Glimmer of Hope (Land of Tomorrow Book 1) (31 page)

Chapter 14 – Address to a Nation

“This is Tim Reynolds of WKPO’s voice of the Jackson Purchase!” said the characteristically cheerful voice. “Today, we have a special treat. I have President Reggie Philips here to talk about all the dynamic happenings in the last few months, and what a time it has been! Welcome, sir.”

“Thank you very much, Tim,” said Reggie. “It’s good to be here.”

“Let’s start off with the most practical topic of discussion considering the broadcast, the repair of the dam and the return of electricity.”

“Yes, Tim, that is a wonderful thing and it’s due to the tireless efforts of many people,” said Reggie. “I want to thank all the men and women who helped with this project, and also mention the Murray State University Engineering Department, which played a key role.”

“We’ve heard rumors,” said Tim, “that the dam is working better than ever and it might mean a reduction, or even an end, of the blackout periods.”

“Yes, that is a possibility,” said Reggie, “but it’s too early to know for certain. We’re taking steps to slowly increase the loads on our systems and see what they can take and what is sustainable. The last thing we want to do it overload everything again.”

“Very exciting possibility,” said Tim. “Let’s turn to our other major topic, the surrender of the West Tennessee Republic following our stunning victories at the Battles of Fulton and Kentucky Dam. Tell me Reggie, how did you feel when that moment finally came and you knew it was over?”

“It was a wonderful feeling,” said Reggie, “but I also want to let everyone know that the WTR has suffered terribly under the brutal dictatorship of General Sampson. They were just as much victims of his aggression and ambition as we were, and now that he is gone, they can go on towards peaceful and productive lives. I also want to thank all the people of the JP for their sacrifice during this trying time including the citizens of Paducah who had to fight off a surprise invader and did so against overwhelming odds.”

Tim was nodding as Reggie spoke, flipping through a notebook, “Reggie, I’ve been looking over the peace treaty and it’s clear that the JP made out quite well, particularly in gaining territory. How do you see those new lands and people fitting in with us?”

“Thanks, Tim,” said Reggie. “I’m glad you brought that up. First of all, let me state that acquiring territory was never a goal of ours, but something we decided was necessary to secure our southern border. Before, the border was an arbitrary line on a map, now it is tied to key terrain which will make the border more permanent.

"I want to stress to everyone that our newest citizens of the newly acquired territory, in addition to those of New Harvest County, are full and equal citizens of the JP and should be treated as such. Any person who treats one of these differently is not only acting selfishly, but not in the best interests of the whole. The war is now over, and it will take work for us to move forward, but move forward we must.”

“Reggie, I’ve also read and heard that following the upcoming elections, we’ll no longer be called the Jackson Purchase. Can you talk a little about that?”

“Sure, Tim,” said Reggie. “I’m sure everyone knows that the JP was never really an official name of any sort of government, but was only initially intended to designate a geographic area. Due to the need to settle a peace treaty with the WTR, it became evident that we had to establish a more formal government and give it a name. The name ‘JP’ didn’t work because parts of the new territories were outside this geographical area. After much deliberation, it was decided that the new name of our nation, and rest assured that is what we are now, will be called Kentahten.”

“Say again?”

“Ken-tah-ten,” said Reggie slowly. “It was actually the Iroquoian Indian name for this area before early settlers Anglicized the name to Kentucky. Kentahten means ‘Land of Tomorrow’ in Iroquois and we couldn’t think of a more fitting name for our new endeavor.

“Kentahten. And what sort of government can we expect?” asked Tim. “If I understand correctly, that hasn’t been fully ironed out.”

“On the contrary,” said Reggie, “the county executives right now are finishing up a document that will be to us, what the Constitution was to early America. As a matter of fact, much of it is based on the Constitution. Essentially the county executives and their council will remain in place to run the counties, but we will also have a unicameral senate with three elected representatives from each county. This group will be the senior law-making body of the government. They are also working to solidify the existing court system to give it more permanent authority.”

