Resistance Rising

by Matthew Savage

  “I got a water once,” Nolan said. Which came off more sarcastically than he had intended.

  He didn’t look up from the paper he was reading, however. The report he was reading concerned a growing possibility of independent cells of militia. It seemed to Nolan that the D.I had people with similar beliefs but for whatever the reason they didn’t join the Insurgents. This was what he was looking for. This was better than target to hit. They needed more people to join in the fight against the government.

  “Private!” Lieutenant Carol yelled. He hadn’t paid attention to the first several times she had called for him. This was more serious and it pulled Nolan out of his work.

  “I am sorry Lieutenant. I have been working on something,” He paused and tried to remember if the Lieutenant asked him something. “Did you need something, Lieutenant?”

  “You haven’t left this seat.”

  “I know- I…” He fumbled over his words. “I just need something to do.”

  Lieutenant Carol seemed to scan Nolan. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. After a long glance at him she spoke. “Your work here is done.”

  “I got to finish-”

  “That was an order,” Lieutenant Carol said. Interrupting whatever excuse he was going to give. She put her hands on her hips. “You need a break. Tomorrow you will break for lunch also.”

  Nolan smirked. “Yes Ma’am.”

  Nolan organized his work before he left. He left the intelligence office and made his way towards the elevator. As he stood waiting the doors opened and Karli was in the elevator. Karli smiled a wide smile when she realized it was Nolan waiting to get on.

  “This is a surprise,” Nolan said.

  “What are you doing out this late?” Karli asked.

  “I am getting out of work. What are you doing out?”

  “Got my leg looked at. The doctor said it is getting better.”

  “That is good.” He paused for a moment. “Were you doing anything now?” Nolan asked. He hoped she wasn’t going to try and get to bed early. He would have really like to spend some time not looking at papers at the moment.

  “I was just heading back,” Karli said.

  “Oh- Alright,” Nolan said. He didn’t do a good job at hiding his disappointment. Nolan hit the button for his floor. The elevator was silent.

  “I could do something,” Karli said. “Did you have something in mind?”

  “It is the first night without Sarah being here. Didn’t want to be alone.” Nolan said, a little embarrassed.

  Karli smiled at Nolan. It wasn’t long before they arrived at Nolan’s floor. The elevator doors opened and they walked towards his room. As they walked down the hall Nolan looked into the passing rooms, he could see soldiers sitting on beds and talking to each other. Everyone tired to get the most from their downtime. From behind Nolan, he heard someone call out.

  “Neil!” the soldier said.

  Nolan’s stomach dropped and he turned around so fast he almost knocked over Karli. She seemed confused for a moment. Nolan realized that the person was calling for his friend. Nolan felt pressure in his chest. He wanted to go to his room.

  “Is everything alright?” Karli asked concerned. It didn’t seem to bother her that Nolan had almost knocked her over.

  Nolan, ignoring her, spun and rushed to his room. Karli struggled to keep up with Nolan. Nolan rustled with his key before getting the door open. He was hyperventilating. He took off his shirt in an attempt to catch his breath. He suddenly felt a hand on his back and it startled him. He had forgotten that Karli was in the room with him. Tears formed in his eyes. He embraced Karli.

  “I am so sorry,” He tried to explain. “I don’t know what happened. I didn’t expect to hear his name.”

  Understanding coming into Karli’s face. She looked into his eyes. Putting her hand on his face.

  “He is gone,” Nolan stammered. “I am never going to see him again. We don’t even… We don’t even…” Nolan started to cry. “We don’t even have his body.” He wiped his eyes. Nolan knew the prison was destroyed by the USSB when they retreated which meant his father’s body was most likely burnt in the fire. Nolan felt as if he was overwhelmed with grief. “How do I go on?” Nolan asked. He wasn’t really asking Karli, just asking the question aloud.

  “I don’t know. I suppose you just keep moving,” She wiped the tears from his eyes. “It has been hard on everyone. Lots of us lost friends. I think everyone is wondering how to continue.”

