Several years later, July 25th, 2005
Lusty took a civil servant exam in the summer of 2004 and became a Lieutenant, which she did become lieutenant. Still, she didn't question why their ranking system has Captain then Lieutenant, whereas the rest of the world still has it as Lieutenant then Captain. When she did become Lieutenant, she got a blue overshirt replacing her white one.
She was happy that she was no longer a Captain and not a white shirt because she saw white shirts as nothing but cowards and most white shirts as nothing but cowards who hide behind a desk.
On July 21st, 2005, the country of Little Bird was invaded by a Soviet field army restarting World War Three, but that’s in the northern part of the country in the city of Fort Suction, the city of Empire is in southern Little Bird in the most southern part of the country. Like everyone else, Lusty couldn’t go one block without seeing military recruitment propaganda or anti-Soviet posters as if this was World Wars with posters for both recruiting and anti-Central powers/Axis powers.
When Lusty went to work, she couldn’t drive because the streets were packed like a zombie apocalypse was going on. She could see that it was chaos, in which she didn’t know what was going on, but she just had to run.
She could see people walking around other’s looting, she saw cops wearing either tactical vests or ballistic vests with 1960s era riot helmets, either having twenty-three-inch wooden batons or twenty-four-inch polycarbonate nightsticks drawn with a few cops holding their standard issue .38, .41, .44 magnum, .357 magnum, .45 double-action revolvers or their 9mm, 10mm auto, or .45 semiautomatic pistols with a few holding either twelve gauge shotguns or automatic rifles.
What the hell is going on today, Lusty thought, Did a group of looneys escape a mental asylum?
Lusty also ran over some fire hoses on the streets and sidewalks. She just kept running, but when she ran across one street, a four-ton army truck without a cover stopped with the driver shouting, “GET OFF THE DAMN ROAD!”
Of course when Lusty looked at the truck with a dark olive drab paint scheme the driver side door besides having a blue five-pointed star it says in white bold words “CLM” or Clearlake Militia.
What the Hell is the Clearlake Militia doing here? Lusty thought, Clearlake… Besides being 370 miles away or seven hours by vehicle. The militia replaced the home guard in 1970, so the militia could only protect what town or city they were in… Last time I heard that the president is the only one who could and would order the militia to either fold into the regular armed forces or send them somewhere else if need be. One reason the Home Guard was disbanded was because of the Anti-War movements that Home Guard companies would go to places, mainly into the cities, to put down the protests, usually leaving where they were assigned to to be vulnerable.
She also saw the truck had a trailer with many green boxes and blue five-pointed army stars. But she couldn’t see what the crates were for, which her gut was saying that they were packed with 5.56x45mm rounds, 5.56x47mm LB rounds, 7.62x51mm rounds, 7.62x52mm LB rounds, 40X46mm Grenade rounds. Some crates are filled with medical supplies.
Lusty also saw another truck without a cover but had a trailer. Still, it wasn’t covered, and she saw both General Purpose Machine Guns and Heavy Machine Guns, including the Infamous MG43, which resulted from captured German MG42s from both the North Africa and Italian campaigns, with some being sent back to Little Bird for studies at the Little Bird Armed Forces Staff Board were taught about it and taught what it sounded like while the Arsenal recalibrated them to fire a 30-06 round. Lusty remembered hearing how when the Little Bird president of 1939-1954, Mrs. Abigail Rogers-Orange, the second female president of Little Bird, heard the MG42 fire, she nearly pissed herself. She was a logistical officer in the Little Bird Army during the 1930s.
Lusty is also mixed about how if this were between 1702 and 1954, then if the military got called out, the cavalry would come with. The soldiers on the horses would holster their rifles, draw their backswords and do a cavalry charge as an intimidation tactic, that always worked until they were replaced with light tanks in which were replaced with APCs and IFVs.
Lusty just kept on running, and when one person tried to attack her, she used her right hand, punched the guy on the right side of the man’s torso, and rammed his face into her knee. She ran until she reached Squad Company 141 firehouse. When she arrived, it felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
“Where is everybody else?” asked Lusty while panting.
Apili replied, “Lincoln, Wallace, and Rogers were and are military reservists, so they got called back into the Army. Smith said he felt like he had to move on, and without his son, he just signed up for the military of course, they all said that the likelihood of them coming back is one out of ten. So it’s just me, you, and Rodriguez.”
“Great, just us three,” said Lusty, “Gonna be a lot harder than when I got a religious student in high school to stop talking about his religion.”
Apili replied, “How did you do that?”
“I told him that I was a Satanist,” said Lusty, “Then I told the guy ‘Hail Satan,’ and he removed himself from the conversation. My parents didn’t find it funny when I told them that when they asked me how school was. But that’s because my father came from a strict religious family, more strict than I’ve heard about those religious cults. Met someone from my dad’s family who was in a strict religious cult, and he told me that women are second-class citizens. My foot met his balls, and I told him that his balls were second-class citizens. Either way, we need to get out there to help people.”
