Richard Stephenson - Collapse

“Well, at least now we’ll be getting decent intelligence on the slave trade. Hal, I want every single piece of intelligence sent to my tablet for review. If you come across any credible information about Chrissy, I want you to notify me immediately.”

“Of course, sir.”

Richard had spent much of his children’s lives behind bars. The ex-Navy SEAL had walked into the church nursery to discover an older man masturbating as he watched young children play naked in front of him. Richard brutally murdered the man in front of his own son. While he was in county lockup awaiting trial, Richard discovered that his ex-wife had become a drug addict and was putting his children’s lives at risk. He escaped from prison in an attempt to rescue his children. During his time as a fugitive, Richard was responsible for the accidental death of a hiker. While attempting to save the man’s life, he was apprehended and sentenced to twenty-five years at a supermax prison for his crimes.

During the collapse of 2027, Richard was able to escape yet again and make his way to Denver to collect his children. He was able to locate his son, but the joy of their reunion didn’t last long. Richard soon discovered that his daughter, Christina, had been sold to a man for a tank of gas. Richard had no leads as to her whereabouts. With close to half the country plunged into darkness thanks to The Pulse, finding her became next to impossible. The United American Empire restricted travel with various roadblocks and checkpoints so Richard wouldn’t make it far unless he knew the right people and could determine an acceptable bribe. His best course of action was to use the resources at Beck Castle to find credible information that would lead him to his missing daughter.

Richard had spent most of his life harboring distrust and disdain for his fellow man. During his time with the Navy SEALs, he traveled the world and saw firsthand the level of depravity to which mankind could sink. Richard was not naïve enough to think that America wouldn’t descend into third-world country status after the collapse; he was, however, shocked that it happened so quickly. In eighteen months’ time, the slave trade was a booming industry. Men, women, and children of all races were captured by slave traders and forced into manual labor to rebuild the broken areas of The Pulse Zone. Angry citizens were displeased by the lack of progress being made by the United American Empire and took matters into their own hands. The UAE gladly turned a blind eye to the slave trade since the brutal crime lords employing the slaves were accomplishing the job they’d had difficulty doing themselves. Rumors began to spread that the Regional Governors were secretly hiring the slave traders. Richard wholeheartedly believed the rumors because the UAE made no attempt to stop them. Since slave traders had captured the grandchildren of one of the Regional Governors, the matter suddenly had importance. It was just the break that Richard had been waiting for.

Richard finished freshening up and changed clothes. He exited his quarters and made his way to the command center. He was looking forward to seeing his son but didn’t want to pull him out of school. “Hal, what time does my son go to lunch?”

“Eleven thirty, sir.”

“When he breaks for lunch, have him return to our quarters.”

“Of course, sir.”

Richard stopped outside the command center and waited for Hal to announce his arrival. A few seconds later, the door opened and Richard walked in. Howard did not stand up to greet him; he didn’t even take his eyes from the screen.

“Hal tell you the good news?”

“Yes, Mr. President.” Richard was accustomed to Howard’s lack of social graces. He’d given up trying to shake the man’s hand since he seldom returned the gesture.

“Richard, what have I said about the ‘Mr. President’ nonsense?”

“I wasn’t aware you had resigned.” Richard smirked.

“I haven’t resigned! I just hate all the fancy protocol!”

“It was a joke, Howard.”

“Not a very good one.”

“I’ll try harder next time.” Richard enjoyed giving the president a hard time. He had become quite fond of the man in the last eighteen months. Howard Beck was the most brilliant man he had ever known. Howard could lecture about any number of things, and it would immediately go so far above Richard’s head that the man might as well have been speaking Greek. Richard loved to aim subtle sarcasm and humor at Howard and watch it go over the genius’ head. It wasn’t the same, but it was fun to turn the tables on him.

“Richard, before you tell me what’s on your mind, I want to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.”

“Max thinks I’m just being paranoid, but I have concerns about the security of Beck Castle.”

“You are paranoid, Howard, but that’s a good thing if you ask me.”

“I’m growing concerned that security is becoming too lax down here. We have far too many civilians living here. If I had my way, we’d empty out this place of all non-essential personnel.”

“Howard, you can’t run the PSA by yourself down here. The staff living here is dedicated to keeping our country together. You can’t very well ask them to live here full time without their families. The refugees we took in after the collapse have nowhere to go; we can’t very well evict them.”

“You sound like my son.”

“Well, he’s right, you know. What exactly are you afraid of? Everyone granted access to Beck Castle undergoes extensive security checks.”

“That’s all well and good, Richard, but what happens if a Silent Warrior or a UAE spy manages to get down here? We’ll lose everything. All of our accomplishments will be for nothing.”

“Howard, the only thing we can do is to be fiercely vigilant in our screening process like we’ve always been.”

Howard decided to give up and changed the subject. “You have any plans for this coming Monday?”

“I’m sure I do.”

“Want to come to Seattle with me?”

“Not particularly, why?”

“Senator Wilson is having a banquet or some nonsense.”

“You mean you’re actually going? I’m shocked. Don’t recall you ever going to any social function.”

“I haven’t. My son won’t stop badgering me about it. Keeps insisting that I’m an inspiration or a symbol of something. I don’t really understand the point. I figure if I go to one he’ll leave me alone for a while.”

“I have to agree with him. The people want to see their president.”

“Will you come with me?”

“Have you asked Max?”

“Not yet. I want at least one of you to go with me.”

“If he doesn’t want to go, I guess I’ll go with you. Is Max here? I’d like to talk to both of you.”

Howard knew Richard had something important to talk about if he wanted Max involved in the discussion. “I’m not sure. Hal?”

“Director Harris is in his office, sir. Would you like me to summon him?”

“Please.”

“Very good, sir.”

Maxwell Harris sat at the small kitchen table next to his wife, Elizabeth. Max sipped his coffee while Elizabeth breast-fed their four-month-old son, Thomas. Max was studying the holographic read-out projected above his tablet and making plans for the day.

“Busy day?” asked Elizabeth.

“Very.”

“How’s your leg?”

“Same.”

Elizabeth leaned forward and put her hand on her husband’s. “What’s wrong?”

Max smiled at his wife. “Nothing, sorry. Didn’t sleep very well last night.”

“Don’t know what you’re complaining about, silly. I’m the one that got up with your son three times.”

“I know you did, Momma. I’m just feeling cooped up living underground. I’d like to get out and breathe some fresh air and see the sun.”