A Train Ride to Dallas
Just before leaving the cemetery themself, Vik turned around to take one last look at the area the hero had been just moments before. As they turned they saw something. In the dream-orange sunset light, an older woman seemed to be waving at them. Vik started to walk closer, but the figure of the woman shook her head, then pointed at herself and tapped her head. With a simple message, she'd conveyed a message stronger than words could express, "I know". As Vik waved goodbye, the wind seemed to whisper the woman's words as she faded with the sun falling beneath the horizon. "You are strong too, Vik. Never forget that.." Vik whipped around hearing the words, but the figure was gone. Vik shook their head smiling and jogged back into the city.
The next morning, Perseverance was up bright and early. As the 7 o'clock morning news came on, Greater Ottawans were greeted by their hero.
"Good Morning Greater Ottawa. While I am thankful to be here on the morning show, my reasoning isn't so cheery. After I finish here today, I have resigned fully from the leadership chair of Greater Ottawa."
As the camera zoomed out just a little ways, Perseverance had the Council members standing beside him. He cleared his throat before continuing.
"Ahem.. Pardon my throat. There are a few things that I have amended within the Greater Ottawa Constitution as well as several things the Council has added, but they will walk you through that in their press conference at noon. Firstly, April 28th has officially declared a holiday for Greater Ottawa, it shall be known as Loved-One's Day. No work of any kind shall be held upon this day. Take it to remember those you've lost, remember those you've lost, remember those you have, and those who are to come."
The hero gripped the podium, "Now, I have amended the way the Council works. Elections will continue, and they will remain delegates rather than be trustees. However, I have added the "Anti-Hate Clause to their position. It states no political party nor any individual of the Council shall be permitted to run on the premise of or enact law that are rooted within discrimination of gender, race, orientation, creed/religion, genetic-disposition and class. Failure to do so, will only result in the removal from the Council with severe punishment the law has dictated."
Perseverance nodded in response to some applause from reporters. The hero smiled and said a few more things before wishing the Greater Ottawans a good morning and a great day. As he walked off stage, Dr. Sue handed him a new eye-visor. This one was blue as the original design had specified.
"Did you bring it?" Asked the hero.
"Yes, the item you requested is already on the train." Replied Dr. Sue, nodding. "What about you, are you ready?" She asked, smiling.
"Madie Sue, I was born ready. Let's hit it."
As the two arrived at the Two Rivers Train Station, the massive steam locomotive let out a whistle. Once they were underway, Brigadier General Mcginnis, Lieutenant Colonel Scott, and Liam L. of the Northeast all entered Perseverance's train car. They went over everything that had transpired within the two months the hero had been unconscious. There were two big changes that were affecting their immediate well-being.
The first was the Japanese pulling out of Greater Ottawa. A few thousand citizens chose to stay and become citizens after General Akira and her forces had been stripped of their citizenship for failing to keep the Greater Ottawan Hero "alive". However, Akira and her division had been swiftly taken in and made citizens of Greater Ottawa. She was made a Major and her division was placed under General Mcginnis's command. The newly created 428th Great Ottawan Advanced Armor Division had done well to keep the peace in the Midwest while the world plunged into maddening chaos.
The second was the alliance. When the two front attack broke out, the various Americans did their best to stop the attack. While areas above the Mason-Dixon line did well-enough to repel the attacks, the Confederation of the Texan Republic got hammered hard. President Keith did his best and did manage to repel the invaders, but the casualty rates were atrocious. As this was his election year, the result of the mass-slaughtering of Texans resulted in Keith's lowest record numbers to date. His opponent, seeing Keith in a bind, ceased the opportunity to make some unsettling claims. Galvin Harstead, a big shot in Texas, was his opponent and he claimed to revoke the mass treaty of the factions and completely withdraw support from them. Additionally, he declared he wanted to take over the other factions to establish the United Republic of Texas.
Liam nodded. He also added several other issues facing the world. After Perseverance had gone unconscious, New Florida, united under the leaderships of Jim & Susan and Bradley & B-Marshall, had put satellites into orbit using a rocket that was staged at Kennedy Space Center. At the same time, the New World Order put up satellites as well. However, before they could get a chance to use them, the countries of France, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Spain and the city of London had all launched several massive rebellions with their newfound powers. Canada was amidst their own civil war, and the Order was forced to abandon the UK. However, not before leveling most of London on their way out. They'd retreated to the Middle East, China and Africa where they'd managed to devastate rain, absolute, destructive hell upon the citizens within the countries they now occupied and those within the regions nearby. Once he'd finished, Liam left the train car to make a satellite-phone call to his people.
However, the reason they were currently heading for Texas was a request from President Keith.
"Keith has asked for Greater Ottawan reinforcements to help secure the border. Metahuman organizations have taken up where the cartels once held ground. We really can't call them gangs anymore as they've moved well beyond petty crimes." Major Mcginnis said opening a manilla file.
"Son, the world has gone hero-villain crazy. It's like some of those tv shows you used to watch, except we're in the part nobody shows. The reason behind why and how the heroes managed to have such a hold on society." Lieutenant Colonel Scott added to the Brigadier General's point.
"Well, good thing the Vestiges of American Legends and I have prepared a move list to send these... villains... straight to prison." Perseverance clenched his fist as one of Akira's soldiers entered the car.
"Forgive my intrusion, but we have entered Texas, General Mcginnis and Hero Perseverance."
"Excellent. Have the "Red Hat Ladies" ready to go." Ordered B.G Mcginnis.
"Red Hat Ladies?" Inquired Perseverance.
"I thought the women of the 428th, along with Major Akira, would like to sport Grandma's old group name." The Lieutenant Colonel said to his son.
As the train began to slow down, it became clear just how desperate the situation in the Texan Republic was. Dallas looked like a bombed out version of a Hoovertown of the Great Depression. In other words, tents were pitched as far as the eye could see. Injured and sickly people overwhelmed hospitals and mobile clinics as the sound of falling artillery spooked those still coherent enough to flinch.
As the 428th got off the train, they saw just how down and depressed the Texans were. There and then, three sisters got the Texan people's attention to raise their spirits while Dr. Sue, Liam, Brigadier General Mcginnis and Lieutenant Colonel Scott watched.
"Have no fear, Citizens of Texas!" cried out the first sister.
"Why have no fear?" Added the second sister.
"It's really simple!" the third sister said, smiling.
As the Texan people watched someone else get off the train the three sisters yelled out at the tops of their lungs, "For the hero is here! For he is ..."