January 15th
Chapter Three in which Brien makes an announcement
“John,” Matthew said, shaking John awake, “John, you need to get up.”
“What time is it?” John asked groggily, reaching for his bedside clock. “God, Matt! It's Five Forty Five! Why did you wake me up?”
“The Foremen,” Matthew said, tossing John some clothes, “Are making an important announcement at six.”
“So?” John asked, getting out of bed and putting the clothes on while Matthew turned around to give him some privacy. “What's it about?”
“That's why I woke you up.” Matthew explained, “Josh has no idea.”
“Why?” John said, as he put on his shirt, “Doesn't he have spies?”
“He does.” Matthew said, turning back around, “But they had no idea that an announcement was coming it looks like Brien May and maybe Ben September are the only ones to know what this is about.”
“So it should be important.” John said, nodding.
“Yeah.” Matthew said, “That's why I woke you up. Coffee is in the outer room. Tom is already up. He's in the outer room with Josh, Margret, and Ava.”
“Cool.” John said, “How long have you been up?”
“Since Seven Thirty yesterday morning.” Matthew said sighing.
“You didn't sleep?” John asked, shocked. He couldn't imagine going an entire day without sleep and still function, he needed his sleep.
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“Well,” Matthew said leading the way into the outer room, “After you went to bed last night I had, what I thought was going to be, a quick meeting with Ava about some of the legal options for the whole terrorist threat. Then, about halfway through the meeting, Julian October bursts in saying that he and his team had found some books on Floor 59 which looked interesting. So I went to talk to him and then Tom comes running in saying that the Foremen had announced that they would be making an important announcement this morning. So I went to see Josh and then I spent the rest of the night trying the find out what the announcement would be about.”
“So what do you think it will be about?” John asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“We believe,” Josh August, who was sitting on the couch said, “that they are going to say that they are willing to deal.”
“Deal?” Margret asked. She was messing with Matthew's laptop, trying to find the Foremen live feed. “What does that mean?”
“We don't really have any knowledge of what they are planning.” Josh said, “But, since the war is not going that well for them, we have made the educated guess that they are going to try and negotiate peace.”
“How can they do that though?” Margret asked, finally finding the feed and full screening it. Currently it was just showing a black screen with a little countdown to six am. “What do they have to offer us? I mean, before in history, when there is a war, and one side wants to end it they have things that they can offer the other side. Like land or money or whatever. We don't have any of that.”
“Probably what they will offer us,” Josh said, “at least to begin with is a split council. Half our people half their people. We'll counter with a two state solution.”
“How could that possibly work?” Ava January asked, she was also sitting on the couch.
“We will split the house into two sections.” Matthew said, “Half theirs half ours. With the food machines being neutral ground.”
“But what about other goods?” Thomas asked, he was standing up by the coffee machine, “Let's say we control the shoe making machines but they control the pant making machines, would their people just go without shoes and our people just go without pants? Because I don't think that will work.”
Everyone laughed at that.
“No,” Josh explained, “You see we would have to trade. We would trade them shoes for pants and vice versa. But we don't predict that they will accept that. It's just our opening offer. You guys know the rule about haggling; start high, end low.”
“Guys,” Margret said, “I think it's starting.”
They all turned to look at the screen. Brien May had walked onto the screen and stood behind a podium.
“Hello,” Brien said somberly, reading a prepared speech “and Good Morning. Today I have a few important announcements. The first announcement is in response to recent calls for us to negotiate with the rebels known as the October Conspiracy, I wish to state that as long as I draw breath and am able to hold a gun we will not negotiate with them. I consider them to be little more than terrorists and murders. And I do not deal with terrorists and murderers.”
“The second announcement is that we are getting the High Council back together. Unlike the rebels I do not believe that we need to 'Reform' it. I do not believe that the Founders were mistaken when they created the Founding Charter. So the High Council Will function exactly as it did before the war began.”
“The last announcement is that Emily February has agreed to return as President and Nyssa March has also agreed to return to the council, though in a different position. She will serve as Vice President of the House. Benjamin September will serve as Prime Minister of the House. I will serve as both Chief Legal Consul and Chief Security Officer until a suitable replacement can be found. Olivia July has declined to rejoin the council and she will be replaced as clerk by...” He fumbled with his papers.
“Bet he names himself.” Thomas said and everybody laughed.
“The new clerk will be,” Brien continued, “Allison October.”
“WHAT?!” Margret cried.
“Wasn't she your roommate?” Josh asked.
“Yes she was.” Margret growled, “The little traitor.”
“Be quiet.” John shushed, “He's still talking.”
“Allison October will now make a statement.” Brien said and stepped away from the podium. Allison walked out and took her place behind the podium.
“First,” She began and immediately everyone realized why she was named to the council. She was a marvelous public speaker and she was also an Under 20. “I want to thank Brien May for his wonderful introduction. Who knew that he was such a charmer? I also want to thank both Emily February and Nyssa March for their willingness to jump right back into public service, I honestly and truly look forward to working with them.”
“Now,” She continued, her tone getting more serious, “I want to make a promise to the residents of the House. I will end this illegal and baseless war that is currently being waged. This war is nothing more than a grab for power by Johnathan June, Matthew January, Margret November, Thomas March, and Joshua August. They have manipulated Philip October's death from being the simple execution of a person who was breaking House laws into being a brutal murder by the Foremen and a justification for war.”
“Here is the truth,” Allison said leaning in, “Philip October was a friend of mine. He was, but unfortunately he decided to reveal classified information that would have put everyone in the House at risk. He forced the Foremen to excecute him. Do you think that they wanted to shoot him? Do you think that, as the so called October Conspiracy would like you to believe, they woke up that morning thinking 'Hey let's go shoot an innocent kid for fun'? No you don't, because that is preposterous. It is ridiculous. It borders on insanity. And Johnathan June and his cronies know this, but they have phrased it in such a way that their supporters do not see the true insanity of it. I will give them this, they have mastered the art of spin.”
“My God,” Matthew said, his mouth open, “She's really good.”
“Too good.” Margret said darkly.
“This war is nothing but a grab for power.” Allison said, banging her fist on the podium for effect. “They have made the Foremen, and Brien May in particular, into the cause of all problems inside the House. My God! This is total and utter madness! They have sacrificed hundreds of lives just to feed their own ambition. This. Can. Not. Stand.”
“I am the first to admit that the House is not perfect. I am the first to admit that there are problems. I am the first to admit that the Under 20s probably need more of a voice in government, and that is what this war is about the Under 20s wanting more power. But war is not the answer.”
“As long as I am clerk of the High Council we will not negotiate with the rebels, for this reason: If we give into them now then we will be expected to give into them next time and the time after that and the time after that. It will never end, unless we end it now. And I will end it now, we will win this war. I promise you that. We. Will. Win. This. War!” Allison finished.
Matthew turned to look at the others.
“I think,” He said seriously, “That we might have a wee bit of a PR problem on our hands.”
end of part three
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The House Part 14
January 13th
Chapter Two in which we meet Brien May again
“NO!” Brien May yelled, “No, I will not!”
“Just hear me out.” Ben September said, “Just hear me out.”
“No,” Brien yelled, “I have said it before and I will say it again...”
“No?” Ben said raising his eyebrows.
“No!” Brien confirmed.
“Listen to me.” Ben said reasonably, “All I ask is that you listen to me!”
“No!” Brien said walking across the room.
“We are losing this war!!” Ben yelled shocking Brien into silence, Ben was not the type of person who yelled.
“Do you understand that?” Ben demanded, “We are losing this war!”
“I am the Supreme Military Leader of the House!” Brien said, also shouting now, “AND YOU DON”T THINK THAT I KNOW THAT WE ARE LOSING?!!”
“THEN WHY WON”T YOU TRY AND END IT?!!!!!” Ben roared back.
“BECAUSE WHEN EMILY FENUARY WAS IN CHARGE,” Brien yelled in return, “THINGS WERE TERRIBLE AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS WAR BEGAN!!”
