The Battle for Houston...The Aftermath (29 page)

“Your father, the new President of Colombia; he was elected late last night once the Chambers had been cleaned and the remaining ministers voted to have a Rodriquez in the hot seat. They wanted me, but I refused and suggested a man who had very few ties with any remaining drug lords or cartel members here in Colombia. Your father was the first choice and you the second. In absentia, we gave the job to your father who has reluctantly agreed and is now keen to help get our country back on its feet.”

The Meeting on Capitol Hill

The meeting at Capitol Hill finally got underway. Carlos returned to his seat a minute or so before the entrance of the president. Sally was with him and they took their seats as the president’s entrance was announced and everyone stood.

Preston noticed that the president still looked fit as he passed; his hair was graying, but the man looked healthy and had his usual glow about him.

Instead of shaking many people’s hands, he smiled as he moved forward and headed for his seat. The Speaker of the House was a congressman standing-in for the former Speaker, and he worked his way through the opening procedures. The vice-president’s chair and the chairs of the leader of the opposition were both empty.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,” the Speaker stated and sat down.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of Congress, members of the armed forces, citizens, and guests of the United States, I welcome you to Capitol Hill. So much water has passed under the bridge since I stood here more than a year ago,” began the president, “so many people have died since then, here in the United States, North America and around the world. We will not know the full details of this world-wide atrocity for a long time to come. We do have limited communications with our bases in Europe and Japan. We also have limited communications with the countries of Australia, New Zealand, and Colombia. I have been on the phone with the leaders of these countries, many of whom are new leaders filling in for others. They, themselves, need years to get their countries back on their feet and do not yet know the total devastation in their countries. We, the United States of America, are now the most modern country in the world. We have the best communications, the only reasonably sophisticated air force, the only satellite system and one of two operative railway systems. Thanks go to so many who helped keep this country on its feet and kept the survivors safe and fed. We are so lucky to have Americans and non-Americans who have helped in their way to keep this country alive and victorious in the face of invasions. There were two invasions—one from Zedong Electronics in China and the second, a collection of drug cartels from Central and South America.

Thanks to our men and women, we beat these invasions back; worked with the limited resources we had, and kept our country and our land in one piece. It is not possible to thank everyone, but many will be thanked in different ways. Today, I would like to thank members of our armed forces and civilians for their distinctive service to our country.”

Nobody knew who would be getting medals today, but it was well known that several medals were to be awarded.

“I will start with our armed forces. I have the honor to award the Air Force Congressional Medal of Honor for the second time, posthumously, to General Peter J. Allen, United States Air Force, for his leadership and command in thwarting the first invasion against the U.S.A. Everyone please stand and observe a minute of silence for the general.” Everybody did. “General Pete Allen leaves no family and his two medals, both designed on a metal plaque from an AC-130 gunship will be hung in the Oval Office.” There was silence.

“Now, I would like to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the following recipients here with us today. Air Force Medal of Honor to General William B. Patterson, Navy Congressional Medals of Honor to Admiral Martin J. Rogers, Lieutenant Charles H. Meyers and, Lieutenant Joseph A. Paul.” The men rose and headed forward, each receiving his medal over his head to hang around the neck; they stood in a line as everybody stood and applauded.

“Second, I would like to award four air force personnel the Air Force Cross for bravery in the face of the enemy: Majors Sally M. Powers, Jennifer S. Watkins, Joseph M. Chong and Lee D. Wong. Please come forward.” And the four airmen received their medals. It was a proud day for Sally’s parents who had been flown in for the ceremony.

“Now I would like to give out ten Presidential Medals of Freedom, all awarded with Distinction, to U.S. civilians, in or not in the service industries, who helped keep our country stay free before and during our conflict. First, I would Like to posthumously give the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Wolfgang D. Von Roebels, a German immigrant who, after the Second World War became an American citizen. I would also like to award the Presidential Medal of Honor with Distinction to his son, Michael W. Von Roebels, and his granddaughter, Martie A. Von Roebels. This one family has been instrumental in keeping our country safe for over four decades. Michael, Martie, please come up and receive your family’s three medals.” Preston felt Martie rise next to him and felt proud of his soon-to-be wife.

With a standing ovation, they were presented with their medals. “I would next like to award the following U.S. citizens the Medal of Freedom, also all with Distinction: Barbara B. Metcalf, Margaret B. Smart, Michael R. Mallory, Buck A. McKinnon, Carlos M. Rodriquez, Detective William A. Smart, and Preston M. Strong.”

Again there was much applause as the medal recipients had their medals placed over their heads and stood in a line facing the chamber. Preston felt good and could see both Little Beth jumping up and down, and Clint standing and waving several rows back, as excited as he and Martie. They returned to their seats.

“Thank you all. Now we need to move to the more somber part of this first Congressional meeting since the fateful day, January 1st,” continued the president. Preston looked over at Martie, saw her face had a tear halfway down it and he felt for her hand and held it. “We have just about completed the clearing of bodies in and around our twenty main cities, many to the north of us and many to the south. We still have over 300 crematoriums working across the country, but the burning pits are now complete. After seven months of counting our population, we have 47,568,990 citizens alive and well in the United State of America.” There was a gasp from many in the chamber. So few people! “We will never know how many American died; we estimate 273 million people did not survive this attack on our country for many reasons. Please rise and observe a moment of silence for our fallen family members, friends, citizens of the United States of America, and citizens of the world who did not survive this terrible catastrophe.”

