The Final War

By Kerry D. Lewis

They warned us! Our President and the heads of state, all of our governing bodies. They predicted it would be a long and costly conflict. Nothing like Vietnam in the 60s or the Desert Storm War of 1991.
Yes, we the people were warned but we backed our President by a great majority when he promised to get justice for the thousands of innocent civilians killed in the terrorist attacks in September 2001.
Two thousand one. It seems so long ago when life was peaceful and the economy strong. Everyone had a good life and we lived in the land of the free.
All that has changed. We were warned but we had no idea.
This is my story of how it changed and how some of us survived the final war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 29, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465330550

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Copyright © 2009 by Kerry D. Lewis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Epilogue

Prologue

They warned us! Our President and the heads of state, all of our governing bodies. They predicted it would be a long and costly conflict. Nothing like Vietnam in the ’60s or the Desert Storm War of 1991.

Yes, we the people were warned but we backed our President by a great majority when he promised to get justice for the thousands of innocent civilians killed in the terrorist attacks in September 2001.

Two thousand one. It seems so long ago when life was peaceful and the economy strong. Everyone had a good life and we lived in the land of the free.

All that has changed. We were warned but we had no idea.

This is my story of how it changed and how some of us survived the final war.

Chapter 1

The rattle of the cans from the trip wire across the path alerted me from the restless sleep.

I reached for the .45 Colt automatic and slipped quietly from the cave and moved to the limestone glade where I could see down the path.

Suddenly a wild pig snorted and trotted from the underbrush. He sniffed the air and his beady little eyes searched the area before moving on into the forest.

Expelling my breath I turned and entered the cave. Stirring up the coals I set the blackened coffee pot on the coals to warm up the day-old coffee.

Thinking of a time long ago when fresh coffee and doughnuts were a daily treat made my mouth water and my stomach growl.

Pouring myself a cup of coffee I walked to the top of the small hill behind the cave and looked at the valley stretched out below me.

The lush green valley lying among the great mountains was, at first glance, unchanged from when God made them. Only the cloud of smoke which wafted in the distance marred the serene beauty.

Over the city of Memphis and Chattanooga and, farther to the south, at Atlanta, the gray smoke blotted out the sun, mute testimony of the chaos that was ravaging those cities.

To the west beyond my sight, St. Louis and Chicago and Kansas City were involved in conflict, the inhabitants rioting, looting and burning.

How soon would this part of the world become another battleground? To what lengths would we fight to maintain our freedom? Would brother fight brother once more? Would history repeat itself? Questions that I asked myself but only time would answer if anyone survived.

I watched the valley and surrounding mountainside for movement. Satisfied that the area was secure, I returned to the cave.

The cave had been our home, our fortress, for nearly five years. Known to only a few close friends it was well hidden and served our family as headquarters and storehouse.

It was spacious with several large caverns and passageways. It had a fresh water stream and a comfortable temperature.

My grandfather Reo had discovered it during a hunting trip in the ’80s. He had kept it a secret from everyone until the riots and terrorist attacks had driven us to the hills.

The valley was home to about one hundred families—good, strong God-fearing people who stood side by side for protection, for comfort and strength.

We as a community were isolated from the physical attacks suffered by the city dwellers, but we were aware that someday we would have to stand together against the invaders.

I sat in the shade of a hickory tree enjoying the peace and quiet of the mountain and thought of the events that had interrupted my life and why I was living in a cave on a mountain.

Chapter 2

It was my birthday, September 11, 2001. I was twelve years old and thinking of cake and birthday gifts while shooting baskets during PE when the terrorists attacked the Towers in Manhattan and later the Pentagon.

Suddenly my birthday and PE were of little importance. Watching the destruction on TV was monumental. The loss of life and the carnage that would forever change our lives was just beginning.

September 11, 2001—a day that would live in infamy, just like Pearl Harbor! We discussed it in school and later at the dinner table. It was the main event and life was filled with turmoil, sadness and fear.

All across America people were grief-stricken. Even in our little suburb of Mill Valley near Atlanta, daily life came to a stop. Airlines were shut down, trains and buses were disrupted.

Emergency plans were put into effect for blood donations, food and medical supplies. Firemen and medical technicians volunteered to help in the rescue efforts in New York, now a disaster zone.

That evening was different at our house. No jokes or laughter as my father, Leo, and Uncle Rex and Granddad Reo sat watching television and the news reports.

As the casualties were reported they cursed silently and with tears in their eyes they joined hands in a prayer for the living and the dead.

Grandma Rose sat in her rocker and said the rosary while tears filled her eyes.

I was witnessing a lot of emotions I had never seen before from my family. I wasn’t sure if I should cry or cuss so I just kept quiet.

Suddenly my father said, Beau, this will change our lives. Nothing will ever be the same. You will grow up fast because of this. Your childhood is over!

I gave it little thought then but later I realized he was right. It changed us all and in different ways. It made some of us strong, but it shortened some of our lives.

After the attacks, the slow crumble of the United States began. The airline industry lost millions of dollars as people were afraid to fly. Two airlines eventually went bankrupt. The stock market closed for a week and when it reopened it was weak and unsteady.

For a couple of weeks the President informed us of the search for the masterminds behind the attacks.

Security was increased at airports and sports events. Life was slow to return to normal. For thousands of survivors it would never return.

