A Glibertarians Exclusive: Breaking Out, Part IV

by | Mar 20, 2023 | Fiction | 98 comments

A Glibertarians Exclusive:  Breaking Out, Part IV

Outside the dome

Denver tried the edge of the hatch experimentally.  It moved.  “Well, the hatch is still open.”

“Told you.”

“They’ll be looking for us by now,” Romano pointed out.

“Let them.”  Brietta laid a hand on Romano’s arm.  “I know where we can hide – at least for a while.  And I can contact my friend who works in Maintenance.  He may be able to get us into the computer net.”

“So just how do you know this guy, anyway?”

“Relax, Romero.  His sibling was a classmate of mine in school.”  The four had already slipped effortlessly into the use of ‘archaic’ pronouns.  “She told me when he was selected for Engineering and Maintenance training.  Then, when he had been working there for a year, he was released and assigned to work in waste disposal, because there weren’t enough ‘traditionally disadvantaged’ ethnic, cultural and sexual preference members in that department.  So, he’s not very happy with the system.”

“Why didn’t he leave with us, then?”

Brietta blushed.  “I think he was… interested in me.  But I made it clear I wasn’t into it, so…”

Romero grinned.  “I see.”

“Let’s go on in,” Denver said.  “Brietta, show us to this hiding place you mentioned.  Then you can see if you can reach your friend.”

Interestingly, the hiding place proved to be a heavy-equipment storage compartment on the main level.  The equipment stored was mostly earth-moving and farming equipment, which had set idle since the Modern Cities had forsworn the use of fossil fuels.  Most of the machines ran on something called ‘Diesel fuel.’

Brietta’s contact, Julian D-455, met them in the big compartment, showed them around, pointed out bathroom and shower facilities, and a compartment he called a “break room” where they could store and prepare food.  He had even managed to secure some protein blocks and soy paste for them.  “Nobody comes here,” he assured them.  “Most of this equipment hasn’t been touched for a couple of generations.”  The thick dust that lay everywhere spoke eloquently to that.

Denver noted one other thing on the other side of the big compartment.  “What are these?  Doors?  They’re huge.”

“Doors,” Julian D-455 agreed.  “So they can roll the equipment out when they need to.”

“Out?”

“Outside.  Out of the City.”

“Well, that might be convenient.”

“They’re sealed,” Julian pointed out.  “Have been for decades.”

“Seals,” Denver said, “can be broken.”

“Where can I charge my ‘phone?” Brietta asked.  “I need to get our photos and videos sorted out.”

Julian looked at her for a moment.  He looked at Romero, then back at Brietta.  He shrugged, then smiled.  “I’ll show you.”

Over the next day Brietta, with Denver and Helena helping, carefully edited all of the photos and video they had taken before their ‘phones had gone dead.  Romero, while they were doing that, examined the equipment.  “I think I may have an idea how they work,” he told Denver.  “At least, most of them.  But it’s like Julian said – no fuel.”

On the second day, Julian D-455 returned to the compartment with a tall, imposing figure he introduced as Marielle K-120 (she/her.)  “Marielle,” he said, “works in the computer network, in Disinformation Control.”

“Is that good?”

“I know how to bypass all the filters and blocks,” Marielle said.  “And I brought this.”  She handed Denver a small object.  “That’s a storage chip.  Use this cable, attach that to the chip and the charging port on your ‘phone, and you’ll see how to copy your information onto the chip.”

“Can you show me how?” Brietta asked.

“Yes.”

That evening, the four of them sat alone in the ‘break room’ and talked as they munched on protein blocks.

“You know,” Denver pointed out, “If this works, we’re going to bring everyone that listens to the message right here.  If it works, we’ll bring the City Security and Disinformation Control people here as well.”

“We’ll just have to hope there are more of the people than there are Security troops,” Romero said.

“Soon enough, we’ll find out.  Marielle will be here in the morning for the chip.  She promised to put it in the system at noon tomorrow, when most of the people will be surfing while they’re having lunch.”

“At least we picked a good name to give everyone,” Helena said.  “The Freedom Caucus.  It has a great ring to it.”

They slept.  Then, they waited.

Shortly before noon, Julian and Marielle showed up.  “Whatever happens,” Julian said, “we’ll face it with you.”

At noon, Helena held up her ‘phone.  They gathered around to watch.  A prompt popped up; Helena tapped it, and the video began to play.

