Richard Stephenson - Collapse

“That’s was Hal’s assumption. Looks like you were right, Old Man.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Cover of darkness gave us the advantage. Things started calming down. That only lasted a few hours. Then mobs began to overrun the checkpoints. With the rules of engagement tying their hands, they couldn’t fire on the mobs. Tear gas slowed them down, but they just kept coming. My men were dropping like flies. I ordered a full retreat to our rally point outside the city. Twelve vehicles showed up, just twelve. After two hours, Lt. Christopher’s platoon showed up, and we had to evacuate or else he was a dead man. I left a scout behind to watch the rally point, and then we showed up on your doorstep.”

Captain Butler raised his glass. “And thank God for you, sir.” Captain Butler and First Sergeant Bankhead raised their glasses and brought them together in a toast. Howard was confused at first, but could tell that they were waiting for him to follow suit. He raised his glass and the two men clinked their glasses on his.

Howard waited to ensure Captain Butler was finished speaking. “Hal, what’s going on in the other major cities? Is Denver spilling over anywhere else?”

“Yes, sir, I’m afraid it is. The young lady who died in the ambulance has become the symbol for uprising and protest. The civilian deaths in Denver have caused many angry citizens to rise up and demand justice.”

“Fuck me.” Captain Butler stood up and walked over to the window. A wave of crushing guilt swept over him. He felt responsible for the entire thing. “Hal, how bad has it gotten? Have any other cities fallen?”

“Yes sir, I regret to report that Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Pittsburgh are no longer under the control of the Unified National Guard.”

Captain Butler almost collapsed against the window. He slowly took his seat. His hands were shaking. “I don’t understand how it could happen so quickly. This is unbelievable.” Captain Butler looked to his top NCO. “Top, is this my fault? Am I to blame?”

“No, sir, it most certainly is not. You know as well as I do that every major city in this country is a powder keg waiting to blow. One spark would set them all off. It was bound to happen sooner or later, just a matter of when. Don’t give it another thought, sir. Focus on what’s to come. We will take back Denver, sir.”

Captain Butler needed to hear that. He immediately stopped feeling sorry for himself and looked at First Sergeant Bankhead. “Thanks, Matt. I needed a kick in the ass.”

“Just doing my job, sir.”

Howard felt the need to change the subject and lighten the mood. “Captain, you are welcome to stay for as long as it takes for Lieutenant Christopher to recover.”

“I appreciate that, Howard. As soon as he’s ready to move, we’ll be on our way.”

For three days, what was left of Captain Butler’s unit stayed on the compound. They set up a makeshift command post in the guesthouse, and the men set up camp in the field north of the main residence. Captain Butler was insistent that his men respect Howard’s privacy. No one was allowed to enter the main residence with the exception of Staff Sergeant Willis and his medics. Every evening Howard invited Captain Butler and First Sergeant Bankhead to dine with him. Howard had a hard time making friends; in fact, he preferred not to since he considered most people to be insufferable. Once Howard took a liking to someone, he was a fierce and loyal friend. Captain Butler was an exceptional officer and very intelligent. Howard enjoyed his company and looked forward to having dinner with him. When things calmed down, he was going to discuss Captain Butler’s career with President Powers.

Two days after they arrived, Lieutenant Christopher finally regained consciousness. Staff Sergeant Willis continued to monitor his progress and informed Captain Butler that by the end of the week, his XO would be back on his feet. Captain Butler was anxiously awaiting his departure from the estate so he could get back in the fight. He had been spending many long hours speaking with command. The Unified National Guard was coordinating a counter-attack to take back Denver from the rebels. Troops were arriving every day. Captain Butler had set up a base camp in the field directly in front of Beck Estates. His original plan was to set up camp a few miles outside of Denver but the brass had other ideas. Captain Butler had no intention of asking Howard to allow more troops to enter his property. He was grateful for Howard’s hospitality and wouldn’t dare impose any more than he already had. By the end of the week he would be in command of three regiments, and the Battle of Denver would commence. Captain Butler realized that a full bird Colonel should be in charge of the forces under his command and recognized the full weight of the responsibility he had been given.

On the fourth day of their stay, Captain Butler was sitting in the guesthouse with his First Sergeant when he received a message on his iPad from command. He read it twice and passed it over to his top NCO.

“Are they serious?”

“Looks that way, Top.”

“Let’s go tell Howard.”

Hal had of course been monitoring the entire conversation. He was unable to intercept any incoming or outgoing messages from Captain Butler’s command post since one of his siblings was sending the communication. Hal could tell that the two men were going to be delivering bad news to Howard.

Howard Beck was sitting his library reading Orwell’s 1984 for at least the tenth time and watching The Wrath of Khan for at least the hundredth. The movie filled the holographic screen in front of Howard. The bridge of the Enterprise was in front of him, and Captain Kirk was getting his ass handed to him by his nemesis.

“Excuse me, sir?”

“What is it, Old Man?”

“Captain Butler and First Sergeant Bankhead are on their way to see you.”

Howard didn’t look up from his book. “What for?”

“I’m not sure, sir. Captain Butler received communication from his superiors. They left the guest house and are walking up the path to the residence.”

“Thank you, Hal. Direct them to the library.”

“Very good, sir.”

The two soldiers entered the residence, and Hal dispatched one of his robots to serve as butler. The robot escorted the two men through a maze of corridors to the library.

“That thing gives me the creeps,” said First Sergeant Bankhead.

“I think it’s pretty cool. Top, you act like you’ve never seen a robot before.”

“Not in someone’s house, I haven’t.”

The robot stopped in front of the double doors to the library and opened them to allow the men inside.

“Jesus Christ!” First Sergeant Bankhead was looking at a gigantic spaceship being ripped apart by torpedoes.

Howard was laughing hysterically. “Hal, pause playback! You know better than that!”

The Enterprise was suspended a few feet off the floor, one of her nacelles ripped apart by Khan from aboard his hijacked vessel. The damaged nacelle was hurtling towards the two men in the doorway when the movie was paused. First Sergeant Bankhead leapt out of the way and was crouching by the wall.

Howard tried to stop laughing but couldn’t. The crusty NCO was not in the least bit amused. Howard finally regained his composure. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, please come in and make yourselves comfortable. I apologize for frightening you. Hal usually pauses the movie when someone enters the room.”

Actually, Howard had instructed Hal to do no such thing. He purposely set up the gag and timed it perfectly so the space battle would be in all its glory when the door was opened.