Apili replied, “You haven’t heard on the radio?”
“I ran for miles to get here!” said Lusty, “Haven’t heard the radio.”
Apili replied, “Due to a lack of police support, the rich are crying due to a lack of police.”
Lusty didn’t believe it until she went to a two-way radio.
“From the 12th Precinct: The mob is sacking commercial buildings on 34th Street and Second Ave. We have no force to send to quell them. From the Tenth Precinct: Most commercial buildings are burning, with some already burnt down due to no firefighters and lack of force. From the Ninth Precinct: Need armed soldiers to back up the police, sent a SWAESU unit to defend the armory on the corner of Heliconcious and Flurry Street. Capt Asyling ordered her officers in the Ninth to put the mob down by deadly force and not to take any prisoners until the mob has been put down,” said a male voice, “From the 14th Precinct: Officers spread thin don’t have any spare officers to send into other areas of the city. From the 15th Precinct: The ports and all commercial buildings are closing for fear of the mob.
“All off-duty police officers are ordered to report into their precincts the Empire Police is ordering a level five mobilization. Outside Militia units have arrived. The governor just asked what the Militia should do with any prisoners, and the president ordered the Militia not to take any prisoners until the mobs have been put down.”
Lusty turned the two-way radio off.
“Today is gonna be a fun day,” said Lusty sarcastically. She sighed.
“Your orders, Lieutenant?” asked Chauffeur/Engineer John Rodriguez, “Do we go out even though we’re down like 80% of our members but still help others, or do we stay back here?”
Lusty rubbed her head for a minute before truthfully admitting. “I don’t know. I just have no idea what to do. I want us to go out to help people to the best of our ability even though we’re severely understaffed. Still, at the same time, I’m not risking my company’s lives against assholes running around burning stuff and rioting over who knows what!”
John replied, “Never heard you be like that.”
“Well, I’m not going to lie,” said Lusty, “When I was a kid and a teenager, my parents would usually punish me with either a wooden paddle or my father’s black leather belt whenever I lied. But I won’t explain how my parents raised me and how they were as children with Authoritative parents. If they raised me how Zofia’s mother raised Zofia, then I would be an entitled spoiled bitch.”
Lusty thought for a minute that Zofia probably thought the back or storage room in a store is like Santa’s workshop and thinks everything magically showed up at stores instead of being made, harvested, shipped, or trucked from who knows where. Not adding, Lusty thinks Zofia believes she can return things without the receipt and passed the return date.
Lusty removed her shoes and put them into her bunker gear trousers and boots.
“Don’t stand around,” said Lusty, “We got a whole city to serve.”
They joined her in putting on their turnout gear, and within a minute, they hit the streets of Empire.
Over the fire department radio was chaos.
“That’s what you get when you have sycophant bureaucrats,” said Lusty, “Be in positions they shouldn’t be because they rather promote ass kissers than promote people who know what the fuck to do. It’s like if the military promoted a Private fresh out of Basic training to the rank of General.”
Both John and Apili ignored Lusty, thinking she was just running her mouth and thinking she was thinking out loud.
I only know that, Lusty thought, war occurs in someone's home, schools, and streets of whatever country is invaded, and this time, it’s our country that’s been invaded by the Soviets. It has been several hundred years since a foreign power invaded our country.
“I can tell ya is that these Soviets are going to wish they didn’t do a surprise invasion on our land,” said Lusty, “Last thing they’ll ever do. I can imagine seeing in the papers the war crimes already. Of course, this would probably be a long or short-ish war.”
Lusty doesn’t know about Project: Phoenix, a once top secret military project dating back to 1950 to make soldiers into something like supersoldiers in Sci-Fi stories. However, they take soldiers who volunteer for more demanding training but are expected to fight harder and be more innovative in combat. Not adding one Project Phoenix soldier is worth a company of soldiers (120 soldiers), and there are only 119 of them in Gen 3, where Gen 1 is deceased of old age, and most were volunteers who fought in World War 2 and Gen 2 is in their late 40s to early 60s.
In whatever district of the city they went to, they encountered the police opting for shooting and asking questions later and beating up or putting down the mob with force because the city was like a warzone.
It wasn’t long until Lusty saw Zofia again, looking like a lost child, but Lusty didn’t say a word to her until Zofia started to talk to Lusty and say rude things to Lusty.
“That’s enough Zofia,” said Dave, “Go do your damn job and stop acting like your God’s great gift. Newsflash! You’re not God’s great gift. Honestly, I thought you would’ve been on your back collecting welfare checks.”
Zofia was about to respond.
“You know, why don't you just shut the hell up for once? I swear, you care more about sounding smart sometimes than you do about who has to listen to it!” said Lusty, “I don’t even know what I saw in you, Just shut the fuck up for the first time in your life.”
Zofia replied, “Yeah why don’t you shut up.”
