A Democracy Fallen

by Matthew Savage

  “We are taking a plane? How are we supposed to get through airport security?” Nolan said looking at his clothes, and everyone else who was dirty. He thought of the gun that was pressed against his side.

  “It is a private plane.” Captain Underwood responded. Nolan could tell he didn’t want to give too much information to them.

  “So, unfortunately, no in-flight meal everyone,” The driver said. This made everyone else laugh. Except for Sarah and Nolan who had never been on a plane before. Captain Underwood also didn't laugh and Nolan felt he did not like to make jokes.

  “I didn’t get a chance to introduce our comedic driver. This is Private James Orson. My wife Mary is a Sergeant with the D.I.”

  “How did you all get involved in the Democratic Insurgence?” Sarah asked and there was silence for a brief moment.

  “I was found by our leader,” Captain Underwood started “when I agreed I brought my wife with. We both served in the Army. We felt a sense of duty to this country and protecting the rights of the people. When our leader found out my belief he approached me and got me involved. I wasn’t one of the first who was involved but I am one of the longest members.”

  “Who is this leader?” Nolan asked. No one had said this man’s name or even his title he is just referred to as the leader.

  “We can’t tell you that here,” Nelson said from the back.

  “He is right,” Captain Underwood started “We aren’t exactly sure if we can trust you. We can’t tell you where we are going or who we are going to meet because it is a secret that has been well kept. If the government found out it could mean only terrible things for our cause.”

  “What cause is that exactly?” Nolan asked having a feeling he knew the answer.

  “Overthrow President Marshal and his government.”

  “You mean the U.S government?” Nolan couldn’t believe they thought this would work.

  “That is their title but they haven’t been true to the United States in years. This government has been working against the people and their interest. Now we aren’t even a democracy. Today the government backs a dictatorship. We have regional governors who do everything the states should do. They are elected by President Marshal who only has them to help enforce his strict laws. This is not a government for the people anymore.”

  “You think you can overthrow the government?” Nolan was very skeptical anyone could even take on the government. Let alone succeed in overthrowing it.

  “Not alone. The people have to want it. Most people were willing to accept the government because it wore the mask of democracy.” Nelson replied. “That mask was removed and the true face of the government is on now. We pride ourselves on democracy. Throughout history, we have fought tyrants. Somehow we ended up electing one then we gave him all the power. We watched it happen, watched the end of America as we know it.” There was a sad tone in his voice.

  “What chance do any of us have?” Nolan asked the group. “We are in a van. The government has unlimited resources. You can’t expect this to work.”

  “If it does or doesn’t,” Captain Underwood said turning to Nolan. “It is our duty as citizens of this country to make sure that our government is working for us and not against us. Even if that means losing. We still must stand up to them. They must know we will not stand idly by as they ruin our country.”

  Nolan was shocked at how committed they all were. He couldn’t imagine the task they want to achieve. Nolan knew how large the government was and all the branches of the Armed Forces. How was this small group of people going to win?

  It wasn’t long before the group arrived at a small airport in what seemed to Nolan to be the middle of nowhere. It was getting late. He knew that they had to take off soon or else they would be stuck until the morning due to the curfew. Nolan saw Captain Underwood checking his watch every couple of minutes. Nolan was sure these same thoughts were going through his head. They pulled up to the airport and the security guard let them pass the gate. Nolan wondered if he was working for the D.I also. They drove to a small hangar and parked the car inside which sat small passenger plane. A man in a pilot’s uniform was waiting for them. They got out of the car and the pilot called to them.

  “You almost didn’t make it. Let’s get inside so we can get moving.”

  The group headed into the plane. It was nicer than Nolan was expecting. He had never been on a plane before so he didn’t have much to base it off of. Everyone took their seat and before Nolan could take everything in, they were taking off. Nolan was amazed at how different things looked from the sky. He could see the lights from Chicago and he wondered where his father was. Nolan could see Sara looking out the window also in amazement of flying for the first time.

