Interrogator's History 1

Log Title: Interrogator's History 1 Characters: Location: Date: TP: Non-TP Summary: This covers Interrogator's life from birth to the fall of Borovia. October 31, 1952 It was 6:06 A.M. On a gloomy Borovian morning, a man paced outside his bedroom door. An elderly couple sat patiently, occasionally looking up at the man. Suddenly, there was a loud wail from inside the room. Not wanting to wait for them to let him in, he threw open the door and entered. The elderly couple rose and followed him. The doctor, nurse, and his wife all looked tired. He didn't care. All he could do was stare at the bundle in the doctor's arms. The elderly couple smiled. “Is everyone all right?” Asked the man nervously. “Yes, Professor Hamilton. Your wife and son are just fine.” Smiled the doctor as he showed him the bundle. Professor Hamilton and the elderly woman breathed sighs of relief. The doctor handed the baby to the nurse, who cleaned him and wrapped him in a clean blanket. The nurse then handed him to his mother, who began to nurse him. “Isn't he perfect, Johan?” Asked the new mother tiredly as her son fed. “Yes, Margret, perfect!” Replied Professor Hamilton with a smile as he leaned in closer. “Mother, Father, come see my baby.” The elderly couple approached the bed hand in hand. Johan stepped back so they could get a better view. “He is handsome,” smiled the elderly man,”What do you think Anne? “Very handsome, Alexander.” Agreed Anne. They basked in the glow of the miracle of birth, until the doctor interrupted suddenly. “If I could just have the baby's name for the birth certificate, my nurse and I can be on our way.” “Of course, Doctor. We have decided to name him Alexander Johan Hamilton.” Johan proudly stated. The elder Alexander smiled and squeezed his wife's hand. Anne returned the squeeze. The doctor filled out the birth certificate and said,”Very well, it is done. The doctor and nurse gathered their supplies and coats, left some last instructions, and exited the room. Alexander looked at his little namesake and said,”Thank you for naming him after me. Since Margret is our only child, this is the only way at least part of my name would be passed on.” “You're welcome, General.” Johan nodded to Alexander.”Hopefully he'll be as successful as you are.” Margret closed her eyes and Anne brushed her sweaty hair off her face. Margret smiled thankfully. “If you are tired, Margret, we can leave...” Said Anne softly. “Yes, please. The labor was more intense than I thought it would be.” She sighed. Everyone nodded and quietly left the room, Johan leading. Johan led them downstairs to the parlor. He motioned to a servant, who brought out three glasses of Borovian wine on a tray. They each took one. “To Alexander the Young's health!” Toasted Johan jubilantly. “To Alexander the Young's health!” Repeated Alexander and Anne. They all drank. They talked for a while and then Alexander stood. “Unfortunately, Anne and I must head back to Russia. I am not retired yet.” Alexander stated sadly. “We just got here.”Pleaded Anne.”Can't we stay just one more day? The Motherland will not fall to ruin without you.” “Anne, you know how the Intelligence business is. Three days away is three days too long as it is. Plus the train ride back will be another day.” Alexander said with a slight frown. A servant brought them their coats and said,”Your bags are in the car, and the driver is waiting. The Professor said you would want to leave right away.” Alexander and Anne put on their coats and followed the servant with Johan to the car. They hugged each other, and then the elderly couple rode off. Johan waved until they were out of sight. He walked back into the house. Professor Johan entered his office and called everyone with the good news. He then looked at the Borovian accounting reports on his desk and filled out some paperwork. Finally, he checked on his wife and son before heading to a guest bedroom for a nap. The next six years were busy for the Hamilton family. Professor Hamilton continued his work as Treasurer of Borovia. Margret had three more children, Elise, Johan Jr., and Megan. General Alexander Markov retired, and with his wife, moved into the Hamilton House to help care for the children. All seemed well. “I didn't do it!” Blurted a terrified, blood-covered Elise as she ran into her parent's bedroom. “Do what?” Asked her groggy parents.”Shouldn't you bother the servants with this nonsense, anyway? Then they saw the blood. All the blood. Johan jumped out of bed. Margret grabbed her Valium and took two. “WHAT DIDN”T YOU DO!” Shouted Johan, as he reached for his heavy leather belt. Still terrified, Elise sobbed,”I didn't stab Lex with the pen to make him be quiet!” Margret slumped back into bed. Johan simultaneously beat Elise with the belt as he called for an ambulance. “Don't bother getting