Nelson Cameron sits in the kitchen of his one bedroom apartment. It is a dreary day outside, with the sky being grey and gloomy, and the rain falling off and on all day. He sits wearing his old Marines t-shirt and some sweats, nursing a half empty bottle of rum. He heavily sighs, looking to be on the verge of crying, feeling that his whole world is about to crumble around him...
What have I done...?!?!
The last fifteen years had not really been easy for him. After (barely) graduating high school, he ran off and joined the Marine Corps to get away from it all; the streets, his family, the chaos that was this city. His first eight years were blissful and progressive, having met a lot of people while climbing the ranks, and having traveled to many different places. The last seven, however, were anything but; spending the rest of his time sitting in a jail cell for charges that he felt were bogus. Having felt that he had been railroaded, it greatly soured his outlook on the military and his life in it. The senior enlisted and officers liked abusing the power that came with their rank; being the street kid that he was, he wasn't going to sit there and tolerate their abuse or disrespect. Respect was
earned,
not freely given away. The NCOs and officers didn't see it that way, and used whatever means they had to 'put him in his place'. They pushed one button too many, and a nasty fight ended with gunfire. Nelson thought that his life was over, but then he received that one letter...
What have I done?!??!
Sanctuary was offered to him by the only friend that he'd ever had, that he's ever known. His childhood friend, Garvey Gomez, had offered him a way out. He and his organization Africana P.R.I.D.E. had taken over several abandoned blocks of the city, and created their own autonomous settlement. A good third of the city that was once all abandoned was now rechristened "Freedmen Autonomous". There, he was offered refuge, and a fresh start. How could he refuse? What was the alternative? Totally self-contained, self-sufficient, and self sustaining, there was no need to look to the larger surrounding metropolis for
any type of assistance or services. It was, quite literally, home.
What...have...I...done?!?!?!
There is a sharp knock at the door, drawing his attention away from his internal misery. He tries to be as still as possible, not making any noise, hoping that whoever it was would just simply go away. He holds his breath, hoping that they wouldn't sense his presence inside. The sharp knocking just continues, becoming more intense.
"Open up, Nelson...", a female voice barks, " I already know that you're in there!"
Oh no...not HER, he gasps to himself,
let it be ANYBODY else but her!
The knocking just continues, becoming more and more intense. Nelson heavily sighs, and rises from his chair. He makes his way over to the front door, and momentarily braces himself before opening the door. He lets out a breath, steeling himself, and opens his door.
Assata Chisholm's obsidian form regally stands in front of him. As Minister of Defense and Domestic Security, she is dressed in the full uniform of the Akoben/Akofena Brigade; the military wing of Africana P.R.I.D.E. Nelson is shocked to see her standing there in uniform, dressing in all black with red and green trimmings. Her eyes betray her overall beauty, shooting daggers into his soul. This is not a friendly visit; his time had finally come. Assata just continues to give him a steely gaze, emitting no other emotion than that of utter anger.
"...Assata!"
"That's Sister Minister to you!"
"Yes, I...I'm sorry, Sister Minister..."
"...-Get dressed,
brother! We're going for a ride...
now!"
Nelson looks at her, shocked. Assata's eyes emit nothing but pure darkness. He knew that his time had come, and that there was no way out of it. He swallows hard, and nods his head.
"Y-yes, Sister Minister."
"...
In uniform!"
Nelson's eyes betray his increased level of fear. This
had to be official if she wanted him in uniform. He simply nods, and turns towards his bedroom. Assata just continues to visually tear him down, and enters inside.
*****
Garvey Gomez sits in his car, patiently waiting. The rain had lightened up a bit, and has now become more of a misty spray. The cemetery was actually quite beautiful; well maintained and quite spacious. It was the natural border between Freedmen Autonomous and the larger metropolis. It was the one border that he didn't always have to worry about protecting; the city would never encroach on their own dead. It was conveniently out of the way, and away from prying eyes; whether the larger city, or his own residents. He had went through many great lengths to build Freedmen Autonomous, and he wasn't about to see it be brought down by anyone; from anybody outside or from within.
