Chereads / IRONHOUSE / Chapter 11 - Whispers Before the Storm

Chapter 11 - Whispers Before the Storm

October-25th 

2027

BRRRRRR

BRRRRRRRR

Jarvis groggily got up and looked at the clock

4:20 AM

Who the fuck was calling at this time?

He grabbed his phone and flipped it over

It was Colt

"Hello?"

"Jarvis, The government raided the Headquarters, They walked right into a trap. They killed US Marshals, and a few cops as well

Jarvis's eyes widened "WHAT?

"They killed US Marshals and some cops. and some other people."

"Holy shit, what about the deal, what happened?"

"The deal was scrapped, They weren't gonna negotiate, The US Marshals went in to arrest them but they walked into a trap"

"A trap? What kind of trap?"

"They were ambushed, and then the NAZ opened fire, A few of our boys got killed"

"Shit, Is the city ok?"

"That's because they set off the trap outside the HQ, the building itself is mostly intact, but it's not looking good"

"Fuck."

"There's more."

"More? Fuck, how much worse could it get?"

"Turns out it was the governor who ordered it. Now he's sending the rest of the National Guard to shut us down. this isn't gonna end well."

"Holy fuck, more National Guard? what the fuck?"

"This is going to end in bloodshed, we're gonna have a war on our hands. This is gonna get real ugly, real fast."

"FUCKING SHIT" Jarvis yelled

"Look. I know you and Isa are the first to run into a situation like this, and I want you both to be careful, the city isn't gonna be safe anymore"

"Ok"

"I'll let you go, I'm sure Isa will call soon, Be careful Jarvis"

"I will, and Colt"

"Yeah"

"Be safe"

"You too Jarvis"

The two hung up, and Jarvis got up, quickly getting dressed and grabbing his keys and phone, he ran down the hall and dialed Isa

He began running

BRRRRR

Pickup

BRRR

Pickup goddamnit.

"hello....?"

"Isa, Get up, Something gone down."

"What...? Jarvis What's happening?"

"The US Marshals raided the Headquarters"

"Wha.....WHAT?" Isa yelled as she seemingly processed his words

"The National Guard is coming, and the US Marshals got killed"

"FUCK, JARVIS! WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DEAL? WE JUST NEARLY GOT A DEAL! AND NOW THIS?"

"I don't know, all I know is we got Marshals and Cops dead, and more National Guard is coming to the city"

"Oh my god...Jarvis.."

"Isa, I know you, and you know me, and we both love running headfirst into situations, But this time, We're going to be careful, We're gonna be safe"

"Okay, But, We have a job to do, And we can't turn a blind eye to this"

"I know, So get dressed, We're going out"

"Where?"

"One Star to get our Press shit, then into the zone.."

"Got it. See you there"

"Bye"

Isa hung up and began getting ready

This is gonna be a long day, a long fucking day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jarvis drove down the freeway towards Isa's Apartment, fire trucks and ambulances zooming past him.

Jarvis pulled into a gas station and parked, turning off the engine and walking inside

"Can I get two iced coffees and two breakfast sandwiches?"

The Quitanian man smiled "Of course."

He waved to Jarvis and began cooking the sandwich

Jarvis sighed and looked at the TV.

"What the...?"

It was a news broadcast, and they were talking about the NAZ, Jarvis listened closely.

"We have scattered reports of gunfire and a loud explosion in the New Atlas Zone, We are unsure what is going on, We will keep you updated"

The man who ran the store stopped and looked at the TV, before looking back at Jarvis

"I've been hearing those same gunshots. Good lord what has this city come to... I came here twelve years ago for a fresh start. a new life, but this is not what I had in mind, the violence has only gotten worse, and it's only a matter of time before it gets to my block, and when it does, I'm afraid I'll have to pack up and leave"

Jarvis smiled sadly "I'm sorry, this is a lot"

"Yeah, and the police don't care, they don't help. and the National Guard is only going to make things worse, I've heard that they are coming down hard, I feel bad for those caught in the crossfire.."

Jarvis sighed "Yeah. I do too."

Suddenly his phone rang

Daniel

"Hello?"

"Jarvis, have you heard the news?"

"Yeah, My friend told me, I can't believe this bullshit, six hours ago there was a deal. now we got dead people.."

"I know, and the whole city's about to fall apart, the NAZ isn't going to fall easy. And the National Guard is only going to make it worse"

"I know, I'm headed into the zone once I grab my gear"

A pause

"Just be careful, okay? Don't go too far."

"I won't."

"Good. Keep me updated.

"Will do."

The two hung up, and the guy handed the food

"Here you go"

"Thanks."

