Light Fiction - Armageddon IX

[[This is part of a series of light fiction I've been writing to both practice my prose and flesh out the world of Inheritors]]

A faint warmth fills your body. Dimly, feeling returns to the tips of your fingers, your hand barely able to hover, your skin pulling like parched paper. Shallow breaths are harmonized with the hum of florescent lights and the rhythmic chirps of a heart monitor. A minty air fills your lungs, artificial, clean, comforting. As your eyes peel open, the sterile white room around you hums to life with a deep blue light that thrums between the tiling while a gentle servile voice greets you:

"Good morning my president."

Confusion grips you. Is this some kind of terrorist? An assailant? Extraterrestrial life???

"I can tell you are confused. Increasing diazapam." The faint warmth grows and floods up your right arm. "Please allow yourself to relax while I catch you up on the situation. I am the 2nd iteration WarNET of the States and Territories of the American Republic, or STAR. You may call me Patriot."

Ah Patriot. My old friend. Trustworthy. Intelligent. Maybe a bit too soft, but who knows what kind of faggot programmed this thing. I'm just glad it's loyal to me... me... who... who am I?

"Your name is Washington Laurence. You have been in pharma-stasis for the past 15 years."

Pharma... Stasis? You look at your old and haggard limbs. Of course. I never have to die, never have anything to fear. That bitch Amelia was supposed to undergo the process with you, but refused. Said it was unnatural. You were right to have that affair. Damn right. But what about your best friend? What about Melvin?

"Do not worry, Mr. President. Melvin is still by your side as requested."

You pry your neck to your left, to see a gleaming happy golden retriever just out of reach. Good. Good. This is good.

"During your absence we have claimed 3 new Territories, including a frontline in the South American quarantine zone. Of the past 4 elections, you have won 3."

Damn right. That right-wing yahoo is nothing but a war-mongering egotist. He doesn't care about the country, about the people. What was his name... Tim...? Ted...?

"The Eight Armageddon Conflict, spearhead by former president Theodore Niles, has been brought to a close in your absence under your administration." Did we win? "Difficult to say. The conflict began to stall as nuclear reserves were all but depleted, much like the Seventh Armageddon Conflict. Considering the sharp decline in population, morale and food reserves, the WarNETs unanimously decided it'd be best to call a ceasefire. That ceasefire has lasted the past three years, longer than between any Armageddon Conflict." We didn't win...?

"With the election fast approaching, we have projected a landslide victory given your reputation as a peace maker." A myriad of election posters and digital advertisements begin dancing around the room. On them a dashing older man with a strong jaw and youthful cheeks. His dark hair slicked back, three grey streaks perfectly sharpening his hair's profile. Is this... me?

"Here are the additional projects for the rest of your term in light of the end of the conflict." 

Lights and graphs organize around your gaze. T... E... "Territory Expansion Projections: -0.12% as sea levels may continue to rise."

C...L... "Casualties Likely Over Time: At an all-time low of -2.85%"

G... "Gross Domestic Product: -5.2%. The lowest it's been during one of your presidencies. With the end of the conflict, much of our manufacturing has ceased. Reconstruction of certain strategic outposts and stockpiling new nuclear reserves have been key industries, behind robotic and armament production."

All these numbers are so low...

"In such a state of peace it felt only right to show you the fruits of your labor while your medical equipment underwent updates. Do you have any new directives before you re-enter pharma-stasis?"

The numbers... Our country... Are we... Are we ahead?

"In terms of raw territory the Russo-Euro Empire still controls the most. In terms of production, the mobile cities under the New Pacific Democracy are still ahead. However, in terms of population growth we are currently in the lead."

What... what will happen when I'm gone?

"It is likely the other WarNETs have similarly regained their stockpiles, and may be planning offensive maneuvers. Should they strike first it would be a crushing blow but our nation is prepared, as it has been for previous Armageddon Conflicts instigated by our enemies. The Eight Armageddon Conflict proved that pre-emptive strikes were effective for short-term gains, and long-term losses for the aggressed nations."

I see... So there's hope... for the people... for the betterment of our nation...

"Mr. president, while you do hold supreme authority as vested in you by the people, and our stockpiles and war-plans have advanced greatly in the past three years, I would remind you that beginning a large-scale conflict may result in heavy casualties for our nation. Would you still like to proceed?"

The world has survived Armageddon before... What's one more?

[[The Armageddon Conflicts (including the current Armageddon IX) are a primary reason that most people don't live in the Northern hemisphere. The three WarNETs wage an endless bloody conflict including goliath automaton and seasonal nuclear bombardment. The WarNETs also defend various broadcast stations built to project Drexler Waves thus bombarding their enemies comms, and making telecommunication all put impossible without a physical wired connection. There are some who run courier or even scavenge these Scorchlands, it is generally considered far more dangerous than living in the lawless Basin, taking to the seas, braving the Sarican Evergrowth, or scrapping by in the Plague Zones.

Also, did you catch that explanation of why people are called Clots?]]