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So I'm back

♩ ♫ So I'm back, can't you see, this school work blog belongs to me

So I'm back, can't you tell, this writing bit has gone to *ahem*

Raison d'être

Something, something I'm back y'all. In case this blog becomes known to more than the school friends (and Creative Writing teacher) I intended it for, this is my Tumblr blog. It was a place that I made to meet assignments for my Creative Writing class. Why did my teacher choose Tumblr? Not my problem, but hey at least I've got an account and I forced myself to see if I could write from the seat of my pants. It's gonna get better (as so many things do) so hold tight as it's gonna take a hot second for me to actually produce something of worth. For posterity sake, lets answer some questions:

Who are you and why are you in my blog?

I primarily answer to Jack, though I've never had the same account name on one website. No, I'm not doxxing myself, nor do I suggest one to do so as it violates everything from common courtesy to common law. (probably) As for the second, yes you're free to unfollow me if you didn't mean for me to stuff your blog, I take loneliness well, much more than others.

So, do you have a whole line of content set up in advance?

Ha ha ha ha, nah. I've got character ideas for multiple serieses that have been stuck in my mind since before The Pandemictm began and have been mulling it all through till now. Which means ALONE and All in for '16 are finished, more because I didn't have an end in mind. ALONE is the more likely one to come back. Does that mean I'm keeping ALONE up on my blog? Yes. Shocking, I know, but I can only hope that my writing and my newfound love of sketching has improved exponentially in the past five years.

This is gonna be a dead blog, then?

No, not at all. I wouldn't expect updates on here on any basis otehr than what I well please. No promises, though I do hope to put something on here, perhaps character sketch ideas.

What are you working on now?

Uh...TBA, though I've got this Urban Fantasy action thriller called Shadow Minister. It's gone through its own genre phases (high concept SitCom to straight political thriller to Classical Horror to somewhere in the center). I also have what I now call my Creative Distractions for ideas that sound cool but fit better in oneshots or in other series.

SETH: A Social Invention is most likely what ALONE was: post-apocalyptic setting though spiced up in my own way.

Face of the Deep, my foray into my fascination with the fear of oceans and the idea of only having a single line to the surface to pull you back.

A Burning Palace in which the Russian immigrant family Palatniks stumble upon a very, very bad time with my overarching story lore. It's set in 1880s post-Haymarket Riot Chicago. Much, much research is needed to get the feel of 1880s Chicago, though I can't help but feel that Jane Addams and the 1889 founding of Hull House is featured, perhaps a fictionalization?

What now, then?

Idk...just felt like updating this old blog. Also I'll see if I can change the name, though I've got a feeling I cannot. If not, the name stays. I hope this post finds you well :)

-Jack

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@jonathanwilliamsonline @i-am-ultimate42 @amandapanda1600 @boricuaboy22-blog 

Ray-Ban Sunglasses

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@jonathanwilliamsonline @i-am-ultimate42 @amandapanda1600 @boricuaboy22-blog 

Ray-Ban Sunglasses

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All In for ‘16: Chapter IX: Flashbacks and Nightmares (Week 16)

August 31, 2015, Baudin Estate, Albany, New York, 10:49 AM, EST

A quiet lividity was flowing through Geoff Baudin's veins. Just yesterday, as he was arriving home from Sunday Mass, the Senator was notified about a leaked video chat from Catholic school days when he was training to become a minister. He was staring at the YouTube video when it ended. He didn't look at the comments section because he knew exactly what they'd say. Baudin was running as the Family Man Democrat, someone of the likes of Jimmy Carter, but with more experience and a spine to boot. He viewed himself as a Liberal in the vein of Al Gore, Michael Dukakis, and Hubert Humphrey. His relatively pro-life position had given him a national edge but ceded much to the rest of the field. Now, he was falling much in the vein of his heroes. His heart sank as he closed the MacBook Air. Beyond that was a fairway, where geese were sitting in their pond. The Sun had made it look symbolic to a new era for his life. However, it was not to be. He took another sip of his usual orange juice, as he reminisced his life twenty years ago.

Young Geoff Baudin was being carried with two friends of his on his side. He was sat down in his dorm as Geoff tried to explain.

"Dude, what happened to you?" Geoff's mind stumbled to make a reply.

"I had a woot canaw..." All of them laughed all the harder.  Geoff tried to stop his friends from laughing.

"Duuude, you sure they didn't put any alcohol on that?" He nodded, but they grabbed something from the beer case anyways. When they put the bottle near the recording camera, Geoff knew exactly what was coming. After blacking out, he woke up with a buzz to end all buzzes. It was around 8 PM or so, so he was already disoriented. The snickering from his colleagues. He was screwed to no end. But that was only the start. After a botched April Fool's prank later that year, he was set for a major back surgery. To that, his friends would have fun with him to no end. His back surgery came, and so was their friends 'experiments' with him on painkillers. He would have a near death experience multiple times, but his friends said it was completely worth it. Geoff's dreams of being the first American Pope had been buried right into the ground. His college days were a wash, but he got a wife out of it. Now, he was the Senate Minority Leader and frontrunner for the Democratic Nomination for President. As unlikely as it was, a person with that dark of a blotch in his life might be the next President. However, his days of being a relevant politician are now over. The leak was actually the least bad part. His vivid, drug-filled description of turtle reproduction was actually the tamest ten or so minutes of the event. If he came fully clean, he would have to apologize to women, Jews, African-Americans, the working class, Canadians, the Kennedys, Clintons, so many people that sent him to Washington. While the source could have been anyone, he knew one person, in particular, that would try and get a shot at him like that. And that Massachusetts Senator will rue the day she dared cross the Baudins.

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All In for ‘16: Chapter VIII: Larry the Lion (Week 15)

August 7, 2015, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, New York, 11:58 PM, EST

"Seriously, though, it's great to have you on the show."

"It's been an honor. Cheers!" The former Coloradoan Senator replies as the two drank their glasses.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Larry Jones!"

The crowd cheered as the two shook hands. He waved as he briskly walked backstage. It was crazy to think that one company could dominate the mainstream media like Inside Washington has. Heck, they only started some three years ago from an off branch of NBC's buying out a failing newspaper. The Coloradoan hated the fact that NBC still has the amount of stock they do in the juggernaut. He finally met back up with his campaign manager and communications director.

"Fantastic work, Senator!" His Comms Director complimented him, where he nodded in reply.

"Thanks. Alfonso, where are we on Operation Titanic?"

"So far, so good. I'm a bit concerned about the backlash."