“I wasn’t talking about Dave,” said Lusty, “I was talking about your annoying ass! I swear a newborn baby has a higher IQ than you! My IQ is 98, and your IQ, I want to say, is 75! Hell, elementary school dropouts have higher IQs than you. Dave is smarter than you, you dumbass! If you signed up for the fucking army, you would’ve failed the intelligence test before you could pick up a fuckin’ pencil!”
It made Dave chuckle a little, which made Zofia throw a punch, but Dave caught her fist.
“I’m gonna give you some free advice,” said Dave, “If you ever hit me, it’ll be the last thing you ever do! So take my free advice and do your Goddamn job like we’re doing our jobs before my gut becomes right and you become someone who lives off of their back collecting welfare checks!”
When Dave returned to help Lusty, he provided medical aid to someone badly hurt. Zofia grabbed her baton to hit Dave, but she soon felt a hand around her ankle and fell flat onto her ass.
“He was kind enough to tell you not to fight him,” said Lusty. “So take his free advice and do your job and fuck off. You may not have seen his family fight someone, but I have, and whoever they fight always wish they took their warning to fuck off not to press their luck next time I won’t be so kind as to stop you next time you’re going to either get your ass kicked by him or a female member in his family and the female family members he has I’ve met they would rip you in half like a phonebook!”
Zofia replied, “Well they can’t…”
“Kill a cop?” said Lusty, “Most of them don’t give a shit if you're the fuckin’ governor. I wouldn’t press their buttons, or it’ll be the last thing you ever do. Do you think your snub nosed six-shooter is going to scare them? An Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16 won’t scare a majority of them and if you did use an M16 or pointed it at one of them, they’ll snatch it out of your hands in a heartbeat and bitch slap you with the stock of the rifle. But do me a damn favor and leave me, him, and everyone else alone.”
Zofia did, and she stormed off, not throwing a hissy fit.
“She’s a damn pain in the ass,” said Lusty.
Dave replied, “You don’t have to tell me twice. Probably the only way she could’ve passed school was if her mother slept with every teacher she had and did the same when she went into the police academy.”
“Alright, Mack,” said Lusty, “You should stay off your right leg for some time until it heals. I can see you fell off of your bike.”
Mack replied, “Yeah, had some dumbasses throw rocks and glass bottles at me while trying to escape. Whatever landed in front of my bike threw me off, and I landed wrong on my right leg. Thanks, Lusty, see you around. Also, yes, while it’s been nine years since your parents died, they were the stereotypical Southern family of honest, down-to-earth folks, and I remember how much they would’ve done anything to protect you so you wouldn’t make their mistakes. I remember your dad could only talk about how you were his and his wife's pride and joy.”
“What do you know about my parents?” asked Lusty.
Mack replied, “Your mother, from what my mother told me, your mother always kept her face in textbooks and kept her nose to the grindstone and mostly got B’s and C’s in school in the 60s and the 70s when she was in high school and college even was class president in the years 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974 in both high school and college. Many guys wanted to be with your mother, but she always told them no because her heart only beat for your father, who was over in Vietnam. Even though some of her classmates spat on her or threw soda bottles at her for quote-unquote ‘supported a baby killer and supported a controversial war’. She didn’t care as long as her boyfriend was alive; they were inseparable even when separated by 1574 miles of ocean and jungles. She was also the class princess. She was the most popular girl in school who was sweet, friendly, pretty, and admired.
“Your father was a bully hater, and whoever tried to bully your father always got their ass kicked. Your dad, believe it or not, wanted to be in the Drama club but was rejected, so he joined ROTC in high school in the ninth grade in 1966 but dropped out in 1969 in the twelfth grade he was going to be in the class of 1970. He was only a GySgt until he took the blame for what I did, which got him busted down to Corporal. My father was with your father in the late 1950s. He remembered seeing an all-black delivery van with ‘POLTAC’ on the side; they didn’t know it stood for Police Tactical, a predecessor to the Special Weapons and Emergency Service Unit. Oh at least you weren’t around when the city had a racist mayor in the 60s and ‘62 the racist pissant told all city services to fire anyone who wasn’t of caucasian descent. But nope, both the fire department back then had an employment rate of 59% of people who were from African, European, Asian, Latin, Hispanic and an 2% employment rate of multiracial people like you Lusty. Of course, the mayor threw a temper tantrum and cut their funding/budget until the people threw a fit and forced him out of office because they didn’t care who was patrolling the streets or saving them.
“Listen, while your parents deeply loved you, they wanted to ensure you didn’t end up like Bambi. They wanted you to be a successful woman, and if your mother didn’t get fired by some jackass, they wanted to save enough money for you to go to school and become someone in a good-paying job.
"They didn’t expect that jackass to do what he did because he wanted his mother to be with him. Even took your mother to court for it, but nope, your mother stuck by your father’s side. I know this is going to be hard to believe but after the trial your dad threatened the guy and said, ‘If you come within a hundred and fifty feet of my wife again, I’ll personally kill you’. Didn’t help that the cops were twenty feet away but couldn’t do anything because the guy is a piece of shit anyway.”
