Dark Coup by David C. Waldron Page A

guest myself.  I’m glad I made a difference, but if nothing else I would suggest getting those thirty Black Hawks off the freeway.  They reminded me of Battleship Row in 1941 on the way in.”
    …
     “And who is this,” Mallory asked.
    “This would be former First Lieutenant Curt Mathis,” Ben said.  “He’s been stripped of his rank and command until a summary court-martial can be held.”
    Mallory raised her eyebrows at this.
    “I know you didn’t have any commissioned officers who were licensed to practice law in Tennessee,” Ben said.  “Do you since the promotions?”
    “Unfortunately not,” she said.  “We may have to hold this off for some time.”
    “Or, I can accuse him of treason and just shoot him right here,” Ben said and unsnapped the loop of his holster.
    Mallory put a hand on his arm.  “Not worth the nightmares, Major,” she said.  “Trust me.”
    Ben still had his hand on the butt of his pistol and Mallory could feel the tense muscles of his upper arm.  Ben was angrier about Mathis than he was letting his face show.
    “Maybe,” Ben finally said and secured his holster.  “We’re still going to have a nice long chat Mathis.”
    Mathis just looked at both Ben and Mallory.
    …
    “What’s going on with him,” Mallory said after they left her brand new brig.
    “He’s my mole,” Ben said.  “I was fairly sure he was communicating with someone since just before I was down here last time and decided to keep my own council instead of telling the Colonel off.  I also decided to keep an eye on him instead of grabbing him right away.”
    Ben rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head.  “Something he said a couple of days before the raid, right after the MPs grabbed him has been bothering me, though.”  Ben said.  “I remember that I asked him why and what the Colonel was holding over him.  He looked at me and said “You know nothing, ” with, I don’t know, some superior look in his eyes.  His whole bearing changed for a minute there when he said that and it’s been bothering me ever since.”
    “We’ll figure it out,” Mallory said.

Chapter Nine
    The afternoon after Ben arrived, Mallory put together a meeting to discuss some plans that Chuck had been working on for Redemption, Promised Land, and any other new towns that might crop up or, as Chuck saw it,  that they might just start on their own.
    The low-level hum and din of ever-present activity around base came in through the unshuttered windows.
    “First of all,” Mallory said, as she began introductions, “I wanted to include Major Franklin now that he’s here since some of what we discuss will most likely impact him and his people.”
    Mallory nodded to Chuck.  “Ben,” she said, “This is Chuck Turner.  Don’t call him Charles or Mister.”
    Chuck held out his hand at the introduction.  “I’m not as picky about it since I got married,” Chuck said.
    “Chuck got back last night from checking something out for us,” Mallory said.  “I’d like him to be in on this meeting as he’s basically taken on the role of civil engineer for both the base and the town.  You met Joel yesterday.”
    Joel nodded to Ben and everyone sat down.
    “Joel,” Mallory said, “why don’t you start us off?”
    “What we’re doing isn’t going to work long term,” Joel said.
    “How so,” Mallory said.
    “Basically, we’ve been going along for a year,” Joel said, “operating pretty much like we were before the power went out.  We’ve made a few modifications but not nearly enough.  We quit looking for new ways to do things six weeks into this crisis.  Everybody says things have changed but nobody is acting like it.”
    “Ok,” Mallory said.  “I guess I can see your point.”
    “So,” Joel said, “things need to actually change around here, on base and in Redemption.  We can’t keep growing like we have been, and I don’t just mean doubling in size like we just did–no