Downpour

{Some context in a dramatic violation of show don’t tell: I'm special administrator of the northeast corridor (Portland-Seattle) and the federal government under President [Ultra-Reactionary Politician] has just moved to shut down all higher education.}

The hallway echoes as I walk quickly towards the council chamber. I know the protests are going to grow most quickly at Reed, and I want to have this done quickly enough that I can minimize the damage there.

"Ah, Lilah," Jon Gardener says to me, "you're just in time for us to begin deliberations. Feel free to help yourself to coffee, I know I needed it this morning."

"While I appreciate the sentiment Jon, we don't have time for pleasantries" I smile in a way that says I don't really appreciate the sentiment. "We also don't really have time deliberation. The US military is offline thanks to our friends in the Bay Area, but who knows how long that will last. Meanwhile I have protestors up and down the corridor who are going to have their leaders keep the schools open whether or not those leaders are us."

"I've prepared a resolution officially cutting our ties to the US and vesting the executive with emergency wartime powers. The speech is ready, I just need your unanimous assent. You vote, I'll give the speech at Portland State, then you can all go to bed while I prepare our defense system."

"Miss Rosenfield," says Barbra Lee, "I don't see how we can declare war on the second most powerful military in the world, then turn over all our power to you without at least discussing it."

I want to get mad at her, but I can't. Instead, I sigh. "Look. We all knew this was coming. It's not like we haven been preparing the SNOWFLAKE defense system for three years now. The time for deliberation is over. We can't wait till Yarvin decides to start shooting our journalists. We need to take action now if we're to unite the citizens."

Lee looks very uncomfortable, but averts her eyes and says: "I don't like it, but if this is the only way to preserve our way of life, then so be it"

I nod. "It is"

All the members look through the resolution. Diedra Hart moves to pass it. Gardner seconds, and the votes are tallied one-by-one.

Unanimous approval.

As soon as the record-keeper and attorney sign, I thank the council, pick up the resolution and the speech, and leave the room.

On my phone, I punch in a number, then a long string of characters, then lift the phone up to my mouth and say "Activate operation snowflake, code two. Verify." My phone pings a confirmation, and I speed down the stairs and out the front door.

The city has already called a custom secure MB AutoDrive. I load myself into the car, and find, to my surprise, that my wife is sitting next to me in the back seat.

"Is it done?" she asks.

I nod. "No issues."

She cuddles up to me and I reciprocate, only slightly distant. "I guess you have a big speech to give then."

"Yup"

She pulls away then looks me in the eyes. "I want you to know that I'll always stand by you. No matter what happens." Then she kisses me.

We cuddle a bit more, then our AutoDrive arrives at the blockade.

I get out, and the police escort me to the center of campus. There is a teeming throng of people, teetering on the edge of protest, and riot.

I briefly allow myself to wonder what Reed must be like. Then I shake my head and ascend to the sound system the police have set up on the steps of a building. I look out over the crowd, take a deep breath, and begin:

"Today, in response to the unconscionable and anti-democratic actions of the federal government, the Northwest governing council has unanimously passed a resolution severing our ties to the United States of America. From now on, we are our own nation. From now on free to celebrate the values we all hold dear. Now, make no mistake, the vile reactionaries in D.C. will attempt to destroy our new nation, but together we will repel their attacks, and from the flames of their dying nation, our amazing cities will be reforged..."