Brotherhood, From Sea to Shining Sea

While most of Greater Ottawa had been enjoying the day off, the Greater Ottawan Ambassador Center was a buzz with conversation, argument, and discord. The eight regions that had sent delegates, were finding the limitations of the old world. Director Liam L., leader of the Semi-Matriarchal Liberal Democracy of the Northeastern Region and Keith, President of the Confederation of the Texan Republic, couldn't agree on the form of Governance they wanted for the country. Keith wanted to keep the original system the US had in place while Liam wanted better and strong representation of those around who'd been mistreated by the original US Government. 

Meanwhile, Demi, fellow delegate alongside Liam and Lily, were arguing with the Eastern Floridians, Bradley and B-Marshall, on who would rule in society. The two Northeastern delegates, Demi and Lily, wanted a matriarch-dominant society while Bradley and B-Marshall wanted a return to the old patriarch-dominant society. Jim and Susan of the Western Floridians were debating against all five delegates of the Anarchical Commonwealth of Chicago on who would have the right to participate in the society. 

Morgan and her co-delegate, Evie, along with Paige and her co-delegate, Jonathon, were talking with the Ghost and Major Mcginnis about if they could even have a centralized government. From dusk until dawn and then back again, they seemingly got nowhere. On the recommendation of the Ghost, everyone went home or back to their rooms to rest and sleep a while. Early the next morning, the Ghost went into his office and made a few papers for every delegate to fill out. Once everyone had received a paper, they split up to fill them out. Each delegate was asked what government style they wanted, what society would look like realistically, and where they'd be willing to compromise. 

After everyone had filled them out, they all reconvened to talk. As the Ghost read them, he shook his head in disbelief before walking out of the meeting. A few of the delegates rushed out after him, all trying to stop him, but to no avail. The others came outside and began to argue or continue arguing when the ground began to shake. The delegates looked up to find Constitution holding the Ghost in the palm of her hand. 

"G of O, come on dawg!" Bradley yelled up to him. However, The Ghost took out their papers and yelled incoherently, then he looked down at them.

"WHY! DEAR GOD WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU! AT LEAST LIAM WANTED EQUAL STANDING FOR ALL OF US! IF THIS IS THE BEST WE CAN DO, WE MIGHT AS WELL SURRENDER NOW."

The Automaton lowered the Ghost to the ground. Both Malik and Keith had begun arguing again when he planted both of them face first in the dirt. 

"You two need to get along. All of us do. The New World Order is currently the enemy, and yet... You, Keith and Bradley, want to suppress those who don't agree with your male dominated society, then you, Demi and Lily, want to suppress those who disagree with your female dominated society.... Truly, have you all learned nothing?" He turned to them, his eyes stung from the amount of anger he had in that moment. He looked at their papers before speaking again.

"A society for men, a society for women, a society for the wealthy, a society for ruled by the fucking mobs of people, a society for the strong, a society for... all fucking useless. Vanity has become our issue. The biggest issue here, we all, every single one of us, has been hurt by some aspect of our society, the old world, men and women, but the only one who realized this.... the only people who get that, are Liam of the Northeast, and myself. Why... why must you all fight for such useless vanity...."

Everyone looked at the Ghost as he took a ragged deep breath and looked at him.

"You see it... tell them what you see, why you see what you see." The Ghost stepped back for Liam to take the front and center. Liam took a deep breath then spoke to them. 

"The Ghost is referring to what I wrote. I said, "I would like to see us, all of us, have an equal standing within these United States. Despite our past progress, we have all been the raven killed by the boa constrictor known as the old world. The Ghost and Major both served and have two very different experiences, Keith, Bradley and Demi, Lily, both want a society that suppresses those who hurt them and yet, suppress the very people they once were. Jim, Susan and the Commonwealth argue over who gets to participate, a generational spat that persists with the world, we all see just a way to solve our issues without addressing the biggest issue of them all. We lost our way, all of us and not a single one of us remained truly steadfast within the confines of our region, generation....."

Everyone had gone quiet as Liam spoke. All the words that left his mouth seemed to resonate with the damaged souls trying to put their lives together. 

