Republic
Welcome to the America of the future: an intrusive federal government; economy going down the tubes; and terrorism, domestic and foreign, wracking our nation. In 2016 America has become a place of fear and suspicion. Terrorism and government crackdowns have brought on a cycle of spiraling inflation and unemployment. Basic civil liberties are at risk in a country changed, yet frighteningly familiar. A prominent citizen and commander in the West Virginia National Guard, Ken Murphy, must protect his family and his country, and identify where his loyalties lay in an increasingly dangerous conflict.
Approx. 141,325 words.
ite hair and a face full of deep creases and wrinkles sitting behind the cluttered counter. Walter Haggett was pushing ninety, but looked seventy. He still ran his own store, and knew just about everyone in Highview. Walter was usually good for an interesting story or two about goings-on in town, which accounted for the popularity of his store. Certainly the décor didn't.
"Good morning, Martha. How's the flower business?" he asked.
"Just fine, Walter. How is the convenience business?"
"Well, if I get any older, it won't be very convenient for me." He laughed out loud. The joke wasn't all that funny, but he said it the same way nearly every day.
"There's fresh decaf made, Martha. But there's a price."
"What's that?"
"You talk to that husband of yours, ask him to find me a place in his battalion."
Walter was a Vietnam veteran, and liked to kid Ken about the computerized monstrosities
