G Hopf: The End

Sebastian knew how he felt, but he was never the idealist Gordon once was. Sebastian loved his country, sure, but he was in it more for the adventure. He loved the action. Sebastian felt lucky that people would pay him to blow things up. He never thought much of politics, thinking it was a waste of time. Gordon would love to share his brother’s outlook, but how can our country survive if all we do is look out for ourselves? Ideologically, he was conflicted. Practically, though, until his anger went away, he would not put anyone else before himself or his family.

Sebastian’s return interrupted Gordon’s train of thought.

“Here, bro,” Sebastian handed over another beer.

Sitting up and grabbing the beer Gordon said, “Thank you. Look, I’m sorry if I seemed like I doubted you. I do respect you and I don’t look at you any other way than as a man. You know how I feel about the Corps and everything else. I really don’t want to get into it again. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I know, I know. Listen, I’ll be in good hands. By the way, I forgot to tell you, we just got a new commanding officer,” Sebastian said after drinking some beer, he had a big smile on his face.

“Who is that?” Gordon was interested.

“Barone!”

“Major Barone?” Gordon’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, but he’s a light bird now.”

Again, Gordon’s memory flashed back to the time after the Fallujah incident. Major Barone was one of his staunchest defenders. He stood by him while the other brass were ready to offer him up to appease the politicians and media. The press had a heyday with the story and was bloodthirsty in its reporting on the shooting. For all intents and purposes, he had been publicly convicted before any investigation had even been completed.

Comforted by the memory of a loyal friend, Gordon said, “That is great news. He’s a great man. You are definitely in good hands with him.”

“I knew you’d be happy to hear his name again. I haven’t had the chance to actually meet him, but I hear he loves his snipers. I’m pumped. Now, all I have to do is make the cut.”

“It really does make me happy that he’s in charge and will be taking you guys back into the mix on your next tour,” Gordon felt relieved that his brother would be in such trustworthy company.

Gordon was very happy to have that bit of news. Regardless of his brother’s confidence, he would always worry and look after him. Sebastian was his little brother and, as the oldest, he felt a bit responsible for him even if it meant being accused of acting like a parent. Gordon was also concerned because of the increase in terrorist attacks against military installations around the globe. Over the past few months, there had also been an uptick in attacks against civilian targets in Europe. He and Samantha often talked about how strange it was that the terrorists had never attempted those attacks in the United States. With the porous border to the south, he just felt that the U.S. would not always be so lucky. He knew that eventually the terrorists would come back and the next large attack could be so damaging it could bring the country to its knees.

Gordon put aside the thoughts about the harshness of the world and refocused on having a good time with his brother. After a few more beers, some laughs, and a brief trip down memory lane, the brothers said goodbye to one another.

After walking him to the front door, Gordon gave Sebastian a hug and said, “If you ever need anything, you call me; don’t hesitate. We’re here for you.”

“I will, Gordo. I love you, brother,” Sebastian always felt bad when he had to leave. He hated goodbyes.

As Sebastian walked down the sidewalk Gordon yelled after him, “Stay frosty, Marine.”

San Diego, CA

“This is a CNN News Alert. A series of explosions have gone off in downtown Seattle inside of Century Link Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. The number of casualties is unknown at this moment. We go to our local affiliate, who is reporting from a helicopter above the ballpark.”

“Oh my God,” Samantha gasped. She placed her hand over her mouth in shock.

“Mommy, where’s Hunter?” Haley asked.

“He’s upstairs playing in his room; now please be quiet for a moment,” Samantha said, not looking at Haley.

“Mommy, mommy I want juice,” Haley said, tugging on Samantha’s pants.

“One sec, Haley,” Samantha replied to her daughter.

“Mommy!” Haley yelled, ignoring her mother’s dismissal.

“Haley, please honey, one second!” Samantha raised her voice, “Mommy is watching something very, very important.”

Samantha could not take her eyes off the scenes coming from the television. Columns of smoke were pouring out of the stadium. Sadly, these images were becoming common now.

Beginning on September 6 th, there had been ongoing attacks across the country. From car bombs and suicide bombers to gunmen walking into malls, violence had become almost a daily occurrence. From Miami to, now, Seattle, it seemed as though no place in the United States was safe. The president tried to calm the nation the night before with a nationally televised address. He promised he was using every resource available to stop any future attacks.

Unfortunately, though, these attacks were happening so frequently across the country that many resources were being stretched thin. The various intelligence agencies had been successful in stopping a few incidents, but due to their sporadic nature, it was impossible to stop them all. Every American felt on edge. Many had completely stopped frequenting crowded public places, but some people still braved it. Samantha and Gordon were among those who avoided going out at all. When they did venture out, it was only to get what they couldn’t order online, and they never took the kids with them. The tension was very high and the economy was suffering from the repeated attacks.

“Gordon!” Samantha yelled.

A minute went by without a response from Gordon. She yelled again even louder than before, “Gordon, come here!”

“What’s up?” he yelled back from his office at the end of the house. Gordon was fortunate; he worked from home for a web design company. After he left the Marine Corps, he didn’t know what to do; he didn’t want go back to college, but needed a trade. He had been working toward a degree in computer science before he joined the Corps and was very computer savvy. While in college, he designed sites to help pay the bills, so it seemed natural to gravitate to something familiar.

He enjoyed the work, but enjoyed the freedom that came with working from home more. It gave him more time to spend with his family. Now, with all of the attacks, he was especially glad he wasn’t going back and forth to some cubicle somewhere, becoming a possible target.

Gordon walked into the living room. Samantha was sitting on the edge of the couch, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and her hands covering her mouth.

He recognized the desperate look on her face and glanced toward the TV for confirmation, “Shit, really? Another attack? Where?”

“Seattle,” she finally lowered her hands from her face.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Gordon, be quiet, I can’t hear,” Samantha sounded very upset and looked stressed.

He walked over to her and sat next to her on the couch. He grabbed her hand. She turned to him; she had tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice cracked, “I’m scared, Gordon, these attacks just won’t stop. We knew they’d come here, but they are relentless!”