A NATION HEALING - BOOK III The Second Civil War (The Second Civil War - BOOK III 1) Read online

  A NATION

  HEALING

  CIVIL WAR II

  BOOK III

  BY

  MW HUFFMAN

  A Nation Healing - The Second Civil War© ©2012 By Marshall Huffman

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WaJe Production

  ACKNOWLEDGMENT

  Once again I need to thank my wife Susan, for her endless hours of editing my books. She never complains no matter how many grammatical errors I make. Okay, maybe a little but she doesn’t get discouraged.

  Thank you to kindle for making this all possible. Without them, new authors would have little chance of getting published without an agent, which is nearly impossible to find these days.

  OTHER BOOKS BY MW HUFFMAN

  THE END–BOOK I of The Event Series

  THE BEGINNING–BOOK II of The Event Series

  THE REVELATION–BOOK III of The Event Series

  The Second Civil War–BOOK I-A Nation Divided

  The Second Civil War–Book II-A Nation at War

  The Second Civil War–Book III–A Nation Healing

  Project BlueBolt – BOOK I – American Gulags

  Project BlueBolt – BOOK II - The Gulag Journal

  Project BlueBolt – BOOK III – American Uprising

  REVOLUTION

  THE BRINK

  CLOSE PROXIMITY

  BLACKSTAR

  CHIMERA

  WORLDS END

  SUN BURST

  Sins of the Fathers

  The Unfinished

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 1 - The Alphabet Murders

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 2 - Frost Bite

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 3 - Dead Aim

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 4 - What Goes Around

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 5 - Nothing to Lose

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 6 - Shadow Man

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 7 – The Club

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 8 – Shakespeare Murders

  Angie Bartoni Case File # 9 – One Too Many

  Angie Bartoni Case File #10 – Weak Link

  Angie Bartoni Case File #11 – Vanishing Act

  Angie Bartoni Case File #12 – Revenge

  Angie Bartoni Case File #13 – Payback

  Angie Bartoni Case File #14 – Dead on Arrival

  The Logan Files - Blond Deception

  The Logan Files - Innocence and Avarice

  The Logan Files - The Deal Breaker

  The Logan Files – Pain Center

  Norris Files - Silver2

  Norris Files – Insurrection

  A NATION HEALING

  MAJOR CHARACTERS

  UNITED STATES:

  President Benjamin Quasim

  Vice President Hanna Cole

  Chief of Staff Sara Slone

  Head of Armed Forces General Ascot

  Navy – Admiral Jean Swanson

  Air Force – General David Erickson

  Army – General Arthur Winfield

  AMERICAN REPUBLIC:

  President James Jason

  Vice President Ben Folly

  Supreme Military Chief General Allan MacMillan

  External Chief of Affairs – Mary Lake

  Internal Chief of Affairs – Ben Zimmerman

  Education Chief - Dr. Susan Churchman

  Supreme Court Chief – Garrett Mann

  Treasury Chief – Bill Alan

  MEXICO:

  President Hermilo Medrano

  Secretary of National Defense, Eleazar Guzman

  “Only if you’ve been to the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

  -Richard Nixon-

  PROLOGUE

  If no one in their right mind likes war, why do we have so many of them? An act of war indicates a fundamental failure of reasonable and rational leaders. With so many unavoidable deaths through disease, natural disasters, etc., why would we add war to the list of death tolls?

  Even the word ‘WAR’ has an ugly sound to it and yet it is a fact of life someplaces in the world on a daily basis. A Civil War is perhaps the most grotesque of all. Everyone who dies is a brother or sister of that nation.

  The United States of America has finally ended our Second Civil War. We no longer stand UNITED as one nation. We have evolved into three distinct factions, the former United States, the American Republic, and those few states that have yet to decide.

  The Second Civil War has taken the lives of 1.4 million Americans. Another 1.9 million are injured and 150 thousand are still missing or unaccounted for. The financial impact is impossible to ascertain. Commerce is at a standstill and exports are virtually nonexistent.

  While America was in debt previously, it is drowning in a sea of red now. The new challenges for the two previous combatants will be many and daunting. Any hope for reconciliation will distill down to one simple word: Compromise.

  “ The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.”

  - Ernest Hemingway-

  CHAPTER ONE

  Cities were still smoldering. The injured were still dying. People trapped under the tons of rubble were still being dug out. Hundreds of thousands were homeless. Children cried for their parents while parents cried for their dead and dying children. It was one of the ugliest times in our history.

  The American Republic suffered eighty-nine thousand casualties and almost a million injured or missing. How can a nation even begin to morn such incredible losses? After the dead are laid to rest, the injured starting to heal and the missing accounted for, it is only then that you can begin to rebuild a nation. That was the daunting task for both sides of the Second Civil War.

