Ch 109

Duncan drove Bob and Carol the gas station, bought four 5 gallon containers and Bob paid to fill them all. coming back, the sheriff was out in front of his office and waved them down. Duncan stopped, the sheriff stepped up to the car.

"Good new, the place that was growing those Demon Rats has been found and taken out, the scientists also."

"That's a big relief," Duncan told him.

"Who was behind it?" Bob asked.

"Unknown, yet. I'm sure that will come to light soon, one way or another," the sheriff told him. "If you could stop by John Connor's place and let him know, I'd appreciate it."

"We can do that, we're headed there now," Carol told him.

"Great! Thanks!" the sheriff said with a wave and stepped away so they could continue on.

.

In a guarded closed-door meeting several men and two women sat.

"How did someone find that place and not only destroy what we've worked on, but also killed the scientists, and none of the guards saw anything except for the rats escaping!" one man asked in a hard tone.

"We have a spy in our ranks, it's the only answer," another man said.

"The news has picked up those rats getting into people's homes. There are questions being asked. We need to find a fall guy," one of the women said.

"We can type up a confession letter and blame it on one of the dead scientists," yet another man offered.

"That will work for fixing the blame, but WHO attacked that place? I want to know!" the first man said angrily.

"The FBI is looking into it."

"SCREW the FBI!" the first man snapped, "I want some of our people looking into it! We find them, then get rid of them and their family! We need to teach these terrorists that to screw with us means death!"

"We'll get a team on it, but right now, neither the police nor the FBI has a clue how they got in, or especially how they got out after the rats were set free."

"Start by looking for thieves who make cat burgling their specialty," the other woman said. "Then match them to one of the states we infected. Search banking records, see if any of those we suspect had any dealings with any government officials in the states we infected."

"At least that's a start," the first man said. "Do it!"

.

With the migrant workers and JJ and his wives, the harvesting was done ahead of schedule. The grape presses had tons of grapes lined up to be squeezed of their juice. A few food company tanker trucks were waiting to be filled, including one from California. They came because things were less expensive here, and they could actually get enough diesel at a lower price to fill the hungry side tanks of their truck. It was a banner year for grape harvest and selling the juice. This year, they wouldn't have many raisins to sell.

JJ was taking his turn at operating the grape press, which was squashing grapes 24-7 to get them onto the trucks. Peggy came up and hugged him. "I've got good news," she beamed.

"Oh? something special?" he asked in a tease.

"Yes, I'm going to have my first baby!" she said happily.

"You're pregnant?"

"I am! We're going to be parents!"

JJ was smiling, and he knew she was excited, so he hugged her. "That's great, hon." he told her, even though he was kind of worried about being parents at their ages. Thinking of something to say, he added, "Do you now when?"

"The doctor said I'm three months along. So that another six months..."

"Middle of summer," he said. "That's gong to suck your last month or so."

"Yeah, but that's OK." she said with a big smile. "Now I gotta go find Lily and tell her." Peggy kissed him and ran off to find Lily.

"Hoo boy" JJ said with a sigh. He didn't know if he was ready for this.

.

Joan and Allison returned to the dock to find a party going on in the yard. Daniel, Jackie, Louise and the alligator were sitting around a blanket with food and snacks. There were also a few four foot alligators tucked in between them. Jackie picked up a small piece of raw meat out of the bucket and held it over one of the smaller alligator's snout. The gator opened his mouth, she dropped it in. Louise did the same with the one on her left side.

"An alligator party," Allison said with a chuckle.

"Feeding time?" Joan asked.

Daniel said, "Snack time. A few of Momma gator's kids come around now and then and look for food."

"Yeah, so we decided to have a picnic when they show up," Louise agreed."Can we take a ride in you plane too?"

"Sure, after we get more gas, it's about empty," Joan told her.

Louise raised a finger. "Oh! That reminds me, Bob called, him and his mother are getting gas for your plane."

"Just don't crash it," Jackie said in a serious tone as she eyed Joan. "Doing that sucks BIG time."

"I'll try hard not to."

Daniel looked down at the dock and chuckled. "Looks like Mers are checking your plane out."

Joan turned around to see the heads of several Mers around her plane, looking at it and touching it. She went down to greet them. The plane was something new, and a big attraction on the lake.

Away from the others, Allison said, "Hey Joan, I need to borrow Bob for a couple hours."

