They keep a low profile as they watch, just in earshot at the rally below. Charlie and Miles are stretched out atop the building. Charlie holds a pair of field glasses; Miles a sniper rifle. They are not looking forward to what they've come to do, but they feel it is a necessary evil. They must prevent history from repeating itself. Charlie watches through the glasses, in utter horror and betrayal at what he's done. It is strange to think that this all just fell into place, like it was destined to be.
After New Vegas, they had returned with their five mercenaries to find the reeducation center had just opened for business. While her family had been distracted by the Nevilles, Monroe had decided to take matters into his own hands. He and Connor somehow had convinced her men to follow him (she still didn't know how). The seven of them infiltrated and liberated the camp. And, Monroe had personally overseen to the recovery of the men and women the patriots had held there. As each recovered slowly from the drugs and torture, they were given a choice. They could join their fledgling resistance and fight the men that had done this to them, or they could be returned home, no questions asked.
The chance to choose their own fate had resulted in most having chosen to stay and fight. And, most of those who'd stayed had been very loyal to the man responsible for their freedom. That was the pivotal moment in their entire resistance to the Patriot threat. Word spread and more people joined. Another reeducation center was taken down with similar results as well.
Soon their resistance in Willoughby had a sizable force behind it, all loyal and willing to stand behind Monroe. And at the time he'd made sure to send them where ever Miles wanted him to. He had bided his time so cleverly. Miles would come up with a strategy for their next move and Monroe would just carry it out, no questions asked with Connor at his side. They should have seen what was looming in the background as they slowly gained ground. Eventually, they had finally ousted the Patriots in Willoughby. In the process Miles had finally found the proof he needed to drive a wedge between Texas and the Patriots.
Monroe had run off with the documents they'd found in Truman's office. He hadn't even taken Connor. Always suspicious, she and Miles had tracked Monroe to Austin. It had turned out that Monroe's plan was to take the documents to Carver himself. Carver would have proof about the Andover Clan, typhus and reeducation center. What Monroe had attempted could have gone very, very wrong. He could have been arrested and shot on sight. After all, he was a walking embarrassment to the Texas Rangers after such a big deal was made over his capture and execution. But instead, Carver had taken his continued existence as further proof of Patriot treachery. Monroe had finally gotten lucky and he gamble had paid off. Texas went against the treaty and turned on the Patriots.
Monroe had once lamented to Charlie in a weak moment that everything he touched turned to shit. After shutting down that first reeducation center, it seemed that he could now do no wrong. From Texas her family and their army slowly beat the patriots back across most of the Plains Nation and former Monroe Republic. Next came the south and the remnants of the Georgia Federation.
And, with every city they freed they had been welcomed. Their army had proven to be the far lesser of two evils. As time had gone on, the people had realized the devil they'd let in when they had accepted the Patriot takeover. The more battles and cities they lost, the more brutal the Patriots had become towards the very citizens they'd claimed to help. But the army backing Charlie's family had been helpful. After chasing the Patriots out, they had helped to rebuild and see what they could do for the towns they saved before pressing on. And the men were kept in check. Monroe and Miles had both seen to it that the men did not get out of hand and let the power go to their heads.
There had been a handful of times that there had been an issue. In Missouri a soldier had raped a local woman. In Kentucky the problem had been theft. In both cases, Monroe had addressed the men, pointing out that they were not a conquering army. They were here to help, not take over. But they were also a voluntary force. There would be no Court Martials. Monroe made it clear that those days were over for them. Instead of ignoring the crimes or punishing the men, he had simply handed the perpetrators over to the local authorities to deal with. This had proven to be the right move. The people they helped respected him for it, and his men felt they'd been dealt with fairly.
The Patriots had fled west of the Rockies, and their president had offered a truce. Knowing that giving chase across the mountains to finish the job may very well be what the Patriots wanted; that the dangers of the crossing could destroy their army, Miles and Monroe had agreed to the man's terms. The Patriots could have whatever they could hold on to out west if they stayed there and left the rest of the continent alone. Sometimes, you had to choose your battles, and a western front was not what they wanted.
It wasn't until after that that the Mathesons had realized exactly what had happened. When Monroe and Connor had left them, their army had followed. Not only did Monroe get his hold republic back, but he'd gained most of the former Georgia Federation and half the Plains Nation as well.
In the three months that have followed the truce, Monroe and Connor went on a political campaign of sorts. Connor has been introduced to the Midwest and for the most part, he's charmed them all. Monroe has been welcomed grudgingly alongside him. Word has been sent across his new holdings for each major settlement to send a representative to Chicago – the new capital of the Monroe Republic. After the hostilities had ended, Charlie and her Family have settled in her uncle's hometown of Jasper. Miles has been chosen by the townspeople to represent them. They have no love of Monroe after the town's native son tried to destroy them all before the fall of the first republic. But the people are afraid to resist. So, they've decided Miles is the best person to keep Monroe in check when it comes to their town.
