CH 134

Ms. Harper sat sobbing and trying to absorb her encounter with the secretary. Dakota peeked her head in the room. "Make a mistake?" she asked. Ms. Harper recoiled, afraid the secretary had come back. Seeing the principal, she meekly asked. "What is she?"

"What is who?" Dakota asked.

"The sheriff's secretary. She's not human!" Ms. Harper cried.

Dakota cast Ms. Harper a grin. "Found that out the hard way, did you?" Coming in she leaned against the wall and looked down on the crumpled woman. "I was listening over the intercom. That was a very bad and dangerous move to yell at her. I came to see if you had any broken bones, of maybe a limb torn off. I'll give you a clue, Ms. Harper. A very high percentage of our town isn't human. Some, no where close. When I told you we must treat every child the same, be they male, female, any race or color of human, other, or even from outer space, I wasn't exaggerating. If you can think of a known species, and quite a few that science has proven to be myth," she said, raising her fingers in quotations, "I'm sure you'll find at least one family of them somewhere in town. Mostly they all come for a quiet life, so they can live their lives and not be bothered or harassed by busy bodies. Some came because this town is peaceful and they don't have to fight. Did you do any research before you came, or did you just answer the add?"

"It was good pay for a first year teaching position."

"Yes, it is. It pays better for a reason," Dakota explained. "Here, cooperation, respect and doing your part for the community is stressed. That includes not screaming at someone because you think you're right. I've known the secretary for a while. She's usually kind, helpful and if someone is trouble, well then God help them because she won't. She is also far from the only one who can literally crush you down to make you fit in a small garbage can."

"She's dangerous!" Ms. Harper cried. "I don't feel safe knowing she's here!"

Dakota laughed and shook her head. "Dear Miss Harper, I bet there are many students in the school you'd be terrified of also if you truly knew them. Let alone their parents. A couple years ago, this big group of terrorists decided they were going to come and teach Driftwood a lesson by coming in and burning the town down to prove no one was safe from them. 382 violet people was the best count with guns, Molotov cocktails, some explosives and plenty of clubs to teach Driftwood to fear them. They came from the north and south. They had done major damage to major cities. They thought the soft, peaceful residents of our little town would run screaming and begging for mercy. Do you know what happened?"

Ms. Harper shook her head.

"They never made it into town. Many just disappeared, a busload of them was found on the road south, all dead, their bus in flames. It appeared to investigators that they had gone nuts, shot and stabbed each other and killed each other off. Point being, nearly 400 people, armed and with violent intent never got within sight of Driftwood. We also had a kidnapping attempt on a bus load of children."

Dakota pointed at the floor and said, "Kids from this school, a few parents and teachers for chaperones were going on a field day trip to museums in Austin. What was found to be 22 terrorists with semiautomatic rifles stopped the bus out of town, and transferred all of them to a truck. Some of the gunmen took the bus and returned to town to take over and make their demands. The rest went with the truck waiting orders on how many they were to kill and when. All the kidnappers died. The bus load of students and teachers didn't get any help, they killed all the ones holding them by the time help arrived. Same thing with the ones who drove into town. All the state police had to do when they showed up was take statements and get rid of the bodies. What I'm saying is everyone in this town sticks together. Become part of us and understand that if you behave yourself and show you are a good neighbor, nothing short of a nuclear attack will ever get near you, and even that is questionable."

Dakota helped Ms. Harper up off the floor. "You need to decide if you can be reasonable and show respect to everyone. They will show respect to you if you are. If you can't do that, you best get in your car and leave. Take the night and think about it."

Weakly, Ms. Harper said, "Jenny Tanner told me she has monsters for mothers."

Dakota thought for a second then smiled. "Yes, that may well be. I don't know for sure what the Connor clan is, but I can tell you, that's another family to never get angry at you. Do you know anything about Cameron Connor?"

"No."

"In college she played football as Canyon's quarterback. She and her sister were the only women on their team, in fact the only women in college period. They called her the Iron Maiden. MVP for two years running. and she ate three bullets to save the governor. Short range shots square into her back. She was out on the field the very next week. She had the fastest pass of any quarterback ever, it was measured at 146 miles an hour. Very rare it was she had to do more than one play to get the ball into the end zone. She also holds the presidential medal of Merit, equivalent to the military silver star for helping the military and keeping the country safe. Allison Young is her sister. Her daughter Joan currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys as their primary quarterback. She's holding up to her mother Cameron's record. Well, from the article, her pass is only 145 miles an hour, but she can still knock people down from the other end of the field when she throws the ball. She's yet to make more than one play to get the ball into the end zone. They are good people, just not ones to get on the bad side of." Dakota sniffed and crinkled her nose. "You should go home and clean up. In the morning let me know if you're staying or not."

