Speech Delivered by Gennady Semyonov: 07/16/2175: Red Square, Moscow, Russia: Translated by Mikhail Dragovic

Citizens of Moscow,

I speak to you now not as one afraid of the Hegemony as I once was. I speak to you no longer as a timid housewife, nor as an obstinate citizen of the great Hegemony. I speak to you today as one who has seen the light, one who now understands fully the true enemy of Russians, of Germans, of Americans, of Westerners everywhere. I have told you that the governments of the west betrayed us in the founding of the Hegemony; so they did. I have told you that the corporate oligarchy holds sway over governments and people around the world; so they do. But those are just words. I am here today to show you the real conspiracy, the true agenda behind the Chinese Hegemony.

Once upon a time, the Western powers were the greatest on Earth. Russia, America, England, these nations ruled the world through the 20th and the first half of the 21st centuries. But when the Grushan made contact, China had already begun to rule the world. Hegemony history tells us that 2016 American isolationism and Russian political manipulation caused this shift. But what about China? Did the sit by and do nothing while the West crumbled? Are we to believe that a people so powerful with so much to gain by our fall had no hand in it? Can this possibly be true, my fellow Muscovites?

Muscovites, Russians, free Westerners of the world, we have been duped, fooled by the greatest trick ever pulled. Because I tell you now, that not only did China laugh upon us as we fell, but they in fact brought us to our knees. In the early 21st century was a chain of middle eastern civil wars. Refugees, as they called them, fled to Europe to settle in France, and England, and Germany. This was the fall of Europe. Then, waves of other "refugees" from Mexico and South America washed into America the same way. This marked the fall of America.

Both events were caused by the Chinese. China funded rebels and warlords both in the middle east, knowing that the Arab flood would bring the West to its knees. Why do you think that in 2063, when the oil markets collapsed, Arab refugees were sent to Russia? The Chinese were making sure no one could challenge them! America and Europe were in their pockets, and all that was left was Russia! And we accepted the "refugees" with open arms in the name of Hegemony, while China accepted no one! And who do you believe caused the oil collapse? Was it the people of the world? Was it the Arabs, who depended on oil trade? If not them, then who? The country that had invested billions into renewable energy? The country that had the most to gain by the collapse?

And what about food? Do you know that there are people in Africa who starve to death every day because they can't grow or hunt? Or what about the diseases in Eastern Europe and America because there aren't enough fresh fruits or vegetables? Or in Japan, where one can no longer buy fresh meat to feed his family? All this while China feasts on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fresh meat, fresh fish? What have they done to address the damage caused by climate change?

As I have said, my eyes have been opened. I will no longer be silent against Chinese aggression. The curtain has been thrown aside from this godless regime; soon, the full measure of its corruption will be shown to all. In every revolution, revelation must come first. This is my pledge to you; no longer will I hide in the shadows, or ask for simple representation. Justice will be served; The grievances of history will be righted. It is what Russia and the West deserve. And this I do without fear, without reservation, without quarter or rest to the enemy.

Long live the West!

Text Conversation: From Cynthia Mattingly: To Olivia Mattingly: 07/17/2175

Mon 7:15 AM

Cynthia: Olivia, you awake?

Cynthia: Olivia I'm not waiting for you.

Cynthia: Seriously, if you don't get out here now you're walking to school.

Cynthia: Fine. Have fun walking.

Mon 9:25 AM

Cynthia: Mom wants me to make sure you made it to school.

Cynthia: Did you make it then?

Cynthia: Olivia?

Mon 9:47 AM

Olivia: Woah.

Olivia: I slept through my alarm.

Cynthia: What? You've been asleep this whole time?

Olivia: Yeah.

Olivia: I'm sorry, I was stuck in this nightmare all night.

Cynthia: Seriously! It's literally the last day of school!

Olivia: I'm so sorry, Cynthia.

Olivia: I feel sick.

Cynthia: Well, don't cry to me! I almost missed first hour because Mom made me wait for you!

Cynthia: And she was really worried just now when she texted me.

Olivia: I'm sorry.

Olivia: Can you tell my principle that I'm just too sick today?

Olivia: My head hurts, and I'm dizzy, and I feel like I'm going to throw up.

Cynthia: Tell him yourself.

Cynthia: Olivia?

Mon 11:20 AM

Olivia: Woah. I fell asleep again.

Olivia: Cynthia, is it okay if I take some pain medicine?

Olivia: My head really hurts.

Cynthia: Fine.