“I could believe it,” said Lusty. “My dad was protective of my mother and me. He saw her and me as the only things in the world he cared about. Some nights he would refuse to eat dinner until she and I had something to eat. If my mother didn't eat something, he wouldn’t eat, but rarely, he would go out to get a few cheeseburgers for 60 cents and two things of fries for 30 cents for a dollar and get 10 cents back in change. Of course, meat and pork were a luxury food in my old household. Maybe once a week or once a month, we would have something with ground beef or pork in it but I remember every night whatever we ate had beans on the side or oven-baked Mac and Cheese. My mom always made good Mac and Cheese oven-baked.”
Mack replied, “Yeah, I know your mother gave my mother the recipe back in ‘69. I called it and still call it ‘Mrs. Johnson’s Mac and Cheese.’ Could go for some, too, but you’re the other person I know who knows the recipe.”
Lusty was about to say something.
"Listen," Dave said, his voice tinged with exasperation. "I could continue indulging in a never-ending monologue about how our respective mothers expertly crafted the perfect Mac and Cheese dishes. However, remember that we're not the sole civil servants in the sprawling city of Empire. Our duty is to safeguard this city, not engage in idle chatter about comfort food. Now, my mother possessed a unique talent for creating delectable Mac and Cheese, and so did my stepmother.
"However, she seemed to harbor a constant hatred towards me, with a perpetual stick firmly on her backside. Frankly, I hope she resides in the fiery depths of Hell. But I digress. Regarding Mac and Cheese, I prefer to follow in my mother's footsteps, preparing it from scratch and eschewing any prepackaged ingredients and growing up on a farm instilled in them a disdain for anything preserved or artificial.
"It's worth mentioning that my mother, being my father's second wife, was once his sister-in-law, as his first wife, your stereotypical country gal, shared the same culinary philosophy: everything made from scratch, devoid of preservatives. Now, allow me to emphasize that my mother's culinary prowess was truly remarkable, capable of leaving you dumbfounded with each mouthful. Unfortunately, she imposed strict religious practices upon me, forcing me to attend church on Sundays, read the Bible on Sunday nights, and participate in church study groups on Wednesday evenings. But, Lusty, despite the difference in race, I can't help but detect a semblance of my mother's spirit within you. Nevertheless, discussing Mac and Cheese will not protect our beloved city."
Lusty replied, “Yeah that’s true. See you later Mack. Hey Dave, what’s with you?”
“We have a city to protect, and these motherfuckers out here rioting and causing damages believe a Soviet Nuclear bomb will hit the city,” said Dave, “Yes, while we are at war with the Soviets, but our armed forces and citizens of the country of Little Bird will certainly make every inch a bloody nightmare for the Soviets to take that it won’t be worth the reward. Or as our intelligence services picked up that one Soviet soldier said, ‘This is going to be our Vietnam,’ and we’re going to make it difficult for them to break out and make it near impossible for them to land reinforcements on our beloved country. We’re going to make the Soviets work hard for their victory. We never made our invaders go easily, we never went down gently.”
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Lusty replied, “It’s not like our military is researching an orbital platform that can send a shell down onto anywhere on the earth at super high or very high velocity.”
Dave didn’t even respond but looked at her for a minute.
“Got a cousin who’s in Project Phoenix,” said Dave, “She said that the training is brutal, but when asked why, she was told, ‘We'd rather break you than let you go out into the field without experiencing an intractable tactical situation.’ My cousin would babysit me even though I’m the same age. She went from Marine Embassy Guard to a super soldier-like soldier.”
Lusty replied, “I bet she’s nice.”
“She’s a lone wolf,” said Dave, “She got the nickname of ‘Deadeye’ by not missing her shots as a sniper. She’s also a quiet person, rarely saying anything unless spoken to directly and if so she speaks in terse sentences, and the longest sentence I’ve heard her say was five words long.”
Lusty replied, “Which was? The longest thing she said?”
“Sure you want to hear it?” said Dave, “It was during the war, and she said, and I quote, ‘Let’s kill these fuckers now’. So she’s somewhat of a blood knight or something like that. Well, her mom did walk out on her and her twin sister when they were only in Kindergarten, so that’ll impact a child as it did to them. Veronica is a fighter and never walks away from a fight her twin sister Lucy, when she turned eighteen, got tubal ligation, so she and I quote, ‘Don’t want to be like my mom and walk out on my family without saying a reason why like our mom’. So that’s that.”
Lusty had a chance to change her mind about what she would get told, but she couldn’t back out of it now. They went to Eastside, where the residents fiercely protected what they built over decades, refusing to let outsiders dismantle their community. Without the insurance safety net, the local businesses in Eastside stand vulnerable to potential destruction. Unlike franchise stores, these establishments cannot quickly recover if burned down. Furthermore, many individuals in the Eastside do not possess insurance for their vehicles. While some have the option of Government insurance for a mere five dollars per month, many others lack any form of coverage. Obtaining vehicle insurance on Little Bird may not be mandatory. Still, it is an essential safeguard that many people in Lusty’s old neighborhood can’t afford without losing more money that they don’t have.
