Richard Stephenson - Resistance

Ben hated when the UAE took an interest in anything to do with his operation. He’d rather they stay the hell out of his business. Ben knew neither Sterling nor anyone else in the UAE gave two shits about helping an orphan girl. Burning down Obama Camps and executing Middle Easterners was proof positive that Sterling’s only concern was for furthering his own misguided agenda.

“Orphan girl? Here? Don’t recall an orphan girl.”

“Dugood? What was the girl’s name? Dammit! McPhee?”

Dupree, you fucking idiot! Her name is Christina Dupree.

“I have no idea, Ned. Slavers haven’t brought any kids ‘round here in some time. What’s so special about her?”

“I have no clue, but Colonel Rutherford himself is headed down here to get the girl. I promise you she’s here somewhere, and she’s important for some reason.”

“Rutherford? He’s coming here? When?”

“Dinnertime tomorrow. I’m headed out in the morning, leaving one of my NCOs behind to look for her. Was hopin’ you’d help me. Can you spare a few men to help look for her?”

“Ned, you know I’m here to help you in any way I can. Of course we’ll help look for the girl. Who are you leaving behind?”

“Godecker, and I appreciate it, Ben. Need to get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.” Captain Brown gulped down the rest of his brandy and snuffed out his cigar. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, my friend. It was good to see you.”

Ben exited the suite and hurried down the stairs. Instead of retiring for the night, he rode his motorcycle back to his office on Main Street, USA. He dug through the papers on his desk and found the intake information on the UAE’s prodigal daughter. What the hell is so important about this little girl? Every refugee that took up residence in Ben’s amusement park community underwent a very basic screening process that included paperwork, medical screening, interviews, and even a short orientation meeting. Ben’s people had efficiently trimmed the entire process down to the point that a couple dozen refugees could complete the intake in only a few hours. Once Ben reviewed the orientation packets, they were carefully filed away in the records office. While his office clerks were organized to a fault, Ben was notoriously less so. He knew the girl’s file was scattered somewhere amongst the mounds of clutter on his conference table. Ben frantically tossed aside stacks of papers, and by the time he found the girl’s buried file, his office bore a striking resemblance to a ransacked crime scene.

Ben poured over her orientation packet, hoping some clue would pop out at him. The only obvious discrepancy he found was the fact that she wasn’t an orphan. In her interview, the girl stated that her father died when she was a baby and her mother was living in Colorado. She also mentioned being separated from her grandparents during the Collapse of 2027. What the hell is so special about this little girl? What does the UAE want with her? One thing was certain-he wasn’t going to hand the child over until he knew what made her so important.

***

Late the next afternoon, Benjamin Black rolled out the red carpet for an honored guest, Colonel Lionel Rutherford of the Unified American Empire. Ben had never met the man but knew much about his reputation. From what Ben had been told, the man was sadistic, arrogant, and lethal-making him a model UAE officer.

Ben had spent the morning getting to know Chrissy Dupree-an exceptional child, given the circumstances. She had apparently witnessed unspeakable horrors, yet had made it through in remarkable fashion. Chrissy was polite, enthusiastic and- in stark contrast to the world around her-optimistic.

Ben had a long list of theories as to her importance and managed to cross each one off the list. None of her relatives had any connection to the UAE. The girl had never seen a soldier from the UAE, and she had never set foot on a military installation. The girl’s importance to the UAE was a complete mystery to Ben, making her even more valuable to the resistance. If she possessed critical knowledge about the UAE, she could prove useful in striking a devastating blow. But more than that, Ben had accepted this child into his community and felt responsible for her wellbeing. He doubted the UAE’s interest in this girl had anything to do with kindness.

Ben’s radio crackled. “Ben, they’re here. You coming out or do you want me to bring them to you?”

“Show them to my office.” Ben wanted to stand behind his desk and have the man seated in front of him, a not-so-subtle reminder of who was in charge.

Ben stood as his guest entered and extended his hand. “Colonel, it’s an honor to meet you. What brings you to the Magic Kingdom?”

His snobbery in plain sight, Lionel Rutherford paused a bit too long before returning the handshake, as if Ben’s hand had been dipped in something unsavory of which he should be wary.

“Mr. Brown, I …”

“Black.”

“Excuse me?” The colonel looked horribly offended by the interruption.

“Black. My name is Benjamin Black .” Ben shot the colonel a piercing smile.

“Ah, yes, of course it is. Well, I’m sure you’re aware of the recent measure to combat the slave trade. The report you compiled on the liberated …”

“Why is that, exactly?”

“Why is what?” Colonel Rutherford shifted in his seat, clearly growing impatient.

“Why after all this time has the UAE decided to do something about the slave trade? Why now? What happened?”

“That need not concern you, Mr. Black. All you need to know is that the UAE is going to great lengths to…”

“That’s the other thing that has me puzzled. You guys have a lot on your plate these days with all the attacks. Real sorry to hear about McClellan; that was pretty fucked up. How do you guys have the time to chase down slavers?”

Colonel Rutherford was not amused. The leaders of these fortified communities didn’t impress him. They were more often than not delusional morons who rose to power by being the most violent idiot of the bunch. “Mr. Black, I’m afraid we don’t have time for lengthy discussions. My business here is rather urgent, so I’m going to have to forgo the hospitality I’ve heard so much about. Do I have your attention, sir?”

“Of course.”

“You have a child here by the name of Christina Dupree.”

“We have a lot of children here. I can ask around for …”

Ben knew things were about to get ugly when the look on Rutherford’s face went from disgusted to venomous. “I was not asking a question, hillbilly! I know she’s here!”

“Hillbilly? I’m sorry, have I done something to offend you? Colonel, we’re here to cooperate in every way possible. You hungry? I can have some grub brought up, and we can sort this out.”

“I don’t have time for your silly games and, quite frankly, you’re pissing me off. I know you spent the morning with the girl trying to figure out why we want her. That means you know exactly where she is. I’m leaving here with her in ten minutes.”

Ben was finished trying to manipulate the asshole and dropped the act. “Before I do anything, I want to know why she’s so important.”

Rutherford chuckled. “Or what? What’re you gonna do? Stop me?”

“C’mon, let’s not get carried away. I think I have a right to know.”

“You have a lot of nerve, you know. The only right you have is to do what the fuck you’re told. You think you’re some sort of big shot? I can shoot you between the eyes and give your job to the first person I see. Catching on? You do not want to waste my time.”

“The girl is a part of this community, and I’m responsible for her wellbeing. And while we’re on the subject, I am a big shot. I’ve built up quite a settlement here, and we’ve got the muscle to defend it. I’ve got a double-barreled shotgun under my desk, conveniently aimed at your crotch. I figure we’ve got two choices: You can either get the fuck outta my park and not come back, or I can blow your ass outta that chair.”