up, Margret, you worthless bitch.”Snarled Johan. Elise cried quietly, knowing that if she was loud or tried to run away, she would just be beaten worse. Finished barking orders into the phone, Johan stopped beating his eldest daughter and hung it up. “Here, watch this one while I see if our son is still alive!” Growled the Professor as he ran down the hall. Mother and daughter stared stupidly at each other. Margret got out of bed and took her daughter to the room next to young Alexander's to bathe her and change her clothes. “He's still alive!” Yelled Johan as the ambulance sirens wailed closer. Not wanting to draw the attention of her enraged husband, she stayed quiet. Doors opened. “What is going on?” Demanded the General as he and his wife entered the hall. “By Russia! Where is all this blood coming from?” Anne gasped and followed her husband down the hall to Johan, who had his shirt presses to Lex's throat. “It's Lex, General! Elise stabbed him with a pen. Probably because he won't stop crying because of that ear infection! The ambulance is on its way! His blue eyes were wide and his blond hair disheveled when his grandmother and grandfather saw him lying on the floor. The older Alexander pushed the Professor out of the way. He continued to hold pressure on the wound, except to take a brief look to see where his grandson was bleeding from. Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. “It look like she got his vocal cords.” Johan sneered at the General. Anne took Lex's hand. “Don't try to talk, try to stay awake little one.” Anne crooned lovingly as she stroked his head with her other hand. Lex nodded weakly, silent tears falling down his cheeks. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP came the ambulance crew as Margret came to check on her eldest son. She fainted. Johan made no effort to catch her, he just kept sneering. The crew placed the boy on a stretcher, and took over putting pressure on the wound. His breath came in ragged jerks. “Professor Hamilton, do you wish to ride with to the hospital?” “No, I have a VERY important meeting with the High Council tomorrow and I need my sleep.” Sneered Johan.”Perhaps his grandparents would like to go?” The elderly couple glared daggers at Johan. “Yes.”Said the General gravely.”We would be happy to go with our grandson and be sure he is taken care of.” They all rushed to the waiting ambulance. Margret came to, and barely shielded her face before Johan began hitting her with his belt. At the hospital, Alexander and Anne sat by Lex's bed. “It does not look good.” The doctor explained. “He may never be able to speak again, and if he does, it will only be calmly. He will barely be able to raise his voice without it hurting him. We have done all we can for him.” “Thank you, Doctor, and your fine team of surgeons.” Said Alexander with a sigh as he held out his hand. The Doctor shook it, patted Anne on the shoulder sympathetically, and left. Anne gently ran her fingers through the little one's hair and patted his cheek, being careful not to wake him. She looked to her husband, whose head was hung thoughtfully. “He's beating Margret right now, I'll bet.” He said. “She's so full of Valium that she doesn't feel it or care.” She replied. “I don't see why she didn't marry Sergi. He came from a good Russian family and was advancing in the ranks quite nicely. He would have taken good care of her.” Anne nodded,”Yes, he would have. But Johan is a good actor, and she only saw what he wanted her to see at that Communist Ball. She never was too bright, and the one time she goes against us...She deserves what she got.” “He didn't.” Alexander nodded as he straightened Lex's blanket.”What are we going to do? He is the only one that seems to have a brain and some commonsense. We can't leave him there, in that situation.” “And we can't kidnap him either. Johan and Margret would never let him come with us if we went back to Russia. No, if we are to save him, we must do our best here.” Lex stirred slightly under the blanket. His Grandparents leaned closer as his sweet, blue eyes opened. He looked around fearfully, before they focused and he saw the people leaning over him. He tried to smile, then stopped because it hurt. “How's our good little soldier?” Purred Anne lovingly. Lex started to open his mouth, but closed it because that hurt too much. He stared sadly at them, trying not to cry. “It's all right, your asshole Father is not here. Stronger men than you have cried for less reason.” Alexander smiled quietly. Lex tried to nod, stopped as it hurt, and let the tears fall. His Grandparents held him tight, until he fell into a deep sleep. When they arrived back at the Hamilton House, it was quiet. The door to Johan's office was closed and the noiseless servants went about their appointed tasks. Margret was reading a magazine in the parlor, bruises