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by Richard Stephenson

  Stacy was becoming quite talented at masking her feelings. It was like she had developed an alter ego. “Mr. President, it would be my honor, thank you.”

  “Ma’am, the honor is truly mine. May you always keep me on the proper path.” Simon smiled and raised his glass, turning to the man seated to his right.

  “Roberto, you are the new Regional Governor of Region 1. I was going to let you retire to Florida, but it might be some time before there’s a decent golf course to squeeze in nine holes,” Simon bellowed. “I figured sunny California and her neighbors would be a good fit for you.”

  “Mr. President, I will do my best.”

  “I know you will.” Simon looked down the table at Major General James Weygandt. “Jim, you’ll be the Regional Governor of Region 2. You have your work cut out for you. You’ll be responsible for Texas and her neighbors. I’m sure the recovery efforts are in good hands.”

  “Thank you, Mr. President. Truly an honor.”

  “Which brings us to our rising star, General Jackson Butler. General, you’ve proven yourself quite resourceful and a damned good officer. You are the Regional Governor of Region 3 and the Provisional Governor of Region 4. Your primary task will be to restore power to areas affected by The Pulse. Once you have completed the task, I will appoint a Regional Governor for Region 4 and you can return to your Region, which will be New England.”

  “Mr. President, I won’t let you down.”

  “Jackson, I know you’ll make us all proud. I’m happy to announce that Governor Lori Prince will be the Regional Governor of Region 5. Lori has been with us for some time. I knew when Malcolm betrayed her and left her citizens to fend for themselves we had an ally. Regional Governor Prince has already been informed of her appointment and has hit the ground running.”

  Simon waited a few moments for everyone’s excitement to abate. They were already discussing plans. Simon was pleased with their eagerness. He continued, “You’ll be pleased to know that you’ll never have to run a campaign or drum up money from wealthy supporters. Your appointments are permanent, for as long as I deem necessary. If you continue to perform to my standards, the job will always be yours.”

  Regional Governor Weygandt spoke, “Mr. President, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I offer sincere gratitude. I’m sure everyone is wondering — who will fill the other Regional Governor positions?”

  “I haven’t made any decisions at this moment. I do welcome suggestions from any of you.”

  They were about to have dessert when the president looked at his watch. “Oh dear! It’s almost time! Please, everyone, join me at my desk.”

  The president straightened his tie as he walked to his desk in the center of the library. He put on his suit coat and sat down. A woman turned on two bright lights and aimed them at the president’s face so she could apply his makeup. The newly appointed members of his administration sat around him as technicians busily made last minute checks to sound and video equipment.

  The Unified National Guard had been working tirelessly for days to transport generators and solar panels from the West Coast to the electricity-free Pulse Zone. Every state capital in the Pulse Zone would play the address over the loudspeakers. The capitals and major cities that still had some semblance of law and order would play the video broadcast on massive billboards all over town.

  President Sterling sat behind his desk, waiting for the signal from the director. Once he got the green light, Sterling addressed the frightened and confused people of the United States.

  “My fellow Americans, I address you from the seat of our government in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The people of our nation have never faced a greater challenge. The events of the past two weeks have had greater impact on the face of our nation than anything that came before it. It is my sincere hope that I can provide you with an accurate description of the events of the last few days. I know rumor and speculation are all that many of you have at this point.

  Our nation watched in horror as the events played out on CNN. An Iranian submarine, the Habibollah Sayyari, launched a nuclear warhead high into the atmosphere from its position just over five hundred miles from the eastern seaboard. The resulting explosion generated an electromagnetic pulse which disrupted every electronic device from the East Coast towards the Great Plains and down to the northern portion of the Gulf States. Many of you hearing the sound of my voice are victims of The Pulse. Your government has not abandoned you. We are working around the clock to bring you needed relief. We cannot tell you with certainty how long it will be before you have power. It won’t be days or weeks, it will be months or years. That is the hard truth you deserve to hear. Please remain calm and help us rebuild all that we have lost. You neighbor is counting on you. Your family is counting on you. Your country is counting on you to survive and endure this crisis by extending a helping hand to those around you in need.

  Under the cloak of darkness, The Great Empire of Iran launched a surgical strike against Serenity Hills, the personal residence and horse ranch belonging to our beloved president, Malcolm Powers. It is with great sadness that I report to you about his death, as well as that of the First Lady. We do not have the final report, but the death toll now stands at sixteen, including Fleet Admiral William Mack and Secretary of Defense Charles Decker. We mourn for them. We mourn for our country, for losing true patriots in this, our darkest of hours.

  Our country is falling, that much is certain. Many of you have lost hope. Many of you have given up on civilized society. Many of you have stripped away your conscience and sense of dignity in order to survive. I implore you — remember your conscience, hold onto your dignity, for the day will come when survival will not have such a high price.