"Backlash? Backlash how?"

"It's dirty campaigning."

"Alfie, both of us know that's how we take him down. He's worse than St. Helens when it was about to blow. Plus, it's our next move on the chessboard that is this election cycle."

Larry Brent Jones had lost his latest election by less than 500 votes to some upstart Libertardian Congressman, Alex Winchester. He was indirectly funded by Senator Rinehart. He wanted Jones out the moment he defeated Wayne Allard some seven years ago. Rinehart and Jones have had a deep political disdain for each other. What's unknown was if it impacted each other personally. Regardless, the two were almost destined to be rivals. Jones was twenty years Rinehart's elder and has been in politics for about that same time longer. Ever since his election defeat, he has become a martyr of sorts for the Progressive cause. Sure he didn't have the flair of Alan Grayson, the life stories of Paul Wellstone or John Dussault, what he did have was a charm offensive the likes of a certain Bay State Lion.

Jones would jump into his car prepared for him. It really paid to be a Presidential candidate. So far, he was one of three major Progressives that are gunning for the Democratic nomination. Emily Sudworth has made her mark as the most popular, and probably the more Rooseveltian of the Big Three. Dussault, meanwhile, was gaining a major lead as the second coming of JFK. Popular with minorities, women, college-aged voters, he has an edge on Luke Recks in Libertarianism. Geoff Baudin, however, seemed to have the Democratic Establishment locked down. The trade-off, of course, is losing the Working class vote that sent him to the Senate in 2000, then the Senate Majority just six years later. The major question, however, was his enthusiasm for running for office. After Reggie Ashcroft pan fried the Democrats just last year, many put his years of crafting the Congressional policy of the Democratic Party. The Populist Left had felt rather disenfranchised by the field. While Sudworth had claimed them as her own, it was clear that she was too Progressive for their tastes. That left Larry Brent Jones, the unlikely Congressman, then Senator, and now a Presidential candidate. The Martyred Progressive wasn't content with just making a statement as his legacy, he was playing to win.

"So," his campaign manager asked him as Jones looked out at the East River. "New Hampshire?"

He nodded in reply.

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All In for ‘16: Chapter VII: Toe to Toe (Week 14)

August 6, 2015, 10:40 PM, CST, First Republican Presidential Debate, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

The clock ticks on as slowly as ever. Despite many good-hearted attempts to hide it, multiple candidates have given up hope that they would be able to get another drink of water. Regardless, the sweat is pouring on on many of the candidates. The lights seem to be blinding the peripheral vision of Senator Luke Recks, along with his colleagues that he is debating. It is no secret that they all have had it with each other already. The two-hour debate has taken a toll on many of the candidates, Senator Rinehart in particular. Every candidate standing has done their best to use their note cards to their ability. Yet somehow, many have taken the time to hit the other time.

"This next question is for Senator Recks." Ronald Dalton of the Rotunda Post, asks

"Senator, many of the candidates, and Senator Rinehart, in particular have criticized your Libertarian foreign policy. Former Vice President Dick Cheney even said that your views on foreign affairs are quote: "Far more dangerous than President Obama and President Carter's views combined." What would you do, Senator, to dissuade those who agree with that position? 60 seconds."

"First, I believe that it is 100 percent unfair to make that assumption, as the Vice President had made. Just because it is my worldview does not mean that it will be fully put into action. What's my doctrine? Get out of stupid wars, and make sure that we are the ones that make sense. For far too long, we have put yourself into a position that has made our foreign standing shrunk. We are not respected not because we are the loudest voice as Senator Rinehart and others want. For far too long we have poked the tiger, and now we have been mauled. What we need to do is reassess our national priorities, that includes in the budget and in foreign policy."

'Not the best that I could muster, but hey, it was something.' Recks thought to himself.

"I would like to respond," Senator Rinehart would reply, 'Here we go...'

"30 seconds, Senator,"

"Now, we have seen probably the greatest example of what Americans have seen since Luke Recks took to the stage in Stockdale. He, like his Libertarian counterparts before him, support this strange, weird parallel dimension where America is on the other side of the Universe. We cannot afford any more experimenting with the world. I know for a fact that the United States is best when it is leading from the front. That is what Senator Recks has said, we need leading from behind, the same from Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Carter. Look where that's gotten us." Cheers and laughs would surround the stadium.

'Alright, I'm done. The gloves are officially off.'

"-ex, -excuse me. I would like to reply to the Senator on that." The moderator shook his head. The ratings were about to disagree.

"Senator, you say that we need to stop experimenting. I've got something for you. How about you stop listening to your special interest groups and wake up to the real world? We have seen unprecedented ineptitude from people like you. What you have heard today is a cry from the days of Bush, Cheney, Rummy, and Wolfowitz.  By the way, I must ask you, though, how is that Cheney endorsement going on for you? He's the real deal, isn't he? 'Cause only a Dick Cheney-type person would forward the endless wars that after over a decade, we're still in. Twenty years ago, he said we should go into Iraq. Look where we are today? Iraq. The same war, the same place, the same enemy. Heck, the only thing that changed was the time! Senator, it is time to stop listening to those same special interest groups. It is time that we actually do something radical. Because in that same quote: "strange, weird, parallel dimension," isn't the dimension that I am in. It is the one that it exists around you. It exists around Dick Cheney. It exists by the people who thoughtlessly follow the hatred of people. Why? Because they were told to do so. The Military Industrial Complex that President Eisenhower called out in 1961 is alive and well in the Republican movement. You know why they call me Doctor Recks? Not only because of my doctorate in Economics, but also my Medical Doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. I am a medical doctor who identifies, diagnoses, and removes the disease that exists in a patient. Ladies and gentlemen, the ideology of NeoConservatism is that disease. Far too long are we blind to the un-conservative support of endless war. Ladies and gentlemen, this disease has finally been identified and has existed in the Republican Party for far too long. It is finally time to issue the diagnosis: the removal from office those that believe this malevolent disease by any means. NeoConservatism kills not only people but entire cultures. Far too long we have fought for budgets and not recognized the need to cut unnecessary military spending. This is because of people like you, Senator, that perpetuate this fake world that we cannot ever possibly cut the military budget. Now you say that I have no plan other than cuts? Yes! Of course! I believe that military has no purpose and we should get high and pick daisies. OF COURSE NOT! What does my plan do? Make sure that we have a smart military strategy that isn't bulky and outdated. We have to advance our military to a level where the national interests are not intervened. What is the Recks Doctrine then? Simple: Mess with the Untied States, or you're going to have a bad time. So Senator, shame on your attacks that I don't have a foreign policy. Shame on you for your movement that you perpetuate. Shame on you Senator, for helping to perpetuate those same lies."