“NO IT ISN”T!!!” Ben screamed at Brien, getting right up in his face, “THE REASON THAT THIS WAR BEGAN IS BECAUSE YOU SIEZED POWER ILLEGALY!!” Ben stopped suddenly, realizing that he had gone to far.
“Is that what you think?” Brien asked, obviously hurt. “That I seized power illegally?” Ben was silent.
“Ben?” Brien asked, “Is that what you really think?”
“Yes.” Ben said “I do.”
“I did it for you.” Brien said hoarsely, “They were try to get you kicked off the council.”
“But...” Ben said, “That's just politics, there was no reason for you to overthrow the council.”
“They were corrupt.” Brien said, pleadingly, “They were corrupt and manipulative. If they had found out about the true circumstances surrounding Philip October's death they would have....”
“Don't mention that day.” Ben spat, a strange venom in his voice, “Don't ever mention that day, you power hungry monster!” Brien stared into Ben's eyes for a few moments and then he turned away.
“Brien,” Ben said, his voice full of remorse, “I'm, I'm, I'm sorry. It's just...This war is getting to me, I know that you didn't just seize power for the sake of it. ”
“It's fine.” Brien said, tears welling in his eyes. He stared pointedly off into the distance as he continued to speak. “It's just, it's just that every single day I have to go out, put on a brave face, be the strong leader, and be hated for no reason. Do you think that's easy? Do you think that it's easy to hear everyone whisper behind your back about how you are a crazed tyrant? Do you think it's easy to hear people gently imply that maybe you should step aside and let someone a little more 'charismatic' take over? How do you you think it feels to have people walk up to you and say 'Sir, I think that you have been doing a bang up job running the war effort but maybe it's time to start negotiating peace and to do that I think you should let more of a people person take over.'? DO YOU THINK MY LIFE IS EASY?!” Brien roared turning to face Ben.
“I have no one to turn to, no one to rely on, no one who truly understands me! The only person in this entire God forsaken building that I feel close to says that I am a power hungry monster.”
“Brien,” Ben said, close to tears, “I didn't mean it..please..”
“Go away.” Brien said without emotion, “Just go away Ben.”
“Brien,” Ben pleaded, “Please...”
“I SAID GET OUT!!!” Brien screamed turning around sharply while drawing his gun and pointing it at Ben's head.
“Brien,” Ben said holding up his hands, “Calm down.”
“No!” Brien spat venomously, “I won't calm down, I'm the power hungry monster, remember?! Now, GET THE BLAZES OUT OF MY ROOM!!”
“I didn't mean...” Ben began but he was cut off when Brien charged him and slammed him against the wall.
“Do.” Brien said, enunciating every word, “Not. Speak. To. Me. Understand?”
“Brien,” Ben said, staring at Brien's gun which was he was holding to Ben's head. “Don't do this.”
“What did I say about talking to me?!!” Brien snarled, “Now get out of my room!” Ben looked at Brien sadly and then turned and walked out of the room. Brien holstered his gun, leaned against the wall, and began to cry.
Was Ben right? Was he a power crazy monster? But all he was trying to do was protect Ben. Emily February was the power hungry monster, she was trying to take over the council, she wanted to remove Ben from the High Council. What was he supposed to do? Just let her do whatever she wanted?
Then this war began and what was he supposed to do? He knew that the rebels probably had a point but the House had to have order, and with the Under 20s in control there would be no order. He knew that the Foremen could be overly harsh but they had to keep order.
Brien sighed and wiped his eyes. Ben was right, He should bring in Emily February, and probably Nyssa March as well. He was too hated, but there was no way, no way, that he would let Emily February and Nyssa March have all the power again. He would let them become the public faces of the war, but he would still be calling the shots behind the scenes. Yes, that is what he was going to do.
Chapter Two in which we meet Brien May again
“NO!” Brien May yelled, “No, I will not!”
“Just hear me out.” Ben September said, “Just hear me out.”
“No,” Brien yelled, “I have said it before and I will say it again...”
“No?” Ben said raising his eyebrows.
“No!” Brien confirmed.
“Listen to me.” Ben said reasonably, “All I ask is that you listen to me!”
“No!” Brien said walking across the room.
“We are losing this war!!” Ben yelled shocking Brien into silence, Ben was not the type of person who yelled.
“Do you understand that?” Ben demanded, “We are losing this war!”
“I am the Supreme Military Leader of the House!” Brien said, also shouting now, “AND YOU DON”T THINK THAT I KNOW THAT WE ARE LOSING?!!”
“THEN WHY WON”T YOU TRY AND END IT?!!!!!” Ben roared back.
“BECAUSE WHEN EMILY FENUARY WAS IN CHARGE,” Brien yelled in return, “THINGS WERE TERRIBLE AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS WAR BEGAN!!”
“NO IT ISN”T!!!” Ben screamed at Brien, getting right up in his face, “THE REASON THAT THIS WAR BEGAN IS BECAUSE YOU SIEZED POWER ILLEGALY!!” Ben stopped suddenly, realizing that he had gone to far.
“Is that what you think?” Brien asked, obviously hurt. “That I seized power illegally?” Ben was silent.
“Ben?” Brien asked, “Is that what you really think?”
“Yes.” Ben said “I do.”
“I did it for you.” Brien said hoarsely, “They were try to get you kicked off the council.”
“But...” Ben said, “That's just politics, there was no reason for you to overthrow the council.”
“They were corrupt.” Brien said, pleadingly, “They were corrupt and manipulative. If they had found out about the true circumstances surrounding Philip October's death they would have....”
“Don't mention that day.” Ben spat, a strange venom in his voice, “Don't ever mention that day, you power hungry monster!” Brien stared into Ben's eyes for a few moments and then he turned away.
“Brien,” Ben said, his voice full of remorse, “I'm, I'm, I'm sorry. It's just...This war is getting to me, I know that you didn't just seize power for the sake of it. ”
“It's fine.” Brien said, tears welling in his eyes. He stared pointedly off into the distance as he continued to speak. “It's just, it's just that every single day I have to go out, put on a brave face, be the strong leader, and be hated for no reason. Do you think that's easy? Do you think that it's easy to hear everyone whisper behind your back about how you are a crazed tyrant? Do you think it's easy to hear people gently imply that maybe you should step aside and let someone a little more 'charismatic' take over? How do you you think it feels to have people walk up to you and say 'Sir, I think that you have been doing a bang up job running the war effort but maybe it's time to start negotiating peace and to do that I think you should let more of a people person take over.'? DO YOU THINK MY LIFE IS EASY?!” Brien roared turning to face Ben.
“I have no one to turn to, no one to rely on, no one who truly understands me! The only person in this entire God forsaken building that I feel close to says that I am a power hungry monster.”
“Brien,” Ben said, close to tears, “I didn't mean it..please..”
“Go away.” Brien said without emotion, “Just go away Ben.”
“Brien,” Ben pleaded, “Please...”
“I SAID GET OUT!!!” Brien screamed turning around sharply while drawing his gun and pointing it at Ben's head.
“Brien,” Ben said holding up his hands, “Calm down.”
“No!” Brien spat venomously, “I won't calm down, I'm the power hungry monster, remember?! Now, GET THE BLAZES OUT OF MY ROOM!!”
“I didn't mean...” Ben began but he was cut off when Brien charged him and slammed him against the wall.
“Do.” Brien said, enunciating every word, “Not. Speak. To. Me. Understand?”
“Brien,” Ben said, staring at Brien's gun which was he was holding to Ben's head. “Don't do this.”
“What did I say about talking to me?!!” Brien snarled, “Now get out of my room!” Ben looked at Brien sadly and then turned and walked out of the room. Brien holstered his gun, leaned against the wall, and began to cry.
Was Ben right? Was he a power crazy monster? But all he was trying to do was protect Ben. Emily February was the power hungry monster, she was trying to take over the council, she wanted to remove Ben from the High Council. What was he supposed to do? Just let her do whatever she wanted?
Then this war began and what was he supposed to do? He knew that the rebels probably had a point but the House had to have order, and with the Under 20s in control there would be no order. He knew that the Foremen could be overly harsh but they had to keep order.
