Republic of Tactics

Republic of Tactics: Chapter 27

Chapter 27

I sit next to her on the bench.

"Why? Why didn't you ever tell me about Olden and-?"

"I wasn't sure I was ready to tell you. You know how I am. I was going to tell you next year or something. When you're a bit older. That's a very serious topic." She says.

"Your father loved you very much. He really did. He just wasn't really around, you know. What do you think about Olden?" She continues.

"He's great. He seems really nice, but he's my brother right." I chuckle.

"Yeah. I am so sorry. He was taken from me because I was too busy mourning for your father." She's beginning to cry.

"We both know it wasn't just that." I hug her.

"Thank you sweetheart. I don't ever wanna loose any of you guys." She says.

"You're a great mom. I can't imagine myself in another family.... The leaders want me to give speech or something. You coming?" I ask.

"Be right there honey. And I'll tell you the rest of the story if you want." She stands up and walks over to a sage bush quietly. I walk beside Septimus residents and have to report to a new location named the Flage. A large square area with many seats and a stage with the Elite flag in the middle. Mostly everyone is seated and waiting for the meeting. I have to change into regular Elite clothes and a crew retouch my hair and outfit. I can feel the prosperity in the peoples attitudes. However at the same time, the conception and reality of now being autonomous hasn't really developed. And it's very obvious in the attitudes. At least for right now though.

"Alright. There's gonna be some cameras, so just smile and look strong." Jules says. At the end of the Flage is a large screen hovering over the people with my lines.

"Fellow fighters for freedom. The war has ended. We are free. Myself being the youngest Asherman follower, I am proud to say our victory belongs to my grandfather. Who many years ago fought for our independence and for a better future for us. There's no point now, in fighting. Winning over the weak, or overpowering authority." I pause for a second. The words mixing up in my head. The cameras around me making me nervous.

"I never wanted to fight. To kill. But, all of us, me, we wanted restore the country. Unite once and for all. End this coldblooded hardship. I lost my Bestfriend Koppe, but if he were alive, he'd be proud of me." I am not reading the script. Sterling gives me an annoyed look, so I decide to read it again.

"At this point in the tactics, there's an empty office in congress. With an election in one week, hopefully. This is your commander of Elite 1. Bovise Asherman. Polame in rein, justice and faith." The script is gone and the cameras are soon turned off. Not knowing what to do, I walk to Jules and Sterling.

"You just can't follow simple orders can you." Sterling jokes.

"I don't know who taught you how to act so well." Jules compliments and I chuckle. From up close I can see her makeup team has a hard hand. Later on, I was shown my broadcast in my room, hating how my voice sounds on the mic.

My room is now a bigger penthouse in the apartment building with all my things from Dertus. Olden lives with me and Mother and Derlie live across from mine. Olden has been going off with Joyse and I think they have something going on. I wouldn't blame him, me and Amelia are also very close and are more than just friends now. Even Derlie has a crush on Lowen's son.

For the next three to four days I began visiting the Elite cities. One city each day. We are holding a big charity to save Elite six and three. With money and supplies being donated from rebel clans who sometimes visit us.

During my tour of the Elite two city, Knox, I was invited to a deluxe extensive celebration and dinner with their leader. Hydas, great lady.

In Cinci, the city of Elite eight, they threw a giant parade for us Ashermans. Balloons and fancy cakes with photos of me and my grandfather.

In the Elite four city, Tanta, soldiers burned guns and destroyed ammo trucks and helmets. A tradition that helps relieve the soul from a long fight. The other cities were similar with parties and acknowledgments over wine.

Every day since I've been out walking down to a lake that's been forming with Axe, and I still have his tooth. That's another thing, I said before Mother Earth was in poor condition, well here it's actually improving tremendously. More grass and more trees have begun to grow here in Septimus. The rain help harvest our gardens that are now capable of surviving due to the care. The ash, blood, dirt is gone.

When I would return on the hovercraft, the desert geography of Septimus is vanishing every time. Now instead of dry trenches and parched valleys are green meadows with many animals living in its growing trees and ponds. I can now go for a swim with Amelia or just nap up on a tree.

On a Tuesday, they announced the new president of Polame. The country cut off four poor states out of union, nobody even lived there anyway. The magnificent Sterling was voted in as President. The Vice President was a woman from a secret organization that supplied the Elites with weapons and bombs. Her name was Ursula and she was a very determined lady who gave us Ashermans respect and immunity. After that, Septimus was expanded and made the Capitol of Polame. An enormous mansion was built for the presidents. Where I sometimes stay. York citizens had the choice to move to where they wanted. Many moved here.

After two weeks, there was a shocking surprise. Joyse was pregnant! Olden said he has also very shocked and mother congratulated Joyse, who she loved very much.

But one cloudy morning, I was just strolling along with Amelia when Jules informed me they were putting up a new flag. But it wasn't a rebel flag, but a flag for a united republic. The design was of an open hand with a chain over it. At the base of the beige flag were small flames, at the top was the silhouette of the Polame star. A beautiful and iconic composition in a cottoned rectangle. It will be placed at the very climax of a tall monumental stand over the Capitol Building.

I will carry it on the helicopter and parachute (again) on the roof to safely place it in its place where it will symbolically stand for years to come.

Once circling over the building, I jump. It's not so tall, but it still makes me anxious. The flag hard in my grip, swaying in the air when I land. The small hole is about a fifteen inches in.

It goes in with one insert.

Then, is the applause of the huge crowd below me.