POV: Jose Sanchez
Place: Thomas
Jefferson Elementary School, Ennis, TX, USA
Date: March 30, 2013
Time: Noon local
Never
again. That is our motto over three
hundred years later. I am Jose Sanchez,
head of the Home Defense Forces of Zarkoff 2.
I
got a call about an hour ago. The kid
that has caused so much trouble has finally been found. Some think he’s the answer to prophesy. Personally, I’m not so sure. The prophesies might just be the ramblings of
old men longing for what they still think of as home. If they knew how little Anglasia even
mentions them they might reconsider, but that’s my opinion. Because of all the stir the kid has caused
though, it’s my duty to check it out. Oh
joy.
I
arrive on the playground of the Thomas Elementary School about noon their
time. It’s amazing how much little
security is in such places. Of course, we have our hidden security, but then
again we have citizens working and learning here. We see the playground and finally find
him. So tiny. Playing on a jungle gym. Seems impossibly unlikely, and yet here he
is. In the flesh.
“So
this is the kid?” Mat remarked.
“Doesn’t
seem like he could cause such a stir.”
Karl remarked.
“Who
found the kid anyways?” I asked.
“I
think it was Mark out in the Bronx” Mat
answered.
“Yeah,
he was supposed to be in trouble.” Karl
remarked, “Mark and his crew beat the dude to death. Literally. Some coward that picks on women and
children.”
“Yeah,
remind me to kill me little brother later.”
I laughingly responded.
At
that point, Barali snuck up behind us.
He has a habit of that.
“Such
a little child, yes?” He queried.
“Yeah. So; this is the little one who has stirred up
so much?” I asked.
“That
would be the one.”
I
had to admit. It was hard to
believe. The child couldn’t be more
than six years old. So innocent.
“A
child will lead the people to freedom and heal the land” Mat quoted the elders from years ago.
“Come
on Tony, you don’t actually believe the old man’s ramblings do you?” I started.
“You
gotta admit, if anybody fits the bill it’s this kid.” Karl started.
“Yeah,
but…”
“I
know Jose. So tiny. Yet he’s pulled off mobilizing both forsaken
and outside militaries by simply doing what was previously thought of as
impossible. Hell… The kid crossed over to moving platforms for
Christ sakes.” Mat started.
“I
dunno. From what I’ve heard the kid
can’t even speak.” I interjected.
“That
would be the truth Jose. The child is a
non-verbal autistic” Barali interjected.
“What?! You mean…”
I said, shocked. Admittedly the
kid being autistic didn’t fill me with assurance.
“At
least meet the child before you make a judgment call.” Barali interrupted.
At
that point I grunted and Barali called the kid over. Apparently the kids name is Marcos. When he gets there he starts flapping his
arms. Very curious child.
“I
want you to meet some of my friends Marcos.
They are Jose, Mat, and Karl.”
Barali introduced us.
We
all said hi and the kid beamed, waved back, and sputtered some gibberish. Then he handed me his pre-chewed gum.
“Smart
Kid. Gut check.” Mat remarked.
“Yeah” Karl responded.
“No.” I interrupted. I could tell by the look in his eyes it was
something more. “Kid’s smarter than
that. Show of friendship.”
Then
I took the piece of gum and started chewing it.
Handed him a piece of chocolate which amazingly enough he pushed away.
“Tastes
good” I remarked.
Everybody
looked on. Gum tasted like shit. I wasn’t gonna be rude though. Even if he wasn’t who they say he is, he’s powerful
enough. The kid seemed happy, so I kept chewing. Then he took his stuffed dog out and hit me
with it and laughed. At that point I
tickled him.
“Run
off now little one. If not you will run
out of time to play with your friends.”
Barali told the child.
With
that the kid beamed with pride and ran off.
I spit out the gum.
“I
don’t get it Barali. He’s just a
child.” I finally said.
“Yes,
simply a child. And yet with great
potential. He will heal old wounds,
revolutionize art skipping, and show many the way to freedom long
forgotten.” Barali stated.
“But…”
“His
heart is pure.” Karl stated. “Lying is not natural to him and neither is
fear.”
“Whoa! That something you pulled outta your ass or
something?” Mat retorted.
“Nah,
I studied. What? I do that every once in awhile!” Karl answered back.
