Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 When you lose something amazing, you have to choose whether you are going to curl up in a ball and cry, or celebrate everything you still have.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never been the kind to curl up and cry, so I find myself a party.\u00a0 I find some people who want to dance, I find some good music, and I find myself something to celebrate.\u00a0 For me, that\u2019s life.\u00a0 Living it is the ultimate celebration of that gift.<\/p>\n
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Jack held on tight as the gleaming white cigar-shaped shuttle fell through the clear air.\u00a0 After months of being his own pilot, he really hated being a passenger.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t really make sense of course.\u00a0 A cyber flew the shuttle, just like it was Betty who actually<\/em> flew their fighter, but a primal instinct in him just wanted to grab the controls anyways.\u00a0 With those sealed in the piloting compartment, and only the armrests of his seat in the cargo compartment in range, he worked his hands over them, his knuckles going white with the strain.<\/p>\n \u201cRelax, Jack,\u201d Betty said into his ear. \u00a0The shuttle was too small for the cybers to have their own seats, so only the nine remaining Cowboys sat in them.\u00a0 The cybers sat on their shoulders in small mode, most of them around twenty centimeters in height if standing.\u00a0 Jack was the only one to have two of them, one on each shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll blow a blood vessel if you keep this up,\u201d Jasmine added.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019m a bad back seat rider,\u201d Jack returned.<\/p>\n \u201cMore like impossible,\u201d Betty whispered.<\/p>\n Jack rolled his eyes and held on tight.\u00a0 The shuttle came to a stop with a slight bump and he sighed in relief.\u00a0 He sucked in a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re here, everybody,\u201d Charles said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cCheck your uniforms before debarking.\u00a0 I want everybody looking good out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOorah,\u201d The Cowboys responded with some chuckles.<\/p>\n Jack checked his Dress Whites for any wrinkles, pulled them tight, and sucked in a deep breath.\u00a0 He ran his hand over the ribbons on his left breast, one for Fort Wichita, one for Fort London, and a few more the civilians thought would make the overall fruit salad look better.\u00a0 He pursed his lips and shook his head.\u00a0 Six months ago, he\u2019d been one of those civilians.\u00a0 Now\u2026he shook his head again, reached up and grabbed the white cowboy hat off its hook and placed it on his head.<\/p>\n He looked around to see the other pilots similarly ready, and they began to file out towards the exit.\u00a0 As each one approached the exit, the cyber on his or her shoulder jumped down to the deck and grew to full height, wearing Dress Whites just like their pilots.\u00a0 He idly wondered what it must look like anyone watching outside, as more and more people walked out of the small shuttle.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even notice he was humming the clown car song until the other Cowboys began to laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cShut it, Jester!\u201d Charles shouted, a suspicious hitch in his voice, and then coughed into his white glove, probably to cover a laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cAye, aye, Chief,\u201d Jack answered with a wink.<\/p>\n Charles shook his head and waved Jack out.\u00a0 Betty and Jasmine jumped off his shoulders, growing to full height as they landed, and walked out before him, white cowboy hats shimmering into existence.\u00a0 Jack shook his head with a smile.\u00a0 This had to look impressive out there.\u00a0 Either that or really silly.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t completely certain which.<\/p>\n He stepped outside and looked up at the twin suns in New Earth\u2019s blue sky, one yellow and one orange, and shook his head.\u00a0 Two suns were just wrong.\u00a0 There was a third star in the system too, but he couldn\u2019t see it at the moment.\u00a0 He could<\/em> see Avalon, the smaller and warmer planet inside New Earth\u2019s orbit, in the sky just above the horizon.\u00a0 It had been the second<\/em> planet colonized outside the Terran system, originally as a vacation spot for the use of rich British corporations.\u00a0 The Chinese had a colony there too, but Avalon didn\u2019t have nearly the concentration of heavy metals that New Earth had, making it far less important on a strategic level.<\/p>\n Jack turned away from his study of the sky to see the last of the Cowboys leave the cigar-shaped shuttle.\u00a0 The hatch closed and the shuttle rose up silently, rotated to point straight up, and flashed into the sky with an acceleration rate only a craft that could control gravity itself could manage.\u00a0 Jack dropped his eyes again to look at Charles and saw the man frowning up after the shuttle.\u00a0 Jack walked over and stopped next to his commanding officer.