Joan nodded and cast her a knowing grin. "You haven't been getting any lately. Go on, I'll probably be out here. Just don't be surprised if I join you."

Allison grinned back at her. "Not surprised, but pleased."

Allison kissed Joan then headed for the house, Joan went to talk with the Mers about her plane.

.

The picnic was over by the time Carol drove in with four 5 gallon cans of gas. Duncan looked in the yard and frowned. "There's alligators in the yard, and people down at the dock." he said vacantly.

"The big one is Allie-Gator as Nana calls her. The smaller ones are her children." Carol explained. With a crooked grin she said, "The Connors are not your normal family."

"I guess not."

"I'll get the cans," Bob said.

Duncan got out to help him. They opened the back pf the car and Joan appeared. "Bob, I'll get those. You need to so see Allison, she's probably in our room," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Now we got gas, I'll probably giving people rides for a while."

"Ahh, OK," Bob said and let her take two cans.

Duncan grabbed the other two. "Can you carry those all right?" he asked Joan.

"Yup!" she chirped. "And stay by me when we go through the yard, the alligators don't know you yet."

Going down through the yard, Duncan noticed the alligators looked at them, but even walking close by, they just watched and stayed lying in place. Coming closer to the dock, he noted the people around the small plane at the end weren't people. The grey skinned 'people' with different shades of dark hair, a couple with stripes of darker hair also had tails, not legs.

"Are those real Mermaids?" he asked.

"They are," Joan said. "As far as we know, they are the last of their kind, so we don't tell anyone about them. We don't want them to become a media-circus."

"I can understand that." He could, very well.

Joan walked onto the side flare of the plane that held the floats with one can. She opened the fill port and poured the gas in. Duncan helped by taking the empty can and giving her the next full one. By the way she handled the cans, it was obvious Joan was much stronger than she looked. "And you're the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys?" he asked.

Joan nodded. "I was really lucky to get that job. I also play in the women's league for Austin. Getting onto the Cowboy's team was hard. They were all afraid I'm get squished if I got tackled. I swear most of my tryouts was them trying to tackle me. The fear of me being hurt kinda went away after some asshole shot me. They were surprised I didn't die right there."

"You immortal?" he asked. He didn't think so, he couldn't sense her. By what she just told him, he had to ask.

Joan laughed. "I don't know about that. I think we do have a long life span. Moms are at least 20 years older than Allison, but Mom Cameron and Allison look identical. I mean in every detail." With a giggle, she said, "They tried to fool Dad, but he was able to figure out who was who. See Mom One, Cameron, has a metal repair strip in the back of her head from an accident long ago. Allie didn't know that."

"You have more have one mother?"

"Yup! Mommy One is Cameron, Mommy Two is Delilah."

Duncan though a moment . Her brother JJ had two wives, Joan herself told Bob to go spend some time with Allison. "I take it it's normal in your family for two women to share one guy?"

"Yeah, kinda. Jackie and Daniel are a thing, but Jackie doesn't seem to want anyone else with them. That's fine, it's her choice. Allie is my best friend since we were babies. Actually, it's nice that we can all stay together. That's nothing though, Peggy's people have this ... glop of people they call family. Like a few guys and girls all together. I think that would get confusing at times."

"The aliens."

"Right. I guess JJ has a hard time with others wanting to be in his family." With a grin, she said, "They went to see the town where most of Peggy's people live, and JJ knocked a guy out because he insisted JJ share Peggy with him. Most of them are scared of JJ now. They have different customs, good people, just different."

Duncan chuckled. "So this guy asked to take Peggy to bed?"

"He grabbed Peggy by the arm and told JJ he was taking Peggy. JJ belting him."

Duncan laughed. "I think I would too."

"Yeah, if another girl besides Allie grabbed Bob and said she was taking him, I'd probably break a few of her bones before I let her escape," Joan said firmly.

Joan stopped pouring the last can and looked in the fill port, then shut it. "We're full. Want to take a fly?"

Duncan shook his head. "Been there, done that. I bet there are others here who've never flown before."

Yeah, I know Louise wants a ride." Joan said then giggled. "Jackie doesn't like planes. The last one she was in crashed. Mom, Delilah, had to drive her home all the way from Pennsylvania. Jackie refused to get on another plane."

"As least she survived the crash." he offered.

"She did, she jumped out. Seeing a lake she though landing in the water was better, only she missed the lake. She landed in the trees and got hurt pretty bad," Joan explained. "Everyone else on that plane died when it hit a mountainside. It was a week before she was even found."