All
of a sudden, we saw FBI jackets appear, coming straight to us all with drawn
guns with, of course, Jace leading the pack..
Since the massacre is fully classified to the Anglasian military, we are
considered a terrorist organization.
“You
know that I cannot help you in the open just yet. Leave now.” Barali told us.
“Freeze!” Jace screamed as they ran for us.”
We
ran. I hate running; but, we couldn’t
risk the safety of the children. They
were catching up to, until we heard a shrill cry from a kid. It was amazing! They started grabbing their legs and jumping
on top of them holding on! It was
hilarious! I guess you had to have been
there to understand. I’ll be damned if
the kid was actually helping us make our get away! I laughed as we just kept running. Hardest I’ve laughed in awhile.
POV: Jace Wallings
Date: March 30,
2013
Place: Anglasian
Joint Forces HQ, Military District, Central City.
I’m
sitting in my office still trying to put the pieces together. All of a sudden a call came through the
communicator. High ranking Rebellion
Force members have entered the Thomas Jefferson School.
The
Rebellion Forces, or so I thought then, are a team of terrorists that have
caused us some trouble on the outskirts of Anglasia and even into Earth. Bad news, or so I thought at the time.
“Damn.” I muttered under my breath as I realized that
it’s Marcos’s school. Then I pushed the
comm. Button.
“I
need two rapid response teams in the dispatch room now! Before ASAP!
Cover is Federal Bureau of Investigations! Move!”
I screamed half in panic.
“Dispatch
order received and sent.” The dispatcher
responded.
At
that I grabbed my FBI jacket, my side arm, and bolted out the door. I know it technically falls under military
jurisdiction, but the staff of the school already knew my as an FBI agent.
I
ran with all that was within me, with people passing me in all directions ready
for combat. I finally got to the
dispatch room.
When
I got there I saw two squads of twenty-five each, all clad in full FBI tactical
body armor. I jumped into the armor that was waiting for
me.
“We
have a situation at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Ennis, TX on Earth. It has been reported that a cell of Rebellion
Forces are touching down there even as we speak. Make no mistake soldiers, this is
personal. My kid is enrolled in that
school. Anybody having a problem with
that can leave now.
“Sir,
“ the head of one of the squads started, “With all due respects, if he’s coming
after our own, I say kill ‘em all!”
“Whoop!
“ Everybody said in unison.
All
of a sudden, two other teams walked in.
“Apologies
for the interruption sir.” The head of
Rapid 4 started. “I heard there was a
situation at Jefferson Elementary, figured we could help.
“We
touch down in the vehicle depot in Trophy Club, TX; and travel from there.
“{ Then I drew the necessary design and
charged it. “Tactical, hold death
notifications on standby”
“Death
notifications on standby. Don’t make us
have to use them sir.” Tactical responded
through our comms.
“Move
out!” I ordered.
“Whoop!” They screamed in unison as we stepped through
the portal.
POV: Jace Wallings
Place: Anglasian
Vehicle Maintenance Compound, Trophy Club, TX, USA, Earth
Time: 1215 hrs
local
The
C.O. of the vehicle maintenance compound met us as I flashed my badge. We all filed into the command vehicles and
left the compound, sirens blaring and lights blazing. At full speed, it took us about 45 minutes to
get to the school. Four command units
blazing down the highway in all.
I
rode with Rapid One. We busted through
the front door, weapons drawn. I took
five into the office with me flashing my FBI badge.
“Jace
Wallings, badge number 1045628!
Terrorist threat! I need this
facility locked down now!”
“Yes
officer, right away.” The secretary
responded. “Attention all faculty, code
Kenny! All faculty, we have a code Kenny
on the campus!” The secretary announced
over the loud speaker.” Lock down has
been initiated officer.” She said
turning to me.
“Sir,
we have spotted the threat on the playground.”
I heard over my com unit.
“You
four, follow me!” I screamed.
And
immediately, me and four men ran as fast as we could through the school to the
playground. We ran past fully armored
men fully armed with the works. Bounding
past men guarding the back door, we almost caught them.
Almost
is the key word. The weirdest thing
happened. Two barks and three howls and
all of a sudden the whole class just hung onto us latching to our feet and
bodies! We could hardly even move! We tried to move forward; but, all we could
successfully do is watch them get away.
