The Fall of the Redeemers
Mary Winchester passed on May 2, 1910. The papers across the nation reported that she was hosting a tea party for members of Ladies of Redemption, a club of upper-class women from Redeemer families when she suffered a heart attack and died. Many kind words were written about her, and Custer ordered a day of mourning. "A good Christian woman has left us today, may all remember her," he told the press. The town of Samson was hit hard too. Many point to this as the end of the Samson Renaissance as artists began to flock to bigger cities for work. Mary was able to carry herself in a way that her male counterparts could not. In business, she was an autocrat to be feared and respected, but to the public, she was an endearing figure who you would love. Many in Samson called her Mother Mary despite never knowing her. Aaron Winchester, her heir, despite his aunt possibly threatening his life to take control of the company, also stated, "she had too much love for this world and not enough time to spread it."
Aaron was still the President of WORE, but he needed a new Head Secretary, he decided to appoint an outsider from the Winchester family. He appointed Heidi Johnston, and she would bring about the near end to dynasty. She was a brilliant woman with credentials that appeared genuine. However, they all traced back to the Blind Christian Gentleman, Mr. Tobias. The Redeemers had more power than they realized. The widower Thomas Edison still took the materials WORE published and shipped them throughout the nation for the school curriculum. Redeemers had been tolerated by the AFC for their missionary work and devotion to the faith, but now with Custer's friendship with the Winchesters, the small clique's power could only grow. Heidi was not a Sister of Purity, as some have claimed. She had tried to become one but never bore Mr.Tobias a child. He did have other uses for her. Custer would not forsake the Winchester for Mr.Tobias, but he would recommend a hard worker to hire. Edison warned his nephew not to appoint an outsider as Head Secretary along with Allan Winchester, his Vice-President. Unfortunately, Aaron trusted his Atheling too much and hired her.
It is doubtful, Heidi wanted to sabotage WORE at least at first. It was one of the most prestigious companies controlled by one of the wealthiest families in the nation. Every morning millions of Americans would read newspapers, magazines, and books stamped with the silver Winchester Seal. If that system were destroyed, the nation would fall apart. She instead focused on curtailing Aaron's ambition of Redemption supremacy and asserting more emphasis on Spiritual Marxism, something that Aaron began to come around to. However, her efforts were blocked mostly by Aaron II, his eldest son. He resembled his grandfather in many ways, quick to brawl and a skilled fighter, but had a love for his family's business. Aaron II did not trust Heidi nor did any other in the Winchester beside his father. Unfortunately for the family, war broke out in 1911.
As entire continents began to rip themselves apart to destroy each other, Aaron II found himself training to work on areoship and was soon shipped off to fight on the Californian Front on the USS Georgia Brown, the personal ship of Joe Steele. Many young men of the Winchester family and Samson soon found themselves far from home, but Heidi was able to find some replacements. Zealots from the Tobias Institute began to fill the ranks of WORE. At first, no one made a big deal of it as they were good workers, and they were needed for the war effort. Soon they began to act as if Samson was another Poconos, policing the citizenry and carrying their weapons as they pleased. They far outgunned and outmanned the local RUMP forces. Things began to heat up after the Samson Junior College hosted a meeting for the Young Redeemers Club. They wanted to discuss possible redemption programs for when Quebec and California were annexed. However, their meeting was interrupted loudly by Zealots, who tried to take over the stage and proclaimed that extermination should be done for the Inferiors and the Redemption Menace. Shouting turned to fighting and fighting turned to shooting.
Aaron Winchester IIFour students were dead, and several on both sides injured. It was plastered across the front page of the Republican Courant, and AFC condemned the senseless murder of Christians when the war against Papist raged on. Allan was less contained. He went into the office of Heidi and began to unravel every insult he knew and told her to leave the city before she found herself "as dead as those kids at the college." She left the office without saying a word. Allan thought he had won a major victory for his family. When he came home, however, he found his door broken into and his family dog ripped apart and its entrails poured onto the floor. His wife was upstairs gagged and passed out. The next day as he returned to the office, he saw Heidi in her office, and inside his own, there was his dog's collar. He may have done something, but her office was guarded by two large, armed, Zealots. Aaron agreed to her security concerns over her fears that her life was in danger. Allan was not as weak spin as some had believed. He hired several PIs, including the famous Harry Ellis, who was an inspiration for Aaron's character Dutch Williams. Both sides hoped that the sheer firepower of both sides would help cease hostilities between the groups. It didn't.
