Righteous Reign Read online

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  Edward Delnikov arrived at the 285 junction, for his first meeting with Old Tom, with his family on a sunny, warm Saturday August 28, 2021. The two men greeted each other warmly; though, Edward could not hide his surprise at Tom's age. From the voice received, on his shortwave, he had obviously envisioned a much younger man. What he saw now was a balding, grizzled, grey, wrinkled form that couldn't weigh more than a hundred and fifty pounds and stood no more than five foot seven in height. But, Tom's stature would rise, in Edward's eyes as he became familiar with his energy, determination, conviction and abilities. Within a month, he would no longer see him as a septuagenarian.

  The old man escorted the family up the highway to Britton Hill; leading them onto the hidden roadway that served as the driveway to his complex. They parked the vehicles on the flat in front of the house.

  Tom had heard Edward on his local political talk show that; he ran at the same time every day, on the same shortwave radio frequency. He had gone to some effort to acquire an auto scanning shortwave system to monitor frequencies. Edward had crackled to life; while, Tom was working on his new fortress, one day. He espoused a philosophy to return to some form of civilized government; believing that, a hybrid system of representative government with a single leader who had the power to overrule and force legislation was the best way to eliminate the foibles of past governments.

  "How in the world did you ever find this home?" Edward's attractive wife Sylvia asked.

  "I did not find it. When I was still in Canada, I researched northern Florida for a site that would be easy to secure. Britton Hill turned out to be ideal. Before I even left, I knew I would probably build in the southwest slope of the hill. I knew it was composed mostly of sedimentary rock and forested by Florida pine, maples and oaks. I knew there was a lake close by and that a breeze was almost constant. I planned it alone. I built it all...alone. I would like to show you around. It is a lot more than what you see from out here; because, it’s dug into the side of the hill. You’re only seeing the front. It goes to prove that; anyone can do anything they want if they put their mind to it." Tom explained as he extended an arm toward the front door.

  They entered into the foyer of an open-concept section of the house that included the living room, dining room and kitchen. The guests oohed and awed at the fully equipped kitchen with adequate storage, countertop, and a big island separating it from an eating area. Off to one side was a fully functional formal dining room visible from the kitchen table and a well-furnished living room with full entertainment center. To the rear of the house was a main bathroom, a large bedroom with in-suite bath and an office.

  "I will go through the back wall, right here.' Tom pointed to the wall; then, continued. 'That will give me access to the guest bedroom I am currently adding.

  In the garage, they were astounded at the power center and pumping station that supplied electricity and water to the complex.

  "Is that natural light?" Sylvia asked pointing to one of the ten fixtures, in the ceiling.

  "Yes, it is. It is brought in by fiber-optic cable. That way, there are no exterior windows or skylights to give away the existence of a residence." Tom replied.

  "Can you show us how that works?" Edward asked.

  "When we two are outside, I will show you where the fiber-optics come up through the ground." The old man answered.

  Pointing to his various assets, Tom explained how he had scavenged working tools like the tractors to construct the home. He pointed out that, most people left valuable possessions to make their way south; and, in other cases, owners of equipment had died in the great tragedies of the recent past and these things were left lying about.

  “An old guy like me isn’t going to be able to do all this alone; unless he has the right equipment. The small dump truck, two tractors, man-lift and hydraulic jacks were all abandoned. Gasoline, diesel, wood, concrete, all varieties of building materials, appliances and furniture are just lying about for the taking, if you can figure out how to recover them; not to mention life’s finer things like wine and some great canned goods.

  I cleared the areas for the driveway, house and garden. I dug the holes and trenches for the foundations and septic tanks system. I found a precast concrete place with those multi-layered insulated slabs for the walls; and raised the slabs and the roof girders and roof-slabs using the tractors and the man-lift; and, I planted the garden and backfilled and graded the yard. I used those prefab wall panel systems for the interior walls; using only the insulated ones around the interior perimeter. Because, I acquired all the right tools, it only took six months. The big jobs were really the plumbing and electrical. They are labor intensive. Every circuit has to be pulled and wired, individually. Every drain, supply line and vent has to be installed one at a time. When, I want something else, like the scanning shortwave system I contact you on, or a new cement mixer; I just go shopping.’ Tom explained with a laugh. ‘I have determination and some pretty good skills; not to mention that, electrical is my bailiwick. That’s why the big windmill generator, power system and water pumping system. I never lifted one thing over twenty-five pounds, manually. The tractors, man-lift and pulley systems did all the heavy lifting.’ He added proudly.

  ‘I listened for a civilized voice on the shortwave, every day. I would leave it on scan twenty-four hours a day. I finally heard you a month ago; and, I was impressed. So, I went looking for you and left that note you found. And, here we are.” McCracken smiled as he finished.

  Tom led the way out the front of the garage; stopping to point out the grading and gravel of the parking area and the driveway; and, how it had all been cut into the side of the hill while remaining camouflaged. He walked them up the slope, on the south side of the hill to the windmill generator.