.

John and Cameron got a message from John Henry : Sources have proven China had taken over a good portion of Mexico crime operations, and has great influence in the government. The President wants a comprehensive plan to invade Mexico for any proper response to aggression by the Mexican government. Texas forces are highly encouraged to put a heavy guard on the border and be ready to respond. Any crossings of the border that are not at approved border crossings are to be turned back. Any aggression is to be met with an equal or greater response.

The next day a messenger from the Governor arrived. "Prepare for armed conflict with Mexico, Driftwood is to be used as a base for 3rd division of the Texas Guard forces. John Connor commanding."

John sat in his office, rubbing his head after reading the message. "Why me?" he asked the messenger.

"The reputation of you and your family, General Connor, Sir," the messenger replied. "There will be a meeting in San Antonio for the general staff on Friday. You and whoever you pick as your officers are to attend."

"So, how large is the Third Division?" John asked in a tired voice.

"It is still being worked on. Right now, 115 of the Plasma tanks made here, 3000 men, all 150 Terminators, two MASH units, and a supply and support force of 500 soldiers, 62 trucks, 90 Humvees. We don't get the new army trucks or the new BAE vehicles. The support force does have two portable radar units."

"Communications? Air support?" John asked.

"Standard Army radios, three dozen drones, F-15 combat air support when called for."

John wrote this down and said, "We're going to need help. tell the Governor we'll be there."

"I will, Thank you for your support," the messenger said and left.

"Damn it," John grumbled after the man walked out. He thought they were done with shit like this.

.

Cameron had already stated, no more war for her. John understood why after the Chinese islands operation they'd been talked into. "John, If you need support, construction or spying done, I'll do it. No more straight combat," she said firmly.

"I agree," he added. "Besides, we got kids now, so I'm going to want you to take over things around the small lake here. You'll be the commander of the base we'll stick out beyond the lake from town, I'm thinking out by the bat caves. Also and any manufacturing our forces will need."

"I'll go with you John," Delilah stated. "I agreed Cam should be able to pretty much sit this one out, if it comes up. Also Allison is going to need help with those ex-slave women Bob dragged home with him."

"She will," Cameron said. "Should we tell Joan or Bob about this?"

John shook his head. "Right now, this is all preparation, so no, we don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know about it. I'm hoping after a while here, things calm down." After a moment of thought, he said, "Cam? See how Catherine's nuclear planes are coming along. If they are proven to work, we could really use 20 to start with. Paid for by Texas, and not us. Pilots to go with them too."

"The airfield?" Cameron asked.

"The air strip Joan uses to the north between the houses. We'll just expand it into an air base and camouflage it for now," John replied.

Cameron cast John a weak smile. "I'm sorry this is happening, John."

"Me too, hon. Like I said, hopefully things will calm down."

.

Allison wasn't having a hard time with their guests as she thought she was going to have. Jenny liked going to school, and coming home, she would tell about her day to anyone who would listen. She also noticed Malinara had cast herself as the 'leader' and assigned jobs to the others, with Allison's approval of course. She got along well with all of them, and didn't think twice about them going with her when she went to visit her mother.

Taking a walk over to her mother's house as a group, they all wore their snake proof boots and wide brimmed hats to keep the sun off them. Only Allison had a pistol strapped to her hip. Walking along, Jo stopped and pointed to the side. "Is that a rattlesnake?" she asked.

They all stopped and looked. Just on the left edge of the road, a few feet of thick snake body was seen. Allison studied it. Pointing, she said, "Look to the left the tail is pointed, on the right peeking out a few feet away it the head watching us. That's a Rat snake. They get big, and don't like you near them, but they aren't poisonous. They do bite hard though. He's staying still, hoping we don't see him. Just stay in the right side of the road, we'll be fine."

A couple girls watched it as they walked on until they couldn't see it any more. Coming upon an alligator sunning himself in a large patch of grass, they stopped again to look at the 'dragon'. The alligator was asleep, lying still. Allison motioned quiet with a finger to her lips. She let them quietly marvel at the sight for a few moments, then had them move on.

Allison was almost feeling like a tour guide in the zoo.

