Richard Stephenson - Resistance

“Let’s grab Max. We have to get away from this van. They’ll be looking for it.”

Elizabeth was weeping. “We can’t wait! We have to wake Max up right now!”

“Elizabeth, use your head! This van just demolished a Chinese-controlled Hal robot! They might be here in seconds and you know it!”

Elizabeth knew Misty was right. They heaved Max’s body back onto the gurney and rolled it away from the van. Misty continued to pump the AMBU for the benefit of the paralyzed man. Neither of them had a clue where they were going as they pushed the gurney down the street as fast as they could. The same thought raced through both women’s minds-they were sure to get caught at any second. Misty steered the gurney toward an abandoned strip mall and wheeled Max behind it.

“There!” Elizabeth pointed to a loading bay nearby. “Maybe we can get the door open! Let’s go!”

The two women wheeled the gurney toward the loading bay door as Misty continued to pump air into Max’s useless lungs. Elizabeth opened the large sliding door with ease. She quickly scanned the empty stock room and was relieved to find it empty.

“How much longer till he wakes up?” Elizabeth asked once they were safely inside.

Misty checked her watch. “Five, ten minutes. I think we’re gonna be okay. Close the door but give us a few inches of light.”

Five minutes passed, then six, then seven. Max moaned and pushed the mask from his face. “Elizabeth?”

“I’m here, my love. We made it out. We’re safe.”

“Why is it so dark?”

The happy reunion was rudely interrupted by a deafening roar coming from just outside the loading dock. Misty dove to the cold concrete floor and peered out through the blinding tendrils of sunlight that fingered beneath the door. All she could see was swirling dust and debris amidst the exhaust of a roaring engine. Then there was silence, broken only by the hollow echo of a slamming door and heavy footsteps.

Misty stood up and walked over to Max. “I’m sorry, Mr. Harris. We tried, but it looks like we’re about to be caught.” Misty took Elizabeth’s hand, surprised by the serene look her face. The thrill of the chase was behind them, and her husband was alive. She would deal with the rest as it unfolded.

***

Charles was sprawled at the massive desk in the grand library of Beck Estates, watching with delight as his plan was carried out to perfection. Like every job he’d ever be given, he’d accomplished this mission without breaking a sweat or getting his hands dirty. Unwilling participants always carried out his dirty work. Dennis Twigg had suffered the same fate as his other puppets had in the past. The Twigg family was an easy target. Dennis’ parents lived in rural Kansas on a UAE-controlled corn farm, many miles from their nearest neighbors. The parents were the original targets, but Dennis’ older brothers were spending the weekend at the farm, and Charles was more than happy to add them to the festivities.

Working in the security offices of Beck Castle, Dennis Twigg often violated the rules but neatly covered his tracks. One of Howard Beck’s cardinal rules was absolutely no contact with the outside world. His position made it easy for Dennis to circumvent this guideline as the security personnel ran background checks on all citizens within the Castle. Dennis contacted his parents every Sunday afternoon to ensure they were safe and in good health. Charles discovered this fact and used it to his advantage. One Sunday afternoon when David and Bethany Twigg welcomed two of their three children for lunch, they were interrupted by tear gas. They evacuated the two-story farmhouse and walked right into the iron sights of a team of armed men. The men escorted them back inside and waited for the weekly call from Dennis. The plan worked without a hitch. A man would do anything to ensure his family’s safety; Dennis was no exception. Once the Chinese program had been planted in Hal’s system and Jackson Butler was safely evacuated, Charles’ team bound the Twigg family in the basement and burned the house to the ground.

Jackson Butler and Dennis Twigg entered the library, interrupting Charles’ reverie. Jackson was smiling.

“Charles, that worked perfectly! I can’t believe how easy it was! Dennis walked me right out the front door without so much as a second glance. It was downright pathetic how simple it was!”

“Okay, I did what you asked,” Twigg said. “Take me to my family. I want out of here right now!”

“Yes, yes, Mr. Twigg. Thank you for your service. My associate here has a car waiting for you. You’ll leave for Kansas immediately. Thank you again.” Charles nodded to one of his goons and Dennis Twigg was escorted from the room one final time.

Jackson was eager for news. “Charles, how did it go with Hal? Do we have the drones and robots yet?”

Charles smiled and averted his eyes to the ceiling, indicating to Jackson the need to play along. “Please call me Howard, or Mr. Beck if you prefer.”

Jackson had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Howard , how is Hal doing?”

“Ask him yourself.”

“Hello, Hal.”

“Hello, Governor Butler. It is a pleasure to see you once again.”

“The feeling is mutual. Do you have control of your drones and robots?”

“Yes, sir, the functional ones are under my control.”

“The EMP shield?”

“Disarmed, sir.”

Charles interrupted. “I was just taking inventory of my technology. That wicked son of mine…uh, you do remember my son, Marshall? He tried to take control of Beck Castle. The young lad was trying to gain command of Hal, but I managed to stop him just in time.”

“Of course I remember your son.” Jackson rolled his eyes. “Did you undo the damage he caused?”

“I believe so, but one thing does bother me. It seems there is a problem with my fleet of stealth jets.”

Jackson’s eyes bulged. “Stealth jets?”

Charles looked at him sternly.

“Yes, of course, your stealth jets. What’s the problem?” Jackson quickly covered his mistake.

“It seems that I cannot account for any of them.”

“Maybe they were shot down and destroyed?”

“That’s just it, they’re still functioning. Hal has no idea why they’re not responding to his commands. We have no idea where any of them are.”

***

“I feel like shit,” Max grunted.

Misty turned to Elizabeth. “Can you see any doors? Can we get into the store?”

“I don’t know! I can’t see a thing in here.”

“Max! Elizabeth! Are you in there?” Somebody with a bullhorn was outside the bay door.

“Who the hell is that?” Misty whispered.

“That sounds like Richard Dupree.”

“Seriously? You mean General Dupree?” asked Misty.

“Yeah, that one.”

“Max! Elizabeth! It’s Richard. I know you guys are in there! Come on, it’s time to leave!”

“I think it’s a trick. How in the hell did he get here if Hal’s been hijacked? What if he’s working with the Chinese?”

“Not in a million years. I trust Richard with my life,” Elizabeth said. “Richard! You know Hal’s been hijacked, right? What if this is a trap to bring us all to the Chinese?”

“It’s not a trap! Trust me! I know what the Chinese have done. I’ll explain everything once we’re in the air. Let’s go!”

“We’re leaving, Misty. You’re welcome to come along. The Chinese will detain and probably execute you since you assisted us. Please come with us.”

“Well, I’m certainly not staying here. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“If you trust me, then trust Richard.”

Misty and Richard raised the bay door and wheeled Max’s gurney to the decloaked stealth jet.