Holding Their Own XI: Hearts and Minds by Joe Nobody Read Free Book Online

tragedy that had occurred just outside of Huntsville.
    When the lights had gone out for the last time, it was estimated Texas had over 120,000 inmates in her jails and prisons. Many had starved, locked in the cells without food or water. Tens of thousands more had escaped, turned loose on a society that couldn’t dial 9-1-1.
    Atlas had died fighting just such a gang of thugs.
    Many of the criminals were violent, sick individuals who had been locked away to protect the innocent. Now, many of them were still on the loose. The downfall of society had set law enforcement’s efforts back decades. Seasoned felons left to their own devices, coupled with seriously limited resources to corral them often led to more lawbreaking than the general population liked.
    On the day in question, Sheriff Watts brought the heartbreaking news of a large family having been found dead in their home. They had suffered badly before being murdered. Deputies had eventually tracked down the culprit, a serial killer who’d escaped during the collapse. He’d been marauding through the central Texas countryside ever since.
    Then there was the political strife. While the council’s directives had been successful, all five of the mandated priorities were being challenged by one unavoidable circumstance – how to manage the ownership of physical property.
    The incident at Ocean Towers in Corpus had made the headlines for days, sending a wave of apprehension throughout the territories. If wealthy men with resources couldn’t safely invest in Texas, how could the recovery possibly continue?
    Texas had suffered over 15 million dead, or roughly half of the population. Those causalities had left behind unclaimed businesses, farms, homes, and other assets. Who owned them? How were they to be disbursed? Should the government keep them? What about the banks that held the mortgages… what if those institutions reopened? The Alliance would need banking if the economy were to grow and prosper. Free enterprise was already demanding to take its rightful place as a leading role in society. Everyone on the council knew that centralized planning would only jumpstart a stalled system. It was time to get out of the way and let the engine of capitalism run free.
    Bishop, however, had strongly disagreed when the time came for the council to vote. “We’re not far enough along, in my humble opinion,” he stated after reviewing the latest proposal addressing property ownership. “The Alliance hasn’t established itself well enough just yet. There’s no shortage of problems to address across the land. Give it some more time before you take this one on.”
    Unlike so many surrounding Diana’s office, Bishop didn’t pout or become angry when she disagreed. After informing him that he was dead wrong and the issue was now the most critical on their agenda, he had simply shrugged and smiled. “That’s why you make the big bucks, and I carry a rifle,” he’d grinned. A minute later is was if the debate had never taken place.
    Normally, she could face the never-ending string of challenges and deal with the death and violence. Political unrest, outside threats, and the usual internal turmoil were all in a day’s work for Diana.
    But not with Nick’s life on the line, her future husband’s mental well-being still in question after such serious injuries. Not without Terri being there. Not with Kevin still mending from what had been a terrible ordeal of torture and abuse in New Mexico.
    On top of it all, the ramifications of the council’s latest decisions and policies were far reaching. If they got it wrong, the outcome could lead to another collapse and chaos. The future quality of life for the survivors was at stake. The stress was nearly incapacitating, stretching her, and all of the leadership, to the limit. 
    Bishop had come to the rescue, offering a level head, kind smile, and unwavering support. Beyond all that… more important than anything else… was the