Robert Wilson Grant (Shepherd)

Weight: 175

Apparent Age: 60

Archetype: Politician

Preferred Weapon: DAOD Assault Pistol

Runner Song:

Bio: There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must make a choice, and this decision will impact every aspect of there life. Well for the Shepherd he was forced to make this said decision and walk away from his home, his wealth, and his status inside the False Flag. Robert even showing up on this page is something that I could never have imagined in a million years, this man has dedicated his entire life to the birth of the False Flag and to the UCAS as a civil servant. Robert was born and raised in a small Ohio town and politics has been part of his life for as long as anyone can remember, he got his start in the political world in high school by being the first freshman to ever become the President of the student council and thus keep getting re-elected year after year, he was involved with the political scene in his town and even ran his fathers campaign for town council. Robert’s first job as a teenager would be as a page for a local state senator and this occupation choice would be the launching pad for a valiant political career. Roberts family was not well off and even though he was accepted into many of the nations ivy league colleges, the tuition was just out of the question so he was forced to attend Ohio State college and this will be the exact right choice for Robert. It was while in college that his political career would begin and by the time he would graduate with his bachelors in political science he would find himself running for congress and becoming the states youngest congressman.

       While in college Robert would continue his work with the local politicians, helping with re-election campaigns and as well interning with them. He would also continue his run of good luck with getting himself elected as the President of the student government again in his freshman year and being just popular enough that he was able to secure himself a re-election over the next three years. By the time he was getting ready to graduate seat became available in congress do to the passing of it’s long time beloved congressman, Robert’s friends and family convinced him to throw his hat into the ring and run for the vacant seat. So as he is preparing for graduation and writing his valedictory speech, he was also in full swing with his campaign and it seemed that his future was going to be determined for him. For the remainder of the summer and fall he would be fully entrenched into his campaign and while his fellow classmates where celebrating and looking for work, he was heading town hall meetings and focusing on the debates against more seasoned and older politicians all fighting tooth and nail for the one open seat. Robert’s charm and his confidence was enough to push him out ahead of the older more seasoned candidates and by election day Robert was confidant that he had secured the election, he might have felt confidant about the election Robert was still nervous and concerned that he had bite of more then he could chew. So when the polls began to close and the districts began reporting the results, he was taken aback when he learned that not only had he won the election and was heading to Washington DC it wasn’t even close and he had stolen the election.

       While his friends and family where celebrating his victory, Robert was concerned that he was qualified to represent the people in Washington, yes he had been in possessions of power before but that was just a school election and he had senior advisers and people that could over rule him. Here he was entering into a occupation that was considered an old boy’s club and he was a very small fish in a very large pond. Though as he might have had his doubts, his sweet heart that he had been dating since junior high school and had recently become engaged to was fully supporting him and reassuring Robert that he was the right man for the job. Not long before he was sworn in, Robert and his fiancée Helen had a wonderful wedding, though there was no time for a honeymoon as he was needed in Washington shortly after the young couples nuptials. Robert was from a working class family and he hadn’t taken a vacation in many years, his family couldn’t afford to throw them a big wedding and her family was a similar situation. Robert promised Helen a wonderful honeymoon in the future once they where settled into there new home and he was settled into his new career.

       Once Robert was in Washington and he had been sworn in, he set himself up in a nice apartment and moved his wife into the city knowing that he was as well going to have to keep the small apartment they had in Ohio for the times he was back home for campaigning or working with the people in his district, so off to work he went and once he entered the hallowed halls of the Capital Building he was meet with a mixture of excitement and nerves he had gotten elected and here he was s nervous as a school boy and faced with the reality of being the youngest congressman in history. Robert would spend the next few years, learning the ropes and becoming close with the people that he believed where true and would help him. But in reality these seasoned congressman where just looking at Robert as a victim and they knew this trusting and naive young man could be easily manipulated and corrupted. Even the older congressman that he had worked for as a youth who Robert looked up to as a mentor, would do nothing but exploit his youthful inexperience. This would keep him quite busy during his first term and he would be unable to fully step away long enough to take that long awaited honeymoon, even when the congress was out of session Robert needed to focus on his constituents, his campaigning, and hobnobbing with the states elite along with taking holiday with fellow lawmakers and senators. Yes it was time away, but it was not an actual vacation as it was all about work and he didn’t have the alone time with his beloved, this would only become harder as he would find himself being placed on various committees that would absorb any free time he would have left.

      Robert was also taking courses online for his masters degree and was as well working on his law degree to help better his political career and as well set himself up for a future if his political career ends abruptly. Though his continued education would be left up to question do to his busy schedule and if he wasn’t just given a degree through proxy as any school would be crazy not to have a sitting congressman in there halls and sitting amongst the graduating class. Records do show that he was in attendance, but thats as far as it goes, so this part of his life is the only aspect that could be nothing more then the magic of Washington. Though by the time he was campaigning for his re-election dreams of the senate started dancing in his head as he was taking the Bar Exam and becoming a licensed attorney with a masters degree in political science. Roberts life would change yet again after many years of failed attempts and multiple visits to the doctor his beloved Helen would become pregnant with what would become his only son. Everything was looking up for him and with his re-election campaign going swimmingly, Robert was settling for yet another victory and another term in congress he would purchase his first home in Ohio and lease a larger apartment in Washington DC. With dreams of owning one of the large mansions just outside the city, though he wanted to make sure he secured a seat in the Senate first before committing to a large home purchase in the nations capital. Robert was also able to make good on his promise to his wife and sweep her away on the long awaited honeymoon that had to be postponed for almost a decade.

    He had been in congress for already four terms and had just been elected into his fifth term, by the time he was taking his wife on there long awaited honeymoon. He had become very entrenched into the political system and had become a favoured congressman for his district, he sat on many committees, and as well headed multiple joint committees as a sitting chairman. His political career had exploded and he had become very popular and do to his natural charm, his blue collar roots and his commitment to the people it wouldn’t be long before he would be ready to take on the next step in his political career and leave congress behind and move into the Senate, though Robert’s life again would take a turn for the worse. He would become quite ill while he was on holiday with his wife and would spend a vast majority of his honeymoon in the hospital with a severe stomach bug that would almost kill him do to high fever and the internal bleeding that he would incur from the rare tropical virus. Though it was this illness that would as well spare his life, you see while Robert was away on his first actual holiday in almost a decade the Great Ghost Dance would be unleashed and the natives would begin there rampaging of the various America cities. This is also when the Washington DC would get ransacked by known felons who would punish all those in command and kill many of the nations law makers in a single night. The Taskmaster, Chemist, Mr. Black, Shyster, and others would set the city on fire and render many in Washington deceased. Robert would end up being spared a painful death do to his recovery and while all hell is breaking loose in the city, he is resting comfortably in his bed watching the chaos ensue all around him. While Robert cradled his new born son in his arms he watched as the city he loved burned and the men he respected, the men who where his mentors and friends where being butchered by lawless thugs. It was the events of this evening that would direct his life for a vast majority of his career, Robert would refocus himself and decide that it was time that someone stood up to these animals and someone made a difference in the nation.

    It was also during this point in our nations history, that some would rise to greatness and as the nation mourned the loss of their lawmakers, others would begin strategizing for the advancement in there political career and thats just what Robert would do. He saw this as a window of opportunity to run for the vacant seat in Senate and with the country in mourning and his popularity he knew he was a shoe in for the seat and his party would gladly endorse his bid. So after a few quick phone calls from his bed, Robert had begun his quest for the senate and he knew that a large portion of his work had been done for him, with the nation mourning, he could campaign using the peoples desire for protection from the ravaging natives as his stepping stone. He couldn’t have been more on the money and after a few short months of debates, television spots and town hall meetings the results where in and he was declared the winner claiming the second seat in the Senate for Ohio. Though it didn’t help matters that a vast majority of the voters couldn’t make it to the polls, do to the warring natives and freedom fighters, the sudden decrease in legal voting age citizens and a country that was still scared and Robert just had that trusting warm exterior that the voters could get behind.

      So in January of 2019 Robert was off to the Senate Building in what would become the First National Senate of the UCAS, as the Old America would have faded and been absorbed into the national unification after the signing of the Treaty of Denver between Canada, Mexico and the United States. What would emerge would be a creation of a new North America, with multiple independent nations within it’s boarders and a new unified Canada and America to form the UCAS (United Canadian American States) also known as the False Flag by the rebels and freedom fighters that would continue to apply pressure to the juvenile government. Robert had now made it, he was no longer a congressman and he was in the Senate, most of his old friends where now deceased and he had a new batch of freshman senators that where as green as he was. Though not all of the Old Boy’s Club had been killed off during the attacks and these old timer Senators would commence business as normal, they knew that Robert was a team player from his work on the joint committees and his decade or so experience in congress. They knew that he had campaigned heavy on the protection for the people and wanting to rebuild and rise from the ashes, show those that attacked us that America will not go away quietly. This would be exactly what they would need to once again manipulate and twist him into being nothing more then their puppet and guide his flock of sheep gracefully into the tangled web they were weaving.

      This would allow them to continue moving forward with there plans of a full and unified take over of the entire globe and all by using the nations fear of the unknown against them. The False Flag had begun to cement itself and Robert Grant was the man that would be the shepherd guiding the people into the camps of acceptance or slaughter. Though around the same time, the nation was beginning to face yet another more immanent threat and that was the rise of the Insect Spirits, the Hives and their Shamans. This has always been a concern of Roberts since it first came across his desk and he would spend a vast majority of his career working in support of the eradication of this great threat. So when he was asked to head a joint task force committee that was going to focus solely on this issue and the sudden appearance of a Class 3 hive in Chicago. He was more then willing to step into the chair and take this subject head on, though during the same time in 2020 the nation would be torn asunder by a great Civil War and the government would loose focus on the direct threat of the Insects and become absorbed in dealing with the Civil War thus when the committee would meet and begin there hearings in regards to how to handle the Hive, it wouldn’t be handled properly and Robert would have to watch in horror as he would be outvoted on the proper solution and have to sign the paperwork that would send low yield nuclear warheads into Chicago. The committee had been given two viable options, the first from Dr. O’Hair involved using specialised chemical agents, wholesale slaughter of the infected and his noble order of Hive Busters to clear out the cites underbelly and destroy the queen. While the government brought to the table through the research from military scientists and presented by Colonel James O’Brian that would entail the creation of underground bunkers or vaults for the citizens of Chicago, the isolation of the infected to receive radiation therapy like that given to cancer patients and then the unleashing of low yield nuclear warheads into the city. The military spoke about how the radiation had proven to put the bugs into a deep slumber while it corroded there insides eventually causing death. Well since O’Hairs report also spoke of radiation being a way to slumber the bugs, it was only certain that when the lawmakers went to vote it would come back with exactly what the military wanted since no politician wants to deal with the public outcry of supporting mass slaughter especially during an election year. So as Robert read the votes, he was almost sickened knowing that the his colleagues had just voted almost unanimously to drop nuclear weapons on it’s own citizens. So in what would become one of the many turning points in his career Robert would begrudgingly sign the document and ship it off to the house to be voted on. Needless to say the order was passed quickly and so would begin the nightmare that is Bug City, the government in there infinite wisdom would turn a manageable Class 3 Hive into something that would escalate off the charts and become so immense that even the legendary Hive Busters would be unable to handle to situation.

       This would begin Roberts downward spiral within the Senate and he would become completely wrapped up in the conspiracy that is Bug City that it would look as he committed career suicide, though as he worried about his re-election the powers that be began to swirl around him again and appealing to his greed and to his lust for power, Robert would be offered the seat of Majority Leader and given the face of his party as well he would become the ear to the president. This sudden change in his status would appeal to his inflated ego and his party would capitalize knowing that his charm and his blue collar background would appeal to the people and return his party to the forefront. For Robert this would be the ultimate power play and he would hope to give him access to the White House for a presidency bid in an upcoming election, though he would first have to topple some serious issues and some very dangerous political opponents, that kept preaching freedom for all while he was only looking out for the people and wanted to protect his flock from the dangers that lurked in the shadows. One such opponent was Lyndon Kingsbury the long standing former Majority Leader that had since been usurped by Robert and his party claiming the majority. Kingsbury was the complete opposite to Robert in all manners, he was very old fashioned and believed strongly in the traditional American values and the forefathers, he believed that America had become a failure and a disgrace. He fought hard with all his political might to keep Robert and company from destroying the last bastion of the American way, though sadly he failed and was forced to watch as Robert pushed his Patriot Act reform and helped eradicate the Deceleration of Independence and Constitution that had stood the test of time for over 200 years, though it would not last another 200 years under the regime of the False Flag. The new documents that would be put in place called the Ratification would sit where the old documents once did, and Roberts signature would rest just below the Vice President, Kingsbury and his party would have nothing to do with the Ratification and will continue to fight it’s existence today. This new document would grant the government the ultimate power over the people and would remove term limits, allow for the suspension of elections for all but the President, allow for use of cruel and usual punishment and for the holding of any prisoner without do process along with many other human rights violations and granting the government full control over it’s people and allowing them the right to decide who lives and who dies.