"Can't blame her for being scared of planes after that," he offered.

"No kidding, she was banged up pretty bad."

"Where did you want to put these?" Duncan asked, holding up the empty cans.

"I'll take them up in the barn. Later, I'll go fill them again."

Duncan stayed with her as they walked up through the yard. Again, alligators watched them, but didn't move from were they laid. Alligators, cyborgs and mermaids. This place was like a twisted fairy tale. Then again, he wasn't normal himself, pushing 500 years old.

.

Kouta watched the freighter in the distance from inside the cabin. Catherine Weaver had jumped overboard. Cameron, Delilah and Kaede were out on deck, now in bikinis in the warmer weather. Great eye candy, except he knew what was coming. Worse yet, Nana was out there with them.

"Not out with your girl-fiend?" Yuka asked from beside him.

Kouta just eyed her, he didn't respond to her remark.

"Doesn't it bother you at all she likes to kill people?" Yuka asked. "And now she's befriending other killers."

In a tired sounding breath, Kouta replied, "Yuka, on that ship are drugs and guns meant to harm people. If those things get to criminals, how many innocent people do you think are going to die then? How many lives will be destroyed?"

"So now Kaede is using that excuse to kill?"

"I don't like what they do!" Kouta snapped. "I hate it, but they are saving others from suffering."

"I see Nana's out there. Is she learning how to kill too?"

"Yuka ... stop, please?"

In a off hand tone Yuka said, "I thought we were going someplace peaceful, not out on a killing spree."

Kouta walked away from her to the small bar-room in the front of the cabin. He could still see the freighter out the window.

Yuka followed him. "Please tell me, just what is it that makes you attracted to that pink haired monster?"

Kouta dropped his head. "Yuka, have you ever had any thoughts of doing something to someone? Maybe slapping them or punching them."

"I am right now," Yuka stated.

"Kaede has a very strong mind. If she gets even the thought of doing that, it happens for real," he told her. "She even thinks about say, strangling someone, and it happens. She thinks about hitting someone, and suddenly, they are killed from her mind lashing out. I wonder what you'd do if you had that ability. If you did, I'd already be dead."

"Are you saying she can't help it?" Yuka asked in disbelief.

"No, she can't! And for how terrible her young life was, I'm sure at times she didn't want to. Kaede never had parents, she grew up bullied in an orphanage. When she finally ran away after killing the kids who were bullying her, she was homeless until she was captured and put in a steel vault to hang in a metal suit where they abused her more. Tell me you'd even be sane after a life like that! All she learned when she was young was people hated her and like to torture her. She never had a family, she never had someone who was nice to her. Tell me, what would you do if that was you," Kouta said as he glared at Yuka.

Yuka blinked. "I ... don't know."

"Something to think about," he said, and went back to watching the ship that was turning towards them. The boat was also turning towards the ship. At the ends of the turns, the ship was coming at them. It looked like they were going to pass close by each other. A silver hand reached up on the bow railing, The silver being pulled herself up and shifted into Mrs. Weaver. It stunned Kouta how she could do that. Obviously, Mrs. Weaver wasn't human.

As the two vessels closed, Cameron and Delilah's forearms changed into silver cylinders. Both women shot their blinding white bolts from their arms at the bow of the freighter, right at the waterline. The ship and their boat passing each other, Delilah kept shooting the waterline, Kaede looked at the ship and punched holes in it just under water. Cameron eyed the railings. Anyone she saw with a gun caught one of her bolts and vaporized. She also shot any lifeboats she saw.

Coming to the stern end of the freighter, the three women destroyed this side of the back. The freighter was tipping towards them as they sailed away. The boat turned back on course, the freighter coasted along, tipping farther over. It also got lower to the water.

Kouta really hoped that things would calm down and be peaceful when they finally reached Nana's Far Away.

.

After dinner in the Connor house, Martin and Sarah showed up. After the greetings, Sarah asked, "So who's got the plane that buzzed our house so low I thought it was going to try to land on our roof?"

Everyone looked at Joan, Bob and Alison sitting together on the couch. Bob pointed to Joan and said, "She was driving."

"We weren't that low," Joan said defensively. "We were a good 50 feet above the roof."

"Too close," Sarah said firmly, eyeing Joan.

"Sorry."

