When The Fault Breaks: Life Will Never Be The Same Page 37

  With the loss of federal control, Florida became a mecca for the Cubans. Many came that already had family, friends, or relatives in one of the Cuban neighborhoods. Eventually anyone that could get of Cuba flooded into Florida, then on to parts of Alabama, and Georgia. They brought everything with them, food, clothes, and whole households of possessions.

  There was no border control, Coast Guard or Navy to stop them. Castro loved the idea and made ships available to take them there for free. Even now there is still heavy fighting along the new Cuban borders with Alabama and Georgia, so it is not a good place to be.

  Mexico too knew a good thing when they saw it but were not as lucky. They attempted to take back Texas, but that turned out to be a really bad mistake. As soon as the federal government collapsed Texas immediately re-declared themselves as The Republic of Texas and once again their Republic flag flew.

  Many Navy Captains, especially the Texans, pulled their ships into the Corpus Christi Naval Base and joined the Republic. All personnel onboard or on base were given the choice to join the Republic or were provided free passage out of state and ample supplies. Most of the cities in Texas did not implode after the quake, not even the really large ones.

  That gave Texas a fair size naval fleet which they used to kick the Chinese out of North America. One of their subs nuked Beijing to make sure they did not come back. Texas also controls all the Air Force, Army and National Guard bases within its boundaries. The Republic has unlimited power and oil. Sections of several states have trade agreements with them to provide power and fuel in exchange for commodities they don't have.

  The Mexicans didn't know any of that and decided they wanted Texas back again and tried to move in en masse. It was a short-lived battle because a couple of destroyers fired a few Tomahawks into the Mexican President's Palace and they gave up that idea real fast. The Mexicans were; however, able to move into the lower half of this state and most of southern Arizona before being stopped.

  "We have a treaty with them, or at least an agreement, to hold the ground we both already have, and they do the same. Anyone living in the New Mexican territory that wanted out was able to leave without a problem. The Mexican's did not really want them there anyway, and scores of Mexican immigrants that lived in the U.S. before the quake flooded into the New Mexico."

  "Beyond the Texas Republic is a sort of no man's land, there is no government, no control of any sort. If you venture out that way you will likely die. It's like that most of the way to the western shores of Lake Michigan, north to Canada and south to the southern half of Georgia and Alabama. I hear that the southern part of Louisiana may be making a comeback but I have not got any confirmation about that.

  In case any of you here don't already know, there is no west coast to speak of. Few still live there, but I am sure there are some folks out there eking out an existence. But the truth is none of us know how long any of these new borders will hold. I don't know anything about the rest of the world.

  These are the realities of the new world today. That's about all I can tell you about what is left of our once great nation. If you are interested in joining us feel free to see me after this meeting and we will go over all the details."

  He continued to tell us about the pros of joining them, but made it clear it was an option and that no one would be required to join. He also pointed out that without joining they would not be able to call for protection if someone came in trying to take over. I returned to our campsite that night and told everyone else all that I had learned. I'm sure it will not be taken very well when we tell everyone else.

  Later that night we were relaxing by the fire with some of my favorite elk and venison hot dogs on homemade buns. While we were sitting around someone came to our camp. As he approached he called out to get our attention.

  "Knock, knock."

  We jokingly replied, "Who's there?"

  Unaware that he had become part of a knock knock joke he replied, "Sergeant Ramos."

  "Sergeant Ramos who?"

  "No it's me Sergeant Ramos…oh I get it, that was funny, is this a good time to come visit?"

  We all enjoyed a laugh.

  "For sure Sarg come on in and have a seat."

  "Thank you and please call me Samuel."

  David spoke up, "Alright Samuel come on in and have a seat. Would you like an elk and venison dog roasted over the fire?"

  "A what!?"

  "They are hot dogs made out of elk and venison. Ann, Peter's wife makes them and they are incredible, especially roasted over a fire."

  "Sounds great, I don't mind if I do."

  David brought him one on a bun, he put the dog to his nose and took a deep breath and said, "Wow smells great" then he took one bite and his eyelids raised and his eyes brows became big, and we heard a clear, ummm.

  "Holy cow, these are great. I have never had anything like it before."

  "So Samuel where have you came from?"

  We could all tell that hit a cord for him. He became quiet, lowered his head, and looked away.

  "It's okay, you don't have to answer if it brings back hard memories."

  "Sorry I will, it's just hard to think about it, but maybe it will help to vent some."

  "Only if you want to. We could talk about the price of tea in Albuquerque if you wish."

  That helped snap him out of his mood and made everyone laugh, including Samuel.

