Sabotage (Powerless Nation Book 3) (7 page)

One afternoon after they finished up the home visits for the day, they saw dark shapes in the distance, moving quickly. When Grandpa stopped the snowmobile they could hear engines, and a small caravan of military vehicles approached Lookout Falls on the main road. They stopped when they neared Grandpa and Dee, and a man climbed down from the cab of a large army truck.

He was probably in his mid-thirties, clean shaven with sandy blond hair combed straight back from a widow’s peak. His army fatigues looked worn but clean, and he was well built. Dee couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen someone that didn’t look like they’d missed quite a few meals.
 

When he approached, Grandpa’s knuckles whitened on the handles of the snowmobile.

“Good evening to you folks. I’m Captain Downey and I’m headed for Lookout Falls. Is that where you’re from?”

“It is,” said Grandpa. “Have you got any news for us?”

“That’s why I’m here,” said the captain. “Good news. I’m here to meet with whoever’s in charge, and then I’ll be back tomorrow to drop off emergency supplies.”

Grandpa didn’t respond, and the conversation faltered.

Captain Downey looked more closely at Dee and Grandpa, his eyes settling on Grandpa’s physician bag. “You a doctor? My unit could use someone with medical training.”

Grandpa shook his head. “Nope. I’m just a farmer with a fancy bag. Any word on how things are up in Louisville?”

“I’d be happy share that information with you when I speak to the town.” He turned his attention to Dee. “We’re recruiting folks your age too. Full rations, supplies, weapons training. It’s a great opportunity.”
 

Dee squirmed under his scrutiny and wished they were on their way. She didn’t see any cause not to trust the man, but something about him made her uneasy.

“There’s no reason for you to go to Lookout Falls when I’m heading that way anyway. I can deliver a message for you,” Grandpa offered. Apparently he didn’t want the military in Lookout Falls any more than Dee did.

“Much obliged,” Downey responded, “but I’d like to deliver the good news in person.”

Grandpa restarted the snowmobile. “I’ll let them know you’re coming.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

T
HE
SNOWMOBILE
PRACTICALLY
FLEW
over the fields, taking the more direct route into town. It was late in the afternoon, and long shadows stretched across the streets. Grandpa drove straight to Max’s house and banged on the door. “Max, we’ve got a situation!”

Max opened the door, his wife standing right behind him.
 

“What’s going on, Milt?”
 

“Nothing good,” said Grandpa. “Some guys in trucks are claiming they’re U.S. Military. They want to talk to you.”

“Sounds like trouble to me too,” said Max. “I’ll sound the alarm.”

The town didn’t have a church or school bell, but weeks earlier, Mason had rigged up the siren on one of the fire trucks to a battery. Max turned it on, and the shrill sound shattered the peaceful January evening.

Immediately, doors opened and people with guns ran out and began to take up defensive positions around the town.

“This is not a drill!” shouted Max. “Hold position until I get back!” He added in a quieter voice to Grandpa, “I’ll take a few of our boys and go see what these guys have to say.”

He headed for the gate, indicating to several men to fall in behind him. Anyone without a post was supposed to gather at the church, so Dee and Grandpa headed that way, and were soon sitting with Sena and Claire in the middle of a large group of people. Women shushed babies while older children played games in the gymnasium. Dee recognized some of the children from her class. Harvey waved, and McKenna gave her a shy smile.

In less than thirty minutes Max was back. Dee sighed in relief when he walked through the door followed by Captain Downey, along with several of his men. She glanced at Max again but he looked relaxed and had a smile on his face. She wondered what Downey had told him.

Max called the meeting to order with his gavel. “People of Lookout Falls,” he began in a voice that carried to the back of the chapel, “I’m here to share some good news. The U.S. government and military are operational!”

The applause from the town was deafening. Dee glanced at Grandpa. His expression was stony and he didn’t join in the clapping.
 

“I’d like to introduce Captain Downey,” Max continued. “He and his men are here to make an announcement.”