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles took in a deep breath and lowered his gaze to meet Jack\u2019s\u00a0 \u201cJester.\u201d\u00a0 Something in his demeanor suggested that small talk wasn\u2019t on his current to-do list.<\/p>\n As usual, Jack ignored the to-do list.\u00a0 \u201cOld home week?\u201d<\/p>\n Charles cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cMy family has business interests here.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cJust wondering if you\u2019re off to visit them?\u201d<\/p>\n Charles shook his head and turned away from Jack.\u00a0 \u201cCowboys!\u201d he shouted to all the soldiers on the landing field.\u00a0 \u201cBe back here in thirty-six hours, ready to fly.\u00a0 Liberty begins\u2026now.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cowboys shouted a hearty \u201cOorah!\u201d and turned to walk towards the main terminal not far away.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Charles said, back in his normal conversational tone.<\/p>\n Jack blinked, taking a second to realize Charles had answered his question.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Charles sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got something more important to do.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up after the departing shuttle again, now a pinpoint of light so far up even Jack\u2019s eyes could barely see it.<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d\u00a0 Jack smiled, wondering what Charles was troubled about, but determined to enjoy his first liberty since joining the Cowboys.\u00a0 \u201cGood call then.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you wouldn\u2019t want old Aunt Bessie\u2019s Fruitcake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHell no!\u201d Charles said, perhaps a little too quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you\u2019re interested, you can always go shopping with us,\u201d Jack said with a wave towards Betty and Jasmine.<\/p>\n Charles visibly shuddered.\u00a0 \u201cNo thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack spread his arms out wide in a \u201chow bad could it be?\u201d gesture.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, man, share the danger?\u00a0 We\u2019ve flown into certain death<\/em> together.\u00a0 This can\u2019t possibly<\/em> be that bad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Charles shook his head and gave Jack a wicked smile.\u00a0 \u201cAccompanying women on a shopping trip is a fate worse than death.\u00a0 I will mourn your passing\u201d<\/p>\n Jack held his hands out in a calming gesture.\u00a0 \u201cHey, they\u2019re cybers.\u00a0 No bags<\/em> to carry.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles shook his head again.\u00a0 \u201cGood luck with that,\u201d he said the wicked grin still solidly in place.<\/p>\n Jack shrugged and turned to walk away.\u00a0 He stopped cold, a grim feeling coming from somewhere, and spun back to Charles.\u00a0 \u201cHey, if something important comes up, call me,\u201d he said in a momentarily sincere tone.<\/p>\n Charles examined him for a moment before nodding.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for the offer.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep it in mind.\u00a0 Now go enjoy your liberty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir!\u201d Jack shouted back with a jaunty salute, and turned to amble away, determined to have fun.\u00a0 He stepped between Betty and Jasmine, reached his arms out to grab each of them around the waist, and hesitated just long enough for them to signal their acceptance before pulling them along with him.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, girls.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got some fun<\/em> to track down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Jack,\u201d they chorused in matching amused tones.<\/p>\n Jack smiled as they strode towards the terminal, determined to project his best party man persona.\u00a0 \u201cSo, seriously girls. Why<\/em> are we going shopping again if we\u2019re trying to have fun?\u201d he asked, just looking for something to say.<\/p>\n Betty smiled and gave his shoulder a light slap.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s called \u2018retail therapy,\u2019 Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d\u00a0 Jack did not go shopping.\u00a0 He never had.\u00a0 Shopping implied that he might fail.\u00a0 He went buying.<\/p>\n Betty shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m serious, Jack.\u00a0 It\u2019s a very real form of therapy.\u00a0 There are studies that prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLet me guess.\u00a0 Funded by Target?\u201d<\/p>\n Betty and Jasmine echoed his laugh.\u00a0 \u201cTouch\u00e9,\u201d they said in unison and the terminal doors opened before them.\u00a0 The scent of real pine Christmas trees and the sound of Christmas carols greeted them as they walked in.<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s stride faltered for a half second, and he blinked.\u00a0 He swallowed and shook himself back into action.