David had just fired up the generator and was warming up the transmitter for the Saturday evening broadcast when the helicopter appeared. Flanked by his bodyguards, Director Morris stepped out of the hatch, and approached the shipping container that housed the transmitter and broadcast studio.
Rebecca had also seen the helicopter and knew it was a bad omen. She hurried the kids into the hiding compartment built into their closet. She then retrieved the Barret 50 caliber sniper rifle and went up on deck. From her vantage point she could see through the window of the studio. The radio receiver was connected through the bridge intercom, and she could here the usual opening recording of America the Beautiful.
David's voice boomed out normally. “Good evening citizens of the Inland Sea. We have a very important show tonight, so plan to stay tuned. I want to introduce the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Robert Morris, Good evening Sir.”
“Thank you, and good evening David and America. I come to you tonight as the leader of our government. In this darkest hour, America has suffered a devastating loss, which will take decades to recover from. I am here tonight to report that a recovery team is in route from our Recovery Center near Reno. We will restore order, stability, and prosperity to the region.”
His speech rambled on for another half-hour, and then David closed by saying good night. He did not close by playing the Star Spangled Banner, as he had closed every other broadcast.
He threw a switch and the red Transmitting Lamp went out. He then turned and said, “Well your charade is done. Why did you have to threaten to kill my wife and kids to keep me under control? Will you murder any dissenters like you did in Reno, or force our young women to be your whores? Like you did in Reno?”
Morris sputtered, “where did you get those lies? Reno was populated by terrorists, and the women we took were mostly whores, and we gave them shelter, and saved them. For all we knew, we would be the only survivors, and we didn’t have enough females to repopulate. You're a leader here, and we had to make this broadcast be supportive.”
David smiled and said, “and if the people here don't accept your benevolent rule?”
“We have enough firepower to deal with any resistance.” Answered Morris.
“So this was just a big con job to let your people close enough to weld the iron fist.,” David replied.
“It will work, we will destroy your transmitter and your boats, so no one will know the real story until it's too late,” snarled Morris.
David stood, pointed to an output power meter, which was still at mid range, and said, “we never stopped transmitting, and everyone listening knows your plans. To arms, patriots.”
“You bastard!” Morris exclaimed, as he pulled a gun and emptied it into David’s body.
Rebecca had listened and watched the drama unfold and gasped as the love of her life was murdered.
Morris and his bodyguards ran to the helicopter. As it lifted, Rebecca blinked away tears and closed the bolt. Morris screamed to shoot the transmitter and the boats. The helicopter banked, and then leveled out at 200 feet. As it spun to line up the mini guns on the transmitter, Rebecca fired a 50 caliber round into the cockpit. It passed through the torso of the pilot, Raymond Jennings, killing him instantly, and tore through the shoulder of the copilot. He was still trying to regain control when the craft impacted at over 250 knots. The fireball lit up the twilit sky and consumed everyone inside.
Rebecca ran to the studio and confirmed that David was gone. She stood and picked up the mike.
“You heard the shots that murdered David, my husband, and father to our children. The Federal government has declared war on the people of the Inland Sea. I struck the first response. I shot down the murderer’s helicopter, and they all were consumed by fire. I will be at the El Dorado dock tomorrow, to join the defense of our homes and our liberty. I will monitor the 10 meter band”. She then played the Star Spangled Banner, and turned the power off.
The earlier broadcasts had been played through the bunker’s PA system. However, when the Marines were locked down, that channel to their quarters had been disabled. Cindy had been recording them and Rose was passing a CD to Walter, the next time she delivered laundry.
Walter had listened to the final broadcast with stunned disbelief. He turned to Rose and asked. “Is there anything you can do to get us out of here?”
Rose said. “Cindy and I have been talking about it, She can get a master key out of Kemp’s desk, but there is a guard there after hours. We need to do it late at night when no one is out and about. And then there’s a guard at your door, who will have to be taken care of.”
Walter retrieved the Beretta from its hiding place and gave it to Rose. “We need to do it tonight, before the convoy gets too far. Will you help us?”
Rose replied, “Yes, but you have to agree to take all the women and children, who want to go.”
Walter countered. “It would be safer if you stay here.””
She answered. “I won’t live any longer as a slave, if you want our help, we’re in.”
“OK, now how many troopers are left here, and how many will be on duty around midnight?”
“There are around a hundred still here, and around a dozen on duty on the 8 to 4 shift. Most of them will be at the Command Center on Level 1.”
Walter handed her the Beretta and two clips, and said. “If we don’t hear from you by 0300, we’ll assume it won’t happen until tomorrow.”
She replied, “If you don’t hear from us by 0300, we’ll be dead.”
She put the Beretta under the dirty laundry and left.
That night, Rose and Cindy left their quarters and approached the office wing on Level 2. Cindy would not take the gun, stating that they could not afford any noise, but telling Rose to wait outside, unless she called.
Cindy turned the corner and approached the trooper at the Guard Station. “I forgot to put the report I was transcribing into Director Kemp’s in basket. Please let me in for a second, so I don’t get in big trouble. Kemp told me that if I fuck up again, he will send me to the crib.”
The trooper paused, and said. “I can’t do that, and besides, do you think you’re too good for us troopers?”
“No, no, it’s just that I won’t be able to see my baby if I’m working in the crib. I like sex, the more the better. I’ll even give you some right now if you help me.”
The trooper blinked, she was a knockout, but orders were orders. Cindy could see that he was not quite sold, and she pulled off her shift. She stood there stark naked, smiling. “There’s a couch in Kemp’s office. I know he uses it, even on me.”
The trooper moved to open the door, not able to take his eyes off her. “You’re a lot better looking than any of the gals at the crib, guess that’s why Kemp keeps you here.” He grabbed her breast, squeezed it, and pushed her on to the couch. He hastily dropped his gun belt and then his pants. Kicking off his boots he spread her legs and slammed into her.
At that moment, she pulled a small knife that was taped to the back of her neck, and slashed his carotid artery. He attempted to rise, but she held on while his lifeblood gushed out.
Within a minute, it was over. She stood, and walked into Kemp’s private shower and washed off the blood that had covered her body. When she was dry and dressed, she retrieved the master keycard from Kemp’s desk, and rejoined Rose.
They took the Executive Elevator down to Level 5, and locked it to that level. Rose took a mini-bottle of gin and poured it over herself. She left Cindy at the corner with the Beretta, and approached the guard outside the Marine Quarters entrance.