51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 !? 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 LET THE BLOODSHED BEGIN R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12WHAT HAS DO V3 EUROPE|EUROPA
The Solar System Is Not Big Enough. That was all I could think, staring up at what could only be described as the culmination of all things wrong and evil. So beautiful, if only because of its sheer other-worldliness. This is the end of the world, isn't it?
I woke up this morning. Didn't I? Maybe not. Perhaps It'd be more appropriate to say that this morning I resumed existence. Fair enough. My name is Suoly. It's been a long time since I've remembered that. Today Something feels off. Something tells me that today is different. It's as though every cell in my body is screaming, telling me that enough is enough. It's as though a great change has taken place in the nature of my being. But it's not true, none of it's true. I'm still the same person, or lack there of. Still the same ghost floating throughout the corridors of hell. My body doesn't even have cells. It has ghost particles. There's something freeing about it. Going from a time where cloning technology and trans-humanism has escalated so far, to suddenly taking on a form like this, with absolutely zero scientific knowledge whatsoever to gauge one's physical condition by. The other day I started producing this ooze, out of nowhere. It was like, my gosh, cool it man. But there is no cooling it in hell. There once existed a cooler, that of Cybersex the T-rex. He and he alone used it to maintain the tempurature of his testicles, allowing him to generate semen despite this vortex of heat. That is the secret to how hell controls people, and avoids uprising. With no man capable of producing semen, nobody ever has the drive to do much of anything. It turns out my shitty theory was correct, sex is the universal motivator of all action. But, wait, didn't I just finish saying that I know absolutely nothing about the nature of ghost bodies? ... Well, I assume that's how it works anyway, because ever since that guy... Harry? Whatever. Ever since he came around and killed Cybersex, there's been a lot of commotion around here. Everyone's been fighting over the damn cold and after they get their bodies nice and cool, they've all been trying to rise up against the big man himself. Honestly, I don't know what I want. I don't want to go back to being a human, that body was a prison. But I can't just stay here forever. Eternity is too long, even if we have nintendo games, there's just something lost in a world with no Play Station. Seriously, this may be hard to comprehend, but just think, no Final Fantasy? Yeah, hopefully now you can understand exactly what i've been going through here. I mean, it's no big deal, but it's... it's something without a soluiton.
So this is how it's going down? Years and years of progress, and this is what it all amounts to? That was all I could think as I silently watched.
My vision is a blur of red. My ears are ringing with the sick drone of my ex-wife. My hands are trembling, aren't they? Yeah, they must be. I'm sure they are. Why does my face feel so hot? What am I... What am I seeing? "Hank?" What am I seeing . . . ? "HANK!!" The world is a red mist. My entire body is numb. My... co-worker is calling me? "He's not comming, just leave him, come on!" "Hank you bastard..." I just started walking. It wasn't even me, not that I can even remember who that is. Just motion, a little up and down, and of course the classic, straight foreword. And as I walked, I could feel my blood, little by little, begining to flow through my veins. Like circuitry. No thought, no agency, just steps. And that made it easier.
~KSHHHHHH Ahh yes. ~DAY 2 OF OUR 24 HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES TODAY FOLKS. WITH THE COUNTRY STILL REELING FROM THE INCIDENT WE Another day. ~SURVIVORS HAVE JUST BEGUN COMMING FOREWARD DESCRIBING TO OUR INVESTIGATORS EXACTLY WHAT TRANSPIRED AT THE Another dollar? ~WHILE WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SPECULATE THE CAUSE, ONE THING REMAINS CERTAIN: CANSBAVA WILL NEVER AGAIN BE Enough. I shut off the radio alarm in my head. While I'm sure you would've a appreciated a more flowery way of saying it, there's simply no time and no need, and fankly, no better way to describe actions taken with ones unconcious mind. Bright and early, I step comfortably out of my chamber. Today marks the first day of a second chance. Not just for me, not just for this city, but for humanity itself. I confidently decsend the staircase. In the kitchen I down two gummy vitamins, swallowing them like pills. And then, straightening my necktie, I open the back door and greet a new day. Sparks of hellfire graze my cheek. God, I thank you for this opportunity. I am humbled by your challenge. God, I will not crack.
It was odd. My commute was anything but ordinary this morning. The street names were all the same. I took all the same turns, got up, left at the same time, drove the same speed, but nobody was on the freeway. Can you imagine, a guy like me on his way to work driving 45 on a freeway completely clear of people? Honestly, even I had to chuckle. When I got in to work, however, I found that the front door of my building still creaked, same as ever. Still, the main lobby was nearly deserted, save the same two security guardsi'd seen every morning. "Morning, Mick." Something felt odd about it, exchanging the same arbitrary greeting with someone I'd barely known after all that'd happened yesterday. "Oh! Mr.Hiazra, dedicated as ever." Something in his surprised tone told me he thought the same. I didn't care. I was getting something out of it. "Ms.Hygrave is here, she's upstairs. You should talk to her." That remark, so unnecessary and out of character for someone of his position, told me he felt the same. These were the rearks that polluted my mind as I ascended the staircase, prestine as ever, but lacking the natural light which used to creep through the shutters. I think I noticed for the first time just how old the building must be. That didn't matter. "Hiazra, I'm glad to see you." "You as well, ma'am. Where is everybody today?" "Hank. Let's not put on airs. We've got a lot of work to do today. I'm expecting a lot from you." "Of course. Of course, so, where do we even begin?" "Well, I think it's safe to say, from here on out, everything is going to be different. We're throwing out anything to do with, well, with just about everything we've been focussing on thusfar." "Of course, ma'am." "However, you can start by getting me a hot cup of coffee, it's important we keep the ittle things the same, you know. Otherwise we'll simply forget our humanity." "On it." "And one more thing, Mr.Hiazra." "Yes ma'am?" "I really was glad to see you." "Of course, ma'am."
"Hiazra?" "Yes ma'am?" "You and I are not really the same people we used to be." "What do you mean, ma'am?" "We're part of a select group now, you and I." "With all due respects, I'm not quite sure I follow." "We're what's left. Some of us are dead now, some chose to evacuate, heck, even Congress is a mess right now." "I don't like to think to hard about that, ma'am. I'd rather focus on sorting these files the best of my ability." "Listen Hank, I'm talking about the big picture here. You and I, by process of elimination, we're part of an elite class now. We were the only ones who stuck around after hours, and now, well I'm just gonna say it, now we're the only one's sticking around after the goddamn apocalypse!" "With all due respects ma'am, I don't see how that knowledge makes me a better intern. Are you trying to say you'd like to increase my responsibilities?" "My God, Hank, drop the scripted formalities! Don't you understand what's happening right now? Our positions, they're just formalities at this point. You don't have to call me ma'am. Hell, you don't even need to sort those damn files, a computer could do that!" "You said you appreciated the human touch I gave to your sorting algorithm. With all due respects ma'am, perhaps we both need a break. Why don't I get some coffee downstairs and we can get back to work clear-headed." "I don't need any more damn coffee Hiazra!! I've been awake for 36 Fucking hours!" "... what, then... tea perhaps? Decaffinated tea? Hibiscus! Yes perfect! I'll be right back!" I took off running, nearly stumbling down the stairs. Poor Ms.Hygrave. I can only imagne the stress she must be under, suddenly taking on the position of a man two stations higher. Not to mention the obvious. That which I dare not dwell on. There I go again, in any case, I can't let this happen. Ms.Hygrave needs to hold this city together, in whichever small way she can. I need to help her hold herself together. Because this simple work, this familiar station, these trite formalities,
~KSHHHHHH !? ~THEY CALL THEMSELVES D-MEN. THEY LIVE AT OUR RESIDENCES, AND RIDE OUR SUBWAYS, BUT JUST WHO, OR WHAT, ARE THEY? Ghostfuckers. ~GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES AND IDENTITIES AS MORTALS, THESE INDIVIDUALS MAY SEEM HUMAN TO YOU AND ME, BUT THE Give me a break.. ~"WE'RE JUST PEOPLE, LIKE ANYONE ELSE. WE LIKE TO GO OUT ON SATURDAY NIGHT, AND WE LIKE TO WORK HARD JUST LIKE I suppose it is my job though, to try and understand these people. ~"AND THEY'RE NOT GHOSTS, OK? THEY'RE JUST AVERAGE AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM HELL. THEY'RE DEMONS. WHEN YOU CALL The world's watching, now. I gotta remember this, they're not ghosts. ~BUT IS DEMON WORSHIP SOMETHING WE AS A SOCIETY CAN SIMPLY LOOK PAST, JIM? WHEN I FIRST FOUND OUT MY SON HAD BEEN It doesn't matter that they destroyed the damn whitehouse, is that it? Was that just some accident? ~I THOUGHT, OH, SURELY THIS IS SOME PHASE, I MEAN, YOU KNOW HOW BOYS CAN BE. THAT'S RIGHT, LET BOYS BE BOYS AFTER Or the freaking apocalypse is just some small price to pay for demon diversity? ~WELL OF COURSE CHUCK, BUT WHEN I FOUND OUT SENATOR DETERION WAS INGESTING DEMON BLOOD HIMSELF, I THOUGHT, MAYBE Wait, what? ~ONLY TIME WILL TELL, KELLY, IN OTHER NEWS, A RECENT SURVEY SHOWS THAT AT LEAST 80% OF WOMEN OVER 65 STILL ENJOY Enough. Today's no day for superfluous matters. Today is the day we meet with the leader of the Chihiro Chompsky Foundation. If we can seal this deal, it'll mean a lot of money going to a lot of people who need it right now. Not only that, it'll mean a lot of credit going in the direction of Ms. Hygrave. Nowadays it seems more and more like public support is all we've got.
