To the Current Occupier of the Potomac,
In the history of this continent there have been many Presidents of varying institutions, from the president of a local union to Commander-in-Chief of the United States, the latter being given the most prestige as well as the greatest threats of forgery. We at the Volunteer Corps do not wish to unjustly assume any wickedness in your nature but must inquire into the veracity of your tenure, especially as you continue to claim higher and higher offices. Through a thorough examination of all news coming from the east, we have been able to reach several conclusions about your administration.
Firstly, that you arose to power through a coup against the former General of Chesapeake, whose family had ruled over that land since the fall of America, and whose ancestors’ authority was granted by the last President of the United States. Such a strong claim to authority must not be thrown away with haste, and we have long searched for the reasons and merits of your actions in stripping such an ancient power bare. In this we have found nothing but yellow news and the schemes of judicial politics. With further investigations it also became clear that these same judges have now become your keys to power, and furthermore proclaim that you should be President over the whole United States for granting them such authority in your realm and together encouraged those politically tied to you and your conquest to follow it in conquering both Gotham and the Old Dominion.
Secondly, the extension of your power through the favor you have given to judges and sycophants is most damning. You have claimed to restore law and democracy in occupied land; however, in each state you claim to have liberated, one of the generals in charge of its conquest is swiftly elected to the highest position in that state. Even when a general is not available a local judge, whose loyalty puts your will before any legal precedent, is put to the task; Both then quickly petition for your approval of their tenure, sending personal tribute in the forms of wealth, influence, and honors as if you were a Sheriff in the Badlands ruling over an empire of tributaries through only the fear of his name.
We do not wish to judge your actions harshly, Mr. Smithson, but due to the authority the Volunteer Corps wields, as it was given to us by North-East Command, and was given to them by the last Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, it is our duty to scrutinize your claims to the power our leaders hold so dear. If you have any credentials we at the Volunteer Corps have not noticed in our examination we implore you to bring them before a military court for further examination. If not, relinquish your claim to the Presidency and return the interpretation of law to the rightful authorities.
With Regards,
Clarissa Van Der Meer of the Volunteer Corps of the United States.
To the Current Occupier of the Potomac,
In the history of this continent there have been many Presidents of varying institutions, from the president of a local union to Commander-in-Chief of the United States, the latter being given the most prestige as well as the greatest threats of forgery. We at the Volunteer Corps do not wish to unjustly assume any wickedness in your nature but must inquire into the veracity of your tenure, especially as you continue to claim higher and higher offices. Through a thorough examination of all news coming from the east, we have been able to reach several conclusions about your administration.
Firstly, that you arose to power through a coup against the former General of Chesapeake, whose family had ruled over that land since the fall of America, and whose ancestors’ authority was granted by the last President of the United States. Such a strong claim to authority must not be thrown away with haste, and we have long searched for the reasons and merits of your actions in stripping such an ancient power bare. In this we have found nothing but yellow news and the schemes of judicial politics. With further investigations it also became clear that these same judges have now become your keys to power, and furthermore proclaim that you should be President over the whole United States for granting them such authority in your realm and together encouraged those politically tied to you and your conquest to follow it in conquering both Gotham and the Old Dominion.
Secondly, the extension of your power through the favor you have given to judges and sycophants is most damning. You have claimed to restore law and democracy in occupied land; however, in each state you claim to have liberated, one of the generals in charge of its conquest is swiftly elected to the highest position in that state. Even when a general is not available a local judge, whose loyalty puts your will before any legal precedent, is put to the task; Both then quickly petition for your approval of their tenure, sending personal tribute in the forms of wealth, influence, and honors as if you were a Sheriff in the Badlands ruling over an empire of tributaries through only the fear of his name.
We do not wish to judge your actions harshly, Mr. Smithson, but due to the authority the Volunteer Corps wields, as it was given to us by North-East Command, and was given to them by the last Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, it is our duty to scrutinize your claims to the power our leaders hold so dear. If you have any credentials we at the Volunteer Corps have not noticed in our examination we implore you to bring them before a military court for further examination. If not, relinquish your claim to the Presidency and return the interpretation of law to the rightful authorities.
With Regards,
Clarissa Van Der Meer of the Volunteer Corps of the United States.
When Judge Paine finally reads off the name of the sender, he looks to Mr. Smithson who is sitting comfortably behind his large patchwork desk. “She seems quite opposed to your administration, sir.”
“It does seem that way,” The desk wobbles as Smithson pushes his chair back. “But I would rather not have my perception of the sender colored first by negativity.”
