In America, the situation had developed from suicidal collapse to mildly fucked. Namely what people they had managed to rescue or whom had come to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex by themselves were quickly put to work. Either trained as militias, farmhands or workers to help build fortifications and restart where able. Although due to the rather fractured nature of the Federal Government - then President Atkins had to sign in Executive Order 78. Namely 'establishing' martial law and granting the military, the rights and hands to help restore Colorado into some semblance of function.
During that time, Atkins had also instated numerous individuals into a higher position - namely writing into force that Sergeant Jackson of the USMC would become Sergeant Major of the Army, forming a Joint Special Operations Command with what Generals remained and also having Valentina Tsernova inaugurated as the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. While some might state against the idea of having a foreign national become leader of the US Air Force - the truth was, there wasn't anybody else with any air experience in the entire area.
In that same regard, she was also acting Secretary of the Air Force - which would have meant a conflict of duty and too much authority in the hands of a single person. But at this point, they were mostly symbolic, since they didn't have anybody else on hand. Many others were filling double positions in the in United States Cabinet - which at this point wasn't much. Namely, one General, two Colonels whom had been promoted from their roles as Sergeants, a Sergeant Major, and two Captains who acted as the head of the Joint Special Operations Command and Secretary of the Army. All in all, not the best situation.
While Colorado was mostly returned under authority, the situation still remained bleak - especially, as after marshal law had been 'relaxed' two weeks after it had been enforced - they had lost most contact with Secretary Tsernova, whom had taken the AC-130 out for a reconnaissance flight. Without having reported anything back - they couldn't in essence do anything if she had decided to leave or had gotten shot out in some likelihood. Plus it wasn't like they could ask her 'spouse' Sergeant Gent whom had gone with them and taken along five Marines.
Things remained the same for some time, until activity popped up on the radar - namely a transport helicopter. "This is Secretary Tsernova here, carrying about....ugh...several politicians from...Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and what remained of Montana...over..." she stated, leaving the President simply flabber-gasted and asked for a repeat.
"Ugh. I might have engaged in some gunboat diplomacy...and I had to leave the AC-130 in Kansas since it ran out of fuel then, but I did get the states under the banner of the Federal Government. More or less..." she added, then added in a shy tone. "...please tell me marshal law was still in force?"
Atkins, for hearing such a blatant abuse of authority - did the expected outcome and simply laughed. Namely in a good and hearty tone, leave it to their resident Russian woman to cause incidents that would have left the old United States more red with political bureaucracy than the former Soviet Union. "General Robb. Clear her in, if she is carrying what she says she is, then I will need also a good and preferably sound-proof somewhere. It is going to ugly soon enough, and get that old geezer of a VP out. We might need to show his face to the others..."
Robb carried out the order immediately as he assigned five of his most trusted worthy men to escort the vice president out into a remote location where he would be safe and would be incapable of causing any kind of trouble. As they near the landing zone soon soldiers of formed a line as they welcome the VIP’s inside the mountain complex. As Robb continues to organize the various materials and facilities to house their new guests. Moments later Robb radios in, he had secured a small room that was recently dug up which was an VIP bunker. Due being buried for some time the electronics have been smashed to bits, and monitors have been spit or cracked by the impact of the dirt surging in. But, it was built to last, its steel walls still standing and keeping the ground in bay and its spacious area was meant to become a multipurpose area in the event of a nuclear annihilation happening.
After landing Gent plants, a small kiss onto his wife' cheek, his way of telling her to relax and for doing a good job. The VIPs in question weren't like the tight-suit pencil pushers that you would see in the previous years as these people wore tattered clothes and informal attire. One could see the vibe and aura of a survivalist that was preparing for the end times. While some had the normal attire or reasonably formal as the soldiers escort them to where they can meet the president. While they were mostly unarmed and non-hostile the way they moved and interacted are the very same actions of someone being forced to.
