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Effective in June

A general grows weary of a wayward president.

By Skyler SaundersPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
1
When a General's Fed Up

How the American people chose for the age to drink and use narcotics to be 18, allowed teenagers all-over to rejoice, even if they had started drinking and using narcotics at 15. The idea of liquor and narcotics businesses and food establishments offering alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic drugs to those youngsters pushed the minds of the populace. What the American people (those who didn’t vote for it, anyway) didn’t understand was the choice to have teens be elected President of the United States at the tender age of 18, too. This caused many a rift amongst the top brass, needless to say. Especially the Secretary of Defense. The 39th person to serve this position, he was a four star general in the Marines and served as its third black Commandant for five years. General Trembly “Get-go” Nunn earned his callsign because he’d volunteer for anything even at the beginning of his career in the Marines as a second lieutenant. This same spirit carried over into the White House administration.

The hiring of a 19-year-old, Louis Gander, the nation’s fourth black president, tested the patience of General Nunn. A 67-year-old man, the gulf in ages remained apparent. He bit his lip on many occasions and wished to lash out at the commander-in-chief who was valedictorian of his high school class and graduated early from New Sweden University in Wilmington, Delaware. Nunn met with the president in the Oval Office on this day in May.

“Get-go, you’re right on time again.”

“Yes, Mr. President. I wish to be prompt.”

“This whole thing with China taking over both North and South Korea and Japan, how did we get here?”

“Sir, the diplomatic ties that we tried to reinforce, the tether just shredded.”

“But they’ve got the defense of a wet paper towel, now, since the peace accords were addressed.”

Nunn bit his tongue.

“Do you have any ideas?” President Gander asked.

“All I know is that, Mr. President, we have to either go at China with the idea that they’re now a nation of four and a half billion allies or foes. We have to take into account that they are good traders with the US. That ought to be a factor in all of this.”

“You don’t think that we should just wipe out their entire civilization?”

“Sir, respectfully, do you know what you just said?”

“Do you question my authority, General?”

“No, sir, I just think that that idea would be too–”

“Beneficial, I know.”

“Perilous is what I was going to say.”

President Gander continued to look at the visual while speaking with General Nunn. The Secretary of Defense spoke. He retrieved a digital manuscript from his smart device.

“This is for you,” Nunn said while straightening his tie. Gander read over the letter and turned his attention away from the visual to General Nunn.

“You’re jumping ship right in the middle of the fight. How’d you make it in the military, man? You’re just going to up and retire on me like this? You know what, you’re a good soldier….”

“Marine. I’m a Marine.”

“... But you couldn’t deal with the fact that a 19-year-old has more power and sway than you. ‘Mr. Commandant.’ ‘Mr. Big Time General.’ You couldn’t handle it.”

“Respectfully, Mr. President, I would like to say a few words to you.”

“Haven’t you said enough?” Gander dangled the digital resignation documents in his left hands.

General Nunn whirled around the desk and addressed the President in an icy, monotone. He extended a right knife hand, all digits pointed directly at Gander.

“You are far too schooled to know this. Men and women your age still sign up and fight for this nation. Some of them come back in a box. Some are still missing to this day. So, when you talk about fighting a war, remember that there are lives at stake. American lives. I don’t give a goddamn about what games you wish to play,” he paused and looked at the visual display, “literally or figuratively. I was appointed by you to safeguard this nation. That time has come to an end. This resignation will be effective in June. Thank you.”

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About the Creator

Skyler Saunders

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PayPal: paypal.me/SkylerSaunders

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