As the President and his cabinet prepared new policies and passed new laws governing economic growth. Americans attacked the Muslims, Arabs, and Shiites who were innocent victims of the hate that was consuming Americans.

We wanted revenge even if it was a war, but who was our enemy?

The President met with officials from other countries, building a coalition to combat terrorists in all countries. You are either with us or against us. If you protect the terrorists, we will consider you our enemy, he said.

Ten thousand military reservists were called into action within a week. All active military were put on alert and two warships were dispatched to the Persian Gulf.

We were armed and ready for retaliation but had no positive direction. The FBI and CIA were busy following up leads on all known terrorists. All leads pointed to Osama bin Laden, a charismatic leader of a terrorist organization called al-Qaida.

Over and over we were cautioned that it would be a long and costly war, costly in financial support and in loss of lives. Were we willing to go to the limits to fight a war that had no rules? What price was the U.S. citizen willing to pay for revenge in the name of justice?

In the weeks that followed the attack the President continued to set the war machine into motion, placing our troops in strategic areas and pleading with other nations to cooperate in the fight against terrorism. War was declared but no shots fired.

The great Muslim nations promised to join forces in a great holy war against the United States and fight to the death in the name of Allah.

Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were undecided about whom they would support in the event the United States attacked Afghanistan. We had no trust in them and they were in a conflict of opinions and uncertain of our actions.

It was a time of tense situations as the United States faced uncertain war, a failing economy and while grieving survivors buried family and friends. The President promised to all countries, We will prevail, justice will be done!

During the following weeks, as rescuers dug through tons of rubble, Americans came together with prayer vigils, community events, fund-raisers and with flags waving we sang God Bless America and the national anthem.

Slowly we started to mend. School continued, ballgames and sporting events resumed and money was pumped into the economy.

The President sounded confident when he informed us that the search for terrorists will bring the world together, and together we will rid the world of Osama bin Laden and his group of terrorists.

Americans were nervous as we watched more and more military reservists called to active duty. More ships were positioned in the Persian Gulf.

With each small incident of a plane hijacking, a bus accident or rumors of biological warfare, the public was near panic. Were our threats only empty threats? Were we going to ignore this attack against America? What about justice?

Suddenly, without warning or notice to the public, our warplanes struck at targets in Afghanistan. Our retaliation had begun. Americans don’t forget and never forgive! Once again we were at war!

Chapter 3

It was a few weeks after the initial attack on Afghanistan and my family was watching the most recent attacks on TV.

I don’t see anyone but innocent people, just hungry kids and old worn out men and women over there. All them terrorists are hiding in the hills with all the food and water, said Reo.

No one is innocent in a war, replied my father. Remember the kids and women who were used to kill us in Vietnam?

"Son, we’ve not seen anything yet. This country is full of foreigners. How many are terrorists? We have no way of knowing.

With a million strangers among us I’m sure many have come here to cause us harm. They are part of a plan set into motion years ago to overthrow our country, to split America apart, and to destroy our economy. They have been waiting patiently, learning our weaknesses, and now they are taking orders from the leaders in Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi and probably a dozen other countries.

We’ll kick their ass, replied my father. They should remember Desert Storm. It didn’t take long for them to run!

Leo, this isn’t the same. We have no idea how many Muslims, Pakistanis, and other radical groups will support each other to destroy the U.S. We have so much and other countries are jealous of our individual freedoms, they will not rest until we are brought down to their level. Death is an honor for them. They have no value on life. They don’t fear death.

Sitting there listening to them discuss war and world politics made me uneasy. My school and others across the country had participated in fund-raisers for the many organizations set up for survivors and rescue workers.

It seemed so little we could do, yet I felt there was more to come and even with the security measures I was afraid that more attacks would occur.

The constant pictures of the attack shown on TV, the news reports on the radio, and with every issue of the paper we were reminded of the devastation and still we were gradually getting our life back in order.

America was strong, we were united but could we continue to grow and stay united if we were to face more attacks? How long would we wave the flag as more sons and daughters left to fight the war?

A new threat came in a powder form. Anthrax! Delivered in an ordinary envelope through the postal service. A man dies in Florida, three cases surface in Washington, D.C., then several in New York. Suddenly panic grips the country.

White powder is reported on planes, in public restrooms, in the Capitol building. The FBI and health officials respond to many incidents. The Capitol is closed while the EPA conducts tests on employees and in the many office spaces.

The public demands answers, medication and, most of all, protection. Who is behind this attack? Where does it come from? How deadly is this new threat to the American public? were often-asked questions.

Damn, I knew it would happen sooner or later, said Reo while watching the news.

This is just a diversion for something else, I think, something to instill fear in the public. Everyone is beginning to panic. Fear is the terrorist’s main weapon. We must not give in to panic.

How do you keep calm when you may be poisoned by something you can’t see or smell, I replied.

Make damn sure you don’t open unfamiliar mail, stay away from crowds and take nothing offered in an unusual situation or from a stranger, he said.

I thought of school and crowded auditoriums and lunchrooms and deadly white powder substituted for sugar. The threat could be for real. So easy to spread among the crowded city malls and shopping centers of Atlanta or any large city.

Only twelve years old and I was scared! My life was never sheltered. Grandpa Reo and Granny Rose had raised me from an infant, and I was never sheltered from anything good or bad.

I was the son of Leo, but when my mother died Dad let me live with Granny and Reo while he worked and I never really left.

We were always