Sunday, August 18, 2013

Chapter 7



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.

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