Jarvis paid for the food and the coffee and walked back out to his car

He opened the bag and started eating the breakfast sandwich, pulling out onto the freeway again.

As he ate he listened to the news

"There are unconfirmed reports of gunfire and explosions in the New Atlas Zone, police are asking everyone to stay indoors"

Jarvis shook his head, this was gonna be a mess.

As he was driving, he called Isa

"Hey, I'm going to be outside in a bit"

"Okay, I'll be down shortly"

"Alright, see you soon"

"Bye"

The two hung up, and Jarvis continued down the street, pulling over in front of the building as he sat there.

Why is this happening again? Why does this always happen? Why can't people just get along?

Jarvis sighed. He was angry. He was sad. He was confused.

He turned off the car and sat there, the sounds of sirens and helicopters echoing around him.

"What are we doing?"

Jarvis looked at his phone, the news was playing the same report, gunfire and explosions in the Zone, Jarvis sighed and turned the TV off.

He needed to focus, He had a job to do.

Suddenly a knock at the window, Isa stood outside

"It's freezing. Let me In."

Jarvis unlocked the door, and Isa got in, sitting next to him.

"Have you been listening to the news?"

"Yeah. It's crazy. I can't believe this is happening again."

"Me neither."

The car lurched forward as Jarvis drove off, heading down the road towards One Star Building

"It's going to be a long day."

"Yeah. A very long day."

Jarvis drove down the road, heading toward the city

"I want to know, What happened? We were both there at the meeting, we saw the talks, we saw the deal, We saw the progress, and then BAM. A raid, Now there's a bunch of dead people, It doesn't make sense."

"I know. I'm confused too. I don't know what's going on either."

"Reports say that the Governor demanded they stop this, it seems they went to cut off the 'head of the snake' to make the NAZ fall apart, but that didn't happen, Now it looks like they're preparing for a war, The NAZ and National Guard, The City isn't gonna be safe anymore."

"I know. This is bad. really bad." sighed Jarvis

"So. what are we going to do?"

"Well, We need to tell the truth, We have a job to do. But we have to be smart about it. We can't run headfirst into the fray. We have to be careful. We have to be cautious. We have to be safe."

"Right, we have to be careful. We can't get caught up in the violence. We can't become victims ourselves. We have to stay calm. We have to keep our cool. We have to keep our wits about us. We have to remember, We are reporters, not soldiers. We're not here to fight, We're here to tell the story. And we have to tell the truth."

Jarvis sighed "God I hate politicians"

"I know. They're fucking idiots. They can't see the big picture. They can't see the bigger picture. They can't see past the small picture. They can't see past their selfish agendas. They can't see past their own needs. They can't see past their ambitions."

Jarvis nodded "Yep, Politicians are a real piece of work."

Isa sighed, she wasn't having the best time, and the last thing she wanted to think about was the Government.

The two sat there in silence, the sound of the sirens and the helicopters still filling the air.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You seem stressed."

Isa stood quiet

"Ever since everything happened you seemed stressed." Sighed Jarvis

"I'm fine, don't worry"

"You're not. I can see it, You're not fine."

Isa sighed

"Look Isa, You're the first person helping me and I appreciate it. I appreciate all your help, But I know when something's up. And I'm here if you want to talk"

Isa took a deep breath, She wanted to open up, But she was hesitant

"It's okay, Take your time"

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Being so quiet about how I feel, About keeping you in the dark, You're right, I've been stressed, ever since the protest that day"

Jarvis nodded, and continued driving.

"I just, I feel lost, I don't know what to do, Everything seems so different, so foreign, I feel like I'm trapped, like I'm stuck in some nightmare, Some awful nightmare."

Jarvis frowned, Isa was going through it, She needed him, He was her best friend, and she needed someone to talk to, to confide in.

"Look, I know it's scary, I know it's strange, I know it's confusing, But we can't dwell on the past, we have to look ahead, we have to keep moving, we have to keep going, we have to stay positive, we have to believe, We have to hope."

Isa sighed, she was scared, she was sad, she was worried, But Jarvis was right, They had to move on, they had to keep going, they had to stay strong, they had to hope.

"You're right, I'm sorry, I just, I feel lost, I feel confused, I feel like, I don't know, I just, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Look, I know it's scary, I know it's strange, but we have to stay focused, we have to keep our wits about us, We have a job to do. And we have to tell the truth.

"You're right, thanks."

"I'm here for you, I'm your friend, and I'm not going anywhere. And I'll never let you down.

Isa nodded, and they pulled into the parking lot, Jarvis stopped the car and looked at Isa

"Let's go."

Isa smiled "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being my friend, And being a great friend."

"It's what friends do."