everywhere, sipping brandy. She rose fearfully when they approached. None of the three were in the mood to deal with her, so they waved and kept moving. A puzzled look crossed her face before she went back to her magazine and drink. They made it to Lex's room, where there were 'get well soon' cards on his desk, along with a letter of apology from Elise. Lex read them all as his grandparents unpacked his things and settled him back in. He picked up his favorite toy, a helicopter, and played with it listlessly. Alexander smiled and said gently,”Remember what the doctor said. No talking for two weeks. No real hot or real cold food. No school for another few days yet.” Lex looked up from his helicopter and nodded. “Do you have your notebook and pen?” Anne asked with a tilt of her head. Lex held them both up, then went back to playing with the helicopter. They looked at each other, stood up, and went through the door to the hallway. “If you need us, just pound on the wall or stomp on the floor, and we'll be right there. We love you!” Lex put down the helicopter and waved. Anne leaned into Alexander and they went to their room. Lex picked his helicopter and hugged it to his chest. Tears fell as he watched them go. The next two years were hard on Lex as he gradually regained the use of his voice. He couldn't yell, and it hurt him to raise it, but thanks to the specialists his grandparents brought in from Russia, he was able to talk again. His first words were to his Grandparents, and they were simple. “I love you.” Johan continued to beat the children for little or no reason, like not getting straight 'A pluses' Margret continued to drink and abuse her Valium. Both parents pushed the children away from them and pitted the children against each other. Young Alexander's only shelter in life came from his Grandparents. Young Alexander was excited! Today was his tenth birthday! He knew better than to show it though. Who knows what they would do to him? He went down to breakfast with a gleam in his eyes. “Happy birthday, Lex!” Cheered his Grandparents when they saw him. Everyone else looked up from their food and muttered a quick 'happy birthday'. They then went back to eating. Lex smiled at his Grandparents and worked hard not to frown at everyone else. He began to eat slowly and carefully. After breakfast, the children were driven to school. Lex endured the usual teasing for having the same name as a famous, hated American and for being soft-spoken. At least nobody decided to beat him up. That had ended last year after his Grandfather taught him how to fight. Now it was just words and looks, slowly grinding away at his humanity. He was glad when school was out and he rode home in silence with his siblings, nobody so much as fidgeting. The driver pulled up at the door. The children gathered their schoolbags and exited the car after thanking the driver. Lex smiled when he saw his Grandparents waiting for him. “Hello, Grandmother, Grandfather.”He said as he adjusted his heavy backpack on his shoulders. “Hello, Lex.” They responded. “We have something for you, in the back yard.” “Really?” “Really!” The three of them went through the house and out the rear door. There was a large tent-sized something covered with an old bed sheet. Someone had placed a ribbon on it. Lex's eyes grew wide. “Is that for me?” He stammered in surprise. “Thank you!” “You haven't opened it yet!” They chuckled. “Go on, remove the sheet!” Lex did as he was told. His jaw dropped when he realized what it was! “A helicopter?!? You got me a helicopter?!?” “Yes, we were going to get it for you last year, but your parents said you'd kill yourself. Besides, you were too small physically. Let's see how you look in it!” Excitedly, Lex climbed into the very small helicopter and stared at the controls. He beamed out at his Grandparents. They laughed and waved. Anne took a couple of pictures. Alexander walked over and opened the door. “Sit still in the seat, and let me see if you can reach everything.” Lex did so, and was disappointed to find that he could not. “That will be fine, Lex. The helicopter might not look like much, but it will hold your weight and mine. You'll have to sit on my lap until you learn how to fly it anyway.” Explained his Grandfather. Anne came to stand beside her husband. Alexander began to explain the controls to Lex, and handed him the manual for the helicopter. “Before we go up, you have to have this whole book memorized. A good pilot knows his craft.” Alexander said sagely. Lex nodded, and took the book carefully. “I have something else for you, Lex.” Said Anne as she handed him a package. Lex took the brightly wrapped package, thanked her, and unwrapped it. It was a book! “Introduction to Psychology.” Read Lex, before asking. “What's psychology?” Anne smiled, “It's the study of how and why people do the things they