Senator Recks felt like he almost fell off the platform. In fact, he only looked like he just went on a tirade, which was absolutely true. His spirits, however, were lifted when the crowd went wild. It was insane. He just took on decades of Republican established policy and seemed to have won. The moderator took at least an entire minute to calm the cheering audience down. The fact is, they couldn't. He helped light the Libertarian flame that would carry him to the White House. He looked over at his Campaign Director Ron Gliesemann, who mouthed to him that he shouldn't just drop the mic and walk off the stage from there, as much as Luke had wanted too.

"Senator...Senator" Rinehart would reply once the Panel got control of the audience

"Senator, that was completely uncalled for-" and the crowd went off again, if only for a few seconds. The Moderators would then scold the Audience regarding interruptions.

"It's uncalled for but true!" Senator Recks tried to recover

"Regardless, I do believe that you are only saying lies at that as well. You want to talk about Conservatism? How about your stances on Marijuana? On Abortion and Gay Marriage? On Trade and at the Border? You want to talk about affordability? Sure, but you also have to put into consideration that my plan is not just budget neutral, but it expands the budget. It adds jobs for Industrial America. You want to talk about how we need a new vision for foreign policy? How about one that goes out of our way to expand humanitarian efforts, funded through proper agencies. You want to talk about how I am a NeoConservative? How about the interview of my reaction to when we went to war in Iraq. While I was recovering from my near-deadly injuries, I balked at the President's decision to go into Iraq. I believed that Afghanistan was a fair idea, but I knew for a fact that his father didn't kill Hussein for a reason. He knew that stability was needed. Stability is exactly what my policy does. You say interventionist, I say solving the problem and not cowering away."

"Seeing as the two campaigns are leaving no prisoners behind on this issue, let's move on." Ron Dalton would evoke laughs from the candidates and the audience as he successfully regains control of the Debate. After they finished their answers, they would trade death stares. This would continue all the way until the end of the debate.

About an hour later, Senator Rinehart would run into the bathroom. He would sit down in one of the toilet stalls. Ben would clean off the toilet as best as he could, then he did his business.

"Some debate that was tonight," the person the stall over would say. He had no idea who it was but went with it anyways.

"Yeah...that Arizona guy sure did tear into Rinehart. I was thinking of going with him, but..."

"You're a populist?"

"Yeah, but maybe I'm a libertarian after tonight." The two laugh in their respective stalls.

"Well, it sure is definitely nice to hear that. Though, I doubt that he was all that great."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," the other person would say, toilet paper would be heard being rolled. "Rinehart really did make some good points on his policy. He definitely recovered quite nicely after the tirade by Recks." Ben would wipe up as well.

"He was okay too, I guess. Only thing is, they seem like they're never gonna have a decent conversation again." Ben would hear his neighbor flush the toilet.

"I dunno. It's just politics." Ben laughs.

"You think?"

"Benji, we just had a conversation in neighboring toilet stalls; I don't think a little politics is gonna change that." 'Luke Recks, I should've known...' "

"Thanks, Luke."

"No problem," Senator Recks says, turning on the faucet and dispensing some soap. He would then take some paper towels and exit the bathroom.

Rinehart would then flush the toilet, pull and buckle up his pants again, and would walk over to the sink to wash his hands. He looks in the mirror in case if his hair was messed up during the debate.

'That was definitely the weirdest conversation that I have ever had.' He thinks as he continues to wash his hands.

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All In for ‘16: Chapter VI: Ben’s Roadblock (Week 13)

July 4, 2015, 4:48 PM, MST, Denver, Colorado, Ben Rinehart 2016 Campaign Headquarters

After watching the Blanchard Announcement Speech, Senator Rinehart told his Campaign Manager Carrie Vasilescu to come into one of the side offices at least two stories upstairs. As the Senator was shaking all over, the two knew exactly why. Hitler's rant from Downfall would be nothing compared to the vitriol he had as his reaction. They would finally walk into an empty room full of campaign strategy maps.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL **** DID I JUST WATCH ON CSPAN?!" The Senator yells at one of the maps, intentionally not looking at his manager.

"Ben, please calm down-"

"CALM DOWN?! Are you out of your ****ing mind?! We had our entire voting base be lost because of that piece of work from New Bumf***shire. **** being calm!"

"Ben, I told you to calm down, so please, again, don't lose your cool There could be hot mics on, or worse, your kids."

Ben continued to breathe like he was Bruce Banner after returning from the Hulk.

"I hate to say it but you're right..." He continues huffing.

To say the least, the Coloradan Senator had right to lose his cool over it. The Rinehart 2016 Campaign was built on the Washington Establishment abandoning the Working Class for international trade.

"Regardless, I know that she lifted at least an entire paragraph from my own speeches. I don't remember which one, but it was far too ****ing similar to be a coincidence."

"I'll look into it." She says, quickly walking out the door.

"Every single one of these maps pointed me to victory," he says to himself. He then looks out at the Rocky Mountains, the Sun looking to land over them. He was in the 50th story in one of the highest buildings in Denver. He looked around. In fact, this was probably the same exact story that he rebuilt his company on. He laughed, thinking it fitting.

"What could I do though?" He asks, walking up to a map of Iowa. The Hawkeye State is probably the only one that would be able to seal his victory. Victory there, then beating out Adam Wade and Cindy Anne Vissering in South Carolina could set him up to a good position come Mini-Tuesday. That one would then set him up nicely to face off against the largest Super Tuesday since 2008. He scratches his chin while his eyes dart across the map, very much like how the campaigns would the week before the Caucus. He then has an idea. He runs out the door, straight for the elevator. He finally catches up to Vasilescu.

"Carrie! I need a computer, calculator, notepad, and pen. I think I know how we're gonna take down the rest of the field."

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All In for ‘16:Chapter V: A Blanche Check (Week 12)

July 4th, 2015, 5:28 PM, EST, Manchester, New Hampshire

“In the history of Congress, there has never been a person more hated than Blanche Blanchard. As well, in the history of Congress, there has never been a person more liked than Blanche Blanchard. That would be fine, except for the fact that Blanche Blanchard happens to be my best friend.”

That would most likely be the paragraph that would start New Hampshire Governor Katherine Cornett’s memoir. It’s definitely supported by her Chief of Staff Danielle Webster.