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Betty asked, not missing his momentary pause.<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cMy house\u2026smelled and sounded like this every Christmas\u2026before.\u201d\u00a0 Before the Shang came.\u00a0 He licked his lips, wondering if it had really only been six months.<\/p>\n Betty squeezed the hand around her waist with her feathery touch.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cleared his throat again and squeezed her back, gentle enough not to break through her holoform.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026don\u2019t worry\u2026I just miss \u2019em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Betty whispered.\u00a0 \u201cAre you good?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked again, took a deep breath, and pushed the feelings of regret and loss away.\u00a0 He was on liberty.\u00a0 He was with his best friend in the universe, and with another friend who needed someone to make her feel better.\u00a0 That did it.\u00a0 He would not<\/em> drag Jasmine down with his melancholy.\u00a0 He smiled and felt the party persona come back.\u00a0 \u201cNope,\u201d he said with a jaunty stride through the Christmas-themed terminal.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m great!\u00a0 Let\u2019s party!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Five hours and one sunset later, shopping through stores playing Christmas carols, Jack carried the bags and shook his head with a rueful smile.\u00a0 He really should have known better.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong, Jack?\u201d Betty asked with a knowing smile.<\/p>\n Jack snorted as they walked down the street, lined with Christmas lights and wreaths.\u00a0 \u201cOh, just wondering how it is I\u2019m stuck carrying bags while shopping with cybers<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we<\/em> can\u2019t carry them.\u00a0 And all of these after-Christmas sales are just too good to let go,\u201d Betty said with a shrug that said there was no question about that.<\/p>\n Jack gave her a quick glance.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now we know the real<\/em> reason you don\u2019t have avatars,\u201d he said with a deadpan delivery.<\/p>\n Betty laughed.\u00a0 \u201cTouch\u00e9.\u00a0 So what do you<\/em> want to do now?\u201d she asked with a tap of a finger on his shoulder.<\/p>\n Jack glanced at Jasmine with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m always up for a good party.\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine smiled back and looked down at the bags he carried.\u00a0 She bit her lip and hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cDrew wasn\u2019t a big partier,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n Jack stopped short and examined her carefully, pursing his lips to the side.\u00a0 \u201cThat just means we have to find the right party,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n Jasmine\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cTrust me.\u00a0 I\u2019m an expert at parties.\u201d\u00a0 He clicked his tongue.\u00a0 \u201cDrew was a shy one.\u00a0 That means you don\u2019t want to be the center of attention where we go, right?\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to stand out?\u00a0 Afraid you\u2019ll be noticed?\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine shifted her head to side for a moment before nodding.<\/p>\n Jack turned to Betty.\u00a0 \u201cWe need a night club.\u00a0 Dark with spotlights.\u00a0 Good driving beat for dancing.\u00a0 Crowded.\u00a0 One of the places where people go to be anybody but themselves.\u00a0 Anything like that around here?\u201d<\/p>\n Betty smiled and shook her head in a knowing manner.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a cyberclub two blocks that way,\u201d she said with a wave of her hand.<\/p>\n Jack chuckled, wrapped his arms around the two cybers, and turned to walk them in the direction Betty pointed.\u00a0 \u201cTrust me, Jasmine, you will love<\/em> a cyberclub.\u00a0 They have permanent holoprojectors powerful enough that you might as well have a full-scale avatar<\/em>!\u00a0 You can be anything you want to be there.\u201d He aimed an exaggerated leer at her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinking you\u2019d look awesome<\/em> as one of Santa\u2019s elves and no one<\/em> would know who you are,\u201d he said in a hushed tone.<\/p>\n Jasmine gave him a look that said she was tempted and feeling guilty about being tempted at the same time.\u00a0 Jack chuckled.\u00a0 He\u2019d met more than his fair share of girls like that back home.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be amazing<\/em>, Jasmine.\u00a0 The best<\/em> party you\u2019ve ever been to,\u201d he said with a tempting smile.<\/p>\n She chewed her lower lip.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve not been<\/em> to any parties,\u201d she finally said.\u00a0 \u201cUnless you count those Peloran celebrations.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh I do not<\/em> count those as parties.\u00a0 So there you have it!\u00a0 It\u2019ll be the best<\/em>!\u00a0 Come on!\u00a0 Live large!