Red Dawn

The state of TIAH

December 13th, 2006

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Alternate Historian's Note: Stephen Payne takes up the slack for us as we head down to the conclusion of the first half of our NaNoWriMo novel. We hope you are enjoying this change in format – let us know how you feel about it in comments or by emailing us. This will be the format of TIAH throughout the holiday season, unless we receive a great outcry about it. Speaking of the Holiday Season, keep in mind those who need help year-round and keep yourselves safe and happy, as well. And, should you feel generous inclinations towards our guest historians, you can visit the sites of those who have separate ones from TIAH; generosity towards us here at the Academy is always appreciated, too, and you can find ways to help us out all over the site. Right now, we'd appreciate a lead on a good day job, but my lovely Co-Historian could also use some more memory on her PC, if anyone feels generously inclined. (It's PC133-style – yes, it's an old machine). Any good wishes you have towards us can be emailed here.

in 1996, Kofi Annan is elected Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). Over the course of the next decade he restores the authority and prestige of the UN, paving the way for world government by a reconstructed organisation in the post-jihad society. A statue of Annan guards the front of the buildings where the Peace and Reconciliation Committee met between 2124-6. -entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!-

in 2000, American Vice President Al Gore delivers his unity speech in which he confirms his intention to become the joint 43rd President of the United States, sharing two two-year terms with candidate George Walker Bush whilst he occupies the Senate Presidency as agreed. This was originally intended to prevent Gore disappearing into obscurity, but in fact created a two year feud that tore the country to pieces as the two candidates fought tooth and nail over 9/11 and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush sought to prove that the previous administration had been weak on al-Qaeda. Also, he said Clinton/Gore had rejected proposals for airline security back in the late 1990s, such as routine passenger inspections and secure cabin doors on commercial aircrafts which would have prevented 9/11. Bush said the Presidency was “a charge to keep”; when January 2003 arrived, how could Bush hand over the Presidency to this man? -entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!-

in 2003, Operation Red Dawn is declared a success when former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is arrested by US Marines who discover him in a dishevelled state in a filthy hole in the ground near his home town of Tikrit. Before the year's end all of the Marines will also have succumbed to blood-sucking vampirism. -entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!-

Before(cont.)
They wanted Janice to leave behind her car.
She was more than a little upset about that. “This is a great car. I worked my butt off for three years to get this car.”
“And, if you wanna spend a few years in jail, you can drive it outta here.” Specialist Bradley was moving everything out of her trunk into their jeep.
“I can get out the same way I got in.” Janice was practically in tears at the thought of leaving her car behind.
“You said that took a long time.”
“I know, I know.” She looked longingly at her beloved vehicle, then went through it one last time, finding nothing else that she needed. “It better not get towed.” She climbed into the jeep and pulled the tarp they had arranged for her over her legs and chest.
Bradley loaded the last of the computer equipment into the back, arranging more cover for her. “There. I think once you have the tarp over your head, nobody'll notice you.”
Janice snorted. “My worst nightmare.”
Bradley laughed. “Just remember not to talk till we give you the all-clear. And don't move around, cause they'll see it.”
“OK, OK. You try not to act all suspicious when we hit the checkpoint.”
“I'll be all right.” He hopped into the front seat next to Sergeant Morris, who was growing increasingly impatient. “I think we got it all, Sergeant.”
“Good.” Morris zipped up his helmet and started the oxygen pump on his back. “Fasten up your suit and get it goin'. We don't want it to look like we've had these things off.”
“Right.” Bradley zipped himself up and started the suit's air supply running.
Morris fired up the jeep's engine and rolled towards the highway. “You really think this chick is still gonna be at the motel, Janice?”
“No, but we have to make sure. She's too good a witness to leave behind.” She arranged herself so that she could easily pull the tarp up over her head. “You can find the motel, right, Jake?”
“I can find anything.”
“Remind me to set you loose in my house; there's some old files I've been missing since I moved in there.”
They trundled down the road for several minutes before Morris said, “All right, Janice, get covered and don't move. And, hard as it's gonna be, don't say anything.”
“Ha, ha.”
She covered her head and tried to stay as still as possible. Morris drove the jeep for another couple of blocks and then he and Bradley saw the checkpoint out of Waco. The soldiers waved them up, and Morris pulled out his mission orders. The private standing guard was obviously uncomfortable in his hazmat suit, and didn't feel like chatting. He looked over the orders, then waved them through.
“That was easy,” Bradley said.
“We have two more to get through before we're free and clear,” Morris said. “Don't get happy.”
Janice peeked through the tarp and asked, “So, do I need to stay under here?”
“That'd be best,” Morris told her. They drove for another couple of miles, and, sure enough, ran into another checkpoint.
This soldier actually looked at their orders. “What the hell did they want with meteorology information?”
“Probably wanted to see what the blast looked like from space,” Bradley told him.
“Huh. Guess you can never tell what might be useful.” He handed the orders back to Morris and waved them through.
They hit the on-ramp to the highway and Morris hit the accelerator. “We have the one last one on the highway here, then we're good till we need to turn back around and head to Pflugerville.”
“Good.” Janice shifted a bit to make herself more comfortable, and opened the tarp a hair to let some fresh air in. It was cold air, so she closed it again. “Just let me know when I can get out from under this thing.”
“We will.” Morris looked over at Bradley for a second. “How you holdin' up, Bradley?”
“I'm fine. I'm trying to convince myself that I'm still asleep. I'll lose the lottery money, but I'll wake up and there'll be no illegal conspiracies I'm trying to bust.”
“Oh, there's always illegal conspiracies, Bradley,” Janice said. “There's always something.”

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