Storm and Fire Chapter 16

Chapter 16
I Can’t Think of a Name for this Chapter so I Won’t

Nathan stood still, confused that Silvia was crying after they had just succeeded in getting their job. Still, he didn’t want to seem uncaring. “What’s wrong?” he asked. She didn’t respond. “I know killing people is hard. I’m sorry if you felt forced,” Nathan said, “But if it’s any help, they were bandits and kill and steal for a living. You didn’t do anything wrong.” This didn’t help either. Nathan thought about what could be troubling her. She didn’t seem to show any hesitation until she got there, he thought. It doesn’t seem like killing would trouble her. How would that bandit know her name? Is that related? Then Nathan came to a conclusion.
“That person was your friend, right?” he asked, feeling guilty. “I know it’s not uncommon for a person who is desperate to join the bandits. I’m terribly sorry I forced you into that situation. I’m sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have asked to come along… I’ve only been a nuisance. …I’m sorry…”
“It’s not your fault,” sobbed Silvia, “It’s my fault for not realize the plan could go wrong.” She looked back at Nathan, tears running down her face. “I should have listened to you! You were right… the plan had too many flaws. But I didn’t listen, I thought I was right, and so I have paid the price. Don’t think it’s your fault! It’s mine.” This made her cry even harder.
“No!” said Nathan, “Don’t think like that! You could never have known that! It was beyond your control! No amount of planning could have accounted for that.”
“Maybe you’re right. That still doesn’t change the fact that I killed someone that was close to me. I killed them! It can only be my fault. I… I don’t know what to do…”
“You don’t need to do anything! I know it can be hard for someone you’re close to joining the bandits, but it was their choice. They chose the life to live, and they chose to kill and to steal. It cannot be your fault if it was their choice to live the way of a bandit.”
Silvia sighed, “I guess you’re right…” Maybe he was. Even if he had been kind to her, he still killed for a living. Could being kind to a single person redeem a life of horrible deeds? Maybe not. She felt relieved at the support Nathan gave. He was just as kind to her as the bandit she had killed was, and he lived an honest life. “Let’s return to Wenatchee,” she said.

INTERMISSION THING

You may not remember Chapter 8; I should have had more references to the goings-on in Olympia. Now we present to you some people that seem to have nothing to do with the main story!

The people around sat, looking intently at the man behind the podium. Their looks were a mix of respect and fear. Nearly 100 representatives of various cities from the surrounding area had gathered here. From near the border of Canada to the Columbia River, various cities that still held the Federal government as the government of Washington. They wondered who this person was. Apparently, he was a prominent Senator from before the war that the Federal government chose to lead Washington in case of collapse of government. However, was he really getting the orders from the president?
The man behind the podium began to speak. “Good day to all of you, who come from every corner of our state to meet here in the Washington Capitol of Olympia. The Federal Government has recently sent orders, and I shall give them to you shortly. As you all know, the Federal Government still exists. There is still a president of the United States, and he is in the mountains of Maryland right now. Congress still goes on as we speak. Nothing has changed, even in these most desperate times. Anyone who says otherwise is a rebel.
The recent orders from the President are to make sure that all land is secured. We are still at war with the Chinese, and though they have not attacked us for thirty years, they may attack at any time. The Federal government has not kept a close enough watch on these rebels. The order is to kill anyone who is anti-American or is one of these “bandits” that wander the countryside.
Our biggest threat is some cities to the east that have succeeded. The reason many eastern delegates are not here is because of this. The US government demands that these two cities, Wenatchee and Yakima, be eliminated immediately. It is our job to preserve the Union. These must be crushed before they expand. Gather an army here. By next summer, we must launch an attack, or else face one from these rebel foes.”

END INTERMISSION

Silvia and Nathan arrived at Wenatchee by twilight. Rather than sleeping and taking the badges to the recruiting offices in the morning, they decided to get it over with. Walking through the still lit streets and past people walking and shopping, they reached the central area of the city where the government buildings were. They soon got to the recruitment center and walked in.
Walking up to the front desks, they showed the badges. “You two were fast. Go to room 334 for further instruction. It’s right down the hall and to the left.” They went to room 334 and knocked. “Please enter.”
They walked in. There were a few people there. “Ah, the first people. Do you have the badges?”
They showed the badges. “Oh, good. So, will you take the job? Good, now sign this contract… You’ll receive free rooms at the government hotel, and free breakfast. You’ll start training next week. It will be work to the south, I believe… They need help with a bandit problem. It’s been real trouble with the Ellensburg bandits coming up here. Even more of a problem with Yakima not helping us! I even have heard rumors that Yakima is helping these bandits. I sure don’t hope it leads to war…”
Nathan left to go to his hotel, and Silvia started off to hers. She wondered if she would work with Nathan anymore. She hoped so; it would be good to have someone she knew in the guards. What were they saying about sending them to the south to fight bandits for training, Silvia thought. Did they count war as training?
She got back to the government’s inn. She walked into her room. Paul wasn’t back? Where was he? That was confusing, but she decided he would probably get back later, so she decided to just go to bed then, and see if he showed up later. She was tired from walking, and fell asleep before even night. Paul still wasn’t back…