Getting to her parent's house, Allison saw Dr. Kimble's new clinic. She also noticed the Super Slide ramp beside the clinic with water running down it. By the door, a few Mers were sitting in the yard. A nurse came out and held the door for a smaller Mer. The Mer came out and flopped down on the Super Slide and let out a happy cry as they slid down into the lake. Another Mer got on the Mechanics creeper, the nurse took them inside. Allison then noticed a few young Mers coming up the bank. They lined up and took turns sliding down into the water.

Allison laughed. "He has really made his clinic a 'Mer' clinic."

"Hi Allison," Claire said as she came from the house. "Everything going OK?"

"Hey, Mom." Allison replied as she went over to her mother. "Actually, better than I expected. I see Dr. Kimble has made his place Mer-friendly."

"He has," she agreed with a grin. "The young ones like just coming up to ride down the slide into the water. Now and then, an alligator will come by to use the slide also. It's very popular."

"I hope Dr. Kimble's attitude has gotten better?" Allison asked.

Claire nodded. "After you talked to him, he's been much better. I even hear 'please' and 'thank you' from him."

"Huge improvement then."

Hearing the rumble of tank tracks, they all turned to see a line of plasma tanks coming up the road. The ten tanks had hatches open. The men waved, all the humans and Mers seeing them waved back as the tanks rumbled past on the road.

"Where they going?" Claire asked.

"Maybe they are coming for John and Cameron to service them," Allison guessed. "I can ask John later."

"Allie," her mother asked in a low tone. "You aren't doing anything with John, are you?"

Allison blushed, "No, Mom."

"Ahh eee!" a Merman called. He waved to Allison and motioned to the slide.

Allison shook her head. "Na im ow."

He took his turn and slid down into the lake.

"That does look like fun," Dina said.

"But there's dragons in the water," Hanna said.

"Dragons?" Claire asked.

"We call them alligators," Allison told Hanna, "And yes, you do have to watch out for them."

Claire watched another Mer slide down into the water. "They are sure having fun with that. Every day, someone's out there."

"Good for them. If I had my tail, I'd join them," Allison told her.

"Allie, when's Bob and Joan's first game?"

"Next Saturday they have a pre-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati," Allison told her. "Their first home game is against Seattle in three weeks. I heard Kendra from the women's league there is joining the coaching staff for their NFL team. They want some coaching help to deal with Joan's tactics. So far, the closest anyone has gotten to beating a team Joan is on, is the Seattle Mist. Kendra is smart and knows how to get touchdowns."

Claire saw the Mers moved to the side away from the slide. Coming down through the yard, a six foot alligator opened it's mouth with a hiss. It walked over to the slide and flopped down on it to slide into the water. Once in, it kept going. "Maybe the Doc should start charging admission," she wondered.

.

Ms. Harper had thought long and hard about what Mrs. Hughes told her. Much of it was contrary to what she learned in college. Yelling and getting in people's faces as a tactic to get them to do what you wanted, worked against other students and teachers who didn't want to get in trouble. Here, doing that could get her hurt or killed. She didn't know for sure, but if the sheriff's secretary was a monster, most likely he was too. By what Mrs. Hughes told her, they didn't mind killing. They didn't arrest lawbreakers, they buried them.

Looking out a window, she heard a couple girls walk by, jabbering and licking on ice cream cones. One girl had dark hair and looked kind of Asian. The other had purple hair and points sticking up out of her head. At first she though it was some kind of head band, but there was no band. The purple haired girl raised a finger in the air and said something. The dark haired girl laughed at her and tripped. She went down with a yelp, ice cream cone flying. The girl hit the ground on her hands and knees, but the ice cream cone stopped in mid air and drifted back to the purple haired girl. The dark haired girl got up and the purple haired one gave her her ice cream back. Some chiding and some laughing sounded and they walked on down the street.

Ms. Harper's jaw dropped. Cones didn't just float in the air. She had just witnessed some form of very strong telekinesis. She was also sure those were horns on that purple haired girl's head.

That also meant in school the girl with the bushy tail 'cosplay', wasn't cosplay. That girl really had a tail like one would find on a dog. This was one very strange place. She was also curious about what else was here besides frightening winged women, giants, girls with horns and girls with tails. She decided to behave herself and stay.

.