"Kids," Sarah grumbled and eyed John. Turning back to Joan and her group, she asked, "How long you home for?"

"Just two weeks. Then we have to go back and catch a long, slow bus ride out to LA for our playoff game," Joan replied.

"Great job making the playoffs," Martin said, offering them a smile. "I think you're going to win the Super Bowl too."

"Maybe, if those Demon Rats don't eat it," Bob grumbled.

"They love to munch on everything else," Joan said with a frown.

Martin sat down in a chair and told John, "Seems some of those things appeared in upstate New York. The news announced those rats are off the endangered species list now, in fact there's a bounty on them. That's a bit of a shift, isn't it?"

"It is." John agreed. "By the word I got, the place that was growing them got hit. Most likely whoever is behind those rats doesn't like them in their own back yard."

"Gee, wonder why?" Allison asked with a crooked grin.

"Any word on Cameron and Delilah?" Sarah asked.

"Coming home on a boat from Japan, they still got three weeks of traveling to do to get to the US. After that, it's hard to tell with the gas situation."

"If our plane had a better range and we had more room, we could go get them," Joan said wistfully.

"They'll make it," John said firmly. "I just wish it was a little faster."

.

The couple weeks they were home, Joan and Bob had a good time. They even got to go on a 'boat' party in the big lake The the Connor boat and Mark's boat tied up beside Jackie's boat on a quiet cove of the lake. This time Joan and Allison kept a close watch on 'boat faced' Bob to ensure he didn't get whacked again. Too soon they had to load the plane back up and say goodbye to their families.

Flying back to Dallas, their plane would be due for it's annual inspection soon, so they landed at the regional airport and let Harold do the inspection. Taking their luggage to the stadium, the went to their apartment building to fine they still had no lights. Staying at the stadium in the dorms, male and female split, was a pain but it would only be for a few days. Those few days the had practice on the field, so it wasn't so bad.

When they left, besides the bus, a fuel truck went with them. Joan wondered why. She found out after they got to Arizona. At the border, Federal agents were there to stop them and ask for the fuel transport permit. Bring stopped, everyone got out to stretch their legs. The noted an Inspector had the driver open the luggage compartments to look for 'illegal fuel containers'.

"This fuel is for that bus," the truck driver said loudly.

"You don't have the proper federal permit to carry it across state lines," another inspector carrying a gun said.

"Since when would I need one?" the driver asked.

"Since the President make the Executive order stating you do." the inspector replied.

"OK, so where would I get one?"

"In any state that hold complies with the ban on reduction of petroleum fuel use. You don't have one, so we have to arrest you and confiscate your truck.'

"This is bullshit!" the driver snapped.

Listening, Joan walked over and said, "Just let him turn around, he didn't know anything about this bogus permit"

The inspector turned and stated ,"The law is the law, stay back!"

"An Executive order is not a law," Joan shot back as the waked closer.

The inspector raised his gun. "Get back to the bus!" he ordered.

"Or what? You gonna shoot me?" she asked. To the driver she said, "Get back in, and turn around."

The other inspector was coming. The inspector with a gun also a dozen cell phones pointed at him. "You can be arrested for interfering with law enforcement!" he warned Joan.

Coach Emerson came running over and asked, "What's going on here?"

"This man is being arrested for bringing illegal fuel into Arizona! This woman is attempting to stop the arrest."

Coach Emerson pointed to a sign just in front of the bus. "Arizona is on the other side of the bus, this truck is still in Texas. Juan, turn your truck around and go back, after you fill the bus."

"Si," the driver said.

"No! Get on the ground, hands behind your head!" the gun toting inspector barked.

The other inspector came over and said, "Lower your gun, come over here a moment."

While they had a private conversation, Juan turned the truck around and backed up to the bus. He got the dispensing hose out and fueled the bus. The coach watched, with Joan standing close by.

.

"You. Do. NOT. Point a gun at a civilian without due cause!" The one inspector said. "That man's right, that truck is still in Texas, and this situation is becoming volatile. Get back to the car, we'll discuss this more later."

He watched his partner stomp away then went over to Joan. "Ma'am, sorry for that, it won't happen again. Sir, you are right, that truck is still in Texas. You may want to have him pass the word about this executive order."

"After I call the state Police to warn them what you're doing," Coach Emerson said. "So can the bus drive into Arizona, or are you going to try to confiscate that too?"

The inspector huffed and said, "Public transportation is allowed."

