The Coward's Way of War (30 page)

The television cut to an interview with one of the talking heads and Jim listened with interest.  “It has been stated,” the interviewer said, “that the Reverend Johnston and his people are being placed on trial far too early, with only one expected outcome.  Would you agree with that?”

Senator Sam Hamlin frowned.  Jim distrusted the man – he was a known liberal who had voted in favour of gun control and increased federal oversight over businesses – but he had to admit that the man was honest.  Jim considered him misled, of course, yet that didn't make him an outright villain.  America had been founded on the ability of many different people – of all political views – to come together as one.  It would be a sorry day when holding the wrong political views became grounds for execution.

“The argument could go both ways,” Hamlin said, after a pause for thought.  “There is no question of their guilt; they have admitted as much.  Further, they have refused to lodge a plea and have even insisted on being recognised as prisoners of war, something that automatically limits their rights under American law.  The prosecuting council is demanding the death penalty and I believe that the judge and jury will definitely agree.

“Yet at the same time, I do feel that events are moving too swiftly,” he added.  “We do not yet have a fuller understanding of what happened to make Johnston and his men abandon the political process and launch a campaign of violence...”

“Change the channel,” someone snapped, from the rear.  “I can’t face listening to that pompous baboon blathering on about something he knows nothing about, not even the basics.  They’re guilty, we know they’re guilty, they admitted their guilt...hang them from the nearest tree and have done with it.”

Jim frowned, considering the issue.  He had no qualms about executing the surviving terrorists, although he had never killed anyone himself and sometimes wondered if he would be able to pull the trigger, when the time came.  They deserved death, if only because they had caused the deaths of hundreds of others, directly or indirectly.  But he saw Hamlin’s point; perhaps there was no
need
to execute them quickly and, if the government was willing to execute them under the emergency protocols, it sent a worrying sign that normal law and order had been suspended.  The survivalists had watched every change in the law with growing alarm, tracking the increasing number of federal agencies with the power to carry guns and make arrests, yet this was different.  He could argue it both ways, leaving him unsure of which side to support.

“....Heavy fighting broke out again along the Texas-Mexico Border as the Mexican Civil War enters its second day,” the CNN newsreader said.  She looked easier on the eye than the Senator, although she only said what she was given to say.  “The chaos in Mexico has caused thousands of Mexicans to flee to the United States, despite the presence of armed border guards and shoot-to-kill orders issued by the President and the State Governors.  The refugees have been armed and have even attempted to shoot their way through the border guards; some of them have even been escorted by straggler units of the Mexican Army.  Governor Seguin of Texas has stated today that she does not intend to allow any refugees into her state, citing the danger of spreading Henderson’s Disease further into the United States.”

The scene changed to an image of the border line, with armed American soldiers and National Guardsmen battling against what seemed like an infinite number of refugees, some armed, others being used as human shields.  A helicopter swooped overhead, laying down suppressing fire from its two machine guns, seemingly immune to anything the refugees had.  A burning Mexican tank, hit by a missile from one of the helicopters, could be seen in the distance.

“Doctors, upon examining the bodies of some of the refugees, concluded that several of them were carrying Henderson’s Disease,” the newsreader added.  “The State Government has issued warnings to the effect that taking in refugees, no matter their status, carries the risk of spreading Henderson’s Disease still further.  The State Legislature will meet tomorrow online to discuss a proposal for the execution of anyone caught hiding an illegal immigrant.  The proposal is not expected to pass, but has already sparked anger among the Hispanic community in the Southern United States.”

Jim blinked as he felt his cell phone buzzing against his hip.  When he looked down at it, he saw a text message that read, simply, 4534.  It was a code for one of many contingencies the survivalists had practiced over the years, a single car heading up the driveway towards the gate.  He shared a look with Brian, who stood up to follow him as they headed out the door, picking up their weapons as they moved.

“Dad, we could come with you,” Robin said.  The older boys looked eager for action, even after all the lectures on just how dangerous even a short gun fight could be and how easy it was to end up dead.  “We could...”

“Hell, no,” Jim snapped.  A single car wasn't going to be much of a problem; besides, he didn't want to expose the children to danger anytime soon.  “You stay here and mind the store.  I see you coming after us and I’ll tan your hides.”

Leaving them behind, he followed Brian out of the door and down the driveway to the gate.  It had been built with malice aforethought; it looked no stronger than the average gate, but anything that attempted to break it down would know that it had been kissed.  A tank could probably flatten it without taking too much damage, yet if a tank came along, they were probably dead anyway.  The driver of the car would have to stop outside the gate, which just happened to have been designed as a death zone for anyone who wanted to fight.  The guards could pour fire down from concealed positions into the vehicle.

“That’s the sheriff’s car,” Brian said, in some relief.  Jim looked up at him sharply.  He'd only met Mannington’s elected law enforcement officer once and hadn't been sure what to make of him.  The man hadn’t seemed too impressed with the survivalists in his general area.  “I’d better warn the guards not to shoot.”

Jim watched as the white car pulled up outside the gate and a single man got out, glancing around as if he knew just where the watchers were hidden.  Jim’s family had strung all kinds of electronic security devices around the farm, but there was nothing quite as good as a live pair of eyes.  The sheriff looked slightly overweight, yet he was clearly competent, wearing his uniform as if he’d been born to the badge.  He wore no mask, let alone a HAZMAT suit.  Jim hoped that that was a good sign.