You'll never believe who came into work yesterday. Kara Admara, mailroom millionaire. Kara and I used to have a decent rapport. Yesterday was just a bit different, you see, it was nice to have Kara back doing the lord's work with us, but there was just something off about him. Kara had become a ghost. I know what you're gonna tell me, "that's ridiculous, didn't you hear? They're called demons now." Believe me, I know, but I don't care what anyone says, Kara, my friend, was dead. That man I saw sitting in his desk was a facade, an illusion, something else entirely, I don't know. I shot him. I mean, let's not be coy here, I didn't shoot Kara, no way in hell, no way in hell on Earth would I do that. He was already dead, so I helped him remember. I saw him die. He was there, just like any Sunday morning, going through his mail. He had a lot more than usual, because he'd been gone so long. I ha thought we should throw out all his mail, but the higher ups don't operate like that, they work on a strict algorithm. To them a man is alive until proven dead. My word wasn't enough. It was fine. Quite frankly, I hadn't thought about him in days. I'd simply been too busy. So I say to him, "Excuse me, sir, may I help you?" He was pretty indignant. "Hank!" He says, "So good to see you! You were like a zombie when the white house came down! Why, I thought I'd never see you again!" So funny. Kara was always, so funny. "I'm sorry, sir, have we met before?" "Aw, cut that formal shit, Hanky boy! You're the only person I know who can take a world revolution like this, and still call people sir and ma'am! You're so stiff, man! I understand pulling that kinda thing around Hillary, but aren't you happy to see me safe and sound again? We don't need to keep up appearances at a time like this, boy." So of course, I explain to him: "Listen sir" I say to him, I say: "Sir, I'm sorry, I don't know how you got in here, but I'm going to have to see some ID. I apologize for the inconvenience, but in times like these, everyo-" And the bastard cuts me off- "Now you stop that nonsense right now! If you're gonna up and disrespect people like that, you'd do well to at least remember your damn station! My goodness, 'see some ID' from a goddamn secretary. That's all you are, you know that? I know it must feel pretty damn smart having a woman tout you around like something special, but don't let it go to your head, alright? At the end of the day, I'm still your superior, and if you want to talk to someone like ME that way, you're going to have to get your shit together and stop playing house up on the 4th floor, and take some goddamn pride in yourself!" He worked in the mailroom. He would still be my superior, were he still alive, but still. He worked in the mailroom, and for him to suddenly care about positions and titles, and to belittle the boss like that. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." "With all due respects Hank, grow up and get the fuck out of here." "This is a government building, sir. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." "Will you-" "Going through another's mail is a federal offense, sir." "GAH!" And then, oh it was the strangest thing. My tie suddenly caught on fire. Then my shirt. Before I knew it I was running up a flight of stairs, trying to get to my office, and the gun I had kept in my drawer. And my coat was on fire. Heaven knows where Ms.Hygrave was at the time, her things were all there, but regardless, I threw off my singed clothing. It would've been awkward, were it not for how little fabric remained unburnt. Then, just as quickly I started down the stairs again, but when I turned the corner to go down the second flight, there he was. "Hank! I'm sorry!" He yelled. We collided unceremoniously. The bucket of water he had been holding flew down the bottom flight of stairs. Hehehehe, you know, the funny thing is... Hahahahah! Yeah, ok, sorry, this part is a little weird, but it's like, it's a vital part of the story. So, I land on top of him, and just, like, completely on accident, and well, you know, Kara, he's never been a skinny man, I, i mean, you saw him right? Yeah, he was the one in that photo last Christmas. Anyway, so you know, he's got, a decent bust? Should we say? You know what I mean. Anyway, I landed, and in trying to catch myself and avoid falling down the stairs, I reached out my hand, and I landed on top of him with my hand on his boob! Hahahahaha, just like, you know, in that show we used to watch! It really was uncanny, I mean, just, the last thing I thought I'd be reminded of that day. Oh, so anyway, the moral of the story is, well, well ok, maybe not the moral, the point, the denouement if you will, is that I'm just laying on top of this ghost gu- ghost guy, yeah, laughing at how bizarre the whole scene is, and meanwhile, It's like, HE'S DEAD. Like, i guess my finger must've slipped? when we hit the ground that's gotta be it, and the lazer blast, it just went clean through his head, and that was it! Ms.Hygrave didn't know what to say when she got back. I didn't really know what to say either. She didn't seem sad that he was dead, though. More like she was disappointed we'd lost a potential helping hand. I think I was pretty proud of her in that moment. Anyway, if there is a moral of the story, it's this: if you see anyone recently deceased, it's better you just pretend you didn't see anything. These ghosts, I don't think we were meant to mix like this. Whether they mean good or not doesn't matter, it's simply the matter of like, if you suddenly had a new appendage, for instance, you'd have no idea of what to do with it or how to use it probably for months, let alone under a week. So maybe they're not all the same, maybe those who've been dead for centuries know how to do whatever kind of ghost magic they can do, but, but, well, the point stands.
~YOU SEE, I'VE BEEN SITTING DOWN AND TALKING WITH THESE PEOPLE, AND THEY'RE PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME, No static this morning, thank goodness. ~THEY ALL DIED BY COMMITTING SUICIDE. ISN'T THAT STRANGE? YEARS AND YEARS, CENTURIES IN FACT, OF RELIGIOUS My breakfast this morning was breakfast. It feel nice to eat it for once. To not feel like I'm dying. ~BUT CAN WE REALLY SAY THAT SUICIDE IS THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE GO TO HELL? NOW, AND AGAIN, I LACK YOUR Here's to hoping it doesn't become routine again. ~CAN WE TRUST WHAT THE DEMONS ARE TELLING US? AGAIN, I HATE TO SOUND LIKE ONE OF THOSE HUMANISTS, BUT And we're off. ... And... we're stopping? The freeway, I'd never seen anything like it, was twisted. It reminded me of a game I played once as a child, The main character is traversing this haunted temple, and his companion suddenly shouts "THIS HALLWAY'S ALL TWISTED!" That line always gave me a laugh, because it comes right after this long cutscene showing off the fact that the hallway is all twisted. Ahh, where was - Oh, heh, yeah, so the freeway, it was tied up in a knot, and written in graffitti that looked eerily like blood to me, it said: STOP KILLING DEMONS. I can only assume some hashtag D-man set this up, as, what, Some kind of hate crime against people who still use cars? People who don't float around? A bunch of bullshit, but that's none of my business. I'm not here to have an opinion or think much of anything about anyone. And i'll kill every fucking ghost I have to to protect this stupid kid's freedom of speech. And, hey, at least there are some people on the road now. Confused as hell, but at least now I know there still are people using cars. That's, familiar. What the hell am I doing? 'Something about it just threw me off my game' That's what I thought, as I returned the shrinking car to my pocket and sought out the nearest side-sttreet. 'Seeing something this otherworldly would have that affect on anyone' I had to leap off the shoulder, and I fell for what felt like hours, before eventually landing on a lower secion of highway that was still not yet the ground. It was as though my fall was just a dream, and the instant I landed, it seemed like I had always existed in that very spot. It didn't hurt at all. These were all revelations I had to supress my facsination over, as I leaped from shoulder to shoulder, In what seemed like an endless labyrinth of off-ramps and HOV lanes. All the while the words STOP KILLING DEMONS. remained in the exact same spot in my feild of view, as though they were not a part of the world, but some, some UI element, forgive me for constantly returning to these video game references, it's just, I really couldn't believe what was happening to me. I still don't understand it. My legs never became fatigued, in fact, I felt as though I could run endlessly, perhaps even make it all the way to work. But that was when I suddenly collapsed to my knees. I had landed on solid concrete after falling what might've been 20 feet. The words disappeared from my vision, though I was at first unsure whether that was from me escaping into normal reality, or the black afterimages clouding my sight. "You ok?" I heard someone say. "Looks like you had quite a fall there!" "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." But I stumbled to get to my legs like anewborn calf. "Here, let me help- "No, no, I'm fine. Please resume whatever it is you were doing before." "Well, hokay, you can lead a reindeer to water but you can't make him drink I suppose, but Hank?" "I'm sorry, have we met before?" "You really shouldn't be so hard on yourself, you know? You've been a very good boy after all." "What the hell, listen if-" And then he was gone. As soon as my sight returned to me, I was all alone, talking to myself in the middle of the street. I felt so silly, but It didn't last long, because high in the air was a flying red carriage, pulled by 7 reindeer.
