Resistant, no. 1

by Ryan T. Petty

  “Our sentiments exactly.” Stevenson nodded and then looked down the table at me. “Jennifer, these men are here from the newly-created government of the United States. They said they have been searching for you.”

  “I know they have,” I said. “I told you they were when I first got here. The only one who believed me was—”

  “All water under the bridge now, Jennifer,” Stevenson said, cutting me off. “From what they told us, you are a very smart young lady. It seems you were in the process of creating a cure for the virus when you came down with amnesia. Somehow, you got it into your mind you were being held captive by these men and you escaped.”

  “I was being held captive.”

  “At any rate, they finally have tracked you down and are here to take you back to do your research.”

  “But I don’t—”

  “Viceroy, if I may, we don’t know who these men are,” Michael interjected. “They say they are from a new government, but why haven’t we heard of them yet? We send out messages every day through the transistor. We know there are other groups out there living like us,” he looked directly at the men, “you could’ve answered us by now.”

  “Nonsense.” Stevenson shook his head.

  “Gentlemen,” one of the men said from across the table, his double chin and puffy cheeks making his voice sound thicker than it should have, “we can sit here and try to discuss and debate every scenario out there. The truth is, the East Coast is nearly virus free now, but to get it there, we must have Jennifer come back and finish her research so the people there can stop living like this. She is an essential part in making a cure. I know she may look young, Captain, but she is actually a genius. We just need to take her back and help her recover from this horrible bout of amnesia.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about!” I shot back. “I don’t remember any of you or doing research or finding a cure. I just know that I had to escape from there. I wasn’t supposed to be there!” I jumped from my chair and ran to Michael. “You have to believe me. Don’t let them take me away. They will hurt me. They will kill me!” I slammed my head into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. He rubbed my back calmly.

  “This is nonsense,” the man barked, standing up with the others. “Viceroy, are you in charge of this compound or are you going to let some little girl deceive you into holding back a cure? If we take her now, we will be back in at least six months with a vaccine for everyone, so we all can live normal lives again, so we may stop everyone from becoming cold-blooded killers and psychopaths. So the survivors can rebuild some resemblance of conventional society. And because you have kept her safe, we will send monthly rations so you will not have to worry about food, medicine, or weapons.”

  “Captain,” Stevenson began, “you’ll need to hand her over right now.”

  Michael’s arm pushed me behind him.

  “I will not do so until I have proof of who these men are.”

  “Proof?” the fat man snapped. “Are those helicopters outside not proof enough to you that we have come from a very long way to track this girl down. Is it not proof that our state of the art gear keeps us much safer from the virus than your outdated gas masks? Is it not proof enough that we carry enough armaments to level this place?”

  “Are you threatening us?” Michael snapped.

  “Captain, hand the girl over this instant,” said Stevenson, now standing as well.

  Michael’s hand was still on my side, but it slowly drifted away. I remember his speech, what he said about being willing to kill each other for what was best for the group. My head slunk against his back, and I waited for him to stand aside so the agents could take me.

  “I’m sorry,” he said softly, “but she’s not going with you.”

  The fat agent laughed. “And why do you think you can stop us, knowing your own leader wants to hand her over?”

  “Because my leader doesn’t carry a sidearm.” Michael unholstered his revolver and drew it on the three men. His two lieutenants did the same.

  “What are you doing, Captain?”

  “The right thing, since I’m the only one who will.”

  “And you think by killing us, you will save this girl, this compound, from what we can do to you?”

  “No, but it will make me happier.” The men looked at each other, but didn’t answer. “Lieutenant Higgins, please escort these men back to their helicopters. Lieutenant Rodriguez, Code Four.”

  Rodriguez nodded and left the room quickly. Higgins stepped forward, a smile on her face and motioned the three men to the door. After they left, Stevenson approached.

  “Captain, you might have killed us all today. All for this...this Deracine. I will make sure the Council brings you up on charges before the end of the day. You and that little girl are done here,” he said with a pointed finger.

  “You better step lively, Viceroy, because you’re next on my list.”

  Stevenson’s eyes widened, but he and his men quickly left the room. Michael turned to me.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “No time, get your mask on and follow me.” He grabbed my arm pulling me from the room. Running to the staircase, I fought hard to keep up, throwing on my mask as we went. We passed concerned and frightened people as we climbed, bypassing the top floor door and continuing to the roof exit. He opened the door and ran in to the small room, this one made of plastic coverings. Shutting the door behind us, we exited the room, standing on top of the roof. I looked out to see dozens of large flat, silver disks standing slanted on the roof.

  “What are we doing up here?” I asked.

  “Making a point,” he said calmly as we walked toward the edge, looking down on the agents as they were escorted across the yard. “Higgins, are they pissed?”

  “Of course, Captain.”

  “Good. Maria, patch me through to their telecoms and everyone’s headsets.”

