Read State of Alliance for Free Online

removed, replaced with National Guard instructions and warnings. There are old Amtrak cars on the track, painted muted shades of brown and green, blending with the earth. There are anti-aircraft guns mounted to a flatbed car and men with machine guns and RPGs.
    “This locomotive survived the EMP?” I ask.
    “Not entirely,” Andrew explains. “Most diesel engines are hybrids – a combination of electric and diesel – and this one wasn’t any different. The National Guard retrofitted some of the locomotives to make them entirely diesel. This is one of them.”
    The engine is a dull brown with dark green patches. By the time we reach the loading dock, the engine is roaring to life and the National Guard is busy assigning troops to the train.
    “We’re in the middle car,” Chris says. “Your security detail will be spread out throughout the train.”
    I nod, understanding.
    My security detail is made up of Uriah, Andrew, Chris, Vera and almost two dozen other militiamen and women who have volunteered for this mission. It’s intense, knowing that all of the people here are risking their lives for this mission– but I know it’s not for me . It’s for the safekeeping of California as a whole. For the survival of our country.
    If I think of it like that, I’ll be able to get through this , I tell myself.
    The doors on the train open. I step up inside the train. The flooring and the walls are gray. The tables are gray. The seats are gray. In fact, everything looks gray.
    “I don’t like the windows,” Vera comments.
    The windows have been reduced to small gun ports with steel plates welded over them. The roofs ofthe train cars have been covered with sandbags and armed men. There is a rail car ahead on the track loaded with guns and soldiers. I peek through the small slit of a window and search the skies for Manny’s biplane. I can’t see him, but he is up there somewhere. Nearby.
    “We’ll keep her away from the windows,” Chris replies.
    Her , of course, means me .
    “It’s all we have right now,” Chris offers, as if reading my mind.
    I sigh. “Where should I sit?”
    “In the corner.” Chris cracks a wry grin. There is a large table in the corner of the car, away from the windows. “Try to stay seated the whole time, if you can. The less movement there is, the less chance of anyone being able to see where you’re sitting.” He’s right.
    I sit in the far seat in the corner, surrounded by more sandbags. There are papers and documents here, notebooks and pencils. Maps, outlines and mission rosters. I pick up a pencil and scan the items. I need to assemble my strategy for the negotiations,and the long train ride to Monterey is as good of a time as any.
    “I want to get familiar with the layout of the train,” Andrew announces.
    “You can do a recon,” Chris concedes. “Take the others with you.”
    Andrew, Vera and Uriah slip out of the car, checking the other parts of the train. I stare at the emergency map on the wall, getting familiar without moving from my seat.
    “I know what’s bothering you,” Chris begins as soon as we are alone. “And you need to understand that what happened in my past has nothing to do with you.”
    I don’t remove my gaze from the wall. Hearing Chris talk about his past like it’s a secret, inaccessible thing makes me sick to my stomach. I’ve told him everything about me…he’s told me almost nothing about himself. I only know what I have seen.
    “It has everything to do with me,” I say softly, “because I’m a part of you now.”
    At this, Chris’s expression changes. He’s always so good at maintaining a poker face – never letting histrue emotions shine through. But for a brief, surprising moment, he looks taken aback.
    Completely surprised.
    “Hey boss,” Uriah says, popping back into the car. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
    Chris composes himself immediately, and the flash of emotion is gone.
    “Sure,” he replies. “Coming.”
    I