  "I raised the windmill; then, buried the cabling all the way to the house to supply electricity to the entire complex. I came back up here recently and upgraded the windmill from fifteen kilowatts to fifty kilowatts; so, I would have enough power for all future needs.’ Tom pointed to the scars in the ground from the trenching. ‘You have to work with what’s available to fill your immediate needs; and, satisfy your wishes, later.” He added.

  He walked them halfway down that slope and stopped; pointing to the lake below.

  "If you look down there, near the lake, you can see the area I turned into a rice paddy. It's over there to the left of the shore and kind of looks like a marshy area. You can see the dikes I built to regulate the water. I can drain or flood the field, at any time. I need a supply of rice for flour; because, I can't eat wheat flour. That machine you saw in the garage is a rice huller. It allows me to shuck large quantities of rice for milling." Tom explained as he turned to take them towards the garden.

  "The garden is planted with an assortment of vegetables including a variety of beans, a selection of lettuce, cabbage, peas, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and the large area you can see over in that corner devoted to corn. There seems to be enough bees around here to make it all fertile." Tom said pointing to the southeast corner of the garden. He continued walking them about pointing out water valves and electrical outlets positioned conveniently. He ended up at a large picnic table located in the cleared area where he had for set up camp, when he arrived.

  "Help yourself to some lemonade or iced tea.' The old man offered as he pointed to the closed carafes and upside down glassware; then continued. 'I have a pretty fair luncheon prepared for us all to enjoy. But, I thought we could just sit and talk, first." Tom said as everyone took a place around the table and help themselves to a glass and their favorite beverage.

  For the next couple of hours, they all sat around talking. First, they discussed family life for the Delnikovs. Next, Edward and his family had many questions about Tom's trip from Canada. They were truly astounded at the way he viewed such a harrowing experience as an adventure. They all had a great belly laugh when Tom embe
llished the story of his encounter with the black bear in the middle of the night. Then, Tom moved the conversation towards Edward's philosophy. After a great deal of back-and-forth regarding its tenets, Tom brought out his own writings and turned the conversation to how each goal could be attained; while maintaining security and providing the economic wherewithal to be able to make it all happen. The thesis he presented was a step-by-step plan for first achieving the goals over a small area like a town; and then, spreading out with the future intent of governing an entire country; and maybe even a world. It included the means to establish departments and funding. It offered a detailed timeline that took it all the way through the legitimization of a new government to a point where it could begin to expand. At the end of the document was a formal ten-page constitution enshrining an empire, its emperor, a representative government and its citizens' rights and freedoms. A look of shock appeared on Edward's face as he skimmed the proposed constitution.

  "Why is my name embedded in this document as Emperor?" Edward exclaimed.

  "Because, you're the best man for the job!" Tom replied.

  "What are you talking about? I don't even want the job!" Delnikov responded.

  "That's exactly the point. You're the man with the plan; but, you think someone stronger should execute it. That's a recipe for a despotism: when, you're really advocating a cooperative government. You would never miss-use all the power; because, you don't even want the power!" Tom explained.

  "What do you think, Sylvia?" Edward asked, in disbelief, as he turned towards his wife.

  "I'm a bit biased; but, I agree with Tom; and, for exactly the same reasons. You are the best man for the job." Sylvia responded.

  "My head is spinning – I need time to think." Edward replied to the assemblage.

  "Why don't you take a walk around the grounds – by yourself if you want?" Tom suggested.

  "Yeah but, I think I'd rather have you with me. I still have a lot of questions." Delnikov's voice had a pleading quality.

  The two men rose and began walking across the front of the house and garage. Tom wasn't sure if he should just take Edward around the hill; or, if he should be walking towards the lake. Anyway, they were moving and that's what Edward wanted.

  "How would we gain support for all this?" Delnikov asked.

  "It's a step by step process. You would continue to do your radio broadcasts. Meantime, I would go out and begin to hold rallies to drum up core of true believers. It takes that kind of loyal core to start this type of organization. Once we have enough support, I will begin taking others on excursions to recover supplies we’ll need to build such an enterprise." Tom explained.

  "What kind of supplies do we need?" Edward asked.

  "Food supplies, building materials, communications equipment, police vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and electrical equipment and a whole host of other stuff we can scavenge from abandoned businesses, police stations, military installations, homes; and, even stuff just abandoned on the sides of roads. We need materials that allow you to establish government-like operations without cash funding; since, there isn't any legal currency, at the moment. We need stockpiles we can use as currency; because initially, everything will be done by barter. You can see what I've done here, just by scavenging. One determined old man built a fully equipped complex that is completely secure, all by himself. If I can do that; then, a large group of supporters can really help you achieve success. Once you have your stockpiles, you'll have something to pay employees with. That allows you to establish operational government agencies, police forces, fire departments and utilities. In time, we have our followers ratify the Constitution; allowing us to create a currency to replace the barter system. Once we reach that point, we're on the way!" Tom explained.