Valetina for her part, merely pulled off the headset and when the politicians had loaded off - she swung the helicopter back over to the airfield and set her down there. Where more or less, what crew-men they had could take a look over the thing. It had been a luck of the draw find anyway, back when they ran out of fuel after circling one state and had to land and commandeer another way of transportation. "Ohh...could use a shower, and nice sleep after that," replied Tina, yawning - as she had flown for two days straight.
Gent seeing the sorry state of his wife decided to carry her like a princess, as they both dash worth to the showers, when they arrive back at the Complex. Drenched in sweat from their bodies he didn't do anything to her...not until they were alone and she had fully rested.
Nevertheless, those whom arrived at least could take note - that the area was indeed THE Cheyenne Mountain Complex, that the soldiers in the area still wore the United States Army uniform and those inside had the same appearance, if looking a bit too young than most of them. Still the location looked a step above, of what the rest of them had - namely, an APC was guarding the entrance, something more than the rest of them could run or operate. At least expect one of them.
Soon enough, the 'political guests' were shown into the room, where sat President Atkins - namely a suit, that smelled literally of a politician, namely a more higher rank than most of them. "Gentleman, welcome," he said, as General Robb showed them inside the VIP Room. After which, the room was sealed and leaving the President and General Robb with the six political leaders. Some whom were more community leaders than the legitimate leaders of the state legislature.
"So this is what's left of the great ol' US of A." One of the meaner or crazier looking guest said as he slams his hands on the prepared table catching the other guest off guard. "Can you tell me why a non-american threaten me and my people with cold american military hardware to go with her back to the very country that couldn't protect me when everything went south?!" He says angry with the heavy handed method enforced upon his people. "That land was protected by my people's blood and steel... when those things attacked us we fought them till they left... When those bastards came knocking on our doors he slammed that door so hard that it fell on top of them." He says with more intensity with ever word.
"Those lands are ours, my people deserved it and I'll be damned to make my people bow down to the very government that abandoned and failed to protect us. the lands of Kansas belongs to us Kansasians." he declares with various people erupting in the same manner with several others saying their rights to their regions engulfing the room into a hazily uncontrollable noise at this point.
President Atkins, didn't say much about that - letting everybody vent their anger, as he himself simply tapped his finger onto the table, until they shut their arguing against each other. "So. That is your answer then? You are going to demand, we leave - stick your flag in that land, lands which all of our ancestors might have once walked through, and declare it yours? What then?" asked Atkins, rather calm about the situation.
"You are going to stay that way? Surrounded by several other states? Telling your grandchildren in the future, how you declared to be a small piece of a broken nation - instead of uniting in solidarity?" asked Atkins, talking and walking slowly around the table - before he stopped in front of them all, hands placed onto the table. "Yes. This is what is left. Valetina, was formerly an immigrant from Russia, just a few weeks ago, I had took her Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America. Pardon, if her English is a bit lacking. Last I checked, those lands and likely equipment belonged to the Federal Government."
"I will admit, America is in shambles. It is a mess, but staying here - arguing over who has authority where, it is childish and it solves nothing. Aren't we all American? Don't we have a duty to help each other in time of need? When everything is running fine and dandy, nobody bothers against the system of governance - yet when we experience the first great catastrophe since the Great Depression, do we just...fall apart? Is this the legacy of our forefathers and to our children? A dead nation? A divided nation? As of this moment, we have monsters, traitor-PMCs and other terrorist-militias running about and laying their claims on America...." he explained, to them. "...I was a leader like you people once, a Senator of these lands. Now...I a sad to see the state of our nation."
"Are you willing, to honestly state, and then walk out of those doors - with the knowledge, that if you do, America as you know it will be dead? No more United States. No more, American Way of Life. No more, Liberty, Freedom and Democracy. We'll just be a broken nation, a dozen so states that may or may not survive this crucible of war. You can stay and help reform the Federal Government or walk out now, and forevermore regret those decision - when you look upon the dead remains of this great nation, on your deathbed."