do, and why they think the way they do. It's very interesting.” “Did you have to learn psychology, Grandfather?” “Yes, and sociology too. Sociology is like psychology, except that it applies to groups of people.” “Wow!” Exclaimed Lex as he held the books tight. “This is the best birthday ever!” “We better get in, it's dinner time.” The three of them happily walked into the house together. It took him a couple of months to finish the psychology book, with Alexander quizzing him on what he read every day. Some would have hated having school work to do at home, but Lex discovered he liked psychology. It took him longer to read and memorize the helicopter manual, but he managed to do it a little after his eleventh birthday. For that birthday, he received a sociology book and a subscription to 'Helicopters Monthly'. From then on, all of Lex's time and money went towards his study of psychology, sociology, and helicopters. Shortly after his first successful solo flight, Lex received some bad news. He came home from school with his siblings, like always, and his Grandparents were not there waiting for him. He worried, but composed himself, and went to their room. The door was shut. They never shut their door. Fearfully, Lex knocked. “Come in, Lex.” Said his Grandmother. Lex opened the door, entered the room, and shut the door behind him. He looked at his Grandfather, who looked like he had been crying. His pistol was on his lap. Lex swallowed hard, ignoring the pain it caused him. His Grandfather looked up from the pistol in his lap and motioned his young namesake to sit. Lex did, nervously. “I have six months to live, a year at the most, the doctors say. I've been to the best, and they all say the same thing. It's cancer. They can't do a thing about it.” Alexander said gravely and went back to staring down at the pistol. Lex sat, stunned. He felt like he was being sucked into a black hole. He knew what cancer was. But the General couldn't get cancer, he was...Well, he was the General. He tried to clear his throat, and looked to his Grandmother, shaking his head. “I know. It was a shock to us too. They found it during his last yearly physical, but we waited until now to tell you because we wanted to be sure...” Tearfully, his Grandmother trailed off. Lex lowered his head into his hands and began to silently cry. His Grandfather rose and holstered the pistol. He removed the holstered pistol from the belt it was on, and the dagger too. He held both weapons out to Lex. “I want you to have these. I'll train you how to use them in the little time I have left. You'll need them some day and...” The old man stopped short, and brushed a tear from his eye. “...I'll teach you how to care for them first, of course. Lex, you're the only one I have to give these to, the only one I WANT to give these to. Understand? Lex looked up at his Grandparents. He looked at the weapons his Grandfather was offering him, and then looked to his Grandmother, who nodded towards the weapons. Lex stood up, straightened out his clothes, and stopped crying. Wordlessly, he accepted the gifts. His Grandfather sighed, relieved, and Lex watched his Grandmother hold him. Finally, his Grandparents sat down on the bed. Lex took his seat as well. They stared at each other. “Do Father and Mother know?” Lex asked sadly. “No, we wanted to tell you first. We wanted you to have time to grieve before everyone else started in on you. They know you are our favorite. They know that when we die, we plan on leaving everything to you.” Alexander sighed. “And that makes them jealous. Real jealous. People like that don't understand what we have together. They've either never had it, or had it and thrown it away.” “We plan on telling them next week at dinner.” Lex nodded and asked, “Is there anything I can do?” “Take care of your Grandmother when I am gone, Alexander!” Said the General with the full weight of his rank behind him. “Yes, Sir, I promise!” Alexander nodded his gray head and said, “Good, now go to your studies, and I fueled up the helicopter for you to fly later.” Lex gathered himself and left the room slowly and sadly, taking care to hide the weapons in his backpack so the others wouldn't see them. He didn't need to look back to hear them crying. General Alexander Markov surprised everyone by living eighteen months more. He was buried with full honors in Russia. His funeral was a who's who of Communist officials, Russian and otherwise. Lex was overwhelmed. His Grandmother accepted their condolences and introduced them to Lex. They all said the same thing, 'So THIS is the young man we've heard so much about'. Lex tried to live up to the reputation his Grandfather had given him. His Grandmother would squeeze his shoulder to let him know how proud she was of him. Lex had fun in Russia, but he dreaded going home. His family had treated his Grandmother