Brien sighed and wiped his eyes. Ben was right, He should bring in Emily February, and probably Nyssa March as well. He was too hated, but there was no way, no way, that he would let Emily February and Nyssa March have all the power again. He would let them become the public faces of the war, but he would still be calling the shots behind the scenes. Yes, that is what he was going to do.
The House Part 13
January 3rd
Chapter One in which Matthew has a meeting and makes a phone call
“Tom!” Matthew called out, “Please step into my office.”
“What's up?” Thomas asked as he walked over.
“I just remembered,” Matthew said, turning back in forth in his chair while playing with the little plaque that read “Matthew January, Prime Minister” which normally sat on his desk, “That John asked me to go over your speech with you.”
“Oh, ok.” Thomas said, “I don't have a copy on me, do you have a laptop that I could use?”
“Yeah,” Matthew said, “Sit down by the way, make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” Thomas said, sinking into a chair while Matthew opened various drawers in his desk until he finally found the right one and pulled out a laptop. He handed it to Thomas who began to type.
“Here it is.” He said after a while, handing the laptop back to Matthew who began to read. They sat silence for a few minutes until Matthew shut the laptop and looked up at Thomas.
“So...” Thomas asked, “What do you think?”
“It's pretty good.” Matthew said, “But there were two sentences that I think you should change.”
“Which ones?” Thomas said, grabbing the laptop and flipping it open.
“Um,” Matthew said, staring off into the distance trying to remember, “The one that began....um...'Turning the final corner', 'war close to finally ending', do you know what I'm talking about?”
“Yeah.” Thomas said, scrolling on the laptop, “The one that goes 'We have turned the final corner, the war is entering it's final stages and it is close to finally ending, soon we shall finally know peace.'?”
“Yeah,” Matthew said nodding, “That one.”
“What's wrong with it?” Thomas asked, “I actually kind of like it.”
“There are two problems with it.” Matthew said, “First you use the word 'Finally' way too much. I mean it's finally this finally that ect ect.”
“It's building.” Thomas explained, “It's turned final corner, entered final stages, close to finally ending, and then finally know peace. It is supposed to make it flow.”
“I don't think it does,” Matthew said, “But as you're the person making the speech we can leave it in if you want.”
“I don't want to contradict you,” Thomas said, “but I really do like that line. I think it does work.”
“Fine.” Matthew said, “But there is one other line that you really do need to change. It's the one that goes something like 'We are currently working to bring more Over 20s into government.' or something or other.”
“'We understand that there are very few Over 20s in leadership positions and we are currently working to bring more Over 20s into government.'” Thomas read.
“That's the one.” Matthew said.
“What's wrong with it?” Thomas asked, “Don't we want to reach out to the Over 20s?”
“Yes,” Matthew said, “But we also don't want to lie.”
“How is that a lie?” Thomas asked.
“Well,” Matthew said, smiling a little, “you see, we're kind of not working to bring more Over 20s into leadership positions. So saying that we are is kind of...wrong.”
“Really?” Thomas said, a little bit shocked, “We really aren't trying to bring more Over 20s into government?”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“Well we don't fully trust them. We think that they might try to sabotage the war effort.”
“Why?”
“Because,” Matthew explained patiently, sometimes Thomas could be a bit slow on the uptake “Like you said at the council meeting the leaders in the Over 20 community keep saying that this is not a war against the Foremen but a war against the Over 20s.”
“Why do you think that?” Thomas asked, “All I said in the council meeting, and all I know, is that some of the leaders of the Over 20s are speaking out against the war. Why do you think that they are saying it's a war against the Over 20s?”
“This morning,” Matthew said, “Josh informed me of a new Over 20 group that had formed called Tradition. Their stated aim is, and I quote, 'Stopping this illegal and immoral war against the Over 20 Community.'”
“Ah,” Thomas said, nodding, “I see why you might think that.”
“Yeah.” Matthew said standing up, “I hate to rush you out, but I have some important phone calls that I need to make.”
“Oh ok,” Thomas said, also standing, “So you just want me to change that line and maybe cut back on the finallys?”
“Yes.” Matthew said, “Thanks a lot for doing this Tom, John and I really appreciate it.”
“It's the least I can do.” Thomas said humbly, “Thanks for going over it with me, Matt.”
“No Problem.” Matthew said. They shook hands and Thomas left the office. Matthew sat back down and picked up his desk phone. He punched in several numbers and waited as the phone rang. Finally Margret picked up.
“Hello?” She said.
“Hey Margret. It's Matt.” Matthew said.
“Oh hey Matt.” Margret replied, “Is this important? Because I'm kind of busy right now.”
“It sort of is.” Matthew responded, “I just needed to let you know that Josh thinks that in the next week or so we're going to have a terrorist problem. The Over 20s are being whipped up into a frenzy by some of their more outspoken leaders. Now that we're beginning what we hope is the final offensive of the war...”
“Can't you just arrest them?” Margret said, sounding a little scared.
“Who?”
“The outspoken leaders in the Over 20 community.”
“Well you see, their main selling point,” Matthew explained, he seemed to be doing that a lot recently, “for their extremism is that we are waging a war against the Over 20s. Arresting their leaders doesn't do much to get end the perception does it?”
“I see your point.” Margret said, “So what do you suggest I do? Just sit around and wait for a terrorist attack?”
“Well,” Matthew said, “What else can we do?”
“That is....a terrible answer.” Margret said, “Please tell me that you've never considered being a therapist.”
“I just thought that you would like to know.”
“Well congrats. You have ensured that I won't sleep until after the war is over.”
“Actually most of the attacks will probably come after the war is over, revenge attacks, you know.”
“Well thank you even more Mr. Help People Get Less Scared. I now won't sleep until....ever.”
“Hey, as the clerk I thought you should know since these terrorists might target important members of the council.”
“Great,” Margret said sarcastically, “That makes me feel even better. I need to go and try to forget this entire conversation.”
“Good luck with that.” Matthew said smiling to himself, winding Margret up was really really fun.
“Go away.” Margret said and hung up. Matthew placed the phone back in it's cradle and laughed to himself. Other than the threat of terrorist attacks and the ongoing war that was tearing the House apart it had been a very good day.
Chapter One in which Matthew has a meeting and makes a phone call
“Tom!” Matthew called out, “Please step into my office.”
“What's up?” Thomas asked as he walked over.
“I just remembered,” Matthew said, turning back in forth in his chair while playing with the little plaque that read “Matthew January, Prime Minister” which normally sat on his desk, “That John asked me to go over your speech with you.”
“Oh, ok.” Thomas said, “I don't have a copy on me, do you have a laptop that I could use?”
“Yeah,” Matthew said, “Sit down by the way, make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” Thomas said, sinking into a chair while Matthew opened various drawers in his desk until he finally found the right one and pulled out a laptop. He handed it to Thomas who began to type.
“Here it is.” He said after a while, handing the laptop back to Matthew who began to read. They sat silence for a few minutes until Matthew shut the laptop and looked up at Thomas.
“So...” Thomas asked, “What do you think?”
“It's pretty good.” Matthew said, “But there were two sentences that I think you should change.”
“Which ones?” Thomas said, grabbing the laptop and flipping it open.
“Um,” Matthew said, staring off into the distance trying to remember, “The one that began....um...'Turning the final corner', 'war close to finally ending', do you know what I'm talking about?”
“Yeah.” Thomas said, scrolling on the laptop, “The one that goes 'We have turned the final corner, the war is entering it's final stages and it is close to finally ending, soon we shall finally know peace.'?”
“Yeah,” Matthew said nodding, “That one.”
“What's wrong with it?” Thomas asked, “I actually kind of like it.”
“There are two problems with it.” Matthew said, “First you use the word 'Finally' way too much. I mean it's finally this finally that ect ect.”
“It's building.” Thomas explained, “It's turned final corner, entered final stages, close to finally ending, and then finally know peace. It is supposed to make it flow.”