\u00a0 It\u2019s New Years.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to do something new<\/em>!\u201d he finished with a shout.<\/p>\n Jasmine shook her head but gave him a smile.\u00a0 \u201cOK, OK.\u00a0 I\u2019ll do it,\u201d she said with a laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent!\u201d Jack exclaimed and strode down the sidewalk with a jaunty step that said he was the luckiest, not to mention the best, man alive.<\/p>\n They\u2019d barely made it a block when a young kid that couldn\u2019t have been over eight years old walked up to them, dragging a woman who was probably his mother after him, and stopped to look up at them.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, mister!\u00a0 Are you a Cowboy?\u201d the kid asked.<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes I am.\u201d<\/p>\n The kid gave him a serious stare.\u00a0 \u201cDid you really kill those Chinese alone?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave Jasmine a quick glance before answering the kid.\u00a0 \u201cYes we did.\u201d<\/p>\n The kid continued to examine Jack with all the intensity that a child could muster.\u00a0 \u201cCan I be a Cowboy when I grow up?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked at his mother and saw her momentary terror.\u00a0 He smiled and squatted down, all his weight on the balls of his feet, to rest on his heels.\u00a0 He let go of the bags and held out his hand for the kid to take.\u00a0 \u201cHey kiddo.\u00a0 I\u2019m Jack.\u00a0 What\u2019s your<\/em> name?\u201d<\/p>\n The kid pulled in a deep, proud breath.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Brian,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, tell you what, Brian.\u00a0 Study good in school, get good grades, and apply yourself.\u00a0 If you can get yourself a cyber, contact me and I\u2019ll help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that what you did?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked to see Betty smirking at him.<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we were really scrapping the bottom of the barrel for pilots when we found him,\u201d Betty said.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Jack shouted in an outraged tone.<\/p>\n The kid giggled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re funny.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack cocked his head to the side and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWe try.\u201d<\/p>\n The kid pulled a holo out of his pocket and it expanded to show a picture of all twenty Cowboys smiling and saluting the camera.\u00a0 \u201cCan I get an autograph?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSure, kiddo.\u201d\u00a0 He grabbed a pen out of a pocket, placed it in the holo, and signed his name.\u00a0 The signature appeared in the holo, blazing into existence in a golden flame that burned to black to hover beneath his picture.<\/p>\n \u201cCool,\u201d the kid exclaimed.\u00a0 Then he looked up at Jasmine, back to where she stood in the holo, and to her again.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is your pilot?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n Jasmine took in a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cShe died killing the Chinese,\u201d she said in a proud voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d the kid said and walked over to hug Jasmine.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo am I,\u201d Jasmine answered and hugged the kid back.<\/p>\n The kid pulled back and gave her a look far more mature than he had any business making.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I grow up, I\u2019m going to be your pilot,\u201d he said with complete confidence.<\/p>\n Jasmine smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cAs long as you study,\u201d she answered and patted his shoulder.<\/p>\n Jack unfolded himself back up to full height and stepped over to the boy\u2019s mother.\u00a0 \u201cHe sounds determined.\u201d<\/p>\n The mother sighed.\u00a0 \u201cFive weeks ago, he was determined to be a firefighter.\u00a0 He even has the helmet on his wall.\u00a0 Before that, it was a policeman.\u00a0 Before that, a race car driver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you don\u2019t think this will stick?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope it doesn\u2019t,\u201d she answered, her voice desperate.<\/p>\n Jack looked to where the kid and Jasmine continued to talk in low tones.\u00a0 \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you?\u201d she asked, sounding derisive.<\/p>\n Jack gave her a long look before answering.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve lost a quarter of my squadron in a matter of months.\u00a0 If this war goes on another year\u2026\u201d He trailed off and shrugged.<\/p>\n The mother\u2019s face fell, and she looked contrite.\u00a0 \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her a sad smile.\u00a0 \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI really hope he changes his wish,\u201d she said, sounding even more desperate.<\/p>\n Jack sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSo do I.