To better put Senator Blanche Blanchard in perspective: imagine Pat Robertson in a 39-year-old New Hampshirite Senator, with an expansive lexicon to boot. This image fills Democrats with as much fear and vitriol humanly possible, ��while the Republicans just hope that everything would be in at least okay condition as the cattle stampede completes. While her aura is definitely one that sends Democrats running for the hills, Hollywood in particular, Senator Blanchard is far from the malevolent creature formed from the Abyss as the NHDNC likes to remind themselves.

“Danielle! Where did you put my notes?!” the Senator yells out for her Campaign Director

“Sorry, Blanche, here you go.”

“C’mon Dani, we’ve got history to make!”

Half an hour later, and they finally arrived at SNHU’s Verizon Wireless Arena. Among the reasons why they chose the 12,000 seat arena is because 1., they were bribed by Cornett for tax credits and 2., no one else would accept when they found out Blanche Blanchard was going to be announcing her campaign there. Oh, the joys of hardball New Hampshirite politics.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Ladies and gentlemen! Woooow this is quite the crowd!" she laughs.

"Good evening Manchester! Are you fired up tonight?” SNHU Arena erupts in cheers

“I’m sorry, you probably didn’t hear me, I said are you fired up tonight?! SNHU erupts again,

“Now that’s what I call pure New Hampshire!” The crowd laughs and cheers in reply,

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by saying how thankful I am for those humbling introductions by my husband John, and my best friend and your Governor Katherine Cornett." Many in the stadium cheer.

“I don’t believe that I deserved all of it, regardless, it was an honor to hear. As for Governor Cornett’s remarks, I wholeheartedly agree. Our country truly is in dire straits. We are trapped in an economic collapse, with Washington padding their resumes, their base, and their deep pockets with dark money, rather than the People.”

“Thirty-five years ago, in Ronald Reagan's presidential announcement speech, we faced a similar, existential challenge. Once again, many believe that the best days of our nation is far behind. That we are commencing the darkest period of American history, the first time since the 1850s. We are seen as a declining nation, like that of the 1860s. We are no longer convinced that we are the best place possible to live.”

“We have had great presidents from both sides throughout our nation's history who have known how to use the powers of the office to do great things - Abraham Lincoln broke the shackles of slavery and preserved the Union when it almost fell apart, Franklin Roosevelt ushered in the New Deal, Lyndon Johnson brought us the Great Society, Ronald Reagan spurred the Conservative Revolution that put us on top of international politics, powered our economy for decades to come, and brought true freedom and lasting peace for the people of Eastern Europe. Whatever you think of these men, there is one thing that cannot be denied: they had a vision, and they made it happen. What of Barack Hussein Obama? What of James Earl Carter? What of them? Only the negatives are going to be written of them in the Annals of History. From Obamacare to the JOBS Act, from the Crisis of Confidence to the Iran Nuclear Crisis, from the Hostage crisis to the Immigration crisis. Nothing good has come of their supposed leadership.�� Cheers erupt from the stadium.

A woman of gumption who isn’t from Washington’s parts; a woman of action who gets things done with the goal of betterment to our country in mind. I believe that I am a woman of vision of our country, and the vision is simple: to make our country great again!” Cheers once again.

"Together, I want to build a new society that is going to be a better place for ourselves, our children, and their children. This road will be the most difficult to endure, however. Regardless, I know that together we can accomplish that goal. The truth is, every single time the future has looked bleak for this country, every single time it's seemed like this is the end, every single time people have thought that the jig is up and the Dream is on its deathbed, our country has come together like never before and proven doubters wrong. Our country hasn't lost some "secret sauce" that made it great; we haven't lost what's at the core of this nation. Right now, what we are missing is not a fundamental error we have glossed in making this experiment, what we are missing is someone of strong conviction, true leadership, someone who is willing to look at every detail, and examine what is wrong, and do everything in their power to fix that."

"That is what is truly needed in this country, we need not a person who has talked the talk, but has worked to fix problems, who wants to sit down, observe, and fix. We need a certain individual to turn our country around and restore the American Dream. Over the past few weeks, months, and years, me and my family have came to the conclusion that I am able to do this, to the fullest of my ability. It is for that reason that today, I am announcing my candidacy for President of these United States!" More deafening noise,

“However, it takes more than a simple vision to turn the country around; it takes a well thought out plan, and that is what I am offering today. Since the day I set foot in on the Capitol Steps four years ago, I have been a warrior for the free market and for individual economic liberty. If I am elected as President, I promise to veto any new taxes on Americans, while working to produce true revenue. It is a simple truth: Americans are taxed enough already.” More cheers.

“I will never give in to attempts to make the government skim out of hardworking people's' incomes to suit the interests of the Liberal lobby. I swear to submit legislation to Congress to simplify our tax code, get rid of special loopholes and exemptions, and finally replace our insanely complex tax code with a simpler one with a lower rate for everyone.”

“Our country also fails in trade and jobs, to China, to India, to Brazil, to places where businesses can be more competitive because of loose regulations.Meanwhile, on Main Street, our workers and businesses suffer. They can't keep up with foreign competition. However, the answer to this is not protectionist trade policies which ultimately drive up prices and hurt consumers here on Main Street. What I propose instead is to make America a place to do business again. We are being hit so hard on trade and jobs that instead of American jobs being shipped to other countries instead of other countries shipping their jobs here. We have to end the tax and waste culture in Washington.”

“The culture of economic ineptitude has annihilated once great cities, such as Detroit, once the industrial hub of the world, now deteriorated into a one hundred and thirty-nine square miles of slums, crime, drugs, and poverty. To address our struggling communities and turn them around, Washington can never possibly be the answer for our diverse regions and economies. Instead, what I've proposed is the Economic Freedom Zones Act, a bill to establish special economic zones in struggling communities which make it easier and more attractive for businesses to grow there, incentivizing entrepreneurship and job growth, allowing these communities to take the wheel on their economic destiny and make their communities great again, through the freedom of economic flow. India, China, and Europe have used this strategy. That is among the reasons why they have continuously beat Industrial America. They turned cities like modern day Detroit into metropolises like Shanghai, Mumbai, and Hiroshima.”

“Beyond this, we must focus on one of the most fundamental institution that God has given us. That is the institution of the Family. For far too long we have abandoned true Social Conservatism and Compassionate Conservatism for the likes of which Washington is far more comfortable with. Let me tell you this, if our society has shown you anything, we must never leave the issues of our Society to the dustbin. We have to truly revive our Society. We must do this so that we can have one that stands resilient to evil forces that wish to strike America down.” And the crowd goes wild...

