Tension at the base skyrocketed with the news that Mexico would not relinquish the Mexican Cession. Major Fiala ordered more combat drills. Other camp leaders, including Jeremy, studied maps to decide where they might be expected to advance and how they could best do it.
When President Marshall ordered no military advances on Mexican forces, tensions eased somewhat. The president resolved to settle the matter with Mexico diplomatically. He arranged for himself and Secretary of State Stevenson to meet the Mexican president and his top diplomatic advisor in Mexico City.
While the world awaited the outcome of the negotiations, new issues swirled through the RSNA. A key point of contention involved gun control. The Iowa Articles granted the national government the right to restrict weapon ownership in the interest of public safety. Texas politicians wanted this portion amended to reduce the national government’s restrictions. But Connecticut, the newest state in the reunion, vehemently defended it. Idaho had long favored loose gun restrictions. The tighter gun rules were a major reason why Montana and Wyoming had not joined the RSNA yet. Idaho and Texas both wanted Montana and Wyoming to join the RSNA to help their side in the debate.
The Mexican Cession made the gun control issue even more contentious. The states in the Mexican Cession, like Texas, had no input into the Iowa Articles because they were controlled by Mexico at that time. Texas believed that because they had not participated in the creation process, they should have a fair chance to influence the articles, just like so many of the other states had. They claimed that the states in the Mexican Cession, which would mostly support looser gun restrictions, should also have their fair chance.
Illicit drugs suddenly became a major issue. Before the dissolution, Mexican drug lords became wealthy by pushing illicit drugs in the United States. Not only did thousands of people die from using these illicit drugs, but many more died from crime, violence, and accidents caused by people who were doped up. The dissolution sidelined this illegal industry, as the drug lords could no longer profit from selling drugs for worthless money. With prosperity in the RSNA gaining ground, drugs could once again become an issue.
With the drug concerns highlighted, health care became another major issue. Before the dissolution, health care in the United States had been derided as the most inefficient health care system in the world. After the dissolution, communities simply provided the necessary care on an as-needed basis, arranging for each provider to get its fair share. With illicit drugs being less common, care for illicit drug use declined. But mental health care became more frequent. Would illicit drug treatment become more frequent with the improving economy?
Against the backdrop of these emerging issues, Marshall and Stevenson would try to negotiate with Mexico to relinquish the Mexican Cession. These great leaders wanted Mexico to relinquish the Mexican Cession without any bloodshed. Few people had lost their lives in the liberation of Texas, but even one death was too many. They also considered Mexico a key nation to maintain good diplomatic relations with. They just hoped the Mexican leaders would cooperate.
Mexico tried several arguments to try to assert its right to the disputed land. First it declared that there was no World Court in the 1840s to defend Mexico’s claim to that land. The RSNA countered that the United States had greatly developed that land and made it considerably more valuable. These enhancements rightfully belonged to the United States.
Next, Mexico claimed that the United States had taken that land via military conquest. It claimed it had the right to do the same. The RSNA claimed that if another military conflict happened, it could easily defeat Mexico and retake the land. Then the RSNA reemphasized that it wanted to avoid military conflict. The easy liberation of Texas supported that point. The only difference was that the people living in the Mexican Cession might not be as willing to support the RSNA, but the RSNA would still win another military conflict, even though it had only twenty-nine of the fifty states.
The Mexican leaders had to admit that there was no way they could retain the Mexican Cession if there was another military conflict. Their only hope would be for another country to help them. But Russia and China had already declared that they would not intervene. Brazil also wanted the United States to reunite. Nonetheless, they still felt that they deserved something. After all, they had administered the region for twenty years.
President Marshall emphasized that the RSNA recognized Mexico’s sovereignty and that maintaining good relations with Mexico was a top priority for his administration. Before the dissolution, the two nations had issues regarding immigration, drugs, and crime. Mexico also struggled with poverty, much worse than the poverty issues in the United States.
President Marshall then promised that if Mexico relinquished the Mexican Cession, the RSNA would work closely with Mexico to help resolve these issues. Marshall opined that the biggest issue Mexico had was poverty. With the drug cartels now dormant, improving the standard of living was the best solution to the issues facing the two countries.
Mexico’s leaders said they could not make this commitment themselves. They would confer with the Mexican congress. The Mexican president agreed that his sounded like the best resolution. President Marshall reiterated that if the RSNA and the subsequent United States increased their presence in Mexico, military or civilian, they would never attempt to encroach on Mexico.
