by Daniel Evora
I stared at the gas pedal.
“Hope to God this works.”
Flooring it, I rushed back to the Remnants headquarters, as the door was still open. I closed them behind me and ran into Sara. She looked shocked.
“Nate, thank God.”
"You're back, but why?” Pete asked, rolling up to me in his wheelchair.
"Because it's only right if I do,” I responded. “Giving up isn’t an option this time.”
“That’s the spirit,” Sara exclaimed; smiling back. “So, what’s your plan?”
“Were in an abandoned Silents Vault. So, let’s use their weapons against them.”
“I like the sound of that. Using their own weapons should work to a great extent.”
“That’s just the start of it.”
Chapter 10
Last Resort
The sun had fallen beneath the horizon as the light of day began to fade. From the barred window the light was eaten up by the shadow of the window. Thomas lay in his cell; throwing a tiny piece of debris. His face carried no emotion but fear, as he blankly stared at the wall. Matthews glared at Thomas, as his pride and strength ate away at itself. Chris was still asleep in Lily’s cell, and so was she.
“Nate, if you’re listening, I’m sorry,” Thomas murmured to himself. “ I brought you to the Resistance, just to die.”
“It’s not your fault, Thomas,” Max said, overhearing his conversation. “We did all we could to rescue Ben. People die every day.”
“We just need to find a way out,” Lily suggested; searching the surrounding area--trying to find a weak spot in the cell.
“Lily, I’m sorry, but there is no way out,” Max said. “I used to be one of them. Trust me, there’s no way out except death.”
“Have you guys given up? There’s gotta be a way to rescue Ben!” Lily shouted.
Suddenly, Adrana strolled through, glaring at each of them; her eyes squinted and fists balled up. “You rebels have no place in this new world!” She smirked, and looked towards Lily. “You think you can rescue Ben? Go ahead. You can have him with you in your cell!”
Two guards brought a man in chains into Thomas’ cell. They were heavily armored troops. His hair had grown uncontrollably long, including his untrimmed beard. Ben had looked lifeless; they carried him along as if he were a corpse. The guards threw him as he grunted in pain. Then, Adrana walked towards Ben, she leaned to his ear.
“Now, you will watch, as we will end the lives of your friends,” Adrana whispered. Ben grunted and tried to hit her, but the chains wouldn’t let him.
“You evil bastard!” Ben shouted angrily. “Nate will come!”
“He’s not coming, if that’s what you think,” Adrana told Ben as she closed the door.
“What?! No!” Ben yelled. “You lie!”
“If only that were true,” Max added. Ben paused and said nothing else.
“It’s alright, Ben,” Thomas said, comforting him. “At least you’re back with us.”
“I failed,” Ben said to himself. “I screwed up...”
The lights in their cells had shut off, and all that was between them and their deaths, was a matter of time. Everyone fell asleep knowing it might be their last full day on earth.
...
I knew I only had hours to come up with an effective plan. Finishing the mission was everything now. It was a strange feeling; not a sense of pride, but of courage and the hope I could still save my friends. Sara whistled, so that everyone could gather attention to me. I took a deep breath.
“You need to tell them,” Sara said.
“How will they listen?” I asked her.
“Tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear,” Sara answered. I then looked at the audience, and opened my mouth to speak.
“Good evening, everyone! I would like to speak! My name is Nathaniel, and I know we are all tired. I know you’ve all given up in the war effort, but I ask you all today to consider that the rebellion still lives. But, I see that the spirit has died here. The fighting spirit has gone, and I’ve come to bring it back. I may not have started out as one of you, but I’ve realized that this is more than just a military group. This rebellion is a family, and that family has been broken up. It doesn’t hurt to try to put it back together, but first, we need to take back what was yours. Phoenix Post. The birthplace of the rebellion. We need to remind the Silents that we’re still here, and that we won’t go down without a fight. We shall become united against a common enemy once again. Not each other, but the ones who think we aren’t worthy of existence. We need to take a stand! We need to fight! Because that’s who we are! We’re the rebellion! So… is anyone with me?”
Everyone slowly raised their hands as they chanted in enthusiasm. Eventually, my words I had gotten through to all of them; Sara nodded at me with a smile on her face.
“I will bring him back. I promise,” I said to Sara.
“You don’t need to promise me. I know you will,” she replied with a smirk.
“Now what?” Pete asked me. He rolled up his wheelchair and nodded. “We’re gonna need a real plan if we want to succeed at this.”
“Are all the armored vehicles still functional?” I asked him pointing outside to the vault storage.
Pete smirked. “Yep, they are. We’ve used them here and there, but not for combat.”
“Do you know how to use the weapons on them?”
“Yep.”
“Do they know?” I asked Pete, looking throughout the room.
“Of course they do,” Pete, while Sarah glared at him. “No. No, they don’t.”
“Well, that’s our first step. You know it, you teach it,” Sara explained, patting him on the back.
In the first hour, Pete had gathered together a large group of drivers, engineers, and ex-pilots to teach them how to use Silent Death vehicles, and how to use the weapons mounted unto them. In the second hour, Sara gathered all the ground troops and put them through field training.