Isa smiled and got out, walking towards the building walking into the lobby

"We have to be quick, I don't want to be late, We have a lot to do and not a lot of time."

"Right."

The two walked towards the elevator and stepped in

BRRRR

BRRRRR

It was Jarvis's phone

Again?

Maverick.

Jarvis picked up

"I'm assuming you've already heard."

"Of course."

"What's going on? You told me yesterday that there was a peace deal?"

"I don't know, all I know is we're about to have a full-blown war on our hands, The National Guard is coming, and the NAZ isn't gonna fall without a fight, this is going to get ugly, and fast"

"They have us on high alert, they pulled me out of traffic control for the evacuation buses, Saying "I ought to take off" Racist fucks.."

"Yeah. They are, and the city's not safe anymore, and the NAZ won't fall easy, How's Maria doing?"

"She's fine, but she's stressed, she's worried, she's scared."

"I understand. I'm sure the kids are terrified."

"They are, but they're doing their best, We're getting everything ready, I'm helping them pack, and they're going to stay with their grandparents."

"Good. That's good."

"Yeah."

"Look. I don't want to bother you, I just want you to be careful. And keep me updated, I'm getting worried about you."

"I'm fine. I'll call you later."

"Okay. See you then."

"Bye."

Maverick hung up and Jarvis sighed, He was worried, This was a very dangerous situation, and it could go very badly.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just Maverick."

"You're worried about him?"

"He's getting out of town with Maria and the kids. Thank god. They're going to my parents up north."

"That's good. He'll be safe there."

"Yeah."

The elevator dinged and the doors opened

"Alright, Let elevator doors open, and they walked into the office

"We'll get this done, and get out."

"Sounds good."

"Okay, Let's go."

Isa and Jarvis walked through the hallways, the sound of phones ringing and people talking filled the air, Everyone was talking about the raid,

"Everyone's panicking."

"I know. Let's try not to get caught up in it, we have a job to do, and we have to be calm, and we have to stay focused, and we have to tell the truth."

Isa nodded, and they walked into the office, grabbing their gear

"Here, Put this on."

Isa grabbed her coat and her microphone, and grabbed the vest and helmet which had 'PRESS' Plastered all over them, Jarvis did the same

"Let's get going."

Isa and Jarvis left the office and walked back towards the elevator

"Let's go."

The doors opened and the two stepped inside, and Jarvis pressed the button

DING

a tense silence as the elevator ascended, Jarvis and Isa standing there in silence

"It's going to be okay. We'll be safe."

Isa nodded

"And we'll get through this."

Isa smiled, and Jarvis patted her on the shoulder

"You'll be fine."

The elevator doors opened and the two walked out

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

Isa and Jarvis walked outside, Jarvis looked up, The sky was overcast and dark, the air cold, Isa's face was red from the cold, Jarvis could feel the hairs on his arms and neck stand on end, his ears felt like ice, and he was sweating, it was freezing

"Let's go."

The two walked across the parking lot and got into the car, Jarvis turned on the engine and drove out of the parking lot, the sound of the sirens and the helicopter filled the air

"I can't believe this is happening."

"Me neither. This is crazy."

"How the fuck did the city go to shit so fast?"

"I-I have no-" Suddenly a police car stopped in front of them

"STOP!" Yelled the loudspeaker of the police cruiser, as another blocked the other side of the road

"What the fuck?"

Suddenly a loud grumbling could be heard as military vehicles drove past, APCs and MRAPs, Light Tanks on the back of trucks

It was like they were preparing for war

All of this again?

You'd think we would've learned by now.

But it's like the world hates us, it's like it's punishing us.

And the world was going to hate us even more

Jarvis shook his head"I just can't believe this is happening. We were making progress, we were actually working towards real peace, and then, BAM. It all comes crashing down."

"I know. It's insane."

"The whole thing is a goddamn nightmare."

A gunner for a truck eyes Jarvis down.

The two look as other soldiers in the column all stare at the car, all of them looking at Jarvis

"They look at me like I did it. Like I caused all this like it's my fault." He sighed, sitting back and tapping at the wheel.

Isa stared at the road, her jaw tightening.

"The world just doesn't seem to get along, does it?" Jarvis sighed

"No, it doesn't. It's like there's this invisible line, and no matter how hard we try, we can't cross it."

Jarvis was tired. He was angry. He was frustrated. He was disappointed.

He was tired of trying.

He was tired of fighting

The convoy finally cleared up as they went forward

"So. How exactly do we get in? Raillines are bound to be cut off. and sewer might be too at this point.."

"There are multiple escape points, They cleaned out multiple to be used as escapes, Colt had told me a while back, I have the location, it's by an abandoned warehouse somewhat far from uptown"

"Great. So we just need to get to it."

