horn basin. Also, their entire citizens' militia are mobilizing. Our OPSEC was extremely tight, sir, but somehow word must have leaked to Governor Preston's staff."

"Thank you, but we know all this, General," huffs Connor. "We're still not done here. On my authority commence with Operation Restore Liberty. The 7th Infantry Division and 3rd Armored Cav Regiment in conjunction with the 101st Airborne are to occupy Wyoming and neutralize its ANG. Militiamen are to be arrested for rebellion and detained for trial. Activate the tasked air wings for support. How soon can you move in?"

If General Adison is taken aback by the escalation, he doesn't let on. "Since those units are already on alert, just 24 hours behind the previously scheduled operation, Mr. President. H-Hour will be 0545 Mountain Standard Time, Wednesday, 12 August. We'll roll this up in a week, Mr. President."

"Excellent, General. See to it."

Wyoming

Tuesday, 11 August 2020

As the militiamen and guard forces were instructed to maintain readiness for the next 72 hours, the entire state remains coiled for defense.

All "mushrooms" have been picked, and are in cold storage.

The Pentagon

Tuesday, 11 August 2020

The inner halls of E-Ring bustle with uniforms, scurrying with nervous signals of the US military brain to its many extremities.

The White House

Wednesday, 12 August 2020

National Security Advisor Bruner arrives at his office at 7:00AM, ready to brief the President on tomorrow's operation. Reporters have gotten wind of all the military activity and are beginning to ask questions. Press Secretary George Bishop will have his hands full "denying" the well-placed rumors that President Connor was preparing for action against North Korea.

Bruner feels his wireless PDA vibrate. The Caller ID reads UNA. Unavailable. Nonetheless, few people have his private number so he answers it. Such an early call had to be important.

An unfamiliar voice says, "Have you opened this morning's couriered package yet?" And then disconnects.

Bruner frowns as he opens the small sealed parcel on his desk. Inside is a CD marked with a Sharpie pen, "From Wyoming to the President."

Bruner hurriedly makes his way to the Oval Office. Already present are the Homeland Security Director Thaddeus Desmond, Chief of Staff Sowers, the JCS Chairman, and several aides.

Bruner holds up the CD and says, "I just received this. It seems to have come from Cheyenne. It could be related to tomorrow's operation."

Connor exasperates, "Well what the hell are you waiting for?"

"Yes, sir," Bruner says as he inserts the disk into his running laptop. After a few seconds a media manager window opens with the query:

Play .mpg video file "Jigs Casey" now?

As Bruner clicks the Yes icon, Connor says over his shoulder, "And just who in the hell is
Jigs Casey
?"

At the same time the JCS Chairman's wireless PDA chirps, so he steps a few feet away to answer it.

The mpeg stream begins. It is a 1980s clip from comedian Steven Wright, a Boston comic known for his offbeat material and monotone delivery. He's on a large stage with a maroon curtain behind him. On a stool is a glass of water which he sips while previous laughter dies out. He gingerly places the glass back on the stool and stares out at the audience. After a deliciously pregnant pause, Wright drones into his next bit:

I got a phone call the other day. "This is Mr. Haynes, your student loan director. We lent you $17,000 years ago and haven't received a penny of it back. So, we were kinda wondering what you did with the money."

"Mr. Haynes, I won't lie to you. I gave the money to my friend Jigs Casey . . . And he built a nuclear device . . . And I'd really appreciate it if you never call me again."

As Connor and his staff gape at each other in astonished confusion, the JCS Chairman, now on a secure NSA phone, says, "Mr. President, you need to hear this, right now. I'm on the line with Lockheed Martin's Pentagon liaison. LM is upgrading Mk650 Evader MaRVs
⁸
of the Peacekeeper IIs we fielded in 2010 after the Chinese invasion of Taiwan. They discovered a problem with one of the missiles. Three of its re-entry vehicles are empty."

"
Empty?!
" shouts Connor.