All this while news choppers circled around us. I realized Kincaid was NOT going to be happy. Finally, I looked at the teacher.
“Let’s
finish getting these kids inside while my men secure the rest of the
building. Can you take these weapons
from us while the kids are hanging all over us?” I said, part in irritation.
She
let out a chuckle, “Yes officer.”
Then
Marcos ran up to us; offering me a piece of pre-chewed gum. I dunno what it is about him and pre-chewed
gum. I knelt down, very slowly mind you,
and accepted it.
“So
who are you exactly?” I inquired of the teacher.
“Carly
Lynden, Head Instructor of Special Ed
officer.” She Answered.
“With
all due respects, it feels kinda weird the teacher of my son calling me
Officer. My name is Jace Mrs. Lynden.”
“Oh,
so you’re the father that never shows up.”
She said disapprovingly.
“Well… I’m…”
“Too
busy for your son?” She responded as we
passed rooms being charged in by fully clad tactical officers and all clears
rang out one by one.
“I,
as you see, show up when it’s important.”
By this time, the four traveling
with me were chuckling almost into full blown laugh. Admittedly, it had to be a sight seeing the
head CO of your department dressed down by an elementary school teacher. Marco, of course, was walking beside us
beaming with pride.
“It’s always important, “she
started, “especially with a special needs child!”
“I’m trying.” I responded.
“So, I take it you’ll be there
at 7:00 tomorrow.”
“For…” I at this point half way cringed. Man, this lady was good.
“The parent/ teacher conference
scheduled. You did get the email?
“Well… Um… Of
course I did.”
“Good, then it’s settled.
Then the kids essentially
kidnapped us into playing with them on their various tasks. I had to admit, it was a sight to see men in
full tactical gear playing leggos, play dough, and what not with my son and his
friends. Then we got the all clear.
“I gotta go.”
“Remember, 7:00. No excuses!”
“Yes ma'am.”
They
waved to us as we left. Then we all got
into our prospective command vehicles and rode off into the sunset as you would
say.
Place: Wallings
House, Ennis, TX, USA, Earth
Date: March 30,
2013
Time: 1915 local
POV: Jace Wallings
It
was intense. Tigra was very upset at
me. I halfway don’t blame her. I was only trying to do what was right, which
in her eyes didn’t help my case. In her
mind we drew weapons around unarmed children and busted down doors to an
elementary school and that’s all that mattered.
It
also didn’t help that we made the news.
Prime time. It was one of our UC
reps representing us of course. This one
was Andrew, posing as an FBI spokesman.
“So,
this is normal operating procedure officer?”
A lady reporter asked.
“It
is when there is a suspected terrorist on campus. It is general procedure to do what we have to
to quell the situation and save as many lives as possible.” Andrew responded.
“But
wasn’t it true that the terrorists weren’t actually there?” Another reporter queried.
“No
ma’am. They were caught on visual.”
Does
it normally take one hundred men to take three terrorists down?” Another reporter piped in.
“All
the information is not yet in sir.”
“When
will it all be in?” The original lady
started again.
“When
the investigation is complete ma’am.”
“And
what will happen to the agents?”
“The
agent in charge will probably be suspended until the investigation is
complete.”
“With
or without pay?” Another reporter
chimed.
“That
is to be determined.”
All
of a sudden, the phone rang.
“Hello.” I answered.
“Are
you watching the news? Kincaid asked.
“Yes
sir.” I responded.
“Well?”
“We
got a call of active terrorist activity at my son’s school. I responded in the manner I felt necessary to
keep the children safe.”
“You
needed a hundred soldiers to take out three terrorists?”
“No
sir. We were unsure of their numbers so
I called for fifty at first. Fifty more
joined of their own volition.”
“You
realize people want your badge, right?”
“Yes
sir; I saw that on the news.”
“I’m
almost inclined to give it to them.
Hearing is set up for thirteen hundred hours. Do not be late.
Click.
“What
was that?” Tigra asked, the news still
playing in the background.
“I
think I might be suspended.”
POV: Thomas
Kincaid
Place: Council
Chambers, Anglasian Joint Forces HQ, Military Sector, Central City
Date: March 31,
2013
Admittedly,
I was a bit irritated. I had calmed down
since yesterday; but, not by much.
“All
rise, council is entering the chambers!
Open hearing on The Siege of Thomas Jefferson Elementary! All rise!”
