A pathologist examines two dead young women and passes sections of organs to pathology for examination. The pathologist examines the specimens and questions the accuracy of the collection of tissue. When the collection has been confirmed the answer is devastating. The impact of this finding stretches far beyond the lives and families of the two women.
The mood of the country had turned nasty. In the early days, everyone had been accommodating. At that time no conscripts were called for duty, all that were called were volunteers. They were ones who had signed up for Selective service and noted that they wanted to be called first. Now, the first real conscripts, the first ones who were drafted were being called. One survivalist group had taken their women who could bear children to a mountain area in North Carolina. They would hide them from the government. This failed when they were reported. Most believed they were reported by a childless woman in the group. She was found dead.
The MP’s were called to arrest the ones who fled. A firefight ensued between the MP’s and the men detailed to guard the women. There were casualties on both sides. The women were taken into custody and were billeted in a local army barracks. The survivalists attacked the post en masse and another fire fight resulted in ten soldiers and fifty two of the survivalists dead.
Joan’s office was the target of graffiti and MP’s were stationed there around the clock. Polyclinic Hospital, the place Joan did most of her surgery was placed under guard as was her home. She and her family were to be protected. This order came directly from the president.
The act that reinstated the draft and provided for conscription of women to bear children for other women provided for
immediate call for any woman who attempted to evade service. Since the survivalist women had attempted to flee they were set up as the next ones to be implanted. Suits were filed in their behalf by the ACLU and they were released. They agreed to return for the implants.
The rhetoric was so fierce that one young mother of three children the group decided she would never submit to the government demand. She attempted suicide and failed.
This young woman’s father was a leader of the group. He was devastated by his daughter’s actions. He called Joan the week after the suicide attempt. “I opposed your plan but I never thought anyone would do anything like this. I don’t want this to happen again. I am withdrawing my opposition totally and will support this. Can you talk to the women in the group?”
“Sure, but my schedule is really tight. Could I have someone else cover for me?”
“Sure. If you suggest someone, it’s good enough for me.”
“I’ll have someone call you back.”
Joan called the general. “Do you know someone we could send?”
“I sure do, what about Kim Fuller. She’s four months, college background. Articulate.”
“Will she go?”
“I’ll check.”
Two days later Kim was in North Carolina, talking to the groups. She was an instant hit and the women identified with her. She would become an ambassador for the program. She appeared on TV with some of the leaders of the group and the women. The objections faded.
Alpha Four Chapter 01: Two Autopsies
Alpha Four Chapter 12: Peggy Kramer is Back on the Campaign Trail
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