The War Cry of Uncle Sam IC

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

The doctor did the surgery, then decided to keep you under for a while. IV has all your nutrition back up to optimal, and you just got over three days' sleep. Wish I had that. You must feel great."

[Prolieum]

Edwards Air Force Base

Hearing the rumors of Texan betrayal, the troops garrisoning the base, and other Californian outposts, were put in a state of panic. Everything that could be taken was, or had been, everything else was destroyed, or being prepared to be destroyed.

Los Angeles

The city was slowly sliding towards panic. Millions from the area were being evacuated south, while within the city buildings were being demolished to block all major roads, defensive positions were being set up, ships taken from the harbor, men digging in.

Mexico City

After mobilizing the men on the Rio Grande, the Presidente called Kiser.

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

The doctor did the surgery, then decided to keep you under for a while. IV has all your nutrition back up to optimal, and you just got over three days' sleep. Wish I had that. You must feel great."

"Actually, I don't feel great," Assad snapped. "I feel like I have to throw up and scream and cry all at the same time, but I can't throw up, because I haven't eaten in . . . a week now. I had my brace taken off by a bunch of boy scouts. I got kidnapped by Texas, and I'm not feeling any change in my right arm."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

The man frowned. "Sir, at this point that is likely psychological. The arm is securely set, and healing, and your IV has been feeding you more than sufficiently. Your issues are not of the body."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

The man frowned. "Sir, at this point that is likely psychological. The arm is securely set, and healing, and your IV has been feeding you more than sufficiently. Your issues are not of the body."

"Well, I don't know what to do. I've been paranoid and irritable ever since the incident regarding the AU kidnapping me. I've been plagued with guilt over the Freedonian chancellor's wife's injuries, and no one seems to want to listen." Assad looked away from the man. "I doubt anyone here is willing to listen. No one else has."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

"We can schedule you a counseling session."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

"We can schedule you a counseling session."

Assad sighed. "Please tell me it's with someone who knows what they're talking about and not someone from an elementary school."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

"We have several counselors available with Masters' Degrees."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

"We have several counselors available with Masters' Degrees."

"OK, good." Assad glanced at the man. "How long do I have to wait?"

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

He checked the clock. "It may be best to wait until morning, though if you want to, I could get someone here within twenty minutes or so. You may also want to talk to the Vice General after the session."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

He checked the clock. "It may be best to wait until morning, though if you want to, I could get someone here within twenty minutes or so. You may also want to talk to the Vice General after the session."

"I'd very much like to get it done now," Assad replied. "I doubt this vice-general is patient."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

"All right. We have a closet full of clothes right there." He pointed. "So I will wait outside while you change, or shower, or whatever you are going to do, and then we can head over to him."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

"All right. We have a closet full of clothes right there." He pointed. "So I will wait outside while you change, or shower, or whatever you are going to do, and then we can head over to him."

I am definitely not using their showers. After getting clothes on, Assad opened the door. "OK, I'm ready . . . for whatever this is going to be."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

The man led him to another room, opening the door for him. It was sparse, a ramshackle little room, walls cracked, no furnishings besides a table in the middle of the room and two chairs, but kept sternly clean. In the chair across the table sat the counselor-a young man, likely in his twenties, with blonde hair and a broad smile.

"G'day mate. Why don't you sit down and tell me what's troubling ya?"

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

The man led him to another room, opening the door for him. It was sparse, a ramshackle little room, walls cracked, no furnishings besides a table in the middle of the room and two chairs, but kept sternly clean. In the chair across the table sat the counselor-a young man, likely in his twenties, with blonde hair and a broad smile.

"G'day mate. Why don't you sit down and tell me what's troubling ya?"

Just like that, huh? Assad sat across from the man. "Well, I . . . I've been on-edge and paranoid ever since I was kidnapped by a bunch of people from the American Union. They shot me up with tranquilizers, kept restraining me, and somehow I got rescued by a Freedonian task force. The chancellor's wife was horribly mutilated, and I feel like it's all my fault. I can't seem to get a grip, I feel alone, guilty, and like . . . like a nuisance. I feel like no one wants to listen, everyone has my back against the wall . . . and just---it just feels like I don't have a voice."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

The man immediately adopted a more formal, businesslike tone of voice.

"Question 1: Did you encourage the Chancellor's wife to follow you?"

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

The man immediately adopted a more formal, businesslike tone of voice.

"Question 1: Did you encourage the Chancellor's wife to follow you?"

Assad shook his head. "No. She led the force trying to rescue me, or kidnap me, I couldn't tell who was good or bad."

[Prolieum]

Pa'el

"Good. Now, Fact-the American Union was attempting to kidnap you.

Fact-you had no input on Mrs. Eberhardt's decision to chase you, against the actions of the American Union."

Therefore-regardless of your action, the confrontation would still have taken place.

Additionally-your sequence of action that led to you leaving the funeral forced said confrontation to take place in a less populated area.

Therefore Concluding-that the injuries were inevitable and of no fault of your own, and through the actions you did control, you likely prevented such injuries from being more severe, and the conflict from killing or injuring more in the funeral home. Guilt is not the proper response-your actions likely saved lives, even if unintentionally."

[Krugeristan]

Pa'el

"Good. Now, Fact-the American Union was attempting to kidnap you.

Fact-you had no input on Mrs. Eberhardt's decision to chase you, against the actions of the American Union."

Therefore-regardless of your action, the confrontation would still have taken place.

Additionally-your sequence of action that led to you leaving the funeral forced said confrontation to take place in a less populated area.

Therefore Concluding-that the injuries were inevitable and of no fault of your own, and through the actions you did control, you likely prevented such injuries from being more severe, and the conflict from killing or injuring more in the funeral home. Guilt is not the proper response-your actions likely saved lives, even if unintentionally."

Assad rubbed his face. "OK. Guilt apparently is not the proper response. I'm guessing it's also not my fault that a Freedonian soldier had his nuts damaged. I offered him to come to Syria to adopt because I felt terrible."

[Chewion]

North Texas

"You care more about your own pride then you do about Texas. Pathetic. If that is your decision, then I have nothing more to say."

(Prolieum no Dallas or Dyess or I am done.) "How about the land in North New Mexico?"

[Chewion]

Edwards Air Force Base

Hearing the rumors of Texan betrayal, the troops garrisoning the base, and other Californian outposts, were put in a state of panic. Everything that could be taken was, or had been, everything else was destroyed, or being prepared to be destroyed.

Los Angeles

The city was slowly sliding towards panic. Millions from the area were being evacuated south, while within the city buildings were being demolished to block all major roads, defensive positions were being set up, ships taken from the harbor, men digging in.

Mexico City

After mobilizing the men on the Rio Grande, the Presidente called Kiser.

(No or I am leaving.)

[Prolieum]

North Texas

"Do not try to con me, Kiser. Either you stand by your word, or you break it. No half-measures."

Mexico City

The Presidente called Kiser again.

[Prolieum]

Ar-Raqqah, Pa'el

"Good. A positive display, a symbol for those who attack you-and one you did despite a lack of a necessity. A step forward."

[Krugeristan]

Ar-Raqqah, Pa'el

"Good. A positive display, a symbol for those who attack you-and one you did despite a lack of a necessity. A step forward."

Assad stared. "Um, what?"

[Prolieum]

Ar-Raqqah, Pa'el

"Good job. Now, what else is troubling you?"