In the wake of a past riot, the resilient citizens of Eastside took action, erecting improvised barricades to defend their beloved district from any intruders who sought to destroy their cherished home. Between 1898 and 1910, Eastside was more than just a place to live for its people; it was a labor of love. They invested their hearts and souls into shaping it according to their desires, constructing vibrant stores and restaurants that catered to their needs and nurtured their community.
However, the city government's response was disheartening. Despite the plans formulated in the 1970s to introduce numerous fast food chains and liquor stores into Eastside, the residents staunchly refused to support these ventures. Despite their district representative's approval, the people's collective rejection led these businesses to inevitable failure. The city's disapproval stemmed from their disdain for transforming open fields in the Eastside into thriving farms. These farms became a beacon of self-sufficiency, cultivating an abundance of corn, tomatoes, squash, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, green beans, pumpkins, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
The people's motivation for establishing these farms was to feed themselves and impart essential self-reliance skills to future generations. However, the city disapproved of this community-driven initiative. In the 1970s, the presence of these farms meant that individuals could access food without financial burden, undermining the city's desire for commercial control. These farms were, and continue to be, a testament to the strength of the community, sustained by the collective effort and not reliant on city or government funding.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the people there may be neighbors and co-workers. Still, they’re also a family whose children can go outside and play with other children until the street lights come on, and their parents don’t have to worry about something terrible happening to them. Also, the people trust Lusty because she has their interests in mind because their past district representatives only cared about themselves, not the people living there even though Lusty abhors politics, she has argued with both the District Representative and the Alderman for Eastside to improve the conditions of Eastside. But her ideas fell on deaf ears and was told, “The city doesn’t have the money to fund these projects.” She knows it is a lie because the city government would rather cater to the rich of the city and build things that the city doesn’t need.
The area's residents raised Lusty and took care of her when her parents had to work overtime. They are familiar with her preferences and dislikes. They had the opportunity to hear her speak over the radio during a city hall meeting, where she expressed her concerns as a citizen and posed a question. Her question was straightforward: "Why does the city allocate funds to unnecessary projects while refusing to invest even a penny in initiatives that could benefit disadvantaged individuals?"
A city official could have responded, claiming that the city needed more funds, even though it had more than enough to finance a multi-million dollar renovation of the local football and baseball stadiums. However, the city can't spare a few million dollars to construct new fire stations, police stations, or trade schools. Interestingly, the city has spent several billions of dollars to construct liquor stores, gentlemen's clubs, adult stores, bars, and fast food establishments, among other ventures.
When confronted with a City official's unawareness of city economics, Lusty clarified the allocation of funds: "The Fire Department receives $2 billion, as does the Police Department. Utilities and education each gain $500 million, while healthcare receives several hundred million. The remainder of the city's budget is dedicated to environmental initiatives and city planning."
Lusty pointed out the city's unwillingness to fund necessary infrastructure, such as new police precincts and firehouses, while funding unnecessary establishments like gentlemen's clubs, liquor stores, fast-food joints, and a new golf course. The City officials remained vague, providing no clear answer for this discrepancy.
She highlighted the urgent need for renovations in the firehouses she visited, citing outdated locker rooms and equipment dating back to the early 1900s. Furthermore, she argued for the necessity of more police precincts. The existing stations, built during the city's early development in the 1910s-1920s, are insufficient to serve the city's expanded population since World War II and the Baby Boom. This lack of police presence has led to uneven crime rates across the city.
Between the 1960s and late 1990s, Empire city endured rampant arson, including insurance fraud by landlords. Despite these issues, the city prioritizes frivolous spending over public safety. As a result, police are stretched thin and some areas lack adequate fire protection. While most districts have only two firehouses, inner-city districts have up to four. Lusty insists on the need for a re-evaluation of the city's budget priorities.
Lusty, being a responsible individual, took a moment to ensure the well-being of her babies when encountering her former acquaintance. She received the comforting news that her little ones were in good hands with a trusted elder who had utilized a record player to lull them to sleep. The tunes being played were from the Renaissance era, a soothing genre that the caretaker herself had experienced as a student and had found effective in promoting restful slumber.
“They deeply care for you,” said John.
Lusty replied, “The individuals residing in this community are truly remarkable. They took me under their wing and provided me with a safe haven when my parents were preoccupied with work. These kind-hearted individuals would care for me, nourish me, and ensure my well-being until my parents could take over.
“I attempted to bring to the attention of the Eastside District Representative and Alderman for Eastside the dire living conditions of the residents here. It is unacceptable that they are compelled to reside in century-old, dilapidated tenement buildings. I proposed replacing these structures with mid-century designed mid- and high-rise apartment buildings but to no avail. The District Rep, Alderman, and city officials are more concerned about this project's cost than their constituents' well-being.
