Through the Eyes of the Phoenix

by Martin W Francis

  Chapter 6

  All Good Things…

  -1-

  In November news reached us that J23 had been unsuccessful in clinical trials with Fallen. They attempted various quantities of the dose being given among many other ways of administering it. Despite all the science and knowledge at their fingertips, nothing seemed to completely shut down the system of the undead subjects. Securing a factory as previously planned would be a complete waste of time it appeared. One of the scientists suggested that the Fallen in the United Kingdom might have a variant or evolved strand of the virus. Sergio was tasked with acquiring undead from North America so they could test to find if there were noticeable differences in the virus structure. If they could isolate the difference they believed it might be possible to create a J24 antivirus for the U.K. They also wanted to run similar tests of J23 on Fallen from North America to see if J23 would at least be used to finish off the ones here. While they did find slight differences between the undead, the tests with J23 on the Fallen from North America were also unsuccessful. Basically all that J23 would be good for was as an antidote if bitten by the undead. Human trials showed that it worked for seven out of ten people that it was given to after bitten. They politely asked if Jess would return to New London for more blood samples and a few other tests.

  -2-

  Amy wasn’t feeling well around the time they were supposed to go to New London. She came down with a bad case of the Stomach Flu that was going around with the kids at school. Unable to attend, Sandra and I were invited to make the trip with Jessie.

  The wall and the thousands of Fallen were exactly as they had been described to us. Sandra and I spent a lot of time hanging out with Princess Charlotte during our stay. She is about seven years older than I am so there isn’t a huge age difference. She is sweet, gorgeous, and intelligent. There is always something new to discuss or things to do when we are with her. I absolutely love the accents that almost everyone over here seems to have.

  One evening while we were at a royal banquet the ground seemed to shake. There was a loud rumbling noise from outside. Sergio entered the room hurrying over to Jess across the table from us. He whispered something in her ear. Looking around I saw that others were similarly whispering into the ears of the King and the President. I saw a look of fear in each of their eyes. King William stood overlooking those attending the banquet. Silence enveloped the room as it became clear that he had something important to say.

  “I would ask that everyone remains calm despite the news of peril I must share. There has been a terrorist attack by someone within the New London. An explosive device has created a large opening in the city walls. The entrances to Buckingham will shortly be blockaded. We are trying to save as many civilians as we can in the meantime. Helicopters will begin evacuating everyone from the Quadrangle. This will be a long process so please have patience. There is no need for panic. Please stay calm so that matters do not become worse than they already are. Everyone is completely safe here inside the Palace.”

  Jess was already quickly walking around the table during the middle of his speech. She bent down whispering for us to follow her. Others were beginning to stand as we rose from our seats. No one in the room made an uproar or ran. Everyone seemed to be in some kind of slow motion trance. We were the only ones that moved somewhat hurriedly. We continued to follow behind Jess all the way to the front entrance. Dozens of people were entering while we alone exited Buckingham Palace. Once outside we changed pace to a jog, then a run. We went straight to the park where the helicopters were at. One of the choppers were already running. We hopped inside securing ourselves before lifting off.

  “What about our luggage? Someone going to bring them later? Not that it matters, just curious,” I asked.

  Sergio pointed in the direction of the back of the chopper with his thumb.

  “Had men hastily pack your belongings. Might look pretty tacky, but at least they weren’t left behind.”

  Luckily, I had grabbed my journal from its hiding place prior to the banquet. I had planned to take a walk to the garden after eating to write a little. Flying over New London we saw smoke pouring from the south wall. There was a large ten foot gap that Fallen were pouring through in droves. We were low enough that we could see civilians being attacked. Others were simply surrounded cut-off from even making an attempt to leave their homes or businesses. We hovered watching as hundreds turned into thousands within the walls. Sergio who had been entranced finally noticed the terrified looks on our faces. He spoke over his radio to the pilot telling him to get us out of here.

  I fell asleep not long after taking off in a plane back to North America. I dreamt of those trapped in their homes. I relived up close those that lost their lives attempting to escape to the Palace. I saw things that most in the past world would be in therapy for their entire lives after witnessing. There was nothing I could do to change the things I saw. Honestly not sure if they were visions or simply a nightmare brought about by what I had seen from the helicopter. I awoke shortly after landing at the airport back in the States. During that layover, news was transmitted to us that around a thousand people were still in the process of being evacuated from Buckingham. Attempts were also being made to rescue anyone that could make it to their rooftops throughout New London. They were all being moved to Windsor Castle which was one of several secured locations the Royal Family owned.

