by Joshua Guess
I said that--all of that--to say this to each and every one of you: think twice.
I'm not claiming moral superiority here. I'm willing and ready to kill any enemy that attacks my home or my people, without hesitation and with absolute prejudice. It's not your willingness to fight or to put every ounce of your effort into assuring the safety and well-being of your people I want to caution you about.
It's getting caught up in the mob mentality. The UAS will come, that's almost guaranteed. They will probably mobilize in numbers that mean we'll have to destroy them or be destroyed. But on the off chance that things don't go quite that badly, I want you to remember that these are human beings. They're like us in a lot of ways. Things have gone far off the rails from an ideal situation, but I'm begging each and every one of you to remember the decency and open-mindedness that allowed you to take that one small step toward trusting strangers to create the communities we wish to protect.
Beckley is a small-scale example of this. Many of you don't trust him--and I wouldn't want him with a gun at my back just yet--but most of you accept that he might be genuine. The most common thing I hear about him is that he's the exception. That he's one of the very few in the UAS who might have seen the light.
But what if he isn't? What if Beckley is what he appears to be; an average guy? What if our enemies are so much like us that a concentrated effort might change the perceptions of not just a few, but many? Maybe thousands? Yes, they will probably come at us and we will almost certainly have to fight, but even then I implore you to keep an open mind. Every meeting of the two sides should contain the possibility for peace. What I'm asking is that you not forget Beckley's example when the time to act is upon you. I ask that you try to communicate when possible, to change the hearts of your enemies and show them the decent human beings I know you to be. It may not be possible in some scenarios, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least say this. I know there must be others who want peace. I know you aren't as bloodthirsty and as driven by lust for revenge as some of you seem. I see the good in you, my people, my fellow survivors, every day.
All I ask is that you allow that light to come out more, so that others might see it and find their way.
I mentioned that one small step each of us took when our groups and communities began to band together. I would never ask anyone to do something I am not, powerless though I am to make you heed my words. So as of tomorrow I will begin counseling sessions with Beckley, who in his life before The Fall was a therapist. I will spend time with him as a human being and let him in on my deepest secrets and fears. I will open myself to his trust and hopefully he will do the same. It may not be defending the wall together with weapons in hand, but it's something. It's a beginning.
In the days and weeks and months ahead, there will surely be chances for other beginnings. If what we've built together has any meaning to you, then you'll remember these words when that chance is in front of you. We are better than the worst urges within us. We must move beyond the simple needs of survival and the practicality of the gun. We are growing and evolving as a society; it cannot be centered on violence forever.
This is my hope. It may be futile and naive, but I have always been as honest with you as possible. You are my friends and family, my fellow survivors. All I ask is that you accept the possibility that the enemy might have the potential to be the same.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Sunday, September 2, 2012 Shine On
Monday, September 3, 2012 Dream A Little Dream
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Idea Man
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 The Usual Suspects
Friday, September 7, 2012 Homemaker
Saturday, September 8, 2012 God's Hand
Sunday, September 9, 2012 Gun Therapy
Monday, September 10, 2012 Small Circles
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 All Creation
Thursday, September 13, 2012 Evolve Or Die
Friday, September 14, 2012 Last Choice
Saturday, September 15, 2012 Reflex Save
Monday, September 17, 2012 American Horror Story
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Group Home
Thursday, September 20, 2012 City of Lost Children
Friday, September 21, 2012 Next Wave
Saturday, September 22, 2012 Foothold
Monday, September 24, 2012 Writing In The Sky
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Motive To Kill
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Strike Two
Thursday, September 27, 2012 Breaches
Saturday, September 29, 2012 Reasoned Out
Sunday, September 30, 2012 Fight Club
Monday, October 1, 2012 Just Like Miles O'Brien
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Nine Shots
Thursday, October 4, 2012 Time Warp
Friday, October 5, 2012 Old School
Saturday, October 6, 2012 Access Denied
Sunday, October 7, 2012 Justified
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Deep Blue Need
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 By Example
Thursday, October 11, 2012 Totally Wizard
Friday, October 12, 2012 Island In The Cold
Sunday, October 14, 2012 The Floodgates
Monday, October 15, 2012 Dark
