Julia covered her face and fell to
the ground as an explosion rocked the buildings across the street. Dust and
debris flew through the broken storefront windows covering everything in a
thick layer of poisoned dust. Gunfire erupted soon after as government forces
moved in to take the heart of the Free State city.
“Stay
here,” Tod yelled, peering over the fallen counters, M-16 held ready in case
any feds tried to use the store as cover for their assault. Nothing moved.
Gunfire sounded far away to the south, followed soon after by mortars and
machine guns. The battle was moving away from them, possibly towards downtown
where the rebel underground kept a not so secret headquarters.
Tod
moved outside, quickly scanning the streets for movement.
“All
clear,” he said, returning to the relative safety of Julia’s store. Sitting
down, he grabbed a discarded Slim Jim lying on the ground and stuck it in his
mouth.
“You
know that’s probably been lying for a while, right?”
“Lady,
when all you’ve had to eat for the last two weeks are veggie omelet MRE’s, you
tend not to be picky.”
“Never
had the pleasure.”
“Pray
you never do,” he smiled and ruffled her hair, “your radio still work?”
“If the
battery’s still charged,” she rose, pushing aside fallen beams and navigating
her way through the ruins of her store. Canned foods and spilled packages of
candy and beef jerky cluttered the floor as a river of spoiled milk and busted
soda cans snaked its way out the front door and down the sewers. The smell of
hot monster energy drinks was smoothing she’d never get used to.
By the
cashbox, behind a box of bullet proof glass (one could never be too careful)
and underneath the counter, she kept a small radio that, before the war,
broadcasted music throughout the store but now was dedicated to airing the
voice of Free State Radio, the voice of the American Independence Movement in
Omaha Nebraska. Tyler Harrison gave voice to the millions of Americans across
the thirty five Free States who tuned
into his show to get the latest news on the war across the nation.
“…as
Free Staters continue to put up stiff resistance in the mountains of Idaho near
Boise, fighting off special forces units from France and the United Kingdom for
several days before being driven from the city by Federal armor. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to the families of our fallen heroes. On the eastern front local militias in Texas
and Oklahoma, using only weapons purchased before the war, managed to shoot
down five Federal Apache helicopters, delaying the enemies advance long enough
for Free State regulars to arrive and force the enemy back into occupied
Louisiana. Enemy casualties are estimated to be in the thousands.
Free
State President Larry Johnson and Republic of Texas President Timothy Wyatt
celebrated with the troops in Texas yesterday morning the launching of the RTS
Houston, the first nuclear powered Republic of Texas submarine. It is hoped
that this new weapon system will be capable of breaking the foreigners naval
blockade on our ports.
More
news at the top of the hour, this is Tyler Harrison, and you are listening to
Free State Radio, the voice of freedom. Stay safe America.”
Tod
reached around Julia’s waste and pulled her tight, kissing her lightly on the
top of her head.
“You
worried?” he asked, rocking her in his
powerful arms.
“A
little. Business isn’t what it used to be, not many people wanting to buy candy
and soda anymore. Can’t imagine why.”
They
stood there for a long moment enjoying the company of the other. Tod wasn’t a
Free Stater, he favored unification thinking it was in the best interest of the
nation and the world at large.
But when Nebraska declared itself a
Free State, and the World Union now consisting of the official United States
government and most European powers, began its invasion, he moved back home to
protest the war. Soon after, he was drafted. Such is life.
She on
the other hand was a dedicated Free Stater from the beginning. The way the
government betrayed the nation by adopting the World Union constitution and discarding
the US constitution without so much as a vote just couldn’t be tolerated.
Revolution was the only option, so revolt they did. Thirty five states united
in their resistance to unionization. Thirty five states, from Hawaii to Main,
openly resisting the combined might of thirty five nations. When the war
started she opened her store as a Free State Army recruiting center, though the
draft soon ended the need for it. Tod, a Republic of Texas regular (Texas,
being the first state to declare independence, remained an independent nation
though a powerful ally of the Free State Movement), was sent to Omaha to
prevent Federal troops from crossing the Missouri river. That, obviously,
didn’t work. Now he just kept her company while the bombs of war destroyed everything
she ever loved.
“We’re
not going to win this war,” Julia said, shaking her head.
“I
know,” Tod replied. She turned, gazing into his beautiful dark brown eyes.
Though she’d only known him for a few short days, she could feel herself
falling for him. Unable to control herself, she leaned towards him and kissed
his lips.
Outside
the war raged on. A smart bomb fell from a B-2 bomber piloted by US Air Force
Captain Derosa. Slowly it fell from the sky, hurdling past anti-aircraft fire
as it made its way towards the ground. As the bomb exploded outside a Free
State recruiting center, the Captain shook his head. This wasn’t right. Turning
the plane, he returned to base, the guilt of killing fellow Americans engrained
forever in his mind.
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