  “This wasn’t how I thought tonight would go,” Nolan said as he grabbed a tissue and blew his nose.

  “Neither did I. I don’t mind though,” Karli said and met Nolan’s eyes.

  Nolan chuckled. “You don’t mind?”

  “I get to spend time with you.” She said. Her voice had been nearly a whisper.

  Nolan seemed to calm down and took her hand. He wanted to kiss her but at this moment it didn’t seem right. They made small talk for some time before Karli looked at her watch realizing how late it was she stood.

  “I should get going,” Karli said. She moved to leave but Nolan stopped her.

  “Stay,” Nolan said.

  He didn’t want to be alone. Karli looked at him for a moment before nodding her head. Nolan didn’t think this was against any type of rule. After all, him and Sarah were sharing a room. Why wouldn’t he be able to do the same with Karli?

  Nolan gave Karli some old shorts and a shirt to sleep in. They both crawled into bed. Nolan put his arm around her and she pulled him closer. Being this close to her he could almost feel every curve of her body. He had never slept in the same bed with someone. He could feel her body heat and smell her hair. She was holding his hand in front of her and she pulled it in close as if cuddling with his arm. His arm was touching her breast. He tried not to think about it. He closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

  Nolan was startled when he felt someone in his bed move. He awoke suddenly and sat up. He had forgotten that Karli was next to him. Nolan looked at Karli who was sound asleep. He thought she looked so beautiful and peaceful. He knew he didn’t look like that when he slept. Nolan had dreams of his father, Major Fulton was beating Neil in front of Nolan. No matter what Nolan did in the dream he couldn’t get to his father. He wanted nothing more than to hurt Major Fulton. Nolan vowed that while his team was gone he would search for Major Fulton. When his team came back he would have information for them and they could go get the Major.

  Karli grabbed Nolan’s hand. Her eyes slowly opened. Nolan couldn’t help but smile at her. She looked at the clock and lay face up. She closed her eyes and Nolan knew what she was thinking before she even spoke.

  “I don’t want to move,” Karli said. Nolan smiled. He didn’t want to make her move. She groaned and sat up. She went into the bathroom and changed into her clothes from the night before. “I gotta head back to my room. Can I see you later?” She asked

  “Of course,” Nolan said.

  She hugged him. She held him tight, It felt like the hug lasted an hour. Nolan didn’t want to let go. He almost didn’t. She pulled away from him and left the room. Nolan lay in bed. He rolled over and looked at the spot where she was. He could still smell her on the bed. He smiled picturing she was still there. After a few short minutes, he got up and got ready. His shoulder was feeling better. He was going to head to the medical bay and get his bandage changed before breakfast.

  The elevator ride was long. Even more people had arrived at the base. Which meant the elevator took more stops. Several times he was pressed hard against the side of the elevator. With his arm wrapped people didn’t seem to want to get near him. Several of the soldiers would glance at him. Some of the new recruits had asked him directions to different rooms. Nolan was surprised how much he knew. He still felt like a ‘new guy’ but being with the D.I as long as he had been, and fighting in a battle, seemed to make him a veteran. Soldiers even seemed to know who he was. They would greet him as he walked past. Nolan had no idea what he ha
d done to get so much recognition.

  Nolan made it to the medical bay. A nurse showed him to a bed. She closed the curtain around him and said the Doctor would be in soon. To Nolan’s pleasure, Doctor Edwards came in to see him. Nolan knew there were other Doctors but it seemed that he always got Doctor Edwards. “Nolan, how is the arm doing?” Doctor Edwards said. He was looking at his chart. Nolan didn’t know he even had a chart.

  “It seems to be doing better. A bit sore.”

  “The soreness will be there for a while. It is healing so that is expected.” He started unwrapping Nolan’s wound. “I think we can put something lighter on it. The medication is really helping it heal faster. I wouldn’t recommend you do anything to straining on it still. You shoot with the other arm right?”

