Base Alexandria

Chapter 4 Hank & Frank Briggs Pt 2

We walked only a little bit to the hospital which is where the council members had their meetings. They guy led me into a little waiting area. I only waited for a minute though and he was leading me into a conference type room with seven people sitting around a table. Four males and three females. 

“Captain Briggs.” 

The guy at the head of everyone was speaking Staulch i think was his name. He didn’t seem very intimidating at all and it was something innocent sounding about his voice.

“You can relax captain, we just have a few questions concerning your brother, have you seen him at all lately?” 

“No sir, last i saw him was a couple days ago at one of the bars.”

They all started whispering to each other. 

“We fear that he may be under the influence of the rebels Captain briggs and when some of our best soldiers have doubts we always want to try and clear up any misunderstandings they may have, the same goes for our normal people as well.” 

“What kind of misunderstandings might he have, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I asked pretending to not already know what they were talking about.

“Something along the lines of where the bases come from. These bases are not places that just appeared from nowhere. We believe that these shelters were built some time ago underground for I suppose a fallout plan should one ever happen. There's a book of the archives at the hospital library that anyone can access at any time. Also my fellow council members and i are just normal people who took a vote at the time everything started so there could be order and not just more chaos, and of course at the time there was a different set of members.”

For a second when I was talking to Frank, I wanted to believe his theory but now that the council members had cleared some basic stuff up and it was just what I needed to know. I knew the bases had to be here for a reason and if there’s a book anyone could look at then that could be my proof to Frank that everything was ok.

“So if you or your brother have any questions for us please don't hesitate to ask. We only want to keep the peace around here, but i would have to say if he tries to press his influence amongst others we would have to take drastic measures of exile. While we want to keep peace we will do what we must and you should too.”

“I understand sir.”

They dismissed me and instead of going home I went to the library. I had never really gone to the library. It seemed small, I guess it was all that was salvaged from the chaotic mess. I did see a familiar face though Amanda. She was looking into a book till she looked up and saw me. She waved for me to come over.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for a book, something maybe about this base?”

She put her finger tip on her head and thought about it for a second.

“I don’t think I've ever really read a book about the origin of the base, but maybe something in the backroom?”

She led me to the backroom that had very little books in it, but then she led me to a bookshelf and pulled out a very old tattered book. The thing looked like ancient history. It was so old. The cover was a little torn, the book itself was very dingy looking at the pages that were basically falling out.

“They keep these books back here because they’re so old and to keep it from completely falling apart, but I believe these books go back to at least  the year 2000, but i could be wrong. This book I think might be close to something on the base.

I flipped through a couple of pages skimming through words here and there and it was just like the council members said, these bases were being built for a fallout should it happen. It was a mutual agreement between countries and states. This would be a bit to at least stop Frank from doing something crazy.

“Thank you Amanda, knowing myself i probably would have never found this.”

“No problem, i guess you'll be heading out now?”

She started to look a little sad.

“Yea i gotta get going i have to talk to my brother, but i want to see you again, how about dinner the night after tomorrow?”

“Sure, pick me up from the complex Delta when the sun is on the horizon? Ill be out fronting waiting for you.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.

We parted ways and I headed back to my place hoping frank would still be there, but of course he was already gone. In a way I was really conflicted. I didn't know what to believe. Base Alexandria had been peaceful for a while but when I thought about it no one seemed to be making an effort to get the world back to a more secure stable normal. Was that really a bad thing though?

The next day I went back to see the council members but they weren’t there. I wasn’t sure where to look next but I had more questions. I tried waiting it out for a bit but no one showed. When I finally decided to leave, the head guy was there.

“Captain Briggs, we meet once more, were you waiting for us?”

“Yes i was just getting ready to leave, but i did have a question more like concern? I'm not sure.  I just….i haven’t heard my brother talking about anything unordinary but i'm not sure how to handle the situation if he does. He’s my brother and I never imagined him becoming a rebel.” 

“I understand that he’s your brother Captain, but just imagine him spreading unnecessary panic throughout the base, it would be a disaster. I suppose that if he does say anything to you though you could always use a talking method but if not, sometimes force is necessary.”

“Force?”

“Yes, but of course who wants to do that? But like i said captain sometimes it is necessary.”

The loud speaker came on.

“Frank and Hank Briggs to Patrol gate B.”

“Patrol? I wasn’t aware I was on patrol duty today. Must be a mix up.”

“Maybe you should go and take the time to talk with your brother if you must, and just remember what i said Captain.”

He disappeared into the conference room. Leaving me with those words. What the hell could he mean by necessary and force? Making my way to the patrol gate I was met by Frank, he seemed like his normal self of course but was he still on this whole scam thing? 

Going on patrol isn’t so bad, we get to drive around in jeeps but only on patrols to save on the gas. Outside of the bases we get to have our firearms on us just in case any rebels are spotted. Most of the time we see them in the day mostly at night if they do decide to stalk the base so it’s not really any action.

At first we were silent with each other, which wasn’t a normal thing for Frank, usually he’s more talkative. Maybe it’s because he was driving.

“They’re onto me aren’t they?”

“Well yea Frank, of course they are. That's why you need to drop this crazy conspiracy thing. I found this book in the library it tells you about the fallout-”

He suddenly stopped the car and we jolted forward.

“What the hell!”

“That book is fake Hank.”

“What? What do you-”

“Do you really think the first  place i wouldn’t go to is the library? I tore that place upside down looking for some kind of guide book, but there was nothing. Nothing on these bases let alone them being built, so why is it all of a sudden the council wants to talk to you and then all of a sudden there’s a book?”

“You must didn’t look hard enough.”

“Hank, come on. You’re smarter than this, think about it.” 

At that moment I knew I wouldn't be able to  change his mind. He was set on this but i couldn’t follow him, not when things seemed ok, not when i was about to get the girl of my dreams.

“What if i don’t want to think about it Frank? What if maybe things are ok the way they are? No major wars, no fights against other countries? No bickering between civilians, everyone working together to make this place a home. Amanda, I have a dinner date with her tomorrow night and you know she’s the girl of my dreams.”

He shook his head. 

“Im sorry little brother, I can't be brainwashed.”

He jumped out of the jeep and started walking, and I jumped out after him.

“Where are you going?”

“To find the rebel base, come find me when you’re ready to come to your senses.”

“Stop Frank!”

But he kept walking and at that point I felt like I didn't have a choice so I pulled my gun on him. I didn’t know what else to do but I didn't want my brother to join the rebels.

“I said stop!”

He turned to look at me. It seemed like he was shocked to see me pointing a gun at him.

“Let me take you in and let the council decide what they’re going to do.”

“Why? So they can brainwash me even more? I'm not changing my mind Hank so you’re gonna have to shoot me.” 

He turned to keep walking, but I pulled the trigger.