President Marshall and Secretary of State Stevenson returned to Lamoni confident that a resolution had been reached. The terms of the resolution got immediate accolades from the people and Congress in the RSNA. Now attention was focused on Mexico City.
Three weeks later, Mexico announced that its congress had approved the resolution. It had not passed by a wide margin, but the consensus was that it was the best their country could do. They would relinquish all land that had once been part of the United States.
Orders were soon given for RSNA troops to move into the relinquished areas. Major Fiala was ordered to leave a skeleton guard in Jackpot and lead his group to Wells, where they would meet up with a large contingent under the command of Colonel Rojas, whose men were stationed at Wendover, Utah. The colonel would then direct how the troops would advance from there.
Jeremy and Alicia hoped that Jeremy would be selected for the skeleton guard. But they did not get their wish. Soon Jeremy, along with most of the soldiers stationed in Jackpot, departed for Wells.
Poor road conditions hampered the advance toward Wells. Besides that, the movement went smoothly. Even though Colonel Rojas’s men had a slightly shorter distance to travel, Major Fiala’s men arrived in Wells first. Major Fiala talked with some of the locals. They reported that the Mexicans were already gone. There had never been more than ten Mexican soldiers in Wells at any time. When they learned about the resolution, they quietly left. There was no commotion of any kind.
After quickly looking around the town, Major Fiala’s men soon realized that Wells was in good working order. No military support was needed. Major Fiala appraised Colonel Rojas of the situation when he arrived with his men. Colonel Rojas gladly accepted Major Fiala’s report and began planning their next move.
Jeremy was glad that Colonel Rojas held such a position of power in this troop movement. The Hispanics in this region would more readily accept the RSNA troops if they had a Hispanic leader. High command had thought this movement out very well.
Jeremy believed that his group would join Colonel Rojas’s forces, moving on from Wells. To his surprise, Colonel Rojas decided against this course of action. His troops would continue westward, toward Reno, and eventually, if things went well, San Francisco. But Major Fiala would lead his men on southward. Their task was to check on conditions in the communities along the way. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, his group would join a larger contingent coming south from Provo. He would receive orders for proceeding from there.
Colonel Rojas then gave Major Fiala some instructions regarding the advance. If they met resistance from anyone, no military action could be taken. Instead, operation headquarters in Salt Lake City was to be notified. If a road was impassable, they were first to try to find an alternate route. Because alternate routes were unlikely in this area, operation headquarters was also to be notified if that was the case. Builders would be sent out to make needed repairs.
Progress south from Wells was much like it had been before: slow because of road conditions but with no other problems. The main issue was boredom.
Finally, they reached an intersection with a sign indicating a town called Cherry Creek to the west. Major Fiala told Jeremy to take one of his squads, go out to Cherry Creek, and check on conditions there.
The only impediment on the way to Cherry Creek was a bridge that had been jerry-rigged to accommodate an occasional vehicle. It had only one lane. Upon arriving in Cherry Creek, Jeremy found what he expected. No difficulties there. One of the locals informed Jeremy that during the whole Mexican occupation, Mexico had never sent anybody to their village.
Jeremy and his men caught up with Major Fiala at McGill. This town was bigger than Jackpot and Wells. While the troops had a supply vehicle that had food and drink, many soldiers bought refreshments from the local stores. The residents of McGill readily welcomed the soldiers.
The reason Jeremy’s contingent caught up with Major Fiala at McGill was that there was a bridge in the southern part of town. That bridge, just like the one on the way to Cherry Creek, was jerry-rigged to accommodate whatever traffic was necessary. Both bridges were built to replace ones that had become unusable because of neglect. At least this bridge had two lanes. Gradually, the men crossed over the bridge.
The people in McGill told Major Fiala that Mexico had never stationed more than a platoon of soldiers there. Just like in Wells, these troops left right away when word of the resolution got there. No problems. The Mexicans did maintain a larger base in Ely, twelve miles to the south.
While it was dark by that time, Major Fiala decided to press on to Ely. Night progress went more slowly than in the daytime, but the troops went the twelve miles without incident. Upon arriving in Ely, they were met by a Mexican captain. He told Major Fiala that he had about fifty men, but they had orders not put up any resistance. His only request was that he and his men could spend the night in Ely. Major Fiala said that was OK.
