The Ashes Settle: The Windmill Series

The Ashes Settle

The Windmill Series

Gary A. Osborn

Copyright © 2021 Gary A. Osborn

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2021

Cover design by Charlotte Horlock

ISBN 978-1-63692-640-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63692-641-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

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

To the Frankenmuth Darting Association

Prologue

An organization led by Alexander Wolf, a.k.a. Adolf Hitler, has found the secret of regenerating and extending the life span. The secret is a plant product that needs to grow underground. He and his organization waited for decades for the correct moment to attack for world domination. The attacks were successful, and the world is in peril. He had used his weapons, Death Rays that created a mile-wide, superheated blast that destroyed all the worlds’ defensive weapons. Then he decided to send a message to the world by destroying targeted cities. Hundreds of millions of people were vaporized, and the fires were filling the atmosphere with smoke.

He was stopped by his executive board led by women. Violet Richard is the leader, with Connie, Diana, Charlotte, and Tessa completing the board. The leader of their base defense, Joyce, had gone rogue to capture Adolf. He was made ineffective by being placed in Phase Z, which changed him into an infant. Previous transformations to infancy had erased the memories of the participants.

With the advanced technology of the organization, the world believed the attacks were done by outer space aliens. The executive board decided to utilize that perception as they decided to elect a woman as the one true leader for world leadership.

The world is at the crossroads. Can the new leadership save it?

Chapter 1

The message still resonated in the president’s mind. Women have been chosen by the entity to lead the world. He welcomed the thought of someone taking the realm. The election to replace him was canceled by the message sent by the outside entity. Even as they gave permission to have flights, he couldn’t help a bit of worry as they flew to Washington, DC, from the base in Northern Michigan.

President Maurice Connelly knew they were getting close to Washington, DC, due to the thick smoke that hung in the air. Air Force One was approaching the airport when he saw that the Pentagon was nowhere to be found and most of Washington, DC, damaged. He closed the cover of his window and wondered what was left working for the government and nation.

His chief of staff, Charles Crosby, had informed him that some of his White House staff hadn’t reported to work and were presumed missing after attempts to contact them. His thoughts turned to his wife. She stayed in the Upper Peninsula home in Michigan. They wanted all family members to merge there. They hoped it would be a more secure and stable area.

A mask to filter the air was given to him by an attendant.

Do you think I need this?

Yes, Mr. President. That is the information I received.

Thank you.

He felt the aircraft touch down

Charles approached with his mask on and gave him the signal that it was clear for him to depart.

He was tempted to not wear the mask, but the view of the area when he looked out the open door changed his mind. It reminded him of the smog photos of Los Angeles from his youth. How can anyone live in this, he wondered, and how widespread of an area has it covered?

It was if Charles had read his mind. This smog covers the whole DC area. Our weather center, or what is left of it, expects this to clear up in a few days, and hopefully the smog from St. Louis will miss us.

Yes, but it will hit elsewhere if it does. Plus, the smell of death is included.

*****

Evan Bitner had been the Führer’s personal butler since the early days when he became chancellor of Germany. He had followed him to Canada and was an original member of the group. He enjoyed his work and felt fortunate to serve such an incredible man. It had been a few weeks since the day Joyce came in and took him away. He had witnessed the removal of the Führer and Mr. Hawk. The group hadn’t contacted him, and he stayed out of sight and depended on his contacts to get food. He realized his food chain didn’t know the Führer was missing and decided he wouldn’t say a thing.

Boredom had set in as he didn’t know what to do next. If Joyce got the Führer, she might decide to target him next. Sleep was always accompanied by the images of the Führer getting a needle in his arm and instantly losing consciousness. The same happened to Mr. Hawk. He had witnessed it when he was about to enter the room and saw the commotion. They hadn’t noticed him in the cracked-open doorway. Joyce wasn’t overly friendly to him when she was the Führer’s personal mistress. He understood her anger and had little contact as possible. He was happy he wasn’t responsible for her being there.

*****

Cyrus Montgomery was starting to feel like something wasn’t right. He had expected to meet the Führer when he arrived but was instead met by one of the board members and escorted to his quarters. He was able to contact his staff to stay informed of his equipment.

Tessa returned to the board conference room. Violet, Cyrus was escorted to his quarters. He seemed confused.