A few moments later I explained the plan to Pete and Sarah. “First, we will gather all our weapons, vehicles, and other supplies that may help us. We will use their own against them. Then, we will use the vehicles as a frontline on the west side. Sara, that’s your squad. Meanwhile, our ground troops will fire using rocket launchers on the east side to draw fire. We need to split their attention, as the rest of us will go in for central attack. But, the central attack will have to go much later.
“Flanking them on both sides; splitting their priorities thin; crushing them ultimately,” Sara added. “That’s good, but what’s your plan on the central attack?”
“We’ll have to come up with something within the next few hours. Our main objective is the prison block. But, for now inform your troops, have your moments, and report back here. It’s gonna be a big day tomorrow.”
...
4:12 AM
Adam was staring at the clock; at the second hand as it ticked its way through the circle. He then turned from the clock and stared at his white blade katana. Adam stood up, lifted the katana, and sheathed it. He then looked at his trench coat with his Supreme Commander badge; seven stripes of red and blue on the right shoulder. He walked over to it and put it on, too.
Adrana rushed in his quarters. “Adam, are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, let’s head out,” Adam said while picking up his gun on the way out. “Where’s Sam?”
“He’s already at the post,” Adrana told him, as they jogged into the elevator up towards the roof of the building. She held open the door for him.
“I don’t know,” Adam replied, sitting down. “Sam’s getting more reckless.”
“He is your natural successor after all,” Adrana explained. “But he does tend to divulge in his negative emotions.”
“I’ll have to fix that before I hand him the rank.”
“Sam thinks you underestimate him.”
“I’m not underestimating him; I’m being realistic.”
“
I see your point.”
“This is why I’ve been hesitant to train him in the rank. He’s not ready yet,” Adam said. There was a long pause in their conversation. “Did you check the defenses on Phoenix Post?”
“I double checked everything, and reinforced the guard. No one’s getting in,” Adrana answered Adam.
“Good, what about the rebel group?” Adam asked, too.
“They’re not going anywhere,” Adrana replied confidently. “If they try something, we’ll be ready.”
“Alright, then. I trust you to keep things in order; it is your base after all,” Adam said as the jet lifted into the sky.
...
6:58 AM
Chris had woken up, breathing heavily; he looked around to see Lily eyeing him. He attempted to sit up; and, fortunately, his head pain was nonexistent. There were no lights to aid his sight, so he squinted.
“You’re up,” Lily said under her breath. She did not look at Chris, as her face held a slight frown. “We have less than half a day.”
“How do you know?” Chris asked; rubbing his eyes.
“Dusk had already passed hours ago,” Lily answered. “Their executions always take place at noon, and I’m guessing that today is our time.”
“Don’t worry, Lily,” Chris added. “The rebellion’s gonna come back for us.”
“I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Come on, Lily. We need to have hope. We can still get out of this.”
“How?” Matthews asked angrily. “Nate’s gone, man.”
“I thought you’d be glad he’s gone,” Max interrupted. “What happened to not trusting him?”
“Look, Max, we’re about to die!” Matthews screamed angrily.
“Calm down, Matthews,” Chris whispered loudly. “You’re gonna get us all in trouble!”
“Fine!”
“You know, Matthews. You are so difficult sometimes,” Max said.
“Well, sorry if I’m upset that I lost my entire crew!”
“Come one Matthews, you need to keep your head!” Chris commanded Matthews.
“I’m trying to, but the anticipation is killing me!”
“Well, then keep trying!” Chris shouted quietly. “Matthews you need to snap out of it!”
“Fine, happy now!”
“Better,” Chris said, showing a light smirk.
“You guys are acting like children,” Thomas interrupted. “And you still wonder why the rebellion doesn’t get together in seemingly fashion. None of you guys get along.”
“Says the underage drinker,” Max said. They both laughed at his remark.
“Shut up, man,” Thomas smiled. “You’re, like, still a rookie; second to Nate.”
“Come on, you left the rebellion years ago, yet you think I’m inexperienced? I'm a pilot; top of my class."
“I could beat you in a one to one; easy; not even break a sweat.”
“I mean without your fancy pants, high tech, agent gadgets stuff,” Max replied, laughing even more. “You’d be lost.”
"Then, that jet of yours doesn't count either."
“I’ll agree with Max on that one,” Lily grinned, as she joined the conversation. “You do like to show off that stuff in front of people.”
“Well, at least I don't just fly away from my problems. I guess I can die knowing that Max could be the last person in this room that I’ve ever shown off to.”
A guard overheard us, and banged on the door; screaming his lungs out. “Hey! Shut up!”
An awkward silence came upon them as they tried to keep quiet. It had ruined the entire mood of the situation, as everyone had been reminded of their inevitable fate. Death by guillotine. Ben looked around in regret; knowing that all these people came back for his sake, as he felt he did not deserve such adulation.