Jeremy contacted Alicia from Ely. She was happy to hear that there had been no fighting that day. At no point was there any need to restore order. The Mexicans in Ely did not fight. Everyone was fine. Jeremy concluded by telling Alicia that his group was to continue to Las Vegas. They would get further instructions there.
The Mexicans and the RSNA troops moved in tandem with each other the next day. Soon, they were interacting with each other like friends. Then the Mexican captain started riding in the front jeep with Major Fiala. He started advising the major about upcoming terrain and road conditions. This hardly seemed like something two groups of people would do so soon after being at odds with each other.
The friendly interaction seemed to make time go more quickly as they continued southward in the almost empty Nevada desert. It was early afternoon when the group reached a town called Pioche. Fifteen Mexicans were stationed there. The Mexican captain told those men they could go home. They promptly left. Some of the captain’s men went with them.
After lunch, the group continued southward. The hamlets they encountered had no military presence, no issues. By dark, the troops could see Las Vegas on the horizon. After dark, they settled at the edge of North Las Vegas. It seemed spooky. Only a small scattering of the buildings was lit. Everything else looked empty. The men settled down for the night.
A local man walked over to the camp the next morning. Jeremy guessed that this man was in his forties. Major Fiala talked with him briefly. He said that he was not aware of any Mexican troops in the area. There had been a large Mexican presence right after the takeover. But the city’s gambling industry had collapsed after the dissolution. So many people moved away that the Mexican army decided it was not worth patrolling.
Unsure where in Las Vegas his men were supposed to meet up with the larger force, Major Fiala ordered them to press on toward the city center. He reasoned that when the other group arrived, they would most likely look for his troop around there.
Las Vegas kept getting spookier as the men got further into it. The buildings kept getting larger. But they were all deserted. Eventually, they came to an area where there was an unusually huge agglomeration of particularly large buildings to their front and left. Deciding these buildings might be worth looking into, Major Fiala ordered the men over the road on which these edifices were located. Upon reaching this road, a worn-out, half-rusted sign indicated that they were turning onto Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Las Vegas Strip was the creepiest part of the whole journey. Every building was abandoned. The tops of many of them had crumbled off. At least half the windows were broken. Shards of broken glass were everywhere. Because the men wore combat boots, the broken glass was not a concern.
Major Fiala ordered the vehicles to stop, then ordered the men out of their vehicles. They were to scope out the area. They needed to look not just for Mexican soldiers but for anything that might pertain to securing the city.
To Jeremy, this whole boulevard pertained to securing the city. Those buildings posed much more danger than any Mexicans who might be lurking around. Taking privates Brittingham and Jantz with him, Jeremy started peering inside some of the buildings. The doors were all locked, but broken windows provided ample viewing opportunities.
One broken window provided enough space for the men to enter. Cautiously, the three men looked around. Except for some cockroaches, there were no signs of life. Peering around with flashlights, they found nothing but dust, broken furniture, and fragments of plaster.
Moving to the next building, the three men entered through another broken window. At first, it was much like the first building. But then they heard a human-like sobbing sound. Looking around with flashlights, they could not discern its source. Moving toward the sound, they rounded a corner, where they noticed a young man in a Mexican army uniform. Not only was he sobbing, but he looked no older than fifteen, too young to be in the military.
The boy only spoke Spanish, preventing Jeremy from communicating with him. His nametag identified him as Gamba. His insignia indicated the rank of private. Private Brittingham understood Spanish well enough to know that he was lost. Brittingham convinced the boy to come with them, saying that they would help.
Jeremy turned the boy over to the Mexicans who had stayed with his RSNA detachment. They quickly learned that he was supporting some Mexican troops that had retreated through the area. Being curious, he went inside the building. When he finally came out, his group was gone. He did not know where they went. He had been alone in that building for three days without food or water. His countrymen quickly provided both, comforting him the whole time.
At that point, Major Fiala was glad that some of the Mexicans had stayed with them. For the next few hours, the men milled around the buildings, not finding anything of interest. One man found some old poker chips scattered around a casino floor. No more people.
Finally, a corporal drove up in a jeep. He had a message from a general named Daily. His group had stopped in North Las Vegas, anticipating meeting Major Fiala’s group there. Then General Daily spoke with the same man who had spoken with Major Fiala that morning. Upon learning that Major Fiala had advanced to the city center, he dispatched this corporal to tell Major Fiala to stay put. The general’s forces would join them the next day.
