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Under the cloak of darkness, The Great Empire of Iran launched a surgical strike against Serenity Hills, the personal residence and horse ranch belonging to our beloved president, Malcolm Powers. It is with great sadness that I report to you about his death, as well as that of the First Lady. We do not have the final report, but the death toll now stands at sixteen, including Fleet Admiral William Mack and Secretary of Defense Charles Decker. We mourn for them. We mourn for our country, for losing true patriots in this, our darkest of hours.

Our country is falling, that much is certain. Many of you have lost hope. Many of you have given up on civilized society. Many of you have stripped away your conscience and sense of dignity in order to survive. I implore you - remember your conscience, hold onto your dignity, for the day will come when survival will not have such a high price.

In our time of dire need, we do not have the luxury of time. We do not have time to cling to the past. The only thing that can save us now is change. Drastic change. Our old government failed to save us. Simply put, it is time for a new and more progressive way to govern the people of this great nation. Our previous system was broken; it was an infection that almost killed us! Our political system was bloated with corruption and stupidity! No longer will the American people be plagued by the petty squabbling of two political parties that have allowed this nation to fall. No longer will our land be cursed with hundreds of representatives who care more about big corporations than the common man they were elected to represent. Democracy has failed us! It is time to rebuild! It is time for us to be united as one nation, one unified government. It is time to show the world that we will rise again! Your government will no longer place the needs of foreign lands above your own. We will never meddle in the affairs of our neighbors again!

In closing, I would like to share with you a portion of the farewell address from our nation’s first president, George Washington.

‘The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here, let us stop.

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?’

Citizens of this fine land, let us toil over the words of President Washington and heed the warning given at the founding of our previous nation.

It is time for us to be ruled by one voice, one decision, one power! Join me in building the Unified American Empire!”

All across the country, citizens cheered and celebrated their new president. Finally they had a leader who would protect them, a leader who cared more about his own citizens that he did the rest of the world’s problems. For the first time in a very long time, the people of the United States had something that had been missing for a very long time – they had HOPE. What they didn’t know was the hope they were feeling was going to come at a very, very high price.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

"So, is everyone up to speed?"  Howard Beck was sitting in his executive conference room at the end of a massive, solid oak table.  Around the table, seated from right to left were his son, Marshall Beck, his brother-in-law Sean Stewart, his sister Tricia Stewart, his nephew Jamison Stewart, Chief Maxwell Harris, Sergeant Elizabeth Reed, and Richard Dupree. 

  Howard Beck shared every single thing he knew about what was going on at his home.  He knew about the growing detention center that was being filled with innocent civilians who had a trade that could prove useful to the new government. He knew all about their plans for the new dictatorship with Simon Sterling at its helm.  He knew the details about the Regional Governors, the plan to pull the military from the Iranian Theater and send them into the heart of America, and even the intention to execute anyone who defied the new government. Howard shared every detail with the people sitting at the table.

Maxwell Harris needed clarification. “Wait a second. Maybe I'm overreacting here, but it sounds to me like Simon Sterling lit the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on fire and pissed on the ashes."

Richard Dupree replied, "And the American people couldn’t care less.  Sterling is running a brilliant PR campaign. He's a hero for bringing the troops home.  The public won't even bat an eye while the Empire conquers Europe and swallows up valuable resources.  They'll slaughter millions who refuse to convert to Islam."

"They won't bat an eye till the Empire starts to head across the Atlantic and walks onto our shores," said Marshall Beck.

Richard Dupree, the ex-Navy SEAL, brought his military knowledge to the table. “Our Navy will put up a good fight and keep them at bay, but they won't be able to stop them."

Elizabeth Reed chimed in. “Mr. Beck, may I ask how you know all of this?  Does Stacy Reid know all of this?  Because if she does, she's the most amazing spy in history."

Howard was not quite ready to share his source. Hal was in constant contact with his sister, the White House A.I.  Hal had given her the name Syd, in honor of Howard Beck’s deceased mother, Sydney Beck.  "Stacy is providing us with valuable intelligence; however I do have another rock solid source."

Howard had watched the dinner meeting Simon Sterling had hosted before his inaugural address and was still getting over the shock that the new president and his posse would have more power than any group should ever be given.  Sterling's plan for ruling the nation was a disgrace.  Countries around the world and throughout history had suffered greatly under the same model of government.  Sterling could fool the people into believing that he was instituting a new and efficient government, but Howard knew better.  Simon would be a dictator.  Howard guessed that within a year, one of the Regional Governors would gain too much popularity, and Simon would squash the threat. 

"Dad, what are we gonna do?" asked Howard's son.