and him like garbage ever since Grandfather Alexander's death. He stood there silently, supporting his Grandmother and remembering his promise, as they finished putting the last few shovelfuls of dirt on the grave. He wept with his Grandmother on the long train ride home. At home, everything was different. Maybe it was turning thirteen. Maybe it was the General's missing presence. Maybe it was starting high school. Lex thought puberty might have something to do with it, too. He was starting to notice girls, and everybody was becoming stupider and more annoying. His Grandmother was the only one who seemed to understand, but that was usual. She kept the helicopter fueled and ammunition bought for him, and it helped. He threw himself more into his studies. When he was sixteen, there was a social at school. He had overheard his parents arguing because he didn't want to go. His Father thought he might not like women. His Mother eventually agreed, and together they forced him to go. He was standing by the punch bowl when a girl came up. She acted like she was getting punch, but opened her purse and poured in a bottle of liquor! “Don't stare.” She whispered accusingly.”The Headmaster will notice and we'll both be in trouble!” Lex nodded quickly and tried to act casual. She put the cap on the bottle and put the empty bottle back in her purse. She beckoned Lex to follow her, and he did. She joined the group of kids she had been with before she spiked the punch. “Did you do it, Melina?” Whispered Gabriel, who was in Lex's Bovorian Literature class. Melina opened her purse so they could see the empty bottle and said, ”Yes I did, ask Alexander! He watched me do it!” The group turned towards Lex, who nodded. “He didn't squeal?” Asked Gabriel, one eyebrow raised. Lex glared at him, as Melina said, “No.” Gabriel punched Lex lightly, “Didn't know Mister Straight A+ Student had it in him.” Lex grinned and punched Gabriel back. Gabriel grabbed his arm and winced in pain. “Hey, that hurt! Where did you learn to punch like that?” Lex told them about his Grandfather and how he taught him how to defend himself. His peers looked impressed. Gabriel thought a moment. “So your Grandfather was General Markov? The K.G.B. General Markov? I've heard of him. He was pretty bad ass. Wait a minute, prove it! Anybody can claim anybody as their relative!” Lex pulled out his wallet and showed them two pictures. In one, his Grandfather was in full dress uniform at his retirement party. In the other, he was in his civilian clothes. His Grandmother and Lex were in both pictures too. “Shit, that IS your Grandfather. Bad ass! He taught you how to shoot and dagger fight, too? Double bad ass!” Lex shrugged shyly and said, “For my eleventh birthday he and my Grandmother bought me my own helicopter. I wasn't allowed to fly solo until after I was twelve, though. I had to memorize the manual.” They stared at him in awe. Melina recovered first. “My parents won't let me borrow the car and you have your own helicopter! No fair!” Everyone agreed. “My parents don't care what I do as long as I get straight A pluses and don't get caught doing anything wrong.” Lex explained with another shrug. “Bad ass! Let's get some punch! We're not leavin' until we're heavin'.” Smirked Gabriel as he headed to the punch. “You commin' Alex?” Lex watched as they started to leave, and startled when Gabriel called his name. “You want me to come with you guys?” Lex asked, puzzled. “Sure,” Whispered Gabriel as he came back for him, “You're one bad ass motherfucker for not snitching on Melina and knowing all that cool shit.” Out loud he said, as he put an arm on Lex's shoulder, “From now on, Alex, quit sitting by yourself with your nose in a book and eat with us during lunch! You'll have more fun!” Lex allowed himself to be led to the punch and got to know his new friends. The next morning he woke to a blinding light! “Shut that off!” Lex muttered as he covered his eyes with his arm. Somebody moved their head on his chest, his naked chest, he realized! “That's the Sun, Alex, you can't shut it off like a light! Just go back to sleep!” Murmured Melina as she pulled the blanket over his head. Lex looked down and saw they were both naked under the emergency blanket he kept in his helicopter! His head felt like a thousand needles were trying to pierce it, but he tried to remember what happened last night. He remembered Melina spiking the punch, meeting Gabriel and everybody, drinking the punch...And then thinks got fuzzy. He remembered feeling weird after the second glass of punch, and somebody calling him a lightweight. He remembered trying to kill the person, but Gabriel had stopped him. Then they all decided it was time to leave. They piled into Samuel's parent's limo, and after stopping at the Liquor store, he told them his parents didn't care what he did enough times