Dealing with the Fallout
After Brogan left the stage, the general sat in his chair for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. How do I respond to what Brogan said? Then, he stood up, turned on his throat mike and spoke to the now muttering crowd.
“Book Liberators, what you heard from the first White Warrior is an expression of exactly what we are fighting for: the freedom to say and do what we think is right. I believe Brogan is right. There is undoubtedly more than one way to fight the evil empire and gain back our freedoms.
“One way requires soldiers like you and me to fight with guns and whatever weapons we can get our hands on. Another way might well necessitate a non-violent approach like what Brogan is proposing. I’ll admit, I’ve never really thought about it before, but maybe it is time we consider adding another method to bring down the empire and restore our freedoms.”
As the murmurs started up again, he held up his hands for quiet. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m still a soldier, like you. I still believe we need to crush the empire’s military and defend ourselves. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider adding another approach to our arsenal, a non-violent one.
“Frankly, I have too much respect for Brogan to dismiss what she wants to do without giving it serious consideration. With that in mind, I intend to have more discussions with her on the topic before throwing it out entirely. Undoubtedly, you will be hearing more about this approach later. So, until then, you are dismissed.”
As he turned around from the podium, the first thing he saw was Stephen. He still sat in his chair, white-faced, his fists and jaw clenched. Is he going to have a heart attack? He doesn’t look good.
“Stephen are you okay?” the general asked as he moved toward him.
Stephen looked up and then stood, his body rigid with anger. In a voice filled with rage, he said, “How could she do this? She has betrayed everything we stand for; everything we are fighting for. She has betrayed my son. He died for this cause. I thought she loved him. Obviously not. She will pay for this betrayal.”
He started to stride angrily off the stage, but the general grabbed his arm.
“Wait a minute, Stephen. Aren’t you being just a little bit harsh? You know how much she loved Bryan and she would never do anything to betray him. Stop and think. Isn’t it possible she is just exhausted from everything she has endured? Maybe we just need to give her some time.”
Stephen wrenched his arm away from his grasp. “I know her. She didn’t just decide this on the spur of the moment. Maybe she was brainwashed in that slave camp or something. Maybe somebody got to her. Regardless, she is no longer a Book Liberator. She is a traitor and she should suffer a traitor’s punishment.”
“Whoa. You can’t mean that, Stephen. Cut out her tongue? She hasn’t betrayed us to anybody. She hasn’t killed any of us. Don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”
“No, I don’t. And if you can’t see that maybe you aren’t the right one to be leading us anymore.”
With those words, Stephen stomped off the stage, his rage surrounding him like a black cloud. The general could only shake his head. He was startled when he felt a hand on his arm. It was Dr. Schneider.
“General, sir?”
“Yes, Professor, what is it?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about what Brogan said. And I think one of the projects I’ve been working on just might help with what she is trying to do. Do you want me to talk to her about it or do you want to?”
“Are you talking about the AI project?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How do you think that would help?”
“Think about it. The key to an effective artificial intelligence is its ability to problem solve, right? I haven’t told you, but I’ve been able to miniaturize the components on the AI small enough it can go on to a hand-held, like the communication pod. Eventually, I hope for it to be even smaller. If Brogan and her family, clan, or whomever, had the AI hand-held, they would be able to make fast decisions and solve problems on how best to defeat the empire in non-violent ways, based on certain mathematical algorithms’, statistical data, historical data...”
“Whoa. Hold on, professor. You lost me already. The only thing I think I understand is that you think the mini-AI might be able to help Brogan and her followers make decisions which will ultimately help defeat the empire in non-violent ways. Am I right?”
Herbert’s face lit up. “Bingo! That’s exactly what I said. Might not happen overnight. In fact, it might take years. Plus, I think the mini-AI – I like that name by the way – will help you plan battle strategies, too. You add that to my other project, the gamma ray weapons, and I think we might eventually be able to defeat the enemy using both approaches.”
The general slapped the professor on the back so hard the small man staggered. “Oops, sorry about that, professor. Great work and great ideas. You go back to your research lab and see how quickly you can get that mini-AI and gamma ray thingy ready for use and I’ll talk to Brogan. Okay?”
“Absolutely, sir.” And the professor took off on his short legs, almost running in his eagerness to get back to work.
Chapter Sixteen
Love and a Decision
As Brogan limped along beside him toward the large robo-limousine, Mac’s heart was bursting with love for this incredible woman. His big hand gently squeezed her hand where it rested on his arm. Because he alternated between working for the Book Liberators and Papa Marco, he rarely wore a regulation rebel uniform. Today he wore some simple navy-blue tunic and slacks.
“Where to now, boss?
Brogan gave an exaggerated sigh, but smiled when she said, “How many times do I have to tell you. I’m not your boss. I told Max that when I was the White Warrior. I told you and Herbert when we were on the run.”
He patted her hand. “You just go ahead and think what you want, boss.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed. His heart swelled as he heard it and decided he was going to make sure she laughed more.
He helped her into the limo. Emily, Frank, Allison, Marco, and his parents scooted in after her. He quickly moved around to the driver’s seat. “Where to, boss?”
