Chapter 19 - Mobilizing The Defense Network
By noon, the quiet ranch had transformed back into an operational command center.
Marcus and Miller were standing around the dining room table, reviewing the encrypted data extracted from his father's hard drive.
"Sterling Energy has three private security contractors operating in Travis County," Miller reported, pulling up corporate filings on his screen.
"They've already filed a secret eminent domain petition with a federal judge in D.C. under the National Energy Security Act."
"If that petition is signed, federal marshals will be legally required to clear us off this land within forty-eight hours."
Caleb stood by the window, looking out at his father's flag fluttering against the blue Texas sky.
"Who is the federal judge presiding over the petition, Miller?" Caleb asked without turning around.
"Judge Jonathan Sterling—the uncle of Sterling Energy's CEO," Miller answered grimly.
Marcus let out a low whistle, shaking his head in anger. "The game is rigged from the top down, Caleb."
"Then we change the field of battle," Caleb declared, turning to face his men.
"Marcus, contact our legal representatives at the Pentagon's Inspector General office."
May you like
"Miller, upload every file on this drive to the federal whistle-blower database and every major news outlet in Texas."
"We're going to put Sterling Energy's dirty laundry on the front page before that judge can sign his signature."