  "I was living with my parents in Boulder when the quake hit. I only heard about it on the news, but my sister swore she felt it. We eagerly watched the news for any info we could get and we were shocked when we heard what had happened. Boulder is not a very large town. It's mostly a vacation spot for the rich, and for skiers in the winter. So as things deteriorated around the country, we did not have much looting happening there."

  "So what happened to get you here?"

  "That's the hard part. It had been about a week after the news of the quake when a militia rolled in to the city. They had tanks and APCs. Soon after they arrived, they killed the Sheriff as soon as he stepped out to stop them. They rolled into the town square and started making demands. A short stocky red head guy, the type that has a temper as short as him, stepped up with a megaphone in his hand.

  'I'm Captain Richardson and I run the militia ya see before ya. As ya can see we are very well armed and will kill anyone that tries to stop us or that doesn't do as they are told. My men and I are in need of a resupply of food and drink, so ya will all go get whatever you have and bring it to us… NOW.'

  Everyone looked around in disbelief. Then Captain Richardson looked at the tank and with a nod of his head, the tank turned the turret on the courthouse.

  He looked at the gunner and nodded and yelled, 'I SAID NOW.'

  KABOOM. The courthouse exploded with everyone still in it looking out the windows. The blast sent a concussive wave we could feel as it went off, it knocked many on the ground. Then everyone started screaming.

  'You will have all your food here by 0800 in the morning and I also want all able body males over sixteen here as well. They will have the privilege of serving in my army.'

  The mayor stepped out, 'I'm Mayor Evens of Boulder and I can tell you we will not cower to your bullying.'

  The man did not hesitate, he pulled his side arm from its holster and shot the mayor in the head, 'Now who will be the next to step up…no one? I see, then all of you go and return with my demands….GO!...NOW!'"

  Samuel continued, "Everyone slowly walked away talking, the next morning we all returned to the square, carrying all sorts of food and drink. It was then that I knew things were not going to be good.

  That asshole stepped up on the APC and exclaimed, 'I see you have brought the food I requested, and I see many young men out there. All of you boys that are over sixteen step forward.' Many in the crowd stepped forward. I had no desire to go, besides I was the only one to help my parents work the small garden we had. I tried to step back out of sight but he must have seen me.

  '
You, boy, the one trying to hide back there get up here.'

  Timidly I replied, 'Me?'

  'Yea you get up here now.'

  I went up.

  He asked, 'What do you think you were doing?'

  'I can't go with you, I'm the only male left in my house besides my parents and they can't do the work that needs done.'

  'I don't give a shit about any of that.'

  'But I can't they need me.'

  'I want your parents to come up here now.'

  I watched as they approached, they were clearly scared for both me and them. It was then he did it, he said if they were the only reason I couldn't go then he would fix that and he shot both of them in the head in front of me. I was horrified, I was 20 when that happened. Then two of his men came up behind me and hit me in the head.

  When I woke up I was tied up and left that way without any food or water until I agreed to serve. I vowed to kill him if I got a chance."

  David asked, "Did you get to?"

  "No someone else beat me to it. We had traveled to southern Colorado with the militia. Then someone killed him and his militia fell apart. Afterwards the men all went their own separate ways. I made my way here and joined the fight against the local Colonel and we won. Now the rest is what you see here."

  Bill said, "Man that sucks, a young man like you should not have been forced to fight like that."

  "It sounds like you guys are safe and happy, and there is no fighting?"

  I replied, "No Samuel, we live in peace and happiness no one needs anything and we are all happy most of the time."

  "I want to go with you guys, do you have room in your helo?"

  Bill answered, "I'm so sorry, but no we don't. We had to draw straws to see who could come on this trip."

  "Oh well at least I asked, hey if you come back and can leave a seat open for me I would love to come back with you."

  Alex added, "Maybe we can make sure to have an open seat on our next trip to the flea market."

  "That would be great. I will be ready to go at a moment's notice."

  I decided I needed to let him know about our agreed on lifestyle. "Sounds great Samuel, but there are a few things you need to know before you decide to join us."

  I explained the rules and benefits about living with us and he agreed. I figured that was that until the next time we returned, but it turned out I was wrong. We had planned on staying two nights and had a good day the second day, then that second night by the campfire we heard.

  "Knock knock."

  Now we really had no choice, so I answered.

  "Who's there?"

  "Oh no you are not going to catch me with that again. Are you guys busy?"

  Bill answered, "No Samuel, what's up?"

  "I have an important question for you."

  I asked him, "Do you want talk alone?"

  "No this affects everyone. You told me yesterday that I was welcome to join you but that I would need to wait for an open seat. Correct?"

  I replied, "I did, and then the rest of us also talked about it last night after you left and we are all good with the idea."

