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Chapter 10

A Call to Arms

Lt. Comm. Eric Pride was completing his preflight when the voice from the open cockpit distracted him. “What was that, sailor?”

“Sir, change in your flight plan. You need to refile at Ops. They want you there. Pronto.”

Pride secured his panels, unhooked his harness, and climbed out of his F-22 Raptor and headed for Operations. This had better be good, he thought. I just wasted enough time to get me halfway to San Diego. Wonder what the change might be about. It never occurred to him that it might be the beginning of the takeover, although he and many of his contemporaries were well involved in the change to restore the country to its true values and preserve the lost moral code due to the intervention of the United Nations.

They had recruited him several years earlier, and he was ready for a change. The country was becoming too socialistic, and it had to change. He knew they’d lost their freedom.

He walked into Operations and Bill Holland motioned him to the corner. “Looks like this might be it, Eric. Just received this from the courier.” Bill handed Eric an envelope.

Eric opened it up and inside was a single piece of paper with two words on it, “Freedom earned.” Eric nodded and left Operations, and he went directly to his quarters where he opened a briefcase in his locker and took out a sealed envelope.

Opening the envelope, he scanned the contents and went to a designated pay phone to make a local call. He let the phone ring three times and then hung up. Seconds later, his phone rang. A voice said, “Upon arrival at San Diego, you will be contacted with a destination. Follow instructions to the letter, and good luck.” The phone went dead.

Eric looked up at the pale blue sky and a bright sun. Perhaps today will be the rebirth of America, he thought. Eric knew that across America, in every state, the word had gone out. He was ready. Yes, he thought, everyone is ready. The rebirth of a great nation was about to start. God bless America, and God bless all of us, he thought.

*****

Michael pulled up a chair and waved the security guard away. “Well, young lady, I hope everything is all right and you have been well taken care of?”

Diana Richmond looked at him. She was afraid and bewildered at what had happened to her. “Where am I? Why have I been kidnapped? Who are you people? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

With panic in her voice and tears in her eyes, Michael knew there was nothing to fear from Diana, just an unfortunate citizen caught in the middle. “Relax, young lady. You have nothing to fear. We just need you to answer a few questions for us, and we’ll arrange to take you home, okay?”

After a half hour of questions and tears, Michael was satisfied the intruder stumbled into the base area, and if they had not chased him, nothing at all would have happened. Now however, both of them would be found and held until Operation Freedom Earned was completed. Michael had read the dossier on Albertson, and he was very impressed. He had no doubts they were up against a highly trained individual with determination and resolve. Yes, he thought, Albertson has guts. He knew somewhere out there he was stalking them.

Michael picked up the phone and dialed.

“Control, Ted Johnson. May I help you?”

Michael spoke, “Have you picked up any unusual or strange occurrences on your sensors this evening, Ted?”

“No, sir. Just the usual animal activities out near the old highway.”

“What kind of activity?” Michael asked.

“We only have a few sound sensors out there. It’s desolate and sometimes we can hear small animals moving around. Nothing big though.”

“Well, anything at all, animals or not, check it out!”

Ted replied, “Yes, sir,” and hung up.