“Speaking of elections,” said Tim, “I understand that you are to be sworn in as the acting president of this new government until the actual elections are conducted. Is that true and are you planning to run for re-election?”

“Yes,” said Reggie, “that is true. I will be installed as soon as the new government document is approved and signed by all the country representatives. I have been asked to let my name be on the ballot for the position when those elections occur in the next few weeks, and I have agreed. As far as campaigning, I’ve never much liked it myself, so don’t expect to see me out there drumming up votes, especially since I’m still helping my wife to recover.”

“Yes, very nasty business that was,” said Tim distastefully, “and you’ve asked me not to talk about the assassination attempt, so we’ll move on, but elections in a few weeks?” asked Tim. “Do you think that will be enough time to get elections set up?”

“We believe so,” said Reggie. “We also believe it should be a priority to legitimize our new government. Although I was the elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, I’ve not really been elected to anything here, so the people need to decide on their own.”

“Oh, I can’t see how you could lose sir, or who would vote against you.”

“That remains to be seen. If I’m re-elected, it will be my honor to continue to serve; and if not, I will do all in my power to support the people’s choice.”

“One more topic, since we’re running out of time,” said Tim hurriedly. “Tell the listeners about the new currency that is due to come out soon.”

“Yes,” said Reggie. “That’s another aspect of the new government that will take effect soon. I’m sure everyone has noticed that although a barter system may meet our basic needs it makes it rather difficult to conduct business. We will soon begin circulating paper dollars that are backed up by a huge supply of iron from the mines in New Harvest. As you know, iron has become an extremely precious commodity. Rest assured that these paper dollars will retain their value and can be trusted and exchanged for iron at any time.”

“Reggie, we’ve only got a few minutes left. Is there anything else you would like to say to the listeners out there?”

“Yes I would,” said Reggie. “I just wanted to again say how very proud I am to be one of you today. We have become a community and have stood many tests in the past few weeks. We have proven that we are strong and capable of much when we work together.

"My friends, never forget this moment or what we are capable of, especially now as we embark as a new nation. These are exciting times, and proof that humanity can salvage itself out of the chaos and destruction that is all around us. I applaud you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Tim nodded and smiled. “Thank you very much Mister Philips, for your time and your sentiments which I’m sure most of us share today. A proud day for everyone in the JP. Remember it well. This is Tim Reynolds signing off for now as the voice of the JP. Stay strong friends.”

Chapter 15 – The World Outside

CONFIDENTIAL REPORT

EYES ONLY FOR: Jackson Purchase President Reginald Philips

SUBJECT: Identification of WTR Spy within the JP - Initial Report

FROM: Brigadier General Nathan Taylor, Director, Strategic Security Agency

Mr. President,

I would like to begin my report by applauding the diligent efforts of the state troopers. Although counterintelligence is not part of their normal duties, they have exceeded all my expectations and are to be commended for their diligent work.

We have been able to successfully identify a WTR infiltrator in the USECO Complex (full identification withheld from this report for security purposes). He is a maintenance man and grounds keeper at the facility. He was able to listen in on the side discussions and report what he heard to his handler in the WTR.

The man was recruited through leverage on his mother who lived in Western Tennessee. His handler told him his elderly mother would be taken care of if he helped them; but if not, they couldn’t guarantee her safety. In the end, the man had felt like he had no choice but to cooperate.

The man’s biggest concern is now for the safety of his mother and he hopes his handler did not learn that he has been caught. I believe this situation could present us with an opportunity. We could allow the man to continue providing information, but in reality he would be working for my new intelligence service. Such an arrangement would allow us to pass disinformation along and also hopefully allow us to learn about the WTR intelligence network. It is risky, but in my judgment worth the gamble.

We have unfortunately been able to learn little about the WTR handler. What we have gathered indicates a highly trained professional in espionage tradecraft and operational security. Full identification of this individual will be one of the primary objectives of the above operation.

The infiltrator also has information indicating that he is not the only recruited spy within the JP. He does not possess any information specific enough to identify these individuals, but we are opening cases and using his information to build subject profiles.

Sir, I will continue to keep you informed of the above situations as they develop. As always I welcome your thoughts and guidance.

