A Democracy Fallen

by Matthew Savage

  Mary and her squad turned a corner. She found several soldiers guarding the anti-aircraft weapon. Immediately a wall of bullets were sent in both directions. Mary could hear the ping and hiss of bullets going past her, ricocheting off of things. Mary noticed the young boy Ian who she knew hung around with Sarah and Nolan knelt behind a wall. He was firing into the crowd of USSB agents. She could see fire in his eyes. She watched for what felt like hours but must have only been a couple of seconds. He shot one agent after another after another. She had been in several firefights before but was impressed by his calmness in pulling the trigger. She could see bullets fly past Ian’s face. Mary refocused and starting returning fire on the agents. She kept trying to lead her team closer down the short passageway towards the anti-aircraft gun. More USSB agents came and Mary knew she wasn’t getting any closer. Mary took a grenade out of her belt and threw. It exploded several feet from the gun but sent a USSB agent over his barricade. The agent was bleeding heavily and she could see that part of his leg was missing. He was on the ground screaming for a moment before getting shredded by bullets from Ian.

  Mary threw her second grenade it landed on the ground in front of the gun. A USSB agent picked it up to throw it back but the grenade exploded in his hand. Parts of the agent were scattered all over the ground. Mary threw her last grenade. It landed right where she wanted. The grenade exploded igniting the ammunition for the gun causing a large explosion. She could feel the heat from the explosion on her face. She watched as USSB agents were thrown in every direction from the blast. The fireball rose high into the air. Lighting up the area for a brief moment before being engulfed in the black night again.

  “The bird hunters are destroyed. Begin your air coverage!” Mary yelled into the radio.

  “Understood.” The voice over the radio said.

  Mary was sure, that was what was said, but she couldn’t be completely sure. Her ears were ringing from the blast. She ordered her troops to fall back so as they could cover the ground and take out as many USSB agents as possible. A small squad of agents had come up behind them but the machine gun post from the wall made short work of them. Mary led her troops towards the breached fence where they came in. She could see that the people she had left were encountering heavy resistance. Several people were being dragged behind cover, and several bodies of D.I soldiers were scattered on the ground. She fought back the feeling of ill in her stomach with the thought that some people had already been killed. She noticed that more agents were filing out of the doorways and moving them towards the exit. The machine gun nest was in a constant state of firing. Mary would see the bullets rip through groups of USSB agents. One rocket-propelled grenade hit a doorway and sent chunks of rock and people into the air. The firepower on the side of the D.I was unmatched.

  “Sergeant Wolf. How are we looking?” Mary calling into her radio.

  “We are looking alright. That Northwest watchtower was giving us trouble but we took it out.” Mary could hear gunfire coming through the radio. “We got around fifty USSB agents on this side putting up a good fight. They got a lot of doors so we are having some trouble covering all of them.”

  “We have a large number over here doing the same. Our birds should be in the air soon to give us some cover from above.”

  “Good.”

  “When we get the word that they have the package we will fall back to the hill and cover until we get picked up,” Mary said. She hoped that it would be sooner rather than later.

  “Understood Sergeant.”

  Mary knew they needed to start moving the injured back to the machine gun nest. She instructed Ian to start gathering people to help with this task. She felt sick knowing she wouldn’t be able to bring the dead back but there wasn’t a way to get them. She wondered how many had been killed and how much more had been hurt but for now, she focused on getting people out. Ian had around five people dragging bodies from the battlefield headed towards the machine gun post. Mary was directing fire and moving through their line. She started to hear something over the battle. It was coming behind her at first she thought it was the sound of the helicopters. It was metallic and growing louder. She turned towards the machine-gun nest looking for the source of the sound. To her horror, she realized how she knew that sound. It was the sound of tanks.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Face to Face

  “Dad… Dad,” Nolan said as he tried to shake his father awake, he had to be very careful because Neil looked brittle. His skin was pale and bruised, to Nolan. Neil, had almost looked like a skeleton covered in skin. It seemed that the terrible things Nolan pictured happening to his father did not even cover what did happen. Laurence was trying to check Neil’s pulse and make sure he was alright to be moved. Sarah came into the room and Nolan made eye contact with her. Sarah’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her father’s appearance.

  “Steven get outside and cover the door.” Captain Underwood ordered.

  Nolan knew that he wasn’t going to make Sarah leave now that she had seen her father. Steven squeezed Sarah’s hand as he left the room. Sarah went to her father’s side and put her hand on his face. Neil’s eyes fluttered before they opened. His eyes were bloodshot and his mouth opened and Nolan could tell it was dry. Nolan knew they were giving him just enough food and water to stop him from dying.

  “What are you doing here?” Neil said in a soft hoarse voice, as he looked at Sarah.

  “We came to get you out,” Nolan said.

  Neil turned to look at Nolan and smiled.

  “I never thought I would see you two again.” Neil said and he was crying but no tears were coming from his eyes.”

  “We need to move you,” Laurence said. “Can you walk?”

  “Laurence, how did you get here?” Neil said. Nolan thought his father seemed out of it as if Neil thought he was hallucinating.

  “We will tell you about it later old friend. First, we need to get you out. D.I forces are attacking the prison as we speak.”