“Regrettably, they choose to allocate millions of dollars towards frivolous contracts and scams to ensure certain individuals remain on the payroll. They even promised to build a new freeway to alleviate traffic, which was approved in '93, but nothing has come to fruition. It has been twelve years, and not a single inch of road has been constructed. It seems they made this promise simply to keep a few people and a foreman on the payroll so they can relax at home, earning a salary for doing absolutely nothing but drinking and watching TV.”
“So a second family?” asked Apili.
Lusty replied, “To say they were just a second family would be a gross understatement. They were not just people I knew, they were my family. And even today, they remain my family. The individuals that make up this district's community were once esteemed military members, serving in various roles such as soldiers, rangers, marines, sailors, pilots, snipers, medics, radiotelephone operators, mechanics, logistics officers, and more. Those who worked as mechanics in the military continue to utilize their skills and expertise in the mechanic shops throughout the district.
“In contrast to the city government's lack of support since the 1930s, the people in this district demonstrate a remarkable level of mutual aid and assistance towards one another. I once had a babysitter who had served in the Little Bird Army Special Operations Command. During one of our conversations, he recounted his experiences fighting Soviet Spetsnaz soldiers and officers in North Vietnam in 1968. He boldly declared, ‘We're putting the fear of God in those Spetsnaz bastards!’ He spoke at length about his time in combat and his challenges. He also talked about how his son did the same in 1999-2000 behind the Iron Curtain.”
They could hear glass shattering underneath the four heavy-duty bulletproof tires as they drove around the city.
“It is quite disheartening to see people causing such damage to their dwelling and businesses,” said Apili.
Lusty replied, “I believe that these morons are aware of their actions and the consequences that come with it. I do not sympathize with them as they seem to be intentionally causing destruction and then lamenting over what they lack. It appears to me that they are engaging in looting and burning of stores and other places. This is their responsibility and not mine. I highly doubt I can go shopping tomorrow.”
“Still saying it’s heartbreaking to see this,” said Apili.
Lusty replied, “And it’s also the city’s fault for not having enough cops. Got 3,500, but 2/4th of them were called back into military service, and yeah, got nine police precincts, well, seven police precincts and two Island Patrol city of Empire Barracks, and more firefighters because the ones who join the Fire Department in the city of Empire nowadays get put in the floater pool until a spot opens up either due to retirement or whatnot. The city knows firefighters and probationary firefighters are in the floater pool, but the city doesn’t want to survey land to build newer ones. Yeah, floaters are great to fill in the gap for those who take time off or whatnot, but when more floaters just sit home mostly, they need to build new ones even though they are only paid 75%, not the whole 120 bucks per week—the cops. There are not a lot of cops who don’t have the manpower to cover the entire city without leaving gaps in their response area.
“Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the volunteers within the city must leave their regular jobs and prioritize their duties at the volunteer fire stations, just like ourselves. However, the upcoming days will undoubtedly be extremely demanding. Unless the individuals responsible for this wrongdoing have a change of heart and reconsider their actions, which will never happen, many of them will inevitably be incarcerated and confined to solitary confinement.”
After several more hours and putting out a few car fires.
Lusty’s stomach grumbled, but she was in the mood for Swedish meatballs and remembered when she was in high school how the lunch lady there always made Swedish meatballs every day for Lunch. Nobody ever complained about how delicious they were, especially on meatball sub day, which was twice a month at the beginning and end of the month. Of course, Lusty remembered how lunch was made fresh every day with flavor, not frozen with artificial stuff made to last longer but hardly any flavor.
Could go to get something to eat, Lusty thought, But nope, can’t eat now until whatever is happening gets quelled.
Lusty slipped and pierced her stomach with a piece of rebar, but she removed it and put gauze over the wound but covered it up and ensured no blood came out. Although her health and safety don't overly concern her, Lusty is far more preoccupied with ensuring her company's safety. Despite not being particularly invested in pleasing others, her primary focus is on the well-being of those around her. Only once she is confident that those in her vicinity are secure and unharmed does she consider her safety and comfort.
When a few more hours passed, Lusty felt light-headed and pale due to blood loss.
Someone was calling Lusty over her walkie-talkie, but she fell to the ground when she went to grab it.
***
Inside of Lusty’s mind.
"Mom… Dad," she called out, her voice tinged with fear. "I wish you two were here. I'm terrified and in desperate need of your presence."
Suddenly, the ethereal figures transformed into the familiar shapes of Lusty's parents.
"Is our precious girl frightened?" Lusty's mother inquired with concern.
"Yes, Mom. I'm scared and utterly lost," Lusty admitted, her voice trembling.
"Don't worry, sweetheart," her father reassured her. "It's normal to feel afraid. Fear is a human emotion, and everyone experiences it. Besides, there's no need to worry about an atom bomb striking the city. The Reds, the United States, and other nuclear-armed nations possess enough firepower to set civilization back to the Stone Age, if not even further."
"Dad, it's not the 1950s anymore," Lusty interjected. "Nobody refers to it as an 'atom bomb.' That term is archaic. Nowadays, it's called a nuclear bomb or a thermonuclear device."