Aaron II was stationed on the California front as a talkie operator onboard the USS Georgia Brown. His great aunt had him learn all the ends and outs of the machines as a means to prepare him to take over the airwaves once he took over. It had only so far helped him secure a rather mundane job with little opportunities for actions or glory. That was until the Sack of Sacramento. The spring of 1912 had just begun, and the Union's offense began to heat up. Despite their overwhelming firepower, the Californias refused to give up. Sacramento saw some fo the worst fighting of the entire Californian front and Joe Steele was going to be a part of it. His areoship was bombing the defenses of the city, civilian and military alike. Though they had presumed air supremacy they were misinformed. Several Californian areoship swept from the north and bombarded Steele's forces. Steele returned fire but the USS Georgia was getting pounded. The main front gunner was hit, and Aaron II rescued his comrade from certain death. As no new gunner came to take his place, Aaron II mounted the gun and began to blast away at the enemy's areoships. He would operate the station until the Californians were beaten back.
Steele would promote Aaron II for actions and even took him under his wing. He saw a lot of himself in Aaron II, and he would be one of the few people to call Steele a friend before his ascendence. Aaron II would get his father to sign a copy of Steele's favorite Dutch Williams' book, the Lost Treasure of Hidden Earth, and gave it to Steele for his birthday. He would keep the book in his personal office. Knowing his son was alive and doing well calmed Aaron's nerves, but knowing he was putting himself at risk more and more made him worried.
Soon after, the Beckie Flu made its presence felt across the nation. Custer had instructed the Winchesters to keep quiet about the flu and focus instead on winning the war, but after the death of Horatio Hendrick and Custer "relocating" to the Poconos, it was impossible to diminish the chaos the flu was causing. Once the New Order of the Illuminati began their People's Revolution, the papers were drowned with news of sorrow. Some of it was headed for Samson. The flu hit them a little after Boston within a month a hundred in the town were dead. The Zealots then began to deal with a problem that not even affected Samson yet.
Make shift hospitals in Samson
The small Inferior ghetto within Samson was stormed by the Zealots, who claimed that they were in league with the New Order. Inferiors were rounded up and shot. Samson was one of the few communities were Inferiors could have a form of sanctuary due to the Redeemers. Life was hard, but they were not harassed by the Betters as long as they did what they were told. RUMP tried to break up the massacre, but then the townspeople of Samson got involved led by Allan. "We promised those Inferiors safety if they embraced Jehovah's plan for them, and these crooks decide that they know better. Who do they think they are? Let's hang a few to show them who we are." A civil war finally broke out within the city, and Aaron, who had stayed home to take care of his sick wife, Helen, had to send a message to Custer asking for help. Custer was busy with running the war but sent additional soldiers to bring peace to Samson.
RUMP officers try to break up the fighting in Samson
The order was restored to Samson soon after, but dozens had been killed in the fighting. The town faired far better than many other cities across the nation. Few people were arrested, and most of the Better deaths were blamed on the New Order. It was left to Aaron to bring about justice, but he was consumed by grief after Helen's death on June 12, 1912. He retreated to his study and began his final artistic phase in his career, his Grey Period. His sank back into a depression but unlike the one from his youth, it did not come from bitterness nor lead to condemnation of humanity. This time it came with the acceptance of the world's brutality and mankind's ways.
