The Call of Freedom Book 1: United

Hi! Welcome to the "Call of Freedom" a novel I have been working on paralleling US History, but set in a 21st century atmosphere. Because of the 21st century atmosphere, some parts of history are a little different.
I hope y'all enjoy it :D

Call of Freedom

Book 1: United.

 

<<

< Charity Klicka

< Brit Babar, 

<< Senator Jenaye White

<< Calah Rutledge

<< Mariah Millsap

Chapter 1: Winds of Tension

The sun shone bright that January day;  It was passed, the Stamp Act.  Every object with a stamp on it will be taxed. Young Charity Klicka set aside her newspaper “has it come to this?”  She listened quietly as the adults of the small cross-roads town argued bitterly; “This is the last straw!” a man said  “Haven’t we been taxed enough?” a older man strongly stated.  A cold shiver went up Charity’s spine I don’t like this talk She thought.   President Charles Arnold ignored the people’s cries, he raised taxes, expanded government, sued states, taxed tea and other beverages, taxed just about anything he could think of. The people petitioned him to stop, but George didn’t listen, it was either his way, or his way.  Charity Klicka looked ready to march to “King George’s” palace and defeat them herself.

A young man by the name of Brit Baber ran over to the girls “Guess what? “ “what?” they replied. “Tonight, at different harbors throughout the country, men are going to be dumping all the goods that President Arnold taxed into the ocean.”

As night came, the moment arrived; Charity walked down to the dock. The docks were quiet huddled in the dark were a group of men, patriots no less; rebellious patriots, they were angry. Charity stopped her friend Ryan McDonald, he had some sort of dirt rubbed against his face, as well as feathers on his head; so did the other men. The men boarded the ship, the battle cry of “No taxation without representation!” was sounded, goods… billions of dollars worth of goods were dumped into the ocean. These men made it clear, that they didn’t like “King George’s” taxes. Throughout these United States discontent was brewing, citizens were not going to sit by when their rights were being taken- one word remained: revolution.

These boys walking away starting singing the “Liberty Song” by John Dickinson originally penned in the Revolutionary War 

                                   Come join hand in hand brave American’s all and rouse your bold hearts to fear liberty’s call….. in freedom we’re born and in freedom we live. Our purses are ready, steady friend steady. Not as slaves but as free men our money we’ll give!

 That very night President Arnold heard of the incident he was enraged. A pen flung across the Oval Office. “I’ve had enough! I want to know the names of these traitors! I won’t put up with treason.” President Arnold had balding white hair, never a smile on his face. Arnold's nasal New York accent was not the most attractive sound that hit the world. Arnold had cold blue eyes, and was very plump but tall. Senator Warren from Virginia was in the room. Senator Warren was a handsome fellow, his chestnut brown hair was lightly sprinkled with white, his hazel eyes held so much passion under his calm demenor. “But Mr. President” Warren said with a charming Southern twang “they want less rules and regulations, you should take a chance and listen to the people” “The people?” President Arnold’s face grew brighter red “I don’t need the people, I need me. What I say is right for all, what is right for me is right for everyone!” Senator Thomas Warren listened and looked nervously around the room “I respect your views but... you are acting like a king” “Well, I’d rather be a King, then some common man with no power. Secretary of War” Arnold summoned, the timid young Secretary approached, his brown hair was disheveled, eye glasses crooked, shirt wrinkled. He tripped over Senator Warren’s cane, Warren stopped over to help him up but President Arnold put his hand in front of Warren’s. “Secretary Gate, I want one million troops deployed in the following states; South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, California, Oregon, Washington, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. I want to make it known, that nobody nullifys my tax by tossing tea into the nearest harbor of these states.” The secretary left the room. Warren glanced at the President nervously “Virginia is my state. You shall not treat us like dirt” “I will treat you rebels however I see fit” George grunted. Warren stubbornly, left the room after he replied to President Arnold “Mark my words, that order you just gave will make the patriots more admired then you ever wanted them to be.” Arnold rolled his eyes after Warren stormed out of the room.

