Revolution

by Mark Church

  “Me too,” says Jake.

  “We should get going,” says Amy, “it’s getting late. We can discuss it more tonight.”

  They all nod and mumble in agreement. The group is tired and ready to call it a day. Everything has already been loaded so they are in the trucks and underway in no time. The drive back is peaceful. The fading sun plays hide and seek behind the mountain ridges and peaks as they travel up, down, and around the dips and curves of the highway. When they finally leave the blacktop, their concerns about the encounter begin to fade. The deeper into the woods they go, the more secure they feel. The grade drops considerably as they descend down into their valley. When they finally emerge onto the valley floor, any remaining tensions melt away. It’s as if Mother Earth herself is cradling them in her bosom.

  When they make the final turn heading into the hollow, Kayla sees Shadow and her mate basking in the last bits of sunlight. The dogs jump to their feet and watch the approaching trucks attentively. Just before the trucks reach the dogs, the male, wagging his tail for the first time, retreats to the edge of the woods while Shadow greets the trucks and joyfully begins bounding and barking alongside. Kayla, having noticed the male wagging his tail, thinks happily, “He’s warming up.”

  When they reach the fence, Kayla gets out to open the gate. Shadow rushes her and circles her legs and leans against her for some petting. Kayla gives her a few pats before attending to the gate. Shadow is being true to her name; she’s practically glued to Kayla’s side.

  After the trucks drive into the yard, Kayla closes the gate but remains outside with Shadow. Luke and Emily scramble out of the truck before running to the fence.

  “Can we pet her?” they beg in unison.

  “You need to ask your mom first,” replies Kayla.

  “Mom, mom!” the kids yell, “can we pet the puppies?”

  Gena walks towards the fence. The kids meet her halfway and begin pulling her by the hand as an encouragement to walk faster.

  Arriving at the gate, Gena says, “She looks friendly.”

  Shadow has since rolled onto her back and is enjoying the belly rub that she is receiving from Kayla.

  “She’s really sweet,” says Kayla. “And very pregnant.”

  “I see that,” says Gena opening the gate. “Kids, stay close to me and approach her slowly.”

  Shadow’s tail begins to wag at light speed. Her huge mouth is gaping, and her tongue is lolling out to the side.

  “Look – she’s smiling,” says Luke.

  “I’ll be darn,” laughs Gena. “I think she is.”

  Kayla looks into the distance and sees the male dog standing by himself. He’s wagging his tail and pacing back and forth as if he wants to join them but he’s still a little wary.

  Kayla says to the kids, “Her name is Shadow.”

  “I like Shadow,” says Emily. “Can I pet her?”

  “If your mom says it okay.”

  Both kids look to their mother with a faux frown and, clasping their hands as if to pray, they plead, “Pu-le-e-e-ese!”

  “Okay,” Gena agrees with caution, “but go slowly and be gentle.”

  The children kneel beside the outstretched dog and join Kayla in petting her belly. Shadow is in her glory as she takes turns licking the hand of one child and then the other.

  Gena even bends down and scratches the dog under her chin. Shadow responds by stretching out her neck to allow easier access.

  “She certainly is a sweetie,” says Gena.

  “Isn’t she,” Kayla asks rhetorically. “I want to adopt her, and her boyfriend, but mom said that we need to see how the rest of the group feels about it.”

  “Well,” says Gena. “You’ve got my vote as long as the other one proves to be as sweet as this one.”

  “Thanks, Gena!”

  “No problem. I’m sure that they’ll carry their weight.”

  After a few more pets and pats, they all head back into the yard to help the others transfer their day's bounty into the barn.

  Shadow watches them through the fence for a bit before trotting out to join her mate.

  ✽✽✽

  After their haul has been put away and secured, the group retires to the main house. They all share in meal preparation while discussing their newly discovered neighbors. It’s generally agreed that it’s not wise nor necessary for them all to go this time around. They need to get a better feel for the other group’s intentions before exposing themselves any further.

  It’s finally decided that Jake, John, and Kate will make the trip. They figure to be the best choices since they understand power generation and shortwave communications.

  They plan to depart around 8:00 am after an early breakfast and morning chores. Cole is a bit disappointed about not being selected for the trip but perks up when Kayla asks him if he will show her the Ranger Station. Obviously thrilled by the prospect, Cole defers the decision to Amy and Jake who both consider the request briefly before giving their approval.

  Amy considered inviting herself before deciding that she’d let them have a little space. The others pick up on this, too. As much as Mike and Gena would have liked to tag along, they refrain from inviting themselves.

  Cole and Kayla can barely hide their excitement. An entire day spent together, alone, is rare for anyone at the Refuge much less Cole and Kayla. This is as close to a ‘real’ date as circumstances can allow and they couldn’t be happier. Sunrise can’t come soon enough.

  7 Birth of Dissent

  Ken has made several attempts to contact Hannah in the week since the Ultimate Warrior event. Hannah, still reeling from the horror of the Ultimate Games, has purposely avoided him. She has no interest in dating someone who finds that sport acceptable much less entertaining. Thank goodness she found out about him before things went too far.