"Yup."

Jarvis almost went on the freeway, but it was backed up

"Holy shit."

The traffic on the freeway out of the city could only be described as a sea of red tail lights.

"Jesus looks like everyone is trying to leave the city."

"Yeah. The NAZ has everyone on edge. No one wants to stay around and wait for the inevitable."

"I guess. Still, it's a bit extreme."

"Not really, The NAZ is planning something big, and it's not going to end well for the city, seems like everyone sees that, and wants to get the hell out."

"I guess. Can't we go local? Get some back roads??"

"We could, but there's no telling how bad the traffic is going to be."

Jarvis turned onto the first road he could find that wasn't a freeway.

"Let's try this."

"Okay."

The two continued driving through the backroads of the city, the traffic was still bad, but it was bearable.

"You think the city is going to be alright?"

"I don't know, I mean, I'm sure things will settle down eventually, but it's going to be rough."

"I guess. I just hope we can avoid the worst of it."

"Well, let's hope we can. But I have a feeling things are only going to get worse before they get better."

"Yeah, well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

The two continued driving through the city, the traffic slowly beginning to clear up as they reached near uptown

"No one seems to want to get near uptown. It's like they're afraid."

"I don't blame them. no one wants to be around when the shit hits the fan."

"I guess."

The car slowly pulled up to a warehouse. People pouring out into vans.

A guard quickly points his rifle at the car, before recognizing Jarvis

"Oh shit." He put the rifle down "Isa and Jarvis, I never expected to meet you two here" He waved to the others to stand down "You're a friend of Colt right?"

"Yeah, He's a close friend of mine."

"Right. Come on in, I'll take you to him."

Jarvis parked the car and he and Isa got out, The man led the two into the warehouse.

"So, Why exactly did you come here? This place isn't exactly the safest."

"Well, we're trying to get a story, and this is one of the few places where we can do that."

"Huh, You guys are braver than most."

"Well, it's part of our job."

"You guys are still got some balls on you. Most people are too afraid to go near this place. They think the NAZ is going to blow the whole city to hell."

"We're not afraid. We're reporters. It's our job to go where the story is."

"Yeah, well, be careful. This place is dangerous"

The three entered the warehouse. Inside was a large group of people. Men and women of all different races and nationalities, some were talking amongst themselves as others went out of a hole

"This way."

The three walked through the crowd and towards the back of the warehouse, The interior was dark and dank with few lights to cover the building, and the smell of stale water and mold filled the air.

"What's going on with all these people?"

"Some people asked if they could leave. Seeing how this was getting bad, We offered to help those who wanted to flee the city."

"I see."

The guard went up and talked to another, and as they talked down the hole, It cleared

"You guys are clear to go. Head on down."

"Thank you."

Isa and Jarvis climbed down the hole.

"This is the sewers?"

"Yup."

"Wow."

The sewers were surprisingly clean and dry, the smell of mold and mildew was almost nonexistent, and the air was cool and dry.

"Who would've thought the sewers were so nice?"

"You'd be surprised, we wanted to clean these as a way we didn't wade through shit water. They're pretty nice and comfortable"

"Wow."

The two walked further, the sound of dripping water echoing throughout the tunnel, many walking past with bags and luggage as the guard led the way

"It's a long way to the exit."

"How long will it take us?"

"Maybe a half an hour."

"Great."

The two continued walking, the sounds of the sewers filling the air, the occasional conversation being heard

"So, Why are you here?"

"I sympathize with Quitanians, Being Hispanic I've been treated the same way. I understand their struggle, and I want to help in any way I can."

"I see."

The group continued walking through the sewers, the air becoming slightly more humid as the tunnel began to narrow.

"This is the old part of the sewers. It hasn't been used since the early 1900s."

"That explains the smell."

"Yup."

"It's getting kind of claustrophobic in here."

"It's a good thing it's only a short walk."

"What's the exit like?"

"It's a maintenance tunnel that leads to an underground train station."

"Wow. That's pretty cool."

"Yeah, the city used to have an entire network of tunnels, but it was decommissioned and most of the tunnels were sealed up. They left the tunnel leading to the train station though.

The group continued walking, the sound of dripping water echoing throughout the tunnel, a small light could be seen up ahead.

"We're almost there."

The group emerged into a large open room, the ceiling was high, and the walls were made of concrete. The floor was wet and slick, and the air was musty and humid.

"What is this place?"

"This is an old train station. It was used by the city's transit system before they switched to a more modern system."

A crowd of people sat at the entrance.

"This is the evacuation center."

"Wow."

The people at the entrance stared at Isa and Jarvis,

Some curious

Some suspicious

Some indifferent

but all had one thing in common

Fear.