The sheriff got a notice that the Governor was starting recruiting for an 'inactive guard'. People that would be called on by the guard for emergencies. There was no pay unless active, but they would still get credit towards their service in the Guard. He was to try to get as many people in the Texas guard as possible. The sheriff called Austin and explained they had a 'Driftwood guard' force for emergencies. Learning that the Connors were already in the Driftwood Guard, the Governor agreed that would work, and let the sheriff know Driftwood and it's guard force was going to be the Texas Guard 3rd division base, under General John Connor. Recruits for the inactive guard in Driftwood would automatically be assigned to the 3rd Division. He had Anna start making up recruiting posters to put up around town, and had her start a list of recruits with him on the top of the list. Anne put herself as second on the list.

.

Ms. Harper let early for school. Before driving to school, she stopped by the sheriff's office. The secretary was in, making coffee.

Anne turned upon seeing her. "Good morning. Something we can do for you?"

Ms. Harper meekly said, "I came to apologize or my behavior when I saw you last. I was very rude. You had ever right to be offended."

Anne nodded. "Thank you. Coffee?"

"I have to get going, I just wanted you to know, you were right. I was wrong."

Anne smiled and said, "Bob, Joan and Allison have a problem on their hands. The ones that came back with them have spent their whole lives as slaves, they don't know anything else. I hear Hanna yelled at the psychologist when he indicated being a slave was demeaning. She got very offended and stormed out of his office. It's going to take time to enlighten them."

"She yelled at him?"

Anne nodded. "Hanna, all of them, are very proud they know how to serve well. In his words, she heard that she had spent her life so far being useless. That is not a good thing to say to anyone. Where they came from, was like, I'd say, back in the Roman era, where good slaves were property yes, but also prized. Did you know in ancient Greece many male slaves fought along side their Masters? In Sparta, slaves that showed their bravery and served well were allowed their own homes and families? These women came from a society similar to that. They also think the world of Bob. It's going to take much time and effort to change their line of thinking."

"I see. If there is something I can do to help. Let me know." Ms. Harper offered.

"Actually, there is," Anna said. "We're looking for recruits for the inactive Driftwood Guard. It's basically if we have an emergency, the people recruited will be called upon to help with whatever the emergency is, however you can."

Ms. Harper thought that was a good idea. "Yes, please add me to the list, I might only be able to do traffic control, or some nursing duties, but I will help where I can."

"Thank you!" Anne said brightly, "I know the sheriff will appreciate it! Have a good day."

"You also ..."

"My name is Anne."

"You have a good day too, Anne."

Ms. Harper left feeling good. The frightening secretary wasn't mad at her and she was beginning to prove she could be a help to this town.

.

Cameron was glad the Kikumura's house was finished. With school in session, and JJ and his wives back on the farm, it was getting quieter around here. Well, except for the alligators.

It wasn't that they were loud, but at times now there were as many as ten in the yard at any one time. Even Allie Gator had taken to sleeping behind the house to get away from the younger ones. She could tell which ones were male. Ever now and then two would get into a fight in the yard. The first time, she went out to break it up, pulling them apart. It was happening more often, so she just let them go at it and figure it out for themselves.

John and Delilah had gone out to get the base started. Feeding time came, Cameron went out back with a sack of food for Allie Gator. Allie Gator picked her head up. Cameron was feeding her and heard a noise behind her. Turning, she saw a pair of younger ones come around the side of the house. Seeing her, they came over and opened their mouths. She fed them and three more came, hurrying around the house. Two more followed them.

Maybe it was time to think about alligator birth control.

Luckily, she had enough food in the bag so they all got some. She was giving out the last of the food as she headed for the front yard with the pack of young ones following her.

Hearing running footsteps, Cameron saw three of the slaves women running down the driveway. So did the alligators. They all turned to look, then a few turned around and hissed. Coming closer, then women stopped and they eyed got wide. Not recognizing them, the alligators hurried towards them hissing. The girls screamed and ran.

Cameron laughed. Allison and another woman was coming down the driveway. The other woman stopped, seeing the pack of alligators. Allison didn't, she came down the driveway. "It's OK, just stay near me." she told them They bunched together near the top of the driveway.

"Allison NO!" Jo screamed and ran down to hook Allison's arm.

"It's OK, just stay back!" Alison told them. The alligators paused, looked back at Cameron, then back to Allison.

"Come on around front," Allison coaxed as she walked past the alligators who followed her.

"Bob's slave friends?" Cameron asked with a smirk.

"Yeah," Allison replied. We were taking a walk and decided to stop by. That was supposed to be a race to the door."

"Which one was the smart one who didn't do it?"

Allison grinned. "Malinara."

At the top of the driveway, Jo said, "Look, they are following Allison."

"To attack her?"

