[ WP ] Riots cover the Earth in major cities , causing anarchy to prevail . Two anarchists sit back , watching the riots , wondering what happens next .

The earth shook violently as another mine went off. Not that it mattered. Mines can ’ t stop the ocean. Artillery fire rained down, scarring the earth with gaping holes. Not that it mattered. Artillery can ’ t stop the storm. It was mayhem, utter mayhem. Ash drifted lazily on the breeze. 
 
 Marcus stood on the roof of an abandoned military bunker, looking out over the once great city of San-Francisco. There with him stood Gunther. They had, in a sense, started this war against government. More accurately, they lit the match that burned down Chicago. Well, they actually quite literally did that. 
 
 It was about twenty years ago when it all started. Alaska. Both of them were from Alaska. Alaska had always been a state that wanted out of the useless rabble rousing of politics. It fought so hard to become a state. It was politicians in Washington that made it so challenging. Oppressive monopolies, vieing for control over the natural wealth of the great frontier. This persuaded men in suits and ties more than the wishes of hard working americans. 
 
 And in the years that followed, many many years, things became ridiculous. Socialism is one thing, but America stumbled deep into the ways of Communism. Of course, it wasn ’ t called that. Lord no. But Marcus knew what it was. Gunther knew what it really was. And when they called the government out on it, when their entire state called them out on it, Communist America reacted as was to be expected, with force. 
 
 But the war was long, arduous, expensive, and not worth the time of the American forces. Alaskans, much like the indians who lived there so many hundreds of years ago, knew how to defeat the tactics of white man. This time, the odds were in the natives favor. Fifteen years of bloody conflict. The U.S military couldn ’ t pin down the Alaskan resistance. American ’ s were met with resistance on every front. Even when Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Barrow fell, America had not won any ground. 
 
 Many fled into the woods, and survived. The rest went into hiding there in the city. No one joined the United States. Guerrilla war fare became standard, and the U.S military, long ago having lost their superior fighting strength, lost again and again. 
 
 Alaska fell into anarchy. The United States military presence soon fell away. But that is what gave hope. Within five years of the withdrawal, everyone spoke of revolution, of doing away with oppressive governments. If it worked in Alaska, why not here. Then came the bombs. Then came the mines. Governments, one by one, all around the world, fell. 
 
 And leading the rebellions were the two who first showed that people did not need to rely on Uncle for anything. Everything needed to succeed could be acquired by ones own personal ambition. And victory had been achieved. 
 
 “ We did it ” Gunther stated solemnly as fire rose up from the crumbling buildings. 
 “ Sure as hell ” Marcus replied. 
 “ What now ” Gunther asked, still looking on. Marcus breathed in deeply, exhaling threw his mouth. “ Wait a moment. Enjoy the moment. This the end of an era we ’ re witnessing after all. Why not relish this moment of history. ” 
 
 Gunther held a 9mm in his hand. He called it Lucky Nine, claiming that he would die in battle unless he carried that weapon. Often he would ’ nt even discharge it in a fight, but he carried it none the less. Gunther switched it from his right hand to the left hand. 
 
 Marcus stared out on to the burning city. The artillery had stopped. There were no more explosions. There was cheering. Much cheering. Marcus was steadily looking at his watch. Waiting. He knew what was coming. 
 
 “ Why do you keep glancing down like that ” Gunther asked Marcus. “ Got somewhere you got to be? ” 
 “ No. It ’ s somewhere I don ’ t want to be. I ’ m just making sure I can enjoy this for as long as possible. You know. ” 
 “ No I don ’ t actually. What are you talking about. ” 
 
 Gunshots began to ring out from down in the city. The rattling of machine guns echoing off the burning walls. “ Marcus. Waiting for what. ” 
 
 “ Gunther, a man once said ‘ the worst government on earth is better than anarchy ’. I ain ’ t against government. But I know it ’ s over. I ’ m leaving. I ’ m be-lining for Alaska. I ’ m going to disappear into the wilderness and never see another living soul again. And if I do, I will shoot them on sight. Because in an anarchist society, the only way to survive is shoot first and ask questions later. ” 
 
 “ That ’ s a shame ” Gunther said looking down at his pistol. “ Real shame. ” Gunther wiped his nose. “ I guess I won ’ t be seeing you then huh? ” 
 
 “ Afraid not ” Marcus replied, watching Gunther and the weapon. 
 
 “ Marcus, we both know that between the two of us, you ’ re better in a fist fight. And we both know I ’ m a quick draw, but I ’ m not that quick. And we both know that neither one of us wants it to end this way. ” Marcus was holding his breath, scared to breathe. “ So... here. ” 
 
 Gunther handed the weapon over to Marcus. “ May it serve you well old friend. ” Marcus had never seen the burly, dirty man even shed a single tear. But Gunther shed them now. Marcus took the dirty battered pistol. Marcus felt dead, as though his soul were weighed down by bones of his victims. He felt that he had been wrong. Revolution, governments, communism, liberty, was it worth all this. Was freedom, complete freedom, worth this 9mm pistol. 
 
 Marcus bowed his head. “ I can ’ t accept this. ” He handed it back to Gunther. “ Not Lucky Nine ” 
 “ It ’ s alright. ” Gunther said quietly “ I ’ ll do it for you ”. He put the gun under his jaw and squeezed the trigger. 
 
 Marcus stared as the body of Gunther fell to the ground. No. Oppression would have been better than this. Marcus stared for only a moment longer, then, taking the pistol from the hand of Gunther, sprinted for camp. He hot wired the jeep with the most gas, grabbed the best shotgun he could find, loaded as much food as he could and then raced north to Alaska. 
 
 It was only after he was out on the ruined highway, did Marcus finally cry. No. The cost of Liberty was to great.
