Part 1: The Beginning

Colden watched as Darrah rocked back and forth on the porch. Her once strong frame was now thin and frail and the eyes that once held so much life and defiance were empty. A breeze picked up and blew her wisps of hair and leaves swirled around her feet. The old porch creaked slightly in the wind but stood firm. It had been many years since they together led many battles in their revolution. Colden remembered the day he fell in love with Darrah. They were so young. So full of vigor, and defiance. The year was 2023 and much of the nation was in turmoil. Three years previous a young man ran for the presidency and won. Within six months he had taken control of the military and declared our republic over. He set himself as King and many praised him for such boldness and vowed to follow him. Few survived that opposed him, and the nation split. Those who swore allegiance to their new king were mostly poor who hoped for a better life, however, many were rich businessmen who sought to profit. In a year more than two-thirds of the country had sworn allegiance. But a third disappeared and went underground, and the resistance began. Every day more and more people were either captured, killed, or swore to follow the king, Joseph Kaplan. After just three years the resistance was reduced to a measly 10,000 people. 7,000 of which declared themselves a separate country in the southwest of the nation. The other 3,000 were scattered across the northern states. Colden never realized at the time where he would be now or what the country would be like. He wished now he could've changed it. Changed everything. Maybe they would still be together, and he wouldn't be starring at her from across the street. Even in her old age she was beautiful. Her thick golden hair now silvery and thin. Her bright smile was extinguished and all that was left was a thick, brooding scowl. They both had survived much. Suddenly the peaceful afternoon was interrupted by the slamming of the screen door. Darrah's granddaughter was talking quietly to Darrah. Her voice had the same fire in it as her grandmothers used to. Darrah smiled and looked once more out into the distant west as if searching for someone. Colden knew what she wanted. But he couldn't go back. If only. He remembered he was one of the many who fell for Kaplan's idealistic view of America. His family however rejected him and forced him to move east. He couldn't understand why they couldn't see. Joseph Kaplan was going to change everything. For so many years the rich took advantage of the poor. Those who were in power were corrupt, evil men. Kaplan knew that someone had to take control. Someone had to change it. Kaplan knew that the current system allowed evil people to have power over the good. People didn't know what was good for them. They thought that thy were free. Kaplan said they were under the yolk and bondage of capitalism. That the American people would only be free if they threw off their oppressors and put one man, him, as king over the free states. Texas, of course, revolted first, setting up the Republic of Texas once again. Other states like Arizona and New Mexico soon followed. At first Kaplan let them secede. He said he regretted that so many people would elect to cage themselves under corrupt leaders and welcomed all who wished to leave a state which seceded into his new and free'er nation. He eliminated the state borders and united the people under one name and flag. He said they no longer had to fear corrupt, evil people. That he would take care of them. Much of Canada followed in the east, and Colden believed all of it so much he joined Kaplan's military. He went everywhere across the nation, quelling what Kaplan called terrorist attacks on the free nation. The attacks were led by a man known as Ulysses. For three years Colden followed then led. He climbed the ranks quickly enough. Within that time he went from rifleman to Lt. General. And not always through his own skill. Commanders in battle fell often. So much so that they rarely oversaw the battle field anymore. Colden was barely twenty-seven and he was already commanding battalions. It was thanks to him that much of the northern rebels were so few. He ferretted them out group by group until he found their main holding. It was up in what was once northern Idaho, near a small town called Bonners Ferry. Colden remembered the day they came upon it. He himself decided to lead two four man tactical teams in. They knew where the main command center was, so the plan was to go in quick and eliminate all hostiles. It would be over in minutes. In reality it was over before it ever begun.