Recruitment system in DC

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***

I was sitting in a comfortable seat, on an aeroplane. It was surprising that we flew on a civilian plane and not a military plane. It was even kind of unusual. I was dressed not in my usual military uniform, but in a ceremonial uniform.

I decided to put it on beforehand, though I was still cautious about putting all my medals on it, I'd rather do it before the awarding. And I couldn't do it at all, there was nothing I could do about it.

And during the flight I was engaged in a rather interesting business, namely, I was spinning in my hands not the most ordinary green pebble, which has almost completely lost its colour and faded.

The past me had no full-fledged desire to draw strength or energy from it, unlike me. But even fully concentrating on it, there was no way I could pull all the energy out of it, I was pulling it out very slowly, literally bit by bit.

But at the same time, it was as if I could feel the channels through which the energy I was pulling out was expanding. It was a rather strange feeling, but after this absorption of energy, I could feel my body slowly becoming stronger.

A normal person wouldn't have been able to feel this, but my body control was at a perfect level and so I could feel every change in my body.

I'm not happy about the efficiency, but the fact that I'm getting stronger makes me happy. Except it's going to be hard to get kryptonite. Although it's still possible.

And I have a small stash at home with a couple of kilos of kryptonite. It's not much, but it's something.

- Are you okay? - Semilia asked, turning towards me.

- Yeah, I'm just a little worried. It's not every day I get to meet the president," I said calmly. I was a little nervous, and even all those interactions with the Kryptonite were just a distraction.

- It wasn't that exciting. It's just some president," Semilia said with a smile. Yeah, well, with her experience, it's just everyday life. This girl has met more than one ruler in her long life.

And besides, only Agnes and I will be honoured personally by the president, the rest of us will be honoured elsewhere.

- Yeah, and after the president I'll have to deal with a lot of journalists," I said dejectedly.

- Oh, that's scary. They are whole journalists, they are much more dangerous than terrorists who want to kill you with all their heart, - the girl said ironically, looking at me. Well, on the one hand she's right, it's much safer than a battlefield. But on the other hand, I'm used to the battlefield, and journalists, awards and glory are something new to me.

- Yeah, they're not trying to kill you physically, but they're trying to kill you morally, probably with the aim of making you commit suicide, just to avoid seeing them again, - I answered the girl in the same tone.

- So, what's stopping you from just ignoring them? - she asked.

- The general told me to talk to them a little bit, to tell them about bloodthirsty terrorists and brave US soldiers, so at least I'll have to interview someone, - I said, leaning back in my chair.

Judging by the time of our flight, we should be arriving in a few minutes, so all we can do is wait, trying to distract ourselves from the excitement.

- Well, you'll survive a couple of annoying journalists with your survival experience," she said, smiling sweetly. Yeah, well, with my survival experience, I should survive it, I guess....

A few minutes later, just as I thought, we started to land. In fact, in my previous life, I wasn't really a fan of aeroplane flights, because I always felt bad during them. However, in this life the case is much better, most likely because of my enhanced physique.This is actually the first time I've ever been to DC. I've only been to New York of the big cities before, although I think I was able to visit Metropolis once with my dad, but that was back when I was a kid.

As I expected, there were already waiting for us at the airport exit. In fact, it was just me, Agnes and Semilia. And Semilia was just here for company, because she had officially finished her service. However, she will still have to serve, but in my squad. After she shows her abilities, she'll be recruited into it as well. If it's organised at all, of course. Maybe the leadership won't support my idea.

- These must be our chaperones? - Agnes asked me, pointing at a couple of people.

- No, it's just two guys in military uniforms, who coincidentally are holding a sign with our names on it, I said sarcastically.

- Ohhhh, I guess being with Semilia is bad for you. You're just as toxic now," the girl said with a sigh.

- What kind of false accusation is that? Talking to me only makes Ed better," Semilia answered her, taking me under her elbow and smiling.

Agnes sighed again and headed off in the direction of the waiting military. Semilia and I followed her cheerfully.

When I looked at my watch, I realised that it was still three hours before the award ceremony started. I wonder if they'll even give us a tour.

- Captain Kent? Captain Garrett? - the soldier asked us politely, to which we just nodded, "Fine. I'm Senior Lieutenant Adam Curtis, nice to meet you.