"Did you all forget so quickly? The Ghost damn near lost the very strand of sanity that allows him to function as a normal human... He's been on the receiving end of some of the most inhuman treatment, the most inhuman treatment, and yet... Everyday, he smiles as he gives his people hope, I smile with him, giving my people hope.... don't get me wrong, he and I both could join you all in the pointless put down of those who hurt us, yet we don't."

Before Liam could go on, the Ghost shook Liam's hand and spoke. "In high school, whenever I could no longer force my smile, you were a beacon far brighter than I. I looked to find your smile to be the reason... I could even keep pushing forwards, keep smiling despite those who had declared their intention was to harm me. Of the many people I wanted to impress, I wanted to stand as an equal to... You were always the one I am most proud to have had on my metaphorical shoulders. I was a high-strung, anxiety riddled mess back then, and yet... never once did you look down on me. Rather you put your best foot forward, showed me that there was a purpose for my pain... to convert that rage into a smile to help others. So, thank you Liam, my friend through the years, and now...."

The Ghost and Liam raised their clenched fist into the air, holding them high for the other delegates to see. 

The Ghost planted a leg forwards, and Liam one backwards. "Together," they both started speaking in unison, "We shall rebuild this world from the ashes of pain into a brighter future!" The Ghost nodded as they stopped their pose and rejoined the delegates. 

"Effective immediately, Liam of the Northeast and I, the Ghost of Greater Ottawa, have entered something far greater than a peace treaty of non-aggression, we have entered into a Brotherhood-Alliance."

Liam nodded and pointed at the others. Both of them locked their gazes upon the other delegates.

"The rest of you, will either get yourselves together, or be subject to the Greater Northeast and Greater Ottawan collective might. You can either join us in creating a fair and just society, not ruled by fear, not by putting others down..." The Ghost spiked what Liam had set up.

"Or you will be subject to territorial loss, rejection of alliance treaty, and ultimately..."

Commander Paige, Commune Leader Morgan, Liam and the Ghost all stood in front of the others. All speaking in unison as their delegate counterparts joined them. "Subject to becoming an enemy of the United States consisting of the Northeastern Democracy, the New Appalachian Republic, the New Western States' Commune, and the Constitutional Meritocracy of the Midwest. Some of you are our friends, some even our allies, but if we are to defeat the New World Order's tyranny, we must unite under a common banner."

As they spoke, they passed a soul torch off to the next person who'd add something more to the fires of their soul touch. "A banner of community." Said Morgan who passed the smoldering embers of the torch to Paige. "A banner of family." Paige passed the flickering torch to Liam as the soul fire seemed to only grow. "A banner of hope and freedom." Liam handed the blazing torch to the Ghost. "A banner of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all." The Ghost raised his fist, holding a tattered American Flag. "Old Glory here, it has seen its fair share of bloodshed, fires of tragedy, and devastation beyond our comprehension."

The other delegates backed up in fear as their armies marched up behind them. Constitution, standing tall behind the armies and aircraft streaked overhead. The Ghost and Liam stood before the other delegates and spoke. 

"As long as there are differences, we will...."

"Tear ourselves apart." Sounded off the Greater Ottawan and Northeastern Armies.

"....Fighting each other. We need one race, one...."

"Goal! One people to move forward...." Sounded off the New Appalachian and Western Coast Commune armies sounded off.

"Toward our destiny, our American heritage demands we take a stand. This is your chance to become founding fathers, founding mothers of America, founding members of the new American we are all going to be a part of." Said Liam, extending his hand to all of them. 

"The world is ours to change for the fucking better." Started the Ghost, "Together, we can and will rebuild this world for the better, and I will do this, even if it must sacrifice my life to see it come to pass... No matter what!" Said the Ghost clenching his fist as the other delegates nodded, smiling. Francesco stood up in front of the undecided delegates. 

"As my old uncle Tony used to say... "Let's get to work."

As the delegates concluded their meeting, they began to plan their next massive opportunity to strike a blow to the old world gone rotten.... Operation: A House United