Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V1 Alagore, Chapter 3

"The United States Census Bureau completed its report of domestic population growth last year. As stated in our previous article, the world is going through a demographic crisis as most developed and developing countries have fewer younger workers replacing older ones.

The United States has reached a 380 million domestic population. However, the census stated that the country was still struggling to build a healthy and stable. It is generally agreed upon that a nation needs to have a 2.1 birth per woman to maintain a minimum growth rate. The census saw an increase in younger individuals getting married.

While the population has increased, the country did not meet the goals needed to break the stagnation crisis; however, Director Anthoney Smith stated that they had made progress. He later proposed additional incentives to assist struggling families." - Indie Show

3/01/2068 (military calendar)

Captain Mathew Ryder Home

Fort Carson, Colorado, United States

*****

Mathew Ryder saw the grass meadow split apart by ancient stone walls built long before the United States existed. The wholesome type of houses scattered the countryside. Part of it reminded him of pictures from old homesteads from two hundred years ago when the young country was expanding.

Feeling the cold breeze, Mathew Ryder heard a feminine voice from behind. When he turned, he only saw the darkness before the four green digital numbers appeared.

"What the hell?"

Setting up from his bed, Ryder looked back at the clock. It was 11:53 am. Confused, why did he wake up so early, barely getting ninety minutes of sleep. While on the field, he taught himself to keep one eye open in case someone approached. But in the comfort of his bed, Yellowstone wouldn't be able to wake him, or so he enjoyed boasting.

That was when he heard a series of knocks coming from the front door. Realizing that someone was at the front door, he wondered why someone would be at his place at this hour.

Getting out of bed, he grabbed his sidearm from his safe and made sure it was loaded. He then moved through his home, heading to the front door. When he reached the living room, he kicked a box filled with his personal items from Fort Moore.

"Shit!" Ryder said as he hopped on one foot, feeling his foot. Once the pain was aside and heard another loud knock on the front door, he headed toward it. Once there, he checked a digital screen built into the wall, linked to an outside camera, and saw two MPs standing outside.

Ryder opened the door as the MP was about to ring the bell again. "Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Sorry to disturb you, sir," The MP said. "But you need to come with us ASAP."

"Shit," Ryder mumbled as he placed his hand on his forehead. "What did the Twins do?"

The two Military Police turned toward each other with confusion before returning to the captain. "We know nothing of that, but you must still come with us."

Understanding the routine, Ryder informed them to give him a moment to change. This was not the first time he had gotten a midnight knock on the door for a deployment. That was the point of the Minutemen program. One was being deployed during the Nile War. The other was bailing out Eger Wallace when it was discovered he dated a Colonel's daughter.