      We are lucky that the Data Crash of 29′ annihilated a vast majority of the governments records, because according to the Shepherd, if they hadn’t had their data base wiped out back then, we would all be chipped and placed in proper citizens work camps. It was during this period that the true colours of the False Flag where beginning to show and Robert was the poster child for their takeover, his natural charm was enough to win over the media and thus the people as he would turn his back fully on the people and become a stooge of the New Order. Also during this time, with the nation still engaged in a bloody Civil War, Robert would grow sick of the confederate forces that he felt didn’t understand, what the Treaty of Denver actually meant and the Ratification being something that was good for the people, he would speak out against them and even go as far as using the war to help garner support for his cause. Though the events of Bug City did way heavily on his mind and he was beginning to become torn, as he would again sign another order for nuclear fire power to be unleashed onto Chicago this time a much higher yield, the government loved Robert and his political team seeing that he was the master of spin and could make himself look squeaky clean even when covered in filth.

       Though for Robert his aspirations to run for President would be put on hold during his third term as a senator, he would be appointed to the Director seat of the National Security Agency by Presidential request after the former director would meet his untimely end at the hands of the infamous Catfish during a confederate raid on the Federal District. As much a Robert wished to further his political agenda, he was bothered by the assassination of his close friend and felt the call of duty to fill his shoes to help defend the nation from further attacks. He also was growing weary of his colleagues in the Senate, the sudden desire to use nuclear fire on Bug City instead of looking into a more permanent solution and the way the UCAS just surrendered to the Confederates without putting up much of a resistance, especially in the proclamation of the terms of surrender. So he was willing to take a side venture out of the Ivory Tower and step into the National Security Agency, hoping that a few terms as director would help his career in the future and allow the people to overlook his lack of military experience.

      So in the 2034 Robert would leave his office in the Capital Building and venture across town to the NSA building and begin his new career as the commander of the NSA. Though even from his first day in office, Robert would feel as if he was living on borrowed time and could still see the stains of his friends blood within the woodwork of the office and he could feel the cold embrace of his spirit trapped within the office and forever haunting Roberts every day as a grim reminder that it is a whole new world out there and the new enemy is far superior and not afraid of the government, nor the law. The Data Crash had created a whole new threat, a level of criminal referred to as the Shadow Warrior, a warrior that lived within the darkness and was fearless and motivated by the lure of money only. These warriors posed a grave danger to the New Order and to the civilised world, as they held no compassion towards life and would do whatever they needed to do to survive. For ever Shadow Warrior that would work for the government their was a handful that where in direct opposition to the False Flag and the UCAS, this would make his life even more complicated as he was no in charge of defending the nation and protecting it’s secrets and bringing down the threats to national security.

     This new threat also meant that Robert would be wearing an even bigger bullseye on his chest, since the rebels could outsource to remove him if need be. Though he was dedicated and new that even if he was to be assassinated, he was going to help restore order to a lawless nation. So would begin the iron regime under the Shepherd, where he would reopen the prison in Guantanamo Bay as well as create multiple other island prisons as well as many others that are only rumours. He would authorize full use of torture, non trial executions and the rounding up of any citizen that was declared a threat to national security to be imprisoned indefinitely. He would completely forgo his desire to serve the people and become a warlord of the law, and using the infamous Patriot Act and the Ratification to legalize his actions. Robert would become both feared and respected within the agency as he ruled with an iron fist and would begin to crack down on the rising terrorism threat that was plaguing the UCAS.

    Robert knew that his actions where making him a target and he would receive his fair share of death threats over the years, but nothing would change this already harsh man then the events of December 24 2040. On the cold and snowy Christmas Eve, Robert was working late wrapping up a handful meetings and closing down a handful of cases. He was already running late and had received numerous calls from his wife about when he would be coming home, so that they could sit down for dinner before heading off to evening service. Robert new he was going to be in for it when he got home since he promised that he would home early, do to his son returning home from college with his new wife and grandson. So Robert packed up his briefcase and walked down the cold and lonely hallways, wishing the night guards a Merry Christmas as he left the building and entered the crisp wintry air. The snow falling gracefully as he put on his hat and pulled the collar up on his top coat, he carefully made his way to his car to avoid slipping on the freshly covered ground. Robert entered his car, pushed the ignition switch and set the auto pilot to return home as he had a few emails to respond to prior to arriving at home. He pulled out of the driveway past the gate guards and began his journey home, his mind raced with thoughts of his son and his new grandson that he hasn’t seen. Robert was a grandfather now and he couldn’t be happier, his life had turned out better then he had ever imagined and he was excited to celebrate the holidays with the most important people in his life.

   He drove through the city, and eventually pulled into his driveway clicking the garage door opener he pulled his car into the garage and turned of the engine. He was slightly concerned that he was in the dog house, since Helen wasn’t waiting for him and she must have been very annoyed about him returning home so late, as he exited the car he was welcomed with the scent of the holiday turkey roasting in the oven and the sounds of seasons humming through the home. Robert went to his trunk and removed the last of the gifts that he had picked up earlier in the day, grabbing the bags he ventured into the home. Once he opened the door and stepped into the home, he was not greeted with the normal embrace of his wife, he was greeted with an unsettling silence. Yes the home’s audio system was silently playing the music of the season, but he didn’t hear any voices no conversations, no clanking of pots and pans and the joyous sounds of a welcoming family. He also wasn’t greeted by his butler or any of his domestic staff that normally could be seen milling about, Robert put his bags down, removing his jacket he hung up on the old coat rack and placed his hat on the hook he began calling out for Helen, and was welcomed with nothing but silence. He at first thought she was playing a trick on him, seeing that he was so late coming home so he began to search the home for his family that he thought was playing hide and seek with him. Though as Robert entered the family room, the large Douglas Fur Christmas tree glistened in the dimly light room. The presents already laid out under the tree, the stockings hung on the mantle and room offering the welcoming scent of pine and holiday spice. He glanced around the room and didn’t see anyone hiding, he then turned to leave the room when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, Robert turned the dimmer switch up and as the lights began to warm up and brighten the room thats when he saw it, his world would crumble as he turned his attention to the rafters and ceiling fan far above his head within the cathedral ceiling. Hanging from the rafters from makeshift nooses, were his wife and family, his only son and grandson as well hung by there necks from the rafters. Robert was overtaken by emotion and fell to his knees as he heard a loud crack, he looked up to see his daughter-in-laws body come crashing down from the broken ceiling fan. As her body landed before him, her neck snapped, her body rigid and cold he reached out and grabbed the body of the women who he had embraced as a daughter who now lay dead before him. As he pulled her body close, and began to tear up he noticed the flag of the Sons of the True Confederacy affixed to her clothing. Robert knew that this was a warning and in retaliation for his arresting and executing of multiple Confederate sympathizers,

     Once he was able to compose himself enough he contacted the authorities and awaited these arrival, after the police and federal law enforcement officers swept his home they would find his domestic staff murdered bodies stuffed into the floor boards of the attic. Robert was devastated with the murder of his family and would use this anger and frustration to ignite the fires of his passion and direct him to becoming even more of a force to be reckoned with. The murder of his family had backfired, and instead of causing him to back down, he would become even more active and passionate about bringing the rebel and confederates to justice. Robert would bring the hammer down and become the avenger for justice that would end up being the bane for any and all resistance fighters and as well he would fully embed himself within the False Flag.

      During his tenure with the NSA, he would completely reinvent the agency and turn it into a force to be reckoned with, he would manage to dodge multiple assassination attempts and keep himself as the forerunner for national security and patriotism, his fellow politicians would spin the death of his family to garner further support from the citizens and Robert would never forget the tragedy that befell him on that cold Christmas Eve. During his time in the NSA he would co author more then one bill that would go before the house and add multiple amendments to the Ratification that would help further the agenda of the False Flag. He would send out his storm troopers to round up the enemies of the state such as the Minutemen, the Unforgiven and the Devil Dogs that still roamed free, he would fully partner up with the military in there attempts to quash the Confederates and Patriots that where again making trouble for the UCAS.

      This would be how he would end up with his next political appointment, Robert was again thinking that it was time to return to the political arena and run once again for the Senate, and eventually the highest seat in the land. Though the current administration had other plans for him, as he would be appointed to the seat of Under Secretary of Defence and he would be moved out of the NSA building and straight into the Pentagon. This didn’t come as a surprise to Robert as he had heard the whisperings and mummers in the halls of the White House and Capital Building. He as well knew that it was only a matter of time before he would meet the business end of an assassins blade if he staid on as Director of the NSA, he had already outlived the previous two directors and he knew his luck would eventually run out. So he packed up his office and headed once again across town to take his seat in the former under secretaries desk and repeat the trend of replacing recently deceased political puppets. So in 2055 Robert would be sworn in as Under Secretary and work directly as the second in command of the military, he would use his previous NSA experience to enhance the defence of the UCAS. While the Secretary focused on the conflicts overseas and dealing directly with the media and joint chiefs, Robert was able to focus on the home front and really stick it to the Confederates that where still posing a threat to the UCAS boarders as well dealing with domestic allies such as Aztlan, Tir Tangier and the NAN. Robert never once lost his focus and kept the memory of his slain family in the forefront by keeping the last family picture as a staple on his desk; he was no longer working for the betterment of his career, he was guided by there memory and honour.

      Once he established himself within the Department of Defence it wasn’t long before Roberts old ghosts came back to haunt him and once again he would become the target for assassination and risk his life each and every day. He would have to begin to move around in secrecy and keep his public appearances to a minimal in order to keep himself alive. He would as well stir the murky waters and anger the Confederates with the increased military presence on the boarder and as well revoking the open travel between the two nations. Even with the politicians in the capital accepting a handful of Confederate politicians amongst their ranks as representatives of the CSA (Confederate States of America). Robert still held serious resentment towards them for there involvement with the murder of his family, this would involve the speedy trials and executions of any and all confederate soldiers, the dispatching of multiple special forces units into the CSA to rescue UCAS prisoners of war and slaughter the rebel soldiers and officers. This man was a serious thorn in the side of the CSA and he would also turn his attention to the Patriots and for the first time in the history of the UCAS Boston would risk being overtaken by the UCAS forces and led to a total destruction of Archibald Kingsbury and his order of Freedom Patriots. The media would begin to call Robert the Shepherd of War and citizens of the UCAS would as well put their faith into this one man for their protection. This would as well again draw the attention of the False Flag and it’s directors, so in the summer of 2060 Robert would be yet again moved into another position of power, a new president would mean a new administration yet the puppets of the False Flag would never change and for Robert he was there lead marionette. He would be placed in his first direct cabinet position as Secretary of Defence, this role would end up being the start of his downward spiral though for Robert he would not become aware of this for many years to come.

      He was only the secretary for a handful of years before he would be moved yet again, though now that he had the direct ear of the President and the Joint Chiefs he would be brought directly into the inner circle and he would be rewarded for his many years of loyal and dedicated service. He watched as his bank account steadily grew, he was given a new home in the exclusive section of the Federal District, as well as many other perks that would draw him in deeper into there inner sanctum. He was fully becoming a puppet of the False Flag and serving their interests with complete dedication, he would forgo his political aspirations, his party and the people where no longer anywhere in his plans. For Robert it was all about the service to his country and his status within the False Flag, he would fully grasp the nation in his iron fist and the Shepherd would begin to send his flock to the slaughter. as he would unleash the military with full authority to capture and imprison any citizen that was not full loyal to the UCAS, he would use his contacts inside the NSA to monitor the people and begin to send citizens, by the hundreds into concentration camps disguised as relief centres. Robert under orders of the President would create false disasters that would further frighten the people and force them to demand protection. Thus creating a vacuum that would allow the military to detain citizens that would come to them for assistance. According to the Shepherd there are still thousands of innocent citizens incarcerated inside these work camps all throughout the UCAS, hidden in plane sight.