that they believed him completely. He remembered telling the driver to take everybody to his house. Then he remembered everybody 'sneaking' around the back with the liquor and... Then he remembered showing them the helicopter and his weapons. He didn't drink any more, but everybody else did. He remembered Melina grabbing him and asking him if he could get a blanket because she was cold. He had reached into the helicopter and grabbed the emergency blanket and they had snuggled under it. Then he remembered Melina stroking his crotch and undoing his pants and shirt under the blanket. He could hear her tell him that it was all right, that she had done this before. He remembered being tense, but loose at the same time as she continued to whisper to him... “Fuck! Somebody shut off that light!” Yelled Gabriel from somewhere off to his left. “Shut up, my head hurts enough as it is!” Several people yelled back from all around him. “Where am I?” Asked Gabriel loudly. It got real quiet. Everybody looked at everybody else, confused. “You're at my house, in the backyard, by the helicopter.” Lex explained, peeking out from under the blanket. “Me, Alex, remember?” Gabriel grinned, “Sure Alex, I remember now. Wow, your parents really DON'T care. Mine turn on the sprinklers when we do this at my house. Bad ass! “Good thing today is Saturday, Dad would kill me for missing his Secret Catholic Church service.” Thought Lex as he returned Gabriel's grin. Gabriel took a swig of liquor, and started to offer it to Lex, before pulling it back. “None for you! Never again. You have no tolerance for the stuff. Two drinks last night, and you were ready to fight everybody! You decked Simon! Smashin' Simon, that gorilla of a Senior! He makes two of you in weight and shit knows how many centimeters, and you deck him for calling you a light weight in jest!” Lex groaned and leaned back. “Smashin' Simon? How come I'm not hurt? Except my head...” “That's a hang over.” Gabriel explained smugly. “And your not hurt because you pulled some of that K.G.B shit on him. He was on the ground and we were out the door before he could recover. Bad ass! Lex groaned again, shielded his eyes, opened them, and looked at Gabriel. “You're right, I'm never drinking again. Not like last night. Grandfather said that when you lose control, you lose everything. Lose control, lose everything.” “Your Grandfather was a bad ass!” Declared Gabriel in agreement. “Um, I've never done this before. What do we do now?” “We look for our clothes, get dressed, and go home. Unless we can eat here and recover? Lex thought a moment and sighed, “I'm sure my parents won't care if you stay. As long as nobody puked in the pool, or anyplace equally strange, it should be all right. I'll get the servants to make us something.” “Bad ass! Several heads nodded carefully in agreement as Lex found his clothes, got dressed, and went into the house to get a servant. His Grandmother was waiting for him. She was sipping coffee and had a huge platter of sandwiches made. Her expression was one of wicked amusement. “I had the gardener shut off the sprinklers this morning when I heard the limo pull up. I had the sandwiches made this morning for when you woke up.” Anne smiled bemusedly at Lex's disheveled appearance. “I waited up for you all night.” “Grandmother, I'm sorry!” Exclaimed Lex as he took her hand and went to kneel before her. Anne laughed and forced him to stay standing. “There is nothing to be sorry about, Lex! This happens to everybody sooner or later! You discover the opposite sex, you discover booze, you discover drugs!” “You discover you!” She squeezed his hand and then released it, pushing the platter of sandwiches closer to him. “Go, your friends are hungry. Don't be sorry, just call next time you are going to be late, or not home at all. Call and let me know you are safe, alive, please.” Lex smiled thinly at his Grandmother, “I promise I will call from now on, so you won't have to worry.” He took the sandwiches and headed out the door. He looked back briefly and saw his Grandmother shake her head, still sipping her coffee. He smiled as he handed out the sandwiches to his friends and helped them find their clothes. Before he knew it, It was his high school graduation. He graduated valedictorian of his class, and his parents did not beat him because he achieved what they expected him to. He was going steady with Melina, and both their families approved of the match. He still hung out with Gabriel too, though his family was less pleased with that, since he was a Lower Borovian. He went to college, majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. Melina and him stayed together until he graduated a full Psychiatrist, top of his class, with the right to be called 'Doctor'. His qualifications got him a job as a Warden at one of the gulags. His ambition got him