“We must stand resilient and we shall stand resilient! We have to make sure that foreign influences will have their dirty hands off of our own oil. We have to make sure that we can control our energy destiny. We can and we will make American oil! We will break the shackles of energy dependence. We can hereby declare our energy independence! Far too long are our enemies controlling our energy destiny, our economic destiny, and our foreign policy destiny. We must stand undaunted and unchallenged in the World Stage. We cannot bow, we mustn’t bow, and we shall not bow to Iran, Russia, China, and others that hem us in. They have technologies that make our cities go dark, and shut our roads down by cutting off oil. These unconscionable facts must be met in kind. They may sever American heads with box knives, but it will be nothing compared to the fury that we will have on them in the energy market, in economy, and on the world stage.”

“Vladimir Putin laughs as we struggle to keep our countrymen and allies safe. Xi Jinping cannot keep a straight face as our men and women are being cut down in Iraq, Syria, in Korea, even at home. Hassan Rouhani and the Ayatollah finds it humorous as we sign useless pieces of papers that are much less than conciliatory notes saying “Hey sorry, we hate Israel too.” This cannot stand. We will no longer be tolerable of being spat at in our faces. We must stick by our allies through thick and thin and opposing wanton saber rattling wherever it may rear its ugly head. The key to peace is not Obama-Carter type weakness; the key to peace is only through strength. Wars do not start from a buildup of arms - they start when an aggressor thinks they can get away with taking what they want. Wars start when people like Vladimir Putin think they can get away with invading sovereign Ukraine and carving off parts of their country for themselves like a roast dinner. They start when countries like Iran think they can get away with building a nuclear weapon. They start when nations like China begin claiming parts of the South China Sea for themselves, building air bases on them to assert their supremacy in the region. By strengthening our military and using a combination of diplomacy and military might, we can forge a lasting world peace by making sure that no enemy of freedom believes they can get away with taking what they want.”

“The first step to a safe country is dealing with our existential threats, and today, that threat remains ISIS. Despite President Obama’s efforts, ISIS has not yet been defeated. If I am your President, I promise to ensure that ISIS exists only in the history books, right next to Adolf Hitler and Malcolm X. The threat of Islamic terror is too real to ignore. No longer is terrorism in “their” country. We are no longer special from the threat of terrorism, neither have we ever been. We must need a truly strong President to recognize this.”

"This is the challenge set before us. It looks insurmountable, but so was the challenges that had faced Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, and David against Goliath. Regardless of the challenge, we can and we will accomplish it. We are Americans, and history shows us that, whenever we put our hearts and minds to doing something great, we do it. Whether it's preserving our Union, defeating fascism in Europe, or putting a man on the moon, America remains the greatest nation in the history of human civilization, let’s keep it that way. "

"Together, we will drive on, we will open the next chapter in our great history and forge the next American century. With your blessing, your support, and your votes, I pledge to be that leader.  Thank you! God bless you! God bless our future! God bless these United States of America!"

With that, History looks like it has just begun.

[foamveinstoneflame]

All In for ‘16: Chapter IV: Unengaged (Week 11)

February 19, 2015, 3:19 PM, Senate Chamber, Washington, D.C.,

Emily Sudworth's mind is in two places at once. Right now, it's hearing a bill, sponsored by Senator Adam Pike of North Dakota, about opening up the ANWR to oil exploration. It's definitely a pander to his fracking-loving buddies, but that's not her focus. 25-25-16-15-10, that's what's on her mind. Those numbers are the current polling numbers that she is at against former Majority Leader Geoff Baudin, John Dussault, Dex Elkins, and Ed Kensington. The surprising thing is, every single person in the Democratic Leadership is livid against it. The reason being is because the day that Geoff Baudin announced his campaign two weeks ago, Emily Sudworth eviscerated those who take in billions international trade. Minority Leader Dick Weinstein went ballistic when she went back into her office. That was a fortnight ago. Now, the entire Baudin Family is ripping apart, the Democratic Caucus is now in kind. The Congressional Progressive Caucus also has kicked her off the chair position, most likely because of Weinstein. Now, the CPC is lead by Harry Collinson, one of the most brightest minds in foreign policy that the Progressives can tout.

"That is why, Madam President, that I believe that it is unconscionable that we must open ANWR like a can of gold. Doing so affected a lot of good in my state. It is imperative..."

"Okay, I know that you're on the other party, but you have to agree that everything he just said was at least grammatically wrong." She quips to Senator Paulson, who chuckles in reply.

She audibly sighs as the North Dakotan continues his speech. 'How can they be so blind to not see that they're being played?', she thinks, 'It's as if they want to be fooled. I'll talk to Kensington, maybe he's got a few economic ideas on how to counter this with a better policy. He might be running for President, but maybe he'll at least talk.'

"I yield the floor,"

'Thank God, the torture has stopped...oh wait, I spoke too soon.'

"The Chair recognizes the Lady from New Hampshire..."

"Madam President, I come to the floor today to second what is possibly the greatest..."

'Here we go...'

[foamveinstoneflame]

All In for ‘16: Chapter III: LVKVS MAXIMVS (Week 10)

January 4, 2015, 10:14 AM MST, Scottsdale, Arizona

Luke Recks has successfully made a Libertarian empire out of Arizona. Sure he has only served since 2011 and has been an active force in Arizona a decade before that. In 2002 Recks was a little known former Army Captain who joined Goldman Sachs in the 90s. He would then get elected to Congress, where he would start work on what Luke Recks of 2015 has now. Senator Recks looks outside of his Scottsdale home, gazing at the Phoenix skyline from afar. Phoenix was an apt location to start the next chapter of the Libertarian movement in the Republican Party. In 2012, Ron Paul had gone as far as he could in his three campaigns for the Presidency. All of them had gone down in flames. It seems naive to think that this time would be different; on the contrary. Recks' Libertarian Conservatism has given him beyond what Ron Paul could ever muster. Through his years in Congress, the Arizonan Senator has a large voting base in the Copper State, an enormous fundraising machine, and most importantly, likability beyond the expansive national support he has garnered. For now, the Senator has made himself an expansive Congressional caucus. The Senate Liberty Caucus alone now boasts Alaskan Timothy Barker, Kentuckian Jack Ryan, South Dakotan Roger Johnson, North Carolinian Tim Appleton, South Carolinian Ben Chaffeman, Tennessean Jack Baker, and last but not least Utahn Rick Andora. That doesn't even count for the House members that have been included.

