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Re: 2033 FEDRA CENDDCOMM Report

This report has been authorized by the Federal Emergency Disaster Response Agency’s Census and Demographic Data Collection Commission (CENDDCCOMM).

NOTICE:

The following document is considered TOP-SECRET information. Only FEDRA personnel who possess a Level Alpha-0 Security Clearance may view the contents of this document. If you believe that you have received this document in error, or do not possess a Level Alpha-0 Security Clearance, please promptly contact the appropriate authorities. Failure to comply with this notice is a violation of federal law, per the 2017 Establishment and Enumeration of Federal Emergency Powers Act (EEFEPA), Section 17.4, “Definitions of Actions Considered Treasonous, Seditious, or Detrimental to the Public Good.” and may result in punishment(s) including, but not limited to: disciplinary action, public reprimand, imprisonment and/or execution.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this report is to provide an understanding of the effects of the CBI pandemic on the American population and society which they compose. Thus, no commentary or evaluation of the events recorded in this report will be present. It is important to note that this report is not an analysis, inasmuch as it is a collation of interviews, personal accounts, transcripts, official and unofficial documents, and earlier reports and analyses; assembled with the intent of allowing the reader to gain an informed, accurate understanding of the events that have transpired within the United States in the two decades since Outbreak Day.

Chapter Text

[Jonathan Hendricks was a member of the Texas National Guard. His unit was stationed in Austin, Texas, on Outbreak Day, the day the CBI pandemic reached critical mass in The United States. Scattered grey hairs, wrinkles, and an expression of mournful thought add character to his face.]

Where were you on the night of September 26th?

Shit, man. Where was anyone? We were all running around like a bunch of fuckin’ scared chickens. Shit, that’s what we were. Scared little chickens, waiting for the packs of runners spilling out the hospitals to eat us up, feathers and all. Yeah, that was all fuckin’ chaos.

[Jonathan sighs.]

My unit was posted up at Camp Mabry, this National Guard Facility just north of Austin, practically in the suburbs of the city. We knew something big was about to go down, but nobody had a damn clue what it was. Officially, we were there for maneuvers or some shit, but me? I didn’t care. Stupid kid that I was, all I could think about was scampering right back to college to chase girls and party.

It was something like… 03:00 when our asses got pulled out of bed. We were told there was widespread rioting in the city, caused by some biological agent. We had to suit up for chemical warfare, put these goddamn respirator masks on - you couldn’t see or shoot for shit in them.

My unit piled into a caravan of Humvees, and drove on down to Austin. We were supposed to set up roadblocks. Pfft. Like that would work. And then… we got new orders.

[Jonathan lapses into an awkward silence, eyes fixated somewhere far off.]

What were your orders?

To shoot on sight. Civvies, infected, whatever moved and had two legs.

Did you carry out those orders?

We didn’t know anything, goddammit! We killed all those innocent people, okay!

Fuck! It wasn’t us.

We were following orders. It was the fucking government. They let this shit get outta hand in the first place. All of the politicians were too busy playing their games in D.C. to pay attention to anything that was happening.

What’s your opinion on the soldiers who disobeyed their orders?

They did the right thing. I wish any one of us had the balls to do what they did. They saved more lives than any of the idiots in offices ever could have. And God know they didn’t deserve a damn bit of what happened to them.

The court martials?

Yes. And when they lined them up, and shot them... on fucking live television! I remember it, goddamn... the kid- that damn kid- he couldn't be older than nineteen. He sobbed the whole time. God. I don’t know how anybody thought that was a good idea.

No wonder the Fireflies, the WLF, the Ravens, those rebel sorts, got to be so popular.

It didn’t send the message they- the government- wanted to send, you know. Instead of coming across as “This is your government. We’re still in charge.” it turned to be more of “You don’t listen to the government, you little shits, and we’ll shoot you.”

Goddammit. So stupid.

Can you describe any other events that transpired that night?

Well, we… just… contained the… uh… the infection…. until morning. Major Tom- he ordered us to withdraw, and we all booked it back to the Humvees.

I remember clambering into the turret and just watching the infected pour down the street. We didn't have any ammo for the .50 cals up top- we'd run out an hour before. I only had two bullets left in my little Beretta- I’d been saving ‘em for me and my buddy.

I remember- guys were crammed into our Humvee, everybody but our driver had someone sitting in their lap. There were infected (I don’t know, it could have been people) pounding on the Humvee’s doors, the radio was full of this godawful, panicked, squawking, everybody was screaming at the driver to get the fuck outta there, he was screaming back at them to shut the fuck up. He finally put the Humvee into gear, and we barreled back up the highway.