the job as Head Warden of all the gulags in a year. Melina and him stayed with his parents and Grandmother during all this time, until they could get settled in life. Lex had been assigned housing, in Upper Borovia, naturally, and Gabriel was driving him home to share the news. There had been talk of political unrest in the country for some time now, with the main opposition group to the Communists being some group of Lower Borovians claiming that the Communist party favored the Upper Borovians. It was true. Only Upper Borovians could hold the High Command positions, and guarded them jealously. Gabriel pulled up at the front door to the Hamilton House and parked the car saying, “Same time tomorrow, Doc?” “Yes, Gabriel.” He sighed as he loosened the top buttons on his uniform. “Same time tomorrow.” “You might be THE bad ass 'copter pilot in Borovia, but you couldn't drive your way out of a paper bag! Thanks for getting me the job, by the way. I really appreciate it. Personal assistant to the Head Warden might not mean much to you, but to a Lower Borovian like me, it's everything! Bad ass!” “Bad ass.” Repeated Lex with a tired smile. “I just wish they would quit throwing their stupid riots. I've had to execute more rioters in the past month than any previous month. To be quite honest, more than ANY Head Warden has had to in ANY month since the gulags opened.” Gabriel nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, Doc. I've read the same reports you have. It's getting bad out there. Real bad. Would you believe that somebody SPIT on me between MY door and THIS car? ME! THIS CAR! With me in uniform and the Seal of the Head Warden on the car's front doors!” “Yes, indeed.” Lex smiled wryly. “Think of it as job security. As long as there are stupid, disrespectful people out there, there will be a need for the gulags.” Gabriel roared! “Job security! That's a good one Doc! I gotta tell the guys that tomorrow! “Good night, Gabriel. Say 'hello' to the wife and kids for me, will you?” “Sure thing, they love you, you know?” “Yes, I know. I love them too.” Gabriel gave Lex a shit eating grin and left the car. He came around to the passenger side and opened the door for Lex, who smiled. “Thank you, Gabriel. Same time tomorrow now.” Gabriel smiled and grunted in agreement as Lex got out of the car and headed into the house. Lex turned and waved as Gabriel drove off down the long driveway to the main road. Lex walked into the House and headed for the dining room. The servants laid out a modest meal and he ate, grateful to be home. His Grandmother and Melina walked in. Melina gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “How was work?” Asked Anne. “Awful. I had to order more executions for more rioters. In several of the gulags today.” “Stupid idiots! They should know better!” Spat Melina as she watched her fiancée eat. Lex nodded and finished his meal. He rose and stretched. “I think I'm ready for bed, ladies.” The two women smiled. Lex and Melina walked Anne to her room and then went into their room. They closed the door. Lex removed his shirt and boots, lying his weapon harness on his nightstand. “Good news, my heart's desire, we have been assigned a house of our own. Here in Upper Borovia. The Schmidt's were found guilty of conspiring against the Government and their property was seized. As soon as they are done processing the house, we can move in.” Melina's eyes grew wide as she removed his boots and said, “Really? That soon? Can we take your Grandmother with us? Your parents have been nuts recently! Lex chuckled lazily, “ Yes, really, that soon. I was hoping you'd let me take Grandmother with us. And as for my parents, they have ALWAYS been nuts. Melina smiled as she lifted Lex's legs on the bed. She laid down next to him, and cuddled him. He closed his eyes and sighed peacefully. “Did you pack a bag, like I told you to?” Asked Lex. Melina rolled her eyes at this old topic, “No, I did not. Nothing is going to happen! There have been talks of a Revolution before, Lex, and nothing comes of it. Just a bunch of malcontents working themselves into an uproar. Then the Government arrests them and sends them to the gulags. Poof! No more Revolution!” “You really should, you know. The situation is worse than it has ever been. It doesn't hurt to be prepared in case we need to flee the country. We ARE lucky enough to have a helicopter in our backyard. And a pilot to fly it always on duty.” “Yes, the best in Borovia!” Lex smiled and climbed under the covers. Melina followed him. They drifted off into sleep. Frantic yelling. Words without meaning. Then he made out the message from the emergency bulletin radio. “Attention! There is a Revolution in progress! We are getting reports of multiple well-organized riots! They are armed and moving towards Upper Borovia! Please evacuate calmly!” “Shit.” Thought