“People of Thunberg-121,” Brietta’s distorted voice began.  The screen showed scenes of tall grass waving in a gentle wind, of tall trees under a blue sky, of gentle evening rains.  “The images you are viewing are not from the distant past.  These images were taken within the last few days, outside the City.  The environment outside the City is not ruined.  The City’s power does not come from the ‘green’ installations of solar panels and windmills atop the dome, but from the nuclear power plant you see here.  You have been lied to…”

The video went on for ten minutes.  It began to repeat – then was suddenly cut off.  The seal of the Disinformation Control Bureau replaced it.

“Well,” Romero said, “it’s done.”

They waited.

A short while later, someone entered the compartment.  A small person, pale, tentative; he approached the six rebels timidly.

“I’m Gregor B-344,” he said.  “Uh, he/him.  Is it true?”

“It is,” Helena said.

More people came.  It began as a trickle, but it quickly became a flood.  The compartment filled with people, all with the same question: “Is it true?”

Denver climbed up on one of the big machines.  “Everyone, listen to me.  Everything you saw, everything you heard, it is all true.”

An electronically amplified voice suddenly rang out.  “Everyone here!  Listen carefully.”

The crowd turned.  Two people in the black uniforms of Security stood, flanking another in the white uniform of the Disinformation Control Bureau.  The one in white held a megaphone.

“What you have heard is disinformation!  Do not believe these people, these terrorists…”

A roar from the crowd cut him off.  “We saw the images!  We saw the video!  We heard birds singing!”

“And it’s all there,” Denver shouted.  He pointed at the big doors.  “Just outside those doors!  You can see for yourselves!”

The crowd surged forward.  They pressed against the doors, which bulged, and finally gave way.

To a person, the crowd stopped.  Amazement was on every face.

Outside.  A gentle wind was stirring the grass.  The sun shone, low in the sky.  Evening was coming, but somewhere, a bird sang.

“It’s all there,” Denver shouted.  “It’s all there.  Don’t believe their lies any longer!  Come with us!  Come and see!”

The crowd surged outside.

***

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don’t criticize

What you can’t understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is rapidly agin’

Please get out of the new one

If you can’t lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin’

About The Author

Animal

Animal

Semi-notorious local political gadfly and general pain in the ass. I’m firmly convinced that the Earth and all its inhabitants were placed here for my personal amusement and entertainment, and I comport myself accordingly. Vote Animal/STEVE SMITH 2024!

98 Comments

  1. juris imprudent

    I suppose the security apparatus might decay if it hasn’t been exercised in a long time.

    • Not Adahn

      War is necessary for the health of the State and suchlike.

      • juris imprudent

        And I went and checked the lyrics, there is a stanza yet to be written. Could go either way.

  2. Sean

    Insurrection!!!!

  3. Not Adahn

    This seems suspiciously straightforward.

    *looks around for trap doors*

  4. Tundra

    Good head-fake!

    I was expecting Marielle to be a glowie and for the kids to be rolled up.

    Thanks, Animal!

  5. Drake

    Now I want to run away from work and spend the day playing outside.

    • Sean

      “Walls don’t work.”

      • R.J.

        My hope is that you see a small crowd of ANTIFA and FBI standing around, wondering who they can prod to instigate. Nobody who actually is outraged should show up.

      • Pine_Tree

        Oh I quite suspect that you’ll see a crowd of Antifa and FBI standing around. And they’ll be wearing MAGA hats and American Flag masks and stuff, and “attacking” the barricades.

      • Tundra

        This whole kerfuffle is retard bait.

      • Scruffyy Nerfherder

        There’s never a shortage of retards.

      • Scruffyy Nerfherder

        For example, DC is determined to go down swinging like a retard that can’t swim who just got thrown into a lake.

        https://news.antiwar.com/2023/03/19/white-house-says-it-opposes-a-ceasefire-in-ukraine/

        The White House has come out against a ceasefire in Ukraine ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow to potentially mediate between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart in Kyiv.

        Xi is due to arrive in Moscow on Monday and is expected to speak virtually to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his talks with Putin. Xi’s trip comes after Beijing released a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine that called for the two sides to cease hostilities and for peace talks to begin.

        Zelensky expressed openness to China’s proposal, but it was immediately rejected by President Biden.

        “We don’t support calls for a ceasefire right now,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Friday, according to Newsweek. “We certainly don’t support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia.”

      • Tundra

        Unbelievable.

        Or not, I guess. Ironic it being the 20th anniversary of shockn’awe.

      • Fatty Bolger

        That’s infuriating and stupid.

        “We certainly don’t support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia.”

        It could also benefit the people of Ukraine just a teeny tiny bit if the war was ended. Oh right, you don’t actually give a shit about that.

      • Rebel Scum

        that would simply benefit Russia.

        It would benefit everyone.