While awaiting the general’s forces the next morning, Jeremy mused about the massive, abandoned buildings. This must once have been a major vacation destination. Thousands of people must have thronged these streets every day. He thought about the materials, labor, and money that had been used to build these edifices. Now it was all wasted. Perhaps some of the materials could be recycled, but those would be trivial compared to what could not be recycled. What could be done with all this waste? What could be done to revitalize this once-great city?
When the general’s troops arrived, the general gathered his top subordinates together. They worked out plans for securing other parts of the southwest. He decided to set up headquarters in Las Vegas. From there, he split his forces into three groups. The largest group, which would include Major Fiala’s command, would press on to Los Angeles under the command of Colonel Welch. The general was informed of violence there, but there had been no reports of deaths or injuries. Another group would head through Henderson, Boulder, and Laughlin, and then along the Colorado River into California and Arizona. The smallest group would go northwest from Las Vegas to scope out a place called Area 51. Jeremy had never heard of Area 51 before, nor could he find it on a map. He wondered why it would be a priority for General Daily.
Jeremy’s convoy started out from Las Vegas the next morning. Brief stops in Jean and Primm showed nothing of interest. The forces then continued into California.
At first, California seemed much like Nevada. Nothing noteworthy. They stopped at a tiny town called Calico. It was touted as a ghost town. That was an accurate description. No humans there.
At Barstow, they encountered a small band of Mexican troops. Those Mexicans simply yielded Barstow to the RSNA and headed for home. So far, so good.
Signs of human activity increased south of Barstow. Detachments scoped out a few more communities without incident. Next, the caravan descended a long hill opening to a valley below. Once at the bottom, many of the soldiers, including Jeremy, believed they had reached their destination.
The soldiers soon found out they had not reached their destination. Instead, they were in an enormous maze of suburbs. Los Angeles was still miles away. Colonel Welch promptly notified General Daily. It would be difficult to examine this many suburbs for Mexican resistance. Meanwhile, Colonel Welch started looking at maps for the best way to perform his task.
Pending approval from General Daily, Colonel Welch decided to split his forces into four groups. The smallest group would head generally southeastward, securing all communities eastward to Palm Springs. The second group would go mostly southward, through Riverside and on to San Diego. The third group would likewise go through Riverside but then turn more westward, toward Anaheim. The largest group would go mostly west, into Los Angeles. Jeremy was assigned to this group.
When Colonel Welch spoke with General Daily, the general asked the colonel how he felt his group should proceed. When Colonel Welch told General Daily his plan, the general replied that it sounded like the colonel knew what he was doing. He could carry out his plan.
Jeremy noticed that while there many abandoned buildings, some of which were boarded up, most of the buildings were still occupied. Colonel Welch and his top leaders inquired among the residents about Mexican activity. Word was that Mexican troops had left, but they went west, not south. None of the RSNA troops liked that.
General Daily radioed Colonel Welch that Colonel Rojas had no resistance in Reno, Sacramento, Oakland, or San Francisco. Colonel Rojas had detached one group of soldiers through San Jose to advance through San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Colonel Rojas’s main group was taking a more easterly route through Fresno and Bakersfield. So far, they had encountered no Mexican resistance. Every report indicated that any Mexican troops in those cities had retreated south. While that was their expected direction, it was also the direction toward Los Angeles.
More disturbing news came from the detachment that Colonel Welch had dispatched to Anaheim. Mexican troops there had retreated to the northwest. That meant they were headed toward Los Angeles, not Mexico.
Colonel Welch ordered the Anaheim detachment to likewise head toward Los Angeles, following the Mexican troops if feasible. Then he radioed the detachments that had gone to the south and the east to likewise come to Los Angeles. When he advised General Daily of the situation, he replied that he was coming right down.
Upon arriving in Pasadena, Colonel Welch was told about a large stadium in the northwest part of town. A maintenance person could unlock the stadium to let the soldiers inside. Here they would settle down for the night.
Choosing the stadium for a stopping point proved to be a wise move. General Daily told Colonel Welch to stay there until help arrived. The stadium proved to be a good landmark for the detachments from Colonel Welch’s soldiers to reunite. General Daily also found the stadium easily, establishing a new command post there.
General Daily proceeded by ordering the other troops in his command to various positions around the perimeter of Los Angeles. Aware of the violence that had already taken place there, he prepared for the worst. More troops, who were coming out of Texas, had already taken care of Arizona and New Mexico. Their commanding general had been ordered to Los Angeles.
