Battle Lines (The Survivalist Book 5) by Arthur Bradley Read Free Book Online Page B

Also, try not to force air through your throat. It works by vibrations in the jaw, not air flow.” He held it out to her. “Here, you try.”
    Slightly less taken aback, she studied the device. When she was confident that she understood its operation, she mimicked what he had done. The words that came out were slurred and unrecognizable. She frowned and handed it back to him, shaking her head.
    The general looked over his shoulder at Dr. Tran.
    “Doc?”
    “It takes a little practice,” he said with a reassuring smile. “Perhaps we should start with this.” He stepped forward and offered President Glass a pen and a pad of paper.
    She snatched them from his hands and quickly scribbled a sentence.
    Yumi stabbed me! She must be conspiring with Lincoln.
    General Carr nodded. He had suspected as much, but it was good to have confirmation.
    “Don’t worry, Madam President. I took care of Yumi Tanaka.”
    You killed her?
    “Yes.” He unconsciously touched the wound on his thigh, remembering their brief but bloody fight.
    President Glass mouthed, “Thank you,” as she reached out and took his hand.
    Carr lifted her hand to his mouth and gently kissed her fingers. As he did, he watched her face for any signs that the affection might be unwelcome. But she offered none. Instead, she squeezed his hand, smiled, and then went back to writing.
    Where am I?
    “You’re at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. After you were stabbed, Dr. Tran and I brought you here for medical care.”
    Why am I not in a hospital?
    “I feared for your safety.” He paused. “Madam President, I made a few decisions in your absence. Some of them, I fear, you may not agree with.”
    She raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.
    “Please understand that I was afraid that Pike might try to finish what Yumi had started.”
    Her pen raced across the page.
    You brought me here to protect me?
    “Yes, but I went one step further. I had Dr. Tran tell everyone that you didn’t survive the attack.”
    President Glass tried to speak, and when that failed, quickly turned back to the pen and paper.
    Everyone thinks I’m dead? She underlined the word “dead” several times.
    “Yes.”
    Who’s running the country? Lincoln?
    “Yes,” he repeated. “Pike was sworn in as president.”
    That’s awful!
    “You have no idea.”
    She squinted, waiting for him to say more.
    “Yesterday, he ordered a nuclear strike on Lexington, Kentucky. He claims it was to suppress a fresh outbreak of the virus, but I believe there was something else behind it.”
    She grabbed the lapel of his uniform and pulled herself upright. Almost immediately, the world began to spin, and she flopped back onto the bed.
    General Carr helped to gently position her head against the pillow.
    “You’re not strong enough yet, Madam President.”
    “He’s right,” said Dr. Tran. “Give it another day or two.”
    She closed her eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass. When it did, she picked back up the pen and paper.
    We need to tell everyone that I’m alive. It’s the only way to get Lincoln out of office before he kills any more people.
    General Carr said nothing.
    What? Tell me.
    “I fear it may be too late for that.”
    What do you mean? I’m the lawfully elected president.
    “That’s true, but Pike doesn’t care about the rule of law. He’s already suspended the War Powers Act. If you try to remove him, he’ll have you killed. I’m sure of it.”
    She patted the back of his hand.
    You can protect me.
    “I’m sorry, Madam President, but I don’t have the means to do that. Not yet, anyway. For now, secrecy is our best defense.”
    Can’t you recruit other military leaders to overthrow him?
    “That’s easier said than done. Our military has been taught to obey the civilian administration. Commanders will have a difficult time overcoming that paradigm.”
    But they respect you. They’ll follow you.
    “No, ma’am, but they might follow you.”
    She nodded and