I
never get used to that. I trained to be
a soldier; not a politician or a judge.
Here I am none the less.
“You
may be seated.” I said.
They
all sat down. So did we.
“We are here to determine what
exactly happened in the Earth area of Ennis, Texas, in the country of the
United States, in regards to the siege at an elementary school. We are also here to determine what to do in
regards to the actions taken as a result of the actions taken by General Jace
Wallings of the Anglasian Military.
“For one thing, we need to
replace all the locks.” Elder Glen
McCray said in his thick Scottish voice.
He’s head of Infrastructure and Construction.
“What?” I asked in astonishment.
“His team felt the need to put
the school under complete lockdown and then kick in literally every door,
including the janitor’s closets.
Needless to say every lock but the ones belonging to the main office are
now destroyed.”
“There’s not exactly an
instruction booklet…” Wallings started.
“Yes there is actually.” Kevorski started. Geez sometimes I wish she would stick to her
lab. “There are two actually. The Anglasian Military Code of Conduct and
the Hostage Rescue Training Manual.
General Wallings decided to ignore both and do what he wanted as usual.”
“Even when it’s your child
there? And we have citizens there Elder
Kevorski. Marcos goes there! We actually got a visual of three high ranking
Rebellion Forces troops standing over my son!
Are you a mother Mrs. Kevorski? Do
you know what that’s like?”
Thern I watched as her face
softened. Then the head of Rapid Three
tried to stand and speak.
“Stand down soldier!” Wallings ordered sharply.
“But…” He started.
“It was an action I ordered and
led soldier. The actions were taken
under my responsibility. I will not tell
you again soldier. Until the decision
officially gets handed down I still maintain my authority and position. STAND DOWN!”
Wallings dressed the soldier down.
One thing I’ve always admired
about Wallings. He might be wild and
reckless at times; but, he always takes responsibility. Full responsibility. He may be an asshole at times; but, his men love him.
“Do you have footage of the
visual?” Gonzales’ temporary replacement
questioned.
“Yes sir.” At that, Wallings approached the bench and
attached the tablet to the connections which showed Rapid three’s surveillance
on a screen. “May I point out to the
ladies and gentlemen of the council, Jose Sanchez, Leader of the Rebellion
Forces; as we know, a known terrorist organization against the Anglasian people
and government. With him are his two men
directly under him, Karl Matthews and Mat Yin.”
Then he played the incident from
Walling’s com unit visual. I saw the actions
of a scared father. All of a sudden,
this older lady that nobody knew walked in.
“Excuse me; but, proceedings are
in effect” Kevorski snapped at her.
I think I can speak for the rest
of the council when I say that I want to hear what she has to say enough to
forgive this one breech of protocol” I
interjected.
“With all due respects Mrs…” Kevorski started, obviously irritated. I must admit that I smiled a bit.
“Rodriquez”
“Yes, Mrs. Rodriquez. Kevorski started.
“With all due respects Elder
Kevorski, I have made a living protecting and teaching students. This was nothing. I’ve also made a living dealing with
uninterested parents, isn’t that right General Wallings?”
“Mrs. Rodriquez, do we have to
go through this again?” Walling asked.
“Not if you’re going to be there
tonight.” She responded sharply.
“Yes Mrs. Rodriquez.” I must admit, watching Wallings cow down to
someone, even a grade school principal, did make me chuckle. We don’t get to see him like this very often.
Then Rodriquez started; “We can
all agree that he went a bit overboard.
Okay, maybe that is a bit of an understatement. However; although I had one hell of a mess
to9 clean up, I’ve never been prouder to be an Anglasian citizen. With little to no regard for their personal safety,
they swept in to secure not only our children’s safety but the safety of the
adults working in the school. I implore
the council for leniency in regards to General Wallings.”
Wow! I must admit that I never expected this.
“One week suspension without
pay.” I started.
“Three days” She countered.
“You are aware that we are the
eldership are you not?” Gonzales’
replacement flatly stated amazed at this wiry woman standing before us.”
You are aware that I have faced
mobster, police officer, soldier, and common thug alike; all for the well being
of my children, are you not?
All of us looked at each other
in bewilderment. Then three days got
voted on and passed. What else could we
do?
As she passed Wallings, “See you
at 7?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Then we all filed out.
