“Why did you take me?”
“You were communicating outside the country. We tracked that signal. You also are the leader. How can you lead two hundred feet underground? To me, and many others, it was as if you were hiding? What leader hides?”
“I had no choice.”
“There is always a choice. You have a choice now. Your country is crumbling. We can only do so much to help you. Many are injured, starving, homeless. Is this the country you want to lead? A good leader knows when it is time to step back. Madam President, this is your opportunity to show the world what kind of leader you really are.”
“I don’t understand,” Madeline said.
“Actually, I believe you do. You just don’t realize it yet.” Fen walked across the room, toward the door. She paused at the television. “You may turn this on. You can see what other countries are saying. You can see footage we are taking for you. Please, enjoy. Life shall be easy for you in here, unlike out there.”
“Then let me out,” Madeline said.
“We will. When you make the choice.”
“Aw, yes, the choice,” Madeline said sarcastically. “The one I am supposed to know about. Spit it out, Ms. Shu. What do you want from me?”
“Simple.” After a pause, Fen replied, “Your surrender. You need to surrender your country. You need to do what’s best. Now is your time to shine. Watch the television. Think about it. You’re not going anywhere until you do.” She opened the door and smiled. “Good day.”
Madeline didn’t even know where to begin. Surrender? It seemed absurd to her to surrender, to give up the fight before they even had a chance to engage.
Madeline wasn’t ready to give up the country, not yet. Not until she knew for sure and without a doubt that it was the only option.
Holly River Base, WV
The flyer was slightly crumbled and damp when Troy put it on the table before Gus. “I saw this. I’m hoping this isn’t just a fishing tournament.”
“It’s not,” Gus said.
“Good. I got about forty men hiding in the woods, waiting to know if this is safe.”
“It’s safe.”
“Thank you, sir.” Troy gave a nod of respect, turned, and walked out.
The management cabin of the vacation area was the first check point for those joining the rebellion and cause. Two men worked there constantly, one behind the counter and the other in the backroom, headphones on, monitoring messages sent via Morse Code.
If anyone arrived, such as the man who identified himself as Troy, whoever was at the desk would sound off a moose horn. The noise would carry through the valley and either Gus or Steve would make their way up the one-mile path.
When Troy arrived, he showed his military ID. He was still in uniform but looked worse for wear. Dirty, bruised, and tired. After he walked out to retrieve his men, Gus told the check in man, “Send them down. I’ll get them situated and acclimated.”
“Got it. We didn’t unpack the truck of tents yet,” the young man said.
“We’ll get to it.”
Holding that crinkled flyer, Gus headed back to base. He could hear the sound of running water, but very few voices. No loud sounds were permitted; they were under the radar and wanted to stay that way.
Steve had made it half way up the path as Gus walked back.
“Everything okay?” Steve asked.
Gus handed him the flyer. “Another forty on their way down. These ones all soldiers as well.”
“Christ, Gus, where we gonna put them?”
“We have enough room. We’ll figure it out. Besides, I want to move the first group out.”
“Where to?”
“Something easy. Obtainable victory so we can keep momentum.”
“Proc Checkpoint. Breezewood?” Steve asked.
“That’s what I’m thinking. We’ve waited long enough. It’s time…” Gus said. “It’s time we start the fight.”
Bern, Switzerland
Russian President Petrov initiated the meeting, called all the leaders personally, and accepted Switzerland’s invitation to host.
A part of him should have known better. The joke about Switzerland being neutral wasn’t just a joke, it did have merit behind it.
Petrov was in one of the fortunate countries. He was able to keep it together and amped up the military presence before things went awry.
The summit was more of a meeting, a large conference table with only a few countries in attendance. China did not show and they continued to deny any wrong doing.
Petrov, along with the leaders of Great Britain, Australia, and Canada offered documentation to the others in the room. Information they were already aware of.
The point of the meeting was to collectively decide what could be done. Clearly the events in the United States were affecting the global community.
After three hours of discussing the situation, when they returned from a short break, it was over before Petrov knew it.
Everyone voiced their concerns.
“And what does this have to do with us?” asked Switzerland.
“We will have humanitarian aid, but no more than that,” said Japan.
“There’s no reason, if China has taken over, that we cannot work the same deal as we did with United States,” said Germany.
The general consensus was… it was a new order, and let it go.
The responses were echoed around the room and as they filed out one by one, Petrov wanted more than anything to storm out. But he didn’t. He stayed. Wallowing in that room in defeat and an abundance of worry.
It seemed everyone had their own problems, which were valid, and they couldn’t be bothered, nor did they have the energy or resources to deal with what was happening in the United States. They all seemed to want to take the path of least resistance and damage. What would end the crisis soon. What would put everything back on the right path?
It was understandable, no one ever really wanted to have a military interference. But sometimes, it was necessary.
As Petrov stayed in the room, he was surprised when the door opened and Prime Minister Winslet along with the prime minister of Canada stepped inside.
He knew why they walked in, or at least hoped he did. He felt a sense of relief when he saw their faces.
“Please don’t think I’m abandoning your efforts,” Winslet said. “I’m not. I am just trying to do what’s best for my country.”
Petrov nodded. “So am I.” He shifted his eyes to the Canadian prime minister. “And you are here, why?
“This situation affects us very much.” The Canadian prime minister said. “It is too close. We will do what we can to aid you and assist you in whatever endeavor you decide. But we ask that in exchange for our participation, you wait until our intel comes in.”
“What intel would that be?” asked Petrov.
“We have people in there. But we cannot reach them. We are sending teams in to find out what is going on. To get an in-depth look.”
“That I can agree to,” said Petrov.
“May I ask,” said Prime Minister Winslet, “while I realize the urgency in the situation, there seems to be a rush to get a decision. A good offense is planning. Is it because of the food shortage now?”
“It is not the food,” Petrov answered strongly. “Do you not get it? At all? Yes, they are now controlling sixty percent of the world’s food supply, that is troublesome. But more so, they are now in control of the second biggest nuclear arsenal in the world. I cannot have that. The world cannot have it. Can you?”