  As she is getting ready for bed, Hannah hears a loud knock on her front door. A visitor at this hour is unusual which leads her to believe that Ken is the unwelcome caller. Evidently, he is not giving up without a fight and has shown up to her door to force a conversation.

  Hannah scowls as she crosses the living room, then notices a sealed envelope on the floor near her front door. After stooping to pick it up, she peeks through the peephole to find the hallway empty. Thinking that the letter is probably an apology from Ken, she considers throwing it away before deciding she had better open it to be sure.

  Retrieving a knife from the kitchen, Hannah slits the envelope. She extracts a single sheet of folded paper before laying down the knife and moving to her living room couch. She sits and stares at the folded piece of paper. She no longer senses that it is from Ken. For reasons curious even to her, she’s hesitant to unfurl it. Whether it’s women’s intuition or an unwillingness to face the inevitable, she fears that the letter’s message is about to turn her world upside down.

  Hannah sets aside her concerns and unfolds the paper. The hand printed message reads “I saw you at the stadium and have been watching you since. You aren’t like them; you are like us. If you seek the truth, meet me after work tomorrow at the park near your building.”

  Hannah is momentarily stunned. She wonders, “Watching me? Who’s watching me? For what reason?” A chill runs up her spine. She suddenly feels very exposed and vulnerable.

  After checking the peephole one more time and then double checking the lock, Hannah retires to her bed. Sleep evades her for much of the night as she relives the past week trying to remember anything or anyone unusual. Her efforts are futile. Other than avoiding Ken, this week has been no different from most others. Exhaustion eventually wins out, allowing her a few hours of sleep before she has to get up for work. Any way you slice it, it’s going to be a long and interesting day.

  ✽✽✽

  Hannah’s day goes pretty well in spite of her lack of sleep and ruminations about meeting the mystery person after work. She is torn between concerns for her safety and an intense curiosity. Maybe Ken is setting her up for a confrontation. By th
e end of the day, she finally decides to meet whomever at the specified rendezvous location.

  Hannah arrives at the park and searches the grounds for someone who will fit the cloak and dagger image she has conjured up in her head. The park is relatively small and open so she can see all of its boundaries. Other than a couple of joggers and a woman playing with her children, there is no one else in sight.

  She takes a seat on a bench near the street and waits. After ten minutes of patiently waiting, Hannah begins to suspect that this is all a hoax.

  With each passing minute, her suspicion gains traction. Hannah begins to feel silly for falling for such a ridiculous ruse. Finally convinced she is the butt of someone’s silly joke, she rises from the park bench and turns toward the street. As she walks towards the curb, a small delivery vehicle with DC Catering printed on the side pulls up to block her way.

  The passenger side window rolls down and the woman in the passenger seat orders, “Get in the back.”

  The redheaded woman barking the orders appears to be in her mid-to-late forties. She certainly isn’t a delicate flower. To the contrary, she has a tough look about her. Hannah looks past the woman to see the driver. He is middle aged as well with faded blond hair going grey, and pales eyes that are nervously scanning the area around them.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are and what you want,” Hannah steps back defensively.

  “All in good time but it’s not safe here,” the woman commands. “There are spies everywhere.”

  Taken aback, Hannah exclaims, “Spies!”

  “You’re going to have to take a leap of faith and trust us,” the woman glances around anxiously. “Now, get in.”

  The woman slides open the side door. Hannah looks in the back to find it empty. Her uncertainty causes her to pause.

  “Hurry,” urges the strange woman.

  Startled into action, and against her better judgment, Hannah climbs into the vehicle and, after she takes a seat, the door slides shut.

  “Drive.” The woman mutters to the man behind the wheel.

  The vehicle pulls away from the curb and begins heading down the street.

  “Okay, here I am.” Hannah pushes for calm. “Now, what do you want?”

  “My name is Eva, and this is Carl.” She makes the introductions as if at a cocktail party. The man makes brief eye contact with Hannah in the rear-view mirror and nods.

  “Where are we going?”

  “We are just going to drive around for a while and talk.” Eva continues to look out the front window.

  Trying to control the situation to the best of her ability, Hannah struggles to make her voice sound firm, “Ok – then start talking, I need an explanation – and quick.”

  Eva begins, “Carl and I are part of a group that opposes the current government, the resistance. We refer to ourselves as the International Resistance Coalition or IRC. We are coordinating efforts to fight back against DC’s corrupt government and the people who support it.

  Confused, Hannah interjects, “Are you talking about those who promote the Ultimate Warrior games?”

  “It’s much bigger than that brutal game,” Eva snaps. “I’m talking about mass killings and genocide.”

  “Genocide? What genocide? Against whom?”

  “The common people that survived the war,” explains Eva. “Those individuals the government deemed to be, not only expendable, but a drain on their idealistic version of a new society.”

  “I haven’t seen any evidence that would support your claims.”

  “They try to hide it from us,” Eva sounds thoughtful, “but news of terrible atrocities began trickling in last year.”

  “What do you mean, what atrocities? And where are you getting this information?”

  “People have witnessed these horrible things firsthand, most recently in the RZ’s.”

  “RZ’s?” Hannah appears obviously confused. “I thought RZ’s were places of refuge for people who needed government assistance.”