I could see and feel the Humvee jolt up and down with each body that we ran over- it was like a- fucking corpse rollercoaster.

I remember peeling out of there, watching the sunrise, watching the city burn. The sky was this dirty, brownish-red; the color of the blood that was spattered all over the front of our Humvee, the color of the fire and smoke and blood that was swallowing the city up.

I’ll never forget that.

[Jonathan Hendricks was killed in action on 01/06/20XX.]

Chapter Text

[The following is an excerpt of the Hansen-Fiegel Proposal.]

Chapter Text

The following is a transcription of a video address given by President [REDACTED] on national television on [REDACTED].

[A dark, hardwood podium, bearing the Presidential Seal, sits in the center of a makeshift stage. The back of the stage is demarcated by royal blue drapes.]

[President [REDACTED] enters from the left, and centers himself at the podium. President [REDACTED] begins to speak.]

My fellow Americans, I stand before you today; in a time of great challenge and uncertainty.

The world as we know it has changed dramatically, and we have faced trials that none of us could have imagined. The sudden outbreak of the Cordyceps Brain Infection has tested our nation’s resilience, courage, and unity; qualities that the American people display and possess in abundance. Because of these extraordinary and uniquely American qualities, we have witnessed communities coming together, neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers becoming friends.

We have witnessed acts of bravery and sacrifice from our first responders, our healthcare workers, and our military. These brave men and women have stood on the frontlines of our nation’s fight against this threat, and are fighting to restore law and order even in the face of chaos. Because of them, our union remains strong. The military is making large gains and securing additional Quarantine Zones. This is our turning point. We are not, and will not, become the last of us.

Mankind will prevail. Make no mistake: we have faced many dark days, and there are more to come, but the light of hope still shines brightly, but this crisis-it can’t last, and will not. Your government remains dedicated to protecting the life, liberty, and property of every American citizen. Scientists and researchers are working tirelessly to understand the infection and develop a cure. The CDC is working hand in hand with the World Health Organization, local, and state health authorities to ensure the well-being and safety of every American. The-

[Sounds of gunfire, screaming. The President turns his head and presses a finger against his ear. A faint voice: “President, we need to leave... [unintelligible] the perimeter.”]

God bless you all, and good night.

[Men in suits, handguns drawn, escort the President offstage. The sound of gurgling infected and gunfire draws close. A helicopter can be heard taking off.]

[A bloodied infected man, dressed in khakis and a flannel shirt, charges across the stage with a shriek. A burst of gunfire rips into the infected man, throwing him into the podium and to the ground. The dying man twitches and moans as his blood covers the stage and coats the blue drapes. The Presidential Seal, riddled with bullets, dangles from the podium at an awkward angle.]

[The screen turns black.]

Chapter Text

[The following is a transcript of a conversation between Senator Bernard Servopoulos and General William Kaine.] 

/////BEGIN RECORDING @ 12:37:42///// 

[A door opens. Footsteps and muted conversation.] 

Voice: Your visitor, Senator. 

Sen. Servopoulos: Oh, yes. Thank you, Mark. That’ll be all for now.  

[Footsteps. A door shutting.] 

Sen. Servopoulos: That’s my boy Mark, you know. He’s a good kid. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr…?  

Gen. Kaine: General William Kaine, Senator.  

Sen. Servopoulos: Oh, yes, yes, yes, excellent, of course! You’re the kid who pulled us out of Afghanistan so skillfully. My congratulations on a job well done, son. We needed those boys back home to deal with- you know, the situation.   

Gen. Kaine: Thank you, sir.  

Sen. Servopoulos: And... [Chair creaking.] What brings you here to my office today?  

Gen. Kaine: The security of-  

Sen. Servopoulos: Oh, God. This isn’t about Representative... what's-his-face getting chewed on, is it?   

Gen. Kaine: No, sir.   

Sen. Servopoulos: Good. The fuckin’ Capitol Police have already put us through another three of their goddamn safety meeti- Oh, you want one?

[A lighter clicks. A deep breath, in and out.] 

Gen. Kaine: No, sir.   

Sen. Servopoulos: Heh. Alright. Well, what are you in here for anyway? I forgot already. [Laughter.]   

Gen. Kaine: I wanted to discuss some matters pertaining to the election.    