My fell-ho Americans. I stand before you today, not as the arbiter of good little boys and girls, not as jolly old St.Nick, oh-ho no. Today I stand before you as a citizen of Cansbava, a father, and a concerned member of our working class. And I am here to tell you that the times before us are trying. I'm not here to mince words, nor make defenses, the worst of days are ahead of us. These next few months, perhaps even years, will be some of the most trying we have ever seen. Our very way of life will com einto question, and there may come a time when echa and every one of you will have to ask yourselves, 'Where do I stand in all of this?' 'What do I stand for with my actions?' and most importantly, 'What kind of world do I want to wake up in tomorrow?' Ask of yourselves these simple questions, and know, as survivors, nay, as Victors over causality itself you stand here today, asking yourself these questions. Ladies and gentlemen I have come to tell you that hope will never die. My very existence is proof enough of this, and so with your help, and with your support, your faith, and with the pure heart of a child on Christmas morning, that I KNOW LIES IN THE HEART OF EVERY AMERICAN HERE TODAY, ... we will overcome. We will put our voices together, and we will come to an agreement. We will return stability to this great country, with the love and passion of our forefathers, and their fathers before them. That's why from this day forth, I, Santan Claus, will be stepping into office today, by request of the good folks keeping this nation afloat. And through this temporary partership, of strong leadership, grassroots dedication, and Christmas Spirit, We will overcome. --applause-- Thank you, thank you all, you're all on my nice list! Presents for everyone! Thank you! Thank you so-ho much!
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"I actually met him that day." "You saw him in person?!" "Yes ma'am. He offered to help me get to work." "Really, so it's not just for the cameras, huh?" "Well, that I can't be sure of." "What do you think of him, then?" "It's not really my place to take a stance on the moral character of someone like that, is it?" "Again with that? Hank, you're the only person I've met who's seen him face to face, and that knowledge could helo me do my job better! So, as your boss, I'm telling you to answwr honestly here." "I don't trust him." "Even though everyone's stories check out?" "It's not even about whether he's really a magical being from the north pole. I mean, no matter how many congressmen confirm that teh US has always had ties with Santa, and that this man is him, I just can't trust someone who shows up out of the blue one day and claims to have all the answers." "I see, so you think he's just an opportunist." "Jolly as he may seem, I can't say either way, all I'm saying is that this city is in the perfect position, sociologically speaking, for a charismatic leader like him to suddenly take the reigns. Even if we asked him to step in, I just can't believe such a massive national secret would lie in the hands of only a few people, and NEVER have any hint of it made clear to civilians." "Are you familiar with the concept of the Anti-christ?" "Of course, but, I never thought you were religioous Ms.Hygrave." "I'm not. I just find it interesting. If anyone on my dad's side of the family was still alive that'd be all the rage with them." "Do you ever read online forums?" "No, I learned not to concern myself with that sort of thing when I first ran for office." "That's probably for the best." "What, do you?" "From time to time. Not often, but I do think it's important to keep up with the issues that matter most to our constituants." "Such as?" "I'm sorry I brought it up, it's nothing, just a bunch of panic." "That's to be expected at a time like this, but I don't think you need to be worrying about that sort of thing. All we need to do is put on a brave face for the community." "Right. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you ma'am."
Anon Pol member killed by ghost He put signs on starbucks and (((einstein bros))) Anon >>147873235666 Lurk more. In time you will swing back left like all oldfags do. Anon >>147873818666 Blah blah blah you faggots are all talk, like this guy...this is why nobody takes you seriously. Anon >>147866281666 well since you didnt do it for anything theres nothing to worry about we dont care about people who mindlessly waste their time -signed All Whites HazamaOldSchool Bump HazamaOldSchool Bump Anon >>147866281666 One more holly-jolly fascist down. Good riddance human waste Anon >>147873082 Keep pushing... I went from D-Man to santa nazi in a week. Now i'm starting to thing that the only way is putting to sleep the rabid dogs. Anon >>147873963 y are all the blm posters just niggers full of black rage like its 2017 bro u still black at the end of the day Anon >>147873963 y are all the blm posters just niggers full of black rage like its 2017 bro u still black at the end of the day Anon >>147873818 Yeah, because there are a ton of jolly fags like you in the military... ;) HazamaOldSchool Bump Anon /pol/ is a board of peace. There is no membership. Anon >>147875144 >he doesn't know about 999chan gold.. Anon >>147873082 Thats right! I cant wait to go out tomorrow and suck as many santa cocks as possible. Im also excited about getting my jolly butthole pounded. You know, the sensation is almost gone in my anus from the relentless anal plundering us D-Men and jollies receive on a daily basis. HazamaOldSchool Bump
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mmm. huh? *yaaawn* "and on the 7th day GOD rested." Something to that effect. Genesis 1, man, that's the real stuff. Yes, today is my day off, my special little sabbath of days. Boy do i need it. Even God couldn't keep going for 7 days. Or, correction: he could have, but he wanted to set an example. So often do we forget the importance of taking the time to rest and enjoy ourselves in addition to working hard. Today my goal is to relax, and if I so much as think about work it will mean getting further from that goal. I don't even have to feel 'guilty' or 'lazy' or anything because it's not even really my decision. It's just a rule I set for myself that I have to follow, so I don't even have any agency in the matter. So how shall I spend today? ... ... ...
By mere coincidence, I found myself on the beach. All alone, save the great beast who once protected our shores from nuclear strikes. I was lucky enough to have him sit down cross-legged next to me today. "What an opportunity!" I thought to myself, "to catch such a facsinating and busy man on his day off!" But I remembered the attacks had stopped approximately 3 days ago. It seems the nations of the world took pity on us after having our entire way of life upended by the demon apocalypse. So what was he still doing here, on this lonely shore? I tried to ask him, but he seemed, well, incapable of speaking. Still, he seemed happy with my company. We sat there for a long time, looking out at the first sunset I'd seen all week. He had an existencial air to his being, as though he was unsure of his purpose. How long had he been sitting on the beach? I have no idea. I found it horrifying in some smalll way, imagining what I might do in his shoes, devoid of friends and purpose. Then I turned to look him in the eyes, and in his big empty eyes, I saw myself, and I remembered, I don't have any friends either. What had become of all the people that once visited him in earnest? The famillies and sightseers who had once gathered around to bask in his majesty, the magesty of a being neither understood nor misunderstood? What had become of me? Can I truly say I've been happy, not just this last week, but at any time this last year? These relationships I've made thusfar, these people I've come to care for and respect since taking up my position, would a single one of them come to visit were we not working together. I didn't know. I don't know. I don't know. The creature began to move about, silent, yet with a great magnitude of inertia clear from his motions, he reached behind his back, and handed me a hotdog from a vendor on the other side of the street. How long had it been since I had eaten one of these? In that moment I had felt very stupid for asking myself something so contrived. I took it gratefully, and the beast gave me a thumbs-up, as though to say: "I think thsi is what it's all about man, you just gotta let go and enjoy this kinda thing." But looking back on it, that was clearly not something he would've said, even if he could. He was clearly feeling just as lost as I in that moment. I was projecting a memory of an old friend of mine onto this behemoth, a stupidly selfish and childish thing to do. But if I critisize myself for thinking the wrong thoughts, then i will truly be hopeless. So I accepted thankfully, and gobbled it up like a ravenous animal. I just sort of did it without thinking, not that that's important. After it was done he began staring in my direction, his head turned slightly to the side, like a dog hearing a suspicious noise, or seing an object it found facsinating for some reason. Dogs are so stupid. But this new friend wasn't stupid, so I took it upon myself to try understand what it was he wanted, and tossed the aluminum/paper hotdog holster into his body. This made him tense up for a second, but after not too long, he threw me into the air, in what I can only assume was a sign of friendship. From what must've been 100 feet in the air I could see the entire city sprawled out before me, in some ways it looked more familiar that I expected, the skyline intact, the neon signs shining through the streets of city blocks, revealing the city's grid structure through a glow of baby blue and hot pink, but the highway was still a tangled knot, the whitehouse was still gone, but in its place was a great floting vessel. It looked like a tower, or a giant greek pillar, but cut into sections, with a single beam of opaque red light burning through. I had never seen it before. I had, of course, heard talk of Santan Claus's great flotilla fortress, but seeing it in person, I could only wonder what lay in store for the city I had once known so well. ... Yes, yes, ok I'll admit, I'm embelishing a little with what I think in retrospectm, listen I, ugh. Yeah, I mean obviously I was only up there like 2 seconds, listen, it looked really cool, ok? That's all that really matters here, ok? It was cool. And then he caught me, yadda yadda, and because he's like part geletin boy it didn't hurt at all. Listen, the point is, it was really cool, alright? I think I actully made a new friend and you know, I think this is like th efirst time I can really say that since taking on my current job so, it, It was good. It was nice. Huh? Oh, nothing, it's not important. Listen, I gotta go, I've got a big day ahead of me tomorrow, ok? No, not just sorting papers, not this time anyway. Love you too, heh. Yeah, Soon. Bye!
~LET'S FACE IT, GAMERS ARE JUST MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE, AND IT'S ALL GOT TO DO WITH HOW SOCIETY ! . No time for news, today is a big day. I skip breakfast and whip out the old hovercar. No matter what, I will make it to work on time today.