        Zelensky expressed openness to China’s proposal, but it was immediately rejected by President Biden.

        Biden is the president of Ukraine?

      • Gustave Lytton

        Operation Achse 2: Kyevvvv Boogalooo

      • Drake

        John Kirby sure doesn’t seem to care how many more Ukrainian men are sent off to die.

      • Compelled Speechless

        “Biden is the president of Ukraine?”

        Well, he’s their main source of cash and weapons so……

        This entire conflict is because we funded a coup and installed a puppet government in Ukraine that would be loyal to us even though you can find clip after clip of neo-cons and other foreign policy officials acknowledging that doing so could very well cause Putin to invade. If they had an actual leader with a sense of self-preservation, they wouldn’t have been caught blowing Putin’s mortal enemy right outside his office.

      • Semi-Spartan Dad

        This entire conflict is because we funded a coup and installed a puppet government in Ukraine that would be loyal to us even though because you can find clip after clip of neo-cons and other foreign policy officials acknowledging that doing so could very well cause Putin to invade.

        Russell Brand released portions of State Dept report showing that military conflict was the goal all along to give cover for taking out the Nordstream. Isolating Russia and bleeding them dry was supposed to be an added benefit of war between them and Ukraine, but that appears to have backfired.

      • Semi-Spartan Dad

        Mentioning Russell Brand as a source for somewhat reliable info on world events (at least compared to the MSM) is a bizarre twist I didn’t see coming 5 years ago.

      • kinnath

        There are so many things I would never have believed if you told me 5 years ago they were going to happen.

        We have truly gone through the looking glass.

      • Rebel Scum

        The sad part is that Trump supporters should be allowed to protest unmolested. No protest and the establishment will claim that it shows no support exists for OMB, protest will be infiltrated made to look violent so the establishment will call them terrorists and send them to the gulag.

      • R.J.

        Yes. There is no winning that.

      • Compelled Speechless

        Let the Kulaks and the wreckers show themselves!!!

  6. Fourscore

    I keep getting an error when I try to post

    • Fourscore

      Third attempt

      Thanks Animal, great article

      My friends and I have discussed what would be the role of the authorities under such a scenario? The police, the military? I am not too optimistic.

      Communism and current events with the drift leftwards are not too promising. My Lai isn’t that long ago for some old guys.

      • Fourscore

        The malcontents need some weaponry besides fuel less earth moving equipment

      • The Other Kevin

        He could REALLY mess with us and have everyone run outside, but get rounded up by a bunch of apes on horseback.

      • R.J.

        Oooo! Maybe. Or the security guards are so inactive that they huff and fall down every time they run.
        I am enjoying this one, Animal! I look forward to the next one!

    • Sean

      Ouch.

    • R.J.

      Aren’t they protesting because the government is increasing pension age? To me it just seems like protesting to get more free stuff from the government. Correct me if I am wrong here.

      • Scruffyy Nerfherder

        Yes, of course.

        I just like the way they think when it comes to their despots.

    • Scruffyy Nerfherder

      He really is that dumb.

    • juris imprudent

      The Squad should name him an honorary member.

    • invisible finger

      This is why I prefer DeSantis and Rand Paul not run for Potus – they do more for pushback on leviathan in their current positions than they could as potus.

      • Drake

        Somebody has to explain how at least one of the states rigged in 2020 can be unrigged. Maybe Georgia, maybe? The rest are unwinnable by Republicans in a state-wide contest.

      • juris imprudent

        I think a Republican can win in PA, but there aren’t many Republicans in PA that deserve to win.

      • Drake

        PA? Philly would find enough mail-in-ballots to beat George Washington, Elvis, or anyone else.

      • juris imprudent

        Philly isn’t where Trump lost in ’20. In fact, he did better there than in ’16.

    • Tundra

      How? If the banks are destroyed and the Fed becomes the only game in town, what can he do? Secede?

  7. Rebel Scum

    *spits out coffee*

    Chris Christie could be the strongest GOP alternative for POTUS; savvy, swagger, moderation, toughness

    Of course those things perfectly describe His Rotundity.

    • Sean

      L
      O
      L

      NO.

    • Rat on a train

      What? Cheney isn’t the front runner?

    • Stinky Wizzleteats

      His mind is emptier than Al Capone’s vault.

  8. kinnath

    The only rational response to having your trailer totaled in an accident is to buy a bigger trailer, right?

    • R.J.

      Yes. Go forth and purchase, Kinnath. No doubt you will get one that rectified all that bothered you about the last one.

      • Scruffyy Nerfherder

        Don’t forget the bigger truck to go with it.

      • kinnath

        Got the bigger truck a year ago.

