"Stand and fight," Ben ordered. "Open up with everything. Cut them down."

This time it was a slaughter. The Rebels threw up a defensive line and opened up with every weapon at their disposal. The plain below them became a killing field as Simon's troops went down in bloody mangled heaps. After what seemed an eternity, but was only a few minutes, someone in command on the other side got smart and began calling for a retreat. Simon's troops began slowly pulling back, leaving hundreds of dead and wounded behind them.

Overhead, the carrion birds had already begun their slow circling.

"Now let's get out of here," Ben ordered.

285.

* * *285.

"There are uprisings by Simon Border's followers all over the nation, Ben," Cecil said. "It looks as though it's a fullblown religious war."

"And we, /, caused it by invading Border's territory." It was not put as a question.

"No. I don't believe that at all. Put that out of your mind. I think Simon was looking for any excuse to kick up trouble. I think those so-called Guards of God were sent in as cannon fodder."

"I never thought of that, Gee. But you may well be right about it."

"Don't try to make it back to Base Camp One, Ben. You'll probably just have to turn right around and head back. I would suggest you try for Texas, set up a base, and wait and see what happens."

"Providing we can get out this state, you mean."

"It's that bad?"

"It's very bleak, Cec. Besides, I don't want to fight a damn religious war on our territory."

"You have a plan?"

"A piece of one. I'm going to try for Tucson and the old air force base there. Either there at Davis-Monthan or at the old international airport We can clean up the runways and be resupplied there. I hatje to go on the defensive, but I just don't think I have much! choice left We'll check it out and let you know."

"I've never heard you sound so down, Ben."

"Well, hell, Cec. Things start looking up for the nation, then it falls apart. We prop everything up, then it all comes tumbling down once more.

It's like a yoyo. It gets damned depressing as the years go by."

"What alternative do we have, Ben?"

"That's what's got me in such a funk, Cec. We don't 286.

have any alternative. We've talked about bunkering in- we both know that won't work, not in the long run. But a religious war, Cec?"

"We didn't start it, Ben."

"But can we finish it? I mean, really finish it?"

"I can't answer that, Ben. Only time will tell."

"Are you going to be all right?"

"Oh, sure. I've put the entire SUSA under high alert. Our borders are sealed. I've opened our chemical warfare bunkers and readied the delivery systems. I've told Simon in as blunt of terms as possible I will use the most lethal gas in our arsenal against his people if theytry anything."

"Getting tough in your old age, aren't you, Cec?" Ben said with a smile.

There was no humor in Cecil's reply. "I like our way of life, Ben. I think it's a fine and noble experiment that worked, and I mean to see that it continues. So Simon Border and his religious freaks can go fuck themselves."

That brought a chuckle from Ben. "I'm happy to know I won't have to worry about the future of the SUSA, Cec. What does Secretary Blanton have to say about your decision?"

"He supports it, Ben. And so does his wife ... well, let's just say more so than not."

"That is interesting. Okay, Cec, anything else?"

"I guess that's it, Ben."

"Okay. We're on the move."

"Good luck to you."

"Good luck to us all, Cec. And give my best to President Altman when you talk to him."

"Will do. Take care."

Ben hooked the mic and stood silent for a moment. Then he smiled at Corrie. "Let's get this circus on the road, Corrie. Looks like we're going to be in Arizona for awhile."

287.

287.

"Everything is coming unglued, isn't it, boss?"

"It sure seems that way."

"I hate to bring this up," Jersey said. "But I will-has anybody considered a K-Team going in and killing Simon Border?"

"Yes," Ben replied. "He's virtually untouchable. He has a dozen homes deep in die Rockies. Most of his own people don't even know where he is at any given time. Yes, Jersey, we've considered it several times."

"So ...?"

Ben sighed, almost painfully. "We watch the country tear itself apart in a religious war, I suppose."

"And then?"

"Those of us who survive start all over."

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