 Breathing heavily, a reporter ran up to Senator Warren. “we just received word….. Massachusetts….. war broke out!” “What?” Thomas Warren couldn’t believe what he heard. “In Lexington, Kentucky this morning President Arnold’s troops clashed with a small group of Kentuckians. The Kentuckians saw President Arnold’s troops getting ready to get a train to go east to Virginia. These Kentucky patriots weren’t going to let the troops through. Refusing to submit to the soldier’s demands, an explosion was heard but the intensity of the people’s emotions caused them to think somebody fired. War broke out. The explosion was later found out to be from an abandoned building, where carbon dioxide was building up.” Warren shook his head “No, just no… why did it come to this?” Shock was in the air, what happened? At the president's mansion, Charles Arnold smiled; “Well, that should show those rebels, Secretary Gate.” The timid secretary walked over “I want more troops, this time, expand them to the landlocked states, and especially more in Kentucky." “President Arnold, you can’t do this!” Vice President Washington spoke up from across the room. “Who said I can’t? I’m the President I can do what I want!” Washington was indignant; “These Patriots have seen what you are doing as an attack and are gathering their armies” “I’m going to win anyway, you hear me Patrick Washington?” The Vice President left the room. That very same night, the Senate had an emergency joint meeting. “Order, order!” Washington banged his mallet “the Chair recognizes the Senator from Kentucky Jenaye White.” Jenaye stood up, her blue-green eyes shone with deep concern “Mr.President, gunfire started, in my own state. I’d say as the Senate must take the side of the Patriot army....” Before she could finish President Arnold walked in; “You may be pleased or angry to know I just signed a paper, granting me rights over the states, and the legislative branch.” “Who gave you such rights?” the Vice President demanded. “My cabinet” replied the president as he left. An eery and unusual quite was over the senate chamber. Thomas Warren was the first to speak, “Mr. President! Does that make the President’s actions null and void to us? As he is no longer a proper authority under the constitution.” The Vice President leaned forward in his chair, “Senator, would you like to write a declaration of some sorts? Laying out the President’s offenses and why he is not fit for it.” Thomas pondered for a moment and said, “It will be a honor.” 

Rev. Pace Smull from a local church showed up in DC and prayed over the congress. He prayed they would make the right choices and they would be protected from the temptations to come. Afterwards Rep.Josh Leftwich of South Carolina preformed an amazing worship service, and gave a sermon. Not only was Josh a congressman, but he also was previously a worship leader! 

Thomas drafted the document, declaring Arnold’s “reign” to be unconstitutional.  President Arnold hearing this news was fuming, how dare anyone deny his power? Arnold fled to the state of New York where he knew he had strong support.  Arnold enlisted men of this state to help him in the war. New York City was established as a capital for the loyalist party. The patriots had to act, and fast.  Senator Warren found a secure place, in New Hampshire, a town upon a high peak perfect for protection!  The army started preparing,  Charity Klicka stood watching. She didn’t want to be stuck doing laundry and missing the action! But…wait, women aren’t allowed to join. Charity had a plain, she put on some baggy jeans, and an old plaid shirt. She tucked her hair into her hat. Perfect!  She walked up the mountain, and enlisted in the army.  Brit Baber was there, and sure was ready to fight! Rifle cocked, and ready to load. Brit didn’t want to miss the chance to shoot some redcoats.

 The battle raged on, Patriots clashing with Loyalists. Americans clashing with Americans.

The rag tag group of Patriots was ready to surrender. Charity and Brit would have none of this surrender talk. The two of them, with a group of Patriots behind them stormed the British lines and the commander was shot; The Patriots won the day.

Meanwhile, Arnold was enforcing more and more unconstitutional laws. 

 Senator Thomas Warren read the news. Thomas wrote to delegates throughout the country, influential politicians to convene in Washington; they were making a Continental Congress.

The day congress convened the sun was shinning bright, not a cloud in the sky. The first order of business was to choose a president. Thomas Warren stood up “I nominate Senator Glenn Bertch of Pennsylvania!" Glenn looked around, “I accept” he said. Calah Rutledge took the floor “Mr. President, I propose we draft a petition asking for peace with the Loyalists.” Jenaye White was listening, she liked this idea “Mr. President, lets pass this by unanimous consent!” It was approved.  A general for the growing rag-tag Patriot militia was also needed. Jenaye White gave the floor to Chris Millsap of North Carolina. Chris gave a long speech about our glorious American heritage and our need to preserve freedom. Congress unanimously voted Chris 

Millsap as the new general.

“King” Arnold read the petition with disgust, “These petty patriots…” he tossed the petition aside into the 
blazing fireplace.  “Secretary of War, I want more troops sent to the states.” 



The Patriot Army was in disarray, a rag-tag group of militia. The Patriots were waiting on one side of Watchung Mountains in Watchung, NJ. General Chris Millsap gave the order “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”  The Loyalists came up the other side and fired. Chris gave the order to fire back. Charity Klicka was in the front lines, firing away at the enemy soldiers. Brit Baber looked over and saw her; “Wow! For a girl she sure can fight!”  Charity ran over to the enemy lines, and took a brown horse a man fell off of.  She rode across back to the Patriot lines “Rally behind New Hampshire! Come on your South Carolinians! Massachusetts men, I see you under that tree get over here! We are going to storm the lines.”     Brit, a Massachusetts man did just as he was told.  “Rally behind New Hampshire!!!” shouted General Millsap. They were going to storm the Loyalist lines.  All was still, the sound of horse hooves crunched against the soft leaves.  “Fire!” Loyalists troops were disoriented, and retreated. The Patriots won.