  “Have you too never been on a plane?” Nelson asked.

  “We have not,” Sarah said continuing to look out the window.

  “Take it in, we got about six hours until we land,” Nelson said laying back and closing his eyes.

  Sarah looked over and in whispered voice asked: “Do you think dad is safe?” Nolan could hear the concern in her voice.

  “I bet he is fine. Look how they helped us. If dad really was working for them then they would have sent an even larger group after him. We are just the kids who they thought might have information.”

  “I guess you are right.” Sarah started to have tears form in her eyes. “Nolan everything we had was at home. We didn’t bring anything. Not even…” She started to cry at these words. “Not even a picture of mom.”

  Nolan put his arm around her and she cried. He could feel tears forming in his eyes as well. All the two of them had right now were the clothes on their backs, the hope that they will see their father soon, and each other. They both had no idea what was going to happen after they land. Will they be taken out of the country or be hidden in the base until the Democratic Insurgence takes over? If they take over?

  After around two hours on the plane, Nolan began getting anxious. Not because of flying but he still hadn’t heard anything about his father. He stood and walked to where Captain Underwood and Mary Underwood were sitting. Mary had her head on the Captain's shoulder and her eyes were closed when Nolan came and sat on the other side of the Captain.

  “What is on your mind?” Captain Underwood said in a whispered voice trying not to wake up his wife.

  “I was wondering if there was any news on my father.” Nolan followed the Captain’s led by whispering also.

  Captain Underwood sighed before saying “We have not heard anything. The pilot says that is because of the change in government. Contact with base had been silenced. Apparently, things that protected us before don’t matter anymore. The government is already listening on peoples phone calls, searching people’s homes, and many other things that we use to not worry about the government unlawfully doing. They can do whatever they would like now.”

  “I can’t believe that. What about the Constitution?”

  “It seems now it is just an old piece of parchment.” The Captain had a very sad tone to his voice and his face was pained as he looked at Nolan.

  Nolan could tell that the idea of the Constitution meaning nothing now hurt the Captain. Nolan was feeling that pain also. Nolan started coming to the realization that the republic in which America was based on, just died. They were still the United States of America but it was united under a dictator. Nolan stood and walked by to his seat next to Sarah. She stirred when he sat down.

  “Have they heard anything?” Sarah asked in a very tired voice.

  “No” was all the words Nolan could get out.

  Sarah leaned on Nolan and took his hand. Nolan closed his eyes and before he knew it he was asleep. The plane shook from turbulence and this woke up him. Sarah was having a conversation with Steven Nelson about serving in a restaurant. They both were laughing and Nolan had the feeling that he must have worked in one too before he joined the Democratic Insurgence. They must have been telling stories because they both were laugh
ing. Even Orson was laughing every now and again.

  Orson looked out the window and called out to Captain Underwood “Wilson, when are we landing?”

  “We should be landing soon. You can start to see the mountains.” The Captain said.

  Nolan looked out the window and he could see the mountains. He had never seen mountains before. He was in awe how the land was so flat under them. Then out of nowhere, it shot up forming these magnificent cliffs.

  “What mountains are these?” Sarah asked looking out the window.

  “The Rocky Mountains,” Nelson started “They are amazing aren’t they?”

  “They really are,” Sarah said and she glanced at Nelson as he said spoke and then turned to look back out of the window. “Is the base in there?”

  There was a pause for a moment. “Yes.” The Captain answered.

  “What state are we landing in?” Nolan asked.

  “We will tell you when we get to the base,” Mary said stretching and walked around the small plane a little.

  Over the intercom, the pilot’s voice came on. “Take your seats we are about to make our descent.”

  Everyone did as they were told and sat down and buckled their seat belts. The plane shook more on the way down than it did when they took off. Sarah was holding the sides of her seat very tight.

