5 AM Wake Up Call

The Guards came at 5 AM. They were none too polite as they roused the four prisoners out of their cots by turning them over. Allen tumbled out of the narrow uncomfortable and landed on the tile. He looked up as the Sergeant in charge started yelling and berating them. “Don’t be an ass.” he told him. The sergeant looked at him and then reached out and swung the baton he was holding at Allen’s head. It connected across Allen’s face, just below the right eye. He could feel the swelling almost instantly. John leaped across the room to tackle the man, but Allen blocked him. “Not here man, no here, we gotta fight his in the tribunal.” John struggled, as Allen Held him back. Gregg stood up, ready to fight, but waited on Allen’s word. “John, we are not the enemy, they are not either. Lets get over this shit and then we can get back out on point, like we belong, ok man?”

John thought about it and decided that Allen was right, it was not the right time to fight, but he could see where this was going. The Brass was setting them up for the Major torching that gas station, when it was the Major that ordered it. Fucking politics. Why couldn’t they just be allowed to do their jobs and smoke out the rebels and kill them. Why did it matter that those two goobers got themselves waxed?

After a tense moment John relaxed and Allen let him go, but stayed between the two. “You Criminals have five minutes to get ready for court.” The sergeant muttered as he walked out of the impromptu cell. The Four got dressed and ready for the day, rather disturbed that they were denied clean uniforms and even the ability to shave. They loaded into the unarmored Hummers and drove over to the city hall building where there were scores of the locals outside protesting, some started throwing garbage at the four as the exited the vehicle. The guards, having orders, made no move to stop the protestors. The walk up the rain soaked steps seemed like a long one to Gregg. Finally they entered the building, but there was to be no relief, as several dozen flashbulbs went off, over and over. The press corps was out in force, even a few local reporters, not officially sanctioned but the DHS Journalism Branch, were there to cover the trial of the “Quickie Mart Four” as they had been dubbed.

The press member shouted questions at them as the MP’s pushed them towards the city counsel chambers that were to serve as the court room.

Damn Allen thought. It’s going to be a zoo.