  ****

  The American Republic President, James Jason, was faced with determining how to build a nation that truly represented the people. His desire was to bring government back into the hands of the people. The problem was where to actually start?

  At the same time, relations between the American Republic and the United States of America needed to be mended. Further adding to the challenges, was the fact that Mexico still held portions of California. The one thing President Jason was sure of was that he did not want a big government that tried to control every aspect of its citizens' lives. In his mind, that is what got them all into this mess to begin with.

  ****

  AMERICAN REPUBLIC

  NASHVILLE, TN

  “Honestly, I’m not sure where to even begin. It almost seems like we need to do everything at the same time. I realize we can’t, but so far I haven’t found the logical starting point. That’s one of the reasons I asked you all to be here today,” President Jason told them.

  “Well, between all of us we should be able to get something accomplished,” Mary Lake, the newly appointed American Republic External Affairs Chief, said.

  “Anything we can do to help. We all realize that this is a monumental undertaking,” the American Republic Treasury Chief, former Kentucky Governor William Allen, added.

  “Like I said, I’m glad all of you could make it. On top of everything else, we need to discuss the other positions which remain to be filled,” the President said, “Now here is what I have come up so far.”

  He slid a paper to each of the members sitting at the table.

  POSITIONS FILLED

  PRESIDENT: James Jason

  VICE P
RESIDENT: Ben Folly

  SUPREME MILITARY CHIEF: Allen McMillan

  EXTERNAL CHIEF OF AFFAIRS: Mary Lake

  INTERNAL CHIEF OF AFFAIRS: Beau Zimmerman

  TREASURY CHIEF: Bill Alan

  SUPREME COURT CHIEF: Honorable Jackson Miller

  POSITIONS UNFILLED

  TRANSPORTATION CHIEF

  EDUCATION CHIEF

  SECURITY CHIEF

  “Is this all you intend to have?” Vice President Folly asked after laying down the page.

  “Unless you all feel that we need more. Now remember, this isn’t going to be like before where everyone gets to put in their two cents worth every time a decision is made.”

  “Still. Those are pretty broad categories.”

  “Yes they are. I intend for the job description to be much broader than in the past. Let me give you an example. Mary, our External Affairs Chief will deal with all issues of a non-military nature that involve the American Republic outside of our borders. This includes everything from relations with foreign heads of state to Embassy heads. If something comes up, she can come to me and we will work out the problem. If we can’t, then we may open it to others. The point is that I want our challenges to be handled by the Administrative Assembly,” Jason told them.

  “I understand all of that but what about a war. I mean external relations are often the very thing that leads us to war,” MacMillan said.

  “That is true but why that happens is the real question? Is it because we stick our nose into too many other countries' internal affairs? Because we have this driving need to be the world’s policemen? Why are we even having diplomatic relations with countries that hate us? Countries that just want our money and then turn around and scorn us? I’m not saying we are going to be isolationists but I do think we can pick our friends better and dismiss the others,” Jason replied.

  “Mr. President...”

  “James. In this room I am James or Jason. For this to work we have to trust one another and value what the other person says, even if we disagree. It will happen many times but what I don’t want is for anyone to ever withhold his or her thoughts just because you think I don’t want to hear it. Is everyone clear on that?” he asked.

  The all nodded.

  “Proceed Beau.”

  “James, I get what you want but the world isn’t really like that. It’s a great sentiment, but in reality we will have to recognize many countries we don’t necessarily like.”

  “When I say isolationist, I think the very word strikes fear in many people. Others embrace it. What I mean is that we are not going to shell out money to every third world nation that thinks we are just deep pockets. We will have to look at each individual nation before we decide which to form diplomatic ties with. One thing I am certain of, we will not now, nor ever, if I have my way, become a member of the United Nations,” he told them.

  “Outstanding,” MacMillan let out.

  “Agreed,” Beau Zimmerman added.

  “Why?” Mary Lake asked.

  “As succinctly as I can state it, they meddle where they don’t belong, cost way more than they produce in the way of results, get nothing accomplished and put terrorists and spies in the country under fake titles. I have no use for them or their preposterous rituals,” Jason told her.

  “Now James, how do you really feel?” the Vice President kidded.

  “I know. I know. But they are like blood sucking leeches that serve no real function,” he said.

  “You have a few spots unfilled. Should we start on that?” Mary asked.

  “I think that would be an excellent idea. Let’s look at the Education Chief. That is indeed a very important role in the future of our nation. We need to select someone who is in tune with today’s children and what we need to do to improve education.”

  “Are you talking K through 12?” Mary asked.

  “Good question. Let me ask you this, are you all happy with the college students' education?” Jason asked.

  “Is it a problem? I mean has it really changed all that much?” Beau asked.