  In our time of dire need, we do not have the luxury of time. We do not have time to cling to the past. The only thing that can save us now is change. Drastic change. Our old government failed to save us. Simply put, it is time for a new and more progressive way to govern the people of this great nation. Our previous system was broken; it was an infection that almost killed us! Our political system was bloated with corruption and stupidity! No longer will the American people be plagued by the petty squabbling of two political parties that have allowed this nation to fall. No longer will our land be cursed with hundreds of representatives who care more about big corporations than the common man they were elected to represent. Democracy has failed us! It is time to rebuild! It is time for us to be united as one nation, one unified government. It is time to show the world that we will rise again! Your government will no longer place the needs of foreign lands above your own. We will never meddle in the affairs of our neighbors again!

  In closing, I would like to share with you a portion of the farewell address from our nation’s first president, George Washington.

  ‘The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here, let us stop.

  Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?’

  Citizens of this fine land, let us toil over the words of President Washington and heed the warning given at the founding of our previous nation.

  It is time for us to be ruled by one voice, one decision, one power! Join me in building the Unified American Empire!”

  All across the country, citizens cheered and celebrated their new president. Finally they had a leader who would protect them, a leader who cared more about his own citizens that he did the rest of the world’s problems. For the first time in a very long time, the people of the United States had something that had been missing for a very long time – they had HOPE. What they didn’t know was the hope they were feelin
g was going to come at a very, very high price.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  “So, is everyone up to speed?” Howard Beck was sitting in his executive conference room at the end of a massive, solid oak table. Around the table, seated from right to left were his son, Marshall Beck, his brother-in-law Sean Stewart, his sister Tricia Stewart, his nephew Jamison Stewart, Chief Maxwell Harris, Sergeant Elizabeth Reed, and Richard Dupree.

  Howard Beck shared every single thing he knew about what was going on at his home. He knew about the growing detention center that was being filled with innocent civilians who had a trade that could prove useful to the new government. He knew all about their plans for the new dictatorship with Simon Sterling at its helm. He knew the details about the Regional Governors, the plan to pull the military from the Iranian Theater and send them into the heart of America, and even the intention to execute anyone who defied the new government. Howard shared every detail with the people sitting at the table.

  Maxwell Harris needed clarification. “Wait a second. Maybe I’m overreacting here, but it sounds to me like Simon Sterling lit the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on fire and pissed on the ashes.”

  Richard Dupree replied, “And the American people couldn’t care less. Sterling is running a brilliant PR campaign. He’s a hero for bringing the troops home. The public won’t even bat an eye while the Empire conquers Europe and swallows up valuable resources. They’ll slaughter millions who refuse to convert to Islam.”

  “They won’t bat an eye till the Empire starts to head across the Atlantic and walks onto our shores,” said Marshall Beck.

  Richard Dupree, the ex-Navy SEAL, brought his military knowledge to the table. “Our Navy will put up a good fight and keep them at bay, but they won’t be able to stop them.”

  Elizabeth Reed chimed in. “Mr. Beck, may I ask how you know all of this? Does Stacy Reid know all of this? Because if she does, she’s the most amazing spy in history.”

  Howard was not quite ready to share his source. Hal was in constant contact with his sister, the White House A.I. Hal had given her the name Syd, in honor of Howard Beck’s deceased mother, Sydney Beck. “Stacy is providing us with valuable intelligence; however I do have another rock solid source.”

  Howard had watched the dinner meeting Simon Sterling had hosted before his inaugural address and was still getting over the shock that the new president and his posse would have more power than any group should ever be given. Sterling’s plan for ruling the nation was a disgrace. Countries around the world and throughout history had suffered greatly under the same model of government. Sterling could fool the people into believing that he was instituting a new and efficient government, but Howard knew better. Simon would be a dictator. Howard guessed that within a year, one of the Regional Governors would gain too much popularity, and Simon would squash the threat.

  “Dad, what are we gonna do?” asked Howard’s son.

  “What we have to do. What we must do. We’ll do whatever it takes to stop Simon Sterling.”

  Richard knew he was in the same room as the richest man in the world. He shook his head. “With all due respect, Mr. Beck, wealth and intelligence are no match against Simon Sterling. He has the full strength of the United States military at his disposal. How do you plan to go up against something like that?”

  “I will start by recruiting men like you, Chief Petty Officer Richard Dupree. A Navy SEAL seems like the perfect candidate to lead an army.”

  Richard was shocked when Howard revealed the details of his former life to everyone sitting in the room. He didn’t let his surprise show on his face and quickly made the simple deduction that the Founding Father of Artificial Intelligence had the skills to dig up the name of his kindergarten teacher if he wanted to know it.

  “I can’t lead an army,” replied Richard.

  “Mr. Dupree, I know every detail of your past, and I’m not concerned in the least by it. The fact that you’re sitting in front of me speaks volumes to your resourcefulness and cunning.”