Lex groggily. “Why tonight?” He shook Melina awake. She woke with a start. “What, what is it dear?” “The Revolution has started. You know the plan. We have ten minutes to pack one bag each and get to the helicopter to flee to Russia.” Lex calmly stated as he finished dressing himself, put on his weapon harness, and grabbed his bag. “I go to prep the 'copter for take-off.” Melina's eyes were wide with panic! “But what do I take? Why only one bag? You have to help me!” “Melina, take money, jewels, jewelry, other small portable valuables. You can only take one bag because the helicopter can only hold so much weight. I can't help you, I need to prep the helicopter. You don't just hop in and go, you've flown with me enough times to know that.” Whimpering, Melina grabbed her largest suitcase from the closet and began throwing in random things. Then she took out some of the things in panic, and replaced them with more useless things. Lex shook his head. “Ten minutes, and the clock is running!” He thought to himself as he ran down the hallway with his bag, banging on every door he came across to warn them. He arrived at the helicopter and began the preflight routine. He glanced at his Rolex occasionally, noting the time dispassionately. He was not surprised when he saw a female figure calmly walking towards the 'copter, suitcase in hand, with seven minutes on the clock. The female open the 'copter's side door and hauled in her suitcase. Lex moved to help, but was shooed off. The female calmly and competently stored her suitcase, then strapped herself in. “How much time do they have left, Lex?” Asked Anne thoughtfully. “Six minutes.” Lex turned on the helicopter's emergency radio and listened as the reports rolled in. “Your worthless Father is praying to that worthless Catholic God he makes us all worship. Your Mother is passed out naked in the parlor, the opened Valium bottle in her hand. Your brother and sisters are all in a panic. They keep packing more and more bags and throwing them down the staircase. Their families are not helping.” Lex nodded and said, “As we figured they would. I'm going to give the five minute warning and get the Master Borovian Account Book from my Father's office.” Anne nodded as Lex removed his pistol from its holster, checked the chamber and the clip, then unsheathed his dagger. He put on the bullet proof trench coat he had stored under the pilot's seat and his helicopter helmet. He sprinted back into the house. It was just as his Grandmother described. Utter chaos. Despite all the drills. The preparations. Lex cursed under his breath and ran for his Father's office. Finding it locked, he fired his pistol repeatedly, shooting open the heavy door. His father was on his knees praying the Rosary. He didn't bother to look up as his son entered the room with weapons drawn. Lex looked at the old man with disgust. “The General NEVER would have done that.” He thought angrily. Lex shook his head and removed a stone from the fireplace. He grabbed the Master Borovian Account Book and tucked it into the special inside pocket of his coat. “Father, you need to get to the helicopter now. There are only three minutes left.” The broken old man kept praying. Lex shook his head again and ran to his Mother. He noticed her oddly still chest, wide, open, staring eyes, and checked her pulse. Nothing. He checked the bottle of Valium. Empty. The date said it had been filled for a six month supply yesterday. Lex gulped and grabbed a throw blanket. He covered his Mother carefully. “I hope she's someplace Father can't beat her anymore.” He ran past the mountain of suitcases, yelling that everybody had to get out now, despite the pain yelling caused. He would never know if they heard him. He got back to the helicopter. “Do you have it?” Asked Anne quietly, as her Grandson strapped himself in. “Is anybody else coming?” Lex nodded in response to her first question and shook his head to the second one before saying quietly, “I'm sorry, but you daughter is dead. It was a Valium overdose.” Anne nodded sadly, closing her eyes. “One minute, Grandmother, they have one minute left.” Anne kept her eyes closed, “It's times like these that I don't know whether to be happy or sad that your Grandfather isn't alive.” Lex listened to the rapidly deteriorating situation on the radio. Police fought police. Secret police fought secret police. The military fought the military. Everybody fought everybody. All the channels were the same. He glanced at his watch again. Ten seconds. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five.... “I tried.” Lex thought sadly. Two... One... Lex took one look back at the House. One last hard, sad look. He took off towards Russia. He lowered his head as he Grandmother patted his back, trying to keep the helicopter steady. “Russia...” Lex thought hopefully... To Be Continued...