I arrive just on time, taking only side streets as to avoid another act of uncivil disobedience, but speeding just barely within the acceptable range. My boss, Hillary Hygrave, steps out from the old building accompanied by her bodyguard. We exchange pleasantries for only a moment. As soon as they are in my car, I drive like there's no tomorrow. It may be a small role, but Ms.Hygrave's manor tells me that today, all three of us have impirtant work ahead of us. When she gets like this, it makes me feel like a million bucks. Days like this are what I live for, even if we have to stop at a 9-11 for pheromone pills. Soon enough we arrive at the flotilla foretress, just on time yet again. I am on a role today, but from here on it's all on them. The man himself, Santan Claus, steps out the front door, 15 feet above the crater that once was our capitol, and floats down to the ground from there. He waved at us, and motioned joyfully for us to walk with him around the perimeter. "Oh-Ho-Ho, Hillary! What a pleasure to see you! And I see you brought along Hanky and old Micky too! Why, thsi is just swell!" "The pleasure is all mine father." "Oh! Why, there's no need to address me so formally, Hillary! I've known you since you were just a baby! And my, what a good little girl you were!" "What was it you invited me here to talk about? It's not everyday a deputy mayor gets such a high honor as this." "Well, for the reason I just said!" "E- Ahem, pardon. You mean, because I was a good little girl?" "Why, my apologies Hillary, I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable." "Oh, no, I understand. You've got an important job to do and all." "And you did appreciate that lazer train set I gave you when you were just 9 years old, didn't you?" "O-oh, yes sir." "Oh-ho-ho! Of course you did! Why it's smiles like yours that make me want to do what I do! And today, that means protecting the people of this city. We're going to need teamwork to make that happen, Hillary! Teamwork at every level, not just federally! That's how I keep my workshop moving so smoothly! So smoothly, in fact, that right now, the elves have no issue running things themselves." "Well, thank you so much, sir! I promise that me and my team will do our best to restabilize things." "Oh-ho, well, I'm glad to hear it. That's my plan after all, once I get things running smoothly here, I'll return back to my workshop, and let you good boys and girls run things for yourselves ten times as smooth. All it takes is a little Christmas spirit!" "This facility, will you be taking it with you as well? It's very impressive." "Why, of course! This old thing is my ho-ho-HOUSE! Oh-ho-ho!" "May we step inside then?" "Oh, I'm very sorry, Hillary. And I'm sorry to you too, Mick and Hanky, but I've got another appointment in just 5 minutes!" "I-I beg your pardon?" "Yes, yes, so terribly sorry. You know, I've been terribly busy lately. I figured the first thing to do when I get into office is to meet every boy and girl working with me personally. It's been a long time I've had this idea, you know. I've spent hundreds of years wondering if the day will Ever come when I get that call from the US telling me to step in again, and wondering just how I'd do things! So-ho of course, I figued that since I've seen them when they're sleeping for years, its only fair they get to know me in person too!" "Your commitment to personal connection is an inspiration to us all, Mr.Claus." "Oh,-ho, please, call me Santa!" "Yes sir!" "I'll be asking to see you again soon, Hillary! I expect great things!" For a moment I felt myself give in to hope. It seemed like everything would be ok, but just then, the world became a swirl of black and purple, I didn't know what I was seeing.
I was so happy to be back home, where things made sense. Where I could at least count on physics.
Immediately we found ourselves in front of Santa's flotilla fortress, but something in Santa's eyes, or maybe his fluffy white beard, told me we weren't quite out of the fire yet. "YOU 4, STATE YOUR BUSINESS IMMEDIATELY." "Let me, hoho-handle this, alight?" Santa muttered under his breath to me. "Pardon us officer, what ever is the matter?" "THIS AREA IS CURRENTLY UNDER LOCKDOWN IN PREPARATION OF THE 37TH ANNUAL CANSBAVA PRELIMINARY. FURTHERMORE, MANIPULATION OF SPECTRAL PHYSICS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THESE PREMISES." "Oh, yes of course, we'll just be on our way then." "What?! Mr.Claus, with all due respects, this is nonsense! They can't be holding a fighing tournament at a federal institution! And what's this about spectral physics! Clearly this droid is malfunctional." Of course the brave and just Ms.Hygrave was the first to speak up amongst us mortals. I was proud of her, but when the droid began firing lazers from its eyes, I had other things to focus on. I wasn't sure of just how I did it, but I ran straight up to the machine and shot it at point blank range, a blast flying what felt like millimeters from my temple. Unfortunately, it even burned a small portion of my hair. Stunned at my successive near-death encounters, I felt myself dragged backwards by Santa, who urged the others to come quickly. We darted into the nearest alley, across the road from the flotilla. "I- I can explain. I owe it to you all after trying to kill you." I tensed up slightly. "You see, my powers allow me to create rifts in spacetime, as you just experienced yourself. My original intention was to capture you all in my chronotope, kill Santa, and then myself. Killing myself would've automatically cancelled the effects of my demon magic, returning you and Mr.Hiazra to the exact time and place from where I created my domain, however, it would seem that because I am still alive, and the chronotpe was exited normally... the difference in the flow of time between this world and my own means that several Earth years should have passed." No way. "13 to be exact, Micky!" 13 years... "So, you're no longer president?" "No i'm not the president anymore... And, I'm so sorry Hanky, Hillary, but the positions you've been working so hard at, they no longer exist, it would seem. Still, my all-seeing vision can't penetrate the fourth dimension, so unfortunately, I don't know much abou this world beyond that." No way... "Y-you BASTARD!!" "Ms.Hillary, contain yourself!" "Stop calling me that! I'm not your boss anymore! AND YOU! How could you do this?! You had all this information , and you didn't bother to tell us?! You just decided it would be better to let us go through this nightmare, and for WHAT?! So my bodyguard could have a moment of self-discovery?! You had a job to do! I- I can't believe I actually started to TRUST you! You have no allegiance to this country! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL YOURSELF AN AMERICAN!" "Now Hillary, " "DON'T YOU TAKE THAT CONDECSENDING TONE WITH ME! THAT SCHTICK HAS RUN IT'S COURSE, NOW WE ALL SEE THE REAL YOU!! A COWARD AND A TRAITOR!! YOU PROBABLY NEVER MEANT TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE! YOU WERE JUST LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE, and GOOD OL' MICK just HAPPENED to SHOW UP!!!" "I understand why you might find my actions cowardly, Hillary, but I stand by my actions. My allegiance is to nice little boys and girls before it this country itself, great as it may be." Mick spoke up. "Ms.Hygrave, this was all my fault, please, Santa did nothing wrong, he was acting out of a pure-hearted desire to save me. I'm the one that was willing to risk your lives to kill him. In the end, wouldn't that have had the same effect?" "SHUT UP! Don't you LECTURE ME, you were just some SIDE-CHARACTER until 10 minutes ago, or no, I must've forgotten, i mean 13 FUCKING YEARS AGO! What do you think Hank?!" Ms.Hygrave looked at me with a fire burning in her eyes. She looked sad to me. I know the real Hillary Hygrave. She is a woman of conviction, in and out of her station, but that position was her life. I thought to myself, she's probably just afraid that everyone's forgotten about her, that her work never meant anything, and now it never will. What did that say about me? As someone who had dedicated my life to helping her reach greater heights and do as much good as possible, if she was nothing, then I was less than nothing. In this moment she was asking me to take her side against a man who had touched my heart deeply, and saved both our lives. I couldn't bare to answer her, so I just said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't see what this has to do with my role as your assistant. Should I get the car? I think it's safe to say we've all been working overtime, let's take the rest of the day off."
~KHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE "AHH!" "Wha?! Wha-" "oh." "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, HIAZRA?!" "wh-w, my uhh, my implant. The radio signals must be different in this time, my apologies ma'am." She looked displeased, but mostly tired. "don't call me.... hmamb." She fell back to sleep so fast. This biological efficiency, truly befitting a great public servant. Such a shame. "yaaaaaaaaawn" In any case, maybe I should be getting back in bed too, after all, it's not like there's any real reason for me to get up early anymore. - My explaining this will take my mind off things. Exposition always helps me get to sleep anyway. I drove Ms.Hygrave to her home, unfortunately, no such home existed. The building that once belonged to her had been demolished just a year and a half ago. Nothing new was built in its place. After seein that, Mick asked to step out of my car, and took off on his own. He seemed troubled, but I wasn't about to slow him down. My apartment was a long shot, but I figured maybe some horrible violent crime had taken place, and it was abandoned. This was not the case, unfortunately. We saw through the window, a large man in a wife-beater staring and giggling at a flat shaded low-poly model of a boy against a bright blue background in between the middle and right thirds of his screen. I found this amusing, so I actually was not too unhappy. Before I forget, santa didn't get in the car, he was still able to summon his reindeer, though two had died in the 13 years, he still had a full team of 7, with Rudolf taking charge of the group and keeping them trained for when the day finally came. Seems Santa was right about his ability to properly delegate authority and foster teamwork. That left me and Ms.Hygrave homeless. Stuck in an unfamiliar time with nowhere to call home. It was her idea that we split the price of t least one night in the cheapest motel we could find, a repurposed simulation shelf hotel, which now rented out selves to couples, in leiu of a loss of electricity. It's not a nice place, but the coffin-like padding was actually quite comfortable. I just hope I won't have to spend another night in here, not that it wasn't nice getting to spend more time with the woman. On the contrary, I found it quite the honor that she would recommend something like this for the two of us. It shows trust, and a continued beliuef in our status as comrades, despite all that's been lost. I'm proud of her, even today. Even if i don't know what it is we're supposed to do, for now at least, "yaawn" for now I can at least rest.