  “I can’t lead your army, not when my daughter is lost. I’m taking my son and leaving here and won’t stop until I find her.”

  Howard leaned back in his chair and brushed the long, white hair from his face. “Mr. Dupree, all I ask is that you keep an open mind. I have a proposal that I believe you will find mutually beneficial.”

  Richard nodded his head in acknowledgment. He suddenly realized that Howard Beck hadn’t made eye contact with anyone in the room. Richard made a mental note to find out everything he could about this man, beyond what popular culture had taught him.

  Howard turned to Max. “Chief Harris, I have also taken the liberty to brush up on your resume. Your career has been a rocky one, but your actions as of late prove that you’re a man who will do whatever is necessary to get the job done. You are willing to look out for your fellow man and do what’s right, no matter the cost. You probably think the evacuation of your little town went unnoticed. The lengths you went to in getting your citizens out of harm’s way really impressed me. The fact that you traveled all the way to Beck Estates to attempt a rescue of four innocent people speaks volumes to your bravery. I am also equally impressed that you managed to escape.”

  “I had help,” said Max.

  “And Stacy said by keeping your cool and thinking instead of overreacting, you made it out of there with ease.”

  Like Richard, Max was shocked. How did this man know that he bent over backwards to get his citizens evacuated? How did he know about the gas vouchers? Did he know how horribly wrong it turned out in the end? Max quickly reached the same conclusion Max had – Howard Beck could find out anything about anyone. Max had no doubt that he knew every detail about every man, woman, and child moving into the dormitory wing.

  Howard continued. “Chief Harris, I’m going to extend the same offer to you as well. I already know how my family will answer. I can count on them to stand behind me.”

  Elizabeth leaned forward and looked down the table at Howard. “And what is this offer?”

  Howard smiled, looked at Elizabeth’s face, and quickly looked back down at the table, “Let me show you.” Howard stood up and gestured toward the door. Richard scanned the faces of Howard’s family and could tell that they were just as eager to find out where they were going as he was. They all exited the conference room and walked down a long corridor. They approached a large bay window and looked down into a cavernous enclosure that was at least five stories deep. At the bottom, a large engine resembling a turbine was spinning. It appeared that the entire facility was built around this immense generator.

  As Howard led the group onto a nearby elevator, Max spoke up. “Mr. Beck, what was that large room we just passed? What was that all about?”

  “You just saw the only self-sustaining geothermal generator in the world. It’s fully automated by Hal and can run indefinitely. Well, I shouldn’t say indefinitely, to be exact. It will continue to run as long as the earth’s core maintains its current temperature.” Everyone on the elevator, including Howard’s family, was too shocked for words.

  As the elevator arrived at the bottom floor, the group burst out and headed toward a set of giant double doors.

  “Hal, open the bay doors, please.”

  The doors opened inward to reveal a stadium-sized hanger that could easily hold two football fields. Everyone stood in the doorway in complete and total awe. Row after row of high tech military vehicles sat parked and waiting to be used. Behind those vehicles sat a fleet of large armored vehicles resembling tanks. On the other side of the bay floor, the group could see a row of helicopters and numerous sleek, two person aircraft the size of SUVs. Above the bay floor were two additional floors filled with weapons lockers, fully loaded with the highest quality firearms, including some high tech weapons not available for sale to the public. The top floor was filled with explosives for individual use, as well as large ordinance for the aircraft.

  Howard turned to Richa
rd. “Think we can take on Sterling?”

  Richard looked directly at the old man. Howard was very intimidated by his directness, and took a few steps back. “I’m impressed, Mr. Beck, but you need soldiers to fight a war. None of this will do any good if you don’t have the manpower to use it.”

  Howard smiled. “Leave that to me. Mr. Dupree, I’m offering you the chance to utilize everything you see here, as well as my personal assistance in finding your daughter. The only thing I ask for in return is your help building this army into a fighting force that can restore democracy to this country.”

  Richard took time to consider what he could accomplish with the resources in front of him before responding. “Mr. Beck, I’m definitely interested, but I have a lot of questions that need answers before I agree to anything.”

  “Exactly the answer I’d hoped for. Cautious and reserved. I’m certain I can convince you to join the fight. I look forward to some one-on-one time with you.” Turning his attention to Max, Howard asked, “Mr. Harris, are you and Miss Reid ready to help restore law and order? We can use good people like you to lead this fight. Mr. Harris, you graduated from the academy at the top of your class and had a stellar career in front of you. I hope you’ve been able to work through your issues and are ready to show all of us your true potential.”

  Max was almost in tears. “Mr. Beck, I’m overwhelmed by this. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Honey, all you have to do is say yes; it’s that simple.” Elizabeth held Max’s hand and squeezed it tight.

  Max extended his hand to Howard, who took it, despite his discomfort. Howard had not shaken another man’s hand in decades.