As the Ghost lay in the hospital unconscious, the Busch Hunter and Demi sat in the Lone Buffalo Pub getting served by Clancy.
My best friend...Laid he life on the line, trying like a damned fool to keep all of us alive...and we can't even retaliate. Bless the Reverend, but FUCK THIS!
It's stupid. Why is he even in charge?
No clue, I didn't vote for this, nor do I want this.
Lads, the Reverend is trying to keep the peace. Don't get me wrong, I am a religious man, but I wouldn't mind beating the bricks off of Rothschild me self.
Well Clancy, thanks to this Reverend, we can't even do that!
Tensions had been bubbling up to the boiling point. With the Ghost of Ottawa in critical condition, Reverend Everett had appointed himself acting chief. Archie had been occupied with watching over his grandson, and the Overlord was still keeping watch over the ships on the coast. Under the righteous banner, Reverend Everett was trying to maintain order.
Demi stormed out of the pub and headed to the hospital.
Aye! How we doing?
I'm alright, has there been any change?
Not as of now. Doctors say his brain function is high.
That's a good sign.
Yes, but it could also be an endless dream he may never recover from.
He'll wake up, Archie. I know he will. Demi smiled at Archie and entered the room. The Ghost was still hooked up to machines and bandaged around his waist. Demi sat down in the chair next to the Ghost.
You picked on hell of a time to stay asleep.... Listen, I'm not mad at you, Onyx and I are worried about you, all of are. If you can hear me, we need you back, don't stay in there too long. Ottawa is in good shape, your grandpa is here all day, everyday. We all come and check on you from time to time. We miss you Ghost...
Demi left Dusty's synth guitar amongst the flowers and left the room. As they entered the streets, a protest had broken out in front of the First Federal Bank Building. Reverend Everett was being challenged by the Busch Hunter and other angry citizens.
People, we can't recklessly throw our lives away for revenge!
This ain't church preacher, step the fuck down!
YEAH! Cheered the protesters as both Demi and Archie walked up.
Look! It's Archie! Yeah! Archie!
Archie raised his hands to quiet down the crowds.
While I am happy all of you have been affected in your life by my, our Ghost, we need to be smart about this. Reverend Everett is right, throwing our lives away is wrong, it would defeat the very purpose the Ghost tried to pass along. He bought us time, the New World Order believes him to be dead! We can us this! Come on everyone, focus on your tasks, and focus on being ready for our next conflict. Once the Overlord is back, we will plan our next move, until then, remain calm, and please, keep it together.
The crowd agreed and began to disperse. Demi escorted Archie upstairs into the counsel meeting chambers where the others counsel members had gathered.
Good to see you Archie!
Alright, we need a solid plan. Our people are getting restless and I agree with them, sitting here while my grandson is recovering isn't a plan.
Actually, Juno is the one who called this meeting, I assume she has something she wants us to know.
Yes, as you are aware, Barbara and I made an unsanctioned run back to the VR testing site. We took the Liberty of grabbing gear, and a few other things to aid us in our fight.
Wait, why the hell did you...
Busch, let Juno finish child.
Thanks Barbara. Like I was saying, we grabbed a few other things. Juno pushes a button and the counsels chambers descends from the top floor below the surface. As the room does pitch black, glass windows appear, then a full view of a fully rebuilt Constitution Automaton.
Barbara and I recovered the parts of Constitution, and my team has been on the case of putting her back together. She is still hooked up to life support, but she is functional.
As the counsel enters the room, Constitution scans everyone.
Leader and Counselman Archie. Where is the Ghost of Ottawa?
I'm sorry Constitution, he is in the hospital. He was injured.
Constitution frozen, then a metallic yell fluctuated the power and shook the building.
Constitution! Calm down before you blow your cpu!
How is it that she can feel emotions?
We rebuilt the Independence Program AI. She's the smartest automaton in the entire world at this time. She's as tall as Liberty Bell was in the simulation. We also took the liberty of raiding a few US stockpiles. She now comes equipped with a new arsenal of weapons including a smaller version of the NWO hadron collider that broke the ice wall in Antarctica.
As the counsel looked up, Constitution clenched her fists.
Archie, I give you my promise, I shall avenge the Ghost of Ottawa, and stomp out tyranny wherever it may be.