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Told You So
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Housing Crisis
Friday, October 19, 2012 Spot The Difference
Saturday, October 20, 2012 Be Still
Sunday, October 21, 2012 Highwayman
Monday, October 22, 2012 Sawbones
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Runaways
Thursday, October 25, 2012 Sleeper Cell
Friday, October 26, 2012 The Whirlwind
Saturday, October 27, 2012 The Train Job
Monday, October 29, 2012 Humanity
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 Cataclysmic
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Half Measures
Thursday, November 1, 2012 The Full Measure
Sunday, November 4, 2012 Rubble
Monday, November 5, 2012 Fawkes
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 Letters From Raven
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 Havens
Friday, November 9, 2012 The Stacks
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Stampede
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Butcher, Baker, Delicious Cheese-Maker
Monday, November 12, 2012 Falling Down
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Frenzy
Thursday, November 15, 2012 Terracotta Army
Friday, November 16, 2012 The Calm Before
Saturday, November 17, 2012 The Storm
Monday, November 19, 2012 (B)rain Damage
The Changing Equation
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Pigskin
Friday, November 23, 2012 Critical Hit
Saturday, November 24, 2012 Industrial
Sunday, November 25, 2012 Stranger Danger
Monday, November 26, 2012 Reserves
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Shirts and Skins
Thursday, November 29, 2012 Shadowchaser
Saturday, December 1, 2012 Contrast
Sunday, December 2, 2012 The Bunker Redux
Monday, December 3, 2012 Brian
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 A Child's View
Thursday, December 6, 2012 The Union
Friday, December 7, 2012 No Child Left Behind
Saturday, December 8, 2012 Gatecrashers
Sunday, December 9, 2012 The Long Night
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Rolling Ones
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Lines On A Map
Thursday, December 13, 2012 Dark Passenger
Friday, December 14, 2012 New Condition
Sunday, December 16, 2012 Visits
Monday, December 17, 2012 Toasty
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Ringing Silence
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Henry
Friday, December 21, 2012 Standoff
Saturday, Dec
ember 22, 2012 Caesura
Sunday, December 23, 2012 Unclaimed
Monday, December 24, 2012 Fools Rush In
Wednesday, December 26, 2012 Words
Thursday, December 27, 2012 Subtle Maneuvers
Friday, December 28, 2012 Enhance Your Calm
Saturday, December 29, 2012 A Different Kind Of War
Monday, December 31, 2012 Will Of The People
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 Resolution
Wednesday, January 2, 2013 Border Town
Thursday, January 3, 2013 One Voice
Saturday, January 5, 2013 The Last Man
Sunday, January 6, 2013 Across The Line
Monday, January 7, 2013 Clumsy
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Cleaning House
Thursday, January 10, 2013 Pinwheels
Friday, January 11, 2013 Opposing Voice
Saturday, January 12, 2013 Boomerang
Sunday, January 13, 2013 Demonology
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 The Other Shoe
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Sifting Through
Friday, January 18, 2013 Interference
Saturday, January 19, 2013 Turnabout
Sunday, January 20, 2013 Renegades
Monday, January 21, 2013 Bigger Fish
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 The Unclaimed Lands
Thursday, January 24, 2013 Resistance
Friday, January 25, 2013 Dragoon Company
Saturday, January 26, 2013 Two Man Job
Monday, January 28, 2013 Paid Time Off
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Emphatic
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 The High Ethic
Thursday, January 31, 2013 Supernova (Part One)
Saturday, February 16, 2013 Routine Affair
Sunday, February 17, 2013 Blockbuster
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Paradise Lost
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 On Beckley
Thursday, February 21, 2013 Air Power
Friday, February 22, 2013 The Wicked Wind
Sunday, February 24, 2013 No Quarter
Monday, February 25, 2013 The Angels Weep
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Using Every Moment
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Getting to Know You
Thursday, February 28, 2013 One Small Step
Table of Contents
Copyright
Sunday, September 2, 2012 Shine On
Monday, September 3, 2012 Dream A Little Dream
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Idea Man
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 The Usual Suspects
Friday, September 7, 2012 Homemaker
Saturday, September 8, 2012 God's Hand
Sunday, September 9, 2012 Gun Therapy
Monday, September 10, 2012 Small Circles
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 All Creation
Thursday, September 13, 2012 Evolve Or Die
Friday, September 14, 2012 Last Choice
Saturday, September 15, 2012 Reflex Save
Monday, September 17, 2012 American Horror Story
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Group Home
Thursday, September 20, 2012 City of Lost Children
Friday, September 21, 2012 Next Wave
Saturday, September 22, 2012 Foothold
