Chapter 8-The Plan

Infiltrate? How? "We need you four to work together to infiltrate not only the city, but the WCO headquarters," Huxley said. Oh boy, so I'd be going back to that nightmare all over again. "In order to weaken them, we need to shut down their time traveling capabilities, allowing just enough time for our troops to move in to decimate them, bringing them to their knees. The only way to end the WCO and to defeat the ASA is to destroy their most valuable weapon: time travel. We CANNOT let them use it, or else it is game over." "Might I add in, Mr. President," Rose interrupted, "how do we know they will even use time travel to their advantage in the war? I mean, if they had the power to do this all along, why didn't they just use it to entirely wipe out the free world the moment they got the chance?" "Because, Mrs. Rose, they wanted to lay low the whole time so that their people wouldn't so easily see who they are and turn against them. Now, that's different. The people know, so in the WCO's last effort at victory, they have threatened to go all out. Consider it a miracle from God Above that they gave us a warning and haven't already begun to use it, not that we know of, anyways. Now, for the mission. The WCO's power source, which powers their central time travel unit (that initiates and approves of all uses of time travel) and gives electricity to their whole building, is what we're after," Huxley said. The hologram then zoomed into a map of the complex and the area in which the power source was located. "In their basement, all of their hardware, electrical system, and plumbing is what we are after. Our strategists believe that if we destroy everything in this basement, they will be completely offline and completely unable to use time travel, making them vulnerable. Then, we strike. Yes, we would be carrying out an attack on a civilian city, but this is the only way we can ever defeat them, and this window is closing very quickly. Our troops are under orders to minimize civilian casualties and commercial property damage. Our main target is the WCO facility. We will have other troops deploying around their nation destroying their smaller installments that also rely on the central network source in New Seattle." He paused to allow everyone to collect their thoughts. "Now, how will we carry this out?" Huxley continued. "Rose and Brandon, you will be our primary infiltrators while Mary Anne and Elijah will be on watch and making sure order is kept in the mission. Brandon, we will supply you with explosives to plant all around the basement. Ensure that everything will be destroyed there. Rose, you will be Brandon's way into the basement--the elevator only goes down there with key card access. That being said, you need to go to the central security room located just behind the lobby desk. Not only will you be able to supply Brandon with a key card from one of the taken out guards, but you will be able to have all eyes on the complex, specifically for Brandon and any threats coming his way. Understood?" Brandon and Rose nodded. Huxley faced Mary Anne and I, saying, "Now, for you two, you will standby outside of the building, keeping in communication with Rose and Brandon at all times. Inform them of any danger, and ensure they both make it out. If this portion of the mission succeeds, get out of there. You will be provided with your quick escape devices to get out of the city as our military comes in with their strike. Canada, who has been silent about the war until now, has become a close ally of the provinces and has granted our military their airspace to travel to New Seattle without the states detecting us in their airspace. They won't see us coming. We will drop ground troops in all ends of the city to push their way in, eliminating all threats while our air strikes will focus on the WCO tower. We will claim their capital city as our own, liberating the states from the shackles of oppression. As for President Goldman, we would like to keep him as a prisoner, but do what must be done, even if it means killing him. This is war. Tomorrow, at dusk, we set out. Until then, we will be preparing our troops, and you should be preparing and, more importantly, resting. Thank you, and God bless." The meeting concluded with silence as we all got up and left the room. Mary Anne and I walked out to our cab silently, still holding each others' sweating hands. When we got in the car, Mary Anne was the first to speak. "Elijah, if I'm gonna be honest with you, I'm a little scared." Mary Anne was always the brave one, hardly ever showing fear, so I knew that this mission was a very big deal. "I know, and I'm sure even Brandon and Rose are, too. Huxley has trusted us with the entire nation and the future of this land. I think we're perfectly capable of doing this. Plus, for now, it seems that our jobs are pretty easy. The hardest part will just be the anticipation of Brandon and Rose's success." With that, she gave a weak smile, and we finished the car ride in silence.

