Post-Pandemic: A New World

Chapter Twenty One: American Patriots

September 1st 2025

It was now September 1st, the first day of Autumn, but it still felt like Summer. The leaves were still a bright green and weren't yet turning a golden orange and red. But Bridge knew that it was only a matter of time until they did. It wouldn't be long until there were piles of leaves as high as cars and the trees were barren and without leaves. Then Winter would come and the trees and lands would be covered in snow and ice. Bridge had loved playing in the snow as a little boy and He was sure that Louise would love it as well. But of course Autumn would have to come first and till then, they had to harvest as much food as they could. Mainly because food couldn't grow in the coldness of winter and they would have to stockpile as much as they could. The first winter after the Fall had been one of hardships of course. New York had been filled with snow and Bridge and Phinehas had to carefully ration the food they had. Bridge had gone into the sewers at night and hunted rats using a spear. They had eaten nothing but rats and the eggs from their chickens that were currently laying eggs in Phoenix One for the entire winter and it was horrible. It was many months later that Bridge and Phinehas had found Michelle and taken Her in. Bridge couldn't bare the thought of Michelle's babies dying on a cold winter's night to the cold and vowed to protect the children as best as he could. Sebastian and Eleanor had of course been very supportive to Michelle, trying to help her get through the times ahead.

The Phoenixes had gone through the entire State of Kansas the previous day and they were now in the State of Colorado. Louise and Stacy were simply awed by the beautiful landscapes and the fresh air. The trees were so tall they touched the sky and the plant life was breath takingly beautiful. The mountains were covered in snow and although they were extremely far away, Bridge could see the mountain lions frolicking across the mountains and hunting for food. As Bridge looked out one of the windows of Phoenix Home, he said "Man, I knew Colorado had a natural beauty to it, but this". Anna was awed by the wildlife and said "Indeed, I thought the Russian winters were beautiful, but this is amazing!" The Phoenixes were all awed by Colorado's beauty and they were all looking out the windows of their vehicles, admiring the rural area they were going through. That was when Bridge's walkie talkie went off and He pressed the red button on it so that he could hear who had what to say. It was John, He was driving the lead vehicle and He said with worry "Bridge, we're coming up on Denver, we might have to slow down a bit. I think there's some kind of checkpoint up ahead".

Bridge then walked over to the front of the bus and saw the City of Denver past Phoenix One. Denver looked like it was still it's old self again. In the distance, they could hear the bustling of City life and the sound of "the Battle Cry of Freedom" playing on loudspeakers. That was when Bridge saw something flying from the tallest building in Denver and realised that it was some kind of flag. Bridge got out his binoculars and looked through them to get a better look at whatever it was. The flag seemed to resemble the Star Spangled Banner, but it had been redesigned! The flag had the thirteen stripes like the original flag, but the blue part was a large blue spot in the centre with circles and circles of white stars inside of the round spot. There was a large white star in the centre and it was a sight to behold. Anna looked at it with her own binoculars as well and said "There has to be at least fifty stars on that flag". Bridge noticed it to and said "The small stars that surround the large star must represent the States and the large star must represent the country as a whole". Joe heard Bridge and Anna speaking of the flag and said "I guess it's meant to represent the re-establishment of the United States".

That was when the Phoenix Convoy came across the checkpoint, it was a usual gate checkpoint with a few guards positioned around it. The re-designed Star Spangled Banner was flying at the checkpoint and as it waved in the wind, the soldiers of the Patriotic American Army felt a sense of national pride to America and a determination to reunify the once great nation under their control. As the convoy came to a stop, the soldiers quickly surrounded the three R.Vs and the Bus. They were equipped with fully automatic assault rifles and even some grenades. It was easy for Bridge to tell that they were a well trained and highly equipped army. One of the soldiers knocked on the bus and said "Open up". Joe pulled the lever that opened the door and the soldier stepped inside. He then said to the Phoenixes "Whose in charge here?" That was when the soldier heard someone cough to get His attention and he turned to His left to see Bridge and Anna. Bridge stepped forward and said "I'm Bridge, you want to talk to the guy in charge, then that's Me". The soldier took note of Bridge's accent and asked "Are you from Britain?" Bridge slightly nodded and answered "Yes, but I came to the U.S through the Student Exchange Program. Then I filled out all of the paperwork and became a citizen". Bridge then asked "So what now? Are you gonna search us or something?" The soldier slightly nodded, turned to the Phoenixes and said "All four vehicles are going to be searched. Any contraband will be confiscated by the Patriotic American Army. If you are in possession of any weapons, then you must have a licence if you are to be allowed to keep them. Weapons that are in possession of civilians are to have non lethal rounds and are to ONLY be used in self defence, or the defence of another citizen".