His greatest novel written during this period was The Wandering Tradesman. An orphan boy, David, makes friends with a wandering tradesman who has magically gits for the people of his town. The Tradesman is charming and friendly and soon has the whole town at his beg and call. The children adore him the most, especially David. Soon David finds an old man that warns him of Tradesman and his powers before dying. David does not heed his warning and soon discovers all his friends missing. One night he is attacked by another old man warning David to stop the Tradesman. David kills the man in self-defense and flees. The Tradesman takes David in for refuge and offers him a way to escape jail. He turns David into a grown man to avoid being arrested. David leads the life of a man with the mind of a boy and enjoys it for a time, but begins to notice his hair has gone grey and his teeth are falling out. He returns to the Tradesman, who is departing from his town to find "new youth somewhere else." David realizes that the old men who came after him were trying to warn him about the Tradesman trick. David tries to overpower him but begins to wither away, and the Tradesman escapes.
With Aaron's retreat from public life, Allen was left in control of the company, but with a world war waging and an epidemic ripping the land apart it was not the best time for him to take charge. He could not fire Heidi so he decided he had to do what was best for the family and remove her permanently. Allan kept an uneasy peace with her and the Zealots until the Christmas of 1913 as the war hand ended they expect the men of Samson who had survived the war to return home and wanted them out. Allan gathered an armed crowd and headed to Heidi's residence. She waited for him outside with a pistol. Their conversation was brief. He informed her that her services were no longer required and that she should leave "before more blood is spilled." She fired a bullet into his left shoulder. Several more were fired from her house, and cars full of Zealots came charging through. The firefight did not last long, and the Winchester crew retreated. They took Allan to a hospital in Boston to avoid any attacks by the Zealots.
A blessing came as a tragedy as Aaron died on January 20, 1914. His death has led to conspiracies of murder, poison, and suicide, but all still meant he was dead. His will clearly stated in his will that Aaron II was to succeed him as President. Heidi knew her time was up unless the AFC could wind up on top. Custer was dead as well, and just like Alexander the Great, his generals were at each other throats to take his place. Joe Steele was the dark horse candidate by many, but for those who truly knew him, he was the only one who would do what was necessary to take power. Steele had heard of the incidents happening at Samson from Aaron II and knew the AFC would have to get in line before they took too much power.
Heidi prepared for the worse when Aaron II returned. She imagined areoships and legions of men pouring into the city, ready to reduce it to rubble. She was prepared to let it happen but go down fighting. That never happened. Instead, the men of Samson came back from the war along with a friend from Shicagwa. Their friend gave an epic sermon that day, glorifying the nation and the peacemakers and welcoming them back to their rightful homes. After Billy Sunday's deed was done, he packed his bags and left along with the Zealots. Heidi did not leave but hung herself in her house, knowing she failed Mr.Tobias.
Aaron II had secured his company from enemy hands, thanks to Steele. He was in his debt, something few men wished to be in, but many fell to. At first, Steele wanted him to run things as Aaron II saw fit but wanted him to remove Allan. "He is of weak blood," Steele told him. That may have been true, but he was definitely someone who would influence Aaron II to be more independent than Steel would want. Allan took his firing peacefully but warned his cousin that "you have allowed evil into this family." Aaron II's brother, Samuel, took over as Vice-President. Samuel went on to college and finished as the war ended. The post-war economy was booming, and the Winchesters were wealthy beyond belief. They were the masters of print and held a respectable presence on the airwaves. Aaron II saw the next stage in the film industry.
Talkie shows and books were cheap to make compared to the large scale studio dramas produced. They needed money and backers, and Aaron II was willing to be one under his conditions, however. The films had to pass the Winchester Seal test. He began to support Benny Nixon's Lucky Ducks Studios. Unfortunately for Aaron II, Nixon and his head director B.W. Biffle did not like outside influence from the "money bags" as they called it. When the race scandal involving Roy Butcher broke, Aaron II wanted him gone. After one of his accusers, Joe Skaller, was beaten to force a confession, Aaron II was done. Skaller worked for the Kissimmee Enquirer, owned by the Republican Courant. He wouldn't allow his journalist to be harassed and attack. "That Southron bastard needs to hang," Aaron II told Steele, who had his plan for the film industry drawn up. Aaron II decided to support Luck Ducks' competitors instead before making his own studio. He was there on a visit to the set of Pinnacle Youth during the fateful day of Operation Tinseldown. Some speculate that Steele waited for Aaron II to be there before he launched the attack.