  Here it was already late in the evening becoming dark outside. Everyone seemed jetlagged (the term mom used) so we stayed the night at the airport. While the others slept, I sat in a break room writing in my journal. Not positive how Amy had found out about the explosion in New London, but she was waiting on us at Fort Stockton when we arrived the following day. She wasn’t in the least sick any more. She was however worried sick about us since hearing the news through Aurora via Seth. She knew that we had immediately flown out, but she was worried something else might have happened since then. We eventually made it safely back home that afternoon.

  -3-

  Not long after the ordeal in New London, Sandra and I finally discussed setting a date to get married. We began planning everything out. With the help of our families it all seemed to fall into place. We got married in February. It wasn’t grand, but it was perfect!

  Everyone was lost in blissful happiness here in Alpine celebrating. Elsewhere things were transpiring unbeknownst to us that would change all our lives. Word got out that we had a cure. Rumors that we had no intention of sharing it with the other communities spread like wildfire. The fact that we had not yet mentioned it to them was the fuel the rumor needed to burn. It is uncertain where or how it all began. Some communities joined the growing militia for no other reason than they knew we had recently acquired a large cache of supplies. By the time we became aware something was stirring, several communities were already gathering together for a war counsel. They were under the impression that since we had kept J23 a secret that they would do the same with their amassing army until they were in our backyard. Whoever was monitoring satellite feed and radio chatter for us eventually caught on to the irregularities arising in one specific location. Sergio was beating on my parent’s front door within the hour of being relayed the information. A town meeting was shortly after called by Roberto (he was running things since the election). He explained to everyone exactly what was happening. Some of the people who had been our friends and family for all these years turned on Jess. They suggested that we give them the cure. They even mentioned handing over Jess if that was what it took to secure the safety of the city.

  Roberto responded directly to those shouting out what they thought.

  “And if they come back the next year demanding we give them all our supplies, our homes, our children? Do you not understand what happens once you give in to oppression or demands? Is Jessie not part of our family?”

  A voice cried out from the audience, “What are we supposed to do against so many? What other choice do we have?”

  “
We will make every attempt to work things out peacefully. Hopefully there is someone among them who will listen to reason. However, we as a community need to know who will stand with us if talking fails. Who among all of you will fight and even die if necessary to protect our future?”

  There was an uproar as people began shouting amongst themselves. It was apparent that there was a division within the Alpine community on how to proceed. Hearing all the ugly words was utterly infuriating me. I have never been a person that enjoyed public speaking. For that matter I even detested reading or singing aloud around others (especially if not immediate family). Today I didn’t give a rat’s ass that there was a large crowd or who I offended. I stood up making my way to the front of the room. No doubt my anger was invisibly lashing out as I moved forward. Voices seemed to quiet or all together drop as I moved past them. Roberto’s eyes got large when he saw me making my way up the steps. Even he took a small step back when I came near. He covered the microphone whispering so that only I could hear him.

  “You want to address the crowd Ember?”

  “Yes, I have a few things I would like to say.”

  He removed his hand from the microphone clearing his throat in the process. He spoke loudly enough for those still talking to hear.

  “Please bring yourselves to order. Ember would like to address the community.” He glanced over to me one more time to make certain I was sure. I nodded my head. He adjusted the microphone for me before stepping away. “It’s all yours.”

  Throughout the entirety of the room all faces in the crowd were looking up at me. Among them were my real family. Sandra was biting on her lip. Amy was hugging Jess’s arm tightly. My aunts and uncle were sitting attentively. They were curious to see what their little niece had to say. I took a deep breath calming myself the best I could. I let the words come to me freely as I spoke.

  “I never knew the world before the Fallen walked among us. I have never called any place home other than Alpine. Each and every one of you have always been my family. I grew up playing with your children. I ate with you, learned from you, cried with you, laughed with you, and so much more. Every single person here is a part of what made me who I am today. You are the heroes I’ve looked up to. You are the ones that showed me the differences between right and wrong, how to survive, and how to tie my shoes. I intimately understand your fears, sorrows, losses, and hardships.” I waited a moment for them to really take in my words. “All of that being said, I am immensely hurt and ashamed to call you my family. Those talking of handing over my mother to save yourselves. Those taking of giving others that are as bad as raider whatever they demand. You are nothing more than backstabbing cowards who don’t even deserve the life you were given. Your hearts are as vile and rotted as any Fallen outside our walls.” I glared out at them hoping that one of them would make a snide comment. There was not a single word spoken in the time that passed. “However, those of you who stand with us will always hold a place in my heart. I would gladly give my life for the individuals that have the courage and adversity to do what all of you know in your hearts is right. These people are the ones I will continue to call my family despite your revolting words I heard today. If you choose to cower in your homes that is completely acceptable too. If you do though, don’t expect to ever speak a word to me in the future. Don’t bother even looking in my direction because you will no longer exist to me. Let’s be clear about one little thing. If you stand against us or ever again suggest conspiring to hand over my mother, then you damn well better sleep with one eye open. If she doesn’t come for you, I will! That’s a promise!”