In Lamoni, President Marshall got word of the possible confrontation in Los Angeles. He quickly notified Mexico’s president, reminding him that the two countries had reached an agreement. The Mexican president replied that he was not aware of any plans to fight at Los Angeles, but he would contact his military leaders there.
The group that General Daily had dispatched down the Colorado River arrived. The RSNA forces were growing stronger.
General Daily also asked some civilians to go into Los Angeles and scope out the situation. The Mexican troops were massing near the city center. It seemed like they were preparing for a pitched battle. The general held fast for one night, waiting for more support to arrive.
The next morning, RSNA naval ships arrived off coast next to Los Angeles. When General Daily learned of this naval support, he ordered his forces to converge on the Los Angeles city center. But the general told Jeremy to stay with him. He wanted Jeremy to help him coordinate the advance.
Jeremy, together with a handful of sergeants, corporals, and privates, monitored RSNA troop movements. General Daily would watch these movements and made orders about how the various units would continue. The map looked like a shrinking circle, tightening around the believed location of the Mexicans.
While the RSNA troops closed in on the Mexicans, there was something to feel good about. The Mexicans that had joined them along the way were still with the RSNA troops, accompanying them into Los Angeles. The only Mexican who stayed behind was Private Gamba, who was staying close to Private Brittingham. Private Brittingham was behaving like a big brother toward the young Mexican.
Eventually, Private Brittingham walked over to Jeremy with Private Gamba. Private Brittingham told Jeremy that Private Gamba was only thirteen years old. His impoverished parents had pressured him into joining the Mexican army to help provide for the family. He lived just across the border, in Mexicali. Jeremy said arrangements would be made to reunite the Mexican boy with his family.
More good news came from foreign countries. Russia and China both declared that they would not intervene in the potential conflict between the RSNA and Mexico. They would also look with disfavor on any country that did intervene. Brazil soon announced that they were taking the same position. Now Mexico could not count on help from other countries.
As the circle tightened, there were still no reports of Mexican troop activity in Los Angeles. General Daily did not know what this meant. Could Mexican soldiers be hiding in various places in this enormous city, waiting to ambush? Could they all be massing together for a climactic showdown? General Daily radioed Colonel Rojas. He ordered the Hispanic colonel to advance to downtown Los Angeles, then ordered his other units to stop.
Soon, Colonel Rojas radioed General Daily. The entire RSNA became pleasantly surprised. When Colonel Rojas met with the Mexicans, they quickly assembled into a parade-like formation. The Mexican leader approached Colonel Rojas with hand extended. The two leaders shook hands and started talking like friends, even though they had never met before. Finally, the Mexican leader saluted Colonel Rojas and ordered his men to disperse. Colonel Rojas reported that the Mexican leader just wanted as much of his command as possible present so they could witness the final relinquishment of California. The was no fighting. The Mexican leader then wished the RSNA the best of success, saying that he hoped the two nations could work together in a way that would benefit both.
Jeremy contacted Alicia and told her the good news. He would soon be back in Jackpot. But he had one more task before he went back up. He and Private Brittingham would escort Private Gamba back home.
Jeremy and Private Brittingham had no difficulty crossing the Mexican border into Mexicali. Private Gamba’s family was overjoyed to see him. They were also proud of him for serving his country while at the same time helping his family. With Private Gamba safely back home, Jeremy and Private Brittingham drove up to Jackpot together. The two men conversed jovially, becoming much better friends.
Alicia, Brenda, and Julie joyously welcomed Jeremy home. Jeremy was likewise elated to be reunited with his family.
Jeremy reasoned that the RSNA would no longer need to station troops in Jackpot. He and Alicia speculated about where he might be stationed next. They both agreed that it would be somewhere in the west, far away from Virginia. They also agreed that much depended on which states would join the RSNA.
While at first it seemed like the RSNA would expand quickly, a new hurdle soon manifested itself. Many states in the west objected to the new constitution’s tighter restriction on gun ownership. Texas, Alabama, and Idaho began to encourage the newly liberated states to not join until that restriction was loosened. Oklahoma was among those states that wanted the gun restriction loosened. They put their reuniting consideration on hold.
Soon, groups in favor of loosening gun restrictions started forming. This issue was becoming tense. Politicians began considering the math behind this potential amendment. With twenty-nine states in the reunion, the progun factions would need twenty-two states to pass such an amendment. Among the twenty-nine states, it was almost certain that Connecticut, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota would not approve. If the progun factions wanted their amendment passed, they would need at least three more states in the reunion. Even then, getting three fourths of the states to approve seemed unlikely.