Mon 12:15 PM

Cynthia: Are you really feeling that sick?

Olivia: My Interlink is all on the fritz.

Olivia: All the text and indicators are too bright, and the sounds are too loud.

Olivia: My head hurts.

Olivia: I'm super dizzy.

Olivia: And I keep seeing things out of the corner of my eye.

Cynthia: What kinds of things?

Olivia: Like, big black shapes.

Olivia: Like people, but too tall and completely dark like a shadow.

Olivia: And I keep feeling like something's watching me.

Cynthia: How so?

Olivia: I don't know.

Olivia: Like, you know when somebody's looking at you, and you can't see it, but you feel it?

Olivia: Like that.

Cynthia: Okay. Are the pills helping?

Olivia: A little.

Olivia: I probably just need sleep. I haven't been sleeping well the past couple of days.

Cynthia: Why not?

Cynthia: Have you been stressing over school? Or about that boy Jared?

Olivia: No, it's this recurring nightmare.

Olivia: Probably just a sign that I finally need that fourth gen upgrade.

Olivia: Might be a flaw in the system.

Cynthia: Okay. Well you just rest up and I'll be home as soon as I can.

Olivia: Thanks Cynthia.

[End Text Transaction]

Personal Journal: William Aucaman

07/17/2175

I finished my last day of school today. I don't truly know why the last day of the year was on Monday; I suspect it was some Hegemony decision from a long time ago based on some incomprehensible Chinese system. I finished most of my classes with and A. I say most because in Exocultures, our paper got a C, and that brought my grade way down. Cynthia wasn't too pleased, but she's not nearly as mad as I am. Apparently, Mr. Stone took off points, not for grammar or sources, but for my "choice of terms" and "incorrect conclusions." Apparently, he took issue with me referring to the "Novan Alliance," rather than the "Nova colony" or "Proxima B," or something equally government appropriate. I argued, of course, that while the Hegemony doesn't recognize Novan independence, the Grushan Federation does, and so the reference was accurate from a Grushan point of view, which was the point of the paper, but he would have none of it. But the big thing we lost points on was our assessment of Grushan sustainability. The Grushan Federation has maintained a stable government for close to three hundred years, and they run colonies and starbases in almost a dozen systems, and I felt that this was an indication that they had figured out a system that works fairly well. I also suggested that they might have succeeded in part because their government takes a hands-off approach to laws and public opinion. To be fair, I knew that that was risky, but dropping an A paper to a C? I didn't see that coming at all. I suppose that I should've though; it seems exactly like something the Hegemony would freak out about, especially in a state school.

Cynthia seemed distracted, though, and not just because of her dislike for me and the subject. At least it sure seemed that way to me, though I didn't notice much more. She kind of brushed it off when I apologized for the grade, which is odd because I know that she cares a lot about her grades. She said she wants to get into Sun Yat-Sen University, to which I said good luck and left it be at that. I personally don't see what's wrong with Northwestern University in Idaho, but then I rarely know what the Hegemony's problem with America is.

Novan Intelligence Dispatch: 07/17/2175 2205 NST

Terran forces redeployed to original positions along borders. Grushan attack wings standing down from high alert. End dispatch.

Personal Journal: Olivia Mattingly

Mom says that when you have bad dreams it helps to write them down. So I'm going to try that. In my dream it's dark everywhere. It's like it's home, but there's no ceiling, and no stars in the sky outside. It's like a shadow hovers above my head, maybe like smoke. But the fire doesn't start until later. I walk in the house and I'm looking for something, but I can't remember what it is. Then, there's this thing watching me. It's like the black shape I see out of the corners of my eye when I'm awake. It doesn't do anything, but it watches me, and it feels like I'm completely naked. I try to run, but it follows me and it's around every corner. I can feel its eyes on me always, and I hear this mumbling, like chanting in these words I can't understand. Then I see Cynthia and Mom and Dad around the dinner table, but they're all turned to gray like statues. I yell at them, try to get them to speak, but they don't reply. Then the fire always starts. First, I think it's the thing watching me. Then, it's like I'm on fire. Then everything is burning, and Cynthia and Mom and Dad are burning. I try to run to help them, but I can't move. I scream. Then they melt into skeletons. I turn and try to run away and then I get out of the house, and it's suddenly completely black and I see nothing around me. Then the whispering starts, scary words and voices, and then the shape comes towards me, closer and closer until

[Journal Ends Suddenly]

Text Conversation: From Brent Calhoun: To Cynthia Mattingly: 07/17/2175

Mon 5:15 PM

Brent: Hey, Babe.