       Robert would manage to dodge assassination attempt after attempt by using body doubles, secret routes and falsified travel information. This would allow him to continue his work within the UCAS and serve his masters loyally. Under the rule of the Shepherd the tension between the UCAS and the CAS was tense and ready to explode at any moment and he as well increased the military presence within the UCAS and once again turned the UCAS into the military superpower in the world. He was fully hunting the Patriots and successfully capturing and executing the rebels, under Robert it seemed that all would be lost for the freedom fighter and Boston would crumble under the pressure of his regime. Again this was all part of his plan to create a safer America but the False Flag would grow weary of his success, and the power that he was amassing. Even General James O’Brian was starting to waiver and see things through the eyes of the Shepherd, and not what the other directors of the False Flag had envisioned. This meant that they would be forced to discredit and as well move Robert out of his post and into one where he was not directly in command of any military forces. So in the spring of 2066 he would be appointed as Secretary of State and placed directly beside the President and the other directors of the False Flag. This appointment was both a good and bad thing for Robert as he would directly see the affects of the False Flag and learn what there true agenda was. He would witness the total degradation of the American people and see how the members of the regime would manipulate the lawmakers and create further laws that would enslave the people and strip them of their liberties. He would witness the destruction of the Statue of Liberty by the servants of the False Flag and thus blame the Confederates and other Freedom Fighters. Thus angering the people further and drawing them deeper into the web of deceit.

        This was also the time that Stamps of the Hive Buster’s would walk out of Bug City in total disgust and defeat, and leave the hive that had grow to epic proportions under the city alone and hag his head in defeat. The False Flag would see this as an opportunity to increase their coffers and open the city to the people and claim the it was clear of the bug threat, using the leaving of the last Buster as a political movement and thus create an increase in tax revenue and as well create further slaves of the bugs and spread the infestation once again using Bug City as patient zero. Being the Secretary of State Robert knew that the city was not clear and it was still a very serious threat that they had caused back in 2020 not listening to Dr. O’Hair and continually dropping nuclear warheads onto the city. He had also become very focused on the Insect situation and had begun his own research and independent investigations into the situation in hopes of finding away to neuter the threat and eventually destroy it. Though for Robert he would be the one man that could have prevented the situation that would unfold in 2067. He could have stuck to his guns and not signed the documents that would once again open Chicago to the people, sadly through pressure, bribes and the threat of incarceration he begrudgingly signed the documents and opened Bug City to the people. Thus sentencing any citizen to death and a life of enslavement to the queen of the hive, this didn’t sit well with Robert and he would begin the secretly work on a plan to correct this and reach out the Hive Busters for assistance, as well as other shadow warriors that he felt could be trusted. Though all of this had to be done on the down low and with Roberts every move being watched and monitored by the False Flag it wasn’t long before he just gave up and submitted once again to the will of the False Flag.

        Over the next three years Chicago began to flourish as the land was being gobbled up by developers and those who dreamed of home ownership, the tourism sky rocketed as people once again came to the windy city for a visit that had been forbidden for over forty years. As the population would begin to rise, so would the tax money and Chicago would make the directors of the False Flag very rich indeed. So as the fat cats in the Federal District would line their pockets with the blood money the bug situation would as well begin the increase all over the nation and eventually begin to spread into other countries. This was exactly what Robert feared would happen, and there was nothing that he could do but it ideally by and watch as the people of America where once again being infected by the insect threat and watch as the pandemic struck once again. The worlds Hive Busters would be once again called into action and the whole process would repeat itself quickly dragging the world back to 2020, the politicians in the Federal District sat silent collecting there revenue and filling their pockets with all the ill gotten gain and would stonewall any legislation that would be brought forward to deal with the bugs and close down Chicago once and for all. This would remain the practice till 2070 when the people would begin to gather and demand action and someone to be held accountable for the infestation.

      Robert feared the worse and feared that since his name was on the top of the document that opened the city, that he would face the legal ramifications of this and it would be his neck headed for the chopping block. Though that was not the case, and not only did he avoid the headsman he was yet again given a new appointment and be placed directly into the division of homeland security to act as the new Secretary of Homeland Defence. Meanwhile the politicians in the Federal District still needed a sacrificial lamb for the Chicago situation, they passed all the blame onto the Hive Busters claiming that Arthur Crane had filed a report indicating that the city was free and clear of the bugs and that it was their plan all along to create a infestation that would require there special talents and force the governments to hire the Busters once again. This sudden revelation would cause the people and the leaders of the worlds governments to demand action to be taken against the noble Hive Busters and deem them to be traitors, terrorists and enemies of the various states. This would lead to a world wide manhunt of the Busters, causing there compounds to be raided by the storm troopers and have their research and records seized and destroyed. The noble warriors rounded up and imprisoned most publicly executed and the entire order to go underground to avoid being wrongfully imprisoned or hung. This would not sit well with Robert who was very proud of the Hive Busters and knew that they like him where innocent parties in all of this, though he was to fully embedded with the False Flag to even dare to leave and he was beginning to suspect that he was noting more then a patsy for something bigger and something far, far worse.

       By 2070 he was becoming used to be shuffled around from post to post and serving the needs of the False Flag, though he would never forget the sacrifices of his family. There murders began to way heavily on his mind and he began to wonder if the Confederates where actually to blame or was it his new master the cruel False Flag that orchestrated the murders knowing that it would cause Robert to become focused on the offender and bring the weight of his agency crashing down onto the enemy. Was it really the confederates, all signs pointed to the assassin known as Noose, but if it was a Confederate hit why was his neck spared the garrotte and why haven’t they already killed him. His thoughts where starting to rebel against him and Robert was sure anymore if he was actually doing the proper thing, had he turned his back fully on the people he once served loyally and had he fallen so far that he could no longer face tomorrow. Roberts life was in turmoil and he knew that there was only two ways this was going to end, either he was going to die in jail or he would be beheaded in the seclusion of one of the work camps he had helped set up. So as the years went by, Robert began to shuffle around his finances, always keep multiple suitcases packed and stowed in the trunk of his car. He would as well pull his wife’s jewellery out of the bank and stow it in a safe in the trunk of his car. Robert as well would begin taking lessons in the use of a firearm and start caring a Colt Manhunter concealed under his suit jacket. He hadn’t actually carried a weapon since his days as the Director of the NSA, but he knew that something was a miss and he was not going to just roll over and die. He has dedicated his life and career to his slain family, and he has become the exact man that he had never wished to be. Robert was a working class man, from blue collar roots, raised in small town America and here he was now a blue blood that had turned his back on the people that he once served and who had put their faith into for help and protection.

    Over the net four years Robert would learn of all the horrors that where hiding deep within the shadows and he would learn that he had played directly into the plans of the False Flag. He had set into motion the events that would eventually lead to the enslavement of the people and the eradication of any resistance. Robert knew that he had no way to prevent any of this himself, but he also knew that he had no way to alert the proper authorities and as well contact the only people that could prevent the False Flag from completing their agenda of total domination. So he did the only thing he knew that he could do and that was to gather the documentation, audio files and computer data files and secretly pass them over to the only man in the Federal District that was not in bed with the False Flag. He would have to align himself with the one man who he was in direct opposition with and ask for his aid in bringing down the False Flag once and for all. So in a true deep throat fashion Robert would begin secretly slipping these documents over to Senator Lyndon Kingsbury and hope that he would be able to make use of the information and as well keep his mouth shut allowing Robert to avoid suspicion and keep both men in there appointed potions.

     Well for Robert everything was going normal and he managed to stay off there radar and maintain his iron fisted work in the Homeland division, applying pressure to the rebels. He knew that if he relented on the Confederates and Patriots he would arise suspicion and face swift and fatal discipline. This was something that he was not willing to do and he knew that he could keep serving the proper orders and helping to de-construct the False Flag brick by brick, if he managed to stay alive. Well this brings us to earlier this month, when he was called into a meeting with other members of the Cabinet, the Joint Chiefs, ranking Senators and the President and Vice President. He was concerned that his cover was blown and he had been ousted as a sympathizer to the resistance, but this was far worse than even he had ever imagined. He was about to be part of one of the greatest tragedies to hit the nation since the Great Ghost Dance and he would once again fall directly into there trap. He had been called into this private meeting within the White House War Room and was seated amongst some of the most powerful men in the land, yet he could feel the ghosts of the past haunting him. He sat calmly as the Joint Chiefs began to speak of a category 5 hive having been discovered inside Detroit and the need to eradicate this hive in a timely fashion. Robert initially chimed in with the use of trained warriors and the original plans of Dr.O’Hair, he was quickly shoot down and then the words he feared he would hear would come out of General James O’Brian’s mouth “A full scale nuclear strike, one with multiple high yield warheads equal to multiple Hiroshima strikes.” Robert was appalled at the thought, but yet the others in the room where all praise toward the plan and couldn’t wait move forward. Robert was once again put in a bad situation as he was the Secretary of Homeland Security and they would need his signature to move forward. He knew that even if he resisted all they would do was forge his John Hancock and move forward anyway, while he would never be seen again. So Robert once again put his pen to paper and signed the execution order for millions of Americans, after he signed the paper he would leave the White House in disgust and head back to his home to drown his frustration in the bottom of the bottle. As he was heading home it dawned on him that there was no bug problem in Detroit, he had heard from the Busters that Detroit had been recently cleared, and as well Detroit was rebelling like Seattle and it looked as if the UCAS was going to loose another city to the Patriots. This all hit him like a ton of bricks and Roberts would reach out ounce again to his ally Lyndon and divulge what there attentions were in hopes that he could get word to Archibald and others to try to evacuate the city before the bombs were launched, the only issue was Robert had no idea when the exact launch date and time was. As he hung up the phone, panic came across him as he just outed himself and once the word was out about the nuclear strike, the False Flag would come to the only man that opposed the idea initially.

       So over the net few days Robert would begin to once again move around his finances, withdrawing large sums and transferring into certified prepaid credit chips as well as reinvesting it into precious metals to not fully arouse suspicion. He would pack up anything that he held dear and had sentimental attachment to such as his Grandfathers pocket watch, his Fathers cufflinks, his wedding ring and family photo albums. knowing that if he had to flee he could at least have these small tokens of his life to keep him going. Also for the first time since their murder he would remove the photograph of his family from his desk and from it’s frame keeping it close to his chest inside his jacket pocket. Eventually the media got hold of the impending nuclear strike of Detroit but not from any of sources close to Kingsbury, no it came directly from the President and was announced that it was under orders of the Secretary Robert Wilson Grant in an attempt to quell the rebelling inside Detroit. The local media began to call him the Shepherd of Destruction and no longer the Shepherd of War, and not long there after Robert learned of the surgical strike occurring inside Seattle. He felt as if everything was crumbling around him, the people where in protest calling for the head of the Shepherd, he was dodging angry citizens that would hurl objects and spit on him as he travelled the city. Robert had been used as the fall guy and became the sacrificial lamb for the UCAS to avoid direct responsibility for the slaughter of millions of innocent citizens. Once the bombs where launched on New Years Eve, the President once again sang to the people, offering his apologies claiming that his hands where tied and that Secretary Grant had falsified documents claiming the city was infested and contained a class 5 hive, the people were outraged and rightfully so but their anger was misplaced and directed at the wrong man. Grant had tried to stop the attacks and was strong armed into signing a document that would come to be used as all the evidence they needed to issue an arrest warrant for Robert in the coming days.

        Robert knew the time was short and a few days after the bombs fell on Detroit, the nation was in mourning for the fallen and the powers that be had set into motion the events that would lead to his arrest and very public execution. Robert was in his office and sitting at his desk, lost in his thoughts wondering how everything had gone so wrong, how a man that grew up with nothing could become the pride of his family and in a blink of an eye allow himself to become the disgrace of his family. He pulled out the picture of his fallen family and just stared at it for a few minutes as tears began to swell up in his eyes, the droplets rolling down his weathered and stressed cheeks landing on the photograph. Robert knew what he had to do and the only noble thing he could do and that was to end his own life on his terms and not die as a convicted war criminal. He tucked the photograph back into his jacket pocket, rose from his chair and walked over to the mirror checking himself over for his check out he straitened his tie, adjusted his cufflinks and buttoned his jacket. He then walked back to his desk, opened the top drawer and removed the revolver he kept hidden inside. He then began to load the cylinder one at a time saying the Lords Prayer as he slide the bullet into the chamber. He knew he would only need one and he closed the chamber properly aligning it and placed the barrel of the gun into his mouth as the red light on his fax machine would alert him of an incoming message. Robert just figured it was a copy of his arrest warrant and they wanted him to surrender himself for a media fiasco and turn his failings into a media circus and political agenda. Robert ignored the fax machine, silently saying another prayer as the tears rolled down his distraught face, he began to pull the trigger back watching the hammer slowly fall backwards till it would hit the point of no return. CLICK the hammer slammed forward and nothing again his fax machine chimed, Robert confused and frustrated looked at the pistol and saw that it had jammed and in his haste he had loaded the wrong ammunition. The weapon was rendered useless if he could not dislodge the jammed bullet and start all over again, Robert was convinced that his suicide was the only option and he would begin to attempt to clear the jam forgetting that he had a fully loaded and ready pistol under his jacket. After a few minutes he cleared the chamber and this time he loaded all six chambers and made sure he used the proper ammunition. He once again said a prayer and put the barrel into his mouth, he again wrapped his finger around the trigger and started to pull it back watching the hammer fall back and the cylinder rotate. He again heard his fax machine chime, though this time he had a moment of clarity and as he was driving the hammer home he paused just long enough to figure that if this was the False Flag faxing him, it would have been very simple and short, this was the third fax he had received and each one was a few pages long. Robert put the pistol down on the desk, rising from his chair he walked over to the antiquated machine that was churning out page after page of documents.