“Billy,” Brian called, waving to him.  “I trust you will understand if I ask you not to come any closer?”

“I
have
been vaccinated,” the sheriff said, rather tartly.  Jim and Brian exchanged glances, but neither of them were prepared to allow the sheriff through the gate, not if it could be helped.  He could be carrying the disease even though he was vaccinated, as far as they knew, and there was no point in taking chances.  “I have also been tasked with going around the farms and passing on a message.”

“Everyone’s battened down the hatches since the disease started to spread,” Brian muttered, when Jim looked puzzled.  Jim could have kicked himself.  It simply hadn't occurred to him that others would have gone to ground as well, even though it was precisely what his family had done.  “You poor bastard, Billy; has the Mayor still not forgiven you for sleeping with his wife?”

The sheriff shrugged.  “I don’t have time to chat,” he said.  He reached into his car and produced a message cylinder, which he placed at the side of the gate.  “I suggest that you read this message carefully and then act on it.  I’ll be working from the office in Mannington for the foreseeable future, so if you have any questions just give me a call.”

He climbed back into his car, turned and drove off down the driveway.  Jim watched him go and then walked over to the gate, bending down to pick up the cylinder.  It opened at his touch, allowing him to draw out a set of papers.  Smoothing them out, he began to read.

“Son of a bitch,” he said, in surprise.  He’d never seen anything so harsh outside old occupation notices from the Second World War.  His grandfather, who had fought on Normandy Beach and up through the Battle of the Bulge, where he had been wounded, had told him many tales of just what the Nazis had done to those unlucky enough to fall under their control.  Jim couldn't believe what he was reading.  “They’re serious.  They’re really serious.”

Attention!

Martial Law is in Effect!

By Order of the President,
Martial Law
has been declared over the entire Continental United States for the duration of the emergency. 
Habeas corpus
has been suspended.  Please read the following instructions carefully and commit them to memory.

One – it is now estimated that upwards of ten thousand refugees from quarantined cities may be at large in your general vicinity.  These people may be armed or contagious with Henderson’s Disease.  You are advised to avoid all contact with refugees and report their presence to your local law enforcement office.

Two – it has been discovered that various forms of smallpox vaccine are effective against Henderson’s Disease.  If you were vaccinated – either through military service or national vaccination programs prior to their termination – please contact your local medical centre to verify that your vaccination is known to be effective. 

Three – there is now a national vaccination program underway.  In order to register for vaccination, contact your local medical centre and inform them of your details.  Providing false information is a criminal offence which may, under the state of emergency, be punished by execution.  TAKE NOTICE!  If you refuse to be vaccinated, you may be barred from public locations permanently.

Four – upon being vaccinated, you will be issued with a vaccination certificate personalised to yourself.  Do not lose your certificate.  There is a heavy fine for replacement.  Do not attempt to sell your certificate to anyone else.

Five – forging or attempting to use a fake vaccination certificate is a criminal offence, which will be punished by immediate execution.  TAKE NOTICE!

Six – your community will be establishing a rationing system for the fair and just distribution of food and water.  You are invited to sign up for the program.  Please be aware that, if you sign up, your local authorities will search your property for food to add to the communal supplies.  Attempting to horde food while claiming community food or attempting to defraud the system will result in harsh punishment.

Seven – all dead bodies are to be reported to the local authorities at once.  They are to be incinerated, particularly in case of Henderson’s Disease.  Consult with your local authorities on the safe disposal of the bodies.

Eight – updates will be provided via radio, television and the internet.  Listen regularly for governmental broadcasts and warnings.  Please spread accurate information about your surroundings onto the internet; please be aware that rumour-mongering or spreading inaccurate information may result in criminal charges.

Nine – all military, emergency services and medically-trained personnel are to report to their local authorities at once.  Failure to report will be considered desertion and may draw harsh punishment.  Contact may be made via telephone or email.

Ten – this declaration applies to all within the borders of the United States and is in effect from this moment.  Ignorance of the declaration will not be regarded as a valid excuse for refusing to comply with the rules.

General Edward Stalker, US Army

-WESTVIRCOM

He passed the note to Brian, who read it quickly.  “I think they’re serious,” he said, dryly.  “We’d better go show the others.”

Back in the living room, the judge was summing up the case.  “You chose to believe – you chose to peddle – the worst kind of lies, encouraging men who believed in you to throw their lives away for your cause,” he said, addressing the Reverend Johnston.  “You plotted and carried out a series of terrorist acts against the United States of America, killing hundreds of men whose only crime was trying to keep the system functioning.  You took an entire hospital hostage and treated them in such a way that they could not avoid catching Henderson’s Disease – along with all the other mistreatment your men heaped on them.  Your crimes deserve nothing less than the harshest of punishment.”

“Turn it down,” Jim ordered.  He read out the declaration of martial law and the associated documents.  “We need to decide what to do about this.”

“Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that most of you would certainly count as refugees,” Brian pointed out, dryly.  “You may own part of the farm, but you came out of a city – running the blockade as you came.  If you declare your existence, they will certainly want to have a few words with you.”