  "What if I told you I had access to a helo?"

  "I'm interested, how?"

  "I have a close friend that I owe my life to and he is a helicopter pilot. When I told him about your village he asked if I would introduce you to him."

  "Well bring him by."

  "I hoped you would say that."

  Samuel turned around and called out, "Jason, come on in."

  A rather large guy stepped out of the darkness. He had a long full beard and mustache and a few extra pounds. He wore beat up dirty camo's that made it look like he had seen his share of action.

  "Guys this is Jason; Jason these are the people I was telling you about."

  "Hi Jason my name is Peter and I'm the leader here. What has Samuel told you about us?"

  "He said you guys have a village somewhere up north and that you live in a hidden valley."

  "That's a fair description, we live in a valley in the Rockies and have had no contact with the outside world until now. This is our first trip out where we have made contact with others that we did not have to shoot at. So tell me Jason, how is it you have access to a helo?"

  "I was the private pilot for the late Colonel and with him dead, I ended up with the helo as mine. I helped the guys that killed him get to him, long story short I helped them and in return they showed their gratitude by giving me the helo. They knew I was looking for a way out of the war and that it would be my way out."

  Bill asked, "So then why are you still here?"

  "Because there are a lot of people out there that will shoot you out of the sky if you fly over them. I have been hit that way several times. If you don't know where you are going it can be difficult to find a safe place to fly to."

  I added, "You're not the first one to tell us that. You said Samuel told you a bit about our village, did he tell you about the rules we have?"

  Jason replied, "He did, he said that you have a very simple outlook when it comes to justice. That most offences end in death."

  "Well that is a simplified explanation but sort of."

  I explained it all to him and he agreed to the conditions.

  Bill had a few questions for Jason.

  "My wife and I have seen a lot of deception by people trying to take advantage of others why should we not expect that from you?"

  Samuel seemed to be offended by the question of his friend's intentions.

  "Jason is a good man; I owe my life to him. I would stake my life on him."

  I replied, "It's alright Samuel, it's a valid question to ask. In reality we don't REALLY know you either so you vouching for him doesn't help very much. We need to make that judgment on our own. Bill has an uncanny knack of being able to read people, it's what he did for a living so I trust his skills in that area."

  "I understand Peter, sorry Bill."

  Bill continued, "Actually Samuel your reaction told me a lot by itself. I was already convinced we could trust you. It's my experience that people of good moral character do not tend to get along with those that don't. But I do have a couple more questions for you Jason if you don't mind."

  Jason turned on his log to face Bill and said, "Fire away."

  Bill started out, "Tell me Jason why would you want to leave Aztec? I'm sure you have lots of friends and maybe family here. There is access to all your needs here. I bet you could even have a job with the Republic if you wanted it. Why would you leave all this behind to traipse off into the unknown? You know nothing of us or our lifestyle, some would call what we have a socialist society as a matter of fact at least one has."

  Jason sat there for a long moment. You could see he was thinking about how to answer such a profound question. Then in a deep soft voice he replied.

  "Bill that is both a very easy and very hard question to answer, first off why leave Aztec? That would be because I don't have anything to keep me here. My only family is my wife and kids and our dogs. My only other friend here is Samuel and if you guys took him away when you came back that would be the last time I would see him and that would hurt."

  "But why leave Aztec? You have seen a very controlled Aztec, you see the Republic guards everywhere, there is a reason for that. It's not just Aztec we have to contend with here. There still are people out there that will rob you blind if given a chance, both in and out of Aztec. We don't live in fear every minute of the day but it's also not all roses. I don't want my kids living in a semi military state. I want my kids to grow up in a nice safe place with the same morals my parents instilled in me."

  "I want my kids to grow up knowing where their food comes from. I want them to grow up knowing right from wrong. And I don't want them growing up in the tiny piece of crap house we have now with no means of taking care of them, except by me going out and killing more people. I spent far too much time having to do that for that asshole I worked for. I want nothing to do with killing others unless they ar
e trying to hurt me or my family.

  I'm sorry Bill I started to rant there. The easy answer is I want to get the hell out of here the first chance I get and you guys seem to have the kind of place I would be happy to raise my kids. If it will sweeten the pot a bit, besides having a fully armed gun ship on your side my wife is a schoolteacher. From what Samuel said you guys have kids there too."

  Bill leaned back and took a big breath and replied.

  "Let me first say Jason you have nothing to be sorry for. I was hoping to elicit an emotional response from you, it's part of what tells me more about your character. Believe me I can understand how you feel about living here, if I was living here and heard about Little Haven I would be the first in line to sign up. As for sweetening the pot, I'm sure Peter would love knowing he had a gun ship at his disposal."