The Starved Rock Series

For many of us, the years between 2020 and 2024 were pivotal years. Our wages stolen, rights stripped away, lives bound in the shackles of endless wars, riots and the signs of our decaying western civilization could no longer be hidden nor ignored. Our hearts hardened, and our resolve, regardless of party, were pointing all of us to watering the Tree of Liberty with the blood of tyrants. There were many of us that had prepared for such a scenario, stockpiling weapons, ammo, food, first aid... we thought we were ready for whatever was thrown at us.

However, when the day finally came to water the Tree of Liberty, the US Government launched a series of coordinated strikes across the US. Missiles reigned down upon us, like a snowstorm would blanket the Midwest in the deadest of winters. Once the fire and ash had settled, the following silence didn't bring the survivors any comfort, rather, it brought the CIA. With a simple series of words, phrases, images and noises, they unleashed their operatives. "Project MK Ultra IV", brought sleeper agents up to the fight. Organized rebellion became seemingly impossible. Leaders would rise up, trying to unite what remained of the United States, only for these sleeper agents to execute them. Hope was that of a flickering candle trying to light the way amidst the wrath of a raging storm.

There were those in the Eastern Hemisphere who believed they were safe, as if they held some kind of immunity, just out of reach of the Order's twisted grasp. That couldn't have been further from the truth. The darkened hand of the New World Order had gripped every nation in every corner of the world and had no intentions of allowing anyone to remain unfettered. 

Over the course of the past, there were those who jabbed at Americans for all sorts of reasons. In the end, say what you will about the Americans and their seemingly barbaric love for weapons of all shapes and sizes. When the The New World Order gave Washington D.C the order to silence the will of the people, it was no longer up for debate. Citizens across the nation revealed to the world who had the superior army. The Unofficial American Army, composed of military veterans, gun-owners, gearheads, welders, tradesmen of all kinds, and average citizens of all genders, creeds, backgrounds and titles filled in the rest.

When the New World Order made landfall on the Eastern and Western Seaboards, they were met by enraged Americans of all shapes, sizes and colors. For it did not matter their beliefs, orientations, gender roles, or the color of their skins. They were fighting side by side. The one thing this Order hadn't considered, and it was something other countries didn't have. It was quite a simple thing. We, The People of the United States, could find common ground in our ability to look autocrats, bureaucrats, politicians, authoritarians, and tyrants in their eyes and tell them to go fuck themselves with a red, white and blue middle finger, followed by a 12-gauge send off. 

As the Americans fought off their Government, factions finally began to take root. In the Southern Region of the US, the Confederation of the Texan Republic or C.T.R, held their own using the industry and firepower they'd been proudly cultivating. On the Western Seaboard, Americans banded together under the Western Commune of States or WCS. They had plenty of the technology that allowed them to fight back just as hard as the C.T.R. Just like in the West, the Eastern Seaboard gritted their teeth and banded together. They formed the Appalachian Territorial Dominion or A.T.D. They struggled to hold their ground against Washington D.C's forces for as long as they'd been around.

However, none of the factions dared to think of a singular section of the US, a section they all vitally needed. In the middle of the country, there were two regions that made up the breadbasket of America and they weren't in good shape. The Plains and Midwestern States were locked amidst a power struggle. The Plains States and Midwestern States west of the Mighty Mississippi fell under the control of the Plains Overboss. He and his raiders were at war with the Bishop and his gun-slinging, Bible Thumpers, who controlled the states East of the Mighty Mississippi River.

These two factions fought along the Mississippi Border for months. However, as they moved south into Iowa and Illinois, they encountered the minor faction. One led by what could be described as perseverance incarnate, the Ghost of Ottawa. He was a formidable opponent that neither faction could beat. 

As the Overboss and Bishop led their armies to battle on the outskirts of the small midwestern town of Ottawa, IL. It was there the fire of hope burst back into flames as they encountered a single rival, one they would come to regret messing with....