"Do we have the preliminary numbers?" The Senator would ask his chief of staff, Rick Gliesmann. Gliesmann is probably the number one political point man for Libertarians in America. From Ron Paul in Congress to Gary Johnson in New Mexico to Bill Weld in Massachusetts, it would only make sense that he would ask to help in what might be the most successful Libertarian campaign in American history.

"We've got 22 for Reggie Ashcroft, 17 for Samuel Garcia, 16 for us, 10 for Susan Atlee, 8 for Joe Roberts, 7 for Cindy Anne Vissering, 5 for Anderson Hewitt and 15 undecided."

"Sounds good. Why did they put Anderson Hewitt on there though?"

"No idea. I guess anti-unions is doing him good. Especially after he won that recall election."

"Well, he is a lackey for the Koch's, so I doubt he'd get far."

"Yeah, though he might go for it, just in spite."

"Maybe. Do we got word on our endorsement list?"

"Ron Paul's a yes, as well as the entire Liberty Caucus. McCain is a likely yes, though he has all but retired from politics since 2010. Doug Ducey and Jan Brewer are a lock for us. The Arizona House delegation is wavering between Ashcroft, Garcia, and us. I doubt that they'll sway that much. Governor Tilsey in Nevada is a possible yes."

Senator Recks nods in reply. It looks like Recks 2016 is coming together nicely.

[foamveinstoneflame]

All In for ‘16: Chapter II: Ben (Week 9)

December 12, 2014, 5:29 PM EST, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.,

"...3...2...1"

"Go Team Rinehart!", the Senator and his staffers say in unison. This would be the last Friday for a good amount of supporters and staffers, and this was the final group of the legion of staffers that the Senator has accumulated over the past four, five years. Many of these have been here since the beginning.

"Thanks everyone for being here. I bet we're probably the best group of staffers that we could ever assemble."

After about fifteen minutes or so, the room was cleared, and the Senator was alone with his Chief of Staff and Senior Political Director.

"So, do we have any word on the Governor?" The upbeat Rinehart asked Fitz. Fitz Fitzgerald was probably the one guy who has seen it all with the Senator. After UC-Boulder, he finished his law degree at Yale. He quickly became a seasoned political operative and strategist.

It was nothing to compare to Carrie Vasilescu, though. A former W. Bush staffer, she got up the ranks of McCain '08, and Romney '12's staff, as well as multiple Senators. Her warm personality is definitely uncharacteristic to her shrewd and calculating political mind.

"Governor Garcia said he was willing to endorse wholeheartedly, however..." Fitz replied.

"Ashcroft.."

"He said that he was willing to endorse, unless if you can assure that Majority Leader Ashcroft won't jump in the race."

"Sammy was always the cautious type, I don't blame him as well."

"The only thing is, there is word from Denver that he might be considering 2016 as well," Vasilescu jumped in,

"Oh really?"

"Well, he did meet with McCarthy for a good amount of time."

Rinehart uncharacteristically cursed in reply. "Clara McCarthy was probably the one person that he had the biggest political love-hate relationship with. She was everything that a politician could ask for in a Chief of Staff. Heck many strategists in Washington debate on whether she's a real life Doug Stamper or the second coming of Lee Atwater. McCarthy is really the sole reason Ashcroft survived 2008 against Warner; thus the unbreakable loyalty began. Ashcroft must be planning something.

"He wouldn't send his own Chief of Staff to one of my best political allies for nothing."

Ashcroft and Rinehart were very close friends. Really the only thing they disagreed on was who would be a better fit to run. The two unequivocally believe that the other is best fit staying a Senator. Ashcroft believes it mainly to keep the Colorado Seat as solid for Rinehart as possible, while Rinehart believes that Ashcroft would be the best political ally that one could have as a Senate Majority Leader. In many ways, the two were like JFK and LBJ. The recent landslide in the Midterms just last month goes further to prove it. (1958 equalling 2014).

Fitz and Carrie sit down, as Ben opens the office mini-fridge and grabs out a bottle of scotch. He then grabs some glass cups, pours them out, breaks some ice out of the tray, and walks over to the couches where they are sitting.

"So, what do you propose we do?"

"Talk to Reggie, and give him a full disclosure on your intentions for 2016," Vasilescu suggests,

Ben sighs as he considers his staff's advice as he takes a good swig of his scotch.

"Well...there really is only one way to find out." He sets down his drink and jumps up. He goes over to the mini fridge and prepares Ashcroft a scotch.

"Fitz, can ya call his office and tell 'em we're coming over there?" Fitz nods in reply.

"Mr. Ashcroft?" Emily Vandeburg, the Senator's personal secretary asks as she walks into his office.

"Yes?" The Senator asks over his glasses, papers in hand.

"Senator Rinehart is waiting outside the office and has asked to speak to you."

"Alright," he laughs, "Send him in!"

'Odd...' the Senator thinks, 'usually he's one to just walk into the office.'

Rinehart then walks into the office.

"Reggie! How's it going?" Rinehart says as they pat each other on the back,

"I'm doing great. How's your kids?"

"They're good, they're good. Hey, I'm sorry to go on such a serious note, but I do have to say something."

"Sure, what is it?"

Ben hesitates, "...eh, uh, 2016.."

"Oh...of course,"

"Look, I know that we've had discussions about it, maybe later-"

"No, no, no, no, trust me it's fine. I understand how you feel. Trust me I hate to strain my family too, but..."

"In politics, we make sacrifices..."

"Of course."

"Because that's just how the game is played," the two say in unison,

"The thing is, I'm running regardless. I...I...I cannot be sure that whoever we're going to nominate, if it's not you, that they are going to send us back. That for one, and for another, work with the House and Senate. The thing is, we're friends. So I'll have to ask you this. No personal attacks, no hitting below the belt, our families and personal lives are out ot bounds. We have to make sure that our party isn't torn to smithereens betweens between now and in two years."

Reggie agrees to the terms. They talk for a good ten minutes or so before they actually do leave. Reggie stares at the closed door, the two knowing that every single promise they made to each other would be broken.

His chief of staff Clara McCarthy then strolls into his office.

"I take it that talking to Ramos worked?" she asks,

"Like a charm!" he laughs. Ashcroft takes a swig from the glass of scotch that Ben had given him.

"So you've got the megadonor endorsement list?"

"Yep, and also I'm finalizing with Martha Logan about the logo and some of the first few advertisements."