"How about team transportation?" Coach Emerson prodded. "We're headed for a football game in California."

"As long as you pick up passengers, it's fine."

Coach Emerson glared at him then walked away and got on his phone.

Joan stayed by the truck and driver until he had the bus filled and was on his way back. By that time, Coach Emerson waved a hand in the air and called, "Everyone back on the bus! We're going home."

"Why?" Greg asked.

"Because we have a team bus, not a public bus, and the Fed's only allow public buses to leave Texas, and we're not picking up whoever to ride with us."

"What about the game?"

"We forfeit by not showing up," The coach growled.

Complaint's and rude gestures at the two inspectors came from the team as they got back on. Coach Emerson herded his team on the bus. The bus turned around and two police cars arrived. an Officer held his had up to stop the bus and came on to find out what was happening. After Coach Emerson told them, The officer got off the bus.

Joan saw the officer going over to the feds car. Three other officers got out of the cars also. The feds got out and showed their badges. Noting where the car was, the officers had them back up until they were across the Official stated line. An officer came back to tell the bus driver he could go.

As they drove away, a Texas State Guard truck passed them, headed for the border.

"This was a wasted day," Joan grumbled.

"From what we just seen, I think it's worse than that," Bob noted.

.

Of course, as soon as they got back to Dallas, the reporters met them. They copied some video from those who had taken them with their cell phones, Coach Emerson was interviewed, then since the gun had been pointed at Joan, she got an interview also. After the interviews, Coach Emerson called the team together and announced the season was over. Other football teams were already not happy, so by demand the league shut the season down.

Bob and Joan were set to go back home. They got to the airport to find Harold had started the yearly inspection on their plane and wouldn't be done until tomorrow. They were stuck going back to the Dorms where at least they had lights and food.

In the cafeteria, Joan and Bob watched the late night news. After the scenes of them being stopped, and Joan being threatened with a gun, the news reported that Arizona was now joining the 18 state refusal to comply with the fuel ban, and at least 4 more states were ready to join them. Next was the a clip of the President stating that unless states complied, he was going to declare martial law due to the rebellious activity of the states involved.. That was followed by a clip showing a mass of men and women in line to be recruited into the Texas guard. Including many who'd just gotten out of the Army and Navy. The reporter wondered if this was the beginning of a second Civil War.

"That could suck," Bob noted.

"With the stupid actions Washington is taking, maybe we need it," Joan replied.

.

John got a call from the sheriff to ask if he could come down to the office, and pick up Martin and Duncan on his way. John agreed, knowing the sheriff wouldn't call unless it was important.

Going to his parent's house, he no more than got in the driveway and Martin came out.

Getting in the car, Martin asked, "Know what this is about?"

"Got an idea, but not for sure," John replied.

"Me too, let's go see if I'm right."

Duncan was already at the top of the driveway when John picked him up. He drove on to the sheriff's office to see a few cars already there. Going inside, John noted two men in business suits and a couple in Texas Guard uniforms.

"What's up?" John asked.

The men all introduced themselves, then Brian Anderson, one of the Governor's advisors said, "Mr. Connor I understand you know a man named John Henry?"

"What about him?" John asked.

"He indicated you have studied war, all aspects of it. He claimed you would be a good General."

"Maybe. Are you asking me to enlist?" John asked.

Motioning to the guardsmen, he said, "John Henry said you have practical experience in unusual tactics. Our military leaders are good men, but do not have practical experience as you do. They have never gone on black ops like you and Mr. Riggs here have."

Clayton Lowell, the other man in the suit from the Governor's office said, "Mr. Riggs, you were in the Vietnam war, correct? We hear you're a good sniper."

Martin nodded and asked, "So are we going to war?"

"That has not been determined yet," Brian said, "But it is very possible."

John let out a sigh. "I thought we were done with shit like this."

"The federal government has been very unreasonable, and is getting worse," Brain told him. "They have threatened to put Texas, and other states under martial law. If that happens, the we are all getting ready to resist them. We are looking for top talent to lead our forces if needed. We have gained much manpower, but we do need men who know how to conduct a war."

John suddenly thought about the slow Chinese buildup in Mexico. "OK, so that's why they are there," he said to himself.

"Who are where?" Clayton asked.