         Robert reached into his breast pocket removing his reading glasses, placing them on he began to thumb through the documents that had been arriving in haste. The first to catch his attention was the cover letter, the man who had sent the fax was once a resident of this same office and had been sentenced for termination by the False Flag back in 2018 the blood stains and bullet holes remained as a grim reminder of the tragic past of the former Secretary that was simply known as the Taskmaster. Robert continued to thumb through the documents as he meandered his way back to his desk, he had now forgotten about his desired suicide and was now filling with rage as he would read about a secret senate hearing held in December of 2070 just before the close of session when many in the Federal District would have already went home for the holidays. This closed session hearing, using the legislation that he had drafter for the Ratification under the Patriot Act, had allowed for this session to be under seclusion and concealed from the people. This bill was very short and simple only a few pages in length but what it allowed was sicking and confirmed what Robert had feared about the UCAS. This document legalised the Insects, rendering them an official totem and sanctioned the worship of them; this document also allowed for protection and defence of the hives as a natural wonder and turned Bug City into a nationally protected park. It allowed for the funding and research into the protection and creation of new insect spirits and as well set forth the precedent that anyone that kills an infected, or shaman is to be charged with a hate crime and it also gave full protection rights to the eggs and their hosts. It called for the executions of all known Hive Busters and anyone who attempted to endanger a known hive as well as offering federal funding to anyone who desired to create a new coven or hive. These laws went into affect as of close of session 2070 and have been in place ever since, as Robert read the documents he would grow irate and sick to his stomach, knowing that everything he feared was true and that he had been played. He was nothing more then a puppet and they were going to use this law as a way to publicly behead him and bring this new legislation to light. This is why they needed the Hive Busters gone and this is why they sacrificed him to the wolves, they needed a test subject and he was to be their patsy.

      As Robert got to the last page of the documents he noticed in large type font on the top, memorise this your life depends on it. He glanced at it and it seemed to e nothing more then numbers and dance steps, it confused him but still he left that page out as he stuffed the other pages into his briefcase and prepared to leave his office for the evening figuring his arrest would come at another time. As he began to rise from his desk, he heard a large crash against the door, he grabbed the paper of his desk and the revolver; glancing down it read quickly duck and roll to your left raise the gun and fire. Robert did what the paper said and as he rolled to his left the door flew open and in marched one of the storm troopers of the False Flag the room erupted with gunfire, Roberts ears began to ring do to close proximity to a hail of gunfire. He did as the paper said and fired twice, both bullets found their home in the soldier neck, he fell to the ground as his blood gushed like a geyser. Robert was taken aback as he had never directly killed anyone before and this was his first murder, he looked again at the paper all it said next was roll forward pick up rifle and fire directly left of the door aim at waist level. Robert pocketed the revolver and did as the paper stated rolling forward, scoping up the assault rifle and unloading a fully automatic burst into the exactly where the paper had told him. The recoil nearly knocked the old man off his feet as the bullets flew out of the barrel and punched through the wall he was greeted with the cries of another solder followed by seeing the man slump to the ground dead as his blood began to pool around him. Robert know knew there was more to this paper and the Taskmaster had some direct inside knowledge that was going to save his life. Robert ran back to his desk, grabbing his brief case and slinging it over his shoulder via the strap. He looked at the paperwork once again, the next order was to exit his office, run straight while counting to 3 then diving to his left rolling rise to knee and fire. Robert again did as it said, though his body was aching and he definitely realised how out of shape he really was. He gave it all his might and threw himself forward wishing he had paid more attention in gym class as he nearly broke his neck when he landed, though do to adrenaline he managed to succeed and unleash another hail of bullets though this time he was prepared for the recoil and held his ground as the bullets tore into yet another awaiting soldier. Roberts adrenal gland was pumping him full of adrenaline he could feel his heart racing with both excitement and nerves as he now fully understood the direness of his situation. The False Flag wasn’t ever planning on letting him get to trial, they were going to execute him without trial and claim he resisted arrest, well the Taskmaster was making sure there plan was not coming to volition. Robert glanced at the paperwork, adjusting his glasses it just read drop rifle pick up new weapon, left right, right, left, left 1,2,3 roll fire right fire left. This he knew would bring him to the side entrance near were his car was parked. These where not military soldiers but just simple security that Robert had become friendly with over the years, though he also knew that they would not allow him to leave and he would have to kill them before they killed him. So he did as the paper ordered and ran down the hallways and stairwells in the order he was given knowing that the 1,2,3 was another count after he opened the fire door. Robert was out of breath, his chest burned, his legs and shoulders ached and his neck and head where throbbing but this was life or death and he only wished he had spent more time in the gym then the golf course. As he burst out of the heavy steel fire doors with a load crash, he counted to 3 and rolled forward again this time he nearly knocked himself silly as he drove his head once again into the cold concrete floor, as he rolled his back slammed into his briefcase and took the wind right out of him as the two guards unloaded with there service pistols into the direction where Robert was only missing do to his gymnast maneuver that nearly knocked him out. Adrenaline being the only thing keeping him going he fired right and sent three rounds screaming into the guards body killing him as he fell backwards into to the awaiting steps. Do to Roberts slight stunned nature the second guard fired again luckily missing the secretary and allowing Robert to return fire, He unleashed a quick burst into the guards body and launched backwards from into the glass window shattering the glass as the guards body slammed against it. The broken shards tore through his body and would send blood gushing all over the place as the buildings alarms would begin to chime. he looked at the paper for the last time and all it said was good work, now escape the building and parking lot. Robert shoved the paper into his pants pocket he ran out of the building before it would seal and he would be surrounded, he already knew that the FDC police would be in route and he would only have a few minutes to clear the lot. He tore off with the last bit of energy he had, pulling out his keys and unlocking the car remotely as well as starting it as he opened the doors, he was so happy to have the remote start. He tossed the rifle and briefcase onto his top coat that was laying on the passenger seat, grabbed his hat affixed it on his head, slammed the door shut, tossed it into gear and began his valiant escape. Mr. Grant would only have one more hurdle and that would be the front gate, that he knew would be closed and he was going to have to crash through, again he was thankful he opted for the armour package as it was going to pay for itself tonight. He sped trough the parking lot and heading towards the gate, Robert could see the security bars down and two guards standing in his path with there service weapons drawn and aimed in his direction. Robert slumped down and drove his foot into the gas pedal, the cars engine roared to life as it lurched forward the guards unloaded there pistols into the hood and windshield to no avail as the armour just caused the bullets to ricochet and the bullet proof glass absorbed the bullets. The car was still set for a collision course and would lurch forward as it directly impacted the two guards sending one up and over the hood slamming his head into the glass and shattering his skull causing blood and brain matter to blanket the windshield and pour down onto the hood while the other guard was forced under the car and dragged to his death as his body was torn asunder and scattered for miles as Robert made his way to the expressway.

      As he headed out to the highway, Robert knew that he needed to escape the UCAS he was pegged as the Shepherd of Destruction the people were against him. He had just committed multiple murders and evaded arrest and capture, he was going to become the target of a nationwide manhunt and he would have nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. He had spent his career in the public eye and everyone knew his face, he was now in possession of documents that needed to be exposed and shared with the public if he tried to cross over into the Confederacy close to the FDC he would be captured quickly by the UCAS forces that were sitting on the boarder as well the confederates where fighting and invading into the FDC so that boarder was out of the question. He knew heading north was a certain death sentence so he could only head west and hope to slip across a less contested boarder, and vanish into the CSA, though he had a pit in his stomach at just the thought of that since he had spent a vast majority of his career working in direct opposition to the same people he was going to now request sanctuary with. So Robert set his auto pilot for West Virginia, activating his windshield washers and fluid to attempt to clean off some of the blood only smearing it around till his reservoir was empty and his windshield was somewhat clean of the blood he had spilled. Grant turned the radio on and tuned into the news to stay ahead of the breaking news that was his murderous escape, as he thumbed through the documents once again hoping to find something further that he missed the first time. He travelled long into the night until he came across one of those roadside strip malls that had a sleazy no tell motel, a roadside diner and a questionable pawn shop that was open twenty hours. Robert new that he was going to have dump the car he was in and as well he was growing hungry. Though he would have to eat quick if that was even an option. So he disengaged the auto pilot and pulled into the parking lot that only contained a few cars, he looked at his watch seeing that it was close to 3 in the morning. He fought back the pain and exhaustion from earlier, he parked the car and exited stretching as he headed towards the pawn shop. He opened the door to a small shop, that smelled of stale urine and tobacco the display cases jam packed and items of questionable content hung on the walls. Across the shop was a young man, unkempt and squirrelly in nature wearing a stained white sleeveless shirt and covered in tattoos. The young man looked up with a cigarette hanging from his lips as he fumbled around with an old cyber deck, he made eye contact with Robert “How can I help you” he mumbled out in his heavy West Virginian accent. Robert approached the counter asking if he would take a few things no questions asked. The Clerk just looked him over and nervously responded “No Sir, I run a respectable establishment.” Mr Grant glanced around and raised an eyebrow, noticing the clerks discomfort and nervous nature it dawned on him why. He was still dressed from the office, he looked more like a city detective then a patron of this place and he knew that he couldn’t even show his government credentials to set the kid at ease since that would make the situation even more explosive. He was walking on a fine line, and one false step could bring the entire house of cards crumbling down, so Robert stepped back to his days as a politician and used the only thing they couldn’t take away from him. His natural charm and charisma, so he spent the net few minutes breaking down the will of the clerk and ensuring him that he was not a police officer and that he needed to offload a few items quickly no questions asked.