"WE CA....." The man from Kansasian from before yelled out stood up in disagreement before another stood before him now humbled and reasoned with the arguement of the president. "Me and my people shall return to the united states of america." He announces, reluctanty but, didn't have any doubts or seconds thoughts his dreams of founding a nation gone as he bows down humidity.
Then another and another stood up and like the man from before have gave up nationhood. This continued until four leaders were left now surrounded by all sides of what is now the US of A. Their faces full of worry of the troubling situation they are in.
"So now that you have all this men and soldiers with you now, so your gonna force my people and join you?" He responds to the others and especially the president. "You will have to pry control of my lands from my cold dead hands." He says with hostilities.
"No. I am not going to force you to do anything," replied Atkins, rather calmly in that regard. "Just like how the Thirteen Colonies came together in unity, I don't plan on repeating the mistakes of many other Federal States. I will not force others to fight you. We are Americans, in this room and I don't have any desire of spilling blood if I can avoid it. So you can stay as an American, or leave and be a Kansanian, if you wish so hard, until the day you die."
Namely, the way Atkins spoke - it struck a hidden cord behind his words, namely - he was seeing the man as he wanted, a Kansanian, a lone state - before the divided yet slowly rebuilding nation of the United States. "The choice is yours, as it has always been in America. A land of opportunity, a land of equality - where an American from Kansas can feel equal to an American from Californa or Texas," he stated.
"I can understand your dislike. What is it about? The bureaucracy? The corruption? The mindless lobby groups, that were basically legal bribery? If America failed you, then I am sorry to hear it. I have tried to keep it together, no matter how slim or dead a chance it might seem. But I will not force you to submit or stay. I am not eager to start a Second American Civil War."
He was shocked to see that the president was willing to let him free but, his eyes turns to rage with his last question. "Your inability to prevent all of this... Legacy was based in america... and because of that the world's down the drain." He responses, slamming his hands on the table. "All of this is all your precious nation's fault." He adds as he points at the flag on the room. "I am not part of this, and I will not let my people go down the path of destruction." He says as he marches on out, with four of the others that have chosen to stay independent.
"But look around you, warlords, PMC's everyone is taking a piece of the pie, that second civil war is already happening." He says before he leaves for good. "They have a point, they weren't just divided they were fighting one another of the pieces as they try to make their own house... We are already in a civil war then that means we should kill them right here and now. " Another response pointing at those that left.
"I share his concerns, aside from corruption and greed that has taken over this country for so long, we all had a part in this apocalypse." One of those that stayed voiced out. "All of us did... Germany... and others more." Another one voices out a hint of sadness and realization as he recites the nations.
President Atkins merely shook his head, as some of them left, namely the representatives of Montana and Kansas - after which he merely sighed and rubbed his forehead, before speaking to those whom chose to remain. "Ironic, that when everything is running well - then nobody has any good words to say then. But when things collapse, we are somehow at fault of letting this happen," he sighed, as he looked at the others. "I will admit, I am not a member of the higher echelon of government. I was simply a Senator from D.C - this state used to be my home. If you are wondering how did I came to power...well simply, the Vice President tried to kill one of our own soldiers - because he defended another, due to political reasons. As such, they had to remove him due to physical instability...and were only a few days away from having to declare Martial Law and simply dissolve what authenticity remained of the United States of America."
"Funny, huh? Our government is broken yet we have a common enemy - yet we are still at each other' throats. In addition, we have gotten word from Europe. Namely it seemed that the old Soviet Union seemed to have reformed into something - with them and the Germanic Republic working together against these monsters," he spoke - informing that, while they as Americans were arguing over who was responsible for this act - the Europeans were already forming power-blocs against the invaders. It didn't take them long to connect the dots and realize what it would mean for a divided states of America. "I have nothing against the Europeans - but I want America to stand as an equal partner than a broken state needing a hand-out. Such an act, would break not only our identity but our very stature as the Land of Liberty."