Brent: School's over.

Brent: We should meet up some place and celebrate.

Cynthia: Not today, Brent. My sister is sick and I should watch her until my parents get home.

Brent: Oh come on. She's twelve, right?

Brent: Practically a teenager.

Brent: She'll be fine for a few hours.

Brent: Come on. Garret Manson is having a party at his parent's house. Everyone's going.

Cynthia: I'd better not.

Cynthia: I came home and Olivia was shivering in a corner with fear.

Cynthia: She has a fever and says she's seeing things.

Brent: Geez. That sounds serious.

Cynthia: I know.

Cynthia: Sorry.

Brent: Just as long as it isn't contagious, am I right?

Cynthia: Haha, I hope so.

Cynthia: Have fun.

Brent: Yeah. Hope your sister gets better.

Brent: Then we can really celebrate. ;)

Cynthia: xD

[End Text Transaction]

Doctor's Note: Gerald Ang MD: 07/08/2175: Patient Olivia Mattingly, 10:20 AM

Patient came in reporting dizziness, nausea, fatigue, panic attacks and recurring nightmares. No signs of concussion. Patient shows signs of acute exhaustion, but tests show no viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms may be the result of Interlink compatibility issues; patient had third gen model. Recommend consulting Ambience technicians; in the meanwhile, Dramamine prescribed for pain. End Note.

Ambience Technician: Michael Yuan PHD: 07/08/2175: Costumer Olivia Mattingly Rn. 21011572, 1316 Local

Costumer checked in with possible Interlink compatibility issues. Routine system diagnostics revealed no errors. Neural scans revealed unusual stimulation in temporal and occipital lobes and prefrontal cortex. Issue is not directly related to Interlink operations. However, recommend routine upgrade to fourth gen model as per Ambience and Hegemony goals. Upgrade scheduled for 07/25/2175 at 1045.

Cynthia Mattingly: A City Girl in the Boondocks Vlog: 07/19/2175: Ellensburg, Montana (Not Published)

"So, guys, it's summer vacation finally, and you know what that means!

"Parties and fun times for a month!

[Musical Opening]

"She's a city girl in the boondocks!"

[End Musical Opening]

"So, I finished up my semester a couple of days ago.

"I know, I should've posted then, but I've been a bit tied up for the last couple of days. On Monday, I went home and my sister was super sick, so I couldn't do anything then until my parents got home and could be with her.

"And then when they did get home at like, seven, I went to go join Brent at this party at Garret's place, and we stayed out there until pretty late.

"And yesterday, I slept in till 9, and then my mom made me come with her and Olivia to go to see the doctor and then drive to Helena to get to the Ambience outlet there. And then when we finally got home, I had to go to another party with Brent.

"And by the time that was over, it was super late, so I just crashed at Jessica's house.

"But I'm here now, and that means it's time to talk summer!

"Now, I know some of you might be out there going, 'what on earth is she going to find to do for a month with no school?' And I know why. It's hard to think of things to do when you have a full month off.

"And I know all my Georgia friends are super jealous right now, so I'm just going to rub it in their faces a bit.

[Does Happy Dance]

"But here's the thing. There may not be much to do in the middle of nowhere Montana, but that's not stopping me from enjoying the break!

"No sir!

"See, my family's going to be shuttling up to the DCS Skywalker!

"That's right! We're taking a Disney Star Cruise!

"It's going to be a two-week long venture, with stops on Mars, Jupiter Base, Europa, and then a hop skip and a jump to Alpha Ceti Prime!

"See what I did there?

"And that's not everything. My family is also planning a—

[Off Screen Scream]

"Olivia? Olivia, is that you?

[Off Screen Screaming]

"Olivia! What's wrong?"

[Olivia Runs Into Frame]

"It's here! It's here! It's here! I can see it! It's here!"

"Olivia, what do you mean? What's here?

"I don't know! I see it! It's here! It wants me! I can see it! I hear it everywhere!"

[Sobs]

[End Recording]

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Hey everyone, thanks for reading! Sorry it's taken a while for these earthlings to be useful to the story, but the time has finally come. The next three chapters should be fairly action heavy, at least suspenseful. I certainly felt that way writing it, but we'll see how y'all feel about it. If you like this, please leave a like, and comment if you have any thoughts or concerns. Thanks brianshaber and Soapbarrr for votes and comments!##a_allowed href="https://aztruyen.top/tac-gia/brianshaber" ## ##a_allowed