Fem War II - Chapter OneA Chapter by The Grappler The start of the Great FeministZombie War to End All Human Civilisatons.... Zom War -Chapter One Fem War II -Chapter One
Temple woke on a fine summer morning - Sunday, 8th December 2041! Ah, the simple joy of waking to a lovely Winter's day - warm and comfortable and just right inside with a fire going - and just coming good after The New Dark Age that went on until the country found its power sources again, and The Greatest Depression caused by the near total loss of petroleum products to the West - all caused by the excesses of the power and money hungry oligarchies that thought that short-term profit was better than a long-term benefit for everyone who lived. Hmm - she figured that she had got the words right for that class assignment anyway - Social Studies - well, hell - that was something for everyone, wasn’t it? She showered quickly, gathered her school books and headed down to the kitchen before finishing up that submission for Monday - alone at the moment - her Mum and Pop were away visiting Auntie Joy and her family in California, and nobody was there to hand Temps her breakfast and head her off to school. Well - she was a big girl now - all of eighteen - and she just KNEW she could do it all on her own anyway. She was sort a like that - after years of finding her own way and seeing what her parents were all about - and she KNEW that she always had a good handle on what she was doing, no matter that she loved her Mum and Dad beyond words - nobody could take that away - not even Temple herself in her wildest dreams - Mum and Dad… just WERE.... always and forever! Temple - her college and school friends always called her that and she didn’t mind - she was somehow sort of remote and detached and somehow in another world - not a nerdy world - but somehow she was just that little bit more in sort of the real world - just not always the one that she - and they - lived in. Some of her school friends thought she was more mature than the rest - she was, after all, finishing up her assignment on SUNDAY - but others just thought she was a bit strange - - but what the hell - she always did best in class anyway, so what did it matter what anyone thought! She fixed coffee for herself - yeah - I’m an early caffeine addict, she thought - and some hash browns and a little bacon - not too much on the meat and stuff - just some good stuff - like tomatoes, a little lettuce and a couple of thin pieces of poor old pig meat mixed in with a little crab carbs - only ‘crab’ because everyone talked about ‘carbs’ as if they were poison somehow - hash browns! Her favourite! Whatever, losers! She loved them anyway! Breakfast fixed and sitting on the plate - she turned on the television to catch whatever that bunch of morons thought was important for the day - well .. yeah! So Important! F**k - she thought - what are they going to give us today that means so very much?
“PRESIDENT SERENA WILL BE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT SHORTLY”…. ….scrolled over and over on the screen - as if that meant anything - just another politico-speak on how to get by with nothing any more, and how if we all ‘pull together’ - even those who started this whole petro shortage crap - we’d all get through! Yeah - RIGHT! Temple ate her breakfast and loved every bite! Especially those hash browns that you could always get or even make yourself! The ones you made for yourself tasted better! Not much happening on that TV there - President Serena would just have to make her important announcement without Temps! SHE was going to her computer to get her assignment finished - and then maybe look at doing something else - walk in the park? Take the dog? Yep - Old Buffy (named after some mythical Native American named Buffy Saint Marie - that was a mouthful!)… would LOVE that! Temple tossed the dishes into the sink - do those later!.. and turned to the television to switch it off…… but paused as an image of President Serena came on! Finally! Oh, well, might as well listen! She sat down again and grabbed a note pad and pencils from the bench " might have something she could fit into her assignment here! * * * Serena wiped her eyes again " got to look good for the cameras - and sat still until the producer signaled her that it was time for talk - counting down on his fingers quietly in a dead quiet White House room specially set aside for exactly this sort of transmission… The finger count reached zero - and Serena took a firm grip on her papers in front of her - focused on the camera - and started to speak….. “My Fellow Americans!.. It is with heavy heart that I bring you this news! Yesterday, December 7, 2041 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by unidentified forces of what we now know to be the Empire of The Rising Moon. States was at peace with itself and, at the solicitation of this dissident group, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the World. Indeed, one hour after Empire squadrons had commenced bombings in Washington, the Empire Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a form of reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack. It will be recorded that the position of Washington makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Empire Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Columbia DC District has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Empire Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Empire forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Empire forces attacked Guam. Last night Empire forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Empire attacked Midway Island. Last night the Empire completed its occupation of Japan. Last night the Empire attacked and annexed California from within. The Empire of the Rising Moon has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by The Empire of the United States on Sunday, December Seventh, 2041 - a state of war has existed between the United States and the The Empire of the Rising Moon. " President Serena, obviously overcome for a moment, paused and her head fell - then she took control of herself and looked directly into the camera once again:- “My Fellow Americans and members of the Free World…. My own brother lies in the wreck of the Maine - treacherously sunk in San Diego Harbour in this attack. Throughout my entire public career I have followed the personal philosophy that I am a free person, an American, a public servant, and a member of my party, in that order always and only. For 7 years in the service of our Nation, first as a Congressman, as a Senator, and as Vice President, and now as your President, I have put the unity of the people first. I have put it ahead of any divisive partisanship. And in these times as in times before, it is true that a house divided against itself by the spirit of faction, of party, of region, of religion, of race, is a house that cannot stand. There is division in the American house now. There is divisiveness among us all tonight. And holding the trust that is mine, as President of all the people, I cannot disregard the peril to the progress of the American people and the hope and the prospect of peace for all peoples. So, I would ask all Americans, whatever their personal interests or concern, to guard against divisiveness and all its ugly consequences. Fifteen months and 10 days ago, in a moment of tragedy and trauma, the duties of this office fell upon me. I asked then for your help and God's, that we might continue America on its course, binding up our wounds, healing our history, moving forward in new unity, to clear the American agenda and to keep the American commitment for all of our people. United we have kept that commitment. United we have enlarged that commitment. Through all time to come, I think America will be a stronger nation, a more just society, and a land of greater opportunity and fulfilment because of what we have all done together in these years of unparalleled achievement. Our reward will come in the life of freedom, peace, and hope that our children will enjoy through ages ahead. What we won when all of our people united must not now be lost in suspicion, distrust, selfishness, and politics among any of our people. Believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year. With America's sons and daughters in the fields far away and indeed at home, with America's future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office--the Presidency of your country. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President. But let men and women everywhere know, however, that a strong, a confident, and a vigilant America stands ready tonight to seek an honorable peace--and stands ready tonight to defend an honored cause--whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty may require. As for myself - I will enlist as a foot soldier in this struggle for the right of all free people to live - in peace! The duties of my office will be handed over immediately to Vice President Rubin Carter, who I am certain will fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office of President. Thank you for listening. Good night and God bless all of you.
