Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Simon was going to put an end to every shred of democracy in the former United States. Democracy had failed miserably; the proof was all around them. It was time for one man to set it right. Simon believed that he was that man. He knew he would face opposition at first. It was in man’s very nature to question change. Change was frightening, it was unpredictable and most of all; it was uncomfortable. No one likes to change their very way of life. The old ways, no matter how flawed or destructive, were familiar and comfortable. Simon would meet any opposition swiftly and with force. Any former senator, congressman or congresswoman foolish enough to incite protest would be publicly executed to set an example.

Simon had no intention of becoming a mad dictator. He knew that the only way to set things right was for the people to have one voice to represent them, not hundreds of egotistical buffoons seeking to make a better life for themselves. Simon would appoint eight regional governors to supervise six states each. Hawaii and Alaska would just have to fend for themselves. Defending them would expend too many resources. Simon would allow the state governors to remain for a short time so the people would have something familiar to cling to, a useful buffer that would insulate him from the masses. Once he had a firm grasp on every stretch of land from the Pacific to the Atlantic, the state governors would be relieved and the eight regional governors alone would carry out his bidding.

Simon looked at his watch and realized his next meeting was in only a few minutes. He sincerely hoped he would receive the news he had been anticipating. There was a knock at the door. Simon called out, and a group of people entered.

“Please, come in. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

Director Roberto Jimenez rolled himself into the room, followed by Chairman Carl Moody, Major General James Weygandt, General Jackson Butler, and Stacy Reid.

“I’ve taken the liberty of having a meal prepared for us. Please sit down.”

Everyone began to eat, anxious to hear what the new president had to say. They had serious doubts that this was just a casual meal. They all knew the president would be laying out the framework for his administration and announcing what roles they would play.

President Sterling was enjoying himself. Like his predecessor, Sterling enjoyed playing petty power games to make people squirm.

“I’m sure you can all imagine why you’re here. I’ve prepared my inaugural address, and if everything goes according to plan,” Simon looked at General Butler, “I’ll be addressing the nation tonight.”

“Mr. President, everything is proceeding as scheduled.”

“Excellent, General Butler.”

“Thank you, Mr. President, we have exceeded our initial estimates. Not only have we installed loudspeakers at every state capital, but the initial list of major cities was completed, as well as forty-seven additional cities. Your address to the nation will be heard by a great many people affected by The Pulse.”

President Sterling raised his glass and looked down the table. “To General Butler! May we find even more men like him.”

As everyone raised their glass in toast, Carl Moody chimed in a hearty, “Hear hear!”

“I have shared my plans with no one up until this very moment. All of you know that out of the ashes of our once great nation, we will be build a new one – a nation stronger and more worthy of her citizens, one that will protect her interests first before the rest of the world. We will show the world that we shall return!”

Everyone at the table stood and applauded. President Sterling remained seated and nodded his head in thanks with a gracious smile on his face. He politely motioned for them to be seated so he could continue. “The old ways of governing are gone. Every one of you in this room shares with me the contempt for how corrupt and ineffective our previous government became. The heavy yoke of big government yanked this nation down beneath the waters and drowned her.” President Sterling paused and added. “You know just how bad things are when our own people mock our government with the phrase ‘It would take an Act of Congress to get that done.’ That will not be the case from this moment forward. I will rule this nation with swift temperance and just wisdom. My friends, I cannot do it alone. I need your help. I’m sure everyone will join me in celebration when I say that Congress is hereby abolished!” Everyone in the room clapped and shouted their support. “The House and the Senate are a thing of the past! We will have a much, much smaller government that will be faster and more efficient. I will be appointing eight Regional Governors who will each be responsible for six states that belonged to our former nation. Before you do the math and ask the question, let me answer it for you. We will be more successful in our endeavors if we’re only responsible for the forty-eight contiguous states.” President Sterling turned and looked at the man seated to his left. “Before we discuss more changes, let us first address the one thing that will remain the same. Chairman Moody will remain in command of the Unified National Guard, answering only to me. Carl, I hereby promote you to the rank of Supreme Commander.” The president stood and Carl Moody quickly rose and shook his hand. Everyone in the room clapped and showed their support.

President Sterling and Supreme Commander Moody took their seats. Stacy Reid had no delusions that she was about to be made a Regional Governor. She was confident that the men in the room would receive that posting. Still, she wondered why she was there. She’d been able to recover quickly from the escape of Maxwell Harris and Elizabeth Reed and remain in the good graces of General Butler. Her plan to blame it on the detention center worked perfectly. Stacy doubted if General Butler even mentioned it to the president.

“Gentlemen, the rest of you probably have a good idea what’s going to happen, which leaves Stacy. Are you confused, dear?” Simon asked, smiling at Stacy. “Wondering why you’ve joined us?”

Stacy smiled coyly. “Yes, Mr. President.”

“Well, I have grown to trust you since you arrived, thanks in large part to Roberto. Your resume speaks for itself. I want everyone in this room to be perfectly clear that I had nothing but the utmost respect for Malcolm Powers. My quarrel was never with him; it was with the government as a whole. It was my sincere hope that many years down the road, he and I would develop the same relationship he had with President Clinton. I will miss the precious resource that would have been his counsel.” Simon paused in quiet reflection and returned to his previous train of thought. “Stacy, I’m not going to have a staff of hundreds like other presidents, so a Chief of Staff is not really necessary. However, I would like to extend to you the position of Chief Advisor. Malcolm always told me that you kept him honest and called him on his bullshit … well, behind closed doors of course!” President Sterling laughed and as if on cue, so did everyone else. “I would be honored by your candor as well as your counsel.”

Stacy was becoming quite talented at masking her feelings. It was like she had developed an alter ego. “Mr. President, it would be my honor, thank you.”

“Ma’am, the honor is truly mine. May you always keep me on the proper path.” Simon smiled and raised his glass, turning to the man seated to his right.

“Roberto, you are the new Regional Governor of Region 1. I was going to let you retire to Florida, but it might be some time before there’s a decent golf course to squeeze in nine holes,” Simon bellowed. “I figured sunny California and her neighbors would be a good fit for you.”