Anthony DeCosmo - Empire

“No. Not yet. Give it six months. By then, the time those people spent in bondage will be a fading memory, but blackouts, shortages, and all of the problems here will be on the tips of their tongues. In the meantime, I have another story brewing. This one is big. Jamie,” he caught the attention of a young girl with curly red hair and one of the largest chests in the brave new world. “Start pulling records. I want hard stats and a timeline on military deaths during the last year as well as Internal Security and food distribution deaths.”

“What is it you’re looking for?” the Oxford-shirted man inquired.

“It may be that we’re losing more people behind the front lines than we are on the battlefield. That makes the perfect point; we’re expanding too quickly without enough thought given to infrastructure, food, health care, and all that.”

Jamie nodded as she scribbled notes.

“What about your editorial?” The woman with the scar asked. “Is it done?”

“I had one done. It was about the need for a modern constitution and congress. I think I’m going to shelve it until Jamie gets me those stats. That might be the best way to go.”

The thick-glasses-wearing man broke in, “Hey, that gal from the TV station will be here any minute. You’ve got an interview.”

“Oh yeah,” Evan remembered. “How do I look?”

“Butt ugly,” the scar-faced woman said.

Laughter erupted around the table.

“Is this good?” Evan asked as he adjusted his tie, ran a hand through his brown hair, and wiggled his chair a little to the left as per the cameraman’s directions.

The cubicles, tables, and desks of the paper’s newsroom served as backdrop with the staff firmly instructed to appear busy but avoid any noise that might reach the microphone.

In a chair next to Evan sat Angela West, a woman-like Evan-in her early thirties. The dark roots hinted her blond hair might not be natural and the thick make-up surrounding her smile suggested she remembered a few tricks from the news business of old.

While giving his tie and hair another good straightening, Evan made small talk.

“How long have you been with the National Broadcast Network?”

“I’ve been with NTN since we started in Harrisburg last year.”

He knew the answer but asked anyway, “You have outlets in Pittsburgh and Baltimore now, don’t you?”

“Yes. Baltimore is still at low power though, not much of a signal. We have couriers, though, who run tapes to the independent stations that are popping up all over the place. Our interview today will probably be seen by at least half the free population.”

“That’s great,” he finally found satisfaction with the knot in his tie. “I’m just surprised you wanted to talk to me.”

“Mr. Godfrey, you’re a member of the governing council and at the same time run what could fairly be called an ‘opposition’ newspaper. If that’s not an interesting interview, I don’t know what is.”

“Please, call me Evan.”

“Are we ready yet?” she asked the cameraman.

“I’m rolling in three…two…one…”

“Evan, you began The New American Press almost two years ago. Why did you get into the newspaper business and how would you describe your editorial slant?”

“Well, Angela, history has taught us that a free and independent press is a critical component in ensuring human rights, the rule of law, and in pushing for equality and dignity for all people. The more media outlets we have with participation from as many people as possible then the more likely we are to build the type of society humanity deserves.”

“I see,” Angela accepted the first part of his answer.

“As for editorial slant, I think that’s the wrong description. We do have an agenda. Our agenda is to bring to light as much information as possible-good and bad-about what is happening in the world, what the future holds, and to offer alternative ideas.”

“Would you consider your paper more liberal or conservative?”

Evan vigorously shook his head. “Angela, I don’t believe those terms hold any meaning in this new world. My editorial board includes people who, in the old world, were left-wing activists as well as what politicos would have considered neo-conservatives. In the past, those types of people were diametrically opposed, but both shared a fundamental belief in representative government, a free economy, and an open society. Issues that would have divided these groups in the past-issues like social policies and programs-are simply dead right now.”

Angela nodded politely but let him speak.

“Instead, many of yesterday’s political groups find themselves drawn together by a common cause; the cause of improving life here within the boundaries of what is now officially being called The Empire. A name to which I am vehemently opposed, by the way.”

“So despite the fact that you were personally appointed to the governing council by Trevor Stone himself, you are opposed to much of what his government is doing?”

Evan offered a gentle smile.

“I’d have to disagree with what your question infers. Know that I have been fighting alongside Trevor since the early days. Indeed, I consider Trevor a friend and I will always remember the day when he led a rescue party that saved my life. I would also mention that I fought alongside him at the Battle of Five Armies and was a part of his forces when the infamous battle for Wilkes-Barre took place.”

“But you have been very vocal in questioning his policies.”

“Yes, I have a lot of questions about the direction we are headed in. As a student of history, I know that even the most benevolent dictatorships are still dictatorships. It is dangerous for all parts of our society to be so dependent on one man. Consider that our food supply, fuel and energy resources, health services-why just about everything in our lives funnels through one council with one man at the head of it. That’s simply too much for one person. Besides, what happens-God forbid-if Trevor dies in battle? Who is next in line? What makes us believe that fortune would smile on us with two great leaders in a row?”

Angela, still nodding politely, asked, “So you feel there needs to be some sort of electoral process? Perhaps a new version of the house and senate?”

“That is a grand idea but we need to start small first. Why don’t individual towns and villages elect their Mayors? City councils? Why not elect regional governors instead of having them appointed?”

“The speed and urgency of the war has made it a necessity.”

Evan shook his head in polite disagreement.

“That presents another set of questions. Questions I’m not afraid to ask because, like Trevor Stone, I am focused on saving humanity and rebuilding our civilization.”

“Such as?”

Evan enjoyed the opportunity to explain. “During World War II why didn’t we invade Europe to save the French immediately? Why did we wait until 1944? The reason is that we needed time to mobilize. America needed time to gather supplies, to train soldiers, to get together the necessary components to ensure victory.

“So I ask, why are we in such a hurry now? As important as it is to free enslaved humans and find survivors, it is also important to build our infrastructure, to muster our resources, to plan for contingencies. Right now, we are little more than a loose connection of outposts; small cities and villages scattered across a dangerous wilderness. The bonds between these isolated communities are thin. Just traveling from one place to another is a life-threatening trip.

“Instead of building on what little we have, we rush forward. While this leads to some glorious victories in places like Raleigh, it also saps our strength at home. I worry that we are trading quick results for long-term failure. The retreat last spring is a good example, we’re fortunate to have stopped the Hivvans then, but what about the next alien offensive? I worry we are expanding our boundaries but that we are not strong enough to defend them.”