"I don't think so."

Dina said, "Hey, if they all go around front, we can go in the back, right?"

They started down the driveway again.

"They let those things get in the yard like that?" Hanna asked.

Mainara shrugged. "Looks like it. As long as they don't see us, we should be fine."

"That was a bit of a scare," Jo said with a huff.

"It was!" Hanna agreed. "But if we can walk right past them, they won't hurt us, right?"

"Allison did, so we should be good," Dina offered. "We just do the same."

"Yeah, that should work," Jo agreed.

They got down near the house and didn't notice Allie Gator lying to the side, and open one eye. Not knowing who they were, and the fact they were so close, Allie lunged and snapped her jaws right in front of them to warn them away. It worked, all four ran screaming their lungs out up the driveway.

It worked. Allie Gator protected her family. She laid back down and went to sleep.

.

A half mile down the road, Jo was exhausted and feeling dizzy she stumbled and fell down. The rest of them stopped.

"We have to save Jo!" Malinara cried. She went back and pulled on Jo's arm. "Come on, get up!" she cried.

Hanna looked back to see where that monster dragon was."Hey, it's not following us!" she said and pointed.

"Help me!" Malinara cried as she pulled to get Jo on her feet.

Dina got on Jo's other side. The two of them got Jo up. "Just walk, it's not chasing us," Malinara coaxed.

Jo, shuddering and panting, blubbered out, "I thought we were going to die!"

"Me too!" Hanna agreed, "But why us and not Allison?"

"Maybe it's a guard?" Hanna asked.

The other three looked at her blankly.

"It could be," Hanna offered "That's why they didn't bother Allison, that's her sister's house right?"

Jo coughed and said, "Let's just go home and make sure the doors are shut."

.

"That was entertaining," Cameron said from inside, watching the slave women flee up the driveway.

Allison let out a sigh. "I should go find them."

Cameron frowned. "Don't you dare. They are going to have to learn to watch out for themselves."

"If that wasn't Allie Gator, one of them could have been eaten!" Allison cried.

"Yes. Maybe they will watch their surroundings closer now," Cameron retorted. "Have you been to town recently?'

"Not in a while, why?"

"The sheriff is asking for recruits for an inactive Driftwood guard, under the Texas Guard to be available for emergencies. Soldiers are bringing tanks back too. There is a chance that something may happen," Cameron explained.

"Do you know what?" Allison asked, now intently listening.

"We got ideas but nothing solid right now," Cameron explained. "It could be anything from a bunch of border crossers to all out war. We don't know yet. Or, nothing could happen. Just keep your shooting skills up."

"That's not very reassuring," Allison grumbled.

"For now, we don't bother Bob and Joan, let them enjoy their games," Cameron told her. "Since you're here, I thought you should know."

"We might have to fight."

"If things get bad yes, but as I said, nothing's certain." Cameron then smiled and asked, "So beside getting the crap scared out of them, how are you doing with those girls? And from what I saw, there was feces involved."

That made Allison laugh. Thinking about the tanks she saw, and what Cameron had just told her, she asked, "Since when had brewing trouble turned out to be nothing?"

Cameron nodded in agreement. "We can only hope."

.

John and Delilah went to the guard building in San Antonio carrying the map John Henry had told him how to annotate. They showed their ID's and went into the conference room, that was guarded and again had to show their ID's and wait for the guard to verify they were on the list.

Inside, there were several colones and a couple Generals from the Texas guard and two US Army officers. They too had an annotated map laid out on the table. John announced, "John Connor, leader of the Texas third division."

"We're all here, General Larch."

The three star US General said, "Gentlemen, gather around the table. I am General Larch, Commander of the 4th Army. This is a map of southern Texas and Northern Mexico. If you note on the map we have areas we suspect non standard forces are gathering near the border..."

John looked a the map and pulled out his. "Excuse me, General, I have a bit more detained information." He laid his map out over the one on the table."

"And you are sir?" General Larch asked.

"General John Connor, Third division, Texas guard," John explained. "We have been studying this area closely." He pointed to places on the map as he said, "Here is a mass of about 15,000 men with small arms, Mexican. Over here is 19,000 Chinese with small arms, mortars, rocket propelled grenades and 10 artillery pieces, we guess are 90 MM. This here that looks like a small town, it's a supply depot, so is this one here south of El Paso. The civilians have been booted out, so every building is being stuffed with supplies. Many trucks and transports are in each place, most hidden in barns. On the Arizona border here are another what looks like Mexican troops, but many look Chinese. That group is suspected to be 40 to 50,000 men with mortars RPG's and light artillery. Back here, and here are drone bases for larger drones. I have no knowledge of smaller drones, but they are easily concealed and are most likely with these forward groups. By their placement, I suspect if they to come, this group below Arizona will move first come north and swing east as these other groups do their best to keep us busy. Most likely is before they move, they will send a mass of civilians to come beg for asylum. Again, to keep us occupied."

