I, Pledge Allegiance
As the Ghost had his wound tended to, the others joined him as they left the arena.
"So... What now?"
"We could all go back to our tribal ways, or we could rebuild again."
"Fuck rebuilding."
"Is that so?"
The Overlord turns and looks at the rest of the group.
"We could all just stay out of each other's way. Normality in what we had."
"I say this with the upmost respect for you Pat, if you choose that path, I will bring down the full force of American Might onto your settlements, and your people. That includes her."
The Ghost points to Liberty Bell who is standing in the distance.
"You'd open a new era with tyranny and blood?"
"Not tyranny, just blood. America has always stood for freedom. America is like a tree; it needs to be watered. With all of the big threats behind us, why not rebuild?"
"Because of the blood we've spilled to get here."
"That's exactly why we need to rebuild. For people like Curtis, those from lots who gave their lives protecting us. Or have you forgotten the many sacrifices we've made to get here."
The Overlord looks at the blood-soaked Ghost, he chucked a bit.
"I suppose we've become accustomed to war, peace never really suited us."
"True, but so long as we the Star-Spangled Trio live, America still lives. We've lost so much to give up now. United under one flag remember? We used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in middle school. Did it mean that little to you?"
"No, but that America is gone. The American Empire is gone. Face it Ghost, the American dream is dead."
"Only if we let it die. We have a choice that every generation has, fight for our home, live freely, and happy, or let the dream die. Freedom is only one generation away from extintion. Will you rise to the challenge or will you hide like a coward, willing to die a slaves death?"
A breeze blows past the three as the Ghost holds up a tattered American Flag.
"We grew up with no hope, not a single light to guide us. Religion had failed most of us. The Government worked against us, our families were torn apart by them, but when they attacked us, we stood the fuck up! We keep old glory waving! WE DID! Citizens across this country need us, now more than ever. So, I am asking you now, will you fight with me, or against me."
The Reverend turns to his people and they nod. "We the Faithful are with you." The Ghost nods, then looks to the Overlord. Gunfire and explosions echo in the distance as the Overlord and his raiders. turn and walk away.
The battle for the Quad Cities was over, but things didn't end like they'd wanted.
"This isn't me saying no, this is me saying, not today."
The Ghost clings to the flag as he watches the Overlord leave. The trio had broken and had become a duo. "I'm sorry Ghost, but to some part of this, Pat represents a percentage of Americans who want to be done, who are tired of fighting for this country." The Ghost holds to that flag, tears running down his face. "This is our home. America is the one place that we can be free. I won't let her die, not even if it costs me my life."
Rain begins to fall over the war-torn cities as helicopters begin landing ready to take everyone back to Washington D.C. The Ghost is helped by his wife and Daniel into the helicopter, as they rise over the city in Marine One, the damage became apparent. Before they get much higher, the pilot spots a group of raiders waving an American flag trying to get their attention. "Ghost look." As he does, a helicopter lands in front of them, and they get in. "Seems like your speech had more impact that you thought." The Ghost chuckles lightly as the helicopter fly over the cities. "I promise you all, we shall have normal lives, safe and most importantly free, from all our enemies." The Ghost stares out his window was they fly; memories of what America had once been, what it had become, and what had happened to all of them. He closed his eyes. The fight was far from over.