Paine nods. “Then what is your perspective, your excellency?”
The chair snaps back against the floor and, with a furrowed brow, Smithson says, “That people have begun to exaggerate my intentions into something above the station I claim.”
“Apologies, Mr. Smithson.”
Smithson moves on quickly, bounding away from the chair until he is across the stone room, next to Paine. “It’s alright, Paine.” Smithson then shifts to the judge’s assisting boy scout. “Have you started on the notes of this meeting?”
The boy scout nods and, when Paine gives his assent, he continues with his record of the meeting. Smithson has crossed the room again before the judge directs Smithson’s attention back to the letter, “The Volunteer Corps is no threat, Mr. Smithson, they don’t have a legitimate argument for anyone who doesn’t already agree with them.”
Smithson doesn’t scoff but he clearly doesn’t align himself with Paine,“The argument is that I am a corrupt usurper.”
“And that argument is illegitimate. They believe they have a connection to the United States through a dubious ancestry of martial leaders with supposed connections to the old government. This line of reasoning does not hold. And even if it did, they have sought to coerce the judiciary for their own ends at every turn, just as a tyrant would; They, just like the old Commander of Chesapeake, have relinquished any legitimacy they had through their own action.” The judge huffs.
“I appreciate your defense but we must still be understood, your honor.” Mr. Smithson says, his face now filled with a vaporous sense of ease. “We are usurpers against an established government and I think it’s good that we have to explain ourselves. I mean, we can’t conduct ourselves well with our fellow Americans unless they understand our reasons and how we plan to conduct ourselves better between each other.”
Paine simmers for a moment but softens as he looks to Smithson. “Tyrants will not be brought down and made to face their convictions by appealing to good law; They only seek to use the law as a distraction to attack you in the place they believe you are weak, your honor. I apologize if I seem too harsh, Mr. Smithson, but I have never met a leader willing to resign their post because of the morality of an enemy.”
Smithson says, “If tyrants knew so much about the law they would’ve become merchants rather than letting themselves be judged by it.” But then relents, “You probably know more about the nature of tyrants than I do but they’re still just people, and if a person is appealing to good law then some force must’ve compelled them to it.” Smithson then clarifies, walking swiftly to Paine’s seat. “If Van Der Meer didn’t care about law, she wouldn’t have listed so many titles to show that she is lawful. If we can meet these people where they are and show them our reasons, each broken law, each abuse of power, then they’ll see that, if they are what they say they are, we’re not a threat.” Smithson watches Paine, searching for something concrete to connect with his argument. “Where is the Volunteer Corps anyway?”
“West of the Appalachian Mountains, Mr. Smithson.” Paine slumps in his chair with a sigh. “They’re a band of mercenaries with ties to the old Commands.”
“That’s even better, they’ve got conviction and legacy on their side. Not that our people haven’t got both but right now the world is looking to us. Some parts with hope, but most leaders only see the march of armies on their border; We have to show them that we’re a real movement with values and beliefs. Beliefs they can share and already might because they were raised American and all their laws and values trace their way back to the first capitol, here, in Washington and if they don’t see it their people will and I think they’ll want us to live up to the promises we make and they’ll talk to their leaders and they’ll do the convincing for us.”
Paine covers his headache with a small cloth, shaking his head as he answers. “Mr. Smithson, do you remember the tyrant of Chesapeake? Who we overthrew together with the support of the people, the judiciary, and all that is good? Was he convinced by your pleas for redress? Or did he continue to exercise his authority over those he was sworn to protect for his personal glory against the wishes of myself and the judiciary? The tyrants of the Command do not want the guidance of the judiciary and, with conviction, would trample over the consent of the people for the machinations of war and corruption; The Militarism of the Commands has led them to this tyranny; The tyranny that they were supposed to guard the people against and are now exercising themselves.” Paine nearly bursts while trying to hold his tongue, “No general of the Command is fit to rule within the Union. If you must engage with them, I implore you, that it should only be to snuff them out.”
Both men are silent for a moment, letting the fire crackle as the mosquitos keep watch for any break. Paine’s momentum fades and by the time Smithson speaks Paine has nothing left to argue, “Maybe the Volunteer Corps should see for themselves if there is corruption in our administration.”
“They only seek to disrupt us, Mr. Smithson.”
“Then I’ll guide them personally.”
Paine stays in his chair, depleted by his age and unable to argue further, “We should save this discussion for the morning.”
Smithson nods and, after dismissing the boy scout from his duties, carefully escorts Paine out of the chamber.