  Nelson explained to her that “It is all the wind from the mountains. It takes getting used to but it is normal and our pilot is one of the best.”

  This seemed to help Sarah relax and Nolan could see her release some of her tight grip on the armrest. She took a couple of deep breaths. Before either of them knew it they were touching down in a small airport similar to the one they took off from. The plane pulled into a hanger and the pilot opened up the door to the plane and everyone exited. There were two sedans waiting for them. Captain Underwood informed the group that Nolan and Sarah are to ride with him. Mary and the rest of them were to be in the other car. They were to split up in case anyone tried to follow them. Nolan was anxious as he sat in the back of the sedan. He looked over at Sarah as they drove out of the hangar and onto the road and he could tell she was as anxious as he was.

  They drove up and down was seemed like several mountains. Nolan was trying to take in the sights as best as he could. He had so much on his mind that it was hard to concentrate on where they were actually going. Nolan also got the feeling that Captain Underwood was deliberately taking a long route. They were driving along a long valley which was covered in trees when Nolan started to see a small clearing on the other side coming up. As they drove closer and the building became more parallel with the car. Nolan and Sarah could see the large building. It was several stories high and very elaborate. It looked as though it might have been a Colonial America age building. The building was white, with a red roof, and large columns in the front of the building. There was a fountain in the front but it was hard to make out what the statue was in the middle. There was a small road, which led down the valley towards this massive building. The road down the valley was very curvy. Though the trees were tall Nolan and Sarah could still see the building as they went lower into the valley. They crossed a small river. Captain Underwood made a turn that Nolan would have surely missed if he were driving. The trees were dense next to them and the road was very bumpy. They drove for several minutes before going through a dark tunnel. Captain Underwood turned the lights of the car on but it didn’t do very much because the tunnel was pitch-black. Nolan figured they must have been going into the mountain. Captain Underwood went on the radio as they drove for several minutes.

  “This is Hale Squadron making our approach.”

  “We got you Hale Squadron.” The voice over the radio replied.

  Farther down in the dark tunnel a thin light started to appear. It was as if it was splitting the dark down the middle. The light grew and Nolan knew it was doors opening. The light hit his eyes and for a moment he was lost in light before his eyes adjusted from being in the dark. Nolan could see large amounts of trucks and jeeps being worked on. It looked like several helicopters were in the back. People in uniforms were marching and organizing in groups. Several people saluted the car as it passed them. Nolan was shocked at how many people were working. He could see what looked like kitchens in a corner where people were cooking food. There was an area where it looked like they were organizing shipping boxes. Nolan noticed a sign that said “Armory.”

  “How many people are here?” Nolan asked in an amazed voice.

  “I am not sure exactly but we have a couple hundred people and it looks like more have come too.” Captain Underwood said. He found a parking spot next to an assortment of different vehicles. Which were clearly meant to be used for undercover because they were all different colors and makes.

  “How did you get all this stuff?” Sarah asked looking around amazed.

  “Many people aren’t happy with the government. People here use the connections they can to help us get supplies we need.”

  The Captain found a spot and parked. As they got out of the car a large man was walking towards them. He was very broad-chested, tall, and had graying hair. He was in a uniform and as he approached Captain Underwood and Mary stood at attention. Nolan didn’t know what to do so he stood up straighter and Sarah tried to fix her hair. Nolan suspected this man of being the leader of the Insurgence.

  “Will,” the man said grabbing the Captain’s hand. “I am glad you made it back. The Senator was worried.”

  “He is here, sir?” The Captain asked shaking the large man’s hand.

  “He arrived not too long ago. We almost didn’t get him out. We missed a couple of people. I think the President had them executed after his speech.”

  “Who?” Mary said with obvious concern in her voice.

  “I believe just Senator Collins and Congressman Lucas, along with their entire staffs.”

  “Oh no!” Mary said putting her hand over her mouth.