“I don't think it does,” Matthew said, “But as you're the person making the speech we can leave it in if you want.”
“I don't want to contradict you,” Thomas said, “but I really do like that line. I think it does work.”
“Fine.” Matthew said, “But there is one other line that you really do need to change. It's the one that goes something like 'We are currently working to bring more Over 20s into government.' or something or other.”
“'We understand that there are very few Over 20s in leadership positions and we are currently working to bring more Over 20s into government.'” Thomas read.
“That's the one.” Matthew said.
“What's wrong with it?” Thomas asked, “Don't we want to reach out to the Over 20s?”
“Yes,” Matthew said, “But we also don't want to lie.”
“How is that a lie?” Thomas asked.
“Well,” Matthew said, smiling a little, “you see, we're kind of not working to bring more Over 20s into leadership positions. So saying that we are is kind of...wrong.”
“Really?” Thomas said, a little bit shocked, “We really aren't trying to bring more Over 20s into government?”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“Well we don't fully trust them. We think that they might try to sabotage the war effort.”
“Why?”
“Because,” Matthew explained patiently, sometimes Thomas could be a bit slow on the uptake “Like you said at the council meeting the leaders in the Over 20 community keep saying that this is not a war against the Foremen but a war against the Over 20s.”
“Why do you think that?” Thomas asked, “All I said in the council meeting, and all I know, is that some of the leaders of the Over 20s are speaking out against the war. Why do you think that they are saying it's a war against the Over 20s?”
“This morning,” Matthew said, “Josh informed me of a new Over 20 group that had formed called Tradition. Their stated aim is, and I quote, 'Stopping this illegal and immoral war against the Over 20 Community.'”
“Ah,” Thomas said, nodding, “I see why you might think that.”
“Yeah.” Matthew said standing up, “I hate to rush you out, but I have some important phone calls that I need to make.”
“Oh ok,” Thomas said, also standing, “So you just want me to change that line and maybe cut back on the finallys?”
“Yes.” Matthew said, “Thanks a lot for doing this Tom, John and I really appreciate it.”
“It's the least I can do.” Thomas said humbly, “Thanks for going over it with me, Matt.”
“No Problem.” Matthew said. They shook hands and Thomas left the office. Matthew sat back down and picked up his desk phone. He punched in several numbers and waited as the phone rang. Finally Margret picked up.
“Hello?” She said.
“Hey Margret. It's Matt.” Matthew said.
“Oh hey Matt.” Margret replied, “Is this important? Because I'm kind of busy right now.”
“It sort of is.” Matthew responded, “I just needed to let you know that Josh thinks that in the next week or so we're going to have a terrorist problem. The Over 20s are being whipped up into a frenzy by some of their more outspoken leaders. Now that we're beginning what we hope is the final offensive of the war...”
“Can't you just arrest them?” Margret said, sounding a little scared.
“Who?”
“The outspoken leaders in the Over 20 community.”
“Well you see, their main selling point,” Matthew explained, he seemed to be doing that a lot recently, “for their extremism is that we are waging a war against the Over 20s. Arresting their leaders doesn't do much to get end the perception does it?”
“I see your point.” Margret said, “So what do you suggest I do? Just sit around and wait for a terrorist attack?”
“Well,” Matthew said, “What else can we do?”
“That is....a terrible answer.” Margret said, “Please tell me that you've never considered being a therapist.”
“I just thought that you would like to know.”
“Well congrats. You have ensured that I won't sleep until after the war is over.”
“Actually most of the attacks will probably come after the war is over, revenge attacks, you know.”
“Well thank you even more Mr. Help People Get Less Scared. I now won't sleep until....ever.”
“Hey, as the clerk I thought you should know since these terrorists might target important members of the council.”
“Great,” Margret said sarcastically, “That makes me feel even better. I need to go and try to forget this entire conversation.”
“Good luck with that.” Matthew said smiling to himself, winding Margret up was really really fun.
“Go away.” Margret said and hung up. Matthew placed the phone back in it's cradle and laughed to himself. Other than the threat of terrorist attacks and the ongoing war that was tearing the House apart it had been a very good day.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The House Part 12
Part Three
The War Sets In
Prologue
January 1st
Transcript of the first meeting of the Reformed House High Council
Margret November(Clerk): This meeting of the Reformed House High Council is now called to order. Mr. Secretary?
Marc July(Secretary): Ready, Madam Clerk.
Margret November: Everyone please stand and raise your right hand and repeat after the secretary.
Marc July: I do solemnly swear to, to the best of my ability, uphold the laws and regulations of the House and to seek to change and reform those laws that are ruled to be in need of repair.”
All: I solemnly swear to, to the best of my ability, uphold the laws and regulations of the House and to seek to change and reform those laws that are ruled to be in need of repair.
Margret November: Everyone please be seated
John June(President of the House and the Reformed High Council): Madam Clerk I would like to propose a motion to dispose of this unneeded formality.
Matthew January(Prime Minister of the House): I second that motion.
Thomas March(Vice President of the House): I, um, third that motion.
All: Laughter.
Margret November: The motion is approved.
John June: Ok so, first, I want to welcome everybody to this first meeting of the Reformed High Council and I also want to personally commend Josh August and his troops on taking Floor 64.
All applause
Josh August(Head of House Security): Thank you, Mr President. I would just like to say that we lost thirty two soldiers in the attack. Fourteen of them were under 16 and fifteen were over 20.
John June: Speaking of which, how is our recruitment of the Over 20s going?
Thomas March: It could be going better.
John June: How so?
Thomas March: Well, they don't like that every member of the council is an Under 20. They believe that they should be leading the House.
Margret November: So, what are you telling them?
Thomas March: Basically that the reason there are so few over 20s in power is because so few over 20s actually join.
Matthew January: Nice
Thomas March: Thank you, but there are certain leaders in the Over 20 community who keep speaking out against the war. Currently they are remaining peaceful but I'm a little worried about it.
John June: What do you suggest we do?
Thomas March: Currently I'd just say keep an eye on them, but I really am worried about it.
John June: Josh, could you get on that?
Josh August: Yeah, I'll assign some people.
John June: Awesome.
Matthew January: Tom, what about the Under 20s? How is the recruitment of them?
Thomas March: Much better than the Over 20s. We have about three fourths of them enlisted and we are currently working on getting the last fourth enlisted. They seem to, in contrast to the Over 20s, like that the Under 20s are leading the House now.
John June: Naturally.
Thomas March: Yeah.
John June: Ok. Thank you very much Tom. Matt, how are we on getting the factories back up and running?
Matthew January: Very well, we have about 85 percent of them back. We've been working with Tom's office to try and reach out to the Over 20s, so most of the people in charge of organizing the, for lack of a better word, work shifts are Over 20.
John June: Good, good. Now, Josh what is the plan, militarily, for the next few weeks?
Josh August: We hope to get up to Floor 70 this week. After that there are only 12 more floors so we hope that we are drawing to the close of the war.
John June: Don't we all. Ok, does anyone have anything else?
Ava January(Chief Legal Consul): My office is hard at work writing of a new House charter. We're about a third of the way done and I personally think that it is going very well.
John June: Good, good. Will you be able have a copy of what you have so far on my desk by the end of the day?
Ava January: I think so, I'll leave myself a note.
John June: Thank you.
Ava January: You are very welcome.
John June: If that is all..and I believe it is, I would ask that Margret, will you please end this meeting.
Margret November: Certainly, I hereby end the first meeting of the Reformed High Council.
End of Transcript
The War Sets In
Prologue
January 1st
Transcript of the first meeting of the Reformed House High Council
Margret November(Clerk): This meeting of the Reformed House High Council is now called to order. Mr. Secretary?
Marc July(Secretary): Ready, Madam Clerk.
Margret November: Everyone please stand and raise your right hand and repeat after the secretary.
Marc July: I do solemnly swear to, to the best of my ability, uphold the laws and regulations of the House and to seek to change and reform those laws that are ruled to be in need of repair.”
