When creating a movement out of simple rule by strength it was necessary to engage the minds of those who would inevitably step forward in its defense. For decades had the Dome been under the rightful rule of the military. Unfortunately the early stages had necessitated some rough handling of opposition in order to obtain societal structure. Often citizens hadn't felt any more attached to the military than they had to any preceding regime. That couldn't be allowed to stand in the Dome. Outside the walls Echos ran wild, threatening the safety and very existence of humanity. Lawless bands of murderers ran things. All the more reason for the Dome to be a bulwark of civilization against the chaos that lurked just outside the walls. Young people made up the rank and file of the next generation of Americans, which was why General Georgina Harper had come to the high school to address them personally. Not much younger than herself were they, but they had not the experience of a full soldier.

At the center of the gathering was a band of students who'd elected to join the Reserve Officer Corps, a training program that took the form of extracurricular activity at the school. Its intention was to mold teens into suitable junior officers for field duty upon graduation. More than any other citizens their age they were drilled not only in tactics and organization but also politics. Should leaders of an army not believe in their cause why should troopers follow them into the fight? On the school's makeshift stage stood a podium flanked by twin banners of the Dome's American government, red and white stripes with a blue disc at the center containing a white star. Presidential Guard troops stood on either side of the stage along with a hand selected honor guard of the R.O.C. students. Once the place was filled, musicians began playing the national anthem as General Harper stepped out before them. She solemnly saluted the flag as the song played, then accepted the Corps salutes of her forces and supporters. Upon reaching the podium she stared out into the group of citizens and soldiers with eyes of steel. Only when she had their attention did she begin her speech.

"Citizens and students of the Dome! I come among you to look you firmly in the eyes, feel your temperature and break the silence which is dear to-me, especially in wartime. Have you ever asked yourselves in an hour of meditation, which every one finds during the day, how long we have been at war. How many of your mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers can speak of a time where there has been war? Not just an eternity, as a superficial observation would inform us but a rather more specific amount of time.

We have been at war for several decades, an entire generation past, when the first aberrant mutations appeared in our society. Horrible bastardizations, mockeries of the human form. Many fought, bled and died to curb their spread and protect our race. But we as humans, as Americans, have an exceptionalism about us that drives us to claw and scratch and battle for our survival. When we're backed into a corner we don't huddle and beg for mercy, we become fierce and throw our all into battling the enemy. With that in mind it's not hard to see what led us Americans to stability in the face of chaos. A new society, an American society was formed out of that chaos.

The Echo Outbreak War was hardly finished when from within we were stabbed in the back by petulant, selfish anarchists who wished for the destruction of America. Could we citizens leave without answer that cry and remain indifferent in the face of the perpetuation of the bloody crimes of this terrorist front? Could we refuse to give our aid to the citizens, fellow humans whom they threatened simply to fulfill their own egos and Echo sympathies? No. Thus our first assaults on the rebels began not long after their rising, and during the very first day we had our first dead.

We have actually been at war since before then - from the day when we lifted the flag of our revolution, which was then defended by a handful of men against the chaotic, unforgiving, violent outside world. From that day our enemies declared and waged war against us with propaganda, spreading libelous reports, various sabotage, attempts and plots even when we were intent upon the work of internal reconstruction which is and will remain for centuries, as the undestroyable documentation of our creative will.

But developments in history, which sometimes are speeded up, cannot be halted any more than the fleeting moment of Faust could be halted. History takes one by the throat and forces a decision. This is not the first time this has occurred in the history of America! During our history we have faced and overcome exceptional difficulties. This resilience is what forged us into the defenders of humanity, our race's last great hope against both Echo and Rebel. To this day we continue to defy the will of the latter to destroy anything that resembles an organized world. Their desire is chaos, death and hell on Earth. People are thrown away as nothing more than the playthings of an egocentric man who cares only for himself, not even for the cause he proclaims himself to be leading.

What he does not account for is that the morale of the American people is infinitely superior to the morale of his terrorists. America fights in certainty of victory, while the rebels fight because they are forced to by a madman who makes them face either our bullets or their own. It is highly ridiculous to count on the eventual moral breakdown of the American people. This will never happen. To speak of our downfall is idiotic.

Their marshal has not the least idea of the spiritual forces of the American people or of what the Military can do. Let me say now that what is occurring with the Rebels is one of the most colossal mystifications in all history. Illusion and lying are the basis of their ideology - illusion that they fight for liberty when their leader will allow none lest it defuse his cult of personality. They spread falsehoods of American atrocities when these are instead carried out by Echos, Raiders and often themselves. It is against such slander and evil that we fight.

Dome comrades! Through you I want to speak to the American people, to the authentic, real, great American people, who fight with the courage of lions on all fronts; people who early in the morning are up to go to work for victory; people who do not permit themselves luxuries, not even innocent ones.

They absolutely must not be confused or contaminated by the minority or well-known poltroons, anti-social individuals and complainers, who grumble about rations and regret their suspended comforts, or by snakes whom we will crush without difficulties when and how we want.

The American people, the human race deserve and will have victory. The hardships, suffering and sacrifices that are faced with exemplary courage and dignity by the American people will have their day of compensation when all the enemy forces are crushed on the battlefields by the heroism of our soldiers and a triple, immense cry will cross the mountains and oceans like lightning and light new hopes and give new certainties to spirit multitudes: Victory, America, peace with justice among all people and order for the future!"

Her speech concluded with grandiose gestures to emphasize her points, along with Corps salutes initiated by loyal citizens. Shouts of 'Hail!' and 'Hail Harper!' rang out from their number as Georgina returned the salutes and scanned the crowd. She was always on guard even when surrounded by her supporters, either for danger or an opportunity to sow the seeds of further support.