Suddenly, the entrance doors to the room slid open. Adam had made it to Phoenix Post and was visiting the prisoners to check for any suspicion of escape. He stepped into the holding cell dramatically slowly, as the guards saluted, and everyone else looked at him in fear. Adam stared into each of the prisoners' eyes as he strolled past them with his hands behind his back. But, then, he stopped in front of Ben and Lily’s cell, especially since Ben was in there. Ben stared back with resilience, and hate.
“So, Nate’s gone,” Adam said while clearing his throat. “I should’ve expected him to be part of the group that was coming after you.”
“What are you getting at?” Ben asked.
“After we execute your friends, I have a special assignment for you.”
“Look, you are not getting them!” Ben yelled. “I’d rather die.”
“You can’t get out that easy,” Adam shot back. “We will get those codes, and when we do. I will end this.”
“Try me,” Ben said.
“Don’t overestimate your abilities,” Adam replied, as the guards locked the cell. "I acknowledge your tenacity, General, but your determination will be your end."
They followed Adam outside the holding cell chamber, then he shut the entrance as a light on the lock turned red.
Chris looked at Ben and asked, “Ben, what was he talking about?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“It’s for your own protection.”
“Protection? They’re planning on executing us!”
“I know. But, I made a promise not to tell anyone until necessary. If the information I know got into the wrong hands, it could carry drastic consequences.”
Chris made no other response, and he didn’t question it further. Except he glared at Ben and continued to lie down on the hard floor.
...
11:03 AM
I stared into the distance, and saw the entrance to Phoenix Post. The base stretched about a whole two kilometers. It had been part of the Gila River, and the city of Qeles. The city stretched over ten kilometers along the shore of the Gila River. There were twenty scouts occupying ten turrets for defense on the front wall. I saw it as they swiftly shut the gates. I could hear Sara walking up towards me when I tucked away my binoculars.
“What did you see?” One general asked. We walked down the small hill to gather at our camp.
“We got lucky they have regular patrol today,” I explained. “Twenty scouts, and we should take them out with our ground teams. But, first we have to launch our attack on the north and south end.” I checked my clock. “Shoot, we have less than an hour. They’ll most likely start in about thirty minutes to give time for them to march out in public.”
“Then we gotta make moves quickly,” the general answered. “Which are you going to start first?”
“The vehicles,” I replied.
I gathered my weapons and looked at the base once again to make sure everything was fine. Then, I pressed my walkie-talkie, extended the antenna, and said, “Pete, do you copy?”
“Copy,” Pete answered.
“Start the attack; move into the north side with the armored vehicles. Drive in a line, then, once you're in range, spread out into a blockade."
“Copy that,” Pete responded; he hung up
“Alright,” I said to a radio engineer. “Switching to channel nine.”
“Sara, do you copy?”
“Copy.”
“In five minutes, move in on the south side with your demolitionists and ground troops. Once you get into range, open fire on the south wall with your rockets and artillery. Be careful not to hit the quarters on the north west side. We need to keep the rebel group alive, copy?”
“Copy that, Nate,” Sara replied as she hung up as well.
“Alright everyone! Let’s move out in five!” I shouted to the group.
Chapter 11
Phoenix Storm
The day was nearing the crack of noon. The sun had almost reached the center of the sky, as the temperature increased over the last two hours. It’s light beaming through Thomas’ cell. He looked out and saw that they were running out of time fast. Only minutes left and t
hey would be publicly executed.
Chris checked on Matthews by glaring at him a few times, but ultimately, there was no way they could forget about the fate that would inevitably come with haste. Lily was shaking; just at the thought of what death would feel like by a guillotine. One with a large, heated laser instead of a blade that dropped on your neck. She was only twenty two years old.
Max looked pitiful as well, and as a pilot he stared at the wall imagining himself flying once more, one more time until he could never fly again.
Ben was the only soul who still had life in his face, it was clear he was metally stronger than most of them, especially Matthews. He rolled his eyes over to Lily, and tried to calm her.
“It’s gonna be alright,” Ben told her. “At least you’ll all die together.”
Lily came back to realization. “I don’t know how to feel about this anymore. Nate’s dead, we’ve been stuck in here for not even a full day, and now we’re gonna die?! I’m only twenty two! There’s so much I haven’t thought about in my life yet!”
“Just calm down. Relax. You’ve got it easy from Adam. He’s not very fond of me, yet he cares too much, so he won’t chop me up into a thousand pieces before he gets what he wants.”
“Wasn’t he a rogue rebel soldier?” Lily asked.
Ben did not respond. It’s as if Lily pulled the wrong trigger within him. It was then, he stared at her.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it,” Lily said.
“Don’t. Mention. It. Ever.” Ben demanded Lily, as he grinded his teeth. She could tell he was getting a little aggravated.
The entrance doors opened up again, but this time they were coming in with shackles to put on our ankles as well. More chains to keep the rebel group from running away. Along with them came Adrana; though she had no smile. The guards opened the cells and locked them up together in a single line. One of the guards approached Ben with shackles, but was stopped in his tracks by Adrana as she whispered in his ear. Ben couldn’t hear what she had to say, however, when she finished speaking the guard smirked and turned away, shutting the cell door behind him.