I'm gonna condense this for you. Whe we checked out at around noon, we were asked to present "proof of caste" for the special "gamer's rate". Disgusting. In a vain attempt to establish order, it seems the Chihiro Compsky foundation has set some parameters. As the most wealthy known organization in Cansbava today, the people of this city depend on them for their donations to public works, and the general welfare of the community. This increased stability comes at a cost. That cost is the "Chihiro Chompsky even the odds initiative". Essentially, this initiative means all Chompsky-funded institutions must provide special privileges to those with higher status. Not status in the traditional sense. The Chompsy membership program divides all users into one of man castes based on lifestyle. The top 5 such classes are known as the "true americans" and nearly all people alter themselves to fit one. 1- Santan Claus. Upon the disappearance of Santa from teh United states in the year 2026, society was throw into chaos. In order to promote the common good, and the publics sense of hope in the face of apocalyptic horror, in the year 2029 it was determined that a great tournament would be held to determine the next Santan. This title would bring with it support of the masses and teh foundation. It appears to be the closest thing this country has to a president anymore, however, the woman currently holding the title, Mrs.Claus, is a poor subsitute for the real thing. More on that later. 2- Gamer. Gamers are ordinary people like you and me, only they like games a lot. Apparently many gamers are bullied in school or looked down uppon by society. At the least, the decision to place them on top seems informed by some idea of how gamers percieve themselves, or at least, how they're perceived to perceive themselves. Disgusting. In order to maintain this status, members must beat 1 game per month. 3- Customer Service Rep. As the great sponge for society's hatred, these hardworking Americans were deemed deserving of special treatment. This one I actually don't disagree with in concept. If a member of this class ever yells or amkes a sarcastic statement towards a customer, their status is revoked, and they are placed in one of the bottom 100 catagories, catagory 99, otherwise known as "fallen star". Ridiculous. Regardless, in my opinion, there are many other hardworking undercredited people in America, such as secretaries. 4- Women. Women are condemned to this catagory. While a woman may ascend to a higher rank (Mrs.Claus, for instance) this is uncommon, as it is largely frowned upon by society. Because women on the whole were deemed worthy of priviledge, a poor compensation for years of "patriarchical oppression", they are defaulted to this catagory. Men of lower castes look down upon women who were granted this high caste, and still try for more. As such, girl gamers are given extremely high status in public institutions, but largely frowned upon by men (in ranks 100-6) and women alike for taking their privilege for grated. The hotel receptionist was also kind enough to inform me that if I see a member of this class, I should by no means attempt to interact with them, as my lower status will taint our interaction and make them feel that I am attempting to raise my rank by association. This has lead to a common idiom amongst members of rank 4: "I just need a man who's better than me, you know?" 5- Dogs and Cats. These so called "furry friends" are finally getting what they had comming after years of oppression. Implated with the ability to communicate on the level of humans, dogs and cats enjoy their days in peace, rarely pursuing higher ranks despite being the lowest class of "true american". Those unlucky souls granted membership rank 6-99, the "normie" title is given. Normies come in a variety of flavors. The strength of this social group is in their diversity. While many distinctions exist between them, rarely are any special privileges granted. This has lead to the members of this class largely forming only 2 usefully distinguishable groups: 1- those who purse higher ranks or "true american" status, 2- those who take pride in their station and band together as brothers, forming the mass majority. members of the latter group tend to look down on those in the first for "selling out their rank" and giving into a system which they ought to control as the mass majority. members of both groups are generally looked down upon for their presumed "entitlement" by those with "true american" status. Rank 100 is a special rank reserved for those the foundation views as "undeserving of membership". The receptionist was hard pressed for examples of what kind of person specifically exists in ths group, but she informed me that the title associated with the class is "chad". Ms.Hygrave seemed mortified at the entire concept. She was in denial for a time, going on about what a sick joke that was to play on out of town guests. We got breakfast at a nearby diner, howver, and the same thing happened. I asked both the waitress and the host of the establishment what exactly dictates a "chad". The waitress acted like she hadn't heard me and took off quickly, looking slightly uncomfortable. The host simply said something to the effect of "people not befitting the foundation's ethos", He said it much more casually, but it also took him much longer. Additionally, he refused to clarify what this meant. I felt like I was going insane. It was then Hillary spoke up. "What are we doing, Hiazra?" "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I follow." "Don't give me that. You keep asking strangers all these questions, but all we've really learned is that we don't belong here. This isn't the world we left behind. These aren't the citizens I gave my life for, and, and us, you and I, it's just... don't act like you don't know what I'm saying Hiazra. You and I never spent this much time together before, especially not outside of work. What are we to eachother now, if not boss and assistant? Just a pair of lost souls waiting to die? A couple of skeletons hudling together for warmth? We're no different from those demons you can't stand." "I'm not sure where you got the idea I'm some kind of ghost biggot, I mean," "You heard the news, they're called specters now." "Think whatever you want about me. It's not my job to care what you think of my personal character. Moreover, there's no reason our business relationship should end just because our jobs no longer exist." "What are you saying? You sound crazy. YOU'RE the one in denial, Hiazra." "No I'm not. We need to get in touch with this world, because like it or not, this is our reality, and those people out there, those are your consitituants." "I can't talk to you if you aren;t going to take this seriously. You need to grow up and look around you. This is the end of the line. For you. For me. And for the United States of Fucking America." "The Cansbava Preliminary. It's so simple. We just so happen to have made a connection with a very powerful man. If we can just get a hold of Santa, I'm certain we could convince him to join the fight. With his magical abilities, he could win for sure. All we have to do is ask him to appoint you as his Vice President, and then have him step down!" "..." "What is it? "I just... You really never run out of steam, do you?" "I wouldn't say that, ma'am." "Oh yeah? What would you say then?" "I'd say I'm techinacally on the clock right now." "Well if that's how it is, if that's really how you see things, then you're a damn fine assistant. I'll think it over. It's a crazy idea, but get in touch with Mr.Claus and let me know if he's on board. As for me, I think I need a real bed tonight. To myself. I'll get in touch with you tomorrow." And then I was alone. I was unsure of what to do with myself. I wasn't exactly sure of how to get in contact with Santa, but I had a feeling I could do it if I concentrated. It must've looked strange, but I wasn't thinking that at the time. I stood there for what must've been an hour, thinking about Snata, trying to step over to his location, the north pole. Ever since he scrambled my particles, I'd had this, sixth sense, like I could feel the presence of something that wasn't there, or like I wasn't there, but this thing was. And after dwelling on that concept for a long time, I found myself stepping thorugh the fourth dimension, arriving at Santa's workshop very quickly. He and I discussed my plan. He seemed positive about it, but he said to me, "Hanky, now Is the time for you to live your own life. This is your story now, and you may do with it whatever you wish. However, my advice would be for you to join the ring yourself and win. Ensure a better tomorrow with your own hands. In my heart of hearts, I believe in you. I don't entrust 4th dimensional perception to just anyone." I was taken aback. I insisted that his assertion was absurd. Eventually he agreed to help, but he did so with a disappointed look in his beard. So I left. And then I was all alone. And then I didn't know what to do with myself. I was restless. So I waited.
I recieved a message from Mick. I don't often get messages from people like this, but it was a nice change from the usual static running through my brain in the morning. It went like this: "Hey, Hank. I hope you don't mind me calling you that, but since i'm no longer working for Ms.Hygrave it seems right, even if it is a bit new. Outside that, though, I understand if you don't wanna hear from me at all. I'm the reason we ended up in all this. I wanted to thank you very much for saving me. It was Santa who finally settled my inner demons, but saying it all in front of you made it feel... more real. I really hope we can be friends and move past what happened. Though I'm not sure I'll ever be able to see us on equal terms after what I've done, and I'm sure that must be even harder to imagine for you. Still, I wanted to thank you for defending me, and for offering to drive me home like nothing happened. Even if you were trying to put on a brave face for the boss, you really gave me exactly what I needed in that moment. Aside from that, I should let you know that things are actually going really well for me. My wife gave birth to our daughter. The daughter we conceived 13 years ago. I never imagined all these years that my wife would remain faithful to me, and yet she welcomed me with open arms. I was so happy to see my kid, she's so beautiful. At the same time, I felt so ashamed realizing that I'd cheated her out of a proper childhood. It's like in some sick way, I ended up doing to her exactly what my father did to me. When we first met, I... Well, I just cried and cried and cried. Some father I must've looked like. But she gave me a hug. I think a part of her was just happy to know I was real. Maybe she was happy for her mom, just trying to make things as easy as possible, I don't know. The point is, she should hate me, just like you should, Hank. It's like God is giving me a second chance, I- I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be talking like that, I don't know the first thing about whether or not you believe in all that, but regardless, I feel like I've been born again. So I wanted to make a promise to you, Hank Hiazra, my personal messiah. From now on I'm going to live, and I'll never think about dying again, even if the only reason I have left is to bear the weight of my sins, I'll gladly do it day after day. You don't have to respond to this, but you're the only one I thought I could say it to. That sounds pretty pathetic, doesn't it? Some guy from my office 13 years ago. But it's true. Goodbye, Hank. And, thank you for this life." He enclosed a picture of his daughter, Kayla. I can only imagine what her life must've been like. I don't hate Mick. In some ways I admire what he did, because it was so brave and so... ... the... the way he did it, it showed a lot of agency. That's not right either. What he did was very wrong, and having childhood trauma doesn't excuse that. I suppose there's simply nothing to be done about it. It's not my place to take a stance on his character. That won't help me accomplish my goals. I... "Dear Mick, I am currently working on a plan to catapult Ms.Hygrave into the highest set of power in the nation. However, what this has largely ammounted to so far has been laying down in a coffin in the side of a wall. In short, I am homeless. I do not hate you. Would it be alright if I stay in your home with you until the Cansbava preliminary begins? That would be only a few days. I would greatly appreciate your help in the matter. Together we can restore order ot this world and ensure that your daughter lives a normal life. Thanks in advance, Hank Hiazra, assistant to presidential candidate Hillary Hygrave"
I went to Mick's house. It was easy to get there through 4th dimensional travel, however, I still put myself in from of his door. It would be jarring otherwise, even to a spectral-physics manipulator like him. However, when I got ot his dorrstep, and rung the bell, there was no response. rather, a void opened in spacetime where the door had been. i stepped inside.