        After about a half hour of inane conversation about the UCAS, the local Blood Bowl team and catfish wrangling, Robert was bored to tears but managed to stay focused and earned the man’s trust and they would begin to do business. Robert told him he needed old world cash and not credits as it was untraceable and that he was willing to take a hit on the price for a quick sell. This really interested the pawn broker and so they went to business, the first was a trade for a used Americar that Robert new was needed since his car might have a tracker placed in it. He also knew that his car was far more valuable then any relic this man had, so a trade could be garnered. Robert just wanted to guarantee a full fuel cell as he had a long drive ahead of him, the clerk agreed and once the car was brought around to the front. Robert also offered him some of his wife’s old jewellery knowing that it was valuable and could easily be sold. The clerk gave Robert Seventy-Five Thousand old world dollars for the jewellery and some other items he had stowed in his trunk. Robert then transferred the items from his trunk into the new car and grabbed his laptop, briefcase, cigar box, dry cleaning and coat from the old car and handed over the keys after a quick sweep to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. He thanked the clerk and handed him a five thousand certified credit stick and told him “I was never here, understood.” the clerk put the stick into his pocket and said “Who was here.” and then walked back into his shop. Robert just stood there for a few minutes staring at the motel, with it’s broken neon sign flashing and the vacancy light turned on. He was so tired, so stressed, so physically worn down and all he wanted to do was go to sleep but he knew that he couldn’t not here not this close to his old car. He would most certainly awaken to federal and local storm troopers storming the castle, he knew there had to be another cheap road side motel further down the road as he yawned and began to feel the bumps and bruises from earlier he knew he needed to get a cup of hot coffee and forgo any food as he wouldn’t have the time to wait for it. Also he was now going to be driving a vehicle without an autopilot system so he was going to have to be focused and alert. To avoid any further issues he undid his tie and opened his top collar button shoving the tie into his inside jacket pocket he entered the diner, as he opened the door the bells chimed and he was welcomed with the warm aroma of coffee, freshly made pie and the sounds of ideal chatter. It was late into the morning as Robert had spent almost an hour with the pawn broker, but even at close to four in the morning this place still had a few customers seated around, though most were either truckers or migrant workers with a few drunken college students fighting off the nights revelries. Robert approached the counter near the register and rang the bell for quick service, a young red haired waitress came to counter her face told her tale and she might have been young but she has lead a rough life, the lines on her face and her sunken eyes screamed this women has a tale to tell. Yet Robert felt for her, he didn’t have time for ideal conversation he was trying to stay ahead of the law. She approached the counter with a cheerful how can I help you Sir, Robert glanced around again noticing a small television in the corner tuned into a local morning show he just ordered a large black coffee and a pack of cigarettes. As the waitress ran off to fill his order, the news segment of the show began and he watched as his face was blasted on the screen with security footage of his daring and bloody escape from the Homeland building. He could hear the mutterings of the people as they were sucked into the broadcast, and what he was hearing was not sitting well with him as he knew that if the waitress didn’t speed up with his coffee he would have to leave quickly to avoid any altercation with the patrons. He was in no condition to tangle with any of these men and he didn’t want to draw any further attention to himself. As the waitress returned with his coffee and smokes, he again saw his face blasted on the screen with WANTED Secretary Robert Wilson Grant “The Shepherd of Destruction”  with a number to contact with any information. Grant reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp hundred dollar bill, he took the waitresses thanked her for the coffee and placed the money in her hand with a stern “I was never here.” he then picked up the coffee pocketing the cigarettes he left the diner quickly hoping that no one had noticed him and put two and two together. Though as Robert quickly headed towards his new ride, cursing the fact he didn’t have a remote start. The young waitress would glance up at the screen and notice the face of the man she just waited on, she would remove her apron, grab her purse and coat, tell the cook she was taking a break and run out of the diner as Robert was fumbling with his keys trying to open the door. He had noticed that his right arm was starting to go numb ever since he slammed into the concrete floor earlier in the evening but now it was getting worse and the pain was beginning to course through his body. As he opened the door he could see the waitress running towards him, his face dropped as he was certain that she had made him and he was going to have to kill her to save his own skin. He slide into the seat, put his coffee down into the holder and inserted the key into the starter, as he went to close the door he felt resistance from the waitress who was now holding the door and preventing it from closing. Robert looked up in horror and made eye contact with the young waitress who just looked at him with this look of desperation in her eyes, under the moonlight her pain was even more real and he could tell this women was in trouble. He could sense her need for assistance and he could see the silent cry for help in her eyes, as she leaned down to speak with him her poorly fitted and stained uniform exposed her beaten and burned flesh that was riddled with cigarette burns and bruises littered her breasts. It was obvious that her pain was real and she was being abused, he wondered if the make up she was wearing was actually concealing further bruises and wounds. His heart bleed for her and as well he was growing angry that anyone could do this to a women, he was from a generation that respected women and would never lay a hand on women unless in self defence. But here was a young women who was now reaching out to him for help, though he didn’t have the time to concern himself with a domestic situation and the last thing he needed was to add kidnapping charges to his list. The two made eye contact for a few seconds and then Robert spoke “Excuse me miss, I am in a hurry.” she replied please mister can I come with you Robert just shook his head with “I am sorry no, where I am heading is no place for a dame like you.” she replied Sir, I know who you are, and I remember my parents speaking volumes about you while I was growing up, please find it in your heart to help me. Robert at this point grabbed his arm, noticing the sharp pains that where coursing through his once numbing appendage. He knew he was in serious trouble and needed to get to medical attention quickly, he then panicked remembering his ambulance contract that was currently sending his vital signs and location to nearby division. This was going to end horribly, he excused himself as he quickly opened his briefcase pulling out some old fashioned aspirin and swallowing the pills. He then removed his contract card and crushed it, wishing to not be found and recovered by the same people that he was running from. He no longer had time to argue and told the waitress to get in the car, as she was moving the items to the back seat Robert asked her if she new of a medical clinic that wouldn’t ask any questions. She replied with Yes I do sir, I will guide you there and thank you for helping me. He shrugged and the two pulled out of the parking lot, she began to give him directions to a local clinic that was run by a street doctor that never asked any questions and would patch up anyone for a few credits.

       As they drove the young waitress began to tell her story, as she felt safe and secure seated next to Robert, his mature frame and natural charm gave off a comforting aura. The waitress revealed her name as Mary and she was kidnapped from her home in Ohio back in 2045 when she ten years old, Robert was surprised that she was almost 40 years old as she didn’t look to be even in her 30’s. She had been then sold to a group of slavers known as the Vandals that used her as sex slave and prostitute until she got pregnant, they then sold her to a rich client looking for a instant family. This is how she ended up here in West Virginia, her husband was a slum lord that owned the motel, pawnshop and diner once she had given birth she was only useful to him as a sex slave and after she began to show signs of age he would grow angry and turn his rage onto her. She would be forced to work in the diner and when she didn’t bring home enough tips, or be ready to serve him sexually he would beat her and rape her nightly. As she downed on, Robert was growing even angrier thus causing him even further discomfort, the young women revelled her name to be Mary and as she confessed to Robert she was becoming emotional and almost forgot to mention the needed turn for the clinic. Mary eventually stopped with her tale, as she noticed the discomfort Robert was felling and again thanked him for rescuing her from her captures. She owed him her life and would stand by his side, as Robert looked at Mary it would bring back memories of his late wife and how much she resembled her.

      They would pull into a darkened parking lot around five thirty in the morning, the only light was coming from a neon red cross in the window. Robert looked concerned about the clinic even being open, Mary reassured him that he was open twenty four hours and not to worry, he never asks questions. He parked the car and the two exited the vehicle when Robert would feel tightness in his chest, and he would grab his arm from the shooting pain as he would begin to black out from the cardiac event he was currently suffering. As Robert was collapsing, she started calling out for help and ran over to Robert trying to keep him steady and upright, though his frame was to much for the weakened Mary. She started running to the front door banging on the door and crying out for help as Robert was passed out and dying on the ground. She had just found her saviour and now he was dying and Mary felt responsible by telling him her story knowing that it would upset a gentlemen like Mr. Grant. As Mary banged on the door, the lights inside began turning on as she could her the doctor running towards the door. The door flew open and there stood a middle aged man, dressed in sweat pants and torn t-shirt with a stained white doctors coat on. His face as well told a story and his short cropped greying hair gave way to multiple data jacks, he quickly asked what the problem was, Mary unsure of what Robert was suffering from frantically pointed in the direction of her fallen saviour. The Doctor asked if that was her father, she quickly responded with yes and please help him the Doctor assured her that he would do his best and ran over to Robert and scoped him up of the ground with ease, the hydraulics of his cyber limbs hissed as he carried Robert into his clinic, Mary locked the door and ran alongside of the doc as he placed Roberts unconscious body onto the table and began to disrobe him. The Doctor asked Mary what was wrong and what her father had done prior to blacking out, she explained that he had clutched his right arm and took some aspirin about ninety minutes ago. He began to complain about chest pains when we arrived here, he grabbed his arm, then clutched his chest and collapsed, she had tried to bring him in, but he was to heavy for her. The Doctor thanked her for the information and then ushered Mary out of the room and began to work on the fallen Robert.

       As Mary sat down in the waiting room, she buried her head into her hands and began to sob thinking she had just killed the one man that was willing to help her. She began to pray and ask for his life to be spared and for Robert to be saved, for the saviour he was; meanwhile in the medical ward, the doctor worked on Robert for almost an hour and nearly gave up on him. He was only alive do to the machines that were pumping his heart and breathing for him, Robert was officially by definition deceased. The Doctor removed his gloves and went to leave the room to break the news to Mary when he saw her sobbing into her hands, the Doctors heart broke and he returned to the room and went back to work on her Father. He knew the man’s heart was shot and needed to be replaced, he didn’t have time to grow a clonal heart but he did have quite a few bio organic ones that could do the trick, he injected his patient with anti-rejection medication and prepared him for surgery. Mary was growing concerned about how long everything was taking and began passing about in panic and worry. Even though she just met Robert, she had grown very close to him and was concerned for his well being and as well his life, this was a man the media had pegged as a heartless murderer and the man responsible for the slaughter of millions but yet she believed none of it. To her he was a warm and caring gentlemen that happened to be in the right place at the right time, and she would wear herself even more to be his protector and was beginning to believe the lie she had told and was thinking of him more and more like a Father.

     Eventually the doctor finished the heart transplant surgery and as he was closing Robert up his scanners picked up further injury that was cause for concern in his neck and spine. It appeared that his discs where damaged and where going to need repair, this was something that even a skilled surgeon would have trouble with. So the doc would do the only thing he knew he could and that was to repair as much of the discs as he could and then wrap the bones in titanium, giving Robert his first piece of major cyber besides the stereotypical data jack that all corporate men and politicians receive. He hated implanting the cyber knowing that the patient couldn’t consent and he was also sentencing Robert to a lifetime of trouble and pain, as he discs would forever be in there degenerate condition and he would have to deal with a lifetime of pain and suffering from the exposed nerves touching the metal the was fused into his spine. Once the surgery was completed Robert was sent off to the recovery ward and hooked up to a nanite advanced healing machine that would aid his bodies natural healing rate. The doctor then left the ward and came back to his waiting room where Mary was still passing and nervously chomping down on her nails, once she saw the doctor enter the room she ran over to him with her tear dried face and swollen eyes from heavy sobbing she asked how her father was. The doctor sat her down and explained what he had to do to save him, and that this was going to be costly, he was going to waive some of the fee’s do to the emergency nature and the implanting of the cyber that would sentence Robert to a lifetime of pain. Mary in a panic told the doctor that she didn’t have any money, the doctor said we will have to wait till your father awakens, but for now please get some sleep. He lead Mary to the recovery ward so she could she her father who was resting peacefully hooked up to the machines that where pumping him full of medication and healing nanites. She pulled up a chair took a hold of his hand and fell asleep next to her new father, over the next few days Robert would remain in a coma like state as his body repaired itself from the surgery and adjusted to the new heart that was inside his chest. Mary would only leave his side to use the facilities and find something to eat, this was mostly a ration bar that she swiped from the diner. Robert continued to heal and after four days his eyes fluttered open and he started to gag on the breathing tube that had been placed into his throat, the Doctor told him to remain calm as he removed the tube and started to remove the cables and tubes that had been inserted into his ailing body.

       Robert looked around and spotted Mary and initially had a blank stare, then he started to believe that he had passed away and he was in the presence of his late wife. He called out to her referring to Mary as Helen when he noticed the doctor and the confused look on her face it all came back to him and he apologized to Mary for thinking she was his late wife. She responded with thats fine dad, this again confused Robert until the doctor piped up saying that your daughter has been a real trooper through all of this. He then would go onto explain that he had suffered a severe heart attack and his heart was to far damaged to be spared and that he was clinically dead for a few minutes being kept alive by machines only. He drowned on for a while explaining that he replaced his heart and as well had to do emergency cyber surgery installing titanium bone lacing’s to repair his damaged discs, though he did apologize that he would be living with pain for the rest of his days. There was nothing he could do to fully repair the damage. He basically put a band aid on a gushing wound, and he would be forced into a lifetime of pain medication in order to cope with the damage to his nerves. Robert just sighed but thanked the doctor and Mary for saving his life, thats when the doctor stated well there is now the minor situation of my fee. Robert said that will not be an issue and as soon as he could get out of bed and was able to leave he would make sure the man was fully compensated for his work and time, plus he would add some extra to ensure his silence. The two men shook hands and then the doctor left the room heading off to care for another patient that had come in looking for medical treatment. Robert was left in the room with Mary, who he now knew would be considered his daughter till they left the medical bay.