"What we have to do.  What we must do.  We’ll do whatever it takes to stop Simon Sterling."

Richard knew he was in the same room as the richest man in the world.  He shook his head. “With all due respect, Mr. Beck, wealth and intelligence is no match against Simon Sterling.  He has the full strength of the United States military at his disposal.  How do you plan to go up against something like that?"

"I will start by recruiting men like you, Chief Petty Officer Richard Dupree.  A Navy SEAL seems like the perfect candidate to lead an army."

Richard was shocked when Howard revealed the details of his former life to everyone sitting in the room.  He didn't let his surprise show on his face and quickly made the simple deduction that the Founding Father of Artificial Intelligence had the skills to dig up the name of his kindergarten teacher if he wanted to know it.

"I can't lead an army," replied Richard.

"Mr. Dupree, I know every detail of your past, and I'm not concerned in the least by it.  The fact that you’re sitting in front of me speaks volumes to your resourcefulness and cunning."

"I can't lead your army, not when my daughter is lost.  I'm taking my son and leaving here and won't stop until I find her."

Howard leaned back in his chair and brushed the long, white hair from his face.  "Mr. Dupree, all I ask is that you keep an open mind.  I have a proposal that I believe you will find mutually beneficial."

Richard nodded his head in acknowledgment.  He suddenly realized that Howard Beck hadn’t made eye contact with anyone in the room.  Richard made a mental note to find out everything he could about this man, beyond what popular culture had taught him.

Howard turned to Max. “Chief Harris, I have also taken the liberty to brush up on your resume.  Your career has been a rocky one, but your actions as of late prove that you’re a man who will do whatever is necessary to get the job done.  You are willing to look out for your fellow man and do what’s right, no matter the cost.  You probably think the evacuation of your little town went unnoticed.  The lengths you went to in getting your citizens out of harm's way really impressed me.  The fact that you traveled all the way to Beck Estates to try and rescue four innocent people speaks volumes to your bravery.  I am also equally impressed that you managed to escape."

"I had help," said Max.

"And Stacy said by keeping your cool and thinking instead of overreacting, you made it out of there with ease."

Like Richard, Max was shocked.  How did this man know that he bent over backwards to get his citizens evacuated?  How did he know about the gas vouchers?  Did he know how horribly wrong it turned out in the end?  Max quickly reached the same conclusion Max had – Howard Beck could find out anything about anyone.  Max had no doubt that he knew every detail about every man, woman, and child moving into the dormitory wing.

Howard continued. “Chief Harris, I'm going to extend the same offer to you as well.  I already know how my family will answer. I can count on them to stand behind me."

Elizabeth leaned forward and looked down the table at Howard. “And what is this offer?"

Howard smiled, looked at Elizabeth's face, and quickly looked back down at the table, "Let me show you."  Howard stood up and gestured toward the door.  Richard scanned the faces of Howard's family and could tell that they were just as eager to find out where they were going as he was.  They all exited the conference room and walked down a long corridor.  They approached a large bay window and looked down into a cavernous enclosure that was at least five stories deep.  At the bottom, a large engine resembling a turbine was spinning. It appeared that the entire facility was built around this immense generator. 

As Howard led the group onto a nearby elevator, Max spoke up. "Mr. Beck, what was that large room we just passed?  What was that all about?"

"You just saw the only self-sustaining geothermal generator in the world.  It’s fully automated by Hal and can run indefinitely.  Well, I shouldn't say indefinitely, to be exact.  It will continue to run as long as the earth's core maintains its current temperature."  Everyone on the elevator, including Howard's family, was too shocked for words. 

As the elevator arrived at the bottom floor, the group burst out and headed toward a set of giant double doors.

"Hal, open the bay doors, please."

The doors opened inward to reveal a stadium-sized hanger that could easily hold two football fields.  Everyone stood in the doorway in complete and total awe.  Row after row of high tech military vehicles sat parked and waiting to be used.  Behind those vehicles sat a fleet of large armored vehicles resembling tanks.  On the other side of the bay floor, the group could see a row of helicopters and numerous sleek, two person aircraft the size of SUVs.  Above the bay floor were two additional floors filled with weapons lockers, fully loaded with the highest quality firearms, including some high tech weapons not available for sale to the public. The top floor was filled with explosives for individual use, as well as large ordinance for the aircraft.

Howard turned to Richard. “Think we can take on Sterling?"

Richard looked directly at the old man.  Howard was very intimidated by his directness, and took a few steps back.  "I'm impressed, Mr. Beck, but you need soldiers to fight a war.  None of this will do any good if you don't have the manpower to use it."