* * * Temple sat, open-mouthed, as President Serena concluded her speech! Was this for real? It HAD to be! Her country - and California where her parents were - was under attack right now! But by whom? Where from? Who was doing this? WHY were they doing it? The face of President Serena came on again - under the caption ‘replay’ - and Temple settled down to hear it all again - and try to sort out what was going on…. * * * Retired Colonel Grappler, 36 years old, put down his remote - and studied the television screen with a look that behoved thunder… “Well”, he thought, “they finally understand what I was trying to say all along! Now it’s too damned late to stop it! Damn those God-forsaken REMFs in the Pentagon! And all it handed me as a present was a f*****g early retirement and a heap of bad press as some f*****g lunatic!” He seethed with anger - but only for a moment or ten - then set his mind to sorting out what exactly he could and would do to stem this new crisis that was now upon us all! For he knew in himself that he could and would stem it - come what may! Opening his bureau drawer, he took out his list of phone numbers .. of old contacts…. Yup - there indeed were some terrible friends! Terrible to anyone stupid enough to get in their fucken way and mess with the lifestyle they’d sworn to defend! He reached for his phone…. * * * Hiwatt turned away from the television screen in the bar, and thought to himself - ‘Yeah " here’s a chance to get something going! Might be a chance here for the old Hustler!’ * * * Sergeant (retired) Jess Nacirema picked up the phone the moment it rang - she’d been expecting this call from the moment that panty-waist Serena got on the line and told us all how bad things were. Well - bad was Jess’ middle name - and she knew just what to do when the situation called for it. “Hello, Colonel! I figured it was you! Not a moment too late or too soon!” She listened for a moment or two…. “Sure thing - I can get some of the old team together right away - already got a couple on-line and packing their bags - we sort of hang out a bit in a few bars around here. We might be all getting a little old, but hell - who wants to live forever, anyway? I’ll get back to you soon as! Out!” * * * Temple picked up her phone, an old landline, as did millions of other across the country, and tried to get online with Auntie Joy, her mother and father and all her family out there in what was now the front lines. No internet, now no phone.. no nothing. What did they expect her to do, use a carrier pigeon? She'd heard about that in Science History class, but for real? Are you kidding me? Bad enough that Mum and Dad had to make a three day journey on a train to get to California - no more air flights unless you were VERY rich or powerful due to no gas - and even for the trains you needed a pass and went on a waiting list. At least you could still get power to run your house, computer and stuff, because of solar and stuff, though the technology on HER computer was a bit old now - 2020 or so, but still operational due to a lot of replacement parts and work at home by herself! Now what was she going to do? Well - she had to keep it straight in her head! Mum and Dad had left her a few bucks for expenses, and she had food in the house for another week or so - but what then? She'd just have to sit tight and wait for someone in authority to sort it out - they MUST have plans for this sort of thing. But she’d better check Dad’s gun and make sure she was safe - it didn’t look like there was much in the way of law enforcement around, and they were short on gas and probably all tied up anyway - with this War and all. Better to look out for herself! * * * All across these United States, people watched their televisions and tuned in their radios in a state of shock and awe. Some moved quietly, saddled their horses, hopped a passing train, or a very few fired up their cars and drove to recruiting stations. Many more walked, forming groups larger and larger as they went along, until small crowds were arriving hour by hour at the recruiting stations, an endless torrent of pilgrims to a holy grail, and the recruiters had to turn them away. Nobody was prepared for this - no number system was in place, not even to hand each group a number so they could come back on one specific day - and only the young men and women who had signed their military service cards or were reservists were processed first. All others had to wait, many choosing to camp by the rivers and streams and wait their turn rather than go away. For go away they would not - not when their homes and country were under attack. One grizzled old recruiting sergeant, after locking his door, made a clear statement:- "Looks like Hilter has bitten off more than she can chew!" Colonel Grappler locked up his house, fired up his petrol miser motor cycle, and headed off to meet up with Jess and some old cronies.. they had things to do…… * * *
© 2012 The GrapplerAuthor's Note
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1 Review Added on October 21, 2012 Last Updated on November 29, 2012 Author
The GrapplerForster, Mid North Coast NSW, AustraliaAboutI am a 69 year old with a gift for words - and I write many things, including some rather oddball political theories. more..Writing
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