"Texas Wildfire" - Chapter 7

Texas Wildfire

Chapter 7

By Dwayne MacInnes

Governor Tucker scowled across the room towards his staff. Things were not shaping up as he had hoped. Even though there were many Texans who wanted to secede from the United States, he did not have the sympathy of the majority. The state legislature even refused to debate the issue while President Roberts remained in power.

To make matters worse, there were rumors that President Roberts had snuck some military special forces across the state line to "protect" the oil fields and refineries. Common knowledge had it that all military bases were on lockdown with heightened security. This meant that any Texas surprise move to take over any federal arm depots would prove difficult and deadly.

"Do we have any confirmation of any special forces at any of these oil fields," growled the governor.

One aide looked at the governor sheepishly across his big desk in the office. "Ah…nothing concrete. The rumors are that if any of the oil companies spill the beans, they will have their assets seized and will lose their rights to any and all oil interests across the country."

Tucker did not understand why Roberts was so interested in helping Ramirez come to power. Hell, the man's job approval rating was just a tick higher than the vice president's was and she was quite open about her disapproval when Ramirez won the vote a month ago.

"Damn it!" cursed Tucker. "You know that if Roberts would support us he could bring Alaska into the mix."

"I don't think the president is interested in breaking up the country," offered a young female staffer.

Tucker stared at the young lady until she seemed to melt as she hid behind some of the other advisors.

"I don't give a rat's behind what you think!" Tucker yelled. "If Roberts was a stronger man he would return to his home state and declare independence like we will. The people up there are as upset about Ramirez becoming president as we are."

"What about Watson?" asked another aide.

"Are you freaking kidding me!?!" Tucker exploded. "North Da-freaking-kota? What are they going to do? Throw snowballs? Watson is washed up and she doesn't carry a lot of weight with anyone."

"Sir, couldn't we call up the National Guard?"

"No, I need a state emergency and I don't have one handy right now!"

* * * * *

"So get this, listeners," Flash Limbeck spoke into the microphone in his studio. "It appears that President Roberts is now a closet liberal.

"He's been tightening the security in and around Texas. Even here in New Mexico, he has all military bases on high alert. Why? Are we the enemy?

"If there is a danger in this country, it is not from Texas, but from the man who will take over the oval office in a couple of week's time. A man who will open the borders up to any illegal immigrant, a man who will relax our national security so that terrorists can attack us at will, and now it looks like a man who will be a dictator and will hold the country by martial law.

"Is there any reason why Texas wants to secede from the United States?"

Limbeck looked at the control board in the studio and noticed the light flashing alerting him to a caller. A read out on the screen gave Limbeck the vital information about the caller he needed before he proceeded.

"I have a caller from Washington State, a Mr. Wainright."

"Yes, Flash," the man's voice stated. "I hear that most of the people in Texas are not for secession."

"You mean the liberals in the western part of the state. Yes, for nearly a century illegal immigrants have been settling in the western part of the state and they can stand to lose a lot if Texas declares its independence. They would not be able to give the territory back to Mexico or even sneak some of their compadres over the border anymore."

"Do you know if the rumors are true that the Minutemen movement is now openly carrying firearms?" the man asked Flash.

"It's their God given rights if they are. Hell, I would just to keep those communist loving liberals in Washington in an uproar."

* * * * *

Fred Wilson was pleased at the size of the turnout for the Oath Keepers meetings lately. After the election, the group had swollen in size to the point where larger and larger facilities had to be booked. The number of law enforcement and National Guardsmen now outnumbered the veterans.

Sheriff Gracen now acted as Wilson's lieutenant. The sheriff helped organize the meetings, and he kept everyone on track. With the situation in Texas rapidly coming to a boil, it was important that everyone understood that they would not take up arms against Texas nor would they follow any orders that they felt violated the Constitution.

It would be a tightrope walk, but it was important that everyone understood what his or her roles were. Back at his department, Sheriff Gracen also warned his deputies of the same thing. Especially now that Roberts had mobilized many of the military forces in the surrounding states to be ready for any signs of attack.

"Okay, can I get everyone's attention," Wilson said towards the large assembly in the theater.

Hundreds of people, most in some type of uniform, began to take their seats in the large auditorium. The buzz of a hundred or so conversations slowly trailed off as everyone gave Wilson his or her attention.

"It looks like Roberts is helping Ramirez set up his little dictatorship," Wilson began. "As you may have noticed there is a larger military presence in the area."

There were some loud rumblings from the auditorium as the Oath Keepers commented to each other about the increased presence of the U.S. military in the area and in the town of Littleton.

"I must remind everyone of their oath. We will not violate the U.S. Constitution and if war breaks out we will not fire upon our brothers and sisters in Texas trying to defend their rights against tyranny."

The assembly broke into applause at this and it took a few minutes before Wilson could restore order. "I do not presume to tell you what to do. You will have to search your hearts when the time comes and determine if you will side with liberty or tyranny.

"Things could get ugly. You may have to decide to choose between defending Texas against these Federal forces or joining the dictator that will take office in a couple of weeks."

The crowd instantly exploded into boos and catcalls.