"I understand, my dear," her father acknowledged. "I know you wish we were still physically present, but you're not alone even though we're gone. This may be challenging, but there's no need to be afraid. We will always be here for you, Lusty, forever intertwined with your heart and mind. And we'll be there with you as you raise our grandbabies—Lily, Rose, Margaret, Mabel, Bella, Chloe, and Charlotte. Though we may not have the chance to meet them in person, our love will always surround you. We love you unconditionally, and our presence will never waver."
"Do you remember when you came out as bisexual, Lusty?" Her father asked, his voice filled with warmth and pride. "I can still vividly picture the look of courage on your face."
Lusty nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yes, Dad, I remember. You looked me in the eyes and said, 'That's my girl.' It was a beautiful moment that showcased the unwavering support and love that defines our family. We're not dysfunctional; we're a team."
Her father's voice softened as he continued, "You know, Lusty, you're our only child, and you've always been our superhero. From the very beginning, we knew you were destined for greatness. I can still recall the sound of your first word."
Lusty's mother chimed in, her voice brimming with nostalgia. "Oh, yes! It was 'banana.' You were just a little bundle of joy; bananas were your favorite snack. We lived near a small community farm back then, and you always had a banana in hand. But it wasn't just about the fruit. It was symbolic of your blossoming personality and your appetite for life. Your father used to say that your accent would be a beautiful fusion of his Empire accent and my native accent."
Lusty's mother paused briefly, her eyes filled with tenderness. "And he was right. Your voice carries traces of both your father and me. His accent gives the word 'dance' a distinct 'ah' sound, while your Nightingale tribe heritage adds a natural, earthy tone to your speech. In other words, Lusty, you are a unique individual—a beautiful blend of cultures and experiences that shape who you are."
"Let me tell you about your mother's reaction when you decided to take the civil servant exam for the fire academy," Lusty's father began, his voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. "She couldn't help but envision all the 'what if' scenarios, worrying endlessly about the dangers you might face and the possibility of getting hurt. As a parent, it was natural for her to fear for our only source of pride and joy. I had to reassure her, time and again, that you were more than capable of handling any emergency that came your way. And when that underground explosion caused by those five reckless individuals occurred, we shielded you from an untimely demise."
Lusty's father's words were filled with unwavering love and protection. "You see, ever since you were born on that memorable May 2nd, 1979, at 1:44 AM, we solemnly promised to protect you from harm. And even though we may no longer be physically present, we are still your guardian angels, watching over you."
Lusty's heart swelled with gratitude and emotion. "Wait, you mean you saved me from that fireball caused by those five thoughtless individuals? I can't express how thankful I am."
Her father's voice softened, filled with love. "No need for thanks, my dear. As your parents, we must protect you. Good parents always shield their children from harm, except perhaps in a fight against a jerk. Now, if only we could meet this Zofia you speak of..."
"If we had met Zofia," her father continued, his voice tinged with seriousness.
Lusty's mother finished his sentence, her voice brimming with care and concern. "We would have told her, without hesitation, that she was and is no good for you. We know what's best for our precious baby girl. I would've told her she can suck someone's dick and choke on it!"
"Lusty, darling, when you awaken, you'll find yourself in the crisp white linen of a hospital gown," Lusty's father gently informed her, his voice brimming with affection. "And you'll have an insatiable craving, perhaps for a hearty meatball sub, oozing with rich, tangy sauce, or maybe a frothy, sweet root beer float. Your mother remembers, don't you, love? How Lusty's face would light up every time you'd make those meatball subs?"
Lusty's mother replied with a nostalgic smile, "Indeed, I remember it vividly. She was only five. Her cherubic little face would be smeared with sauce, and even when I would serve her a second plate, minimally sauced, she would somehow manage to get that all over her face and even on her dress. Cleaning her would need a power washer, given the mess, but it was always warm, soapy water at the sink or in the shower that did the trick. You were quite the sauce enthusiast, weren't you, Lusty? I suspect one of your daughters might inherit that trait. We had the convenience of store-bought goods, but when I was a young girl, Lusty, I grew up in the countryside until I was fifteen. My parents and I would venture into the woods with a recurve bow, hunting our meals. It's a far cry from how we live now. It took my parents some time to adjust to the concept of a supermarket. And it was during this transition that I met your father."
"Indeed," Lusty's father chimed in, his voice laced with the warmth of reminiscence. "Back in ninth grade, during the '65-'66 school year, some brawny jock thought he could mistreat you. I intervened, grabbing his arm, and commanded him to 'Leave the woman alone', accompanying my words with a swift kick. When he attempted to retaliate, I dodged and delivered a final punch. After that incident, your mother and I began talking. I asked her to prom, and there, under the glittering lights, I asked her to be my girlfriend. She said 'yes'. And in 1975, when I returned from Vietnam, the very first thing I did was propose marriage to your mother. I was amazed she didn't send me a 'Dear John' letter during those long six years of my absence. That Lusty, is the story of how your mother and I met."
