After The End

by Jamie Campbell

  “We need an army. Enough people we can rally to band together and fight back against the aliens. We know they can be killed, we’ve done it ourselves. They aren’t as indestructible as everyone thinks they are,” I say.

  “I’d like nothing more than to get rid of those murderous pests,” Hanson replies. “But I don’t have an army. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not exactly thriving here. Not like what you found in Washington.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened here?”

  He sighs. “We didn’t have the president residing with us. Every little piece of funding and preparation was focused on the capitol. We were left to fend for ourselves. I did my best with what little I had but then everything started running out. First was the food, then the fuel, the electricity followed.”

  “So they did everything to protect the president and just left everyone else to fend for themselves?” It was what I had heard, but I’d hoped I was mistaken. I thought the leader of our country would be invested in looking after his people, not just himself and everyone in his inner circle.

  “That’s the way the cookie crumbles. I really did my best for my troops.”

  I don’t deny it. Despite the conditions they are living in, he still seems to be respected by his people. That says a lot about the man’s character to me.

  While this information helps to paint a picture of the situation, I need to get the focus back to our mission here. I glance over at Garlind who is just staring ahead. He’s still not himself which is another big concern.

  “The people that remain here,” I start boldly, “Do you think they can be convinced to join us in our fight? Maybe we can start here and gather more people until we have enough for a real fight back.”

  He takes a very long time to respond. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing. It certainly has me holding my breath and crossing my fingers.

  “I have to agree with what you’re trying to do. It’s admirable. It’s what I would have tried to do once. Especially back at the beginning when we had more people. But…”

  I knew there was going to be a but coming.

  There always is before a letdown.

  “But we just don’t have the numbers. People here are just trying to survive. Any fighting spirit they might have had has long since fizzled out. We’re tired and hungry. That’s not enough for the kind of army you need,” Hanson finishes, as gently as possible.

  Most people would walk away now. They’d accept what he just said and leave. Perhaps they would shrug their shoulders and tell themselves they tried and that’s all that matters.

  Not me.

  I’m tired of travelling around this country and never finding a home. I’m sick of constantly living in fear. My heart is too broken from all the people we’ve lost along the way.

  I’m not going to run away.

  Not this time.

  Sarah would never have walked away. I owe it to her to keep going.

  “Will all due respect, Colonel, I would really like the opportunity to ask your people myself.”

  He considers my statement. I’m sure it’s churning around in his mind as he stares at me, unblinking. Perhaps once, when his power was at its peak, he might have instantly dismissed me. He wouldn’t have liked the challenge to his power.

  But things have changed and therefore everything we do has also had to change.

  “I’ll put the word out for a meeting tonight in the mess hall,” he replies. “I can’t say anyone will show up but you’ll have your opportunity then.”

  I could jump over the desk and give him a hug. “Thank you, Colonel. If there is nobody here willing to help us, I promise you we will leave and not ask anything more from you.”

  “And if there are people willing to help?”

  “Then I’m sure we’re going to need your guidance.” I flash him a smile and hope it triggers something in him. This is an opportunity for him to do what he was trained for. Maybe it’s something like this that he needs too.

  We leave his office and take a walk around the grounds. It concerns me that Garlind still hasn’t said a word. “Are you feeling okay?” I ask, hoping it will open the floor for him to share whatever is bothering him.

  “Yeah, fine.”

  “You’re really quiet today. Anything you want to talk about?”

  He gives a half-shrug with one shoulder. “I guess I’m worried we’re being set up for more disappointment.”

  “I am too. But we still have to try. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  And that’s all I can get out of him. I know something more is troubling him but he’s not ready to share it with me, for whatever reason.

  I need to respect his decision not to tell me what’s on his mind but it only makes me worry even more. This isn’t the Garlind I know and love. What hurts him hurts me too.

  Hopefully he’ll open up to me soon.

  Until then, I need to work out what I’m going to say tonight if anyone decides to show up. If they are all as jaded as Maggie was last night, I’m going to have to work hard to convince them of anything.

  This is an uphill battle. The first of many.

  We return to our cabin and eat the last remnants of food we brought with us. There is nowhere to scavenge here so we’ll have to leave tomorrow if the meeting doesn’t go well tonight. Otherwise we’re going to be as hungry as everyone else is here.

  Colonel Hanson sends someone to tell us to be in the mess hall at six p.m. tonight. He’s put the word out but hasn’t indicated what kind of response he’s received. Maybe he’s waiting for me to see for myself.

  I’m on tenterhooks all afternoon. All the words I need to say swirl around in my head. I don’t know how to connect them to properly convey what I need them to. If I don’t get my speech perfect, I’m not going to convince anyone to join us.

  Six o’clock comes by and I still have no idea what I’m going to say. I don’t even know if anyone will turn up. Why would they? It’s not like I have anything to offer them. I can’t feed them, can’t keep them safe, can’t promise them a win.

