War broke out in the Middle East.
Domestic terrorism got out of control.
The President tirelessly toured the country, urging patience and calm.

Then Air Force One went down.
And the President is presumed dead.
Martial law was declared, and the United States of America was turned, overnight, into a police state.

Curfews were enforced.
Identity papers were required for all.
Penalties for unlawful behavior were harsh and certain.

And it worked too, for a time.
The riots stopped.
Everyone had food, water, and power.
Stability and peace returned to the country.

But it was peace without freedom. And that was a price some of us would not pay.