"Any word on if she's running?"

"She would, only as a token punching bag. Though, we could fight to have her as the President Pro Tempore. Orrin Hatch seems to not be in that great of health since his series of mini strokes a few weeks ago. He's recovering well, slowly, but recovering."

"Shame about Orrin. We've known each other for a long time. See if we can get a temperature read on the Senate Caucus on Martha Logan as PPT."

"I'll reach out to Susan Atlee's staff now."

Senator Ashcroft nods in reply as McCarthy walks out the door.

[foamveinstoneflame]

All In for ‘16: Chapter I: Reggie (Week 8)

November 5th, 2014, 9:15 AM EST, Plaissance, Loudon County, Virginia

The Virginia Senator sat down on in a rocking chair on his porch outside of the Ashcroft Mansion, Plaissance. He sat down his glass of sweet tea, looking at the iPad in his hands. Reggie looked down at the final RCP results for the 2014 Senate Elections. Last night sure was a great night for Republicans. It was four years ago when working with the newly inaugurated Tea Party Senators to take down Mitch McConnell. Four years later, working with the same Tea Party, they managed to take down the Obama-Reid Senate. Washington has been completely unrecognizable since he chaired the National Republican Senate Committee in 2009 and 2010. Such as the House Tea Party Caucus, now lead by the equally shrewd Anna Marie Earnhardt. After serving ten years in Richmond as state senator then Governor, then in the U.S. Senate for the past twelve years, as well as leading the Republican Caucus for the past four years, on paper Reggie Ashcroft sounds like the candidate with the experience in governing and electioneering to win back the White House after the humiliation that was 2012.

The Tea Party, however, still distrusts the Minority Leader, despite their original support. One major reason is because Ashcroft was able to ascend to Minority Leader not because he simply outsmarted McConnell, nor because of machiavellian shrewdness, but because of the Tea Party Caucus itself. Neither the Tea Party nor Reggie would forget that. The only thing is, anything could happen between now and next year. Sure the GOP has their undying support right now. Heck, they’ve anointed him already. The problem is, what position would he be in in a year’s time? And would he be better off for it?

Regardless, there were things to be happy about. The GOP just reclaimed the Senate by 10 seats. At last, the Tea Party has decided to work with the NRCC and not intentionally sabotage races. Oregon, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Delaware, in particular were upset elections that handed them the overall majority. Sure it was traded for Grace Hollingsworth in Georgia, Chris Brink in Mississippi, and Duval Baudin in Kentucky, but was that more of an expected result? The Democratic Party has been longing for the days of the Solid South. Bush’s Compassionate Conservatism solidified them into the Republican fold. The question now was, can the Republican Party hold the South while taking the normally dark blue states? The new Senate map is definitely showing mixed messages on their strategy.

Reggie sets down the tablet on the glass table next to him and grabs his sweet tea. He drinks it, thinking of what his first things that he would do as the leader of the Republican Party.

[foamveinstoneflame]

All in for ‘16

Preface: So while I am completely invested in finishing Ohe Hundred Hours, I have been writing something that hasn’t really been something intended as a prequel. Since I’ve invested a lot in it, might as well share you what I’ve got so far. It’s way more political than I intended this blog to be, but might as well go for it.

Not so long ago, in a Capitol, far far away...

[foamveinstoneflame]

ONE HUNDRED HOURS: Chapter I (Week 7)

The day started just like any other day, except for where the President, and of course Air Force One would be. The day started at 5 in the morning. By 5:30 I would have fully woken up. By 6 in the morning, I would already have eaten breakfast as well as everything prepared for the day. The reason why my own mornings go so fast is thanks in part to my experience at West Point. At 6:23, I would sign into the White House record for the day. I walk in, coat in hand, to the sign in counter.

“Good morning April,” I would say.

“Hello Connor..” she would say in her downtrodden, thick Boston accent. ‘Yanks really don’t get us Southern people…’ I think to myself. I would stroll through the White House lobby . While it should be the norm for me, working in the White House as the Chief Domestic Advisor still gets to me. Sure it’s been three years, but for something that I have been working for nearly for my life, I’m rather satisfied, even while being thirty-five.

After getting the stuff for the plane ride to San Francisco, I would make sure that all things that were supposed to be set away were set away. By 7 AM, everything would be finished and I would be on my way punching out at exactly 7:03 AM. The ride to San Francisco was generally unnotable. Throughout the day, I would discuss with the Director of Office of Management and Budget regarding the Education parts of the budget. As we had to fight with Congress regarding education last time, almost leading to a partial Government shutdown, it would be good to hit it off as early as possible. If that meant right as the Financial Year 2019 Budget is being voted on, it is good to stay ahead of the game.

Eventually, we would make our way to the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Travelling down Geary Street, though at a considerable traffic jam due to a malfunctioning streetcar, we decided to get some air.

“You wanna get out?” The President asks mend the two other Secret Service agents that were sitting next to him and myself.

“Uhh…” I replied, my mouth agape.

“I’d advise not to.” One of the Servicemen states, trying to talk the President out of it. Due to his rather stubborn personality, and general need to get out of the rather stuffy car, we decide to get out regardless.

“What’s the worst that could happen? The President asks me as he gets out and starts to wave to the crowd.

“Everything?” I reply under my breath. The Secret Service agent lifts his wrist to his mouth. “ I need the Security Bubble. Now!”

Three seconds later, what was probably ten Secret Servicemen on each sides surrounded President Rinehart. The same agent would speak again into his wrist. “Flatiron secure, inbound to the Hotel, on foot.”

The Westin St. Francis Hotel was a very nice, and rather ritzy hotel as I remember. Many foreign dignitaries would visit it throughout the year. We would walk near to the sidewalk on Geary Street. About thirty seconds of jogging would take us to the corner of Powell Street. The Secret Service would spread out, as to let the cameras to better see. As I turned, I had my gut feeling again. This time it was definitive. Something was about to happen. Then it did.

The first two shots whirred passed myself a glass pane behind myself. Screams from the crowd would immediately follow. Then, there would be two more shots.The Secret Service  went into high gear as the first shot was fired. Three or four went into the crowd, while the rest tackled the President so that he would get down. However, it would not be enough. There would be three, then four shots. The fifth and final one would occur, though it would be into the air as the Secret Service got the assailant. After ducking from the first two shots, I would immediately make the largest target so that I would have to be avoided if the assailant wanted to get the President. As I wave my arms about, I immediately think of James Brady in the 1981 Reagan Assassination Attempt when he did a similar thing. I turn over to the Presidnet and try to run over to him. A sharp pain, however would send me hurtling to the ground. It felt like someone was slicing my spine in two. Having experience as an Army field doctor, I recognized exactly what had happened. The bullet, either the first or second one, ricocheted into my back. While I recognized the problem, there would be barely anything that I could do besides yell out that I was hit. The next thing I knew, I was staring at the ceiling fan in a hospital bed.

