Chapter Twenty Four:
"I heard the gunshot from where you told Todd to go." Alec said, even though he was completely aware of what was going to happen when he walked through that back door.
"His last name is of American descent. So is yours, but yours is significantly worse. See, the Republic has scavenged mostly all of the pre-war birth records across Canada, and most of the Vaults' records. Then they made two books, for Canadian and American names." The receptionist said.
"So, you kill people if they descend from those of another country? Even though they might be completely innocent...?" Alec asked.
"They are the reason why our country lays in ruin." The receptionist said.
"No, they aren't...you're hysterical. Even if America was the reason why China bombed Canada too, those Americans are long dead, unless they're ghoulified...it is not my fault for something that my ancestors did, over two hundred years ago." Alec said.
"It is." The receptionist said.
"You really think even if America hadn't annexed Canada, China wouldn't have sent bombs to Canada too?" Alec said.
"You think all they did was annex Canada?" One of the Republic guards yelled.
"They stole from us, executed us, caused Canadian businesses to fail while business they carried over and planted here to prosper, beat us down...allowed our country to be set on fire along with them. Any that look Chinese...well, they get an even worse death than Americans." The receptionist said.
"So basically, you already hate me, because apparently my name is American, and you refuse to let it go, even though it's over two hundred years later?" Alec said.
"Your name has more to it than that, unlike the others." The receptionist said.
The Republic guards forcibly made Alec who was still carrying EEB through the back door of the building.
There was nowhere to go as the area was surrounded by other pre-war buildings, meaning the only other way to get back out, was the way he was forcibly pushed through, and he heard the door lock behind him.
Todd was on the snow in front of him, with a bullet hole between the eyes. Alec walked towards it, and turned to meet his fate. There was a Republic soldier holding a rifle over his shoulder. His eyes widened when he saw Alec who was holding EEB. The Republic soldier suddenly put his rifle on his back and began to take his mask off. When he did, Alec's eyes widened just like how the Republic soldier's did.
"Stephen." Alec said.
"Alec..." Stephen said, almost sounding ashamed, whether it was of himself or Alec, Alec didn't know.
"So...you joined them. The killers of Ottawa." Alec said.
"So, you're American, and I didn't have much choice in the matter, just like you now. They said I shared the name of a Canadian hero during the annexation period. They told me the story of him and your American ancestor. You can learn it on your own. I don't feel like sharing stories like that." Stephen said.
"Names, nationalities, it's all I've heard since I stepped into this city. What's the big deal about them? The atomic fire made them mean nothing." Alec said.
"It's not the names or the nationalities, it's the actions that are behind them. Now, I'm sorry." Stephen said, getting his rifle off of his back yet again.
"You would kill me? Your cousin? For those who burnt down and murdered our town, for those who killed your father and my uncle. I know how you feel towards America for all what they did, but does it justify killing someone of your own blood, someone you've known for years, because of his name that I had no choice in taking, just like how you had no choice in taking yours." Alec said, enraged at his cousin.
"God damn it...I can't do it." Stephen said, unable to pull the trigger.
"Won't matter though, in a few minutes your Republic friends will come and do what you refuse to do anyways." Alec said.
"No, not true. Come here." Stephen said. He began to dig something out in the snow in front of the wall he was near. Then Alec saw what was painted on the wall which he hadn't noticed. A very dark red hand rising up to clutch the blood red maple leaf, the leaf obviously representing Canada. He looked back at the wall he was in front of and saw the same colored hand, but holding a blue eagle by the neck, and they made the eagle look like it was choking to death. Alec shrugged and walked over to where Stephen was digging in the snow.
"So what happened to Snowy?" Alec asked, curiously.
"They made the poor mutt a test subject, but after it burned like five of their scientists to death...well, they killed it." Stephen said, finally uncovering what he was digging. "You can get out of the city if you go far enough east in the sewers." Stephen said, pointing at the now uncovered manhole.
"Out of the city? We went through hell and back to get here in pursuit of these very same assholes!" Alec said.
"Two...one man cannot bring down an entire faction!" Stephen said.
"Stephen! Why have I not heard a gunshot yet?" A shout came from the backdoor of the Office of Integration.
"We cannot stop them Alec." Stephen said.
"We have to try!" Alec persisted.
"You can if you want, but remember...the next time I WILL shoot." Stephen said, as he helped Alec into the manhole. Stephen quickly covered it back up the opening after Alec was down it, and covered it back up with snow. Alec could hear yells from above, arguing no doubt. But no gunfire. Alec continued to climb down the ladder, until he reached the bottom. It was extremely hard to descend a ladder while having to carry an eyebot, and frankly, Alec didn't know how he managed it.
The sewers were entirely uninhabited by humans, full of creatures and animals that you would find in a sewer, obviously. Mainly gigantic rats though.
"If there really is something behind my name that is reason enough for me to be killed...I'll overwrite it, and end the Republic." Alec said, as he walked through the sewers, alone.
End of Chapter Twenty Four: Behind My Name