  “You shouldn’t have come,” Neil said and started to doze off.

  Captain Underwood called, “Steven we need the stretcher.” He looked at the group. “It is too risky having him walk.”

  Steven rushed in and took off his backpack which turned into a stretcher. Nolan and Steven slowly picked up Neil and put him onto the stretcher. They lifted him up and Nolan was surprised at how light his father felt. They heard another explosion and felt the building shake. More alarms started going off.

  “That must have been the other Anti-aircraft gun. We need to hurry up. Our birds should be taking off soon,” Captain Underwood said looking at the ceiling as if he could see the battle through the walls.

  Captain Underwood then led them out of the room. They made their way back towards the stairwell. Nolan heard a door open behind him and turned to see three USSB agents coming around a corner. “Go,” Orson yelled firing down the hall at the agents. Steven started running to follow Laurence who was leading the way to the stairwell. Nolan was doing his best to keep up and still try and hold his dad steady as the two men ran carrying Neil on the stretcher. Captain Underwood stayed behind with Orson and returned fire. Laurence opened the door to the stairwell, Steven and Nolan entered, followed by Sarah. He could hear Captain Underwood and Orson shooting at the USSB agents.

  “Sarah help them out,” Laurence said. “I will cover these guys.”

  Sarah did what she was told and went out the door again firing as it opened.

  Nolan, Steven, and Laurence rushed down the stairs as fast as they could. Laurence reached the bottom first and opened the door.

  Bang!

  The gunshot echoed in the stairwell. Steven had been going through the door but tripped over something on the ground, Nolan fell over Neil and landed on the top of Steven. The floor became wet with blood as Nolan looked to see Laurence with a large hole in his chest. His eyes were still open and looking directly at Nolan. Before he could react he was being grabbed. Nolan did his best to
fight but someone kicked him in the chest. Other USSB agents were grabbing Steven as well. Steven was unable to fight back, Nolan’s fall on him had knocked the wind out of Steven and was helpless as the USSB agents grabbed him. At first, Nolan was sure Steven was hit because of the amount of blood on his shirt. He soon realized it was Laurence’s blood.

  “Hoist them up and get the others.” Major Fulton said putting his pistol back into its holster. USSB agents marched past them, one took care to kick Laurence's body as he passed.

  Rage filled Nolan as the Major marched towards them. The agents moved Steven and Nolan out of the way of the doorway. One agent grabbed Neil and slapped him hard in the face. Nolan struggled to fight back against the people holding him. Major Fulton took out his pistol and hit Nolan across the face with it. For a moment he was seeing stars. When his focus came back Neil was awake and knelt in front of him.

  “How I had hoped you would come to get him,” Major Fulton said looking at Nolan. “I found your picture in the apartment. Pretty family, I assume your sister is upstairs fighting. Shame because I wanted her here.” The Major looked longingly at the door to the stairwell. “She should be along soon. I don’t want her to miss the fun.”

  Nolan tried to fight again but this time the agents wrestled him to the floor. Nolan’s head was looking at his father’s legs which were shaking. Nolan could tell it was taking a lot of energy for Neil to be on his knees unsupported.

  “I have to say this was a pretty good plan. Distracting us with your attack outside while you all came in and got Mr. Hunter out.” Major Fulton caressed Neil’s face. “Pity you rushed though. You all must have missed the three battalions of agents waiting.” Nolan’s stomach sank. “That’s right I knew you would try to attack. That is why I let slip to the Chicago police that Jake had worked here. I knew you all were looking for answers. I knew Jake was going to give up everything the second he got caught. He was hoping to get his father out.” The Major laughed. “Thing is Jake’s dad has been dead for some time now. We executed him long before, we found out Jake had been captured. Let’s be honest I am going to need the space.” He signaled for the agents to pull up Nolan. “You be a good boy now.” Major Fulton said giving Nolan a pat on the head as if he were a dog. “I want you to have a good view.” He had a large grin on his face when he looked at Nolan. “Your father wasn’t a talker but I bet his son will be. I need you to tell me, where the Democratic Insurgence’s base is. Do this and I’ll let you live.”

  “We would nev-” Steven started before the agent punched Steven right in the jaw. Steven spit out blood and almost fell over but the agents held him so he would stay on his knees

  “Excuse me?” Major Fulton said and walked to stand in front of Steven. “I don’t think I remember asking you to tell me anything. Did I Nolan?” Nolan didn’t answer. “I wanted you to talk.” Major Fulton said pointing at Nolan. “Not you boy.” Major Fulton walked back around behind Neil. “I need to know where the base is. This is how it is going to work. I ask. You tell. No one dies. If that doesn’t work for you then I will kill your father here. Then I will kill this fellow right next to you. Then those people upstairs. I might save your sister for myself. She seemed really cute. After that, every piece of shit I capture out there I will kill in front of you.” He paused and looked into Nolan’s eyes. Nolan wanted nothing more than to get out of the agent's grip and strangle this Major. “So, where is this base?” Major Fulton asked.

  “Fuck you,” Nolan said.

  Bang!