It seemed, that compared to the others Atkins seemed to be more of the idealist than the others - even at this time. "Killing somebody who has come to talk, isn't traitorous yet any future talks might be compromised because of it. Would you come and talk, if you knew that you might be killed off - if you don't agree with what the opposite is offering?" asked Atkins. "Besides...they might come around later...or not, and we will have to demolish them from the air. I will admit, I am against bloodshed if it can be avoided. However, if those that left want to attack us at our weak moment - we will defend ourselves."
"Yes. That is the American way of life. No change is required until its broken all across our lap. The system that produced the status quo, so heavily entrenched that nothing could change it," spoke Atkins, closing his eyes and thinking about all he had done as Senator - before he re-opened his eyes. "We all have things we are not proud of. But at this moment, we can't remain thinking about what we have done. We can only march forward and hope we can build something better - than from where we came from. Like the Romans, we can either think about the glory times our nation had - or we can take these injuries, and use the knowledge we have gained to rebuild into something better."
"America has made mistakes, who of us hasn't? We can stay here and blame each other. Or we can swallow our pride and try to salvage what we can," spoke Atkins. "Since whether we want to admit it or not - our nation is based upon cooperation. We are stronger together, than divided. As such, I will say - the Federal Government has several roles and positions in need of willing. We are in-need of both men and resources. In exchange, we can pool our resources together - offer better chances of survival and possibility of having others rejoin the United States. In addition, we can lay the groundwork for the new United States."
He was an idealist but his words were full of truth the others sigh heavily as they extend their hands. "You have my support and the support of my people, we will help you rebuild this nation and right its wrongs." He says as the trench coat man, that looks exactly like a prepper said, he words rings of truth and honestly as the others follow suit. People that looked like doctors, priest and the every normal looking joe made their way to the president their new leader. "Lets make this work then, the names father James and as you can see I am a follower of the lord but, I won't spare one minute to put a bullet into your head the first time I see every going wrong again... God knows I won't." He smiled, introducing himself a unique greeting as he shakes his hand, he wore a customized priest suit and an large bible in his sides, he had a few scars on his head and he looks like an commando of sorts.
"I'm Robert, people have been scrambling towards my lands we have no more room so we can send them here to help you, also I organized a semi-organized information gathering network, and I have been hearing alot of activity in PMCs occupied areas that I believe we should discuss in alone." He introduces himself showcasing his expertise and worth. "Of course it won't be a hundred percent true but, its better than seating around and attacked from all sides." He ends as he goes back he had a bartenders kind of attire and had an cunning and thinking vibe to him.
Then a middle aged woman comes along with a pair of jeans and a camo jacket she places, three documents on the table of five PMC strongholds in her area now scorching in flames and now in ruins. She didn't spoke or utter a word, as she places five used detonators on the table showing that she had a hand in it. She had a nameplate on her jacket with the name Tina on it. And other various people introduced and revealed there factions merits and how they can help. The room now had an merry atmosphere unlike before where a clear vibe of hostilities was in the air, now people were telling each other their stories and opinions.
Atkins for his part was mostly focused on getting a functional government going into operations - and namely telling the others, of which Senator he had been, during the times of lobbying and usual corruption in D.C. Needless to say, he had been the average Democrat in all honesty - spouting talks to help the poor and minority. Although Atkins did try to put his ideas into practice more often than not. "...the system then. I mean, now that everything is finished and done - I can see, that it was a mess. I guess that was why so many others were complaining about it. We liked to lie to ourselves, we were a beacon of progress. But we just had a better system of corruption. Or a more legal one...I think our level of nonsense might have reached Russian levels even."
President Atkins for his part didn't sugar-coat much of anything, beyond having some military secrets remain hidden due to certain reasons, he was rather blunt with his assessments. Namely they had PMCs operating, but in all honesty, once they had a reformed and reunited enough the divided United States Armed Forces - then they could easily push against the PMCs. Since they were operating in a way, that wasn't linked to their nature. As PMCs were basically private-armies-for-hire - problem being, nobody was currently paying them for such an act. Perhaps some rich people were, but one couldn't utilize money if the system was destroyed. As likely, many of these PMCs would be realizing running a private-military-company was much easier than trying to run an entire state by themselves.