- Likewise, Senior Lieutenant," I said, shaking his hand.

- So, where do we go from here? - Agnes asked him in a bored tone.

- First we'll reach the White House, after which I'll give you a short tour. It's still three hours before the award ceremony, but we have to come an hour early to get ready," he told us, pointing towards the small jeep in which we all piled in together.

During the trip he also told us interesting facts about the city, although judging by the faces of my interlocutors, only I was interested in them. Oh well.

We reached the White House, avoiding all the traffic jams, apparently, this is the power of power. And then the excursion began, which I also liked. There were a lot of quite interesting things in the White House, as well as various cultural monuments. I didn't even notice how quickly the time flew by and two hours passed. Senior Lieutenant Curtis was too good a storyteller.

But the time came to an end and we were left in a small room to prepare. Interestingly enough, Semilia had even been assigned a spectator seat for the ceremony, so she wouldn't have to leave us.

The girl herself helped me put on all my medals, which were a bit too many, especially for a young guy like me. It didn't take that long, so we still had quite a lot of time before the start, which we spent talking about trivial topics.

However, about twenty minutes before the start, a soldier came to pick us up and took us to the room where our awarding was to take place.

When we got there, we saw a beautiful room, with ample spectator seats filled with U.S. flags. There were a real lot of them, I'm sure I've seen fewer US flags in my entire life than in that room.

Agnes and I were pointed to seats near the main podium, while Semilia was seated near the entrance. From then on we just sat in silence, watching the room gradually fill up. The president himself is a rather busy man, so he would have to come up later.

But we waited nonetheless. By the time the hall was completely filled and the video cameras were set up, the ceremony had solemnly begun. First, a general unfamiliar to me came to the podium and spoke about the successes of our army in the war, as well as the help of other countries.

And after a few minutes the president solemnly entered the hall, who greeted everyone and also gave a solemn speech. Only his speech was much longer and more watery. In addition, the very personality of the president was also quite interesting, because it was different from our reality.

Here the president of the United States was Donald Trump, although in my reality in 2020 the president was already a completely different person. Well, it's for the best, because in my reality the president was a complete mediocrity, which I'm sure completely ruined the USA after my death.

But here the president did get to the main topic, and has already started calling us out .

- ... and now that we have captured one of the leaders of a terrorist organisation, our army will be able to restore official power in Iran. And the men who led his capture and personally participated in the mission were two, you might say, new American heroes. And with their sacrifice and valour in battle, they have earned the United States Congressional Medals of Honor. Let us salute Edward Kent and Agnes Garrett," he said, inviting us to the stage. We solemnly ascended the stage, keeping serious expressions on our faces, and approached the president.

He put on a slow face and shook our hands.- Would you like to say a few words? - he asked us. Agnes just remained silent, looking at me with a hint. Yes, she is usually very bad at solemn speeches. Well, I'll try. I remember Aang became quite the orator in his life after the war.

- Of course, Mr President," I answered him as I approached the podium. After looking around the room and focusing my gaze on the camera lens, I began to speak, "First, I'd like to welcome everyone here. I would like to say a few words about this war and my attitude to it. I went there for one purpose only, and that is to help the people of the country that was taken over by terrorists. Since my childhood my dream has been world peace, as every child has, but as I grew up I realised how unfulfilled that dream was. However, this does not mean that we should not strive for peace. On the contrary, everyone in the world should strive for it. But peace cannot be achieved by aspirations alone; we need to act more decisively. Terrorists, criminals, maniacs. These are all elements that make peace impossible, so we need to fight them with all possible methods, for the sake of the common human good. Peace cannot be achieved without sacrifices, but we will try to make sure that they are victims of criminals and not of civilians.

After my speech there was a silence in the hall, which made me a little nervous. I realise that my speech was not the best, but at least someone could support me. However, the silence was interrupted by applause from the president standing next to me. After him, the rest of the room clapped for me, and quite loudly. Well, I hope I didn't screw up that speech.

After that, Agnes and I went back to our seats, and the president started answering questions from various journalists. It was pretty boring until I heard a familiar name. Lois Lane? So she's here now...

I hope my brother isn't with her, or this is going to be pretty awkward...

*** 

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