I am not surprised. Confusion is where we are at. I think the ideas you presented to me in how to address his visit are first rate. I’ll discuss it with him after lunch. I need some time to prepare. We okay with this? Otherwise, we all can meet with him. Diana looked at the others. We voted you our leader and have seen no reason to question our decision. If you want support, let us know. The others nodded in agreement when Violet turned to them.

Lynette, you are getting strong consideration for our women’s representative.

You can’t be serious, James. I haven’t shown any interest in being that.

It is exactly why you are drawing interest. Your independence from the status quo appeals to the situation.

Is that for real? I would think with the haters on both sides of the aisle, I would be the last person they would want.

Oh, you may think they hate you, but privately they respect you. They know they can trust you to do what is best for the country and the world.

Ha, actions speak louder than words, James. I don’t take that seriously.

Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you when the name Lynette Holmes is being suggested as the one for leadership.

Hello, Violet, said Cyrus. Good to see you.

Thank you, Cyrus. I am sure you wonder why I am greeting you and not the Führer. Please have a seat at the front of the desk?

I am a bit surprised. I just chatted with him a few days ago.

Cyrus, I know you got the Death Ray operational. Were you aware of the Ray being used outside of the original plans?

Violet, I was never consulted about the plans.

The board had the responsibility of choosing targets. We gave a completed list to the Führer. The original attacks were implemented with great success. They were military targets who left the world defenseless. Unfortunately, the Führer decided to continue the attacks, killing hundreds of millions of civilians and causing widespread damage. It poured so much smoke into the atmosphere the world’s climate is in jeopardy. The board decided that he be moved out of the position. He was, and his status will never be divulged.

Cyrus sat quietly. He was stunned. He thought about how to respond. He could tell by Violet’s stare that she was waiting for a response.

Violet, I am truly stunned. Never thought that would happen. So is the Death Ray still operational?

Yes, I can take you to the command room so I can verify what I just informed you.

Thank you. I need to see it.

Did you want to eat first?

Hmm, I think so. I have a feeling I might lose my appetite if I don’t.

Violet answered her cell phone. She looked at Cyrus. Cyrus, I will have someone take you to the cafeteria. Martin has arrived. We will meet you there.

Okay, I look forward to that.

*****

Mr. President, Congress just voted to terminate this year’s election. They extended your term until the UN decides on a woman leader to represent the world.

Did congress vote on who we will send to the meeting?

They did, but there wasn’t a majority, so they will attempt tomorrow. The speaker of the house was thought to be the favorite, but there has been a swell of support for second-term congresswoman Lynnette Holmes.

Oh, she has proven to be a major pain in the ass, but she could be what is needed.

I can understand that reasoning, Mr. President.

Glad to have your approval, Charles. The president chuckled at Charles’s facial expression.

*****

Evan stared at the gun. It was the Führer’s. The Führer never got a chance to defend himself when they came for him. He went over and picked up the gun. He thought about using it on himself, but he still hoped for the Führer’s return. They still hadn’t informed him of his or the Führer’s status, and he was afraid to ask. He hadn’t seen Joyce since that fateful day. He wondered what she had done with the Führer. He didn’t want to think she killed him. It was a place he didn’t want to go in his thought process.

*****

That was a great meal, Violet, said Cyrus.

I concur, Martin responded, patting his stomach.

Yes, we have only the best chefs. Let’s go to the conference room.

This underground complex is a rather remarkable achievement, Violet.

From the reports I get, what you both have done is remarkable and will forever change the world.

It is the Führer who has changed the world, Violet. So I need you to explain what has changed since I talked to him.

Yes, please explain, Violet.

Martin and Cyrus, please wait until you visit the control room. You can judge for yourselves.

So it was a board decision, Violet?

Yes, Cyrus.

I would like to speak with each member of the board privately, said Cyrus. Is that possible?

I would like to be included, said Martin.

Yes, of course, Cyrus responded.

Do you want to speak with them now or after the control room visit? Violet asked.

Martin looked at Cyrus and had a few words with him.

We would rather discuss it with them after, said Martin. I hope you aren’t offended, but we want to make sure it was a unanimous decision by the board and not one that was forced on them.

If this was a power play, said Violet, don’t you think I would have had you arrested by now? But if you feel the need to investigate, I will arrange it.

Martin looked to Cyrus. Cyrus said, "Lead the way to the control room,