  “They were supposed to be, but that all changed a few month ago when the government and their hired guns killed every last man, woman, and child in every RZ, worldwide.”

  Hannah’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief, “This can’t be true.”

  “It is true,” Eva confirms. “We have indisputable evidence.”

  Eva began detailing stories of mistreatment and murder, and of course, ‘Operation Purge’.

  Hannah is feeling sick to her stomach. Needing fresh air, she slides open the window and breathes in deeply. She’s forced to face what has been in front of her all along. Questionable things that she has previously brushed off and explained away now seem to add credibility to Eva’s claims.

  “I know this is a lot to drop on you but before I can tell you much more, we have to know that we can trust that you won’t go to the authorities.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “We want you to join us.” Eva rolls into her pitch, “and – we need your connection to Congressman Klinton.”

  “Ken! What does he have to do with this?” This is the last thing Hannah expected to hear.

  “We need to know what he knows,” Eva continues. “As a congressman, he has access to classified information, information that we desperately need.”

  “But I’m not seeing him anymore.”

  “We know, but we need you to patch things up with him.”

  “I can’t do that – I’ve burned that bridge, and I did it because he’s a horrible person just like the rest of the people who enjoy those barbaric games.”

  “I get it.” Eva’s tone turns persuasive. “But the information he can provide is invaluable.”

  “Even if I was willing, I have no idea how to do what you’re asking.” The whole idea is preposterous to Hannah. She’s a simple teacher taking on a Mata Hari role.

  “There’s not that much to know,” Eva points out, “and you have good instincts. We learned a lot about you in the last week. We’ve researched your background and we know how you ended up in DC. You were in the right place at the right time. Unlike most here, you aren’t an elite.”

  The look on Hannah’s face speaks volumes. She is a bit scared but still intrigued.

  Sensing that Hannah needs a bit more convincing to close the deal, Eva begins persuading Hannah of her unique qualifications. “Hannah, you’re not like them. You’re like us, and humanity needs you.”

  After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Hannah takes the first step to agreeing, “I need to know your end game before I can give it any more consideration.”

  Eva looks at Carl. After a brief pause, Carl nods his head.

  Turning back to Hannah, Eva lays out the basics, “We want to take out the government leadership, civilian and military, as well as anyone who supports them. We want to go back to a government structure that is run by the people, for the people.”

  Hannah absentmindedly watches the passing landscape as she contemplates an answer, but no answer comes. She finally says, “This is too much to take in. I need time to think.”

  “Understandable.” Eva senses giving Hannah more time will get her to her goal faster. “Think about it overnight. If you decide to help us, meet us at the same place tomorrow after you get off work. If you’re not there, I’ll assume that your answer is ‘no’, and if that’s the case, I would ask that you forget this conversation happened. Can we trust you to be discreet?”

  “Yes,” Hannah confirms, “but as far as the rest of it – I don’t know.”

  “Fair enough, I suppose we’ll find that out tomorrow.”

  Noticing that they are still a few blocks from her building, Hannah points to the curb, “Pull over here, please, I’d like to walk the rest of the way.”

  Carl pulls the vehicle to the curb and smiles at Hannah in the rear view mirror. “I hope we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Something tells me we will.” Eva smiles at Hannah for the first time.

  Hannah re
turns a polite smile and exits the vehicle. After shutting the door, the vehicle makes a U turn and heads the other way. Hannah watches the vehicle until it disappears around a corner.

  Hannah’s thoughts are jumbled, “What in the hell just happened? Am I dreaming? Is this for real?”

  Finally surrendering to the reality of it all, Hannah makes her way home.

  The walk does her good. She is much calmer when she arrives at her building. While she is still conflicted, she is no longer trembling. As she climbs the stairs to her apartment, fatigue begins to grip her. The lack of sleep the night before and the recent dissipation of nervous energy have left her exhausted.

  When she arrives at her floor, she’s startled when a door down the hallway slams shut. Hannah acknowledges the fact that she is a bit jumpy. She quickly produces her key and lets herself in her apartment. Safe, for now, she lets out a sigh as she removes her coat and stretches out on the couch. She pulls a soft lap throw over her legs. Considering what she has learned, she accepts the idea that, like last night, rest will be evasive. That is her last conscious thought of the day before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  ✽✽✽

  Twenty SF commanders from around the world have arrived in DC to plan for ‘Operation Terminus’, the spring offensive to exterminate the remaining rebels. Assembled in a Command and Control Center conference room, General Gage starts the meeting by requesting status reports from each of his subordinates. The commanders take turns providing RZ sterilization updates. The status is consistent, describing efforts that are on schedule and due to wrap up in late March. These reports please the general and set the tone for the rest of the meeting.

  Sweeping an approving gaze around the room, General Gage addresses the commanders, “Let me first say that your efforts, carried out on behalf of our government, are commendable. Despite the enormity of the task, you are meeting your objectives with the efficiency and professionalism that I have come to expect. That being said, there is more work to be done and the quicker it’s finished, the sooner we can move onto a more important and vastly more enjoyable tasks, more specifically, ‘Operation Terminus’.