UNITED STATES COMMANDER INVESTIGATED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
In a surprise move today, the United Powers announced an investigation into the allegations of mass genocide in the United States, stemming from the rise of the Commander fifty years ago. Recently obtained footage shows the Hole, an expansive prison for those known as Sinners. The Hole’s purpose is being questioned by the United Powers, investigating claims that innocent people are being branded, imprisoned, abused, and even murdered without a fair trial.
The United Powers announced its decision to send in a team of international monitors to look into and validate these claims. A findings report, followed by a committee inquest, is expected within the coming months.
My hands shake as I let Cole take the paper from me. “What exactly does this all mean?”
“It means what I’ve been working so hard for is finally happening, and hopefully, they’ll follow through,” Sutton says.
I watch as Cole’s eyes widen with each sentence, and I hold my breath, waiting for him to speak. Is it possible? Could all of this be over soon? Will the regime finally be questioned, exposed, brought to justice?
“How’d you manage to do it?” I ask.
“My connections in the Hole helped me assemble footage from the cameras and smuggle it out during the revolt. Now we have irrefutable proof. It’s not just speculation anymore. Not just conjecture. Now, we have living, breathing, undeniable proof.”
Sutton sounds so convincing that I hate to doubt him. I want to believe whole-heartedly. I want to grab on to the idea of freedom and never let it go. But something isn’t right.
“And you didn’t inform us of this because … ?” Cole asks with his hands in the air.
“Because information makes you even more vulnerable. And I wasn’t about to risk that in light of everything else,” Sutton says, eyeing Cole suspiciously.
“So why risk telling us now?” Bruno asks what we are all thinking.
Sutton straightens. “Because now the timing is right. Each of you will be called on to tell your side of the story. You have already escaped. You have no fear of retribution from Wilson or the guards.”
More silence.
“What is the United Powers?” Grace asks in a soft voice.
“More importantly, what can they do?” I ask.
Sutton’s head turns toward me, a sigh escaping his lips. “They’re a coalition of international leaders formed after the fifth World War. Their main purpose is to prevent another outbreak of wars. Everyone’s still reeling from the damage of the last one.” He makes a circle motion with his hands. “The entire east coast is pretty much destroyed. They have laws written in their mandate that are supposed to protect people from genocide. And crime? There’s still such a thing as due process. Or at least there’s supposed to be.” When his eyes meet mine, I have to pull up my lower jaw to keep from standing with my mouth wide open. “You probably weren’t taught much, if anything, about them in school. But there are other powerful countries in the world that still exist, and their interests would be best served by intervening here.”
“What sort of time line are we looking at here?” Bruno asks, lowering the paper. He passes it to an eager Grace.
“Wait just a second.” Cole motions with a hand out in front of him. “So all of this has been going on for over fifty years, and no one in the rest of the world knew about it? How could that be?” Cole pauses, glances at Bruno, Grace, and me, and then focuses on Sutton. He seems to be challenging him.
“There was a time when that would not have been possible. At one time, our technology was so advanced that we could see what was happening in other parts of the world on a daily basis. But after World War Five, everything changed. Most of the technology that connected nations was destroyed, partially as a way of isolating themselves from the conflict.” Sutton looks tired as he tries to explain the history of the world to us.
He turns to Bruno and offers a slight smile. “The monitors should be arriving in High Society within the week. I’ve contacted some underground members to arrange a meeting before they enter the Hole. I want to make sure they get the full picture before going in.”
“Are you sure you can trust these people?” I ask. “I mean, how can they even question what they’ve seen in the footage already? Why would they need to come and see for themselves?”