Before long, the progun factions started a sinister plot. They would try to discourage states from joining the reunion to prevent the total from getting to thirty-eight. Then they could try to leverage their position to force a constitutional amendment loosening gun control.
People all over the states recoiled at this strategy. Massachusetts, long a proponent of tighter gun control laws, soon approved the Iowa Articles. Now the reunion had thirty states. Nine of those were certain to oppose the loosening of gun control regulations. Now the RSNA needed eight more states to join.
While the gun debate raged on, health care issues gained further attention. Storm Lake, Iowa, among the communities that had best dealt with the dissolution, established a health care program shortly afterward. That program soon spread to its entire county, naming itself the Buena Vista Health Plan. Gradually, the plan grew to include much of Northwest Iowa. This plan was effective at dealing with issues such as cost and access. It was widely lauded for being successful.
Other health plans started in various parts of the RSNA. Some were exact copies of the Buena Vista plan. Others were similar but with slight modifications. Some followed other formats. The issue was that the differences between these plans often complicated matters when people needed health care outside their home areas. There were also places that did not have any health plans, particularly in the states that had joined recently. Talk suggested that the RSNA should have a nationwide health plan.
Meanwhile, Jeremy, Alicia, and the other people in Jackpot tended to their own business. Mostly, this meant going through the regular drill sessions and military strategy classes. At night, it was mostly socializing.
Baseball fans continued to watch the progressing season. In the American League, Baltimore broke through New York and Detroit’s domination to win its first pennant. In the National League, Pittsburgh prevailed. Then came the World Series, which came down to the seventh game. Pittsburgh pulled out the victory in the late innings to secure its second professional baseball championship since the dissolution.
As football season started, many people focused on what would happen in Texas. This football-oriented state had long produced a wealth of football talent. This would be the first year with Texas teams participating. Sixteen college football programs in Texas were aligned into two conferences. But the consensus was that the more-established teams still held the edge.
Brenda started school that fall. With only seventeen school students in the entire community, there were only three classrooms. Teachers and the older pupils oversaw things so that everyone behaved. Brenda liked her teacher, Mrs. Owens. She also liked being in the same class as Vanessa Stafford. Alicia liked it whenever Brenda came home from school and shared something she had learned.
While the soldiers stationed in Jackpot awaited their next assignments, attention focused on football. Jeremy particularly enjoyed this season because Creighton swept through its conference to make the playoffs. Texas A&M was the only Texas team to reach the playoffs and would face Creighton in the first round. In the other games, it would be Northwestern against Memphis, Georgia Tech against Miami, and Penn State against Temple.
Jeremy really enjoyed watching his alma mater whip Texas A&M 34–10 in the opening round. He wondered if Northwestern would be a tougher opponent after they defeated Memphis, 17–7. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech pounded Miami 35–6, while Penn State topped Temple 28–13.
Jeremy’s excitement mounted when Creighton defeated Northwestern 28–23. Meanwhile, Penn State advanced with a 19–10 victory over Georgia Tech. It would be Creighton against Penn State for the national championship.
Jeremy awaited the championship game with eager anticipation. While he was the only Creighton graduate in Jackpot, many of the other fans pulled for Creighton so Jeremy’s team would win. But some Penn State boosters were there.
Jeremy’s hopes mounted when Creighton took an early 7–0 lead. But Penn State countered with three field goals to move ahead 9–7. Another touchdown late in the second quarter provided Creighton with a 14–9 halftime lead.
During the second half, Penn State continued its field-goal-kicking prowess to narrow the margin to 14–12. But Penn State scored its first touchdown of the game, providing its biggest lead so far in the game at 19–14. Then Creighton pulled closer with a field goal, making the score 19–17 heading into the final period.
About halfway through the fourth quarter, Penn State scored another touchdown, erecting a 26–17 lead, the largest lead of the game. Creighton managed another field goal, but that was all. Penn State won, 26–20.
Though disappointed, Jeremy did not let the loss upset him. It was only a game. Besides, finishing second was still impressive. He continued with his duties at the base.
Shortly before the end of the year, Rhode Island announced its approval of the Iowa Articles. Now the total was up to thirty-one. That made ten states that would certainly oppose loosening gun restrictions. Only seven more states were needed to make the new constitution national law. But a question was raised about how the United States was to enforce the laws in the states that had not rejoined. Virginia would be a particularly big problem.
