Read Online The Line of Departure: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series Book 4) by G. Michael Hopf - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: G. Michael Hopf
Ads: Link
concluded.
“Thank you. I’ll call back tomorrow with my decision,” Gordon said, and hung up.
When the phone line went dead all eyes shifted to Conner, who was now standing.
“Looks like we’re having a meeting this time tomorrow?” Baxter asked rhetorically.
“Same time tomorrow, but I want Major Schmidt present too.” Major Schmidt was new to the command structure, but in his short time there he had proven to be trustworthy and offered a unique perspective that Conner liked.
“I’ll let the major know his presence is needed tomorrow,” Baxter stated.
“Mr. President, you do realize that Van Zandt is a
friend
of Colonel Barone’s. How do we know he won’t compromise the mission or lie about what’s happening there?” Secretary Wilbur said.
“Brad, I agree with Secretary Wilbur on this. He’s not a man with a strong allegiance to the United States,” Cruz added.
“Why’s that?” Conner asked.
“The man shared with me his open animosity toward the government,” Wilbur said evenly.
“Animosity?” Baxter asked.
“Yes, he was adamant about how the government has screwed him over,” Wilbur added.
“How do you know this?” Baxter asked, now facing Wilbur as he swiveled in his chair.
“He told me, flat out. He has no love for us. The man is an opportunist and I don’t think we can trust him,” Wilbur said, answering Baxter.
“How did we screw him over?” Conner asked.
“This guy was a Marine and served in Iraq. Something happened; he wouldn’t share with us specifically, but it sounded like his exit out of the military was not a good one,” Wilbur said.
“General, do we have access to military records?” Conner asked Baxter.
“That’s a good question—not sure. It’s not as if we’ve been concerned with that type of info these days,” Baxter said.
“Find out. I want to see who we’re dealing with in light of this new info. Make it a priority. I want it before our conversation with him tomorrow,” Conner commanded. Baxter nodded in acknowledgement of his latest task.
“All right, let’s change gears. We have a war to win,” Conner said.
“Sir, may I present my findings on the separatist movements to the group?” Wilbur interjected.
“Yes, please, Madam Secretary, go ahead. I appreciate you doing this so quickly. Ever since our run-in with the Montana Independence Party, it has become increasingly important to keep tabs on these groups,” Conner said.
The Montana Independence Party was a loose affiliation of civilian militias that had one common goal: to have Montana break away from the United States. Conner was feeling the pressure from these small separatist groups that had popped up. It was already difficult enough to keep the country together without them trying to pull it apart.
“My pleasure, sir. After several conversations with governors and other state homeland security personnel, I came away with extensive knowledge on what’s happening out there with separatist and independence movements. Because of more critical issues, like getting the infrastructure back up and just feeding people, focus on these groups and their activities was not being closely monitored,” Wilbur said, handing out sheets of paper around the table.
Laying a map across the table, Wilbur turned to her peers with a serious look on her face. “What we’re looking at is a widespread fracturing of our nation.” The map she had laid out displayed a different country than what they were used to seeing. The map was color-coded to depict the areas that had separated or had threatened to. The eastern United States was crossed out with red lines from the Mississippi river east. This was the area that Cruz and Baxter had determined to be forfeit. Texas was marked out but now parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas were included with it. Nevada and California were shaded green, with the letters PAE written across them. Arizona had the letters AR marked over it, which stood for Arizona
“Thank you. I’ll call back tomorrow with my decision,” Gordon said, and hung up.
When the phone line went dead all eyes shifted to Conner, who was now standing.
“Looks like we’re having a meeting this time tomorrow?” Baxter asked rhetorically.
“Same time tomorrow, but I want Major Schmidt present too.” Major Schmidt was new to the command structure, but in his short time there he had proven to be trustworthy and offered a unique perspective that Conner liked.
“I’ll let the major know his presence is needed tomorrow,” Baxter stated.
“Mr. President, you do realize that Van Zandt is a
friend
of Colonel Barone’s. How do we know he won’t compromise the mission or lie about what’s happening there?” Secretary Wilbur said.
“Brad, I agree with Secretary Wilbur on this. He’s not a man with a strong allegiance to the United States,” Cruz added.
“Why’s that?” Conner asked.
“The man shared with me his open animosity toward the government,” Wilbur said evenly.
“Animosity?” Baxter asked.
“Yes, he was adamant about how the government has screwed him over,” Wilbur added.
“How do you know this?” Baxter asked, now facing Wilbur as he swiveled in his chair.
“He told me, flat out. He has no love for us. The man is an opportunist and I don’t think we can trust him,” Wilbur said, answering Baxter.
“How did we screw him over?” Conner asked.
“This guy was a Marine and served in Iraq. Something happened; he wouldn’t share with us specifically, but it sounded like his exit out of the military was not a good one,” Wilbur said.
“General, do we have access to military records?” Conner asked Baxter.
“That’s a good question—not sure. It’s not as if we’ve been concerned with that type of info these days,” Baxter said.
“Find out. I want to see who we’re dealing with in light of this new info. Make it a priority. I want it before our conversation with him tomorrow,” Conner commanded. Baxter nodded in acknowledgement of his latest task.
“All right, let’s change gears. We have a war to win,” Conner said.
“Sir, may I present my findings on the separatist movements to the group?” Wilbur interjected.
“Yes, please, Madam Secretary, go ahead. I appreciate you doing this so quickly. Ever since our run-in with the Montana Independence Party, it has become increasingly important to keep tabs on these groups,” Conner said.
The Montana Independence Party was a loose affiliation of civilian militias that had one common goal: to have Montana break away from the United States. Conner was feeling the pressure from these small separatist groups that had popped up. It was already difficult enough to keep the country together without them trying to pull it apart.
“My pleasure, sir. After several conversations with governors and other state homeland security personnel, I came away with extensive knowledge on what’s happening out there with separatist and independence movements. Because of more critical issues, like getting the infrastructure back up and just feeding people, focus on these groups and their activities was not being closely monitored,” Wilbur said, handing out sheets of paper around the table.
Laying a map across the table, Wilbur turned to her peers with a serious look on her face. “What we’re looking at is a widespread fracturing of our nation.” The map she had laid out displayed a different country than what they were used to seeing. The map was color-coded to depict the areas that had separated or had threatened to. The eastern United States was crossed out with red lines from the Mississippi river east. This was the area that Cruz and Baxter had determined to be forfeit. Texas was marked out but now parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas were included with it. Nevada and California were shaded green, with the letters PAE written across them. Arizona had the letters AR marked over it, which stood for Arizona
Similar Books