  This plan seems doomed to fail.

  To make matters worse, Garlind has been withdrawn all day. He hasn’t offered to speak at the meeting and doesn’t have any of the reassuring words I need to hear right now. His lack of enthusiasm is probably the most troubling of all.

  When it’s time to leave the cabin, I hesitate at the door. “I can’t do this without you.”

  Garlind is there in an instant. “You don’t have to.”

  I spin to look at him. “What’s going on, Garlind? You’re so quiet and it’s freaking me out.”

  He shakes his head and stares back at me with sad, puppy-dog eyes. “I don’t know how much more disappointment I can take. That’s all.”

  “Maybe this time will be different.”

  “Maybe it will always be the same,” he replies.

  I have to steel myself. If I let his negativity weevil into my brain, I’m not going to be able to leave the cabin. I need the exact opposite right now. “We can’t believe that. Otherwise what’s the point of living?”

  I yank open the door and leave. I don’t wait to see if he’ll follow. I love Garlind with all my heart but right now I have to ignore him. He’ll understand, I know he will.

  Perhaps it’s better if he doesn’t come with me. If nobody else shows up, then the disappointment is mine and mine alone. I can handle it. I’m a big girl. And right now I have to be stronger than I’ve ever been before.

  There are people out and about in the camp. They stare at me as I walk by. I try to put all the nerves to one side so I can focus on being confident and unflappable.

  If only all the words in my head would stop spinning so I can pluck them out and place them in complete sentences. I’m going to rally an army and I don’t even know what I’m going to say to convince them.

  Some leader I am.

  When Colonel Hanson
told me I had this one shot, I’d been so relieved I thought everything was possible. I didn’t expect to be speechless right when I needed to find the right words.

  Walking to the mess hall happens in a blur. Suddenly I’m standing by the side of the stage with sweaty palms and not a single word in my head.

  At first, there are only a few people sitting at the picnic tables. They could very well only be here by coincidence and not specifically for the meeting. I wait a few minutes longer, hoping more will show up.

  By ten minutes past six, there are only about twenty people. They shift in their seats and talk amongst themselves. If I don’t start soon, they’re going to leave. I guess if this is my army, I have to make them see the kind of future I envisage.

  I shuffle onto the stage. There is no electricity so I don’t have a microphone. If these people are going to listen to me, I’m going to have to be loud.

  The only place for me to start is at the beginning.

  “Thank you for coming here tonight and hearing me out.”

  Most of them stop their conversations to listen, but not all. I’m competing with them for my audience.

  Am I speaking loudly enough?

  “I know it’s been a hard few decades since the meteorite struck. Your world was turned around and it hasn’t found the right axis since. You’re tired. You’re hungry. You’re wondering if there could possibly be anything in your future.”

  The last talkers finally shush as they turn toward me. I have all their attention now. What I do with it is up to me.

  “We’ve all lost people we love. And perhaps that is the greatest loss out of them all. The enemy have taken away our futures, taken away our friends and family, taken away our way of life. They’ve destroyed everything.”

  A few people nod. I take that as a good sign.

  “I believe we can take back our future. The aliens are not infallible. They can bleed and they can die. I’ve personally been responsible for killing one. It’s possible and I know we can accomplish great things if we all come together as the human race.”

  A few murmurs of dissent run through the crowd. I’m only holding onto them with a spindly thread. I need to make them see.

  “Imagine a planet that is ours again. One where we don’t need to fear the wrath of the aliens. One where we can rebuild freely and live by helping one another. No more violence, no more fighting, no more struggle. We build a future for ourselves based on everything we’ve lost.”

  I’m certain they aren’t believing me. How on earth can I promise these things when even I don’t know if it’s possible? Doubt is stabbing me in the guts.

  “The aliens declared war when they directed that meteorite at our home. They think we are weak and can be obliterated from the face of this planet. I say we show them how wrong they are. We build an army and we win. We show them exactly what the human race is made of.”

  It’s silent in the mess hall.

  Twenty people stare at me as I stare at the twenty people. They were probably expecting more. Some kind of actual plan about how we would achieve this. Something way more than what I’ve got right now.

  I spot Garlind as he steps from the shadows at the back of the area. He’s smiling in a way that I haven’t see for weeks. He’s probably getting ready to say ‘I told you so’.

  Failing in front of him seems so much worse than doing it before everyone else. He knows me and my juvenile optimism. He knows how seriously I’m taking this and expecting a result completely different to what I’m currently getting.

  But nobody has walked away yet so I still have a chance. “I’m gathering an army. All the humans that exist in this harsh new world know what it takes to survive. We are tough, we are willful, we are determined. And we can win. We can do this, we just have to band together. We have to fight.”

  One man stands up at the edge of the area. “What makes you think we have any chance of beating those monsters?”

  “They won’t be expecting any kind of retaliation. We can take them by surprise. Our desire to survive far outweighs their desire to colonize. We have everything to live, and therefore fight, for. They don’t. They will never see it coming and that is our advantage,” I reply.