All: I solemnly swear to, to the best of my ability, uphold the laws and regulations of the House and to seek to change and reform those laws that are ruled to be in need of repair.
Margret November: Everyone please be seated
John June(President of the House and the Reformed High Council): Madam Clerk I would like to propose a motion to dispose of this unneeded formality.
Matthew January(Prime Minister of the House): I second that motion.
Thomas March(Vice President of the House): I, um, third that motion.
All: Laughter.
Margret November: The motion is approved.
John June: Ok so, first, I want to welcome everybody to this first meeting of the Reformed High Council and I also want to personally commend Josh August and his troops on taking Floor 64.
All applause
Josh August(Head of House Security): Thank you, Mr President. I would just like to say that we lost thirty two soldiers in the attack. Fourteen of them were under 16 and fifteen were over 20.
John June: Speaking of which, how is our recruitment of the Over 20s going?
Thomas March: It could be going better.
John June: How so?
Thomas March: Well, they don't like that every member of the council is an Under 20. They believe that they should be leading the House.
Margret November: So, what are you telling them?
Thomas March: Basically that the reason there are so few over 20s in power is because so few over 20s actually join.
Matthew January: Nice
Thomas March: Thank you, but there are certain leaders in the Over 20 community who keep speaking out against the war. Currently they are remaining peaceful but I'm a little worried about it.
John June: What do you suggest we do?
Thomas March: Currently I'd just say keep an eye on them, but I really am worried about it.
John June: Josh, could you get on that?
Josh August: Yeah, I'll assign some people.
John June: Awesome.
Matthew January: Tom, what about the Under 20s? How is the recruitment of them?
Thomas March: Much better than the Over 20s. We have about three fourths of them enlisted and we are currently working on getting the last fourth enlisted. They seem to, in contrast to the Over 20s, like that the Under 20s are leading the House now.
John June: Naturally.
Thomas March: Yeah.
John June: Ok. Thank you very much Tom. Matt, how are we on getting the factories back up and running?
Matthew January: Very well, we have about 85 percent of them back. We've been working with Tom's office to try and reach out to the Over 20s, so most of the people in charge of organizing the, for lack of a better word, work shifts are Over 20.
John June: Good, good. Now, Josh what is the plan, militarily, for the next few weeks?
Josh August: We hope to get up to Floor 70 this week. After that there are only 12 more floors so we hope that we are drawing to the close of the war.
John June: Don't we all. Ok, does anyone have anything else?
Ava January(Chief Legal Consul): My office is hard at work writing of a new House charter. We're about a third of the way done and I personally think that it is going very well.
John June: Good, good. Will you be able have a copy of what you have so far on my desk by the end of the day?
Ava January: I think so, I'll leave myself a note.
John June: Thank you.
Ava January: You are very welcome.
John June: If that is all..and I believe it is, I would ask that Margret, will you please end this meeting.
Margret November: Certainly, I hereby end the first meeting of the Reformed High Council.
End of Transcript
The House Part 11
Chapter Three in which people die
Margret drew her side arm and loaded it as John explained the plan.
“Ok,” John said, “Here is how this is going to go: Platinum Squadron will lead the way and go directly to the center of the floor. They will open fire on and attempt to destroy the Foremen outpost. Meanwhile Gold squadron will attack the right of the floor while Silver Squadron attacks the left of the floor. When Copper Squadron arrives they will assist Platinum Squadron in their attack on the Foremen outpost. Everyone understand?”
The assembled squadrons nodded.
“Ok then,” John said, “Let's go.”
The gathered troops let out a cheer and drew their weapons. Josh led the way up the stairs, followed by his squadron. John walked over to Matthew who was standing next to Margret and spoke to him so quietly that Margret had to strain to hear. Some people called her an eavesdropper but she always said that if you hold a conversation where other people can hear you then the other people have a right to listen to you.
“Things are going to be very bad up there.” He said to Matthew, “You will have to do things that you will almost certainly not want to do.”
“I understand.” Matthew said.
“Now this is something you need to keep to yourself,” John continued and Margret strained even more, “I didn't tell everyone the whole mission. You see, I believe that Brien May might be on Floor 51 and if that is the case.........We need kill him. That man is single handily running the show with the Foremen and if we kill him then the whole house of cards comes tumbling down and we win with few causalities.”
“So if I see Brien May....” Mathew began.
“You kill him.” John said nodding, “We must kill that man.”
“But why didn't you just tell everybody that?” Matthew asked.
“Because a lot of people think that this uprising is just about changing the balance of power in the House.” John explained, “Putting us on top of the proverbial heap if you will.”
“But in reality,” Matthew said, “It's about a permanent over hall of the social order of the House.”
“Yes,” John said, “and the intentional assassination of the Head Foreman would kind of expose the true nature of the revolution, wouldn't it?”
“True.” Matthew said, “So, kill Brien May but make it look like an accident.”
“Or like a necessary causality, yes.” John agreed, “Now let's go and start the attack.”
“Ok.” Matthew said and turned to Margret who quickly looked away and pretended like she hadn't been listening.
“Margret are you ready?” Matthew asked.
“Yeah.” Margret said, “I'm as ready as I am probably ever going to be.”
“Good.” John said, his voice raising a to shout “Now let's go and take Floor 51!”
The troops surrounding them cheered and began to run up the stairs. Margret fell into place next to Janet and they both turned and smiled at each other. Adrenalin was running through their veins and they took the stairs two at a time until they reached a door that read “Welcome to Floor 51: The Beginning of the Government Floors.” The door had been propped open by members of the Platinum Squadron. The squadrons roared through the doors and split into two groups with John's group going right and Matthew's going left. Margret followed close behind Matthew as he led his troops around the floor. Things were fairly peaceful until they came upon a squad of Foremen running towards their outpost. Matthew opened fire on them and his squad followed suit.
Margret raised her gun to fire but she could not bring herself to actually pull the trigger. She was going to, she had aimed the gun and had done all the things she needed to to but at the very moment she was going to pull the trigger and let the bullets rip out she saw Philip's face right after he had been shot, pale and unmoving. She gasped and almost dropped her gun. By the time she had got her emotions back in check the foremen had all been shot down. Matthew gestured everyone forward and they began to run again.
Occasionally Margret saw Matthew glance around, clearly looking for Brien May. She also looked around, but didn't see anyone. Apparently everyone was fighting at the outpost. The rest of the floor was taken up with offices and they were all deserted. Just as Margret was about to suggest turning back Josh's raised voice started coming out of Matthew's walkie talkie.
“They're on the run!!' Josh yelled through Matthew's walkie talkie “I repeat, They are on the run. We have routed them and they are running for the stairs. Cut them off and we've got them beat! I repeat, stop them from getting to the stairs.”
Matthew grabbed his walkie talkie and yelled into it.
“Silver Squadron is going to go and cut the Foremen off, I repeat Silver Squadron is on top of this! “ He dropped the walkie talkie and turned to face his troops.
“Alright guys!” He yelled, “We have to go and stop the Foremen from reaching the stairs. Let's go!!” He took off at a run followed closely by Margret and Janet. They ran through the offices until they finally reached the entrance to the stairwell. Matthew stopped and turned around, drawing his side arm.
Margret did the same and they waited for a moment and then they saw the Foremen running towards them. Matthew opened fire and yelled for everyone to do the same. Margret fumbled with her gun while everyone else began to shoot. She hoped that by the time she was ready to shoot the battle was over like their other fights. This time was different however because this time the Foremen were firing back.
As soon as bullets began to fly the Foremen took cover and began to return fire. Bullets blazed through the air and ripped into members of the Silver Squadron. Margret looked up from her gun just in time to see Janet(who had been standing next to her) fall backwards, blood pouring from her forehead. She had been killed by the Foremen. At that moment, standing over the bloody body of her roommate, something inside Margret snapped and she was up, shooting left and right. Death blazed from her gun as a fierce smile came to her face. She was hurting them, the people who killed Philip and Madeline and Janet. She was hurting them! Yes, yes, yes!!