Brogan laid her head back against the luxurious leather, closed her eyes and said quietly, “Can we just go back to the hotel, please?”
Everyone agreed, and Mac programmed the robo-limo accordingly. Papa Marco had reserved a suite of rooms at the exquisite Four Seasons in the old section of Mexico City, only a few blocks away from the auditorium. Since it was Emily’s first trip to Mexico City, they were planning a side trip the next day to show her the sights.
Mac monitored the robo-limo’s progress as he surreptitiously glanced in the rear-view mirror at Brogan. She looked exhausted. That speech took a lot out of her. It took a lot of guts, too. His heart swelled with pride and love as he thought about the courage it took for her to say what she did. He wasn’t a man who thought deeply about things, but rather reacted; “going with his gut,” as his dad used to say. So, what Brogan said to the crowd made him really think for the first time about violence breeding more violence and to consider the question she raised of whether there was another way to defeat the enemy.
He wasn’t sure what Brogan meant about moving away and starting a clan, or something. But he knew for certain he wanted to be a part of it. But is that because I’m in love with her, or is it because I believe in what she is saying?
He wasn’t sure if he could honestly answer his own question. The only reason he initially joined the BL rebels in Boston City was for revenge. When his wife and son were killed by the emperor’s troopers in a raid on their village more than 15 years ago, all he could think about for years was killing them for what they did.
But over the last few years, he came to realize he did not like violence. As big as he was, he often was challenged to fights by rebel soldiers, but he always turned them down. Maybe that’s why he relied on explosives during his early days as a BL rebel. He was far away when the explos
ions occurred. He rarely saw the toll his explosives took on human lives.
When he traveled with Brogan and Herbert after destroying the nuclear generating station, he was forced to kill soldiers with a gun for the first time. He hated it. Maybe that’s why he decided to become a pilot when he arrived in Mexico City; to distance himself from the killing. Now maybe he would have a chance to impact government change, but without violence.
As the limo pulled up in front of the hotel, Mac hopped out and opened the doors for everyone. He helped Brogan up the stairs into the lobby and then re-programmed the limo to the parking garage. When he returned to the lobby, he saw the entire group had entered the dining area, situated to the left of the lobby. He could see them through the huge windows facing the street. He hesitated, not sure if he should join them. Brogan looked up and saw him, waving him in.
With his trademark grin, he sauntered into the fancy restaurant. He wasn’t used to such luxury, but he was a pretty good mimic so thought he could figure everything out by just watching everyone. There was a vacant seat next to Emily, so he sat down. This would be a chance to get to know Brogan’s daughter in a social setting. Other than being in the noisy helicopter together, it was the extent of their contact.
“How are you, Emily?”
“Great, Mr. MacArthur.”
“Whoa! What’s with the Mr. stuff. That was my dad. Please, call me Mac.”
“You got it, Mac!” she replied with a beautiful smile.
She had her mother’s smile and eyes. She is going to be a real heart breaker someday: sooner rather than later, he was sure.
“What have you been doing since I saw you last?”
“After mom started feeling better, I felt okay about leaving her, so Papa Marco and Maria have been showing me around Tegucigalpa. It is a very interesting city. It is huge, compared to Cosala, so it has taken me a while to get used to it. Not as big as Mexico City, but I love it now. There is so much to see and do. There are hundreds of barrios, many with people from different languages and cultures.
“Papa insists someone always goes with me because there is also a pretty high crime rate, but Mateo taught me a lot of self-defense moves so I can take care of myself. I speak Spanish, but some of the dialects take some work to understand.”
Emily stopped for a breath and then looked at Mac with wide eyes. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I do tend to ramble on and on.”
Mac laughed. “No problem. I enjoy listening to you. Have you and your mother been able to spend a lot of time together? And what do you think about what she said today?”
He looked over at Brogan. She was deep in conversation with her father, so he figured it was okay to ask Emily the question. He turned back to Emily. Before she could answer the server-robot arrived to take their orders. It was a few minutes before they got back to the conversation.
“So, what did you think about your mother’s speech, Emily?” Mac asked again.
Mac was surprised at the young woman’s obviously well-thought-out answer. “I’m not sure I agree with her. I’m very angry at the empire and the things done to my mother and father; angry enough I really would like to tear them limb from limb.”
The beautiful girl said the gruesome comment in such a calm, matter-of-fact way, Mac was totally shocked for a moment. He wasn’t sure how to reply. Then she smiled her Brogan-smile at him and calmly said, “Someday, the empire will pay.”
And then she picked up her glass of lemonade and took a dainty sip. Mac shivered at the cold words and the hatred he could see in her eyes when she said it. He took a deep breath.
“Doesn’t that kind of go against everything your mother just said?” he asked quietly.
“Oh, yes, it does. But, my mother doesn’t know how I feel.” She looked up at him, suddenly looking very young again. “And you won’t tell her, will you? Let’s just make it our little secret, okay?”
He glanced over at Brogan. She was looking at the two of them with an odd expression on her face.