[foamveinstoneflame]

ONE HUNDRED HOURS: Prologue (Week 6)

“Greetings.”Those were the chilling, mechanical words that the nuclear suitcase said to greet the Leader of the Free World. If the President decided to go forward with what has been advised, then the United States’ nuclear arsenal would be five less than the reported 6,970 it has. However, the new President is not a military woman by any measure. Vice President Martinez looks at the clock inside the Football. She looked over at the label that said “WASHINGTON”. It read 05:21, with alternating blue-green and black colors. It was nearly ninety-nine hours ago when this whole thing started.“Madam Pres- Acting President...” One of the highly decorated generals around her advised her, “I highly, highly object.”General Udall’s words hung in the air.“I know...” She would reply, with a lump obviously in her throat. “I know...”The Vice President would look up from the nuclear suitcase, the greenish glow still staying in her eyes a bit. She looks over to the Defense Secretary, Arthur Edwards.“Art, are you sure there’s no other option?”“Not to my knowledge.” Secretary Edwards would reply in his thick Georgian accent. “There is no way that we would be able to avoid it, I’d say. We’ve tried everything. Including waiting.” “So...that means that we’re going to have to go through with the procedure. Mr. Peters?” She asks for the person who would carry the nuclear codes. “I would like to go through with Procedure One…”The United States, in just a few moments, is about to issue a retaliatory strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[foamveinstoneflame]

ALONE Update:

Hey guys,

Recently, I have managed to somehow delete the last update that I was making. As I was having a bit of writers block regarding the story in the first place, I do have a certain story in mind that I started a few months ago that could be interesting. Maybe, maybe not. I’ll start up that until my writer’s block passes on that story. And for now, something completely different...

[foamveinstoneflame]

CHAPTER IV: A LONG MARCH TO BOSTON (Week 5)

As I entered into the tent Colonel Porter was in, I noticed his nearly blackened eyes. They had sunk into the skull. His face was rugged and looked like it had not slept in days, if not weeks. He started to stumble, and I reached out my hand. I asked what was wrong. In a somber voice, he whispered:

“We have a chance…to…”

“To do what?” I asked as he cleared his throat.

“We have a chance…to take out the Raiders once and for all.”

“We what?” Looking at the people behind me, he ordered them out and to close and guard the tent. A few moments later, he continued.

“Over the past few years, we have developed some sort of strategy to take out the Raiders once and for all. We worked to invent a superweapon as the centerpiece of the mission, and we have the weapon fully operational. I do not know how much you are able to help, but I need every single person that I, and others trust on this.”

“Who else is on the mission?”

“Other than the one group that you helped in the Harlem Hills, about three, four, maybe five hundred units.” “Wow...”

“We desperately need everyone and anyone that we can get on this mission. I have heard that you received a fair amount of training after Harlem Hills?” “Yessir,” I replied.

“So, are you ready to go?”

“It would by my honor sir.”

“Good.” He said. Colonel Porter called me over to the map that was behind him. We discussed the strategies that would be set in place to go from Allentown to the Hartford Plains. When we reached the Hudson, the units will detach into thirds, the major force going center into the Hartford Plains, the others heading South and North, hopefully dividing the Raiders into twos. One day later, the plan is finalized.

Our journey to the Hudson River was slow and painstaking, but we made our way towards the eventual goal of the Strait of Poughkeepsie. From there, we split up into thirds as we had planned. The set up for the eventual campaign looked considerably promising. Finally, communications were lost as planned between all three units. The Battle of Hartford began.

It started out as two scouting expeditions meeting, and skirmishing, with each other. Slowly, we learned of their placements, as the Raiders surely became knowledgeable about ours. At last, we were in sight of the city that they had made. We arranged into a horned pattern, as two detachments flanked the back side of the city. However, they would be forced to retreat due to chariots from the Raiders. Finally, we would make our move by putting the “doughboys” as we called the rather inexperienced, and highly expendable troops in the front. They charged as we pushed forward into the city. Close quarters combat had stretched for what probably was a quarter mile. For a moment, it had felt like we were being pushed back as we fought on. However, the Raiders would finally retreat to the city. Seeing a potential to rout them, we charged after them into the city, conquering it like we were Crusaders in the early 1000s. Their city, which we would nickname Hartford for the plains surrounding them, would be given a provincial governor. We conquered Hartford, but there was trouble in the Southern part of the flank. We headed Southeast towards Rhodes and met up with the Southern flank of the invading force. We replenished them as we held up sieges around the islands and towns that the Raiders had made. Towers were constructed, as one by one,  we took the next city. Soon enough, we took all of Rhodes.

A final battle would take place in Plymouth. Or at least that what it looked like. We set up a three-part army with the Southern and Main flanks united together. We started our charge, as suddenly the Raiders went into their ships. We rushed to the shorelines and opened fire with every long-range artillery that we had. The close quarter combat in the city of Plymouth was difficult. It took an entire day, but we finally managed to succeed. Only Boston stood in our way now. We sent letters to the Northern Flank, with no reply. We marched North with hope that they had made it.

At last, we regrouped before the final blow against the Raiders was delivered. Once again, I met with Colonel Porter. We discussed the last stand that they are surely making now.

“We are fully in place to use the superweapon, though I doubt that we can use it now.” He told me. I asked why.

“We haven’t been able to contact the Northern Flank. There is a possibility that it won’t deliver the finishing defeat that would mean complete defeat against the Raiders.” “But haven’t we surrounded them completely?” “Yes, but we have reports that they are not there. However, I need to ask you something. We are going to have to go forward with TRITON anyways. You are the only one that can carry it out.”

“How so?”

“Because we need the element of surprise. And you have managed to not only figure that out, but you have time and time again delivered it throughout the campaign. Simply put, we need you at the command to deliver the weapon.”

I nodded in agreement, then realized what I had just done. I had agreed to send thousands of Humans to their death. My gut wrenched as I walked out of the tent. I smelled the fresh air. Suddenly, the terrible thoughts of death seeped right back into my mind once again. However, I would have to face it head on. I walked back to my tent, as it was getting particularly late.