Respectfully,

ORIGINAL SIGNED

Brigadier General Nathan Taylor

ORIGINAL SIGNED

President Reginald Philips with the words "See me ASAP!" written in the president's hand.

*******

CONFIDENTIAL REPORT

EYES ONLY FOR: Jackson Purchase Senior Council Officials and Military Commanders - Further Dissemination is Unauthorized Without Written Approval of the Undersigned

SUBJECT: Intelligence Situation Report

FROM: Brigadier General Nathan Taylor, Director, Strategic Security Agency

The Strategic Security Agency over the last month has been monitoring short wave radio transmissions using local trusted volunteers. Each was given particular bandwidths to monitor and report on what they heard of interest. Although my expectations were low, I have been surprised by the amount of radio traffic and the information they gathered.

It is apparent that what we would describe as the civilized world is now limited to the Southeast Asian nations with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand as the world’s leaders in every area. Although South America and Africa were spared widespread nuclear bombardment, they were behind Southeast Asia in development and production. N-Day appears to have set off a fresh wave of continent-wide violent chaos in Africa which continues even now.

North America, Europe, Northern Asia, China, India, and Southwest Asia are now largely nuclear wastelands where little lives and any hope for recovery is probably unknown decades in the future. Fortunately, the nuclear fallout clouds and debris were limited to the central part of the northern hemisphere and have dissipated more quickly and easily than anyone could have predicted before N-Day.

The majority of the radio traffic we have intercepted is from the Southeast Asia Basin or from Spanish broadcasts in Latin and South America, but there were some other surprising signal sources. Although the southern edge of Canada near the Great Lakes and Vancouver took direct nuclear hits, most of the rest of the country was left untouched. The people there appear to have utilized their natural resources and ingenuity to form communities similar to the JP, despite their obvious disadvantages of extreme weather and isolation.

We are also regularly monitoring transmissions from something called The Alaskan Free State which gives indications of a functioning highly developed government of its own.

I have carefully considered the pros and cons of attempting to make official shortwave radio contact with these elements in Alaska and Canada, but could not see the benefit since we are too far away to help each other or provide practical information. I decided to let our radio operators talk to counterparts in these areas, but any sort of diplomatic relations are unnecessary and probably ridiculous, given the circumstances.

There are also radio transmissions from within the United States, but these are mostly pitiful in their loneness and abject despair. Others are often frightening in their threats of violence or proud proclamations of despicable deeds. There are also some indications of militant organized tribal groups forming to the west. These groups are aggressive and appear bent on conquest and destruction. I have forbidden the radio operators from communicating with any of these sources. We don’t know how dangerous these elements are, but the less they know about the JP, the better.

The radio operators have on occasion picked up bits and pieces of information about something called ‘Continuity of Government,’ possibly in Colorado. We know that before the war, the United States had post-nuclear war contingency plans to save key government leaders and continue the government. We do not know for certain if there are remnants of the American government holed up in some mountain fortress, or if this is a false hope. Regardless, the information is so limited as to make it nearly useless.

The radio broadcasts have further emphasized how fortunate the JP was compared to the rest of the country. All the major cities in the United States took at least one direct nuclear hit, and many more than one. Following the attacks, the nuclear fallout drifted east with the prevailing winds and weather patterns. All the major cities near the JP were to the east, north, or south. The closest city to the west hit by a nuke was Wichita, and it only sustained a smaller strike resulting in almost no fallout settling in the JP.

Although people in the JP still occasionally show signs of mild radiation sickness, this is nothing compared to the reports we've heard of piles of decayed bodies in the streets and cities across America. In short, the situation outside the JP, especially in high population density areas, is dire.

We cannot count on any outside help and may need to be prepared to defend what we have. Fortune has smiled upon us to date, but we cannot gamble the lives of our families on the hope that she will continue to do so.

We are surrounded by enemies and death. Retreat is impossible. We must prepare ourselves for the worst to come.

Respectfully,

ORIGINAL SIGNED

Brigadier General Nathan Taylor