  “Yes, Captain.” The static fizzled through my earphones for a second before Michael’s voice became crystal clear.

  “You have the audacity to come here and threaten us?” We watched as the men turned around to look at us on top of the building. “You think you can bully us just because you have helicopters? Well, we have a few tricks up our sleeve too.”

  Before I knew it, Lieutenant Higgins and three other men stood next to us, carrying large rocket launchers on their shoulders. A large weapon with six different barrels was rolled up next to us as well. They were all pointed down directly at the agents.

  “If you come back demanding anything from us, we will knock you out of the sky and reign hell on your men.”

  The fat agent began to speak, but Maria cut off the transmission. The other two grabbed his arm and forced him quickly to the gate and back to the helicopters. All of their men loaded up and their engines blared as they rose from the ground, turned, and flew away, with us watching the entire time.

  “Rodriguez, Code Four is over. Everyone continues on pulling doubles until I give the word. One-third more rations as well. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Good. You, come with me.” I followed Michael as we descended from the roof, walking down all the way to the Alamo. He entered his office and I followed him into the cramped room. He shut the door behind us.

  “So what are you?”

  I didn’t answer, not understanding the question.

  “I mean, I know you’re human and all, but why did these men want you? We haven’t heard of any government agency in years, but a couple months after you come here, we have three helicopters landing in our front yard? So again, my question is, what are you?”

  “I don’t know,” I whimpered.

  “Do you think any of their story, about you being a girl genius or whatever, is correct? Do you hold the key to end all of this?”

  “I don’t know,” I said again.

  Michael nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t happy with my answer.

  “Amnesia,” he said
, but like he couldn’t believe it.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.”

  “Then why did you do all that? Why put everyone’s lives in jeopardy for me, again?”

  “I don’t know,” he said calmly, but the words stung. I stepped away from him and went to the door, but he shut it before I could go. “Jennifer, I didn’t mean it that way. I’ve put you ahead of everything because no one has done what you did out there since this virus started. There is some reason you weren’t infected, and I’m not about to let you go until I find out why.”

  “So we’re back to I’m something special? You want an answer as to why I’m not infected? Because that’s just as bad as those men out there who lied about me creating a cure.”

  “No, that’s not the only reason.”

  “Then what? What is it?”

  Before I knew it, he leaned in and kissed me, running his hand around my waist, pushing me against the door. I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around his neck, to enjoy his touch, to feel like someone actually cared for me for the first time. He kissed my neck as I embraced him, his hands holding me steady, but always calm and cool. When our lips finally separated, I noticed my military tag had fallen out of my shirt. He gently reached up and grabbed it.

  “You are going to last forever, because you’re tough, intelligent, and I’m not sure I’ve met anyone as brave as you.”

  “Me?” I nearly wanted to laugh. “I’ve been so scared and felt like I’ve failed at everything. You’re the only one who has any faith in me. You’re the only one who cares if I live or die.”

  “That’s not true. You have people who care for you here.”

  “But I have many more who hate me and want me gone.” To that he had no answer, but he took me in his arms, kissing me again.

  “Come on. I’ve left a hell of a mess in the compound.”

  * * * *

  The agents and helicopters were gone, but panic had cut through the compound.

  “Does she really have a cure?” a woman asked us as soon as we entered the hallway on the first floor. “Can she put an end to all of this?”

  We walked past her, but an older man stopped us.

  “Are we under attack? Those men had helicopters. We need to start an evacuation right now.” Others asked questions as we went through the crowd, all of them wanting immediate answers.

  “We had peace here until she showed up! Now we are all going to die.”

  Michael shoved his way through the crowd as I hid behind him. He waved over a few other soldiers, including Rodriguez.

  “There’s a lot of angry people out here, Capitán,” Rodriguez noted.

  “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Michael answered back. “We need to calm the situation and get everyone back to their barracks for the time being.”

  “There he is!” Stevenson yelled from across the hallway and approached us with more of the council. “Lieutenant Rodriguez, arrest the captain for his insubordination. You are also to take command of all defenses here at the compound.”

  “Insubordination against you is not an offense that would cause me to lose my rank,” Michael shot back.

  “No, but forming a coup d’etat against the council is.”

  “I haven’t done that,” he yelled back, taking a step forward as I grabbed his arm.

  “You know that’s not true,” I said, somewhat calmer.

  “It is. He blackmailed us to get you in here. Now, he took the power away from the council to make the important decision about what needs to happen to you and about these men who came today.”

  I looked at Michael and he looked at Lt. Rodriguez.

  “Well?” he asked his lieutenant, who returned the question with a smile.

  “Viceroy Stevenson, can we worry about the problem at hand?”

  “He is the problem at hand!” screamed Stevenson.

  Before anyone could react, Michael had him by the lapels, hoisting him up on his toes. Rodriguez and two other men grabbed his arms, but Michael held firm.