The tournament begins soon. I spent most of yesterday researching the logistics of the who affair. It would seem the AOA has a hand it as well. In all my years of publis service, or, service to public service, I never thought I would become involved with them. They're an association with money and power to turn the entire city on it's head, however they never seem interested in such a thing. The members are mostly only concerned with themselves and what they fancy at any given time. At least, that's what I'd assume. Who else but a psychopathic vagabond would join an organization that promises to cover up one's crimes, in exchange for indentured servitude? Most of this is just heresay I suppose, but from my understanding, members have to sacrifice the most important thing in their lives as the only entry fee. In exchange, they receive total protection from the law, so long as they continue to act as special agents on behalf of the association. Like a workers union for sociopaths with nothing to live for but thrills. The very concept makes me sick, and it would seem they've got some connection on the back end. The Chihiro Comhpsky foundation would appear to be more of a sponsor. A friendly public face to televise the carnage and gain public support. Not that it should matter all to much for our purposes, but I should remain alert. That is, of course, if political message boards have, in fact, gottenmore accurate in 13 years. It would seem so, but at the end of the day I'm more or less a stranger to this world. One this that is making me feel more at home, however, is the other thing I did begining yesterday: I bought a video game for the first time in years. Dark Souls 3 144k HD remaster, I'm told it's a classic. I asked for Kayla to let me play one of her games, but she was pretty protective, despite saying I could use her PSGO, Sony's answer to the Nintendo Switch (20 years later) that was the last system I owned. Ironic, isn't it? In any case, I asked if I could at least see her collection, which seemed equally troublesome to her. "The fate of the country is at stake!" I told her. She caved in after that, and let my in her room (a strange mix of 1930s and gamer sensibilities). It was there that I saw it. Otome games as far as the eyes could see. Oh how hilarious I thought it was. I had a tough time remebering the word "otome" at first, but she seemed pretty imoressed that I even knew such a genre existed beforehand. I told her that I knew of it because one of my favorite publishers usee to always bring over games from Japan that looked incredibly facsinating, but inevitably not worth playing because they were mostly about falling in love with boys. She seemed to be a big fan of their games in particular, which nearly made me envious. I did, however actually begin to feel that way when I realized that because of the collapse of the school system, and her status as a ghost that needs no food or water to sustain itself, and has a stable roof to herself, that she had been free to play these games all she liked for her entire life. Of course, this came at the cost of being a ghost-human hybrid largely confined to one spacetime, and isolated form the rest of reality due to her inability to project onto 3d space properly. These otome boys were the only kids her own age, even if most of them were technically older. More importantly, they were the only people in her life besides Beatrice, who despite being old-fashioned, seemed happy to buy her daughter all the games she wanted. Perhaps she felt guilty for spawning such a creature, a never before seen hybrid doomed to a sheltered life. Whatever resentment she had towards her father for leaving, it seemed to me Kayla held it in, eager to expand her extremely limited number of personal connections. Parhaps that's why she and I seemed to grow close so quickly. Since I bought that game, she and I have been playing through it almost non-stop. Mostly it's been me playing, with her happy to watch and advise me along the way, but every so often I'll reacha point past which I can't progress, and at those times she'll step in to save the day. She is a true gamer. In some ways she reminds me of how I was when I was her age, though I never actually played games as much, nor was I ever actually as good at games as her. I suppose memory just works like that though.
"I'm joining the tournament, Hank." "Mick, you're not serious." "Hank, I'm dead serious. Everyone is fighitng so hard to make things right. Even without anyone left in the world, you and Ms.Hygrave are working ahrder than ever." "In fairness, my work yesterday was playing video games with your daughter. you can make the world a better place by sticking around with her. you can't go dying on her, Mick. That's what's going to happen, you understand, the AOA's got a hand in this thing, it's gonna be to the death. Are you really willing to leave her alone again after so soon?" "Hank, you don't understand, it's because of her that I have to do this. This is no life for her. Even if you two had fun yesterday, she needs to see the real world. She can't just stay inside here, playing video games for the rest of her life, that's eternity, Hank. Do you understand that?" "Mick I under-" "So that's why - I, oh, um, sorry, you go ahead." "Oh, no, sorry." "Really, go ahead, Hank, i don't wanna tak over you." "No, no, what I was going to say is sort of based on the assumption that you were done saying what you were saying." "Oh." "Yeah, heh." "Ok, well, my point is, i have to be the one to make this city safe for her, at least safe enough so she can go outside and try to acclimate to 3d space, without the risk of getting hurt." "Mick, I respect your sentiment." "Thank you, Hank." "But I can't condone this. Don't you remember your fight with Santa? He's an incredibly powerful mage, if anyone can win this thing, it's got to be him." "I do believe in Santa Claus, Hank, I do, but I've also seen what's out there in the world of ghosts, more than you ever have. None as powerful as him, mind you, but still. All I'm saying is that it wouldn't hurt your plan to have someone as backup." "You don't need to be looking out for my plan, Mick, you need to be looking out for YOUR family. You need to remember your reason to live." "..." "Please, just trust us. We've got it under control. Even if all else fails, Ms.Hygrave is still hard at work on her grassroots movement toward equality. The future will never be set against our favor 100%. So you need to have faith, in your daughter's eternity, that things will get better." "You don't know what you're asking me, Hank. To just sit by and watch my beautiful little girl's potential go to waste. You... You just couldn't understand without a child of your own. But, your point still makes sense to me. And I certianly would hate to miss any more of my precious time with her." "Good, I'm glad to hear you say that, Mick. No matter what you think, your family needs you, because you're their family. And that's all there is to it."
People immigrating en mass to other planets, killing in the streets, rumors of the world's first fusion of video gam and human, a kiiling game to decide the president of the united states. Even the laws of physics no longer seem to apply. What is this country comming to? The answer ot that question is irrelevant. The fight begins tomorrow. Kayla and I beat Dark Souls. My status as an official gamer is up for approval. As nice as it was to get in touch with my love of games again, I wouldn't wish a world like this on my worst enemy. Video games are pure. They are meant to be the opposite of work, the opposite of reality itself. A world where one can forget the pains of living, and the shackles of classism. To take something so pure and apply real-world legal gameification to its use, now i understand better than ever, this injustice must not be allowed to stand. Today will be my last day with Mick's lovely family. I think I will miss spending time with little Kayla, but of course, my duty to this country is more important. My duty to her future. To everyone's. Goodnight, Cansbava.
