The Line of Departure: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series Book 4) by G. Michael Hopf Page A

joking aside, I am intrigued by the idea. I used to be big into following politics, but I was naïve then. I just don’t know if starting a new government is as easy as you think it is. You do realize there’s this thing called a bureaucracy you’ll have to create, right? I think the concept is easy but then there’s the reality of the logistics. Listen, locally, I can effect change, but on a national level, it’s another can of worms.”
    “Just come with me to this next meeting. A couple of Cascadians from Olympia just arrived. We are working together to make sure we can have both of our groups operate as one and have a common focus.”
    “I have to laugh. Your country hasn’t even birthed and you have differences.”
    “Like anything, people have a common idea but different ways of approaching it.”
    “This sounds a little like the beginning of political parties, and
that
, my friend, can be a death knell from the very start.”
    “I’m forever the optimist; we can work through these differences to have our common dream of a free nation realized. I just need people like you to be on our team. So you’ll come to the next one? I want you to meet Charles, the leader of the Olympia group.”
    “Sure, I can do that,” Gordon said. He was agreeing because he wanted to be a supportive friend and because he did have a nagging curiosity. If Cascadia ever were to become a reality, he might need to be close to it. Like Samantha reminded him yesterday, he could help his family by having a part in how things worked, and being a part of Cascadia might be the ticket. The Cascadian influence had grown a lot locally and he did agree with the basic premise of liberty and human rights.
    “So, these Marines, you must know them—unless you picked up two extra Humvees at the car lot in Cascade.”
    “Yeah, well, not all of them. I know three of them. The other nine, I don’t know at all.”
    “So what’s their story?”
    “They came in from Coos Bay, Oregon. There’s a couple Marine units there now.”
    Michael completely stopped working. Gordon’s mention of the Marines in Oregon piqued his curiosity.
    “Why are there Marines in Oregon?”
    “That is a very long story and one best told over a few drinks,” Gordon said. He had kept most of his recent past secret. He felt that no one needed to know details, and he also feared people’s judgments. McCall was supposed to be a new start. Having people judge him for his past decisions could do more harm than good.
    “I’ll second that.”
    “Thanks again for the wood; I can’t say enough about how much this helps me out.”
    “Not a problem, just share some of your venison jerky with me when you have it.”
    “That is a guarantee, and it reminds me—I’m going hunting tomorrow. . . .”
    The phone in Gordon’s pocket began to ring. The men looked at each other. The once familiar sound of a mobile phone now sounded out of place.
    “Your cell phone is working?” Michael asked with a shocked look on his face.
    Gordon quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out the ringing phone. One the screen he saw the number calling was the same he had called earlier. His heart jumped into his throat as he clicked the receive button and said, “Hello?”
    “Hello, who is this?” the voice asked.
    “This is Gordon Van Zandt. I called earlier; I’m trying to reach Vice President Cruz.”
    “Gordon Van Zandt, who are you? How do you have this number?”
    “I escorted Vice President Cruz from Coos Bay to Idaho last March. He gave me this number and said I could call it if I needed anything. Well, I need something.”
    The mention of the vice president quickly superseded Michael’s interest in the fact that Gordon had a working cell phone. Gordon looked at Michael and held up his index finger, indicating he needed a moment alone. He then stepped away from the truck.
    “Mr. Van Zandt, let me put you on hold.”
    “Please don’t hang up.”
    “One second,