Part 34 (1/2)

His wife's smile was rapturous. Travis felt pleased and awkward at the same time to be in the presence of her father and what remained of her former life. He suddenly felt nervous about how he compared to Lydia and wondered what Bruce thought of him.

”Not to interrupt such a wonderful family reunion,” the Senator said in her Texas drawl, ”but there are certain matters of great importance to be discussed.”

Bruce looked toward Kevin. The black man slightly inclined his head and stepped closer to Travis.

”Okay. Where should we all talk? My daughter is here, so let's get to it.”

A crowd of people were now gathering and the Senator gave then her best campaign smile. ”Why don't we go upstairs to my office. The Major General is waiting for us.”

Travis watched Kevin anxiously. There was tension in the other man's face and Travis could feel his own nerves twitching. The time was growing near.

”Very well,” Katie said. ”Let's get this over with.”

”Agreed,” the Senator agreed. ”Let's go into my office.”

”..said the spider to the fly,” Jenni whispered from behind Travis and a chill flowed down his back.

3. Showdown As Katie walked up the frozen escalator, she could feel the eyes of the hundred or so people gathered in the corridor below staring up at her. The irony of the rescue center being a mall made her smile slightly. And of course, Kevin was a black hero. Romero would be proud.

That she was a blond, pregnant woman was also amusing to her. But unlike the heroine of Dawn of the Dead, she was a former prosecutor that had no issue stepping up to the plate. She would not stand by and wait for the men to make the difficult choices. Add in that she was bis.e.xual and she was pretty much blowing the stereotype.

She loved that.

Katie could see the strain in Travis' face and knew he was worried sick.

Every time she looked at him, his gaze seemed to wrap around her protectively. She loved him and he loved her. That gave her strength.

Strangely, Lydia being brought up by the Senator had given her strength as well. The memory of her wife made her feel more determined and strong. There was no way she was going to let the Senator enslave these people. They deserved a chance to have a good life. A chance Lydia never had.

She caught sight of her own reflection in a mirror set into the side of a storefront. She saw that her jaw was set and her gaze determined. Her blond curls fell in a tumble to her shoulders and her swollen belly rounded out her green sweater. She looked flushed and strong. That made her smile a bit more.

Entering the office behind the Senator, she saw a military man seated behind the desk. He vacated his spot to the Senator and Katie remembered that Kevin had pegged this man as someone who had joined the military to enhance his political resume. The Senator took her seat as her smarmy campaign manager took up his place behind her chair.

Kevin entered and sat down in a chair, his expression strained. Jenni and Bill had wanted to come as well, but only Travis had been allowed to accompany her. Her Dad also was allowed into the meeting. He gave her an encouraging smile as he sat next to Kevin. Travis leaned back against the closed door, his arms folded over his chest, his gaze encouraging.

The office was small, but not at all cozy. She took a breath, readying herself.

The Senator crossed her legs and rested her folded hands on her lap. ”Let us get down to business. I take it you are speaking for the fort, Katie?”

”Consider me their amba.s.sador,” she answered.

”Very well, amba.s.sador. We will be relocating to the fort immediately. I expect for you to have the Governor's Suite ready for us,” the Senator started. ”I want a meeting with the fort's former leaders.h.i.+p for an indepth debriefing within an hour of my arrival.”

Katie arched her eyebrow. ” I see.”

”You all will then be instructed in our plans for the fort and be given directions on how we will go about establis.h.i.+ng the fort as a supply depot to the President's enclave known as Central. Each and every person will be expected to do their part in our plan to create a strong, working force.”

”I see.” Katie repeated, raising her other eyebrow.

”We will expect full cooperation on all levels. The Major General will oversee all security matters with the a.s.sistance of the First Lieutenant. I would also like an armed escort dispatched to check on my sister, Blanche Mann, at her estate. Unless she is already in your fort.” The Senator tilted her head. ”Is she?”

”She was,” Katie answered. ”Until she shot a man and killed two others.

Now, she is most likely staggering through the countryside.”

”What?” The Senator rose sharply to her feet.

”Oh, and about your plans,” Katie said blithely. ”Fold them five ways and shove them up your a.s.s.” She heard her Dad and husband laugh at this and her smile grew larger. Diplomacy be d.a.m.ned. She was p.i.s.sed off.

”Excuse me?” The Senator looked shocked to be spoken to in such a way.

She probably was since she was accustomed to people kissing her a.s.s.

”We are not giving up the fort. I'm here to inform you that the people of Madison Mall are welcome there. We are more than willing to take them in. We have enough supplies to last until summer and hopefully by then we will be growing our own food. Now, if you want to come as well, you will need to realize we are working hard on building a community based on respect of the individual and what each can contribute to our society.”

”What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?” The Senator looked confused and glanced sharply toward her campaign manager. Raleigh looked just as shocked as she did.

”We are determined to give people a chance to have a good life. If they don't agree with the concepts of hard work, loyalty, and the basic ideals of the US Const.i.tution, they can leave.”

”You will not tell me how to live my life,” the Senator snapped.

”Oh, but you can tell us?”

”I am an elected official. That is my job! To make the hard decisions that you cannot,” the Senator retorted. She came around the desk in a streak of red.

Katie didn't back up as she was sure the Senator expected her to, but crossed her arms under her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She could feel the curve of her belly under them and felt even stronger.

”I am in charge here! I make the hard choices for the people!”

”You see, that is where you are mistaken. You're supposed to represent the people who elected you and help them by not hampering their lives. And that is what you want to do. Kevin showed us your plans. You call people a.s.sets! Breeders! You estimate how many of us can die and not be considered a liability to your plans.”

The Senator shot a venomous look at Kevin. ”You were supposed to convince them to turn over the fort.”

Kevin stood up slowly. ”I went and told them your plans so they wouldn't.”

”Excuse me?” The Senator looked completely shocked.

”First Lieutenant Reynolds, how dare you defy a direct order?” The Major General rose to his feet heavily, looking furious.

”Easily. I realized it meant making the people surviving in this mall into slaves.” Kevin stood with his chin up, his eyes blazing.

”Slaves?” The Senator barked a sharp, sarcastic laugh. ”They are the future of this country! They need to be guided firmly and not left to their own devices or else we are going to be doomed.”

”Our fort is much better off than this mall, Senator. We are just common people trying to survive in this new world and make a life for ourselves,”

Katie retorted.

”And doing a better job at it than we are,” Kevin added.

”How long before your people fall into chaos without proper and experienced leaders.h.i.+p? Let's be frank here. You have no clue what you are doing and you will need me to guide you. The civilians of this country have proven they can barely take care of themselves. Why do you think there are so many social programs to a.s.sist them? They have no idea how to make good, solid choices for themselves.” The Senator's voice had gone very quiet and persuasive. It was the voice she was famous for during debates.