Sen. Servopoulos: Well, what about it? The con man versus the harridan. Who gives a shit! The country’s got bigger problems, you know, I think that-  

Gen. Kaine: Senator.   

Sen. Servopoulos: What, man? I was-  

Gen. Kaine: Senator. I need you to listen. There is not going to be an election.   

Sen. Servopoulos: [Laughter.] Oh my god. Lou is tryin’ to fuck with me again, isn’t he. Alright. I’ll call up the old bastard. Tell him he got me good.   

Gen. Kaine: Senator. Listen to me.   

Sen. Servopoulos: Get your hands off of me, boy! [Wrist snapping.] FUCK! Arggghhh... what... what... the hell?   

Gen. Kaine: Senator. Let me explain this to you. Come January, you and the rest of Congress are going to refuse to certify the results of the election. Instead, you are going to pass the bill that I’ve had drawn up, and declare martial law. My team and I will take care of the rest.   

Sen. Servopoulos: Fuck you, boy! Do you even understand what the hell you’re saying? Insurrection! I’ll have your goddamn head on a stake.  

Gen. Kaine: How do you think we’re going to have an election this November, Senator? Do we politely ask the infected fuck off the streets while pollsters go around and count the votes?  

Sen. Servopoulos: Yes, you fucker! Yes, we do! This is a democratic nation. The people’s vote matters, no matter what.   

Gen. Kaine: Senator, I know know that you've seen the polls. Tied election. That’s what every last one of the pollsters says. More gridlock, more partisan squabbling, more government incompetence. Right at the time when our nation needs that sort of bullshit pitched out a window. 

Sen. Servopoulos: You piece of shit.   

Gen. Kaine: The people want action, Senator. They want- [Fisticuffs. A chair careens into a wall.] Please stop, Senator, you’re only hurting yourself.   

Sen. Servopoulos: You jarhead bastard. I’ll- [Punches. Gasps of pain.] never go... [A body thuds to the floor.] 

Gen. Kaine: Let me show you something, Senator. [Gasp.] That’s your little girl Tessa. Do you see her? Do you the rifle trained right on her pretty little head? Do you see your son Mark in the car- with my men? Do you understand, Senator?   

Sen. Servopoulos: Why? Oh, God? Why? [Sobbing.]

Gen. Kaine: Why? Because I need your help, Senator. You can help me save this nation from the plague that is going to eat it alive. Think about it. You'll be a hero. You’ll be different. Different from the others who sit and watch while the American people suffer and die.  

Sen. Servopoulos: God forgive me...  

/////END RECORDING @ 12:45:01/////

Chapter Text

[Valerie Nuñez served as a senatorial aide during the final years of the [REDACTED] administration. She was present in the Senate Chamber during the passage of the 2017 Establishment and Enumeration of Federal Emergency Powers Act (EEFEPA).]

Ms. Nuñez, can you describe the events of the day that occu- wait, one second Miss… this is Lewis Farr, investigative journalist with the Washington Underground, interviewing Ms. Valerie Nuñez, an aide to the recently deceased Senator Savopoulos. Ms. Nuñez has some doubts about the recently passed Establishment and Enumeration of Federal Emergency Powers Act. 

Umm, once again, Ms. Nuñez- can you please describe the events leading up to the passage of EEFEPA?

Gladly. I woke up at five thirty sharp- met with Senator Servopoulos at six, was escorted to the Senate chamber with him. The ride there was rough. Our new FEDRA escort made us late by fifteen minutes. Unforgivable. Fifteen minutes. I swear they shot everything living within sight on that ride.

The Senator was on edge the whole time. Had something to do with the FEDRA goons. I could see it in his eyes. He looked hunted. Every gunshot made him twitch. He went white watching a FEDRA man empty a whole magazine into some infected, boot firmly planted on its chest. Blood sprayed everywhere – it coated the windows, got all over the car. Wasteful, unnecessary- we lost another thirty minutes having the vehicle decontaminated.

We got to the Capitol- the Senator needed me to hold him coming up the stairs to his office. (The elevators were “out of order,” thanks to new energy restrictions.) He couldn’t walk; he was shaking so bad. FEDRA goons were formed up around us, just watching- utterly emotionless in their fucking gas masks as they marched us up the stairs.

I was the only staff member they’d let come with him to Washington the previous week. The rest of his household was being “relocated” to a safe house outside of Boston by FEDRA.

Why do you think you were the only aide allowed to accompany Sen. Servopoulos?