    • slumbrew

      Travel-trailer or transportation trailer?

      • slumbrew

        Either way, “yes”.

      • slumbrew

        Or go for a Class A

      • kinnath

        getting one of these

        So, going from 6×12 single axle to 7×14 double axle with brakes.

        Not a lot bigger, but the double axle and brakes are a nice addition.

      • R.J.

        Brakes will make a big difference.

      • kinnath

        Yes.

        A 6×12 with a full load is a bit difficult to stop.

      • juris imprudent

        That looks more like work than fun.

      • Tundra

        Depends on what he’s hauling.

      • kinnath

        Two of these with poles, ropes, and stakes.

        A wide variety of camp furniture including and knock-down king-size bed. Multiple coolers, etc.

        We were pushing the limits of the single axle trailer.

      • Tundra

        For attending brewing competitions?

      • Fourscore

        For hauling mead to HH. Glibs will be ready to help unload. You know Glibs, always ready to lend a hand to a brother.

      • juris imprudent

        I have friends that used to attend Estrella.

      • kinnath

        Never made it to Estrella even though I lived in Phoenix. I wasn’t in the game at that point.

      • Gender Traitor

        Oh, lordy! My sister and BIL are up to their eyeballs in SCA and go to Pennsic almost every year!

    • Scruffyy Nerfherder

      In a world ruled by grinning monkeys…

    • SDF-7

      If you intention is to armor it up and crush idiots who try to wreck it, that’s definitely a plan. 😉

    • juris imprudent

      Must be the other person’s insurance writing the check.

      • kinnath

        My insurance is totaling the trailer. They will bill back to the other party’s insurance. About $4K will be coming out of my pocket.

    • DEG

      Yes

  9. The Late P Brooks

    Kinnath-

    Mad Scientist (I think) dropped a link one time for some place (possibly Atlanta) with dirt cheap prices on new trailers. When you go east pick up your truck, you can go nab on, since you’re making the drive anyway.

    • kinnath

      Thanks.

      I’ve already selected one here. It’s a used trailer. But it was only used for about three months before the owner decided he didn’t buy a big enough trailer. So he traded it in on a new one.

      So like-new condition at used trailer pricing. It’s a pretty good deal.

  10. The Late P Brooks

    Powell is not trying to collapse the banking system. Yellen might want to do so, but he doesn’t.

    At this point it’s pretty clear Yellen wants no constraints on the money supply whatsoever.

  11. The Late P Brooks

    like-new condition at used trailer pricing. It’s a pretty good deal.

    That’s hard to argue with.

  12. Rebel Scum

    You do not question election in USSA.

    Atlanta-area prosecutors are considering bringing racketeering and conspiracy charges in connection with Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

    Investigators have a large volume of substantial evidence related to a possible conspiracy from inside and outside the state, including recordings of phone calls, emails, text messages, documents, and testimony before a special grand jury.

    Their work, the source said, underscores the belief that the push to help Trump was not just a grassroots effort that originated inside the state.

    Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could make decisions on charges this spring, the source said. Willis will bring her charging recommendations to the regularly seated grand juries, who each serve two-month terms. Two regular Fulton County grand juries were seated in early March, and the next batch of two are scheduled to be sworn-in early May.

    • Drake

      Discovery would be fun.

    • R.J.

      Fantastic. Considering every question to them was no doubt BS, seems totally appropriate.

      • Tundra

        Yep. And the butthurt is always amusing. TMITE

      • R.J.

        He should use a randomizer to spit the question back with the words garbled. Lord knows some of them might think it is an answer.

      • Not Adahn

        I see a role for ChaGPT!

  13. DEG

    “Let them.” Brietta laid a hand on Romano’s arm. “I know where we can hide – at least for a while. And I can contact my friend who works in Maintenance. He may be able to get us into the computer net.”

    “So just how do you know this guy, anyway?”

    “Relax, Romero. His sibling was a classmate of mine in school.” The four had already slipped effortlessly into the use of ‘archaic’ pronouns. “She told me when he was selected for Engineering and Maintenance training. Then, when he had been working there for a year, he was released and assigned to work in waste disposal, because there weren’t enough ‘traditionally disadvantaged’ ethnic, cultural and sexual preference members in that department. So, he’s not very happy with the system.”

    “Why didn’t he leave with us, then?”

    Brietta blushed. “I think he was… interested in me. But I made it clear I wasn’t into it, so…”

    This smells to me.

    • DEG

      Everything seems too easy for our heroes so far.

      • Fourscore

        Picnics get rained on, occasionally

      • Gustave Lytton

        Boxer didn’t go to the glue factory in the first act.

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