  The news of a victory brought a relief to Congress. The first victory for the Patriots.. They fought other battles: Lexington, Kentucky; Concord, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Jacksonville, Florida. Every one of these battles were lost, but this news of the Watchung Mountains victory brought hope to Congress. Senator Mariah Millsap took the floor “Mr. President, its time. We have been listening to King Arnold for too long. He has ignored us, even though we are the legislative branch. I’d say we sign a “Declaration of Independence” from him, as he would ignore even impeachment charges and there are many in these United States that are under his spell.”  “Do we have a second?” Glenn asked. “I second” said Senator Luke Douglas who was also president of the "Fearless Freeman" an influential paper published in the states.

Glenn appointed five congressmen to be on this committee: Thomas Warren of Virginia, Jenaye White of Kentucky, Luke Douglas of Wyoming,  Mariah Millsap of Pennsylvania, and Alexis Hahn of Massachusetts. Thomas immediately took charge of this group, as they voted who the main writer should be. Thomas Warren was to be the writer, and report back in two weeks.
 After two long weeks dragged on, Thomas introduced the declaration to the committee.  Jenaye and Mariah approved. Luke Douglas suggested that the declaration must add room that the federal laws shouldn’t trump state laws. “I can’t” replied Congressman Warren, “I believe the federal government must have the final say.”  The phrase was kept in, but as soon as it hit the congressional floor fo r voting… trouble came.

“Madam President, I’m afraid I can’t yield the floor. As much as I respect my Honorable colleagues;  I can not vote for a document that may infringe on our states rights” Calah Rutledge of South Carolina stated. Rutledge went on and on, it was clear this was a filibuster. 
In the anteroom Thomas Warren listened, Luke Douglas gave him an “I told you so” face.  “May my Honorable Colleague from South Carolina yield the floor please” said Jenaye. “I’m afraid I can’t, I’m filibustering.” “Yield for a question?” “alright.” Jenaye then proceeded to ask her questions on just about everything,  it began to seem clear that 2/3rds of Congress approved of the filibuster and were helping Rutledge keep the floor.   Rutledge yawned and stretched as she read from just about anything she could get her hands on.  Speaking for 10 hours straight so far, she gave the floor to Jenaye White a who continued for another 5 hours as Senator Rutledge sat down. “Madam President!” Senator Warren interrupted, “I choose to file for cloture.”  All the minority party needed in this case were 7 votes for cloture to end the filibuster, but if the cloture passed and out of rebellion the states rights senators walked out of the room, the vote would be deadlocked, without a quorum.  They got the seven signatures of the Federalists: Thomas Warren, Amanda Cobucci, Glenn Bertsch, Andrew Robertson, and his twin brother Michael Robertson,  Julie Hagan, and Elise Hanson. The filibuster ended.  True to Warren's prediction, the states rights senators walked off the floor. A cloture wasn’t possible after all. Senator Warren was hoping, at least a few of them would have stayed so the voting wouldn’t be deadlocked. He knew the only way to have his declaration pass was to have the federalists talk to the states rights senators.  That night Senator Warren knocked on the door of the boarding house where both Senators White and Rutledge stayed. He found out what room each one was in and decided to talk, Senator Rutledge was first, she couldn’t vote for a document that wasn’t clear on states rights and suggested that he’d put in the phrase “all laws that are opposed to the constitution, the states can nullify.” Senator White said the same, Senator Warren finally decided… he must add the phrase. Compromise is a must.

 

 The next day in Congress, the declaration was passed by unanimous consent. The president scanned the face of each and every senator; a look of sadness on his countenance;  “Each of these senators knows what they are doing will put them on the king’s bad side. Freedom isn’t free, there will be a price” Glenn thought.  The declaration was ready to be signed, President Glenn Bertsch signed first. Every senator one by one signed the declaration. Jenaye White.... Glenn Bertsch... Mariah Millsap.... Thomas Warren...Luke Douglas...Calah Rutledge... and so on. A serious and somber atmosphere filled the room, it was done.

    The summer of these Patriot victories wasn’t going to last though; winter was threatening to come.

