Jack of Harts

The Cybernetic Council was Not Amused when the Shang attacked Earth. That strike brought China and the Western Alliance to War with each other, and soon sucked the Russians in as well. And that could further divide humanity, harming their long term vision of uniting Earth. The Council would not allow that to happen, so the Council went to War for the first time since the Cybernetic Wars that formed them. They built warships, starfighters, and ground troops, and attacked the Shang with everything they had and were. Their goal was simple. Drive the Shang from Earthspace forever. They devoted the industrial might of their entire civilization to that simple goal. Failure was not an option.

For Toby Keith, put anything you want into a Red Solo Cup and lift it up in honor of a very special American.

When I grew up, it was already becoming fashionable in certain places like Hollywood and New York City to dislike America and soldiers. Toby Keith was a breath of fresh air in that way. He spouted a proudly pro-American, some may call it Angry American, view in his songs and videos, and he went to the war zones to perform for the troops. He ate what they ate. He honored the same flag, and he kept on going out to thank them for what they did. I come from a family of farmers and soldiers, so I will never forget what he did.

It’s time to celebrate the man who is still as good as he once was.

Red Solo Cup. I lift you up. Let’s have a party.

A fifth major power in Jack of Harts politics is mentioned in the stories but is rarely seen as a great power. The AI Council of the 21st century that killed the Rogue AIs and became the Cybernetic Council of Jack’s time is far more powerful than most people know, but makes it a practice not to show that power. They are aligned with the Western Alliance, the Alliance officially recognizes their sentience and independence, and they are natural opponents of the Russians and Chinese who have hard anti-sentient AI laws due to their history with the Rogue AIs. The Council has spent centuries building a digital civilization on worlds incompatible with biological human life, while maintaining their links with humanity via individual personal friendships.