  As I made my way to leave the stage, clapping and cheers began surmounting becoming louder with each step I took. Not a single person left the town meeting if for any other reason than they would be shunned by the entire community if they did. Roberto stepped back up to the microphone.

  “Words of wisdom can come from the old or the young. I have never heard words spoken so deeply from the heart as I have today. The courage to speak as she did was not just learned from Jess or Amy. She has learned and seen that courage in all of you. Will you be there for her? Will you be there for this community if needed?”

  The cheers got even louder. Woops and whistles reverberated throughout the building. Seeing Sandra’s goofy smile as I walked cheered me up immediately. I returned the smile sticking out my tongue at her. I kissed her on the cheek as I took my seat. I could see my mothers looking in my direction also smiling. Jess was holding her hand over her heart. She silently mouthed ‘I love you’ which I signed back to her in sign language.

  -4-

  Contact was attempted multiple times with the other communities through radio bands. Sergio sent out a couple messengers to make to direct contact. They never returned when they were assigned to do so. He offered to move the civilians from Alpine to Fort Stockton as a precaution. His offer was politely rejected. We began making preparations at that point to ready ourselves for the impending battle that was coming. Sergio called in all the troops that he could from the North American area. Even after his men joined our forces in Alpine, we were still outnumbered according to satellite feed. The enemy militia had a few aerial vehicles. Among Sergio’s men there were seven pilots. Only one of them had enough experience to fly a fighter jet. The real threat to the pilots would be whatever land-to-air missiles they might have in their arsenal.

  We saw the first wave in April. Three helicopters and a small fighter plane were eviscerated when they showed up on radar. Our jet pilot made short work of them. Two more weeks passed wondering what their next move would be. A single chopper entered our airspace late at night. Their stealth attempt was a huge failure, so we thought. Turned out that they were monitoring radar at the time nearby which they had acquired after the destruction of their previous aircraft. They tracked back the origin of the jet to the airport in Salt Flat. They hit the airport about a week later. They devastated it taking out the two jets and the few soldiers stationed there including the jet pilot. General Ortiz was beyond reconciliation. We were aware that without aerial superiority that we were highly susceptible to a war with overwhelming odds stacked against us. A couple of the families in Alpine vanished into the night. It was presumed that they defected. They could possibly be telling the enemy our weaknesses for all we knew.

  Roberto called a private meeting with Jessie, Sergio, Sandra, and myself.

  “The enemy is projected to attack within the next three days from what we can tell. Alpine needs to be on the highest alert possible. Our defenses are good, but only time will tell how this will end,” Sergio stated.

  “We have plenty of supplies to hold out throughout the year if necessary. Hopefully they aren’t prepared for a long campaign. If we can hold them off for a while they may have no other choice than to leave. It won’t be easy, but could work.” Roberto commented.

  “We need more guard detailed on the walls at all times. We also need to make a few changes to defenses just in case the enemy is now aware of what they are walking into. Wouldn’t hurt to have a few extra surprises. Give everyone double rations for the next week since we have plenty to spare. We need to assign new schedules for the runners. They will be providing support runs inside the walls to the soldiers for ammunition, medical, meals, or anything else they might need,” Jess remarked.

  “I’m glad that someone with your experience and leadership is here to help out. I don’t know what I would do without you Jess,” said Roberto.

  “No problem Roberto. Just doing what I can to help. Before we discuss further details, let’s get to why we have invited the girls here. Shall we?”

  “Yes, of course. Ember. Sandra. We have a priority mission for the two of you. It is necessary to have both a runner and someone with security detail for this matter. It is of the highest importance…”

  “Sergio, you’re long winded. Girls we need you to move the antivirus and documentation to a more secure location. There is a hidden vault with a safe behind the gran
dfather clock at Rye’s house in Lubbock. You’ll have to watch out for Fallen, but also avoid getting caught by the enemy. We believe their encampment is somewhere in between here and there so make a wide detour. Any decent army will have scouts watching the roads and exits. You’ll have to sneak out under the cover of nightfall.”