[center][h1][u][i]American Dream: Shattered Union[/i][/u][/h1] United We Stand, Divided We Fall [img]https://www.colourbox.com/preview/1980926-american-flag-background.jpg[/img][/center] [hr][hr] [color=9e0b0f]"My country tis of thee,"[/color] [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] "Lost land in anarchy," [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] [color=0054a6]"Of thee I weep."[/color] [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] [color=9e0b0f]"Land where our fathers died,"[/color] [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] "Land of our fallen pride." [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] "[color=0054a6]From every sea side,"[/color] [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] [color=9e0b0f]"Oh save us please."[/color] [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] Cannons boomed as gunfire and and bullets broke the air, screams and shouts piercing the air. The ground shook as the fortified church was bombarded with lead and hellfire. Ancient roots which had grown to swallow up much of the church quaked as they too took the brunt of the damage of stray shots from the assault on it. But yet inside it was calm, sure the boom of artillery could still be heard and a small ran of dust or glass rained in from above from the ceiling and windows that were long destroyed. Yet this failed to unnerve the sole occupant of the room as he lit candles like a monk around a small alter. [i][b]BOOOM[/b][/i] The ground shook again as cannon landed closer, the defenders outside were loosing ground as judging from their cries of pain and worry. The rushed patterings of hoof-like feet signaled the arrive of a new soul into the inner church. There was a clear sense of worry coming from the mutant Evol even before his mouth opened. "Kobar, you are here to tell me that I am to evacuate now, are you not?" the monk-like figure rose with his back to the newest member. "Yiss..." the Evol hissed, "We missst get you outsss. Tisss too dangerousss here now. We will ssssee our deathsss sshould we ssstay." "How many soldiers are left?", the cloaked hood rotated a little to give some attention to Kobar. "Unknown sssir... there are aboutsss a hundred ssssoldiersss left lassst I check-" [i][b]BOUMM[/b][/i] A shell flew through the ceiling, taking with it more of what fragile old world church still had too offer, dull colored glass flew through the hair like sharp rain. It was clear that this fortified monastery would no longer hold, the enemy would no give up now. They now had a clear advantage, troops would continue to stream in to this siege. Maybe there would have been a chance but by now they were out of food, out of supplies, out of manpower and out of luck, at this rate the place would fall before sun down. "Kobar," the monk turned around, his face shrouded by shadows of his hood, "Get everyone to the trucks. We can't have have everyone dying on us now; the call of America still echoes and its requires people to bring it back." With a nod, the Evol bowed and dashed out of the room once more. The hooded monk watched as one of his friends ran back out into the gunfight, the great doors slamming shut. He then turned around to face a statue, a statue of a man named Kriss or something on a cross. The monk had long forgotten who actually was the person, but he knew the meaning none the less. Drawing a gun from his robes, three shots straight to the head of the cracked, aged figure caused the entire piece to crumble to the ground. "No God, no kings, just men." the monk said as he walked out, "And Patriots." [hr][hr][center][h1]Grand Union Commonwealth[/h1][h2]Capitol Building, Independence[/h2][/center] "I am regretted to inform you that we have failed to eradicate the target sir. It seems that this "Patriot" fellow has escaped us once more.", the commander kneeled before the President, the Senate and the High Church of Americanism. in the grand chamber of the Senatorium. "Commander, you are utterly incompetent!" President Tarrot roared as he almost jumped out of his seat in rage, "For Washington's sake! You take 10,000 men to hunt down one man and his oversize band of rabble and yet you still manage to fail?!" "If you were one of my warbosses, I would have taken you head by now!" Karakzaw roared even louder, brandishing his great axe. "T-t-th-" the commander began before quickly blurting out, "Thereisnoexcuseformyactions!" Tarrot sat back down and sighed, his hands attempting to sooth his aching temples. This whole thing was already a mess, this "Patriot" fellow had already plastered signs and graffiti all across Independence and the GCU as a whole with a slew of various messages. Calling Americanism a "fake, bastardized religion", saying that Tarrot himself was a tyrannical leader and that the GCU should not be using "violent criminal rapists and murders as soldiers". The last one got Karakzaw pretty angry to an almost humorous degree although he did end up doing a number on his personal quarters, its still hadn't been fully repaired even up to now. Dismissing the commander, the chamber became lively once more until Yorland regained everyone's attention through skillful use of a mallet, "Alright everyone, settle down now, beaches only get rougher with high waves. We have other things to discuss." "Thank you Yorland." Tarrot cleared his throat and spoke, "My fellow compatriots, we have survived yet another harsh winter through the hard work of our people and the blessings of the Founders! But now it is time we come out of our hibernation and once again return to full capacity! Speak now of your questions, and answers you shall receive!" The delegations took up another two hours, possibly more as equal parts of words and insults where thrown about before President Tarrot retired to his study. Quotas were being met for this time of year, only about 3 thousand people starved to death and more independent raider tribes where being civilized. Unfortunately the Steel Legion was still being fairly uncooperative in that regard. For as great of a military assist they were, they sure as hell were rowdy and looks somewhat ridiculous if not down right barbaric, Tarrot could rant for a hour straight one their appearance and clothing alone, or lack there of. Opening his door to his spacious study, he quickly strolled over to his desk and sunk into his chair. The office as a whole was modeled after old world pictures of the Oval Office. Of course, the current situation meant the had to skip out on some spots, but as a whole, Tarrot looked pretty well. Minus the ugly fireplace which he used as a disposal unit. Pulling out a pen and some rough parchment, he got to work on his presidential duties with his notebook next to him and. He wrote up new quotas, seasonal tax plans, looked over military reports and letters from factories and business. Someone also decided to mail him a a box of shit as well. Tarrot made a note to go yell at the people in the mail room before chucking the the box and its contents out the nearest window. Heading back to work, he was writing a letter to a governor in the midstate before remembering a mental note he and made earlier. Grabbing a fresh sheet of his finest parchment and deepest ink stone, Tarrot dripped some water into a slab and pressed the ink stone and swirled it around until a shimmering black ink was produced. With a flick of his his eagle feather quill reserved for only the most official of proclamations, the president quickly scribbled out a declaration in curvy letters which would open up diplomatic ties between the Grand Union Commonwealth and any other nation which might be interested. It could also be a chance to obtain some new ties and maybe spread the words of the Founders. Sending the final copy of the decree to a secretary, Tarrot relaxed a little in his chair. Soon enough scribes would archive the original piece somewhere and then make copies of it to be posted in every town, settlement and outpost in GCU lands, could also be used to cover up some of the crap that Patriot fellow put up to.