The American Empire: The Plan

Chapter Six: Greensleeves

Maybe this won't be as hard as I originally thought, he thought to himself.

He looked to Russia for just a moment before he gently pushed away. He turned and started walking the opposite way.

"Alfred, wait."

Behind him, Russia stood with an envelope held in his extended hand. America watched as the breeze tousled his hair and scarf before taking the envelope.

"Just think about it. Okay?"

America nodded. He continued the other way. Once he knew he was a fair distance away, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello?"

"Alfred. I assume you have an update," the director said.

"About Ivan," he responded. "I'll have it done by January, no later."

"That's good to hear." The line ended; unnecessary talk being kept to a minimum.

The regular bustle of the city could be heard at any street corner. The day didn't do much to change that. It only added memorial wreaths, flowers, flags and other things almost anywhere you looked. The president had addressed the day, making a speech outside the White House. The last one he would make as president of the United States.

Russia was something he would have to approach carefully. The approach Russia made was too quick to be simply out of emotion. It must be part of some plan, which may make it easier to get closer to him. He'd still have to be careful however. He only had one shot at this, and he needed Russia on his side. At least for the beginning of this.

A few letters were waiting at his house, each sending their own message of condolences for the fifteenth anniversary of the dreadful day.

Inside, he called for Mary. She came running, her steps light on the carpeted floor. "What happened?"

"Nothing of importance," he said, brushing her off. "Want to take a trip?"

"Where?"

"Norden." He pulled off his jacket and hung it up, moving to his room.

"California?" she asked puzzled.

He yelled from his room, correcting her. "Europe."

He came back to the main room, to find his capital staring him down. "Why?" she asked.

"You're smart. Figure it out."

She let herself fall back in a chair, her arms folded over her chest. "I don't understand why you insist on stalling for so long," she mumbled.

"This is why you don't gather intelligence." He turned towards DC. "Patience. No one ever got any solid ground by rushing in without a plan."

"Why don't we just start invading places?" she argued.

"You'll never get anywhere with that tongue." America came from the fridge with a yogurt, peeling off the wrapper. "Tell you what: I've got a job for you." He pulled a drawer open, taking a spoon and pushing the drawer closed with a clatter from the silverware inside.

"What?" she asked, her voice peeking in excitement.

"I'll have to talk to a few people first, but how would you like to take a visit to Africa?" He pushed to the bottom of the cup with his spoon, lifting the blueberries from the bottom and mixing them into the plain yogurt.