“The two main causes of death were exposure to cold and gunshot wounds,” continued the president a couple of minutes later as the silent chamber sat down. “As far as the rest of the world is concerned, we believe that over four billion people have died because of the ideas of one man. Nobody on earth has ever caused as many deaths as this one man, Chinese CEO of Zedong Electronics, Chairman Wang Chunqiao. This man will be remembered throughout history as the man who nearly rid the earth of mankind. His actions have put the world back into the dark ages, and I’m afraid we will be “dark” for decades to come.

“Moving forward, I can say one positive thing: At this moment there is probably not one war being waged between any people or factions on earth. It is the first time in our history that the world is completely clear of war, and I hope, for God’s sake, it stays that way for the rest of my life.” There was much agreement about that.

“Now we need to rebuild. We need to rebuild our complete infrastructure and, this effort started within days after the New Year. We have some of the best engineers in the world, thousands of them, working on new ideas to bring our country back to the grandness we knew last year. It is going to take time, but we will see these advancements through and win. We have enough food for our people. It must have been God’s work, as there was no way our systems could have fed 300 million people. It was a struggle to feed that number before this happened. All our citizens have been placed on farms, or in positions of work to feed, aid and advance our country. For the first time in our lives, money does not rule. I’m sure that in the future people will again be seduced by the power that money can bring, but until that happens we are doing OK. Electricity is being generated to small areas. Many hospitals are up and running across the country and the remaining population is strong and ready to work. I’m more proud to be the President of the United States this year, with what we have achieved, than at any earlier time in office.” There was loud applause.

“As I promised, we need to form a new House of Representatives and Senate, and I will be sending out letters of invitation to people who I believe will be an asset to our country. They will join the current remaining members of Congress, and we will have a complete and running system of government by Christmas this year. I must admit, it has been peaceful for the last couple of months as president not having the House of Representatives to fight, but all good things must come to an end.” There was much laughter and applause.

“Our new police force is going through training. We have 200,000 military police from all the armed forces joining the 22,000 remaining police officers who will from January 1st, keep the rule of law across our land. Our armed forces will keep our country free and democratic until the military hands over control to the new police force on January 1st. Amtrak is working well, and we have the complete country under workable rail. Our farms and farm communities are doing well; a total of ten million people are working to feed the population and already preparing for winter. We have collected as many vaccines and medical treatments for illness and disease as we can and are prepared if any disease spreads into our mid-country living areas. We plan to open up the southern areas in the next year or two, depending on many safety factors and the northern areas after that.”

“Lastly, I will organize presidential elections as soon as possible to do so and then I can hand over the administration of the country to a duly elected president. Thank you all for your individual services to your country. Thank you all!” The president left the chamber.

At the president’s exit the Speaker made a final announcement, “Please join the president and members of Congress for refreshments in the Rotunda. We would like to hear from anybody who would like to make any suggestions to everyone congregated here. Afterwards, we will adjourn and the helicopters will take you back to Andrews. Thank you.”

“So, Carlos, when are we going to hear about your Colombian battles,” inquired Martie as they got up to leave.

Sally joined them and inspected him from head to foot and gently gave him a hug. “See, I let you out of my sight for a couple of weeks and you come back looking like somebody used you for target practice! Once we are married, lover boy, you will not be trusted to travel back to Colombia without me. What’s wrong with you guys, not looking after my man here?” she stated, looking sternly at Manuela, who was standing by.

“He will tell you, Senorita Sally. We were not in a position to protect him. Even the American Seal Team couldn’t protect him,” she replied smiling back sweetly.

“We all look pretty medaled up here. I wonder where they found all these medals?” Preston asked. “I’m sure there were more soldiers who should have received medals.”

“I was told that these were all they had in stock,” commented Buck, coming up to see if Carlos was alright. “The president has a hundred people on his list who are going to get medals, but more medals have to be made first.”

“I heard there are fresh doughnuts and fresh Colombian coffee,” added Maggie coming up to join them with Will, Ben and Oprah.

Everybody congratulated each other on the new medals hanging around their necks.

“We have lost the world’s coffee market for our Colombian coffee,” added Carlos as the group made their way towards the Rotunda. “Colombia is hoping to swap coffee and other items for electronics and, Preston, I think I found a way we can get our 747 licenses.”

“Now, that is something I’m looking forward to,” replied Preston. “And, flying that transporter as well as Majors Wong and Chong will make my day.”

“I asked the president to meet with us over the weekend. He is coming down for the weddings, and I think those two majors should be our instructors,” replied Carlos “This is something even Sally can’t teach us.”

“I’m officially retired after getting my medal. Jennifer and I will be civilians tomorrow, but we might like to fly right seat at least, lover boy,” added Sally. “We aren’t married yet, but I’m working on my husband-domination protocols as we speak.”

“I’m thinking Colombia could be safer than being married…and don’t you hit an injured person, Major, or I’ll get Manuela to sort you out,” replied Carlos smiling at Preston.

The coffee, doughnuts and Danish were excellent, and it seemed that there wasn’t much going on. The president wasn’t in the Rotunda and didn’t make an appearance. After half an hour the Speaker apologized and said that the schedule had been changed, the day had come to an end and the helicopters were ready.

Wedding Days

Oliver and Puppy were happy to hear the first aircraft returning. The sun was getting low, they had missed the kids in the pool, chewed and broken the only plastic pool bed and fell asleep in the shade of the porch in late afternoon.

One by one the aircraft arrived. Both DC-3s came in first with a lone C-130 bringing in more people.

The late afternoon heat hit everyone as they deplaned and headed for several of the buildings where the air conditioners were doing their job.

“I’m going to get my wound dressed and I’ll see you by the pool, Preston,” said Carlos, heading towards the hangar. Sally stayed next to him in case he needed help.