  “I do.”

  “Good. You can keep training but go easy.”

  “Excellent.” Nolan was pleased to hear that. He wanted to get back into the range. He needed to be sharp for when he would come face to face with Major Fulton again.

  “How are you feeling?” Doctor Edwards asked.

  “Like I said it is a little sore.”

  “No, how are you feeling?” Doctor Edwards said. He seemed to scan Nolan.

  “Fine,” Nolan said.

  Nolan wasn’t sure what he was talking about. He wondered why Doctor Edwards was giving him that look. Nolan wasn’t even sure what that look was.

  “How are you sleeping?” Dr. Edwards asked.

  “I sleep alright.” Nolan was lying. He didn’t sleep alright. The dreams about his father happened every night. Dr. Edwards nodded. Nolan didn’t think he was convinced.

  “Well come back tomorrow and I will take a look at the shoulder.”

  Thank you, Doctor,” Nolan said.

  Nolan put his shirt on and tried not to wince. He left the medical bay and headed to breakfast. He was hungry. Barely eating the day before was taking a toll on him. He scarfed his food down and made his way to the intelligence office. He was once again greeted by Corporal Lynn.

  “You are here early today Private,” Kelly said.

  “I have a lot of work ahead of me,” Nolan said.

  Nolan waited patiently for the secret door to open. When it did he made his way to his office. The Intelligence office was nearly empty, several people were working at desks and two people were looking at a projection screen with the map of the United States on the wall. They were marking locations on the map. Nolan wondered what they were doing, but he put it out of his mind. He had a job to do. He sat at his desk. He wasn’t sure where to start looking for the Major. He went on the D.I’s database. It was crude for sure but they had some information. President Marshal had given limited information to the public about nearly everything. This meant finding someone who did what Major Fulton did, not easy.

  Nolan managed to find that Major Fulton had been put in charge of the Midwest Region of the United States. It seemed that his predecessor lost the position after an incident some years previous. It doesn’t state what the incident was but it seemed that whatever happened ended his career. Nolan tried to find out who he was but information seemed to stop after he lost his job. Nolan wondered if this meant he was executed. Given the government’s recent history it seemed like this wasn’t out of the question. Nolan couldn’t seem to find where his permanent base of operations was. Few people were keeping a close eye on him. This meant reports of his whereabouts were limited unless the Major did something very public. Nolan found that the Major had executed a D.I operative inside the United States Security Bureau headquarters. It said he ran the prison which Nolan knew was now outdated information. He went through files on USSB agents looking for anything that mentioned Major Fulton. Lieutenant Carol stopped by his desk to check on him.

  “What are you working on?” She asked.

  “I am looking for information on this Major who works for the USSB,” Nolan said. He made it a point this time to face her as they talked.

  “Why this Major?” He was dreading that question. He wasn’t sure what to tell her. “Is he the guy who killed your father?” She asked.

  Did his face give it away or did she already know? He thought. “Yes. He killed my dad right in front of me. He would have killed me if he had been given the chance.”

  “Nolan, lots of people are going to try and kill us. You have to think big picture. Focusing all your efforts on one guy won’t win us the war.”

  “I know, but he has to pay for what he did.”

  “Will that help?”

  “Yes.” He believed that.

  “Will it really though?”

  Nolan was about to answer yes but stopped. He had been focused on his work but never thought about what would happen after he killed Major Fulton.

  “Think about the big picture,” She paused for a moment. “ I came in because Director Moore wishes to see you in his office.”

  Nolan’s stomach dropped. Why would Director Moore want to see him? Was it about his team? Was Sarah alright? A million possibilities were running through his head.

  “Do you know what for?” Nolan asked. He tried to hide the worry in his voice but his cracking voice gave him away.

  “I am not sure. It didn’t seem bad though,” Lieutenant Carol said obviously trying to reassure him.

