[Val Verde]

[December 24th, 2020]

—

The Long House was the iconic building for the Supreme Leader. A name that was once used for the town hall, now a renovated manor.

Its history dates back to the founding of Val Verde itself.

The spotty records indicated that the early years were rough. The English settlers had begun to settle, and they only had a vague idea of what was needed.

They had no clue on the trails and tribulations awaiting them. Which then surprised them all with a rude awakening on what island life could entail.

The first hurricane wrecked everything, but the mud and stone built warehouse. The simple structure weathered the fierce winds, and high water.

It was only the fact that the first builders were restless, and eager on making the first structure. The children then piled on mud as a means to keep them out of hand.

It saved everyone’s lives, and the reconstruction involved sturdier designs. Thicker material got incorporated, and the people were able to face future storms.

As a relic of those times, the people kept it around as a historical symbol.

Now over 300 years later, the renovated historical building was still the safe house to many. Though it weathered storms far worse then hurricanes.

To the people of Val Verde, it was this symbol that they turned to. Times of strife could be much more turbulent than any hurricane.

Televisions were common, but were relics of the past. While the world moved onto ultra thin HD TVs, Val Verde bought up old stock for cheap.

The few working broadcasting camera’s were currently on, and all eyes were on the Supreme Leader.

—

The people assembled around the Long Plaza.

It was here that I stared out to the reporters and their microphones, and the state camera’s were already set up.

Val Verde watched as I cut into the steaming potato. The small waft of steam was picture perfect as I pried open the potato.

I then scooped out a chunk of plain, baked root vegetable. There was nothing available beyond salt and pepper. Which I didn't use and brought up the flaky morsel to my mouth.

I ate it, and moaned as it was the first real food I had in a while.

“My children. The long winter has passed! Today we celebrate with the support of our allies across the world.” I held the partially eaten potato up and into the air. “We have persevered. I am proud to give to you whole, natural food once more!”

The crowd cheered as I took a second bite.

Fresh produce was already delivered across the land, and many had already eaten. This was the first major milestone in my reign as the Supreme Leader.

It took a year, but we had food once more.

“I vow, as the Supreme Leader, that I will never again allow starvation to affect our people. We will find new ways to farm, and ensure that our yields will always be plentiful, and our food stores ever full.” I finished speaking as I handed my plate to a ready helper.

The new aquaponic farms were already proving their incredible prowess. They could grow food like magic, and supply enough to keep everyone healthy.

Though it was not enough for everyone to overeat. At least not yet.

“I know that this is new times. Tough times. I ask that we only take what we need. The bare necessities. The influx of goods is slow as we work with our friends to bring in the goods. This is but a taste of what is to come!”

The people cheered once more. After nearly a year on MREs, instant noodles. With sprinklings of other other processed foods, they were eager for fresh stuff. They wanted their original diet of fresh fruits and veggies back.

“As for our plight… it is fact that we have been ignored by the greater world. The UN ignored us, and with them the majority of the world. We have pulled through."

"Hold your heads up high! and know that though we had help from various friends, it was through our own wills that we made it here. That we survived until now!”

The people cheered.

“Let us move towards a new tomorrow, and let us embrace it with the tenants taught upon us since its founding. Let us smile, and let us give!” I cheered as I became flush with emotion.

“Let us gather, and let us share!” the crowd chanted back.

“Let us move as one, with burden and to live for tomorrow!” our voices cried out as one.

A lifetime of the Greater Good, a lifetime of service.

“For Val Verde! Long may our motherland prosper!” I let my tears fall as I stared out at the thin people before me.

“Long live Val Verde! Long Live the Supreme Leader!” the people cried and cheered back.

We had survived, and the children would live to see tomorrow.

That was cause enough to celebrate.

“A Merry Christmas to all!” I cheered as my final statement.

—

“What are our projections?” I stared at the various charts and numbers in my hand.

“We are estimating, that at full production, we will have enough to ensure that we won’t starve. It is also not enough to actually ensure that we are overflowing with food.” Candice replied as she flipped over to the next page. I copied her, flipping my own page over.

Charts, both in bar form, pie form, and more numbers then I ever wanted to oversee.

“That is fine. We are to keep a ‘low profile’ until sometime next year. Then we can get more equipment, and ramp it up production.” I stared at the next chart. It showed what we could make now.

Other charts showed how much more we could do when we bought more machines from Doom.

Say what you will about the madman. He was a brilliant mind among the world’s sea of mediocrity.

“Yes, and when we have more machines, we can also invest into new produce as well.” Candice replied as she thought of the various luxuries she missed. Items like variety of coffee beans, fruits, and vegetables.

I smiled at that thought.

Val Verde exported what we could, but it wasn’t much.

Thought we were self sufficient, our staples were simple.

Delicacies were expensive, and the people were willing to pay for new flavors.

I stared at the papers once more.

I flipped to the last section.

My eyes skimmed a report that I knew by heart.

This was the second incident. In a village to the distant north east.

Ten dead, twenty missing.

I frowned as I made it to the last page.

A report of men, or monsters, dressed in suits of yellow.

Banana men.

I knew of only one organization with that uniform.

“Candice.” I looked up and into her eyes.

She stared back.

“As soon as the holidays end, ready the Falcons.” I watched as her eyes slipped to the last page I was reading.

She knew the reports as well as I did.

“The Jade Falcons are always ready to hunt, Sir!” Candice yelled as she snapped out a smart salute.

I wasn’t her Captain anymore, but in private moments like these, she would only sneer at me if I said that out loud.

We would need the Falcons, and others on standby across the island.

We also needed some new toys. A new method to move around. I smiled as I remembered a piece of gaming history.

It didn’t matter if existed on this world or not, but I figured its design would actually work.

I stared into the fireplace. The cheery flame danced as I stared at it.

A Force Application Vehicle, wasn’t it?

————

Chapter 12: Filmed on a Potato