Free Dominatus by D. W. Ulsterman Page B

his strength before speaking again.
     
    “I assure all of you, no danger is imminent.  Precautions, communications…have been taken to ensure that.  Carol Denny will not visit us again tomorrow, or next week.  Beyond that?  Beyond that, each day we have in freedom is a blessing is it not?  Let us be thankful for that, and not waste time in the creation of negative energy worrying over things… beyond our own control.  Young Mr. Neeson here, in his own way, his own very important way…is a soldier of liberty…and I invite him to stay, to observe, to question any of us who choose to answer, and to then communicate to the world there are those of us who have not forgotten the true America.  Those of us who have not yet bent completely to the will…of…of…the mandates.  Perhaps our story shall once again, light the fire of freedom for those still seeking the warmth of its truth.”
     
    The Old Man then turned to me and took my hands into his own, his ancient face smiling up at me.
     
    “This is my granddaughter Dublin…Dublin Nabiah Meyer - the last of my family.  She has been with me, assisting me here in Dominatus, for nearly ten years, and she can be your guide as you interview others.  She will show you our community, what we have truly accomplished here.  You can return to Mac’s residence, and she will arrive there shortly after.  Once you have spoken with the others, please feel free to visit me at my cabin and we will have our own conversation.  Is that acceptable to you Mr. Neeson?”
     
    “Yes sir, and thank you.  Thank you for your kind words.”
     
    “No Mr. Neeson, thank you.  Your time here is far more important than you may realize, God is not done with the world just yet, and each of us will play our part.”
     
    Again my face betrayed my emotion – this time confusion over The Old Man’s words.
     
    “Time enough for explanations later, Mr. Neeson.  For now, simply await Dublin’s arrival at the tavern.  Perhaps she will allow you the opportunity to interview her first.”
     
    The Old Man’s eyes looked over at his granddaughter, a hint of mischief dancing within them.
     
    Dublin regarded me for the first time and allowed the briefest of smiles.
     
    “If it pleases you, Grandfather.”
     
    Alexander Meyer stepped away from his granddaughter and once again faced those gathered in the hall, his hand now pointing to a small American flag that had been placed against the wall.  It too was devoid of the New United Nations emblem that the mandates now required of all U.S. flags.
     
    “Let us say the pledge as the citizens of the United States once did.  We do so not out of a need to agitate the authorities, but rather to honor the country that was the home to a good and honorable people.  In my time, school children across the country began each school day reciting this pledge.  Then President Barack Obama, now the Great Consulate of the New United Nations, signed an executive order banning schools from requiring students to recite this very pledge.  History, the history approved by the mandates, ignores that moment.  For them, it does not exist.  For me, I mark that moment as a signal of what was soon to follow.  As each of us now understands too well, tyranny creeps before it overtakes.  And so, if you so choose, join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.”
     
    Every person turned to face the small flag of the old America.  I saw Mac’s hand cover his heart, and the hint of tears forming in the corner of his eyes.  Every voice then rose up to join with the Old Man’s – it was the first time I had heard the pledge publicly in over twenty years.
     
    I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
     
    The Old Man then turned to make his way slowly down the steps of the stage and toward the exit at the other end of the hall.