Captain Downey stood and ran a hand over his hair to smooth it back even though every strand was in place. “Thanks for the warm welcome,” he said loudly. “I know times have been tough, but I’m happy to announce that the U.S. Army is back on its feet again, and we are mobilizing to give relief to towns and cities throughout the state. We are here to help!”

Again, the town went wild, clapping and cheering. When they quieted, Captain Downey continued. “The rest of my unit is headquartered in Louisville just down the road. We understand you’ve had some trouble with renegades, so we will be providing a security detail for your town. You can sleep soundly in your beds tonight, knowing the U.S. Army is keeping you safe.”

The crowd applauded again, and several people burst into tears. Even Max took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his eyes.
 

Dee looked at the men Downey had brought with him. They had smiles plastered on their faces and looked over the townsfolk like they were assessing them. Dee shivered involuntarily.

“We’ll do a census tomorrow at noon so we can get an accurate headcount and find out which supplies you’re lacking most,” Downey said. “We have everything you folks might need.”

“Diapers and formula?” asked a woman’s voice from the crowd.

Downey grinned. “Wipes too.”
 

“What about medicine?” asked Max.

 
“We don’t have much, but we’ll give you what we can.” His eyes went to Grandpa. “Speaking of doctors, we’re also recruiting. Not only medical personnel, but anyone that wants to make a difference to their community. We’ll teach you how to protect your homes and your families.”

“What about spring planting?” Grandpa asked. “We need every able-bodied person to help us get the crops in the ground come springtime.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Captain Downey assured him. “If anyone needs to come home for planting, they are free to do so.”

“How are you planning to feed this army?” asked Grandpa.

“Good question. We will provide food and supplies for each recruit.”

“What about weapons?”
 

Dee thought she detected a glint of annoyance in Captain Downey’s expression at Grandpa’s questions, but he continued in the same charismatic voice. “We are asking families of volunteers to donate weapons and ammo.”

“Shouldn’t that be the army’s job?”

“Under normal circumstances, yes,” the captain conceded. “We do have some supplies, but we’ll be training your citizens so they can help defend and protect Lookout Falls. They will need to know how to use their own weapons for that, so we encourage recruits to bring what they have.”

His gaze swept the crowd. “Make sure and tell your neighbors to be back here tomorrow at ten so we can get find out what everyone needs, and we can start the recruiting process.”

With that statement, Captain Downey saluted the audience. “You’re good folks, and I’m proud to serve you.”

“God bless America!” someone shouted.

“God bless America,” Captain Downey responded. “And God bless Lookout Falls!”

Captain Downey left to a standing ovation.

Max called everyone to order with a loud whack of the gavel on the podium. “Would anyone like to weigh in on Captain Downey’s announcement?” he asked.

A woman stood up and settled a baby on her hip. “He said they’ll keep us safe until we’re trained and ready to defend ourselves. That’s just what we need.”

“Plus the supplies,” said a man Dee recognized as Harvey’s father. “We’ve been short on food since this whole thing started. I’ll join up if it means I’ll have enough for my kids.”

Grandpa shifted in his chair and opened his mouth to speak but a young man was asking. “What about those of us that were in the militia?”

“Sounds like we aren’t going to need it, now that the army’s handling security,” said Max. “Maybe you kids should think about serving a short stint in the army to get more training.”

Grandpa lost his patience and got to his feet. “Can you hear yourselves? We don’t even know this man and yet you’re all ready trust him with our kids and our safety?”

A few people looked to be mulling that over.

Then someone asked, “Why
wouldn’t
we trust him?”

“Ever hear of the Pied Piper?” asked Grandpa. “He’s making promises, but when it comes time to pay up you aren’t going to like the price.”

“I still say it’s a good idea,” said the woman with the baby.

“I don’t know,” Ted said. “It sounds kind of suspicious to me too. Milton’s right. I think we should wait and see if he really has supplies. Maybe he’s trying to pull a fast one on us.”

“It sounds like we all have a lot to think about tonight,” said Max, signaling an end to the meeting. “I encourage everyone to head home, talk it over with your families, and make your decisions. We’ll meet back here in the morning. I encourage all able-bodied young people to come prepared to enlist. Our town and country need you.”

*

Dee and her family talked about the visit over dinner that night.
 