  "I can see what you mean; but, I'm really not sure that I'm leadership material." Delnikov responded.

  "You're the man with the plan. You're the man with the populist following. You're also the man who really doesn't want power. That makes you our leader." Tom countered in a low near whisper.

  "But, why not someone else; someone more driven; someone like you." Edward asked.

  "Because, people who are driven, like me, are potential dictators. Though I firmly believe in, and share, many of your ideas, I know that because I am so driven, I can be so impatient that, I might actually become a hated tyrant. What our world needs now is semi-democratic government. It needs a representative government where one person has the authority to step in and get things done, when government stalls or goes sideways. It needs a clearly understood set of values and parameters for both the people and the government to work under. My first draft constitution is a good example of the direction my thoughts are going in this matter. Though under the Constitution, you could take absolute control; I don't believe you'd actually exercise the option. Because you're you, I believe, your children have been, and will be, raised with your values; and, they will rear their children the same way. No, it can't be me; or, someone like me. It has to be someone like you. As you can see by my planning and my draft constitution, I am a good planner; and, I will be able to help you execute. But, my ideas are a little strong. They need the final say of someone who will pull in the reigns. I understand the order in which things should be executed to achieve your desired goals. I know how to attain the assets and wealth needed to reach these goals. But, in military terms, I am like the general of the army; you are like the commander-in-chief." Tom explained.

  And so it was that, Tom and Edward formed a very strong partnership. Edward continued to host his shortwave radio shows – complete with all his opinions. Tom organized rallies; building support for Edward around the ideas he espoused on the radio. A small group of six joined Edward and Tom as an inner circle; executing a plan laid out in Tom's draft and edited and approved by Edward. More than a thousand additional people became the driving force behind the execution of the plan. They travelled to surrounding areas drumming up support for Edward's ideas. Groups went north, east and west on scavenging trips. Others journeyed through Florida to assess the state of infrastructure built before civilization fell. Six months later the organization could boast vast warehouses of stored foods, building materials, technology, medical supplies, automobiles and repair parts for machinery and vehicles. Abandoned housing was corralled and restored for availability of future public and civil servants. At first, a policeman would not be paid in cash; since there was no currency. But that officer would receive a home, a car, fuel, furniture, clothing allotment and weekly food allotment. Utilities would be provided by the new state to the employees. This would be the way for all legislative members, judges, firemen, policemen, city officials and all the other jobs and positions that would support restoration of services and a comfortable way of life for the people within their territory.

  Meetings of the future Emperor and his inner seven advisors continued through 2022 and into early 2023, at Tom's complex. Throughout it all, Edward's teams, under the direction of the inner circle, amassed scavenged assets; while, restoring needed service, throughout the State. The name of the State was changed, in the proposed constitution, from the Eastern Empire to the North American Empire; and its defined boundaries were changed to include the entire former U.S. and Canada.

  Data returned by the many exploratory and recovery missions indicated that somewhere around four and a half million people lived in the State of Florida; having survived all the phases of the Apocalypse. The draft constitution evolved through many editing sessions. The State was divided into fifty districts each housing about ninety thousand people. Each district would send two elected representatives to the Legislative Assembly. So, the assembly would start with a hundred representatives. As the Empire expanded, representation would increase based on a formula that established a new district for every ninety thousand citizens. Registered candidates would run to represent the district in elections held every four years. The two candidates receiving the greatest shares of the popular vote would represent
the district. Divisive, partisan party politics would be banned.

  By the end of the year, the Empire had the complete support of the more than one and a half million living within a forty-mile radius of Wildwood. Within that region, the defacto government had restored all services and created central trading markets for bartering. From that group of people, it was not hard for the Empire to find and hire thirty thousand displaced military personnel with experience in all fields and at all ranks to build the Army of the North American Empire. Recovered uniforms, clothing, rank insignia, light weapons, heavy weapons, ammunition, mobile launchers and rockets, medium and heavy armor made the small force one to be reckoned with. Though not an ideal headquarters, two thousand troops secured the former Naval Air Warfare Centre, in Orlando; quickly determining that, a lot of abandoned hardware and aircraft were fully functional. It provided a military base of operation for what was to come.

  On Tuesday February 15, 2022, eighteen thousand soldiers composed of twenty-four battalions of seven hundred and fifty well-armed and supported troops posted proclamations in the largest population centers throughout the state; dispatching companies to enforce the document throughout the territory they patrolled. The Major General heading the operation was under the direct command of Tom McCracken who had been granted the military rank of Lieutenant General within the Empire, by the Emperor-in-waiting. The heavy armor and professional troops, with the promise of a return to civilization, seemed to pacify people; at least long enough to see what would result. Armed Forces were quickly followed by another army of teachers, administrators, doctors, technicians, construction teams and logistics specialists to restore services. By the end of the month, most areas had functioning hospitals and schools, protected bartering markets, police services, fire departments; not to mention the promise of housing, automobiles, food, clothing and utilities; if, they chose to apply for and occupy one of the many civil service and military positions being offered.