Howard smiled. “Leave that to me.  Mr. Dupree, I'm offering you the chance to utilize everything you see here, as well as my personal assistance in finding your daughter.  The only thing I ask for in return is your help building this army into a fighting force that can restore democracy to this country."

Richard took time to consider what he could accomplish with the resources in front of him before responding.  "Mr. Beck, I'm definitely interested, but I have a lot of questions that need answers before I agree to anything."

"Exactly the answer I'd hoped for.  Cautious and reserved.  I'm certain I can convince you to join the fight.  I look forward to some one-on-one time with you."  Turning his attention to Max, Howard asked, "Mr. Harris, are you and Miss Reid ready to help restore law and order? We can use good people like you to lead this fight.  Mr. Harris, you graduated from the academy at the top of your class and had a stellar career in front of you.  I hope you’ve been able to work through your issues and are ready to show all of us your true potential."

Max was almost in tears. “Mr. Beck, I'm overwhelmed by this.  I don't know what to say."

"Honey, all you have to do is say yes; it’s that simple."  Elizabeth held Max's hand and squeezed it tight.

Max extended his hand to Howard, who took it, despite his discomfort.  Howard had not shaken another man's hand in decades. 

  Howard turned to his family.  "I know I don't have to ask, but I hope all of you are on board."

  Marshall Beck didn't hesitate and grabbed his father in a tearful embrace. “Dad, I'd follow you to the ends of the earth, you know that."

  Howard hadn’t hugged his son since he was a child.  If shaking hands made Howard uncomfortable, hugging someone was even more difficult.  Howard fought the urge to push his son out of his personal space and focused on the emotion that he’d struggled with all of his life - love.  Howard began to weep; the tears exploded out of his eyes, startling him.  "I've always loved you, son, always.  I made so many mistakes with you, and I'm sorry.  I was angry with you for not being more like me.  You’ve always been your mother's son. You are so much like her, full of passion and life.  She worked with me every single day to try to be a good father to you. She was so patient.  The only thing I ever wanted was for you to be your own man, to make something of yourself without my help.  I know you always hated me for that. You thought I was denying you your birthright.  I hope that you understand now that I only wanted you to step out from underneath my shadow and shine on your own."

  Marshall Beck didn’t let his father go, hugging him even tighter.  "I love you so much, Dad. I finally understand what you were doing, and it worked.  I built a life for myself, one that I hope you’re proud of."

  "I am, son, I am.” Howard withdrew from his son’s embrace, saying, "We have work to do, and I'm counting on you. Are you ready?"

"I'm a Beck! I'm ready for anything."

**********

Richard Dupree rode the elevator to the top floor and stepped out, unsure where he was going.  He walked a few paces to his right, returned to the elevator door, and walked a few paces to his left."

  "Sir, can I be of assistance?"

  Richard was not one to be caught off guard. He spun around and looked to find no one there.

  "Sir, may I help you with something?" spoke a proper, British voice.

"Who is that?" said Richard.

"My name is Hal; I believe we have met before. The last time you encountered me I had taken control of a robot."

Richard smiled and shook his head. “Yes, of course.  I was trying to find the dormitory wing."

"Sir, follow the corridor to your right and take the first right into the next hallway.  You should not have any trouble finding the dormitory wing at that point."

"Thank you, Hal.  I appreciate it."

"Of course, sir."

Richard followed the directions given to him by the A.I. and found the dormitory wing.  Once there, he encountered the elderly man who had been looking after his son.

"Morris, I'm glad to see you."

Morris shook his hand. "Me, too.  My wife and I have been talking to your son.  I have some news to share with you that might be upsetting at first, but you’ll quickly see the good in it."

"He doesn't remember me, does he?"

Morris slowly took Richard's hands into his, "Son, I've been a pastor for over forty years.  I've counseled many families facing loss and heartache.  Whatever happened to that boy when he was little, he has no memory of it at all.  I've seen it many times before with children.  The good Lord knows what their innocent minds can handle.  Whatever happened to him, the Lord saw fit to keep it from him."  Richard hung his head in misery and fought back tears.  Morris squeezed his hands to get his attention.  "Now son, the good Lord brought the two of us together for a reason.  If you made mistakes and want to repent, the Father will hear your prayers."

Tears ran down Richard's face as he smiled up at Morris. “You don't understand. You got it all wrong.  My tears are tears of joy.  I get a chance to start over fresh with Timothy.  The memories that are blocked from his mind are of me killing a horrible man who was hurting him.  I was protecting him; I saved him.  I know I made a horrible mistake that took him from me and caused him to forget me.  If I could do it all over again, things would be different. I would never do anything that would drive him away from me."