General Larch eyed John. "You have been doing much recon in this area." he noted dryly.

"We have, Sir. We had trouble in this sector before," John replied.

General Larch grew a grin. "Yes, John Connor, the six month administrator that kicked out President out of office."

"Actually General, it was the State Governors who kicking him out. I was just following their orders, sir." John replied.

"It must be a big step down from ruling the country to being just a divisional commander."

"I do what the job calls for, General," John said firmly.

"I am sure you know about the border massacre, bodies were floating down the Rio Grande for days. Many civilian bodies," Larch said in a harder tone.

"When these forces try to cross the river, they will have many civilians with them to try and keep our men from shooting, General," John said in a firm tone. "The choice is yours. to refrain and get your own men killed, or not let the presence of unarmed men and women deter you from keeping these forces out of the country. If you think these people fight fair, you better get that thought out of your head, or be prepared to lose."

Delilah spoke up. "General, neither the drug runners not the Chinese Communists give a shit about civilians, except for how they can help them win. They are fine causing the slaughter of men, women and children to see their goal succeed. They know the US has much stronger forces head on, so they will use every dirty trick they can think of to their advantage. I also strongly suspect this is not their only operation. Just the most visible one."

Larch grinned and in a patronizing tone asked, "Tell me, what do know about war?"

Eyeing him, Delilah said, "Do you remember that indecent with China? Losing all their airfields and aircraft on two islands, then sunk six of their ships ,and directly after tha 35,000 men and all their equipment destroyed, and the rest surrendering? That was led by myself and Cameron. What was your last big battle?"

"I remember that," the other US General said. "You and the other Mrs. Connor only had 30 troops, and you laid waste to everything you came across. You are both recognized as Samurai by Japan now. The only reason you didn't get Congressional Medals of Honor was the fact you were not officially there. Chinese prisoners claimed you were demons."

"To them, we were," Delilah stated.

"General Connor, you were there also?" General Larch asked.

John shook his head. "I sat that one out, home with the kids. This one, Cameron's sitting out, doing only support work. She's been fighting all her life, it's time she got a break."

The Texas first division General let out a snort. "You have one tough family, General Connor."

"We wouldn't be alive now if we didn't," John replied.

The General beside Larch said, "General Larch, they have done things that seemed impossible, and those things are highly classified. I do believe that the Texas Third Division will prove to be the strongest ground force we have here near the border."

General Larch was silent for a moment, then said, "The Texas Guard will be along the southern Texas border with Mexico. You are not to initiate any hostilities nor cross into Mexico unless permission is granted. Returning fire and downing any hostile drones is encouraged. No border crossings are allowed unless they are at the checkpoints. At the moment, the Mexican government is denying there is any hostile intent from Mexico. I think General Connor's information proves that is false. The difficulty is that what faces us is not Mexican troops, but armed civilians and foreign troops Mexico claims is not there. We have to be careful here, we cannot be seen as the aggressors."

"We have to wait until they attack first," The General of the second division stated with a snort.

"Correct," General Larch said. "While negotiations and talks are in progress, All we can do is watch and get all the intel we can."

"And target their supply centers and troop locations?" John asked.

"Target, but don't shoot," General Larch stated.

"It would also recommend building fake camps and airfields for them to find," John added. "It will keep the heat off our real positions."

"Good luck, Gentlemen." General Larch said and saluted. He and the other General left.

"Nice to know we're hobbled from the start," Delilah said in a false happy tone.

General Jackson, the Senior General in the Texas guard asked, "General Connor, is your tank factory in operation?"

"For replacements if the need arises, Sir. What I think we need worse is drones. Exploding ones and more shaped like birds for recon," John replied. "Semi intelligent so once they take off, they can't be tracked or detected by any signals they put out."

"You can do that?"

"We are doing that," Delilah told him.

"It sounds like you have a handle on what we need to do, General Connor." Jackson said.

"There is another problem to consider," John told him. "You know foreign agents in this country will rally protesters to come and cause havoc wherever they can. You'll have to be ready for that."