       Robert and Mary talked casually about various topics, always skirting around the elephant in the room being her past. Though as they spoke, Mary asked about his late wife Helen and wanted to know more about the women he mistook her for. Initially Robert just spoke of the good times, and was very vague about his stories, though as he regaled Mary with the stories he would fiddle with his wedding band that he still wore and was probably fused to his finger since he never removed since her murder. Mary was taken by the stories and just sat there and listened to the ramblings of the old man that had rescued her, though eventually after a few days when Robert became mobile and was starting to get used to the newly added weight and learning what he can and cant do. Mary asked what his wife’s maiden name was, Robert was taken aback by the question as he raised an eyebrow Mary though insisted so Robert couldn’t disappoint the women who had just helped save his life. He told her well Helen’s maiden name was Haskell, and that she lived in Ohio and they had been sweethearts since junior high school. Mary went white and collapsed into the chair, Robert asked what was wrong Mary went onto explain that her last name was Haskell and she grew up in a small Ohio town to blue collar parents Robert stated well there are allot of Haskell’s in Ohio; Mary stopped him I understand that there are other Haskell’s, but how many have a daughter named Helen that was married to a Senator. I had an older sister that was already married and moved away by the time I was born, she and her husband would come to visit ever so rarely do to his busy schedule. She then began to fumble through her purse, and remove a old stained photograph of her Sister and her husband. This was the effect I was able to keep take before I was kidnapped and she showed him the yellowed photo and it was his beloved Helen and a much younger version of himself. He just looked at Mary and started to tear up, baby Mary and the memories of time long gone started to flood into his mind. As he quickly embraced her in a hug, I am so sorry that I wasn’t there for you and your family.

       Mary and Robert spoke for a while and how it seems that the fates have brought me to you to make amends for my troubled life and how I kept Helen away from her family for so long. Though Robert also knew that he had to conceal the fact that her parents his in-laws had been murdered during the kidnapping and he had tried to bring justice to them but was unsuccessful. He had eventually forgotten about the baby sister and had accepted that she was dead, Robert knew that he could never tell Mary about this and just if asked let her know that her parents never stopped looking for her and passed away. He was also not going to allow anything to happen to Mary and he was going to protect her with all his might, though he first needed to get out of the UCAS and with his extended stay in the clinic he knew that a boarder crossing was going to be even more risky. But first he needed to deal with the bill and pay his debt to the man that saved his, so Robert left the clinic breathing in the crisp fresh air for the first time in almost a week his car covered in frost and sitting silently alone in the vastness of the parking lot. He popped the trunk and began rummaging through looking for a few of the gold bars he had stowed from his earlier liquidation of his accounts. He grabbed four bars and re-zipped and locked the bag, he then ventured back inside his body fr more susceptible to the cold do to the metal that coated his bones and the pain that coursed through his body with every step, nearly sent Robert collapsing to the floor. He managed to shrug off the pain and called out for the doctor, as the doc emerged from one of the patient rooms Robert said I believe there is little thing about my bill. The doctor gestured Robert to come into his office, the two men spoke briefly and Robert placed the four solid gold bars on his desk, saying I believe this is more then enough to cover my tab and buy your total silence. The doctor’s eyes nearly popped out of there sockets as he saw the pure gold sitting before him, the two men again exchanged handshakes and all Robert asked was that if he and Mary could use the showers before they left. The doc said anything my friend and if you ever need anything please call me and the doctor gave the Robert his number.

       Robert left the office and entered into the shower while Mary showered in the other room, they showered and got dressed. Robert once again looked like the politician he was, freshly shaved and back into his suit and tie. Mary had to borrow some clothing from the doctor since all she had was her old uniform that had to be disposed of do to the grim and filth that had accumulated on it over the years. They then again thanked the doctor leaving the clinic and heading once again on their way. Robert knew that he would have to figure out how he could get across the boarder into the confederacy, but the story Mary had told him was weighing heavily on his mind. He knew that the child Mary had was a connection to his late wife and he couldn’t stand the idea of this child being raised by such an abusive and heartless monster. Though as Robert was starting to get lost in his thoughts, he was quickly brought back to reality when he noticed a high presence of law enforcement and UCAS military vehicles in the vicinity. They all seemed to be centralized around the strip mall where he sold his car and found Mary, this confirmed his fear about a tracker being within his old car and that the UCAS was just buying their time in swooping in an arresting him. Figuring they would find him resting in the motel, it would be an easy snatch, but he was one step ahead of them this time, the next time he knew he was going to have to be smarter. As much as he wanted to track down this slum lord and rescue the child that was technically family to him, he knew the risks where to great and he would have to formulate a plan at another time. Right now he needed to find a safe place for Mary and himself, so he cold figure out his next move.

      He decided that he was going to continue heading west and skirt the boarder until he saw a laps in the security, with the Confederates fighting within the boarder states and trying to reclaim the divided states he knew eventually he would find an unsecured crossing and be able to slip easily into the CAS without worry, though he was no shadow warrior and definitely not blockade runner this was going to be a one time event and he was going to have to make sure it went flawlessly or all would be lost. As the two drove through the morning and into the afternoon, they continued to reminisce and catch up on past events, though Robert was careful to dodge the subjects that would upset his Mary. He was as well beginning to care for this young women and think of her as the daughter he never had, though as they drove into the night only stopping for a quick bite to eat at a automated quick stop. Robert still couldn’t stop thinking of the poor child, and what fate was now in store for him or her now that Mary had escaped. He wasn’t even sure of the child’s sex and he didn’t know how to even bring up the subject to Mary without causing her distress, he as well didn’t even know how old the child was and if it was even still alive. All of these thoughts where flooding into his mind, as he finally came to an old wooden bridge that looked worse for wear, it was badly damaged from recent fighting. Confederate and UCAS military vehicles where scattered about in various stages of disarray, there where even still down bodies of soldiers that rested in shallow graves. Roberts keen wit and eyes, told him that the fighting here was recent and the victor had recently moved on though do to the carnage that lay before him. The victor looked as if they as well left beaten and blooded, he stopped the car and looked around, he knew he was on the boarder but he wasn’t sure where he exactly was. Reaching for his phone he noticed that even though he had zero signal, his GPS was activated this was cause for concern since he had never activated that feature and wasn’t really sure how to. He remembered during his time with the NSA that they would use tracking software to zero in on specific phones and he feared this was happening to him. Robert opened the door of the car, and exited the vehicle, he removed the battery from the phone and with his newly added body mass he crushed the phone and tossed it into the river. As he was getting back into the car, he noticed headlights coming towards him from deeper in the UCAS from the direction he was heading as well as the sound of a helicopter roaring overhead. He knew it was now or never and he threw the car in gear and handed Mary the revolver that he had stuffed between the seats. He told her “If you have to point and fire.” the UCAS is not looking to take me alive, I will try to get us across the bridge.” He then slammed his foot on the accelerator and stormed full speed towards the rickety bridge. His only thoughts were please God let this bridge be in one piece and let us not crash through it, as he heading into the unknown at full speed, Mary opened the window and leaned out like she had done this prior, she aimed the pistol at the incoming government vehicles and squeezed the trigger like a pro. Robert flinched initially as he was still getting used to being a criminal and having to engage in gun play, though for Mary she was without nerves and after unloading multiple rounds into the incoming vehicles windshield, the car veered and slammed into the remains of a armoured transport, its right side lurched as the tire blew out and the car flipped over onto it’s side, while the second vehicle that was in hot pursuit failed to navigate the sudden wreckage that rolled in front of it and slammed full speed in the the drivers door and folded the car in half as both vehicles went up in a blazing effigy. The third pursuit car,managed to avoid the collision and maintained the chase as Robert drove his car into the oblivion that was the bridge. As his headlights pierced the dark, he could see that the bridge was far worse then he had dreamed, with most of its supports and beams missing or resting in the river bed below, but it was now or never as he had a government car on his rear and the helicopter was homing in fast, as the air began to erupt in a hail of gunfire from above. The roof of the bridge began to explode in splinters and he could hear the bullets grazing the vehicle, with a few nearly missing both Mary and he, as they tore through the roof. By a stroke of luck or maybe a miracle they crossed the bridge and were greeted with the Welcome to the Confederate States of America sign, he glanced into the rearview mirror and watched as the third and forth government cruisers weren’t so lucky and as they entered the bridge the supports gave out and the two cruisers went crashing down into the riverbed. Though he was still being pursued by the helicopter, he knew that if they didn’t evade the air surveillance that they would be sitting ducks to the machine gun fire. this was not how he planned on dying but it seemed inevitable as more machine gun fire rocketed from the sky, Robert was driving erratically trying to stay clear of the direct fire, as more rounds punched in to the roof and trunk. Robert just floored it and hoped for the best, as the helicopter speed past them and began to turn one hundred and eighty degrees to face them. Mary was freaking out and Robert noticed a fire trail heading into the sky from the horizon. He slammed on the brakes, witch through Mary directly into the dashboard. She began to scream at him about what he was doing then BOOM the sky erupted into a fireball as the rocket connected with the Helicopter and the flaming debris began to ran down, he through the car into reverse and once again floored it to avoid the fire from the sky.

      They had made it to the Confederacy, but they were not out of the water yet, with his phone destroyed he only had his personal laptop and tablet for communication and they where in the trunk. Robert wasn’t sure they even survived the hail of bullets, that tore into the rear of the car, he was heading straight for a confederate military unit and he had just illegally crashed there boarder and was not very well received in the CAS. he was going to have to find a way off this main road and quickly or it would spell certain doom for him. He could try to seek sanctuary once in a city or town and dealing with civilians, but with the military he knew he would be swinging from a tree within in minutes of capture. Mary saw the look of panic on his face as he was frantically looking for a side road, she as well began to search and noticed a off shoot up a head. Robert didn’t see the turn off, and just before he missed the turn Mary grabbed the wheel and caused Robert to loose control of the vehicle on the dirt road, he began to spin out of control until he remembered his driving lessons and turned into the spin and regained control. He started flipping out at Mary as the car sat ideal facing the side road. She laughed well that was fun and pointed straight ahead, Robert shot her a look like a father scolding there child, blurting out are you trying to give me a heart attack. Mary rebutted with “Dad, we don’t have time to argue floor it old man!” Robert glanced around and noticed a few confederate vehicles heading his direction, they where just around the bend but he could see their lights. He killed the headlights and heading down the side road, hoping that would go unnoticed. As chance would have it the military vehicles drove right past the side road and ignored the civilian vehicle that was disappearing into the night. It seemed that the UCAS was not content at letting the Shepherd go that easily, and was engaging the boarder in an attempt to continue there manhunt.

          Robert drove long into the night, Mary eventually fell asleep curled up in the seat next to him, still unsure where he was all he knew was he had been skirting the boarder for his entire journey since he left the Federal District and know he was inside the Confederacy. He had’t seen a town or sign for the highway in hours and was beginning to get concerned that he was lost. As he drove through the night, his body ached from his flared nerves and as the sun was rising behind them exhaustion would set in. Also he needed to find a charging station soon as the fuel cell was running low, and he also was going to need to ditch this car and acquire a new one that wasn’t riddled with bullet holes. long after the sun was in the sky, Mary had begun to stir he saw the first signs of civilization as he was rolling into a small town. He finally knew where he was by the Tennessee tags on the vehicles and that meant he was on the Confederate side of the state, probably near Nashville. Again Robert would look for a pawn shop, knowing he could sell or trade his car in there and as well using his charm and the fake southern accent he picked up while touring the south as a Senator. He could try to pass as a local and hopefully have a simple transaction and not one where the police where notified. Though Robert was still very leery of attempting this a second time, but he had no choice and he was physically exhausted and not to mention ravenously hungry. So he drove very cautiously through the town, trying not to draw attention to his bullet ridden car with out of state and country tags. Surprisingly to both he and Mary they the people where not even batting an eye and even the few police cruisers they passed ignored them. Robert was by this point white knuckle driving as he was coming up empty on a pawn shop and figured he would have to attempt a recharge putting them directly into the eyes of the public.