“Did you notice how Downey didn’t answer any real questions?” Grandpa asked. “Is the state recovering? Is the country at war? Those are things the military should know and tell us.”

Ted looked at Dee. “I hope you don’t have any ideas about joining up with that man.”

For once, Dee agreed with her dad. Downey gave her the creeps. However, she didn’t want to give Ted the satisfaction of being right. “I don’t know,” she said. “If he’s for real it could be a huge blessing to folks around here. Especially the ones living farther out.”

“Don’t tell me you’re buying into his story,” said Ted.

“I’m only saying it would be nice if it was true.”
 

“What do you think he really wants?” asked Claire.

Grandpa nodded. “Good question. I’m sure we’re going to find out, whether we want to or not.”

Sena pushed her plate away. “I think I’m done. Do you mind if I turn in early tonight? I’m feeling kind of tired.”

Dee remembered with guilt that Sena was still teaching both classes at the school. She was surprised they hadn’t found a replacement teacher for her yet, but no one had stepped forward to take her class.

“I’m done too,” Dee said.

Once in their room, the two girls got ready for bed.
 

“I’m thinking about joining tomorrow,” Sena announced.

“Why?” asked Dee in alarm. “Why would you do that?”

“Like you said, what if he’s telling the truth? Your family has done so much for me, there’s no way I could ever repay them. Maybe this is my chance to stop being a drain on them.”

“You don’t have to repay anything, and you’re not a drain,” Dee insisted. “You’re part of our family now, and you’re already giving back to the community by teaching at the school. Those kids need you. There’s no way you’re going with Captain Downey.”

“What about you? What about all that stuff you said at dinner?”

“I didn’t really mean it,” said Dee. “I just didn’t want my dad to think he could make the decision for me.”

“I don’t want anyone making the decision for me either,” said Sena.

“Fair enough,” said Dee. “It won’t matter though. My dad isn’t going to let either one of us out of his sight tomorrow.”

*

Dee soon discovered she was wrong. The next morning when she went into the kitchen her dad was nowhere to be seen. Her mom handed her a sack lunch.
 

“What’s this?” Dee asked.

“I was thinking you might like to go visit Mason today,” Claire replied.

“Really? That would be great!” After a moment Dee asked, “Where’s Dad?”

“He got an early start,” said Claire, turning away to wipe the counter.

“This is his idea, right? To keep me from enlisting today.”

With a hint of a smile on her face Claire said, “I told him you would see right through it.”

“I’d rather visit Mason anyway,” said Dee. “Captain Downey makes my skin crawl. Is it okay if I take Sena?”

“That’s the plan,” said Claire.

“Take Sena where?” asked Sena, entering the kitchen rubbing her eyes.

“To go see Kade and Mason and everyone at the farm.”

“Oh wow,” said Sena. “I wish I could, but it’s a school day today. The kids will be coming. Some of them travel a long way and I think it’s the only meal a lot of them get. I can’t cancel school.”

“I’m sure they’d understand,” said Dee. “We could leave a note on the door for them.”

Sena shook her head. “No, I can’t. Will you tell Kade hi for me though? And everyone else?”

“I could wait,” said Dee. “What if we go after school?”

“No,” said Sena. “It’ll be almost dark by then. You should go now while it’s still early.”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally. I’ll try and make it out there another day soon.”

Dee was glad Sena declined to go. If Dee hurried and left now she could see Mason in less than an hour and spend the whole day with him.

Dee gave Claire a quick kiss on the cheek. “Tell Dad his plan worked.”
 

“Have fun, honey. I love you.”

Before the EMP, Dee and her parents rarely said ‘I love you’ to each other. When they did now it still caught her by surprise.

“I love you too, Mom.” The words came more easily each time she said them. “I’ll try to be back by dark.”

Claire handed Dee the key to the snowmobile. “It’s parked out back. Be safe.”

*

Dee waved at the guards at the northern entrance into town and raced along the road, anxious to see Mason. She congratulated herself on getting away before Captain Downey arrived. Her heart felt light. She tried to sing and laughed when the wind snatched the words from her.