  Nolan got up from his desk and headed towards Director Moore’s office was on the second floor. Nolan took the stairs and walked to the doors to Director Moore’s office. Director Moore’s office looked out over the agents working. Outside Director Moore’s office was a young secretary with very tan skin, a large nose and dark black hair. Nolan couldn’t place where the man was from.

  “Director Moore wanted to see me. I am Private Hunter.” Nolan said to the secretary.

  The young man buzzed the intercom. “Private Hunter to see you, sir.”

  “Send him in,” Director Moore’s voice said over the intercom.

  Nolan entered the office. It was very plain. There were piles of files but everything seemed organized. Pictures were on the wall of President Marshal along with the governors of each region. Nolan was surprised by this. His face must have said as much because Director Moore laughed when he looked at the pictures.

  “Shocking I am sure. I like to see people’s reaction to seeing them on my wall,” Director Moore said and stepped around his desk to stand next to Nolan. “I like to look at them. Shows me what I am up against. I can’t defeat something if I don’t know my enemy. These people,” Director Moore motioned to the wall. “They are the enemy. The government isn’t a person though it is an enemy. We need government. Without it there is chaos. Government is order and should work for us. This one doesn’t and it is because of these people.”

  Nolan hadn’t given that much thought it. He knew who he was fighting but this was like giving it a face. Nolan could relate. Nolan had his face and the Director had his faces.

  “Is my sister alright sir?” Nolan asked. He wanted to get to the point. Nolan needed to know that she was alright.

  “Of course. We got a report that they arrived at the boat that will take them to their drop point. Captain Underwood reported no problems. Not that he always does of course.”

  Nolan figured this was about the last time they were in Chicago. Even then they weren’t in that deep of trouble. He took it as a good sign that their mission was so far going well.

  “So what is this about. Director?” Nolan asked. He had never been asked to see the Director alone.

  “Yesterday you came across some information about different independent cells of resistance.”

  “Yes, sir,” Nolan replied still not understanding.

  “We got some word from a member of a group in Indiana. This information I think concerned you.”

  “I don’t understand why it would?”

  “Do you have a cousin named Lee?” Director Moore asked. He walked behind his desk to grab the report.

  “I have a second cousin named Lee. Has he been kidnapped by these people?”
Nolan had met Lee at several family parties. That was before his mother had passed. He hadn’t seen Lee since her funeral.

  “It seems that your cousin Lee is leading this group.”

  “Really?” Nolan couldn’t believe it.

  “This group has been doing raids on USSB convoys. It seems they have gained some firepower. The informant told us that they don’t have a lot of supporters but their number has grown and some people sympathize with our cause.”

  “Of course they do. If they didn’t they would be with the government instead. Do they want to join?”

  “No.”

  Nolan was confused. “They sympathize with us but don’t want to join, sir?”

  “That is what I need you to find out. I need you to go to Indiana and make contact with the person who found us. If you can, get your cousin to join our cause.”

  “I think I can do that sir.”

  Chapter 4

  North of the Wall

  The SUV came to a stop at a small port, in the town of Little Lake. Sarah was so excited to get out of the car. In the last couple days they had only stopped to get gas. This made being in a cramped car almost unbearable. Sarah got out of the car and looked around. The town was small considering a number of travelers flocking to take the cruise ship through Lake Superior. The team was going to get onto one of these ships until they reach their ‘drop off’ point. Bad memories crept into her mind from the last time she was on one of these large ships. Much like last time, she would be sharing a room with Steven.

  “We need to split up,” Captain Underwood started. “We have to look like we are going on vacation.”

  “Will we be able to see that wall?” Orson asked.

  “We will go right past it,” Captain Underwood laughed.

  “Perfect!” Orson chuckled.

  “I made contact with command,” Captain Underwood said redirecting the conversation. “They are aware of where we are. From here on out it will be significantly harder to make contact. We will have a small briefing in the cargo area of the ship after we depart from port.” Captain Underwood looked around noticing more people walking past them. “Alright everyone let’s get moving.”