So now Charlie and Miles lie in wait as Monroe addresses the people. Charlie watches his face as he speaks, the field glasses allowing her to see every nuance in his expression. What strikes her as odd is the ease with which he speaks. This is a side of him she had rarely seen. His posture is casual and his smile is genuine. He seems sincere, which she cannot understand.
"As I speak, hundreds of representatives from all over this new republic are on their way. Among them, a council will be elected to help advise as we establish a true and free republic." The mention of a free nation sends the crowd into an uproar of cheers. Monroe holds his hands out and waits for them to stop before continuing. "We will be a great and strong nation, and this time things will be different. I – I know that the pain that I've caused in the past will always be a shadow over what we are trying to accomplish. There are many that do not trust me, and I cannot blame them." The crowd grows silent; hanging on Monroe's every word. He has them eating out of his hands. In her field glasses, Charlie swears that she can see dampness in his eyes. Even she is not immune.
"As such, this will be my final act as president of the Monroe Republic. Effective immediately, I am stepping down." The crowd reacts to this loudly. Charlie and Miles look at each other, both confused.
"What is he doing?" Miles asks out loud to no one in particular.
Charlie looks again in the field glasses and watches Monroe try to quiet the crowd for a few minutes before handing them off to Miles for him to take a look. He has already set down the rifle. "He's walking away from it," Charlie says incredulously.
Finally Monroe continues, "I am handing both the presidency and leadership of the new Monroe Militia over to my son, Connor Bennett. I will remain as needed in an advisory capacity as this transition takes place. With Connor's aid, the Council will write a constitution that our nation can be proud of. The Monroe Republic will no longer be a republic in name alone. A representative government will be established. Connor will remain in the presidency over the next several years until an election process can be established. Things will be different."
The people cheer again as Monroe steps back to allow Connor to come forward to speak. Charlie takes the field glasses back and watches. She can almost see the pride and love on Monroe's face as he watches his son now. Thoughts are racing in her mind now. She doesn't even hear Connor as she stares at his father, trying to decide what his angle is. Why give it up? Is he going to run the Republic in the background? Is he really going to walk away? Both she and Miles are shocked to the core.
Connor has the crowd laughing one minute, crying the next. He's good. He waits for them to quiet down, following his father's actions from earlier. What happens next startles them all – "And now for my first formal act as President. Sebastian Monroe, you are hereby under arrest for the murder of Emma Bennett. You are also under arrest for war crimes too numerous to count. For the razing of Jasper, Indiana, for mass genocide, immoral recruiting and conscription practices under the old republic. And, for treason against the people. You have already been found guilty of most of these crimes by the Sovereign Nation of Texas."
The look on Monroe's face is heartbreaking. This was definitely not a part of the plan. The pure betrayal written there brings tears to Charlie's eyes. She now realizes what Monroe was doing. This had all been for Connor. And now, as he hands over the reins to a brand new nation to his son, he has been stabbed in the back. Two soldiers grab a struggling Monroe as a new figure steps forward. Charlie cannot believe her eyes. Wearing a Texas Ranger uniform stands Tom Neville himself. Charlie hands the field glasses to Miles so he can see what is going on.
As he looks Miles' jaw drops open. "The little bastard is in league with Neville. I can't believe it."
Connor stands before his father, who is staring him down in absolute sorrow. "Ambassador Neville is here to represent Texas. Your original death sentence will be carried out. Tomorrow at dawn you will be hanged for your crimes, as there is no doubt to your guilt. Only then will we be able to move forward."
Charlie and Miles watch as Monroe is drug away. They stare at each other for several minutes. They can both see what the other is thinking, but it is Miles that finally puts it to words. "Looks like we've got to save his ass one more time, kid." Charlie just nods in agreement. They climb down the back of the building back onto the street and head back to where Rachel and Gene are waiting. They've got a jailbreak to plan.
A/N: There are still doubts about a season 3. If there is to be one, I think this would be an interesting path to take things. Because let's face it. The Patriots can't be the big bad 2 seasons in a row, and we've already had Monroe as the big bad. Even if we didn't all love new Monroe so, it would be old hat for him to be the bad guy again. So what if a different Monroe was at least at first, the antagonist? I'm not sure how far I'm going to take this exactly, at least a few chapters if anyone shows interest in it. There will likely be eventual Charloe lovins' cause hey- it's fun to write. A bit of a slow burn though maybe? Anyways please let me know what you think and if you have any interest of seeing this go somewhere. Thanks for any favs and comments. I always appreciate them! Makes writing more fun if I know someone is paying attention