In college basketball, Indiana had another dominant team. Indiana’s NBA team also soon established the best record in the association. It seemed like a banner year for Indiana basketball.
During the early spring, an announcement came from Sacramento that resonated throughout the world. California had approved the Iowa Articles. That brought the total to thirty-two. Furthermore, the RSNA had all the most populous states. It had California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, and New Jersey. The RSNA may not have had three quarters of the states, but it certainly had over three quarters of the population.
During the NBA playoffs, Indiana swept Memphis in four straight. In the other series, Atlanta downed Philadelphia four games to three. In the championship round, Indiana took it, four games to two. The state of Indiana won both national basketball championships.
Before the school year ended, it was decided that the troops at Jackpot would all stay there except for Private Brittingham. He was promoted to private first class and assigned to Calexico, California, to help the Mexicans. That was right across the national border from Mexicali, Private Gamba’s home. To Jeremy, that made sense. Meanwhile, the troops in Jackpot would train recruits in field exercises.
Both Jeremy and Alicia were relieved about not having to move again. Granted, Jackpot was no paradise. But moving was a hassle. Now they could stay with people whom they already knew. Brenda would be happy to stay near Vanessa.
One night, believing his daughters were both asleep, Jeremy walked down the hallway naked. On the way back, he heard something. Turning around, he saw Brenda peeking out her door. At that point, Brenda quickly shut the door. Jeremy ducked into the master bedroom just as quickly afterward.
The next day, Brenda asked Alicia, “Mommy, why are those lines on Daddy’s bottom?”
Alicia replied, “Some people were very cruel to your daddy. That hurtful thing they did made those lines. Your daddy ran away. Some people took him to Des Moines. Then I met him.”
Upon concluding her explanation, Alicia said one more thing. “You must never look at your daddy naked ever again. Promise?”
“Promise,” replied Brenda.
Alicia related the conversation to Jeremy that night. Jeremy told Alicia that he already realized he better not leave the bedroom naked again.
In pro baseball, the American League faced a dilemma. It very much wanted Boston back in the league. Unfortunately, the only other former American League teams that were in the RSNA were in California. While Major League Baseball had been profitable, the cost of locating a new team so distant from the others could be prohibitive.
Besides the two California teams, Seattle was the only city that had been in the American League prior to the dissolution that was not part of the RSNA. Milwaukee had once been in the American League, but it was also in a non-RSNA state. Some cities could support expansion teams. Nashville, Memphis, and Austin were all considered. Montreal was also mentioned, but it was rejected because it was not part of reunited Canada.
Finally, it was decided that expanding was not feasible at that time. Frustrated Boston baseball fans begged Wisconsin to accept the Iowa Articles.
As the summer wore on, the RSNA got more good news. New Hampshire became the thirty-third state to approve the new constitution. Now the reunion needed five more states. Hopeful eyes turned toward Vermont. Reunion strategists considered Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. Throughout the whole reunion process, those three states had remained completely silent. If all four of those states joined, plus one more, the Iowa Articles would become national law. Who could be that one last state? Oklahoma? Wisconsin? Utah? Colorado?
President Marshall decided to court Wisconsin. He made several trips to Madison to meet with the governor and the state legislature. He made public speeches in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and several other cities, extolling the benefits of joining the RSNA.
Wisconsin’s big issue involved trial by juries. That was one law that got carried over from the original Constitution to the new one. Since the dissolution, Wisconsin had held its trials via tribunals, much like Germany. They believed this was a better way to try criminals. Wisconsin had maintained close ties with Germany since the dissolution, depending on it for stability in the uncertain times.
Back at the base, the mood remained relaxed. Even with the military drills and endeavors, the classes, and the formations, it functioned more like a friendly small town. One soldier joked that nobody should find out what went on there, because then every person in the army would want to be there.
The first group of recruits trained there came from Alabama. Even though the flora and fauna were much different from what they were used to, they still proved adept at maneuvering in the terrain. Major Fiala complimented these recruits, saying he was proud to work with such a fine group of new soldiers.
Major League Baseball continued to be a major interest. Baltimore and Toronto emerged as top contenders in the American League. Detroit and New York were still within striking distance. In the National League, Pittsburgh faded, with Atlanta emerging at the front of the pack. Philadelphia was their closest pursuer.
One night, Alicia gave Jeremy some news. She was pregnant with their third child. Her due date was shortly after the start of the year.