As such, they could write off the PMCs as simply better armed, trained and equipped terrorists - one that was annoying and you had to keep your eyes open for, but could be ignored for the time being. The bigger problem, was the secessionist forces elsewhere and the namely monsters in their lands.
"I am open for ideas here. While, we can't force everybody back into the Union - I am still of the opinion our future lies in reunification. Any ideas on how to perform it?" he asked, namely his new Secretaries of various Departments. Namely, as he found out - having their Chief of the Air Force flying about and threatening bombardment from the air, wasn't the best way to work-out a workable start to a relationship.
"Let me ask you Mister President, are these monsters? really monsters?" Robert asks as he tosses an interesting picture. "I got this interesting rumor that a settlement somewhere in the continent have been working and interacting with these invaders." He says as the picture shows the imagine of a group of orcs with humans. "Does this kind of interaction legal? or are they traitors?" He continues before shutting off as he awaits his answer. The others on the bad group where shocked as they see the strange interaction. "How sure are we that its happening? or maybe its a ghoul?" People on the group started to question or state their opinions.
"I've checked its a legit photo and I have confirmed they were helping- no cooperating with one another. " He states as confirms its legality. "Here is my opinion on the matter, we should learn more about this enemy of ours, we'll been fighting at them for so long that we don't understand why they are attacking us. as for our people that don't support us all we can do is hope that they won't attack us while we push on and take the fight to the enemy and as we liberate our people it would be natural that those that didn't join us would have no choice not to." He proposes
"Well I proposed, we start laying up some proper communication- I'm taking about cable and other methods, the more life here improves the more people we'll join us and with them more hands to maintain and improve our territories." John proposes, me and my scouts have found out some locations where these PMC store their equipment. We can take them but, without proper equipment even if we get to them we won't be able to get the trucks out to safety. "Once we have proper communications and a little persuasion people would start gathering and go back to the USA." He ends as Atkins agreed to the idea of setting up proper communication lines - as he agreed on providing some Tier One Units for the job.
President Atkins was surprised by the pictures and the information, as far as he knew the Invaders had been killing humans left and right - without showing any type of mercy. Although he took note, that this seemed rather strange in all comparison. "A ghoul looks like a dead body, and my eyesight isn't that bad. This is most strange, I will admit. Still, you are right - we have barely any information on the subject. Their strength, weakness or what are they doing in our world in the first place."
As that happened, he soon buzzed and spoke into an intercom. "Please send in Colonel Tsernova," he ordered - ten minutes later, after being pried from the hands of her love - Valetina Tsernova emerged, being allowed inside and quickly saluting the President. The gathered people would note, that she was the same person who performed the rather 'big stick' policy to get them here. "Colonel. See if you can get into contact with the European states and ask if they could share any information with us. Dismissed."
Valetina, nodded and quickly exited the room. "Before you ask, she is Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Secretary of the Air Force. Since in all honesty, we have nobody else to fill that role. Plus, she helped many of the current men escape and save this Complex," he explained - on namely how a rather Russian looking woman, managed to get so high and already integrated into the US Government so quickly. "Plus, she was a pilot for the Russian Air Force, before getting stranded here - so she might have a way to contact the Euros. Last we heard, they were doing better than us."
After the initial meeting the President soon, found out that Tina was mute so she was assigned someone that can communicate in her stead as she could then focus on leading a small group of saboteurs to hit enemy lines. "Tina told me that, Aurora has been using a small train, to transport children off to a remote prison that they are using now as a training facility where they train them or rather brainwash them to fight for them. The train station could help us move troops and between the states faster and more efficient. And plus liberating these children would shine a better light onto our emerging nation."
When Tina spoke up or namely had her words translated to the President, the gathered people noted how...his facade of calmness broke for a moment. "Give me the location please...and prepare for a Combined Arms Assault," he ordered to the nearby Marine Guard. Indicating his extreme dislike of hearing children being subjected to such a fate.
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