In many ways, I feel lucky. I did not spend my formative years in prison, as many children have, convicted of a crime and sent away to rot, only to be exonerated years later. That happened to a friend of mine. Instead, I spent my formative years fighting the Shang. They made me the man I am today. Actually, the Peloran did, but I wouldn’t have flown with them if the Shang hadn’t come, so I think I can still give them credit for me.
In America, our colonies, the entire Western Alliance, we know that the military will never arrest us unless we actually do something to them. The military is not a good law enforcement organization. The military is trained to kill people. But in law enforcement, stopping the problem is more important. Lots of cops never fire a gun. Protecting people, not killing them is their mission. Never let the military become the police. They don’t have the right mindset.
I have the self-image of a twenty to thirty something short blonde. The plus side of that is that I look really good in a sundress. The minus side is, I get some real losers hitting on me at the bar. I’ve heard more about libraries and fines than I ever want to. I’ve used the “You may be a person of interest to the police, but to not to me” line more than once. It usually shuts them up. If not, Jack is happy to show them the door. He usually opens it for them.
To those of you who say it won’t happen to you, it will. Trust me. I have been there. Whether it’s an earthquake or a shipwreck, being without power and heat, not being able to buy food at the supermarket, or anything else, it’s the same situation. We all have to be prepared to live on our own. Stock up food and water so you aren’t one of the people mobbing the stores, or so you can feed yourself while waiting for the rescuers. Always be prepared.
We take for granted the fact that we can travel anywhere. If we do something wrong, we’re arrested and we can talk to a lawyer and communicate with our family. We get a jury of our peers to decide our case if we’re charged. That’s not always been the case. The British Army marched with orders to kill Citizens of the British Empire. That’s the spark that lit the Shot Heard Round the World. We fought for the freedom to live in freedom. Never forget that.