"In northern Mexico, China has about 2500 soldiers, armed. If we start fighting a war in this country, they and their drug dealer buddies are sure to attack from the south," John explained. "With how cuddly the government is with China, I am sure it will be us they are attacking. They don't have to win, all they have to do is keep troops occupied so they can't be used in the real battle. They only sit across the border and point guns in our direction, we will have to have troops here on the border also."

"How do you know that?" General Armstrong asked.

John smirked and said, "I have my sources. "The border has been weakened by the feds. I know at least Texas is reinforcing the border patrols, but that won't be enough, and if we did attack into Mexico, then, Mexico may well get in on this war also. That forces us to wait until they move into the country first. Not a good situation."

"He's right," Martin added. "You also better be damn sure we have enough states and troops to hold back the US army. If we can't produce the weapons the army has, a whole bunch of people are going to die and the feds will completely take over Texas and these other states. Have you studied the Civil War, Gentlemen?"

"No one ever said this would be easy," the General stated.

"No," John agreed. "But if you're not fully prepared, and fully prepared to do some unpleasant things, we've already lost," John stated. "We're not going to win just by keeping the feds out of our states, and we're not going to win by playing by the rules."

"What do you propose?" Brian asked.

"First, get as many people as you can, angry about how the country is being run, especially military members. Get them hyped up, get more states to join us. Get resistance groups formed in the 'complying' states and armed to the teeth. Not just rifles, but mortars, good RPG's and as many aircraft as possible including drones. Keep them hidden, and be ready to strike first and hard. Hide men and weapons at the borders so when those Chinese appear, they don't see any resistance and cross into the US, then mow them down," John said. "Do nothing until all the armed forces in our states are under state control, especially the army and air force bases. That is the only way we stand a chance. I would also advise an immediate and direct attack on the capitol buildings in DC."

"A peaceful solution is best," Duncan added, "But if it comes to it, you have to be ready."

"In the mean time, John said, "Keep assuring the federal government that you will comply to buy time to get these things done. No internet or phone messages either. Nothing electronic. Communicate by US mail or courier only so the information cannot be intercepted."

"What about intel?" the General asked.

"Leave that to me and John Henry," John replied.

Just WHO is this John Henry?" Brian asked.

John chuckled and eyed Brian. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

John shook his head. "Sorry. How do you even know about John Henry?"

Brian eyed him for a moment, then said, "He has spoken with the Governor. That is why we are here, John Henry referred our Governor to you."

Clayton spoke up. "Mr. Connor, You seem to know a lot of information. Who do you work for?"

"My family," John said flatly. He looked at the General and asked, "What does Texas have for heavy weapons? You know, tanks, artillery, aircraft, transport?"

"Not a lot," the General said. "A dozen F-15's, 20 M-1/A1's, some old 105 MM howitzers in a warehouse. Ammunition is pretty much the same. Just what we need for training exercises. Our supplies come from army surplus."

John rubbed his forehead. "Ok, Keep me informed of the situation, I'll see what I can do about bolstering the defenses. It's a ways away, but I might be able to get our hands on some equipment and ammunition. It's Korean War era stuff, but it's better than nothing."

"Stuff for your tanks, John?" the sheriff asked.

"Some, yeah."

"You have your own tanks?" Brian asked in shock.

"Not as you mean," John replied. "Ours are only good for say, strikes against criminals and terrorists. Nothing that could stand up to an M-1, or serious combat."

Martin suppressed a grin. "John, just send your wives after them."

The sheriff laughed.

John frowned at Martin. "I think Mom might be enough."

Martin laughed.

"How many states are with Texas now?" John asked.

"We have 21 states supporting us," Clayton said.

"You do know if you can manage to get 39 states involved, you can disband the current federal government and institute a new government under gubernatorial control and bring back the original constitution and a new government," John told him.

"That would be extreme." Brian said.

"So is planning a civil war," Martin stated. "Plus what John said is legal by the constitution, and those idiots in Washington can't fight it."

"Much less blood shed, and a better overall outcome," John said.

"Gentlemen," the sheriff said and stood up. "Give me a list of the states you need to join with you. I'll see what I can do about them coming over to our side."

Clayton looked at him, then John, then back to the sheriff. "Why do I feel there is some kind of underground organization here?"

The sheriff, John and Martin chuckled. "We just take care of our own," the sheriff said with a shrug.

"Family first, then community," John agreed.

Brian eyed them and asked, "You will help us then?"

"We will," John assured him. "Just play as nice as you can with the feds for now, and give us time to work."

.