      As he was just about to give up, the red caution light was on and the chimes of low power where beginning to ring throughout the vehicle he found a small shop towards the rear of the town called Pop’s Pawns. The shop was set back and out of the boundaries of the village itself, it had a small parking lot with a few pick up trucks parked alongside a large red barn, as well as a large field of junk and vehicles in the back of the shop. Robert figured this was his only option, so he pulled the car up along side the building. The two just looked at each other an laughed, this was all to similar as how they came in contact they exited the car, this time Robert removed his tie, took off his suit jacket and shoved the Manhunter in the small of his back under his waistcoat and undid the top collar button, rolling up his sleeves they walked into the shop like father and daughter out for an outing. Once they opened the doors, and the bells chimed alerting the old man behind the counter of there arrival. Robert glanced around and noticed this place was well kept, the cases where clean and organized, the items well displayed and priced on the walls and multiple security cameras properly placed and active. He knew that his chances for a no questions asked sale had just flown out the window, as he was about to turn an leave to take his chances with the recharge station. The old man behind the counter put down the afternoon paper he was reading and in a deep southern draw straight out of Georgia bellowed towards them “Hello, and welcome to Pops Pawn, I am Norris how can I help y’all.” As much as Robert was uncomfortable, there was something very calming about Norris, he had that very grandfatherly appearance and was well dressed and groomed. It was almost inviting and eased Roberts nerves and settled the butterflies that where in his stomach. Mary just looked up at Robert and clutched his arm tight, as she was still very uneasy around men she didn’t know or trust, Robert approached the counter Hello to you as well Norris, I am Wilson and I am looking to trade my car with you, for another vehicle.” Well Wilson, Norris replied that will be a tall order since I saw the condition of the one you pulled up in as he tapped his security monitor. Also that is quite a nice pistol you have stuffed in your back, I hope you’re not planning on doing something stupid. Robert was initially taken aback by Norris directness and his candour, No Sir, I wouldn’t dream of it, but you can’t be all to careful today with the war and all. Norris laughed, you have the right city slicker well let me guess Wilson, you are looking for no questions asked and your going to line my pockets to stay silent humm. Again he was left without a retort, the last time he dealt with a pawn broker it took almost an hour of inane conversation to get the deal started. Norris on the other was being frank and direct, not beating around the bush at all. Well now that you mentioned yes, that was what I had in mind. Mary stayed silent during the conversation not wanting to interrupt and upset either man, Well Wilson, your in luck I have just acquired a nice ride, that you might like bullet proof glass, armour plating, run flat tires and a nice auto pilot system. Robert was intrigued, well what’s it going to cost me Norris? Again the old man laughed, well first off your old car and second it will run you three of them nice gold bars you have in the trunk. Robert at this point grew very nervous and started to back away, how could he have known about them this must be a trap. Norris stood up, woo calm your jets Wilson or should I say Shepherd, I know who you are and we share a mutual friend. Robert getting even more nervous started to reach for the pistol, thats when Norris in a blink of an eye drew a very large pistol that Robert has only seen a few times before. It was from Dark Arms and now he had it pointed at him, I told you not to get frisky there Wilson. Please leave your hands where I can see them, Mary upon seeing the pistol and the speed of the old man’s draw began to freak out and let her bladder loose. The once calm under pressure women, now nothing more than a frightened child, Robert noticing her fear put himself in front of her to protect her from harm. He then raised his hands slowly, I am sorry Sir, I don’t want any trouble, just got a little scared that you knew me and what I am caring. Like I said Wilson, we share a mutual friend and with that he laughed and holstered the gun.

         Norris continued, now can we do business or did I make a trip up from Georgia for nothing. Robert nodded his head and the two men walked outside, Mary followed very close behind. Norris told Robert to please pull his beater around back so they could be away from prying eyes, so thats just what he did the two went back to the car that they started their journey in and pulled it around back. As he got the car to rear of the store, concealed by piles of junk and wreckage. Norris was already standing besides a brand new luxury car befitting a politician such as Robert. The paint was metallic black, the windows deeply tinted and Cadillac hood ornament screamed luxury. Norris laughed as the old Americar’s fuel cell died as he came to a stop, Well Shepherd it seems like this is perfect timing. I have installed a secondary fuel cell into this car myself, so you won’t be running out of fuel any time soon. Now there is a little thing about the gold, let me have a gander, so Robert went to the trunk and so the damage first hand. He was horrified that anything still remained inside, he popped the trunk expecting everything to be gone and have fallen through the bottom. Though the opposite stood true and it seemed that the bullets missed everything and just made Swiss cheese of the metal. Norris stood over his shoulder as he unlocked the bag and removed three solid gold bars, he then handed them over to Norris and said a deals a deal. Norris agreed and shock Roberts hand as Mary began to transfer the items over to the new car. As Robert was heading over to the new car and Norris was walking away he paused and turned back towards the duo. Pardon me, again Norris chimed out I am a business man and it seems that you folks are in a heap of trouble, I could be of further assistance to you both for them last two bars. You both look as if you need some rest, and a nice hot meal as well as some fancy equipment encase you run into them pesky UCAS officers again. They are crawling all over these parts, do to the war, Shepherd. Robert paused, thinking for a moment well do you have a place that we can crash, and also my daughter does need some new clothing. Norris said up the rode is a place called Pat’s Motel, tell them Pop’s sent you and it will be all taken care off. Do we have a deal Shepherd? Robert rebutted with when do we get our gear and clothing, well I will have the gear loaded into your trunk over night as you rest and the clothing for the little miss well that will be delivered with you all expense paid hot meal of real southern home cooking. Robert thought for a second and agreed to the deal, he opened the bag once again and removed the last two gold bars and handed them over to Norris leaving only the silver bars behind.

      Once again the two men shook hands and parted ways, Robert still a little uneasy of what just occurred but was in no situation to argue as his body ached, he was physically worn out and his stomach was churning from lack of food and nerves. He knew that he needed a nice hot bath, good food and a decent nights sleep and Norris seemed like an honest man, and if he wanted to turn him in he had more then one opportunity to do so. So the two entered the new car and almost instantly Robert fell asleep as he was absorbed into the plush real leather seats and climate control system. He had to shrug off the exhaustion and told the autopilot system Pat’s Place. The vehicle started up and drove slowly the few blocks to Pat’s the entire time Robert was fighting falling asleep and Mary was more then happy with the comfort of the new car as this was her first time ever in such a luxurious ride. As they pulled into the parking lot, Pats looked like just every other roadside motel, with the broken neon sign flashing, the rows of rooms and the faded and pealing paint the entire place screamed disarray though this normally would be cause for concern and a place Robert would normally avoid like the plague, but do to his new found situation this was going to be home for a bit until he could figure out there next move. He told Mary to stay outside and watch the car, yell if their was an issue and he entered the office. As he opened the door, the small ten by ten room divided in half by a large desk stunk of stale cigars and cheap liquor. A middle aged man was seated behind the desk, playing solitaire, his clothes stained and his hygiene left up to question looked up with a nasty cigar stuck between his rotting teeth. How can I help you he belched out in a almost unintelligible draw, Robert raised an eyebrow and said only “Pop’s sent me.” The little troll of a man jumped to his feet, oh your friends of Pops’s well why didn’t you say so, Robert responded with “I just did.” the clerk snarled well no need to get hostile, Robert just face palmed and shook his head, he couldn’t believe how low he had sunk and that his safety was now in this troll of man’s hands. He was to tired to argue and he apologized for his brash response, the clerk laughed, no worries chummer just joshing ya, here are the keys to room 203 and if you need it, well there is an escape hatch in the back. Robert took the keys and thanked the man, when is check out he asked? Well for a friend of Pop’s stay as long as you need, not like I get many visitors around here anyway’s. Robert reached into his pocket and pulled out three old world hundreds, placed them on the counter telling the man for your time. The man attacked the bills like a pack of dogs on a three legged cat and shoved them into his pocket. He looked up at Robert and thanked him, have a good night Shepherd is all he belched out, as he went back to his game. Robert paused when he heard the name, but just shook his head figuring Norris had said something to him prior.

      Robert headed back out to Mary, telling her the room number he opened the trunk and removed on of his suitcases and as well his laptop case and the satchel that contained the silver bars and certified credit chips. He then closed and locked the trunk and headed up the stairs towards room 203, this room was not like the others as it was around the bend and not directly connected to the rest of the motel. If Robert hadn’t been paying attention he would have confused the room for the laundry facility, Mary had completely missed the room all together he put the keys into the door and he heard the sounds of a motor churning and after a few seconds the door popped open and in they walked. As soon as the door closed, They could feel the entire room moving along with the sound of the motor once again. This puzzled Robert, and when he went towards the window he could see that the entire room did in fact rotate as he was facing the rear of the building and that in fact it was the laundry room he mistook initially This must be one of those runner hideouts that he heard so much about when he was in the government. He was now officially a runner, and the thought initially didn’t sit well with him, but over the last week or so he had murdered seven people, outrun the police, bartered with multiple fences and fixers, had cyber implanted, crashed a boarder and started to think more about drawing then asking questions. So yes he could accept his fate of being a runner rather then being murdered by his own government. Mary interrupted Roberts exhausted gaze asking if she could shower first, Robert nodded his head and begun to gaze around the room, noticing that is was like any other hotel he had staid in prior, the two queen size beds with pillow top mattresses, the climate control pumping in fresh air, flat screen trideo and a nice fully stocked mini bar and fridge. He stowed his satchel under the bed and placed his suitcase on the dresser. Knowing that unpacking would be unwise as he was now a criminal, though he felt safe he knew that he was now and forever on the lamb. Robert booted up his laptop and connected it to the matrix terminal. Not fearing the UCAS tracking it since it was his private computer and he never used it in the office and this was the first time he was actually connecting it to the matrix since he purchased it. knowing a thing or two about the shadow world from his days in the NSA he activated the security features and rerouted his matrix address and activated the NSA level scrambling software he had swiped from the office when he was the director. I might be outdated, but it’s archaic nature made it the perfect protection from the modern tracking software, as it would fly under and suspected radar. As Mary showered in the other room, he began to scour the matrix for any information regarding the Shepherd and the fabled “Shadows of Seattle” website that he heard about form his friends in the NSA.

      Initially he search would come up blank, and he figured the site was nothing more than a myth. So he shut down the computer, as Mary was coming out of the shower wrapped in a towel she asked if she could borrow one of his shirts and boxers till her new clothing arrived, Robert told her fine and as he was getting his toiletry bag out of his suitcase, he handed her one of his flannel shirts and a pair of his shorts. He then removed his pyjamas and clean pair of shorts and headed into the shower himself. He needed to soak his old bones and think about there net move in living chess game that had become his life. Robert popped two pain pills, disrobed and entered the shower, and eventually filling the tub he began to soak his weary bones that where covered in metal and soon Robert would learn the mistake of taking a hot bath. As his body began to feel like it was on fire from the inside, his nerves flared and he jumped out of the water like it was acid. nearly slipping and cracking his head open. He new that he his life had truly changed and he was going to have to get used to the bone lacing’s. He was in to much pain to even dare return to the tub, so he dried off got dressed for bed and left the bathroom. Mary was seated at the table watching television eating the meal that was delivered while he was in the shower, she looked up and chuckled, wow you do really look like my father in those old man pyjamas and robe. Oh I hope you don’t mind I moved your computer to make room for the food. Robert still shaken by the fire in his body, nodded his head sat down at the table leaning over to the air conditioning unit he turned it on full blast trying to cool down his heated bones and began to dig into the plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and biscuits like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. The taste of real food, was almost more then he could handle though his hunger was ravenous and he knew that a full belly and a few shots from the mini bar would allow him to forget about his pain and guarantee a good nights sleep.

     Mary finished her plate first and headed off to bed, Robert was not far behind as he closed the blinds and tuned the lights off, moving his laptop back onto the table and grabbing his pistol and sticking it under the pillow, if he was going to be a criminal he best be armed at all times. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out. Though for Robert the rest was short lived as he couldn’t get comfortable and allow his body to find a restful state. he just laid there with his eyes open and cursing his body for failing him. He picked up his watch and saw that it was three in the morning, Mary meanwhile was blissfully sleeping. Robert laid there for a while before submitting to the insomnia getting out of bed he sat down at the table and booted back up his computer, pulling a cigarette out and putting it between his lips, he flicked his lighter and breathing in his first smoke in a few days. he went over to the mini bar removing a few small bottles he went back to his computer and began again to search out the fabled website. Initially he failed, then he tried the simplest thing and typed in the name of the site in a search engine and right on the top was the page he was looking for. He face palmed at how simple it was and here he was going through the all theses complicated searching procedures, once the page opened he began to sift through it searching for anything that could help him. He noticed the news and all the UCAS propaganda from the Battle of Seattle, he glanced through the confederates and patriots he found Pops and it dawned on him that a SOTC had just assisted him, he sifted through the site for what seemed like hours eventually stumbling on the information about former hive busters and noticing that the news was speaking of an insect situation in Seattle and he knew that the situation was bigger then anyone could ever imagine. He used his technical now how and managed to find the hidden link the shadow writers use to update the pages, he just began to write a page for the Hive Busters trying to alert the people of the good these men have done and how they could be an answer to the problems of today. Robert also wanted to see if the site could be a way to help him in his situation and he put out a plea for help with a desire to be trained as a Buster. As he typed away in a flurry his eyes crossing from lack of sleep, he was finished as the sun was rising. He hit submit and hoped someone would post his work directly to the site and not delete it as the ramblings of a mad man. He eventually logged off his computer, downed another shot of cheap rum and crawled into bed hoping to catch a few hours of shut eye. His mind still racing, but the alcohol mixed with his medicine caused for Robert to pass out and drift off to dream land.