  Nolan felt the warm blood hit his face. It seemed like slow motion as Nolan watched the bullet go through Neil’s head. Chunks of brain and skull went all over the floor and Nolan’s face. Neil dropped to the ground motionless.

  Sergeant Susan Clearwater was directing the machine gunners on the hill that overlooked the prison. Susan couldn’t help but try and keep an eye out for her sister as she ran through gunfire. Susan watched as Mary shot several USSB agents. The machine gun line stretched for several yards so that they could cover both teams. Several times Sergeant Wolf’s team was almost pinned down. Susan could see they were getting into trouble from a guard post but it was out of range from her machine guns. It wasn’t long before she saw an explosion from the guard tower. Several D. I soldiers were coming back carrying injured soldiers. Susan had set up a small area behind her for the medics to work. Sergeant Wolf’s team had brought several people back. Susan had counted six but it seemed like more were coming. A large fireball erupted from the opposite side of the prison and Susan knew that to be the guns exploding. She hoped her sister was far from there when it happened. She noticed gunfire from the explosion area and saw several USSB agents heading to cut off Mary’s team.

  “There! Take them out!” Susan yelled at her gunners and they sprayed the area killing the agents.

  It wasn’t long then, she spotted her sister falling back. She knew that this meant they were starting the phase that meant the battle should be ending soon. She heard her sister come over the radio and talk to Sergeant Wolf. She sounded calm which made Susan feel much better. She spotted Ian gathering people and Susan knew it was the injured from Mary’s unit. By Susan’s count there injured had just doubled. Ian led the troops up the hill. Susan was directing the machine gunners to lay down fire so they could cover Ian’s group. Susan heard a crash come from behind her. She turned around saw a tree falling and found out quickly why it was falling. She was looking down a barrel of a tank.

  “Run!” was all the words Susan could get out.

  Susan grabbed as many around troops around her as she could and pulled them on the other side of the hill. She had only just gotten over their little trench. An explosion erupted behind her. The explosion threw her and the two machine gunners tumbling down the hill. She wasn’t sure how long she rolled. She looked up at the hill and saw explosions engulf the other machine gunners. Susan remembered the makeshift camp of injured soldiers. Something awoke in her and she grabbed the machine-gun that the soldiers were using on the ground and ran up the hill. She was holding the gun which was hot and could feel it burning her arms. She ignored the pain and made it to the top of the hill. When she reached the top of the hill she saw soldiers marching towards her. The soldiers were right behind three tanks. Susan running on adrenaline starting firing at the soldiers. It wasn’t long before the soldiers fired back. Susan stood her ground and out of the corner of her eye, she saw people next to her. Susan looked and Ian was there firing at the soldiers. He was followed by the other troops he had brought to safety. Some of which Susan noticed were injured. The tank fired again. Susan and Ian dodged it. The shell hit the ground where she was standing. The explosion was so powered it had knocked Susan off of her feet. Her ears were ringing. Ian came up to her talking but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. After a moment her hearing had returned.

  “We need to fall back. We can’t hold them off!” Ian was yelling trying to get Susan to her feet.

  “Alright,” Susan said in what she felt was a whisper. For all she knew she had yelled it at Ian. “Fall back!” Susan started yelling.

  What soldiers were left on the hill started falling back towards the prison. Sergeant Wolf came running to Susan and her troops. At the top of the hill, the USSB soldiers were starting to open fire on the D.I troops below.

  “Find cover!” Sergeant Wolf yelled and he pulled Susan behind the remains of the guard tower.

  “We are surrounded,” Susan said.

  “Not for long!” Sergeant Wolf said and pointed towards the sky.

  In the distance, Susan could see lights in the sky. She realized the helicopters were on their way. She watched as the first tank started to come over the hill and a D.I soldier shot a rocket-propelled grenade at it. The RPG hit the bottom of the tank causing it to explode. The tank stopped at the top of the hill in flames. The second tank came over the hill and fired. The explosion missed the D.I troops. Another D.I soldier shot an RPG at the tank which exploded on the outside of the
tank, causing little, to no damage. It pointed its gun and fired at the soldier who was violently thrown back by the blast. For a moment Susan thought he was still alive because the body was shaking on the ground. It took a moment to realize he was dead. The shaking was shock from the explosion. A helicopter flew by and blasted the tank with gunfire from its side fifty caliber machine gun. Susan could see the other helicopters firing upon the soldiers from the top of the hill.

  “We need to find a way to create a landing zone to get us out of here.” Sergeant Wolf said as he fired behind them at USSB agents and in front of him at the soldiers from the hill. There seemed to be people coming at them in every direction. Helicopters flew by spraying the hill with gunfire. This seemed to help the D.I soldiers. Sergeant Wolf was directing people as best as he could but more and more soldiers were getting hit. Susan looked up as a rocket from the hill struck a helicopter in its tail. The helicopter spun around several times. For a moment Susan though they might have gained control. If they did they chose to fly into the wall of the prison. A fireball erupted and black smoke filled the air.

  Nolan was looking in shock at his father’s body. Rage flared in Nolan and he wanted to get out of the grip of the USSB agents and kill every last one of them. Major Fulton grabbed Neil by the ankles and slid him to the side.