With a soft smile, Lusty's mother added, "Indeed, that's our story. And remember, Lusty, no matter what you face, we're always with you. When times get tough, remember that our love and support are with you, always, in your heart and mind."
***
Reality. Several hours later.
Lusty woke up, following the chat with her parents in her mind given to her, finding herself clad in a hospital gown. Images of her parents' voices echoed in her mind, teasing her senses with the desire for a succulent meatball sub and a frothy root beer float. Her gaze shifted to the spot where a shard of rebar had once cruelly pierced her abdomen. To her relief, the gauze had been removed, and skilled hands had meticulously sewn up her wound. However, her attention was captured by the sight of two intravenous lines snaking into her veins. One line delivered life-sustaining water, while the other coursed with a blood pack tailored to her blood type, replenishing what she had lost.
Confusion shrouded her mind as she struggled to piece together the events that had led her to this hospital bed. Yet, amidst her disorientation, an insatiable hunger gnawed at her core. A profound weakness accompanied by an overwhelming urge to devour a restaurant's entire menu, with the audacity to close its doors for the day, consumed her thoughts.
Disinterested in the video on the television screen, Lusty deliberately averted her gaze. Though a part of her was intrigued by the unfolding events, she lacked the desire to bear witness to the spectacle of a city torn apart by a cause that, in her mind, would ultimately prove futile.
Weeks dragged by until Lusty was deemed fit for release. Just as before, she was assigned to light duty, confined to the shadows of a desk rather than venturing into the active field. But that day, marked by a fortuitous convergence, proved to be a turning point. On the same day, Lusty received the coveted clearance for active duty, liberating her from the confines of her desk. In a stunning display of force, an army of three million Little Bird Armed Forces soldiers and pilots unleashed a relentless counter-offensive, launching round-the-clock airstrikes against the Soviet invaders who had entrenched themselves within the Little Bird city of Fort Suction on August 21st.
Lusty immersed herself in the nightly news from August 22nd until the dawn of September. She was captivated by the curated footage from the Little Bird units of both the Air Force and Navy. She would meticulously watch these clips every night into an approximately hour-long video. The footage varied, showcasing Little Bird Naval Aviation and Air Force multirole jets executing myriad air strikes. These ranged from laser-guided bombings and napalm strikes to tank buster and heavy support actions using cluster munitions.
Despite her fascination, Lusty recognized her responsibilities. As a single parent, she was ineligible for military service, even though her infant daughters could stay with their father and his wife. The military would still view her as a single parent, as Linda, Dave’s wife, did not qualify as a 'family member'.
On a crisp September 1st morning, Lusty perused the daily paper, assuming the war in Europe was still raging. To her surprise, the newspaper reported an invasion by the Little Bird Second Army Group into the Southwest USSR. This strategic move was intended to establish a third front and alleviate pressure on the western front.
That evening on the nightly news, a world map delineated hostile territories (the Warsaw Pact) in red and allied regions in green (NATO Countries, also the countries of Blister Canyon and Lava Falls). The map was populated with toy soldier-like figures representing the various army groups. The first was positioned along the Lithuania-Belarus-Soviet border, the third was lodged in the western part of the USSR, and the fourth was stationed south in Vietnam. The Second Army Group was in the Caucasus Mountains area.
Lusty was intrigued by the war's portrayal on the nightly news. However, she often recalled her father's words: "War can be fascinating to watch on TV and at the movies, but up close, it's a different story. Imagine your home reduced to rubble, your car tossed around like debris, and your friends lying mangled or obliterated on the streets."
Despite her fascination with war, her only personal experience of conflict was the occasional scuffle between individuals.
Lusty's mind was consumed by the tantalizing prospect of joining the military. Her heart yearned to volunteer for the illustrious Project: Phoenix, she could transcend the limitations of a regular soldier. These super soldiers embodied strength, size, speed, and brilliance far beyond the ordinary. However, her dreams were shattered by a cruel reality—her status as a single parent exempted her from military service.
Nevertheless, snippets of footage depicting Project: Phoenix operatives wielding awe-inspiring weaponry lingered vividly in Lusty's memory. These soldiers effortlessly handled weapons meant to be mounted on vehicles, like miniguns and heavy machine guns. Their grip resembled a person firmly grasping a sturdy tree branch, effortlessly commanding their formidable might.
Yet, beneath the surface, an extraordinary tale unfolded. Lusty remained unaware that Project: Phoenix's roots extended back to the dying embers of World War II. The original vision sought to create soldiers who outmatched the average infantryman in toughness, complexity, and swiftness. However, it was in the dawn of the Korean War that this audacious endeavor indeed took flight. Specialized units were meticulously trained to wage clandestine warfare behind enemy lines, enduring for months without the need for resupply.
And then, the pinnacle of innovation emerged—a revolutionary suit of armor. This ground-breaking marvel possessed extraordinary features, rendering its wearer nearly invincible. It boasted bulletproof, shockproof, fireproof, waterproof, airtight, and countless other capabilities. Remarkably, this remarkable armor could be activated at the user's command, independent of any external and internal power source.