  The man sits down again.

  Another shoots his hands in the air and waits for me to nod at him to speak. “I’ve had enough of those creatures. I’m in. I used to be a weapons expert for the US Military. I know where we can find enough ammunition to show them hell.”

  My heart lifts with hesitation. I can’t build an army with just this one guy. We need everyone here, and then another few thousand to add to the numbers.

  But I guess I have to start somewhere. A journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step, right? That’s what my mother used to say.

  “Thank you,” I reply. “I understand you were all in the military before our world was stolen away from us. I’m sure you’ve all got skills that we will need. We can’t do this alone, we have to act together.”

  I lock eyes with Garlind and he gives me a small nod. I know he’s not going to say anything to these people. This is my time and my meeting, he won’t take that away from me. He won’t undermine my presence.

  Just knowing he’s here is enough to give me the boost I need. I’m not going to let him down. I’m going to show him that hope has a real place here. It hasn’t gone anywhere.

  “Let’s take back our planet,” I continue with one last push. “Let’s show them what humans are capable of. Let’s send them home.”

  Two more men stand at opposite ends of a table. “I’m in,” they say together.

  Another stands.

  One walks away.

  A whole table rise to their feet.

  And just like that, one after another all stand in unison. Some yell out their skills, what they can contribute to the fight. By the end of the night, I’ve got seventeen soldiers in my army.

  This is the very beginning.

  Chapter 13

  Colonel Hanson wants to speak with me privately after the meeting. I’m riding a high but still cautious of what he is going to say. We’re only here by his good graces, he can tell us to leave at any time.

  He pulls me to the side of the mess hall area. The only light comes from a bright moon that is perched high above us in the sky. It’s enough light to cast shadows in all directions.

  “That was quite a speech,” he starts.

  “I’m not even sure what I said now. It’s all a blur,” I admit.

  “You said enough to convince them. Convince me too. While I don’t think we have a chance in hell of actually taking back our planet, I’m willing to try. You will have all the remaining resources we have here at your disposal. Plus, I’d also like to help. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to use my training but I’m sure I can remember most of it.”

  Hanson gives me a smile that says he’s much more knowledgeable than he’s letting on. I’m sure this old man hasn’t lost any of his tricks.

  “That’s very kind of you, sir. Thank you.”

  “Be in my office at six hundred hours tomorrow. We’ll start then.”

  I feel like saluting him like I’ve seen in the movies on the computer in the bunker but I refrain. I don’t want to accidently disrespect him in some way. Especially considering I’m not actually part of his army.

  Instead, I simply reply, “Yes, sir.”

  He leaves, just as Garlind joins me. “Sounds like you have a fan in the Colonel.”

  I can’t wipe the smile from my face. “He’s offered me his help.”

  “I heard. You’re were amazing up there, Maisy. I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive.”

  “You came. That was enough.”

  “No, it’s not. But I promise I’m in this with you. All the way for everything. I’m completely yours.”

  I take a step closer to him and cup his cheeks in my hands. I draw him near enough for our lips to press upon one another. The kiss grows in intensity until his arms are aroun
d me, pulling me even closer.

  Tonight, it feels like everything is possible.

  I’ll deal with the hard work tomorrow.

  We go to bed early, cuddled together in one of the single bunks. I’d rather be in his arms than anywhere else in the world. If fighting a war is what it takes to make sure I never have to leave his embrace, then that is exactly what I will do.

  The morning comes by quickly. I’m hungry and nervous and excited all at once. Today feels different to all the other days I’ve woken up. It feels like the start of something that has the potential to be huge.

  We have so much hard work ahead of us but I can’t wait to start. I’m focused on this, so determined to see it right through to the very end. It’s going to be hard but I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

  My parents would be proud of me.

  I know they would.

  Garlind and I appear at Colonel Hanson’s office night on six a.m. The man is dressed in his full military uniform, medals and all. He looks the part today, so different from the elderly man I’d met with just yesterday.

  He stands and greets us before offering us a seat. We are down to business immediately.

  He even has notes prepared. “Sergeant Billing is an expert in strategy. I suggest you start with him to make a preliminary plan. He has served on several overseas missions and has been the mind behind many successful, high-profile strategies.”

  “That sounds great,” I reply, surprised already by the assistance. This base may look completely rundown from the outside, but the people here are pure gold. It’s more than I could have expected when we first stepped foot onto the base.

  “I believe Sergeant Scott has already offered his services with weapons. Ours here at this based have been under lock and key for over a decade. He can show you what we have and where we can find more. I assume killing the aliens will be easier with guns?”

  “Yes, sir,” Garlind replies. “Much easier.”

  The rest of our meeting with the Colonel is eye-opening. He knows all his soldiers by name and can reel off the skills they are particularly adept with. After all this time, his mind has not rusted one bit.