Snow fell on the large patriot encampment outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Across the frozen Ohio River was the loyalist camp.  The patriots were poorly dressed, using rags on their feet for shoes. Congress dispatched the war committee to this place. Walking around the camp Luke Douglas felt an uncomfortable feeling; “All those words I penned in the Fearless Freeman probably brought some of these men here, if only I can encourage them somehow to stay in the fight through these hard times.” He sat down, and started penning a small pamphlet full of stories about the continental army of old, and how they went through the frosty winter of Valley Forge.  The Loyalists on the other hand were scoring great victories. Also, the Loyalists were sacking village after village. 

 

Christmas Night the loyalists were camped across the river from the patriots in Indiana.  The Loyalists were celebrating by drinking and partying till late in the night. This was the night the Patriots could perform a surprise attack.  On wooden boats the entire patriot army rowed across the icy river, frost biting at their toes it wasn’t a very pleasant night. “Charge!” cried General Millsap, the troops captured the Loyalist generals by surprise. Amanda Cobucci of Pennsylvania, camouflaged in camp gear and a coon-skin hat took the loyalist flag and ran off. The loyalists retreated. That night, the patriots proved they can win another victory. Throughout the winter city after city fill to the patriots: San Francisco, Denver, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and now it was getting down to the final stretch.

 Spring was in the air, the birds were coming out chirping, flowers were sprouting.  It was March 15, Chris Millsap looked down at his map. “Charleston” Chris said to himself. That was where the Loyalists were camping, on Charleston peninsula.  The Patriots were north of Charleston on the neck, the next move would be to move into the city itself and take it.  They knew the British would escape probably, unless Canada, the northern neighbors who Millsap begged for help somehow sent a fleet of troops to block Charleston Harbor, if that was possible.
The call was sounded, Brit Babar, Charity Klicka, Amanda Cobucci and the troops were ready. “Charge!” they piled into Charleston, shots sounded. “Fire!” cried the loyalist commander. 

Shots flared everywhere, the smoke was so thick one could barely see in front of them. Millsap shielded his eyes from the sun to see flags; it was –Canada!- Canada, the northern neighbor of the United States, who always accused us of being the war hawks came; to save us from the king! Overjoyed, tears ran down each soldier's checks.  The Loyalist troops were being forced off Charleston peninsula, with no place to run; General Millsap waving his sword in one direction, Charity and Brit holding the New Hampshire brigade to the north. The Patriots were one million strong, and united.   One brigade on the Loyalist side though, wasn’t united.  King William ordered troops from Finland, “hessians” to come over and fight for him. These troops were mainly here because the were ordered by their commander, which was by no means a choice! Shawn Taylor, a hessian mercenary was fed up with this. Shawn dashed across the lines, and avoided being seen and gave the Loyalist plans to the Patriots.  Hearing this General Millsap ordered the charge. The Loyalists were completely blocked and forced to surrender.  

It was a glorious day! The sun shone on that beautiful Friday, March 18 ^th.  The Loyalists handed their swords and guns over to the Patriots. King William, humiliated fled to Mexico and was never heard from again.  

King William gone, the people were going to have a new election. General Millsap was elected president- the nation had to deal with a conflict though.  In old days of the 20th century, these United States were a super power. They got involved in every conflict, however in 2008 there was a serious economic collapse. 
      France was one of these United States' allies, and currently they were in a very similar poor economic state.  Marseillaise, France- a girl of small stature stood up on a create; "Citizens!" her voice boomed, green eyes glaring "We the people have been suffering under tyranny for too long! It is time to fight back!"  Starving children huddled close to their parents who wore little but rags. France's economy was in disaster, after helping the Americans in their revolution- France's political leaders lived in a different world. The leaders of France believed they could keep up the government spending, even as it hurt the people. Julie Rosspiear's long brown hair flowed in the mind, her green eyes were fixed on the citizens; "our government must learn to listen to us!" The tall buildings loomed down on the mob, the dark clouds in the distance were very ominous. The crowd raised pitch forks and pointed to a large structure. "Citizens!" Rosspiear shouted; "for victory!" The mob stormed towards the structure and leveled it. The French Revolution had begun!  
This incident immediately shook the fragile United States.
(Incomplete) 

Meanwhile in France the situation was glum and hopeless. Rosspiear walked up to her closest ally Paul Desmoulins and formed the Committee on Public Safety. The committee started accusing everybody of being against the republic.

As the years passed, this founding generation as they began to be known as secured our freedom. Washington became president, they secured a constitution. The union was at peace. Eventually however, they started aging and passing on. As John F. Kennedy once said “the torch is being passed to a new generation of Americans.”  This new generation was the “Great Compromise Generation” while a few of the aging founders were still in politics, this “Great Compromise” generation including the great triumvirate; Emily Hausheer (SC), Ryan McDonald (NH and MA), and Danielle Jack (KY), and also brave general Andrew Dickinson, and Angela Cobucci appeared on the scene.