Epilogue 3: Prelude - Vox Populi
Six Months Ago - Washington, DC
This must be how Caesar felt, returning to Rome after Gaul. He could already see the parades, the medals, the promotion to General. Smiling as he looked up, Colonel Jack Masters stopped at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial as he made his way to the street.
"Abe. You and I have something in common now. Reuniting a shattered Union."
With a smile, Col. Masters got into his car and started his drive to the Pentagon. The brass would have nothing but good to say to him...
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"You can't mean that?!" Masters uttered as he punched the table, crestfallen at the news that had just been given him, "my unit just did what the UN never could!"
"No, Colonel," one of the Joint Chiefs interrupted, "America did what the UN never could. New York is ours again, but we can't tell the whole story."
"So what if there were meta involved in our attack?" Masters asked angrily, "this is America -- they have as much rights as any person for recognition!"
"What you're trying to say, Colonel," Masters' own superior, an Air Force General, spoke, "is that you have as much rights as any other man. And not now you don't. One day, maybe. But not now..."
"Generals..." Jack Masters had a sudden look of determination in his eyes as he spoke.
"Colonel Masters, this room is telepathically shielded. An attempt to use your abilities to sway our decision will be considered a court martial-worthy offense. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir." Masters finally understood there would be no parades -- no medals, no promotion -- for the hero of New York, "what now?"
"Now, Colonel, we have a new mission for you."
Jack Masters was handed a plain manila envelope, simply stamped
SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION - TOP SECRET/SPECIAL ACCESS PROGRAM: VOX POPULI
Just the beginning...