I don’t know. I wasn’t very threatening? I thought the Senator would have wanted his son with him… I don’t know, I’d only been with the Senator since late November.

Mark… he’s a big guy, six-foot-two. Loyal to a fault, been protective of his family forever.

Why was the Senator’s family not relocated to a QZ?

Massachusetts didn’t have any QZs at the time. The governor refused to relocate any of the population. Massachusetts was one of the many states that still had a lot of leeway when it came to dealing with the CBI.

About relocation- from what I heard- this wasn’t uncommon. FEDRA had been moving government officials and their families to remote locations since Outbreak Day-even if there was a nearby QZ.

Hartford would’ve been fine, now that I think about it.

Sorry to interrupt, but, uh, please could you please continue recounting the events of the day? 

Of course. We got to the Senators office; he sent me out. He took a video call. I had to stand outside with the FEDRA goons for the next twenty minutes. Those fuckers didn’t even talk. I don’t know what was wrong with them. Our military escort- I knew those guys in and out by our second week with them. We’d chat and crack jokest I heard nothing from these godawful goons.

When the Senator finally left his office, he held onto me the whole way down to the Senate Chamber. He had a death grip on my arm- his fingers were pale; his arm was shaking.

We made our way into the Senate chamber, sat down. I was able to take a seat right next to the Senator- only a few other Senators were in the chamber that day. The rest were attending the session virtually.

The walls were lined with more FEDRA goons- armed with batons, riot shields, gas masks, utterly impassive. They were standing perfectly still, blocking any exits.

The usual bureaucratic proceedings followed- bills tabled, resolutions revised. EEFEPA came up for a vote after a recess for lunch. Somehow it has gotten through the House. Representatives from southwestern states and the West Coast had pushed it though. No wonder, those were the states that had been hit hardest by the CBI. Texas, New Mexico, California, Washington. They’d been crawling with infected since Outbreak Day. 

The Senator got up, stumbled his way to the podium, and delivered one of the most powerful speeches I’ve ever seen- in favor of EEFEPA!

Did Sen. Servopoulos’ actions surprise you?

Yes. I didn’t expect the old man to come out in favor of EEFEPA - it had been a fringe piece of legislation before. Both parties wanted nothing to do with it. It was too drastic, too harsh. The president-elect and the president had both denounced it.

The Senator had been allergic to emergency powers of any sort before. Later, I heard rumors, though, about his change of heart. Not the pleasant sort. Rumors about blackmail and such. Made sense to me. The shaking, the fear- something wasn’t right. I think he was being manipulated. 

Why do you think he was being manipulated?

Look, man. It all fucking makes sense. The bill passed 79-21 in the Senate. How many senators were in the chamber that day, excluding Senator Servopoulos? Twenty-one.

How many were “voting” virtually? Seventy-eight! The same number of Senators who were living in FEDRA-controlled compounds and safehouses.

It was rigged! Nobody with any sense would have let EEFEPA pass! 

Have you read EEFEPA? Section 17? It’s tyranny! That bill handed control of everything over to FEDRA.

Those fucking FEDRA goons were forcing the hand of nearly every Congressman in the nation. I don’t even know how they got the President to sign it!

And guess who broadcasts that evening and says: “With the bureaucrats out of power, we can finally take the necessary steps to ensure the present and future security and stability of our nation.”

General Kaine. General Kaine and his fucking “boss” at FEDRA. We all know Kaine is calling the shots.

I know they murdered John. His poor fucking family- Mark and Tessa- were told that he died from a heart attack. The fucking FEDRA goons carted him back up to his office after EEFEPA was passed- I never saw John again. I know they murdered him!

And to think that the public is eating up this blatant lie that Senator Servopoulos' speech convinced so many senators of the need for EEFEPA, that the media has them cheering for Kaine's new regime-

Look- Lewis. The public needs to hear about this. Kaine and FEDRA are not your-

Well, Ms. Nuñez, thank you for your cooperation. Unfortunately, it had come to our attention that you have been presenting symptoms of CBI throughout the course of this interview, the-

The fuck? I’m not infected.

The proper authorities have been notified, and are with us- as we speak, actually. Restrain her please- she’s going to be a fighter.

What the hell are you doing? Get off of me! I’m not fucking infected-  Lewis, you sold me out… you bastard. FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU, LEWIS!

Ha. I’m not- oh shit, she’s turning!

[Two silenced shots.]

That’s a shame, really. Great scoop, she seemed to be one of the real efficient types.

Take the body outside and dump it. The infected will take care of it by morning.