“I don’t know, Emily. I think what you are feeling is important to discuss with her. You might be surprised at how understanding she can be. She told me what she went through after your Dad died so I know she felt the same way. Promise me you’ll talk to her about how you feel so I don’t have to, okay?”
She thought for a moment. “Okay, Mac. I will. But let me talk to her in my own time, okay? Deal?”
“Deal.” He just hoped she wasn’t trying to pull a fast one on him, the minx.
Emily switched the conversation topic to an intelligence chip Papa Marco suggested she try since she had no formal schooling.
“Papa Marco thinks it would help me to catch up on all the subjects and books I haven’t read. What do you think?”
“Boy, that’s a tough one. I never went to a university. Pretty much relied on reading for my education, before the book ban. Guess it is probably up to you and your mother. Did Papa Marco say where he got the intelligence chip?”
“Apparently Professor Herbert developed some I-chips to use with a top-secret project he is working on. Papa Marco is helping him somehow so that’s how he knows about it.”
“If you got this I-chip thing, then what would you do? You are what, 17 years old?”
“Just about ready to turn 18. I’m thinking about joining the rebel army.”
“Does your Mom know that?”
“No, we haven’t talked about it. I guess she kind of assumed I’d go with her on this trek of hers; wherever that’s going to be.”
“Since you two have been separated for so long, don’t you think it would be a good idea to talk to her about it?”
“I guess you’re right,” Emily said with a sigh, “But I don’t think she will understand. We’ve been separated forever, but I’ve already learned she can be pretty stubborn.”
“Oh, and you aren’t?”
Emily blushed and grinned. She looked so much like her mother at this moment.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe I need to talk to her about it.”
“Hey, I know we’re just getting to know each other, and all, but sometimes compromise is a good tactical move; something you would need to learn as a rebel soldier. So, if your mother is opposed, do you think there might be compromise somewhere in that pretty head of yours?”
Emily looked up at him with wide eyes. “You think I’m pretty?”
“Yes, I do. I’m sure you look just like your mother did at your age. And I’m also sure you two are a lot alike in other ways, too. What do you think?”
Emily shrugged her shoulders and looked a bit dejected for a moment. “You are probably right.”
Just then the food arrived. Before she started to eat, Emily quietly said to Mac, “Thanks for being honest with me, Mac. I’ll really think about what you said. Maybe there is a way to compromise.”
Mac looked over at Brogan. She smiled at him and nodded. Apparently, she had a pretty good idea of what he and Emily discussed. His heart swelled as he thought maybe, just maybe, he did something to help her out. As he dug into the chicken enchiladas, he resolved to follow Brogan, regardless of where she decided to go. But first, he had to let Papa Marco and the general know he wouldn’t be working for them anymore.
Chapter Seventeen
A Life Well-Lived
As he sat at the table with Brogan and the rest of the people he now regarded as his family, Frank couldn’t help but think how blessed he was. He felt fulfilled. Brogan was home. Little Emily had grown into a beautiful young woman. He often carried on conversations in his head with his deceased partner, Emily. Now was one of those times. As he started to tell her how happy he was, he suddenly felt very dizzy. The room around him started to spin. And then he heard screaming.
“Terremoto!” he heard a waiter yell in Spanish.
“Earthquake!” Emily started screaming.
“Everybody outside.” Papa Marco yelled. He grabbed Maria and pushed her toward the door, just as a chandelier fell, crashing on to their large
, round table.
Frank found himself lying on the floor, the bottom half of his body under the crushed table. How did I get here? He thought to himself.
There was a rush toward the door by hotel guests and restaurant patrons. But a bottleneck occurred as everyone pushed against the door and they couldn’t get it open. Frank could see Mac, plowing his way through the struggling mass of bodies and jerking the door open, using his huge arms to keep people from trampling Brogan and the rest of the family as they exited the building. Marco held on to Allison and followed Mac through the doors.
Why is everything getting dark? Frank asked himself. He felt no pain, only peace. He could see through what remained of the windows, Brogan frantically looking around for Emily. Fortunately, her height made her easy to see on the outskirts of the crowd. As though everything moved in slow motion, he could see Brogan and the rest of the family huddled in the middle of the street, away from the falling debris.
Frank knew he was badly hurt and wondered why he felt no pain. As he dreamily thought about trying to move toward the family outside, he saw his beloved partner, Emily, walking toward him. She looked so beautiful. She was smiling. He stood up and reached for her hand. And then the world around him just disappeared.
Outside the hotel, Brogan screamed for her daughter, “Emily!” Over the sounds of buildings collapsing and other screams, Emily turned at the sound of her mother’s voice. She tried pushing her way through the mob, but it was hopeless. Emily was being pushed further and further away from her mother.
Mac managed to get free from the struggles at the door and since he was still at the top of the stairs, he could see what was happening. Like a football linebacker, he barreled his way through the crowd toward Emily. He grabbed her and pushed their way through the mob toward Brogan.
After Brogan and Emily were reunited, Mac looked around to see if everyone was okay. Papa Marco was holding Maria up, who appeared to have a nasty gash on her head. Brogan looked around but saw no sign of her father.
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