The trek to Maine was originally twenty-seven hours, but wanting to avoid D.C due to the probability of hostile soldiers, added another three hours, making their trip a total thirty hours long. Shortly after a breakfast of pancakes, fresh berries, and chop-seared potatoes, the eight delegates sat in the meeting car to discuss a few things.
"Great breakfast, Ghomie." Complemented Bradley
"Yes, this was amazing! Everything tasted fresh!" Added Susan, as she finished the last few potatoes on her plate.
"Yes, the breakfast was made from things grown in the midwest. Also, Bradley... Do not ever call me Gho-mie again. Ghost is just fine."
"Ight big dawg."
The Ghost sighed as he stood up and walked over to a series whiteboard. As he carefully uncovered them, he revealed the topic of their summit.
"I want all of you to take a good look at the boards. The big four have put the concerns and demands of our peoples on one individual board each. This will be essential for the future we choose to build. Please add each of your people's concerns and demands to the board. I will explain why after you do."
A few minutes pass and the two sit back down. As they do, the Ghost takes the floor again and unveils a last whiteboard.
"Is that...."
"Yes it's exactly what it looks like. Hold all of your questions till the end." The Ghost took a deep breath, "On this whiteboard, the following is written":
To create a system of governance where 1/3 of which is an elected, broad pool of eligible citizens. The other 1/3 from a skilled-pool of citizen doctors, engineers, scientists, technologists and others within the STEM field, elected through the basis of field proficiency. The final 1/3 consists of an elected pool of citizens, based upon their contributions to society, which are judged on the basis of merit-standing.
The Ghost looked around the room. Of the three that had already received the speech, it wasn't anything new. However, the four that hadn't were in shock.
"Is this..." Susan was speaking, but was cut off by Bradley.
"So... This is... what exactly?"
Everyone shook their heads in disapproval. However, before the Ghost could explain it, B-Marshall did.
"Bradley, you played football right?"
"Well duh."
"Think of it like this. The team you were on had rules right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, say the League owner was corrupt, rigging the system so only they'd win, so only the team owners and himself got filthy rich. However, before he could make a ton more money, the League's teams revolted and now they have a chance to make the rules so that crap never happens again."
"Oh shit..."
"Yeah, so this is like that, just replace the words league for the United States and teams for all the factions."
Bradley leapt out of his chair. "You mean all of us?!?!"
"And there comes that mental train into the station. Welcome Bradley, glad you're finally up to speed." Keith said as he polished off the glass of water he'd been sipping on.
"While the whole world is recovering from the Carrington event, or the thing that killed the power, we have a rare and unique opportunity to change the world's power dynamic, or for you Mr. Bradley, we make sure we hit the start line hard so the New World Order never has a prayer against us. I want the United States to stand unequivocal to that tyrant. For now, think on what has been proposed, mention nothing to the delegates we pick up. I want them to experience the same shock."
Before anyone said a word, one of the Greater Ottawan Border Soldiers opened the door.
"Sir, we are ten minutes from our destination."
"Excellent. Everyone, get yourselves ready. We have a Liberal Democracy to visit. Remember the order we spoke of last night. I want this to look dress-right-dress." Said the Ghost with a grin.
As the train came to a halt, soldiers and peoples of the Minarchy gathered to see the newcomers. First came the Ghost of Ottawa and the 4th Platoon Reavers. The Ghost was wearing his coveralls, familiar mask, combat goggles and talon gauntlets, while 4th Platoon was decked out in their full dress uniforms. Next came Morgan and Paige, with the 50th New Appalachian Militia and 18th Washington State Regulars. Both women wore a black, sequin dress. Morgan's had emerald green bands running down the dress, while Paige's had peach-rust bands down hers. The followed Keith and the Texan 202nd joined him in his usual cowboy hat, matching boots, blue jeans and shale colored blazer. After Susan had her arm linked to Jim's, she wore a white and red silk dress while Jim matched inversely with a red suit and slacks with white tie, socks, shoes and belt. The West Floridian Veterguard wore their old dress uniforms as they followed behind them. Lastly, Bradley and B-Marsh, both wore metallic rose red shirts, and khaki pants. Their army, Phi-Omega-Delta, were in tactical gear, and matching colors.
Once they'd arrived within the plaza, they were all met by Northeast Minutemen Army. While half did have the odd tricorn hats, the other half had Spec-Ops gear. Their leaders emerged from their ranks when one of them spoke up.
"I'd like to welcome you all to the Liberal Democracy of the Northeast. I am Demi, formerly of the Midwest, which I see is represented by the Ghost of Ottawa. Who pray tell is behind you?"
"This," The Ghost started, "Is Major Mcginnis. He is the ranking officer I brought from Greater Ottawa."
"It's an honor to be here."
"A military-state then?"
The glares of both Demi and Ghost were intense at that moment.
"Hardly. Meritocratic Committee. Wouldn't dream of letting those with awful merit lead anything. I presume this is a socialist matriarchy?" Both of their glares could cut diamonds.
"This is Liberal Democracy, almost a Matriarchal Liberal Democracy." Said Demi. For a moment, things seemed like they were going to erupt into violence, but then the two of them laughed.
"It's been an age since we last spoke, Ghost. I take it that things are better in the Midwest?"
"Always better when those with the best lead." The two laughed as everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
After a bit of explaining, it was revealed Demi was an old of the Ghost's who'd moved away. Everyone agreed, no more of that while they were around each other. After some light refreshments for everyone, the soldiers reboarded the train, the fifteen delegates boarded and knew what was coming next would put pressure on them all as they journeyed... To the Anarchical Commonwealth of Chicago.