Freedmen Autonomous was Africana P.R.I.D.E.'s greatest achievement, once Garvey had taken over locally. He had banded together with local black businesses, other activist organizations, foreign nationals, and other like-minded people, and started taking over 'the vacants' throughout the city. They rebuilt them, installed solar panels and wind turbines, and powered them independently. They invited families, and business owners to repopulate the area; created their own public transportation system; created their own domestic police force, the Enforcers of Ma'at (EoMs); created their own schools and food markets; and everything else that they could conceive to become self sufficient. Not only did they trade with black farmers, they also started trading with countries from within the diaspora. When they started setting up borders and embassies, that was when they really became a threat. He had been fighting off the city and state for a long time, and they were willing to do any underhanded tactic that they could think of to bring Freedmen Autonomous down; legally or otherwise.
Garvey's driver/bodyguard is in the front seat. His alert eyes scan the perimeter, looking for anything out of order. He sees a green cargo van entering into the cemetery at a rather high speed. He perks up, catching Garvey's attention.
"Brother Prime Minister...!"
"I see them, brother. Thank you..."
The van heads towards their position, it's rate of speed somewhat fluctuating. It finally comes to a stop a few feet in front of them. The side door flies open, and Nelson is tossed out of the van, his hands bound in front of him. He roughly lands onto the ground, rolling a bit because of the impact. Nelson looks somewhat roughed up, his face bearing bruises and cuts. Garvey sees two other members of the Akoben/Akofena Brigade exiting the van as well, menacingly approaching Nelson. Nelson slowly gets up, readying himself for the next round of battle with the two. The two engage him in hand-to-hand combat, and Nelson is actually able to hold his own against the two, most likely because he has more room to maneuver. Garvey somewhat smiles at the battle taking place, being momentarily impressed with Nelson's combat skills. Nelson is able to overpower his two assailants with blocks, and grappling techniques, and throws one of his combatants into the other. He victoriously stands there, waiting for them to try to engage him again in combat...
KRAK!!!
Nelson lies faced-down on the ground, slipping in and out of consciousness. Assata stands over him, her gun pointed at his head, ready to fire. Garvey's smile then disappears, the seriousness of the situation returning. He sees the anger and the hurt in her eyes; shielded by the stoic exterior that she always displays. Nelson wasn't just another warrior under her command; she deeply loved him. He had always presented himself to be a loyal and dedicated warrior; a true believer of what Africana P.R.I.D.E and Freedmen Autonomous stood for. He was given a second chance, and had won the loyalty and respect of his fellow warriors, as well as Assata's heart.
Garvey sighs, and exits the car. He walks over to Assata, and addresses her.
"Sister Minister...."
"...Brother Prime Minister."
"It's okay, Assata. I'll take it from here."
"Are you sure, Brother Prime Minister?"
'I'll be fine. Just take your people, and go."
She pauses, continuing to stare Nelson down, "Your hands can't get dirty. I can't protect you like this, Brother Prime Minister..."
"I just need to ask a few questions, Sister Minister. I need to know."
"Okay...", she replies after a long pause.
Assata continues to shoot daggers into the back of Nelson's head. She finally looks up at her two warriors, and motions with her head for them to leave with her. They nod in agreement, and exit to the van. Garvey watches them as they load into the van, and then pull out. He lets out a sigh, and then turns his attention to Nelson.
Nelson continues to lie on the floor, faced down. He lets out a soft pained moan, registering his consciousness. Garvey momentarily watches Nelson on the ground, and then gives him a swift kick to his side. This causes Nelson to flip over onto his back, moaning again in pain. Garvey walks up to him, and pulls out his pistol, cocking it. He then points his gun at him, a scowl now covering his face.
"Now...", Garvey growls, "I'm only going to ask you this one time..."
Nelson moans, trying to maintain his consciousness.
"Did...you...BETRAY...me?!?!"
Nelson tries to focus his eyes on him, fighting to maintain consciousness.
"...Yes!"
Blam...blam...blam!!!
To be continued.......