Margret ran forward, shooting and shooting and shooting until, finally, her gun clicked. She was out of amo. She stopped and looked around. She was standing in the middle of a circle of dead bodies. The Foremen were all dead, and Brien May wasn't among them. Matthew came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Margret,” He said, calmly, “The battle's over. We won, you can, you know, lower your gun now.”
“Ok,” Margret said, in a daze, “Ok.” She hung the strap of her gun over her shoulder and walked off. She wanted to be alone, she needed to come to terms with what she had just done. John walked up, his eyebrows raised.
“That was mighty fine shooting.” He said, jokingly but she shoved right past him. She didn't want to be rude, but she really wanted to be alone right now. But before she walked off she turned back to look John in the eyes.
“Brien wasn't one of them.” She said and walked off leaving John and Matthew standing behind shocked.
Margret drew her side arm and loaded it as John explained the plan.
“Ok,” John said, “Here is how this is going to go: Platinum Squadron will lead the way and go directly to the center of the floor. They will open fire on and attempt to destroy the Foremen outpost. Meanwhile Gold squadron will attack the right of the floor while Silver Squadron attacks the left of the floor. When Copper Squadron arrives they will assist Platinum Squadron in their attack on the Foremen outpost. Everyone understand?”
The assembled squadrons nodded.
“Ok then,” John said, “Let's go.”
The gathered troops let out a cheer and drew their weapons. Josh led the way up the stairs, followed by his squadron. John walked over to Matthew who was standing next to Margret and spoke to him so quietly that Margret had to strain to hear. Some people called her an eavesdropper but she always said that if you hold a conversation where other people can hear you then the other people have a right to listen to you.
“Things are going to be very bad up there.” He said to Matthew, “You will have to do things that you will almost certainly not want to do.”
“I understand.” Matthew said.
“Now this is something you need to keep to yourself,” John continued and Margret strained even more, “I didn't tell everyone the whole mission. You see, I believe that Brien May might be on Floor 51 and if that is the case.........We need kill him. That man is single handily running the show with the Foremen and if we kill him then the whole house of cards comes tumbling down and we win with few causalities.”
“So if I see Brien May....” Mathew began.
“You kill him.” John said nodding, “We must kill that man.”
“But why didn't you just tell everybody that?” Matthew asked.
“Because a lot of people think that this uprising is just about changing the balance of power in the House.” John explained, “Putting us on top of the proverbial heap if you will.”
“But in reality,” Matthew said, “It's about a permanent over hall of the social order of the House.”
“Yes,” John said, “and the intentional assassination of the Head Foreman would kind of expose the true nature of the revolution, wouldn't it?”
“True.” Matthew said, “So, kill Brien May but make it look like an accident.”
“Or like a necessary causality, yes.” John agreed, “Now let's go and start the attack.”
“Ok.” Matthew said and turned to Margret who quickly looked away and pretended like she hadn't been listening.
“Margret are you ready?” Matthew asked.
“Yeah.” Margret said, “I'm as ready as I am probably ever going to be.”
“Good.” John said, his voice raising a to shout “Now let's go and take Floor 51!”
The troops surrounding them cheered and began to run up the stairs. Margret fell into place next to Janet and they both turned and smiled at each other. Adrenalin was running through their veins and they took the stairs two at a time until they reached a door that read “Welcome to Floor 51: The Beginning of the Government Floors.” The door had been propped open by members of the Platinum Squadron. The squadrons roared through the doors and split into two groups with John's group going right and Matthew's going left. Margret followed close behind Matthew as he led his troops around the floor. Things were fairly peaceful until they came upon a squad of Foremen running towards their outpost. Matthew opened fire on them and his squad followed suit.
Margret raised her gun to fire but she could not bring herself to actually pull the trigger. She was going to, she had aimed the gun and had done all the things she needed to to but at the very moment she was going to pull the trigger and let the bullets rip out she saw Philip's face right after he had been shot, pale and unmoving. She gasped and almost dropped her gun. By the time she had got her emotions back in check the foremen had all been shot down. Matthew gestured everyone forward and they began to run again.
Occasionally Margret saw Matthew glance around, clearly looking for Brien May. She also looked around, but didn't see anyone. Apparently everyone was fighting at the outpost. The rest of the floor was taken up with offices and they were all deserted. Just as Margret was about to suggest turning back Josh's raised voice started coming out of Matthew's walkie talkie.
“They're on the run!!' Josh yelled through Matthew's walkie talkie “I repeat, They are on the run. We have routed them and they are running for the stairs. Cut them off and we've got them beat! I repeat, stop them from getting to the stairs.”
Matthew grabbed his walkie talkie and yelled into it.
“Silver Squadron is going to go and cut the Foremen off, I repeat Silver Squadron is on top of this! “ He dropped the walkie talkie and turned to face his troops.
“Alright guys!” He yelled, “We have to go and stop the Foremen from reaching the stairs. Let's go!!” He took off at a run followed closely by Margret and Janet. They ran through the offices until they finally reached the entrance to the stairwell. Matthew stopped and turned around, drawing his side arm.
Margret did the same and they waited for a moment and then they saw the Foremen running towards them. Matthew opened fire and yelled for everyone to do the same. Margret fumbled with her gun while everyone else began to shoot. She hoped that by the time she was ready to shoot the battle was over like their other fights. This time was different however because this time the Foremen were firing back.
As soon as bullets began to fly the Foremen took cover and began to return fire. Bullets blazed through the air and ripped into members of the Silver Squadron. Margret looked up from her gun just in time to see Janet(who had been standing next to her) fall backwards, blood pouring from her forehead. She had been killed by the Foremen. At that moment, standing over the bloody body of her roommate, something inside Margret snapped and she was up, shooting left and right. Death blazed from her gun as a fierce smile came to her face. She was hurting them, the people who killed Philip and Madeline and Janet. She was hurting them! Yes, yes, yes!!
Margret ran forward, shooting and shooting and shooting until, finally, her gun clicked. She was out of amo. She stopped and looked around. She was standing in the middle of a circle of dead bodies. The Foremen were all dead, and Brien May wasn't among them. Matthew came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Margret,” He said, calmly, “The battle's over. We won, you can, you know, lower your gun now.”
“Ok,” Margret said, in a daze, “Ok.” She hung the strap of her gun over her shoulder and walked off. She wanted to be alone, she needed to come to terms with what she had just done. John walked up, his eyebrows raised.
“That was mighty fine shooting.” He said, jokingly but she shoved right past him. She didn't want to be rude, but she really wanted to be alone right now. But before she walked off she turned back to look John in the eyes.
“Brien wasn't one of them.” She said and walked off leaving John and Matthew standing behind shocked.
The House Part 10
Chapter Two in which Matthew starts the war
Matthew looked around warily. Nothing. Everyone was walking along, doing their everyday business. Nobody was doing anything out of the ordinary.
So, either John and Josh had not begun to lock people inside the Dining Rooms or the plan had already begun and was going off without a hitch. Matthew pulled out his walkie talkie and began to speak into it.
“Silver Leader calling Gold Leader, over. Gold Leader come in, over.” Matthew and Josh had decided to call Group One Copper Squadron, Group Two Silver Squadron, Group Three Gold Squadron, and Group Four Platinum Squadron. John thought it was a little silly but Josh thought it made them sound like they meant business. Matthew just thought it was fun.
“Gold Leader come in, over.” Matthew repeated.
“This is Gold Leader.” John said over the walkie talkie, “What's going on Silver Leader?”
“I was just wondering what the progress is on Operation Dining Room?” Matthew asked.
“Operation Dining Room?” John said, laughing,
“Hey,” Matthew said, laughing as well, “We came up with no official name for it so I made one up.”
“That's fine,” John said, still laughing “But....Operation Dining Room? Seriously Matt? Operation Dining Room? The purpose of those code names is to disguise what the real operation is and Operation Dining Room kind of gets rid of the whole unkown thing.”
“Seriously though.” Matthew said, “How is the attack going?”
“Perfectly.” John said, “We are done with Floor 12's Dining Room and now we're heading to Floor 17 right now.”
