Republic of Tactics

Republic of Tactics: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

My name is Bovise Asherman. The last name that reminds many of the tragedy fifteen years ago. The one that left women widows, children orphans.

I'm about fifteen, I think. Here in Dertus, we are not permitted to speak of our sex, race, age and more importantly, the Government. Dertus is a large and populated city in the land that was before known as Tennessee. My world feels empty and deserted. Where the leaders that hold power can execute someone for expressing in speech. The nearest city within our range is forty miles away.

We may encompass technology overly advanced to be used by man, but darkness and evil also roam this futuristic post-apocalyptic nation. Like everyone describes it. Our president Dorothea is a witch, the nickname I invented since her election.

The year is 2144. It is a new year. The month is January. It is a new month. All these things change, in an order. As some believe. But does it REALLY change? To me, it is like it's just the numbers that change. The rest feels the same, honestly.

Mother Earth is not stable. My friend Koppe Eterson and I saw an entire lake submerge into the earth. It was a slow sinking. We expected multiple fish dead on the ground, but it was empty. Yards of muddy and rocky ground was the only thing left. That reminds me, food is extremely low. To make things worse, our fresh water is also meager. We have support from other nearby cities, that provide us with a scant amount of supplies. Mostly weapons and clothing. It is a slow process though.

"You sure you don't wanna go back?" Koppe asks me, shaking me from my thoughts of the lake.

I look at him for a while. Grin slightly.

"Why? Is it recruit time or something?" I joke, returning my eyes to the empty lake.

"It's almost six." He says.

Koppe has been my friend since I have memory. He's a little blabber mouth but with a shy attitude. He's only two years older than me. He has rich hazel eyes and light brown hair that is always pulled back. He's averagely build and is taller than me by some inches.

I see him as my best-friend. Not because he's one of the million people who don't hate me because of my dumb last name.

Asherman is the same last name as my grandfather, Mikeson Asherman. He was a huge rebel idol. Who disobeyed the government and his words of tyranny led many to be killed. Supporters. Sixty percent of the population were supporters.

That massacre was a stepping stone for our war. Half of all the people were killed. My grandfather was the first. My mother was six months pregnant with me. She's still alive, but the death of my father affected her. My sister Derlie hated my father. Neither of them ever told me why. Derlie is the stubborn older sister that looks exactly like my mother. My mother's name is Jeysse, loving and caring with a love for knitting.

"Hey. Earth to Bovise." Koppe says to me. We came down to to the lake to take some air.

"We'll get scolded, c'mon." I say, standing up and reaching my hand out for Koppe to grab onto so I can pull him up.

"Did you hear Tynna had a meltdown during dream-inception?" Asks Koppe.

"No why? Tynna, are you serious?" We're walking up a hill, walking side my side. Returning back to the outskirts of Dertus where my cozy home awaits for my arrival.

Tynna is Koppe's biggest crush. He's been in love with her and they went out once but that was right before another attack that emotionally hurt Tynna. My life consists of many constant fights. But I'm clueless. And like I said, we cannot speak of the government or question about it.

I personally, don't have a special girl in my life. At least not right now.

"Yeah, she had a nightmare or something like that." He explains to me. I nod as to say I'm acknowledging what he says. We walk for a few more minutes until we stop at a thick-wired fence at a narrow opening. We've never seen it before. It's strange because it's electric. Electric fences are only surrounding vital land that is either out of admittance or represents significant borders. There's a sign attached on a pole several feet from the fence.

It reads: 'Do Not Cross. Violators will be shot on sight.'

I keep staring at it. Suspicion fills my system. I turn around to see Koppe throw a rock at the fence. It makes a sizzling sound and then goes silent again. We continue again for the woods behind us.