Monday, September 24, 2012 Writing In The Sky
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Motive To Kill
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Strike Two
Thursday, September 27, 2012 Breaches
Saturday, September 29, 2012 Reasoned Out
Sunday, September 30, 2012 Fight Club
Monday, October 1, 2012 Just Like Miles O'Brien
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Nine Shots
Thursday, October 4, 2012 Time Warp
Friday, October 5, 2012 Old School
Saturday, October 6, 2012 Access Denied
Sunday, October 7, 2012 Justified
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Deep Blue Need
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 By Example
Thursday, October 11, 2012 Totally Wizard
Friday, October 12, 2012 Island In The Cold
Sunday, October 14, 2012 The Floodgates
Monday, October 15, 2012 Dark
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Told You So
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Housing Crisis
Friday, October 19, 2012 Spot The Difference
Saturday, October 20, 2012 Be Still
Sunday, October 21, 2012 Highwayman
Monday, October 22, 2012 Sawbones
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Runaways
Thursday, October 25, 2012 Sleeper Cell
Friday, October 26, 2012 The Whirlwind
Saturday, October 27, 2012 The Train Job
Monday, October 29, 2012 Humanity
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 Cataclysmic
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Half Measures
Thursday, November 1, 2012 The Full Measure
Sunday, November 4, 2012 Rubble
Monday, November 5, 2012 Fawkes
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 Letters From Raven
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 Havens
Friday, November 9, 2012 The Stacks
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Stampede
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Butcher, Baker, Delicious Cheese-Maker
Monday, November 12, 2012 Falling Down
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Frenzy
Thursday, November 15, 2012 Terracotta Army
Friday, November 16, 2012 The Calm Before
Saturday, November 17, 2012 The Storm
Monday, November 19, 2012 (B)rain Damage
The Changing Equation
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Pigskin
Friday, November 23, 2012 Critical Hit
Saturday, November 24, 2012 Industrial
Sunday, November 25, 2012 Stranger Danger
Monday, November 26, 2012 Reserves
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Shirts and Skins
Thursday, November 29, 2012 Shadowchaser
Saturday, December 1, 2012 Contrast
Sunday, December 2, 2012 The Bunker Redux
Monday, December 3, 2012 Brian
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 A Child's View
Thursday, December 6, 2012 The Union
Friday, December 7, 2012 No Child Left Behind
Saturday, December 8, 2012 Gatecrashers
Sunday, December 9, 2012 The Long Night
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Rolling Ones
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Lines On A Map
Thursday, December 13, 2012 Dark Passenger
Friday, December 14, 2012 New Condition
Sunday, December 16, 2012 Visits
Monday, December 17, 2012 Toasty
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Ringing Silence
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Henry
Friday, December 21, 2012 Standoff
Saturday, December 22, 2012 Caesura
Sunday, December 23, 2012 Unclaimed
Monday, December 24, 2012 Fools Rush In
Wednesday, December 26, 2012 Words
Thursday, December 27, 2012 Subtle Maneuvers
Friday, December 28, 2012 Enhance Your Calm
Saturday, December 29, 2012 A Different Kind Of War
Monday, December 31, 2012 Will Of The People
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 Resolution
Wednesday, January 2, 2013 Border Town
Thursday, January 3, 2013 One Voice
Saturday, January 5, 2013 The Last Man
Sunday, January 6, 2013 Across The Line
Monday, January 7, 2013 Clumsy
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Cleaning House
Thursday, January 10, 2013 Pinwheels
Friday, January 11, 2013 Opposing Voice
Saturday, January 12, 2013 Boomerang
Sunday, January 13, 2013 Demonology
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 The Other Shoe
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Sifting Through
Friday, January 18, 2
013 Interference
Saturday, January 19, 2013 Turnabout
Sunday, January 20, 2013 Renegades
Monday, January 21, 2013 Bigger Fish
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 The Unclaimed Lands
Thursday, January 24, 2013 Resistance
Friday, January 25, 2013 Dragoon Company
Saturday, January 26, 2013 Two Man Job
Monday, January 28, 2013 Paid Time Off
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Emphatic
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 The High Ethic
Thursday, January 31, 2013 Supernova (Part One)
Saturday, February 16, 2013 Routine Affair
Sunday, February 17, 2013 Blockbuster
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Paradise Lost
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 On Beckley
Thursday, February 21, 2013 Air Power
Friday, February 22, 2013 The Wicked Wind
Sunday, February 24, 2013 No Quarter
Monday, February 25, 2013 The Angels Weep
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Using Every Moment
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Getting to Know You
Thursday, February 28, 2013 One Small Step