“And Platinum Squadron?” Matthew asked, “How are they doing?”
“Same as we're doing.” John responded, “One Down, One To Go. Hold on Matt, I mean Silver Leader, someone is calling me.”
“'K.” Matthew said and the walkie talkie fell silent. Matthew waited impatiently for John to start speaking again. Finally, after about five minutes, the walkie talkie crackled back to life.
“Silver leader,” John asked, “You there?”
“Yeah.” Matthew said, grabbing the walkie talkie and holding it to his mouth, “What is going on?”
“Oh nothing major.” John said, “Just a bit of a problem that I kind of need you to deal with.”
“What is it?” Matthew asked, pangs of fear shooting through his stomach, “What do you need me to do?”
“Well,” John said, “We think that there is a group of Foremen heading up the stairs. If they keep going they will run into Platinum Squadron, so we need you and your group to stop them.”
“What do you mean by 'stop them'?” Matthew asked even though he had a pretty good idea what John meant.
“You'll have to attack them.” John said, “I'm really sorry but it has to be done.”
“Alright.” Matthew said, running his hand through his hair, “Where are they?”
“You should see them any second now.” John said.
“Do we just start shooting them?” Matthew asked, resigned, “Or should there be more strategy than that?”
“Basically,” John said, “Just start shooting them. You should get a bunch of them with the element of surprise and I have Copper Squadron coming up the stairs to back you up.”
“Ok,” Matthew said, “I guess this means I get the honor of firing the first shot of the revolution.”
“Yeah.” John said, “Good Luck Matt. Over and Out.”
Matthew clipped the walkie talkie back onto his belt and drew his gun.
“Margret!” He called and she ran over.
“What's going on?” She asked, “I saw you talking on the walkie for a long time, is something wrong?
“We have a group of Foremen coming up the stairs that we need to stop.” Matthew explained, “So get everybody ready, we're going to have to open fire on them.”
“Ok.” Margret said, looking worried, “Are you ready?”
“Can anyone be?” Matthew asked, running his hand threw his hair again.
“That is very profound.” Margret said, smiling slightly.
“Thank you.” Matthew said, also smiling a little, “Now, go and get everybody ready to open fire on my signal.”
Margret saluted jokingly and walked off to rally the troops. Matthew sighed and looked around until he spotted the group of Foremen walking towards the stairs. This is the moment, he thought to himself and raised his gun. He took a deep breath and opened fire.
Ciaos erupted. People began to scream and run towards the exits. The Foremen were totally shocked as the bullets began ripping into them. There were about forty of them in the begging but about half of them were killed by the first round of bullets. The rest of the Foremen dove to the ground and began to return fire.
Matthew had, luckily, instructed all of his group to take cover after they arrived on the floor so the Foremen's bullets did little damage. Matthew continued to fire until the last foreman fell to the ground and stopped moving. He stood up and walked warily over to the bodies. All of the innocent bystanders had fled the scene and the floor was now totally deserted.
Blood was pooled on the floor and Matthew stepped in a puddle of it. He fell backwards, hitting the floor. His head smacked the laminate floor hard enough for tears to well in his eyes,
“Lord!” He swore, and tried to sit up too fast. Pain seared through his head and he groaned and resisted the urge to throw up. He rolled onto his back and waited for the nausea to pass. Eventually it did and he got off the ground and walked over to the bodies.
He bent down and felt each of the bodies' pulse. All of them were dead. He sighed and stood up. Grabbing his walkie talkie he began to speak into it.
“Gold Leader come in, This is Silver Leader.”
“This is Gold Leader.” John replied, “May I take from the fact that you are contacting me that you are still among the living?”
“You may.” Matthew replied, “We took care of the Foremen.”
“Any causalities in your squadron?” John asked.
“No.” Matthew said, scanning the area, “It doesn't appear that we had any causalities.”
“Good.” John replied, sighing, “That's a big relief. Any injuries?”
“I don't know.” Matthew said, lowering the walkie talkie and calling to Margret. “Margret, is anyone in our squad injured?”
“I don't think so.” Margret called back, “I don't see anyone injured.”
“No.” Matthew said into the walkie talkie, “It doesn't appear that anyone is injured.”
“That's really really good.” John said, “Gold Squad is done and we are heading up to Floor 51. It's time for the big one.”
“Ok,” Matthew said, reloading his gun, “We'll meet you there.”
“Matt,” John said, “You did good, man, you did good.”
“Thanks.” Matthew said, holstering his gun and running his hand through his hair, “Thank you. I'll see you on Floor 51. Over and Out.”
Matthew looked around warily. Nothing. Everyone was walking along, doing their everyday business. Nobody was doing anything out of the ordinary.
So, either John and Josh had not begun to lock people inside the Dining Rooms or the plan had already begun and was going off without a hitch. Matthew pulled out his walkie talkie and began to speak into it.
“Silver Leader calling Gold Leader, over. Gold Leader come in, over.” Matthew and Josh had decided to call Group One Copper Squadron, Group Two Silver Squadron, Group Three Gold Squadron, and Group Four Platinum Squadron. John thought it was a little silly but Josh thought it made them sound like they meant business. Matthew just thought it was fun.
“Gold Leader come in, over.” Matthew repeated.
“This is Gold Leader.” John said over the walkie talkie, “What's going on Silver Leader?”
“I was just wondering what the progress is on Operation Dining Room?” Matthew asked.
“Operation Dining Room?” John said, laughing,
“Hey,” Matthew said, laughing as well, “We came up with no official name for it so I made one up.”
“That's fine,” John said, still laughing “But....Operation Dining Room? Seriously Matt? Operation Dining Room? The purpose of those code names is to disguise what the real operation is and Operation Dining Room kind of gets rid of the whole unkown thing.”
“Seriously though.” Matthew said, “How is the attack going?”
“Perfectly.” John said, “We are done with Floor 12's Dining Room and now we're heading to Floor 17 right now.”
“And Platinum Squadron?” Matthew asked, “How are they doing?”
“Same as we're doing.” John responded, “One Down, One To Go. Hold on Matt, I mean Silver Leader, someone is calling me.”
“'K.” Matthew said and the walkie talkie fell silent. Matthew waited impatiently for John to start speaking again. Finally, after about five minutes, the walkie talkie crackled back to life.
“Silver leader,” John asked, “You there?”
“Yeah.” Matthew said, grabbing the walkie talkie and holding it to his mouth, “What is going on?”
“Oh nothing major.” John said, “Just a bit of a problem that I kind of need you to deal with.”
“What is it?” Matthew asked, pangs of fear shooting through his stomach, “What do you need me to do?”
“Well,” John said, “We think that there is a group of Foremen heading up the stairs. If they keep going they will run into Platinum Squadron, so we need you and your group to stop them.”
“What do you mean by 'stop them'?” Matthew asked even though he had a pretty good idea what John meant.
“You'll have to attack them.” John said, “I'm really sorry but it has to be done.”
“Alright.” Matthew said, running his hand through his hair, “Where are they?”
“You should see them any second now.” John said.
“Do we just start shooting them?” Matthew asked, resigned, “Or should there be more strategy than that?”
“Basically,” John said, “Just start shooting them. You should get a bunch of them with the element of surprise and I have Copper Squadron coming up the stairs to back you up.”
“Ok,” Matthew said, “I guess this means I get the honor of firing the first shot of the revolution.”
“Yeah.” John said, “Good Luck Matt. Over and Out.”
Matthew clipped the walkie talkie back onto his belt and drew his gun.
“Margret!” He called and she ran over.
“What's going on?” She asked, “I saw you talking on the walkie for a long time, is something wrong?
“We have a group of Foremen coming up the stairs that we need to stop.” Matthew explained, “So get everybody ready, we're going to have to open fire on them.”
“Ok.” Margret said, looking worried, “Are you ready?”
“Can anyone be?” Matthew asked, running his hand threw his hair again.
“That is very profound.” Margret said, smiling slightly.
“Thank you.” Matthew said, also smiling a little, “Now, go and get everybody ready to open fire on my signal.”