I couldn't eat that evening, not while thinking about tomorrow's finale. Instead, Mary Anne and I spent time on the roof of the WPA facility again. We got there as the sun set over the horizon, staring out into the abyss while holding hands. Not much was said while we were there, but we both enjoyed the peace and quiet and the cool evening breeze. I think we're ready and that we're going to do great," I said, piercing the quietness. Mary Anne looked over at me. "Maybe, but I can't just help but think about what happens afterwards," she began. "I mean, if we win this, what do I do? The WPA probably won't be needed anymore, definitely not to the extent they're needed now. I mean, they're the ones who provided me with a job, housing, and food. What happens to my life after this? I don't have many people to go to. I have no family anymore." "Mary Anne, Brandon and Rose are your family, I am your family. We may not be blood related, but we all deeply care for you and love you, and that's what a family is." Mary Anne's eyes glistened at me as she smiled ever so cheerfully. A tear rolled down her cheek, too. As the sun slipped over the horizon, we leaned in for one more kiss.

I didn't sleep at all that night. Of course, thinking about the fate of the nations was heavy on my mind. There were only going to be two different outcomes here--we are victorious, ending the war, or we fail, and the ASA uses time travel to completely screw us and the rest of the world over. Either outcome would drastically change all of our lives. Mary Anne brought up a good point--what happens after this if we win? I mean, I worked for the WPA, too. I surely didn't want to go back to Kansas. I would have nothing to do. Nonetheless, I would likely end up with a better life compared to now. I was ready for this war to end, even though it had only gone on for a few months. In the morning, I didn't want to eat, either. I was ready to get this over with and get the justice we all deserved. I did consume a few energy drinks since I felt fatigued from the lack of sleep. Throughout the day, EPA troops were being gathered in secret, the air force preparing their fighters and the ground troops preparing for deployment. I stayed in my apartment and just rested my eyes as I passed time. I placed my iHolo out of reach so that I wouldn't be bothered by anyone. I knew that at seven o'clock, I was to meet Huxley with the team at the presidential home for dinner, and then we would go back to the WPA, where we would commence the final mission. Time had gone by very slowly, but it was finally 6:45 when I headed down to a cab. I stared out the window the whole time, marveling at the city one last time before entering a night of chaos. At the president's home, there was a huge array of dinner foods on tables all around the central area by the entrance. Brandon was already there fixing a plate of food for himself, but Mary Anne and Rose were nowhere to be seen. "Hey, buddy," Brandon said as he turned around to the dessert table, "hungry?" he motioned to the feast in front of me. "No, not really. I'm a bit nervous, if you know what I mean," I said. "No worries, man," he said, "you're only eighteen and have a lot of pressure on you. You're a nationwide hero, and people across the world are watching your every move. Sometimes, I wonder if it's even ethical to put you in a position like this, but you stepped up on your own because you wanted to fight, and I admire you." "I admire you, Mr. Brandon," I said back to him, "You show no fear, and I aspire to have the skills you and Rose do." "In time, you will. We've been in the field for ten years! But, no one could achieve what you and Mary Anne have already done. We are a great team, and I know we will be victorious." His words inspired me to push through and fight harder for the people who were less fortunate. There was no one in the world other than the three that I was working with that I would rather save the country with, not even Rob and Susan. I grabbed a small plate of food, consisting of some fruit and veggies, and as I silently snacked on them, I couldn't help but yet again think about Rob and Susan. When all of this was over, I was going to find them. I didn't know what they would say, but I wanted to apologize to them for leaving without saying a word and turning against who they worked for. I still cared about them, and I wanted them to be happy.

Rose and Mary Anne both walked in, looking around at the assortment of foods in front of them. Brandon quickly approached Rose and gave her a peck on the cheek. I walked up to Mary Anne, greeting her as well. She had only put a few slices of pineapple and oranges on her plate and had a small cup of water. Her face was pretty blank; I could tell that she was trying to hide her nervousness. I tried to comfort her by giving some small talk, but I think I made it more awkward, not helping her at all. I was nervous, too, so there wasn't much in my power that I could do to cheer Mary Anne up. Thankfully, President Huxley entered the room at that moment and came to greet us each. "Brandon, Rose, Mary Anne, Elijah, I cannot put into words how proud I am to have some of the best agents I know right in my ballroom. You're going to do great things for this world tonight. I just know it," he said with a professional tone. The next hour carried on with Huxley leading conversations with us four. I could tell he was trying to mentally prepare us by distracting our minds with small talk, things about the weather or good food around New Boston. "Okay, now that it is eight o'clock, it is time for you all to head over to the WPA. This is where we say goodbye, for now," Huxley said with a warm smile. He came by Brandon and I, giving us firm handshakes and then to Rose and Mary Anne, kissing their hands. With that, the four of us parted from the presidential home and into the cab. The fun was over, and I knew the night ahead would be a great challenge.