A few nights later, Alicia’s mother called with more news. Alicia’s sister Susan was getting married. Susan and her fiancé had selected a Saturday in August for their wedding date. Naturally, Alicia, Jeremy, and their daughters were all invited to attend.
Jeremy quickly arranged with Major Fiala for the time off needed to attend the wedding. The months seem to fly by quickly. Before they knew it, the family of four was on its way to Des Moines. Jeremy and Alicia drove their car to Evanston, Wyoming. There they boarded a train for Des Moines.
Jeremy thought Susan looked like a queen, standing at the altar in her wedding dress. Next to her stood Sarah, the maid of honor. Next to Sarah stood Alicia, the bridesmaid. The three sisters looked so beautiful together. Brenda was excited to meet her new uncle, Andrew Garner. He and Susan would live in Creston, Iowa, in the western part of the state.
On the train ride back out to Evanston, Brenda asked Jeremy about his family. Knowing that her aunts were her mother’s sisters, she asked Jeremy if Aunt Cindy, Uncle Warren, Uncle Jason, and Aunt Vicky were his brothers and sisters.
“No,” replied Jeremy. “Aunt Cindy and Aunt Vicky are my aunts. They are my father’s sisters. Uncle Warren and Uncle Jason became my uncles when they married Aunt Cindy and Aunt Vicky.”
Brenda pressed on. “Does that mean Aunt Cindy and Aunt Vicky are Grandma and Grandpa Voorhies’s sisters?”
At that point, Jeremy was unsure how to respond. In some ways, Brenda’s question was right. But not with the Grandma and Grandpa Voorhies that she knew.
“In some ways, you have a Grandma and Grandpa Voorhies that are my mom and dad. But the Grandma and Grandpa Voorhies that you know are really my grandma and grandpa. They are the parents of my dad, your Aunt Cindy, and Aunt Vicky,” Jeremy responded.
“Have I ever met your mom and dad?” Brenda kept pressing.
“No, you haven’t,” answered Jeremy. “I have not seen my mom and dad, or my brother and sister, in over ten years.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t see them now,” Jeremy replied. With that, Jeremy ended the conversation.
Back in Jackpot, Major League Baseball was the hot topic. Gradually, Baltimore and Philadelphia established themselves in first place, going on to win their respective pennants. Two cities located near each other would face off in the World Series.
Before the World Series started, Hawaii broke its silence. It had approved the new constitution. Now the count was up to thirty-four.
Baltimore and Philadelphia battled to a seven-game World Series. A huge crowd attended the final game, which Baltimore won 7–6. It was the largest attendance at any sports event since the dissolution.
Once the World Series ended, a new issue arose regarding states joining the reunion: college football. Before the dissolution, the University of Oklahoma had one of the most vaunted college football programs in the nation. It was a source of pride for the whole state. Legions of Oklahoma fans pushed state leadership to join the RSNA so their team could compete for the glory of the past.
As football season progressed, other benefits of having college football became obvious. Prosperity, better roads, more fuel, and more cars enabled more fans to attend the games. More fans meant more money. Increased television sales also led to more viewership. Advertisers were willing to pay more to reach the larger television audiences.
Businesses in the college cities also benefitted. Motels and restaurants in communities such as College Park, College Station, Knoxville, Fayetteville, and Lincoln reported increased revenues on college-football Saturdays.
But there was still one piece of the college football picture missing: the National Football League. Before the dissolution, aspiring young football players would gravitate to the best college football programs in hopes of money, fame, and glory in the National Football League. Instead, the aspiring football players would need to find other work upon graduating. Hence, education that would train them for careers after college had higher priority.
This football season, balance in Iowa State and Creighton’s conference prevented any of its teams from reaching the playoffs. It was the first time that this conference had failed to make the playoffs. This year, the playoffs opened with North Dakota State against North Texas, Arkansas against Illinois, North Carolina State against Miami, and Notre Dame against Syracuse. North Dakota State, Arkansas, North Carolina State, and Syracuse achieved wins. Arkansas and Syracuse both won in the second round. Then Arkansas prevailed to win its second national championship since the dissolution.
Basketball season started with Indiana in its usual dominant position. Jeremy gladly watched as Creighton started having a successful year. North Carolina and Duke battled each other in the Tar Heel State. Meanwhile, Maine and Boston College prospered in the northeast.
But Jeremy and Alicia had a more important matter to contend with. Early in the next year, Jeremy drove Alicia to Twin Falls while leaving Brenda and Julie with the Staffords. The next day, Wendy Sarah Voorhies was born.