Freedom Day

Epilogue

...

"...thus, marking the close of this year's Global Security and Anti-Terrorism Summit in Geneva, following its postponement in the wake of last month's 'Freedom Day' attacks... Delegates from more than fifty countries posed for a final photograph, forming a human chain as a testament to their renewed commitment to work together in both military and diplomatic matters, and quell the threat of violent extremism flourishing across the world... Under-Secretary-General Barston issued a statement assuring that the UN collectively condemns the attacks on America, Europe and elsewhere, promising irrevocable sanctions against countries found guilty of sponsoring or harboring their perpetrators...

...In other news, the House of Representatives has finally passed the Enhanced Domestic Defense Act, and is expected to reach the Senate in time for the first hearing scheduled later this month... Proponents of the bill have already proclaimed a landslide victory, following several days of protests and a 'Liberty March' of hundreds of people in Washington DC, all clamoring for the bill's immediate suspension... If signed by the President, the Act will see a massive reorganization of the country's intelligence and military infrastructure, which some critics fear will lead to the infringement of human rights in pursuit of those deemed "a danger to the state"...

...Senator Patricia Darcy, one of the bill's staunchest supporters, has proposed to rename it the 'Saint-Claire Law' after Madison Saint-Claire, the 21-year-old undergraduate who perished in the attack on Bartlett University. An alumnus of the University's College of Law, Senator Darcy has also unveiled plans to construct a memorial garden at Liberty Hall, remembering the dozens of young men and women who were the first victims in America's worst domestic terrorist campaign in decades..."

...

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Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Outside Hangar Two

Day 50

...

Fiftieth day on the job. Fifty-two days, almost two months, since Bartlett. All was well in the world. Ethan was finally free to focus on more mundane things.

*thud*

"Phew! That takes care of that.", he said to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Tedious work packing the comms gear into the shipping container, on account of his crutches and bandaged right leg. Sweat created a moist stain on his back, ruining the otherwise clean black shirt that matched his trousers. But the hardest part was finally over; the equipment was now sorted and ready to go. Tomorrow would be the flight to England, so there was hardly any time left to be so delicate with Team Rainbow's stuff, most of which were stacked just outside of Hangar Two. Despite his condition, Ethan insisted on lending a hand. It was the least he could do.

It was only right to leave things this way, on a positive note.

Two more days, Ethan. Two more days.

With the deed finally done, he sat on top of one of the crates for a breather. He opened a bottle of cold water resting beside him to quench his thirst, though the temptation to light up a cigarette pestered him to no end. Pope Field's runway provided him with a calm, peaceful scenery. Given recent events, it was quite odd to see the place so empty and lifeless this morning; a dozen Blackhawks might have flown off from this spot when the battle in New York raged all throughout that fateful Juneteenth. At the moment, there was but a single helicopter parked on the cream-white tarmac. Its rotor blades slowed to a complete halt, while a bunch of nondescript people marched out of the fuselage, carrying duffel bags of all kinds. Heading to meet them was a blonde and two of her American friends, plus a bald giant of a Scotsman whom everyone recognized. They all wore the same clothes as Ethan. Though far away from him, the woman had a loud enough voice, amplified by the ambient silence.