Not This August
Chapter 9
Penny and Sheldon were enjoying supper after completing their shift as servers. Unlike most other evenings, neither seemed to want to socialize with others.
"Shel, Daddy's up and around. I'm so glad Dr. Green found his way to us."
"That's wonderful news! We should stop by after finishing up here and update him on the plans and changes."
Penny just pushed her supper around. The last few days she'd caught a bug from one if not more of her students and her appetite was off.
"It's nice to know we're not dependent on home remedies and things people remember about what drugs treat what illnesses or infections."
She paused and then said, "Shel, what's up with you and Leslie? She hasn't spoken to me in days and just now she avoided sitting at our table and sitting instead with Howard and Bernie. Are you two fighting about something?"
"No, we just have lively differences of opinion about such things as population control and resource management. She's concerned about the winter and it's good to hear and consider different points of view."
Many colonists had sided with Winkle regarding only admitting people 'with value' to the colony but more felt as the members of the Council did, that each life was precious. Lately, as the number of refugees fleeing the New Order had increased, fewer felt Winkle was right and a few had even questioned her position on the Council. The New Order was evil and they could not turn their backs on people fleeing it.
"If you're finished abusing your food, Penny, let's go see your mom and dad." He knew not to push her about eating. She'd thrown up several times the day before.
Badger Council Meeting
There were now 818 adults on the Island. Of these, less than 100 had previous military service and more than a few of them were from the Vietnam era. There were 111 children below the age of 16 and they were 'exempt' from the training that was required to all adults.
The Colony wasn't a militarized state by any stretch of the imagination. The prevailing wisdom simply taught that every 'adult' had the responsibility to know how to protect himself and his family unit. Although all were heavily armed even by earlier standards, there was surprisingly little crime or mischief. Gun safety was drilled into even the youngest. All home weapons and ammunition were under lock and key but readily available.
Everyone knew what was at stake. No one wanted to be 'shown the Door' as the phrase for exile to the Door Peninsula was referred to and so crime and domestic violence was virtually nonexistent.
The biggest problem was public drunkenness and a few nights in the lighthouse usually were sufficient to bring things back into line.
Everyone listened as Major Wells outlined their aircraft and the status of 'pilots-in-training'.
It was Winkle, surprisingly, who brought up the major flaw in the Island's defenses after listening to a litany of accomplishments on the part of Dawn Wells' 'air force'.
She hated the Major as only a jealous woman can. Her comments and opinions were loud and critical – especially if Bomber was around. She still hadn't gotten over his abrupt departure from her bed and into Wells'.
"If we have planes and helicopters, who's to say the New Order hasn't found aircraft and pilots to fly them from their larger pool of survivors?"
Sheldon nudged Bomber and stage-whispered, "And you thought she was just another pretty face?" He looked at Leslie and smiled his special 'well done' smile.
"Les has once again pointed out a critical weakness. Now, what are you going to do about it?" His gaze took in the members of the Council. He knew what had to be done and had arrived at the course of action in mere seconds whereas the lesser minds around him were still getting over the shock.
"Leslie, you rarely point out weaknesses or flaws without something in the back of your mind to fix them, so don't keep us in suspense." He was becoming quite the politician but would have been mortified if anyone had dared to point it out.
Leslie smiled at Sheldon and it was the same smile she'd often flashed on their exodus to the Island.
"Avengers," she said, glancing at David Hampton and nodding for him to make his presentation. Sheldon was right. She never criticized without an alternative that would fit her immediate or long-range agenda.
There was a low murmur of laughter as Howard and Sheldon both grew intensely interested to the point of leaning almost out of their chairs. Anything that smacked of superheroes was of immediate interest.
"The Avenger system consists of 2 pods of 4 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The Stinger also comes in Man-Pads or Man Portable units that are one-shot and throw-aways."
David Hampton warmed to his subject. "The Stinger has an effective range of 3 miles and a 79% kill ratio. It is ideal for our needs."
"And just where do we lay our hands on these Avengers and Stingers, David?" Howard was intrigued but also worried. If they figured out a weakness then perhaps the New Order would also arrive at the need for anti-aircraft weapons.
"Um, well, I know that the Army had units at Ft Benning and Fort Hood and that some Marine and national guard units also had them but I don't know which ones or where they are."
"Do you not suppose the New Order may have some of these Stingers and our aircraft will be in danger?" asked Howard.
Hampton looked down at his feet. In fact, he hadn't reached that point in his own plans. Now, he saw it as a major weakness in their entire forward defense strategy.
Penny broke the awkward silence and said, "Has anyone thought to contact the Republic of Deseret and ask them for both help and the possibility of trading for these Stinger thingies if they have them?"
An immediate debate broke out but Sheldon just smiled warmly at his wife. Once again, street smarts beat the crap out egghead smarts.
"Leslie, I think you have a new title and position. Our first Ambassador Plenipotentiary to an outside power. Do you think you can negotiate a deal to get some of these Stingers and maybe even one of these Avenger units if they have them?"
"I will have the commo guys make contact and then fly in one of our armed Providers to Salt Lake City and 'present my credentials' and see if they share our disgust and concerns for the New Order. The armed Provider will show we're not totally inept up here."
Sheldon smiled and thought, 'One less vote of dissent and a bonus for the Colony. Sometimes I surprise myself, but only sometimes.'
The council vote was unanimous. Leslie Winkle was the Colony's first Ambassador and was directed to make contact with the Mormons and arrange a meeting.