  “I know it is hard to believe,” The man said not caring that Mary just interrupted him. “The Senator though had his staff evacuate shortly before the speech started. So far as we know, all are on the run now. Most have found their way back here but I think several headed for Canada. The Senator had us take most of his staff but some refused. I don’t think they betrayed us but I think after what happened to the other people helping us they didn’t want anything to do with it.” The large man then noticed Nolan and Sarah standing there motionless. He turned and addressed them “Children, I am General Wilkins. I am glad we were able to get you.”

  “I know you, sir,” Sarah started “You were on the news once. You received a medal from the President.” She looked at his uniform and the medal was not on there.

  “Several actually, I am not proud of some of them.” The General said and Nolan knew Sarah hit a nerve.

  “Are you the leader we have heard about?” Nolan asked.

  “I am not but if you follow me to Command we will meet him and we need to brief you.”

  Everyone followed the General. They walked down several halls. Nolan and Sarah could see people working on computers. Some rooms had maps on the walls with pins in certain spots. They took an elevator to floor number twenty-three. The doors open and bright light shined in. Nolan could see from the windows that they were on the top floor of the building. When he looked around he could see 180 degrees across the mountains. There were several people in the room talking loudly. Nolan could make out bits of conversation,

  “We need to act now!”

  “We don’t have the forces for a full takeover,”

  “Are our regions in the southeast secure? Has anyone heard?

  “The Security Bureau seized several ships carrying our supplies from Japan. I think the crew is all dead.”

  “Anyone know the whereabouts of Secretary Hill?"

  All the voices were talking over each other and at each other. It was so hard for Nolan to focus on anything until one voice deep soothing voice yelled out.

&nb
sp; “Everyone silent and focus! Prioritize the information we need first. Someone start a team and make sure that we know, where are people are.”

  “Senator,” The General said when the Senator was done speaking. Everyone in the room started working again.

  The Senator turned around. He was an older man with white hair which was very messy at the moment. He was in a suit but his tie was loose and his coat was hanging off a chair. He had thin glasses. Which were far down his nose, and his face had many deep wrinkles. Nolan assumed he must have been in his mid-seventies.

  The General continued when he knew he got the Senator’s attention. “I have the Hunter children here.”

  The Senator walked towards them and as he did he seemed to be hunched over a bit. He came and lightly shook both Nolan and Sarah’s hands.

  The Senator spoke in a very sad soft voice. “I am Senator or should I say, Ex-Senator Powell. We have some information about your father that you both need to know.”

  Chapter Six

  The Senator from Oregon

   Sarah and Nolan stood still looking at Senator Powell. Terrible things were running through Sarah’s mind as she waited for the Senator to speak. He led them to a small room off the main one and this must have been the Senator’s personal office. A large window looked out on the rest of the mountains. The desk in the room was very basic in design though many stacks of papers were on it. Senator Powell led them to the couch. Sarah and Nolan both took a seat as he pulled up a chair.

  “What happened to our father?” Sarah said wishing to get to the point so she could finally get some answers.

  “We are not sure,” The Senator said taking a seat in front of them. “The teams each sent out a code on their radio for when they were making their escape. We received Captain Underwood's about you kids. However, the other team never sent any sort of communication.” The Senator stood and paced the room now as he spoke. “Now this does not mean anything bad happened to your father yet. It certainly isn’t ideal but it doesn’t mean the worst has happened. We have had spies all over the country who are staying quiet at the moment. We don’t want any covers being blown. Seeing as there was a shootout in your restaurant. It is safe to say that the United States Security Bureau, does know of your father.” He had his hands and an almost prayer-like stance as he paced. “If your father was killed we would have known. The USSB is making sure that the media is reporting on deaths and captures. The murders of Senator Collins and Congressman Lucas were even televised. The government is trying to send a clear message to the people. Chicago has been shut down, there are roadblocks everywhere. The USSB must know how important your father is. So if they haven’t said anything about his death it means he must not be dead.”