\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine brought the boy back to his mother, laughing with him over a private joke.\u00a0 \u201cBrian is a truly precious boy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he is,\u201d the mother answered and hugged him close.<\/p>\n \u201cMom!\u201d the boy protested, pushing away from her.<\/p>\n Jack smiled, and an idea hit him.\u00a0 He pulled the cowboy hat off his head.\u00a0 \u201cHere kiddo,\u201d he said and placed it on the kid\u2019s head where it fell down to cover his face.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks!\u201d Brian said in amazement and reached up to grab his new favorite toy.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep it safe,\u201d Jack ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked to the mother, standing in shock and fear at his action.\u00a0 \u201cI really do hope he picks another career, but we should all stand behind him, whatever he chooses.\u201d<\/p>\n The mother blinked, and her mouth trembled, but she nodded and pulled her son in close again, despite his indignant protests.\u00a0 \u201cThank you,\u201d she said and walked away, holding her son by the wrist to keep him with her.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was real sweet,\u201d Betty said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, sometimes I try,\u201d Jack said with a shrug and turned away.\u00a0 \u201cNow, where<\/em> was that club again?\u201d<\/p>\n Betty gave him a sly smile and pointed him towards it.<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent,\u201d Jack said, picked the bags up again and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cLadies first,\u201d he finished with an elaborate half-bow.<\/p>\n Betty and Jasmine shared a giggle before turning to walk away, hips swaying.\u00a0 He sauntered after them, a smile on his face as they turned the corner.\u00a0 Jack felt the dull beat of music in the distance and the foot-stomping bass vibrated from the pavement to his spine.\u00a0 He moved with the beat and caught up with the two girls with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we found a live one,\u201d he said between beats.\u00a0 \u201cYou ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Betty just smiled at him.\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 She was always ready.\u00a0 He turned to Jasmine.<\/p>\n Jasmine looked down for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cGoin\u2019 as you or doin\u2019 a disguise?\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine cleared her throat and looked nervous.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll try me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Jack whispered.<\/p>\n Jasmine gave him a confused look.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you said I\u2019d look good as an elf.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled back.\u00a0 \u201cI did.\u00a0 You\u2019d look good as a lot of things, but I think you look best as you<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cThe only question\u2019s whether you\u2019re comfortable with that or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Jasmine stopped and stared at him for several seconds.\u00a0 As he sometimes did, he wondered if she really was thinking as long as she seemed to be or if she was just acting out what was to her a long consideration.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she finally said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019d like to try.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cAnd that\u2019s the first step.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Betty and she smiled, grabbed Jasmine by the arm, and pulled her towards the club.\u00a0 Jack followed in their wake and they moved in rhythm to the music.<\/p>\n The bouncer saw them coming and opened the door for the visiting soldiers without a pause.\u00a0 They walked in and checked their bags at the desk, the clerk giving him a sympathetic smile.\u00a0 Jack shrugged with a good-natured smile.\u00a0 Divested of his burden, he straightened his collars, ran his fingers through his hair, and flowed towards the dance floor with the music.\u00a0 He turned to Betty and Jasmine, saw them hesitating, and smiled.\u00a0 He grabbed their hands and pulled, stepping back onto the dance floor.\u00a0 They merged with the hundreds of dancers on the floor, moved with the music, stepped between strobing lights, and became part of the party celebrating the end of the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 When you lose something amazing, you have to choose whether you are going to curl up in a ball and cry, or celebrate everything you still have.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never been the kind to curl up[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2304-forge-of-war-1stdraft","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-jack"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=572"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1836,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions\/1836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}