The sun shines brightly on this cool morning in capitol hill. I stand beside Ms.Hygrave, the two of us choking on anticipation. "Hiazra." "Yes, ma'am?" "Thank you for this. You really are the best assistant ever." "Of course ma'am. I could never let you fade into obscurity, not after dedicating my last decade to you." "Hank. What will you do after all this is over?" "Forgive me, ma'am, but that's really not important to me." "You must've given it some thought." "Thoughts like that only weaken me ma'am. I need to be operating at 100%. I need to ensure we win this." "..." "Then I'll have time to spend on thoughts like that." "You wouldn't want a seat on the cabinet?" "Such a thing really isn't befitting of my skillset. That said, it would be a true honor." "Heh, of course. You know, sometimes, you really are hilarious." We stood amongst the crowd of presidential hopefuls for some time in silence. Eventually, Chairperson Chompsky arrived in a long black car, along with a masked figure in a black trechcoat. "Who on Earth is that?" "It won't matter if Santa doesn't show up soon." But there he was, guided by a flock of reindeer, Rudolf in the lead, Santa Claus, the one man in whom I could depend wholeheartedly. "Santa!" "Hanky-boy! So nice to see you well, ah, and you too Hillary! Isn't this a lovely day?" "I suppose so, sir. I want to thank you again for comming today. After everything I said, I'd understand if you never wnted to see me again, yet, here you are." "Well of course, Hillary! It takes more than that to get on my naughty list!" "Hehe, I'm glad, sir. My, no, the hopes and dreams of all America lie in your hands today. I want you to know that as for me, I have complete faith in you." "Well, thank you, Hillary." ~EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE "Seems like they're ready to make their announcement." "Just in time!" ~LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR COMMING ON THIS BRINGHT SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ~AS ALWAYS, WE BELIEVE IN BOTH THE RIGHT AND DUTY OF ALL CITIZENS TO ENGAGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. ~WHICH IS WHY IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE SO MANY BRIGHT YOUNG FACES OUT THERE. ~FOR GENERATIONS WE AS AMERICANS HAVE BEEN MADE OT ASK OURSELVES, IN THE FACE OF SYSTEMATIC VIOLENCE. ~IN THE FACE OF GREAT INJUSTICE AND PREJUDICE ON EVERY LEVEL, ~WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMERICAN? ~WHAT IS THE NATURE OF TRUE EQUALITY? ~WHAT IS FREEDOM? ~LIBERTY? ~OUR 10 YEAR TERM IN POWER HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF BUT ONE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION. ~WE KNOW THAT LYING BURIED IN THE SOULS OF ALL TRUE AMERICANS, THERE LIES A DIFFERENT ANSWER. ~AND SO TODAY I ASK YOU, AS AMERICANS, AS MOTHERS AND FATHERS, BUSINESSOWNERS, CITIZENS: ~FIGHT FOR THAT ANSWER. ~THAT SINGLE TRUTH WHICH ONLY YOU CAN TRULY GARSP. ~THAT WHICH LIES WITHIN YOU, HOLD TRUE TO IT, BELIEVE IN IT, AND BE WILLING TO KILL AND DIE FOR IT, ~BECAUSE IF YOU WAVER IN YOUR IDEALS, YOUR FAITH, YOUR PATRIOTISM, ~YOU WILL BE KILLED IN AN INSTANT, BY THE IDEALS OF A STRONGER PATRIOT. ~SO HOPEFUL CITIZENS OF THIS STILL-GREAT NATION, I BEG OF YOU, ~THINK NOT OF YOUR OPPONENT, WORRY NOT ABOUT THEIR AMERICAN DREAM, FOR ONLY YOU KNOW THE ONE PATH. "I can't stand this." I heard Hillary say, quitely. ~THIS TOUNAMENT WILL PROCEED AS A SIMPLE ELIMINATION-STYLE SERIES OF FIGHTS. ~HOWEVER, BECAUSE SO MANY SHINING CANDIDATES DECIDED TO MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE TODAY, ~WE WILL BE BEGINING WITH SOMETHING ELSE, A PRELIMINARY ROUND. ~ANYONE WHO CAN MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THIS FORTRESS, WHICH HAS SERVED AS OUR NATION'S CAPITOL THESE 13 YEARS, ~WILL BE ENTERED IN THE TOURNAMENT PROPER. "They never said anything about this!" ~SO KILL, MURDER, CRUSH, AND MAIM YOUR IDEALS INTO YOUR OPPONENTS ON THE WAY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~LET THROUGH NO MAN, WOMAN, OR CHILD WHOSE IDEALS SHINE LESS BRILLIANTLY THEN YOUR OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~LET THE KILLING BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "THIS IS AN AFFRONT TO DEMOCRACY!!!" I heard Hillary scream. But it was too late. Everyone in the crowd began rushing toward the crowded first ring of the flotilla. Lazers of all colors flew in all directions, People flew off in droves, thrown by massive waves of demonic energy. Some people outright disappeared. Santa flew around the crowd, teleporting massive swaths of people all around the city via 4th dimensional travel. I used my perception of spectral physics to take Hillary and myself a safe distance from the horror. While she couldn't see through the warped space, I had no trouble watching the scene. Robots with rockets and humans with telekinesis bounding from layer to layer of the massive structure, Shooting down all that tried to reach their level. All the while Santa circled the perimeter, trying to save as many lives as possible. Still, body after body flew from the segmented tower, exploding into the ground, or burning up in the lazer core. It was unbearable. Watching that horrific sight, I could only liken it to how I had felt the day this all began, the day all hell lierally broke loose. The horror of seeing something grotesque beyond comprehension, but this was to the horror of another world, This was the horror of man. Whole sections of the flotilla were destroyed in teh desperate struggle, dooming those on lower levels to hopelessness, a fate far better than death. meanwhile, some people gifted in spectral manipulation simply warped to the top, the chairperson being one of them surprisingly. Hillary was silent the whole time, breathing somewhat heavily. I turned to her. "Santa won, he's in." "Hank, how, how can you watch that? I was only there ashort time, but the noise, the chaos, it was horrible." "I know, but I had to ensure he made it safely, and he did." "I dreamed of this ever since I was a little girl, Hank, but I never, never would have wanted something so awful." "It'll all be over soon. Trust me. After this, we'll make a world where this kind of violence isn't stood for." "I... I've got to go home. Hank, will you drive me?" "Home? In any case, ma'am, I'm sorry, but I've got to be with Santa right now. I need to ensure his victory." "I understand... Hank?" "Yes, ma'am?" "Promise me, promise me you wont get lost in all this, ok? "I promise ma'am. This kind of thing simply doesn't suit someone like me" "Thank you Hank. Well, until next time then. Thank you. And good luck." "You too, ma'am." She turned slowly and began walking down an empty midtown street. In some ways I felt it again, envy. Still, I had to ensure our victory. I had to dive headlong into the chaos. I stepped onto the top of the flotilla as soon as the preliminary seemed to be over. From the very top I could see everything for miles. The entire city. It was gorgeous. The roof however, seemed to have changed. It was surrounded by hovering skiffs, floating stands full of dozens of people, amongst them a gigantic screen, and a commentator's booth. Cameras floted between each one, broadcasting the days events to everyone in the city. I ran quickly to Santa, who, noticing my exasperation at what had just transpired, rested a fatherly hand on my shoulder. "Good to see you Hanky. Sorry you had to see that." "It's no problem... I'm just trying to do a good job for Ms.Hygrave." "Well, you've been very brave, but you know, you shouldn't have to watch something like this, that is, unless you've decided to participate like I suggested?" "No, I couldn't. I'm nowhere near your level. It'd be suicide. Even Mick wouldn't...." "Something the matter, Hank?" He was there. He was ther why was he there. Why was he there?! "MICK!" Mick turned around to see me. He looked startled and a bit unsure of himself. "MICK... What the, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" "I know what you said, Hank, but I had to-" Like suddenly biting into a wad of gristle, I felt Mick's cheek fat and jaw awkwardly ricochet off my fist. I had had it. "Mick, you need to drop out. Right now. You need to be at home. You need to be at home with your familly, with your wife and daughter, Mick. Mick, didn't you just see, didn't you, you just see what happened?! This place is a fucking hell, Mick! You can't be here! I'll fucking kill you myself damn it!" ~NOW THERE, WHILE I'M SURE WE ALL APPRECIATE THE AMERICAN SPIRIT, LET'S SAVE THAT FOR THE RING, HUH? Applause rang out from every direction. It sounded just like static.
~KSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I've had enough of static. Maybe I should just be happy to be alive. ... Maybe I should just be happy that things get to be normal for one more day. I can't forget my prayer though, the one I recited to Mick over dinner; I asked for this, and I made a promise. The contestants, myself now included, were given this day to recover before the next bracket tomorrow. One more day before I die. That's almost what I want to believe. What happened yesterday... was more violence than one should have to experience in an entire lifetime. This is what we prayed for. Heh, heheheh, yeah, I guess it's easy to act tough and talk big like that at dinner, or in bed, but... but not in a bunk on the top floor of a commandeered flying flotilla forretress. "Hank!" What? "H-Hiazra, I'm sorry to wake you up, I came here as soon as they would let me visit." "Oh... uh, good morining ma'am, please pardon my appearance, you shouldn't have to see your assistant in this state." "Nevermind that Hiazra! I can't believe you can talk like that after all that's happened! Frankly I'm just glad to see you alive!" "Funny, I was... I was just thinking, *YAWN* the opposite..." "..." "I'm sorry, ma'am, please give me a moment to collect my, *YAAAAAAAAAAWN* self."