Margret saluted jokingly and walked off to rally the troops. Matthew sighed and looked around until he spotted the group of Foremen walking towards the stairs. This is the moment, he thought to himself and raised his gun. He took a deep breath and opened fire.
Ciaos erupted. People began to scream and run towards the exits. The Foremen were totally shocked as the bullets began ripping into them. There were about forty of them in the begging but about half of them were killed by the first round of bullets. The rest of the Foremen dove to the ground and began to return fire.
Matthew had, luckily, instructed all of his group to take cover after they arrived on the floor so the Foremen's bullets did little damage. Matthew continued to fire until the last foreman fell to the ground and stopped moving. He stood up and walked warily over to the bodies. All of the innocent bystanders had fled the scene and the floor was now totally deserted.
Blood was pooled on the floor and Matthew stepped in a puddle of it. He fell backwards, hitting the floor. His head smacked the laminate floor hard enough for tears to well in his eyes,
“Lord!” He swore, and tried to sit up too fast. Pain seared through his head and he groaned and resisted the urge to throw up. He rolled onto his back and waited for the nausea to pass. Eventually it did and he got off the ground and walked over to the bodies.
He bent down and felt each of the bodies' pulse. All of them were dead. He sighed and stood up. Grabbing his walkie talkie he began to speak into it.
“Gold Leader come in, This is Silver Leader.”
“This is Gold Leader.” John replied, “May I take from the fact that you are contacting me that you are still among the living?”
“You may.” Matthew replied, “We took care of the Foremen.”
“Any causalities in your squadron?” John asked.
“No.” Matthew said, scanning the area, “It doesn't appear that we had any causalities.”
“Good.” John replied, sighing, “That's a big relief. Any injuries?”
“I don't know.” Matthew said, lowering the walkie talkie and calling to Margret. “Margret, is anyone in our squad injured?”
“I don't think so.” Margret called back, “I don't see anyone injured.”
“No.” Matthew said into the walkie talkie, “It doesn't appear that anyone is injured.”
“That's really really good.” John said, “Gold Squad is done and we are heading up to Floor 51. It's time for the big one.”
“Ok,” Matthew said, reloading his gun, “We'll meet you there.”
“Matt,” John said, “You did good, man, you did good.”
“Thanks.” Matthew said, holstering his gun and running his hand through his hair, “Thank you. I'll see you on Floor 51. Over and Out.”
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The House Part 9
Part Three
Revolution
Chapter One in which John explains the plan
“Alright Everybody,” John said, waving his hands for quiet, “Everybody please quiet down!” He stopped speaking while everyone feel silent and then began to speak again.
“Alright here is how this is going to work,” He said, looking around at the faces staring at him, “We are going to divide into four groups. Group number one will be led by Thomas March. Thomas please raise your hand so everybody knows where you are. Thank you. Now that group will proceed to Floor one and wait for further instructions. Group Number Two will be led by Matthew January, Matthew please....thank you very much, now Matthew will lead his group to Floor 20 and wait for further instructions. Now Groups Three and Four will be the ones doing the fighting. Group Three will be led by me and we will proceed to Floor 12. On Floor 12 we will surround the Dining Room and block all the doors. After we are done we will proceed to Floor 17 where we will do the same thing for that floor's Dining Room. Group Four will be lead by Josh August. Josh please raise your hand, thank you. Josh's group will proceed to Floor 39, where they will board up the dining room on that floor and then go down to Floor 22 where they will board up that Dining Room. Then both groups will proceed to the first of the Government Floors, Floor 51 for those of you who don't know, where they will be joined by Group two. Group one will proceed to Floor 50 and try to secure it while the other three groups attack Floor 51 and try to seize it. Meanwhile Group one, after securing Floor 50 will come and back us up on Floor 51. After we have taken Floor 51 we will blockade the stairwells and set up camp. Ok, Does Anyone have any questions?”
“I have one.” Margret said, raising her hand, “Are we going to attempt to take the Underground Floors?”
“No.” John said, “We decided that, since there is apparently an elevator that connects the the top floors directly the Underground floors it would be too dangerous. One of Group 1s jobs while on Floor one is to barricade the door to the Underground Floors.”
“Ok.” Margret said, nodding, “I understand.”
“Great.” John said, looking around, “Anyone else have any questions?”
“I do.” Someone in the front row said, raising his hand.
“I'm afraid,” John said, after pausing for a moment, “That I don't remember your name, I'm very very sorry, but could you please remind me of it.”
“ Marc July.” the young man said.
“Thanks Marc,” John said, “I really do apologize, I'm terrible with names.”
“It's fine.” Marc said, shaking his head, “No big deal.”
“So,” John said, returning to the matter at hand, “What was your question?”
“Ok,” Marc said, “So you said that Group Three and Group Four would be doing the fighting, but Groups One and Two seem to be fighting as well.”
“Sorry about that,” John said, “I misspoke. What I meant to say was that Group Three and Group Four would be the ones doing the fighting in the beginning. Later on the other two groups will join in. Sorry for not being clear.”
“It's ok.” Marc said, “I understand now.:
“Awesome.” John said, “Any other questions? No? Last chance.... Ok. That means that it is time to begin. Everyone be safe and, well, let's go start a revolution.”
Revolution
Chapter One in which John explains the plan
“Alright Everybody,” John said, waving his hands for quiet, “Everybody please quiet down!” He stopped speaking while everyone feel silent and then began to speak again.
“Alright here is how this is going to work,” He said, looking around at the faces staring at him, “We are going to divide into four groups. Group number one will be led by Thomas March. Thomas please raise your hand so everybody knows where you are. Thank you. Now that group will proceed to Floor one and wait for further instructions. Group Number Two will be led by Matthew January, Matthew please....thank you very much, now Matthew will lead his group to Floor 20 and wait for further instructions. Now Groups Three and Four will be the ones doing the fighting. Group Three will be led by me and we will proceed to Floor 12. On Floor 12 we will surround the Dining Room and block all the doors. After we are done we will proceed to Floor 17 where we will do the same thing for that floor's Dining Room. Group Four will be lead by Josh August. Josh please raise your hand, thank you. Josh's group will proceed to Floor 39, where they will board up the dining room on that floor and then go down to Floor 22 where they will board up that Dining Room. Then both groups will proceed to the first of the Government Floors, Floor 51 for those of you who don't know, where they will be joined by Group two. Group one will proceed to Floor 50 and try to secure it while the other three groups attack Floor 51 and try to seize it. Meanwhile Group one, after securing Floor 50 will come and back us up on Floor 51. After we have taken Floor 51 we will blockade the stairwells and set up camp. Ok, Does Anyone have any questions?”
“I have one.” Margret said, raising her hand, “Are we going to attempt to take the Underground Floors?”
“No.” John said, “We decided that, since there is apparently an elevator that connects the the top floors directly the Underground floors it would be too dangerous. One of Group 1s jobs while on Floor one is to barricade the door to the Underground Floors.”
“Ok.” Margret said, nodding, “I understand.”
“Great.” John said, looking around, “Anyone else have any questions?”
“I do.” Someone in the front row said, raising his hand.
“I'm afraid,” John said, after pausing for a moment, “That I don't remember your name, I'm very very sorry, but could you please remind me of it.”
“ Marc July.” the young man said.
“Thanks Marc,” John said, “I really do apologize, I'm terrible with names.”
“It's fine.” Marc said, shaking his head, “No big deal.”
“So,” John said, returning to the matter at hand, “What was your question?”
“Ok,” Marc said, “So you said that Group Three and Group Four would be doing the fighting, but Groups One and Two seem to be fighting as well.”
“Sorry about that,” John said, “I misspoke. What I meant to say was that Group Three and Group Four would be the ones doing the fighting in the beginning. Later on the other two groups will join in. Sorry for not being clear.”
“It's ok.” Marc said, “I understand now.:
“Awesome.” John said, “Any other questions? No? Last chance.... Ok. That means that it is time to begin. Everyone be safe and, well, let's go start a revolution.”
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