Richard Stephenson - Collapse

“So, is everyone up to speed?” Howard Beck was sitting in his executive conference room at the end of a massive, solid oak table. Around the table, seated from right to left were his son, Marshall Beck, his brother-in-law Sean Stewart, his sister Tricia Stewart, his nephew Jamison Stewart, Chief Maxwell Harris, Sergeant Elizabeth Reed, and Richard Dupree.

Howard Beck shared every single thing he knew about what was going on at his home. He knew about the growing detention center that was being filled with innocent civilians who had a trade that could prove useful to the new government. He knew all about their plans for the new dictatorship with Simon Sterling at its helm. He knew the details about the Regional Governors, the plan to pull the military from the Iranian Theater and send them into the heart of America, and even the intention to execute anyone who defied the new government. Howard shared every detail with the people sitting at the table.

Maxwell Harris needed clarification. “Wait a second. Maybe I’m overreacting here, but it sounds to me like Simon Sterling lit the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on fire and pissed on the ashes.”

Richard Dupree replied, “And the American people couldn’t care less. Sterling is running a brilliant PR campaign. He’s a hero for bringing the troops home. The public won’t even bat an eye while the Empire conquers Europe and swallows up valuable resources. They’ll slaughter millions who refuse to convert to Islam.”

“They won’t bat an eye till the Empire starts to head across the Atlantic and walks onto our shores,” said Marshall Beck.

Richard Dupree, the ex-Navy SEAL, brought his military knowledge to the table. “Our Navy will put up a good fight and keep them at bay, but they won’t be able to stop them.”

Elizabeth Reed chimed in. “Mr. Beck, may I ask how you know all of this? Does Stacy Reid know all of this? Because if she does, she’s the most amazing spy in history.”

Howard was not quite ready to share his source. Hal was in constant contact with his sister, the White House A.I. Hal had given her the name Syd, in honor of Howard Beck’s deceased mother, Sydney Beck. “Stacy is providing us with valuable intelligence; however I do have another rock solid source.”

Howard had watched the dinner meeting Simon Sterling had hosted before his inaugural address and was still getting over the shock that the new president and his posse would have more power than any group should ever be given. Sterling’s plan for ruling the nation was a disgrace. Countries around the world and throughout history had suffered greatly under the same model of government. Sterling could fool the people into believing that he was instituting a new and efficient government, but Howard knew better. Simon would be a dictator. Howard guessed that within a year, one of the Regional Governors would gain too much popularity, and Simon would squash the threat.

“Dad, what are we gonna do?” asked Howard’s son.

“What we have to do. What we must do. We’ll do whatever it takes to stop Simon Sterling.”

Richard knew he was in the same room as the richest man in the world. He shook his head. “With all due respect, Mr. Beck, wealth and intelligence are no match against Simon Sterling. He has the full strength of the United States military at his disposal. How do you plan to go up against something like that?”

“I will start by recruiting men like you, Chief Petty Officer Richard Dupree. A Navy SEAL seems like the perfect candidate to lead an army.”

Richard was shocked when Howard revealed the details of his former life to everyone sitting in the room. He didn’t let his surprise show on his face and quickly made the simple deduction that the Founding Father of Artificial Intelligence had the skills to dig up the name of his kindergarten teacher if he wanted to know it.

“I can’t lead an army,” replied Richard.

“Mr. Dupree, I know every detail of your past, and I’m not concerned in the least by it. The fact that you’re sitting in front of me speaks volumes to your resourcefulness and cunning.”

“I can’t lead your army, not when my daughter is lost. I’m taking my son and leaving here and won’t stop until I find her.”

Howard leaned back in his chair and brushed the long, white hair from his face. “Mr. Dupree, all I ask is that you keep an open mind. I have a proposal that I believe you will find mutually beneficial.”

Richard nodded his head in acknowledgment. He suddenly realized that Howard Beck hadn’t made eye contact with anyone in the room. Richard made a mental note to find out everything he could about this man, beyond what popular culture had taught him.

Howard turned to Max. “Chief Harris, I have also taken the liberty to brush up on your resume. Your career has been a rocky one, but your actions as of late prove that you’re a man who will do whatever is necessary to get the job done. You are willing to look out for your fellow man and do what’s right, no matter the cost. You probably think the evacuation of your little town went unnoticed. The lengths you went to in getting your citizens out of harm’s way really impressed me. The fact that you traveled all the way to Beck Estates to attempt a rescue of four innocent people speaks volumes to your bravery. I am also equally impressed that you managed to escape.”

“I had help,” said Max.

“And Stacy said by keeping your cool and thinking instead of overreacting, you made it out of there with ease.”

Like Richard, Max was shocked. How did this man know that he bent over backwards to get his citizens evacuated? How did he know about the gas vouchers? Did he know how horribly wrong it turned out in the end? Max quickly reached the same conclusion Max had – Howard Beck could find out anything about anyone. Max had no doubt that he knew every detail about every man, woman, and child moving into the dormitory wing.

Howard continued. “Chief Harris, I’m going to extend the same offer to you as well. I already know how my family will answer. I can count on them to stand behind me.”

Elizabeth leaned forward and looked down the table at Howard. “And what is this offer?”

Howard smiled, looked at Elizabeth’s face, and quickly looked back down at the table, “Let me show you.” Howard stood up and gestured toward the door. Richard scanned the faces of Howard’s family and could tell that they were just as eager to find out where they were going as he was. They all exited the conference room and walked down a long corridor. They approached a large bay window and looked down into a cavernous enclosure that was at least five stories deep. At the bottom, a large engine resembling a turbine was spinning. It appeared that the entire facility was built around this immense generator.

As Howard led the group onto a nearby elevator, Max spoke up. “Mr. Beck, what was that large room we just passed? What was that all about?”

“You just saw the only self-sustaining geothermal generator in the world. It’s fully automated by Hal and can run indefinitely. Well, I shouldn’t say indefinitely, to be exact. It will continue to run as long as the earth’s core maintains its current temperature.” Everyone on the elevator, including Howard’s family, was too shocked for words.

As the elevator arrived at the bottom floor, the group burst out and headed toward a set of giant double doors.

“Hal, open the bay doors, please.”

The doors opened inward to reveal a stadium-sized hanger that could easily hold two football fields. Everyone stood in the doorway in complete and total awe. Row after row of high tech military vehicles sat parked and waiting to be used. Behind those vehicles sat a fleet of large armored vehicles resembling tanks. On the other side of the bay floor, the group could see a row of helicopters and numerous sleek, two person aircraft the size of SUVs. Above the bay floor were two additional floors filled with weapons lockers, fully loaded with the highest quality firearms, including some high tech weapons not available for sale to the public. The top floor was filled with explosives for individual use, as well as large ordinance for the aircraft.