  “I’ll tell you what is bugging me the most. The overall cost and some of the courses that are offered that are just adding to the cost with no real value.”

  “Such as?”

  “I’ll just mention a few, Beau. Now these are real college courses, not ones I made up. ‘The Art of Walking’; ‘The Joy of Garbage’; ‘The Science of Super Heroes’; ‘Zombies in Popular Media’.”

  “Are you sure those are real?” Beau asked.

  “Absolutely. Now you tell me, why do we have such crap in higher education? These kinds of courses just lure students in to pay for worthless credit,” James said.

  “So are you saying we need two education positions?”

  “No, I’m just asking what you all think.”

  They discussed the need of having two people involved with education. They finally decided to have just one and that person would appoint someone for k-12 and one for higher education. Probably the straw that broke the camel’s back was the course that was entitled: Cyberporn and Society

  CHAPTER TWO

  NASHVILLE, TN

  “James, I have a question. We have been discussing education and I have to ask, should we honestly assume that every child will end up in College?” Mary asked.

  “Another excellent question. It is a worthy goal and well-intended but to my way of thinking totally unreasonable. Not everyone is created equal in all things. We don’t all have the same skills, the same interests or the same intelligence. Anyone who thinks that we do is looking for a utopian world. We don’t live in a utopian world. It doesn’t exist. No matter what we do, some kids will get left behind for a myriad of reasons,” the Vice President replied.

  “But do we have the obligation to try?” Mary asked.

  “Of course, but within reason. A great deal of success comes from many things. Education certainly being one of them but others are just as important. Motivation. Now there is something you cannot instill in a person if they are lazy. It is an internal drive that you can try to foster but in the end, it is up to them. Upbringing. It’s a huge part of success. Too many parents that think the school has all of the responsibility to raise their children. They are fooling themselves and doing a great disservice to their children. Encouragement, guidance and direction from their home life is crucial. You can’t browbeat a child and expect them to ever be happy or successful. Luck. Don’t ever underestimate the value of luck. Being at the right place at the right time still has a lot to do with success,” James said.

  “The position of Transportation Chief. Does anyone want to talk about that?” James asked.

  “They would be responsible for all modes of transportation I assume?” Mary asked.

  “Yes. Like education it is a huge field. Not only does it cover planes, trains and automobiles but other areas as well,” James said.

  “You have been watching too many old movies. But you’re right. The condition of roads and railways are also a part of that or should be.”

  “Including interstate and intrastate commerce,” James added.

  “Now there is a position that is going to need a lot of help,” MacMillan said.

  “But you still want to keep just one person to oversee the department, is that correct?” Mary asked.

  “That is what I would like but hey, I’m listening to whatever you have to say. If you feel it is too much for one person just say what’s on your mind.”

  No one spoke up.

  “I have a question about Internal Affairs,” MacMillan said.

  “Please?”

  “I guess I am trying to figure out what they really have control over. Does it include intelligence, terrorism, and security? This is one area that I can see that will overlap all the others essentially.”

  “How so?”

  “Let’s take the trains for example. Say that Internal Affairs determines that security is too lax on train travel. They require screening, baggage checks,
and a National Identification Card. The Transportation Chief isn’t going to be too thrilled if it adds a huge cost to the system or slows down the entire system. I can see some real battles in a situation like that,” MacMillan told the President.

  “That is a very good point.”

  “From my point of view, I can see conflicts in every area. Internal Affairs touches every one of us every single day. They become the police, FBI, CIA and all the other alphabet agencies all rolled into one. From a personal basis, Beau and I get along just fine but I can see us butting heads over things I perceive as military affairs and he sees as Internal Affairs,” MacMillan pointed out.

  “Now Allen, you surely don’t think we would ever quibble over such things,” Beau said smiling.

  “Geez, I would hope not. I would hate to bomb your office,” MacMillan teased.

  “How did they ever do it?” James asked after a few minutes.

  “Who do what?” Ben asked.

  “How did our first congress ever figure out how to divide the responsibilities? I knew it was going to be difficult, but goodness gracious.”

  “Times were a tad simpler then,” Ben replied.

  “I’m sure that is a matter of perspective,” MacMillan said.

  “One thing I see is that too much power in one person’s hands could cause even more damage down the road,” Mary replied.

  ****

  “Hello Admiral Swanson.”

  “Well, I wondered when you would finally get around to calling.”

  “It’s been hectic to say the least.”

  “I’m sure. So things are starting to settle down are they?”

  “Not much. Listen, Jean, I’ve been appointed the Supreme Military Chief for our armed forces. I’m not sure we would even be talking if it wasn’t for you. You saved a lot of lives with your information. We can never thank you enough. What I can do, and please consider this carefully, is offer you the position of Admiral of the Navy. You would be in charge of the entire Naval Fleet.”