  “These people are scared and all you care about is getting rid of me?” he declared, shaking him hard. “You’re not doing this now! Not ever! You call a meeting and let’s get everyone calmed down.” Michael broke his grip and stepped away, leaving the viceroy visibly shaken. Rodriguez and I walked away with him.

  * * * *

  Stevenson refused to call a meeting, but a majority of the council overruled him. Everyone in the compound, besides the military on duty, was escorted down into the Alamo, the only place large enough to fit all of the people. I helped the men on forklifts clear the interior of the training center of the weight lifting equipment so people would have enough room. Elevated tables were set up front for the council; a smaller table was set up for Michael and his officers and an extra chair was added for me. Still, one chair sat empty.

  “Where’s Clarissa?” asked Michael, his eyes narrowed.

  “Haven’t seen her, Capitán,” Rodriguez answered back.

  It was seven in the evening when Stevenson tapped his gavel and people settled into the few chairs placed out front. Others stood in the back and around the edge.

  “People, this meeting is coming to order,” the viceroy explained. “We will now read the minutes of the previous meeting.”

  “The hell with the minutes!” someone shouted. “Who were those people today? What is going on with those helicopters?”

  “Are we going to be under attack?”

  “Does she have a cure?” another yelled, pointing his finger at me. Others agreed, shouting at me. I could feel my face turn red, and I ducked my head as my stomach churned. Stevenson slammed his hammer down, but it was little use.

  “They’re scared. They’re trying to use you as a scapegoat,” Michael said to me, holding my hand under the table, but keeping his stern expression pointed at the crowd.

  “People, you know I voted against this girl being here. In fact, the majority of the council did. Democracy has died in the hands of the captain, who believes he has the right to do whatever he chooses.” The speech was not one to calm the nerves of the people, but Stevenson was using it to unify his supporters and point their anger toward me and now Michael. “It’s time we come to notice his actions will lead us down a reckless path that will endanger all of you! If the captain has his way, this girl will get us all killed by murderous Déracinés on the ground and from the bombs of helicopters from above.”

  Many people cheered the speech, easily falling in line with Stevenson and his resonating spirit. Dr. Swanson urged everyone that the meeting was only called to discuss what had happened earlier in the day, so everyone would have the truth and rumors wouldn’t divide the compound, but few people said anything toward the rational thought. Michael finally stood.

  “I’m not much for speeches like some people around here, but what happened today was because of this woman here next to me. The men who visited here believe she holds the key to a cure. But she doesn’t. She was just a very lucky girl. She fought through everything we witnessed years ago. We have kept danger out of our community, and I’ve done everything I can to keep you safe. My men and I have done everything for you, from raids to get medicines in the city, to killing a number of Déracinés who have found us here. I will tell you now that this girl is not the enemy, but Jennifer here is the hope we have all had that the disease is dying away. I invited her in just as we invited many of you in years ago—because it was the right thing to do.”

  Stevenson tapped his gavel and demanded a vote on Michael’s dismissal, but was overruled once again by the council, at the anger of many people in the crowd.

  “He’s done nothing wrong,” Wellstone announced, “except doing a job that this council has failed to do.” But the people in the crowd were still upset and calling for blood.

  “This is ridiculous,” Michael said to us at the table and motioned for everyone to stand and leave the room.

  “You have not been dismissed! You have not been dismissed!�
� yelled Stevenson, but his words disappeared in the clamor. Michael was the last to step away from the table, letting the crowd and the council figure out their own mess.

  “Have we entered the age of stupidity?” asked Higgins, more angry than sarcastic. “How could they listen to that...that man?”

  “They’re all scared, Higgins,” Rodriguez countered as we walked up the corridor, “and people do stupid things when they are scared.”

  “People, let’s do our job and not worry about the council for a moment. The next shift is about to go on. These first few days are going to be tough as everyone gets used to the longer hours, but we all need to be prepared. Y’all take towers One and Three, and if you find Clarissa, tell her to come in. There’s no reason she should have pulled a twenty-four-hour shift.”

  They both gave salutes, and I headed off with them to prepare for my late shift.

  “Where are you going?” Michael asked.

  “I have to be on the line at nine. I was going to get ready.”

  “Not tonight. There’s too much trouble going on and it has your name on it. You’re staying in tonight and that’s an order.” He gently grabbed me under the arm. “And you’re not staying in your cell, either.”

  “And where am I going to stay? With you?”

  Michael smiled. “My office, yes. I’m having a cot moved in for you for the time being. There are too many hot heads who might get the idea to do something stupid.”

  “Captain, you can stop me from doing my duty, but do you really have the authority to tell me where I am going to sleep?”

  Michael looked down the corridor in both directions, making sure we were alone, then he pulled me close, holding me around the waist.

  “If it means peace for everyone, including you, to have you down here, then yes, I do.” I looked up into his green eyes. I had never seen the slightest fear in them, even while we were sitting in quarantine together, but for a second I realized he was scared for my safety.