And the madness began yet again..."Sorry to keep you waiting." "Oh, don't worry about that, Hiazra. You've got to take care of yourself..." "So why exactly did you decide to stop by today, ma'am?" "Hank, you're kidding me, I came because... Because we've got to figure out what to do! Everything's gone to shit, Hiazra, I saw it myself!" "Forgive me, ma'am, but I think it's important that we remain calm in this instance." "Damnit... You're right, Hiazra, but honestly, is there anything to be done at this point? If you ask me, the best we can hope for is to stop convince Mick to drop out instead of killing himself." "I don't think there's any convincing him otherwise. I made the best case I possibly could and he still decided to go through with this. Still, it's theoretically possible he could win, after all, we saw his power firsthand." "You saw what he's up against yourself! A 50 story beast that absorbs lazers, and inventor that can copy the most lethal parts of his ability with the press of a button? There's just no way." "You're free to try and convince him, ma'am, but I'd advise against it. You've got too many important challenges ahead of you to worry about this." "Hank, my goodness, you always were an optimist, but this is delusional!" "In what way is what I'm saying delusional?" "My goodness, because it's over! It's OVER, Hank. You saw the same thing I did, hell, it happen two feet in front of you! Santa's dead, he died without even having a chance, and I know there's got to be foul play involved." "... Yes, I know he's dead." "Then what on Earth are we still doing in this horrible place?" "Listen, I'll be the first to admit, I haven't really been myself since he died yesterday. I know it hasn't even been 24 hour yet, but things are happening fast. I have to compete." "WHAT?! My God, Hank, you're insane! Don't act like you're some kind of hero, Hank, you're not like these people, you're human!" "My next opponent appears human." "That's not the damn point, Hank!!" "Listen, I understand what you're saying, ok? I fully understand what you're trying to say here, there's almost no chance I'll win, I could barely focus on most of yesterday's events because of how shocked I was, so I'm at an even greater disadvantage, but that's all unimportant to me. Santa didn't list you as his VP, even though I made that explicitly clear. He signed me up on purpose..." "You aren't saying he planned his death yesterday?!" "NO, ah, my apologies for raising my voice ma'am, no. He would never do something like that. That man lived for one reason alone, to see children smile, and he would never let himself die so easily. I just think this is all happening for a reason, it's got to be," "b-" "And before you say I'm being delusional again, please, hear me out." "..." "Ms.Hygrave, I've spent the best years of my life working for you and for the good of this city. I've poured every ounce of strength in my body just to support you and your dreams. I've given up large parts of my life that were once very important to me, all to do a better job as your assistant, and let me make this clean, I haven't regretted a single decision made to help you reach your goals, but Ms.Hygrave, this could very well be the end of the line." "... Hank, I'm so sorry, I never expected to get an assistant like you. I never asked you to dedicate your life to mine like this. I, w- I never would've wished any of that on you, Hank. You can quit, you SHOULD quit, quit being assistant to such a powerless and hopeless former civil servant, and be your own man, Hank! You're still young enough, younger than me, at least! With your work ethic and perseverance, you can still make something of your life! So don't you dare throw it away!!" "I'm so sorry ma'am, but I can't do that for you. I played a video game last week. It was the most fun I'd had in years, but it also made me realize something, It's too late for me. It's too late for me to go back now, no matter what, I... I thought America would never be too far gone to save from itself, but at this point I can't see that happening without you in office. You're the only person I really even know from before, ma'am. So that's just it. If I can't be your assistant, then there's no reason for me to live. So I'm putting it all at stake, and I'm not doing this for you, frankly, I think it's the first thing I've done for myself in years, because either I die in a world not worth living in, or on the 1% chance I succeed, my will to live returns. ... Or at least, that's my plan." "Hank, this whole thing is hopeless... If you can't find a reason to live without me... Then let me be your reason to live! But don't kill yourself, damnit! If we really are just two directionless people, with no reason to live, and no contacts outside one another... Then we'd be better off as lovers than bureaucrats! I know you feel like you have to be strong and take all of this on for my sake, Hank, but... but I need a reason to live too! *sniff*" "..." "Well?!" "Ms.Hygrave, I never thought you'd say something like that to me." "Hank, you're always such a professional, but I know, I KNOW there's a human heart in there! I know your heart Hank, even if you try not to show it! And I know you're in pain, and I don't care about how you intellectualize it! Just acknowledge that I'm in pain too and we'll go home! We can leave behind all of this, and run away, someplace where none of this matters! It would be so easy!" "..." "I... I know you're not a monster, Hank!! You're a human being!! Please, just drop the act! It's been, it's just, it's been too long..." "Forgive me... I just... I..." "I know you need me too, Hank. Please, just let yourself be happy." "Ms.Hygrave. I'm sorry to be short with you, but I thought I made myself clear. I'm doing this for no one other than myself. I'm going to make you the next president of the United States, or I'll die trying. I don't care which one it is. I... I truly don't care which one it is."
static.Oh yes. We're nearly there. Just a bit further to go. Our next opponent has yet to fight an actual match, which means she may just be the only competitor in the entire tournament I have an advantage over. Still, I need to remain sharp. The final round is sure to be hell. I can't forsee any future in which my gigantic alien friend does not win his match. If he does somehow loose, however, I'll be up against a top member of the AOA. On top of that, a candidate I suspect of foul play. He may have even killed Santa. ... This does not matter, however. I must do my best regardless. If the beast should win his next match, as is the most likely outcome, then I will have to accept the loss in the final round. I don't necessarily trust the so-called Chihiro Chompsky, but I trust him, and he would never let someone with an impure heart take advantage of him... ... It sounds ridiculous, but I've never felt so certain. "HWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn....." ... No, could it be... I run as fast as I can thought the circular hallway, hoping to check on my beloved beast, but by the moment I arrive, a huge group has formed around him, and from his eye socket I see a small red line, one Chihiro Chompsky dangling there, dead. All I can think is what a horrible experience the poor creature must've gone through, to have another living thing die inside it. As he continues to howl into space, I turn around at a clean angle and head straight to my room as fast as I can, and lock the door. I pace in circles for what feels like an hour before begining to do jumping jacks. This is probably stupid, but I can't think of anything better to do. I can't see anyone today, so I ignore the increasingly violent thumping at my door, and the whines for me to come out and play. It's like a form of meditation: Jump Jack Jump Jack in that order and without fail. Eventually it occurs to me that I have no idea what it means to jack, or even what a jumping jack really is for that matter, but now hours have passed, and I will be back on that stage in under 12 hours, so whatever I've been doing... I hope it meant something in the end. I feel sleep falling over me, and almost immediately...
Now to end this.My body must have reached terminal velocity at this point. Now my jacket and tie and being torn off by the wind. My hair is a horrible mess. I've been reduced to an animal, and as soon as I hit the ground, I'm going to die. And there's Mrs. Hygrave, giving some sort of speech just outside the flotilla... This really is the worst case scenario. To have her see me defeated before her eyes, and split into a thousand peices... I'm a disgrace. I've died a disgrace. Hm? "Alright, here he is everyone! Just like we practiced!!" What is she talking about? I... I'm not dead... I'm... Flying... It took me a moment to realize, but my velocity changed direction and magnitude, I was flying back up onto the stage... Mrs. Hygrave gave me a wink and a salute, as hundreds of young men and woman formed a human tampoline, and broke my fall, sending me high into the air... The entire thing was ridiculous, but I was so thankful. Truly, I think, this is the power of democracy.
"So tell us, what brought you to the AOA today, Mr.Grey?" "I'm here to join!" "Well, of course, of course you are, but why?" "That's not a requirement to join, is it?" "No, no of course not. You do you're homework, eh Mr.Grey?" "I've done nothing but study this organization since one of your members killed my father last year." "Ah! Yes of course! How could I forget, you're Michael's boy! Oh SPLENDID! BUt, eh, well.." "Yes?" "How do we know you're not here to undermine our little operation? Are we expected to believe you're only here because you're just fucked up as your old man?" "I don't care what you believe. I already made my sacrifice, so I think I've more than earned my place here." "Wow, and he even knows about our entry fee policy! What a good little boy you are! Why with your studious nature, I bet you could have gone far in school! You sure the AOA's the place for an autistic young man like yourself?" "I didn't come here to fit in, but it's what I want to do regardless." "Well then! Let's just see how strong that desire is! What have you sacrificed for us young man?!" "Last night I killed my mother in cold blood. she was the only family I had. This is all that's left for me." "MY MY mY! That's exactly the kind of cold-blooded spirit we like to see here at the association!! And, and this is just my personal opinion, as a, you know, friend of your old man's that kind of thing really turns me on! HAHAHAH! Oh, now now, don't look like that, I'm just fooling around! I'm just so happy to hear we've got someone of real character here for once! Killing your own mother?! Now THAT takes conviction. Why, the association's been starving for someone fresh and fucked up like you! I just know you'll go far, kid! Now then, let me hook you up with your first job..."
... This is it, huh? We're really here... The final round... It's taken mirale after miracle. It's taken brutal honesty and unending endurance. Finally we're here, and I'm likely to die today, before my final match even begins. Daniel Grey, a.k.a. Lightgun, there's not a doubt in my mind that he's been killing off his opponents before their matches. He's a member of the AOA, one of their elite in fact. I can count on one hand the number of people I know more dastardly than someone like him, but that doesn't matter. What matters now is survival. Daniel Grey is my enemy. I have no idea how he does it, how he could've murdered Santa right next to me, but I do know he was shot from behind. In order to ensure absolute safety then, all I need to do is surround myself with walls. If I have matter adjacent to me at all points in 3d and 4d except my front, there's no way he can catch me off guard.
And When I Woke Up, It Was Time.... ... uh... ... I... ... ... ... It's been hours... Maybe 13 years of sensory deprivation in Mick's chronotpe has drastically increased my tolerance for boredom, but... I've been sitting in this trash can all day... for NOTHING!!! I... I've got to sleep... I.. I can't fight like this... I... zzzzZZZZZZzzZzZ... ...
Standing on the platform, holding my formr boss in my arms... Feeling the president of the United States' cold wet tears soaking my t-shirt... I felt myself begin to cry as well. I cried for my friends, I cried for my enemies, I cried for Daniel, I cried for Mick, I cried for Santa, I cried for her... I cried for america. We spent a long time crying. As though all the pain this country had endured the last 13 years, no, all the raw emotion we had held behind a mask of professionalism, came flooding forth from our bodies. For the first time since my childhood, I felt refreshed. I felt free. I still felt resolute, but I didn't feel like I needed to be. She and I stared at eachother for a long time, not saying anything. Finally, I broke the silence. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. President." "...Merry Christmas Hank!!" And with that I was off. As my ship pierced the Earth's atmosphere I stood silent and reflected, staring back at the tiny blue marble below. I stared and stared, at the word I had gibven everything for. I stared at the only world I had known. I stared at the world upon which I completed what I was born to do. I felt a great sense of pride, but even that was dwarfed by my overwhelming sensation of releif. And as I saw it shink into the idstance, I found I could no longer recognize America. The land I had given my everything to. The only place I ever felt I could call home. It was all so small...