       When he awoke, Mary was already dressed in her new clothing and watching television. Robert rubbed his eyes and grabbing his watch, he noticed that it was almost four in the afternoon. He apologized for sleeping so late, Mary said no problem, you looked like you needed it and I know you were up late on the computer. She also said I do think we need to move on to another location, as it isn’t wise for us to stay stagnate for to long not this close to the boarder. Robert agreed and headed to the bathroom to begin his morning ritual, after witch he would once again don his suit and tie pack up the gear and put the key into the door to allow the room to rotate. As the duo emerged from the room, they were greeted with the setting sun and unseasonably warm temperatures Robert placed his hat on his head and pulled up the collar of his top coat they went down the stairs and headed back to the car. he opened the trunk to be greeted by multiple ammunition cases, assault rifles, body armour, communication devices, pistols, sub-machine guns and explosives. He was staring at a small arsenal and a runners survival cache, it appears Pop’s lives up to his word and delivered in a timely fashion. Even the armour was in the style befitting of the Shepherd and his daughter, the quickly changed into the armour that could be donned without fully disrobing and entered the car. There was even a pistol like the one Pop’s drew on him the day prior with a note attached ‘A gift from a friend” Robert put the holster on his hip, loading and reading the weapon he holstered it and got into the car. Mary had taken a Uzi from the trunk and rested at her feet, she turned to Robert well were to dad? He still hadn’t a clue. He just turned the car on and activated the autopilot to take them to the highway, thats when a familiar voice came across the radio. “Well Robert or should I say Shepherd if your hearing this, then you have accepted the assistance from Pop’s and have managed to find your way into the Confederacy safely. Though you can no longer stay in hiding, my brothers men need a man like you to guide them. They need a true patriot to lead them into battle and you my friend are that man, you are the Shepherd of War and you have heard the cry of liberty and have felt the call to duty. Your autopilot system will take you to your new destination and your new team, you have been supplied with all the proper documents to get you across the needed boarders. The vehicle has been outfitted with a cooler and a few days supply of water and cold food supplies, do to the diplomatic tags that were affixed as you rested. Your trip will be without issue, the fuel cells are full and so you begin your quest to Seattle to work alongside some dear friends of my brother. They are in need of your many years of experience and your wisdom Shepherd they are your new flock now. Though beware of the old Englishman, he is not in need of your guidance and won’t accept it easily as keep a close eye on your wallet and watch. Your car will bring you directly to them, now sit back and enjoy your trip my friend, and thank you for the information and documents you provided, before you fled the Federal District it will prove much useful your friend the Beholder.” The car would then begin the drive, Mary turned to Robert with a puzzled look, and asked what have you gotten me into?  He could only reply with I am not sure, all I do know is that was a former political advisory turned ally. I guess he is calling in a favour and I am sorry to get you involved, we can part ways if you want. Mary just laughed, Oh Hell No, I am seeing this roller coaster all the way to the end. You rescued me, and we are family I am not losing you again dad. Robert shrugged well fasten your seatbelt for the ride is about to begin.

        So over the next few days they travelled towards Seattle and would chat casually while listening to the radio, Roberts nerves jumped each time he neared a boarder but true to fashion the documents where spot on and with the diplomatic tags they had zero incident passing through check point after check point. Though it did puzzle Robert, how did Lyndon know about Mary unless he was the mutual friend Norris kept mentioning and if thats the case he works quick, documents like this normally take days if not weeks to acquire. Though Robert was just happy to be able to travel in style, though he was concerned with being sent directly into the lions den and having to help lead a team of Archibald’s men. He was not a military man, yes he was brilliant and brutal but he didn’t have the direct combat experience needed to command soldiers. He was a man on the lamb and a politician not a general, but Lyndon must have some reason for this request and who was he to disappoint a fellow colleague. Eventually the would enter the city limits of Seattle and car’s radio would static out again and a voice would come across the speakers that he didn’t recognize. “Hello Chummer, I know you and your daughter have had a very long trip from Tennessee, and by the way she is now legally your daughter you can thank me later chummer. Their has been a slight change of plans, the people we need you to meet are preoccupied at the moment and I so sorry for the delay. We will be redirecting the navigation to send you to the Four Seasons resort all expenses paid. This is our little gift t you chummer, again sorry for the delay but hell thats the life of a runner. You be contacted when it is time to meet with your new team Shepherd, welcome to Seattle were the big boys come to play, I am your friendly tour guide the mighty Misfit.” the two exchanged a look and at the same time both blurted out “Now, I have heard of him” they both laughed and Robert again face palmed muttering to himself Oh Grant what have you gotten yourself into as the car made it’s way to the Four Seasons Resort. The cars radio began speaking in a monotone automated voice pointing out the various sites in the city and speaking about some of the areas to avoid such as Hells Kitchen, the Iron Side what to look out for as to gangs and other criminal elements to avoid. It also would let them both know to never be out of armour and unarmed when not sleeping, as Seattle is a dangerous city and even grandma is packing heat. The car would then pull into the parking garage of the Four Seasons, as the the broadcast would conclude with “Thank you for listening to Misfit radio chummers.”

       Robert would peel himself out of the car, since it only stopped every so often for bathroom breaks, but it was a multiple day journey do to all the checkpoints and boarders. As he stood up, his body nearly rebelled against him causing him to collapse, he braced himself against the car reaching into his pocket and pulling out the pills popping another two. He was growing concerned that he was almost out of medicine and he had no idea haw to get any more in a UCAS controlled city, suddenly two hotel employees emerged from the shadows, nearly getting themselves shot as they spooked the two weary travellers. The younger of the two spoke, Mr. Kingsbury has alerted us of your arrival, we have taken the liberty of checking you in and getting everything set for your holiday with us Sir. They then pushed two luggage carts towards the trunk and began to carefully unload the bags, the older valet asked will Sir and miss be needing the arsenal if so we will have to bring you through the service elevator. Robert said no need, just as long as he was okay with his side arm, the clerk said do to your bone lacing’s you can slip that hand cannon past the security with ease Sir. We will handle your daughters weapon, and they took the Uzi and concealed it within the piles of luggage. Mary then handed Robert the revolver he slipped it into his pocket and followed the younger valet into the hotel as Mary went with the older on up through the service elevator not fully trusting the man with the bags and weapons.

        Robert was handed a key to the penthouse suite and told that there was a gentlemen that was awaiting his arrival in the bar, Roberts keen eye noticed that as he approached the scanners the valet gave the man a signal and he watched as the guard flipped the switch deactivating for a second or two as Robert passed through with ease. The Valet pointed Robert towards the bar and then extended his hand towards Robert, he shock the Valets hand and could feel a pill bottle get slipped with ease. The Valet just nodded and parted ways, refusing Roberts attempt to tip him, so he headed off to the bar to meet this mysterious gentleman that awaited his arrival. It was early in the evening and the bar was not to crowded, just the normal businessman drowning his woes and the desperate housewife looking for anonymous sex. Lounge music played softly on the overhead radio and the lights just dim enough to hide any flaws and make anyone look presentable. Robert glanced around and noticed an older gentlemen seated towards the rear of the bar, dressed very professionally in a dark grey suit, white shirt and blue striped neck tie his silver hair matched his glasses and he had a cocktail on the table. Once he noticed that Robert had entered the room he lifted two fingers and motioned him over, Robert recognized the signal and made his way over to the gentlemen that had summoned him to the bar. As Robert approached he rose to his feet, he noticed this man was much shorter the he was, yet he gave off an aura of authority that just commanded respect. He extended his hand to shake Roberts and welcomed him to Seattle, the man spoke with a slight southern accent that could be mistaken for a English accent to the untrained ear. As the two men took there seats, the gentlemen introduced himself as Reverdy Davis, Robert had heard of this man he was a well known reporter and anchor for Seattle World News till he was outed as a Patriot. Though the man continued you might know me better as Snoopy, now Robert defiantly knew who Snoopy was, this man was his bane when he worked for the government and caused more then one sleepless night for Robert. Though the times have changed and he was no longer working for the False Flag and was actually honoured to in the presence of such a legend, Well you are probably wondering why I summoned you here Shepherd, Robert cowed by Snoopy’s commanding presence just nodded. Well it seems that you are big news in the UCAS and you have made quite a name for yourself, and I am going to be the man that keeps you out of the pot so to say. I am going to help you fit in around here and I am going to make sure the Shepherd is a name people fear and are not willing to mess with. Why am I going to do this for you, Robert began to speak and Snoopy just lifted two fingers and said silence, no need to speak that was not a question. I am going to do this for you, cause my dear friend has asked me to, and thats all. though you will be doing something for me my dear man. Robert stayed silent, Snoopy said you may speak now. Robert for the first time in his life found himself at a loss for words. Snoopy had such power over him, and he was willing to do whatever he wanted, Robert what is it that you want from me, Well Robert you have some sins you need to atone for, some lives you took that where dear friends of mine and now they lay buried in numbered graves by your orders, and unless you want me to contact my brother and tell him that I am in the presence of Director Robert Wilson Grant, oh by the way my brother is President Edward Davis. With that Robert went white as a ghost, knowing that he had been in direct conflict with a man known simply as the Powder Keg and now he was seated directly across from his brother. Snoopy continued, I know that you have been summoned here to act as leader for some of Colonials men and guide them. Robert nodded well one of those men is my grand nephew and you will make sure that he is well protected, do you understand again you may speak Robert responded with Yes Sir. Snoopy continued excellent my good man, you will make sure he is well received and benefits from your vast wisdom or I will feed you to my brother personally. Now Robert please tell me your story, Robert sang like a song bird telling him everything about himself.

      Snoopy just listened with ease, and for next few hours the Shepherd spilled his guts until Snoopy received a phone call, he excused himself and as he stepped away for a few moments Robert breathed a sigh of relief until Snoopy hung up the phone returning to table, he leaned down and whispered something into Roberts ear that caused him to go whiter then before. Snoopy then looked him dead in the eyes and in a menacing tone yet still refined and gentlemanly stated thats our little secret, you sing your dead and so in your little chick a de upstairs. Snoopy then left the bar, leaving Robert alone with his thoughts, well Robert would then leave the bar and head upstairs to his room. What would occur upstairs is a mystery, all I do know is that the Shepherds room is well protected and even this reporter couldn’t breach that level of security, I was already risking life and limb using my listening equipment to spy on Snoopy, with members of the Rough Riders guarding the Shepherd I am not sticking my neck out further for any news about Robert and his daughter Mary.

      We do know the Shepherd of Destruction has been summoned to Seattle for some reason and it seems that he is needed to front a new team of runners and if this man is being protected by the likes of Snoopy and the Rough Riders I don’t want any piece of that. I almost didn’t publish this article out of fear for my life, but since Snoopy probably already knows about my spying my life is forfeit and this is my swan song. So in conclusion the man who nuked Detroit is inside Seattle and fully sided with the Freedom Patriots, he is being backed by Lyndon Kingsbury and protected by some of Seattle finest. This shouldn’t sit well with anyone who supports the UCAS, for this man is a monster and should be strung up for his crimes against all humanity and not allowed to run free and fight against the government. The Shepherd is here in Seattle looking for his flock, though he is the true wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is as evil as they come and I fear for the entire nation if he is allowed to live, he is now among the patriots so all I can say is may God have mercy on us for this is one shepherd that is not herding us to safety but straight to hell.

Page Written By: Shadow Writer

<<The information in this article was gathered through listening software and has been transcribed from said source, the author of the article is very much a supporter of the UCAS, though I felt that this tale needed to be told in it’s entirety. I transcribed it out of the first person to make it easier to read, I have not altered this document in anyway. Many people will loose their lives do to this information being exposed including yours truly, though that is the price of reporting the truth.

    The Shepherd being a Patriot is proof that all the preaching they do about freedom for all is nothing but a lie, this man is the antithesis to the word freedom as he has helped round up and enslave innocent citizens and hold the nation hostage under his regime of terror for decades, the Shepherd has managed to cause disruption within the government he worked for and left them powerless to stop him, His work was the cause for the Patriots and Confederate to strike out and yet he claim that he was loyal to the UCAS and not to the Patriots. Even though he managed to make damned sure that the UCAS looked bad and cause the militants to rise up and murder countless innocent souls under false pretences. This should be a cause for concern seeing that the Shepherd, Warhawk, and Beholder all served in the Senate at the same time and guess what people, they are all card caring members of the Patriots coincidence I think not, this was there plan all along to plant the seed of evil inside our noble nation and let the tree of reckoning grow from inside giving credence to there propaganda and hate speech.>>                                      .