Aaron II was on the set of Pinnacle Youth as the orchestra began to play Anything Goes as the ORRA raided the studio. He saw the director Williams Quarters arrested and was about to be himself before demanding to speak to the ORRA officer's superior. He was ignored and was about to be placed in one of the makeshift pens before Commander Marcus Aurelius Garner recognized him. He asked what was going on and informed Aaron II that they were cleansing the city of sin and filth and that he best comply. "You went easy on these people. You relaxed the rules too much to see your pictures and now look whats happen," Commander Garner told him. He asked to speak with Steele and Garner complied. He released Aaron II and two ORRA officers followed him to his hotel room to call Steele. After an hour of trying to contact Steele, he answered. Steele told Aaron II that the Winchester had been slipping on their moral control over media and that he had to step in. Mary had evaded falling into the clan system, but he would not. It was for the good of the nation he was told, and just like that, the largest corporation independent of Steel's control fell. Aaron II told his family there would be changes, but they were now the Goliath of the Media Clan, second to none. Except for maybe Ryan Hendrick.
Steele's grasp on the Winchester was already clear before Operation Tinseldown. Steele sought reforms for the Education Department. A process of De-Custerization as some have put it. Steele's predecessor was to be forgotten, but it had to be done slowly. It would perhaps take until the 1950s for it to be complete, but soon Custer, Lincoln, and Crawford would all be distant memories. "He who writes the past will write the future," Steele told Edison, who followed his marching orders, and so did WORE. The very words freedom and liberty became synonymous with chaos and anarchy to the school children. "A free nation was enslaved by itself" was written in one of the WORE textbooks.
As part of the clan system now, Aaron II and other members of WORE were invited to Yankee Stadium. They waited there in their business suits in the uncomfortable heat for Steele to finally make his appearance. When they did, the blood left Aaron II's face. He did sin as all men did, but did Steele know of any. The women he took before he went to war. The lies he told his wife. The anger he felt at Steele for forcing him into the clan system. He heard the bullets ring across the stadium and waited for his crimes to be stated by ORRA Supreme Chief George Patton. "Samuel Winchester, Vice President of Winchester Organization for Righteous Education, please rise," Patton declared.
Samuel rose, and Patton read allowed his crimes against Party and state. "For anti-American activity, involving copulation with an Inferior of Society and sapping and contaminating the precious bodily fluids of our society, President Steele hereby sentences you to be shot until dead! May Jehovah have mercy upon your soul."
Samuel looked to his brother as the ORRA officer was coming. "Look after the kids for me," he said before his lifeless body slumped to the floor. Their cousin, Benjamin, was called too for tax evasion. He simply cursed at Steele and Patton before his brains were blown out. Aaron II knew it was Samuel's maid, a Slav. He took care of her more than any Redeemer would, and she was not even that good at cleaning. When she died, he wept in public, and now he lied dead for her. Most would presume that this event would turn him away from the cause of Redemption, but he did not. It was perhaps being saved by the Good Irishmen that kept his belief. While returning to Samson after surviving the Yankee Stadium, he was wandering the city lost in a haze. While crossing the street, a taxi driver did not see him and almost ran him over before an Irishman working a chain gang pulled him from the curb. Aaron II tried to thank him and get his name before the ORRA officers dragged the Irishman away, never for Aaron II to see him again.
Aaron II (center) with his Samuel (right) and his maid.
Aaron II began to realize that the Inferiors were not inferior to him. That Redemption had already been achieved. Those who had died during the Cleansing Month, most have been the vile and radical members of their race, but God must have chosen the few that had survived. Aaron II knew that he could no simply come out and say it, but he believed that he was the first to discover a new revelation of sorts. Just as Steele had cut down those Betters who were too weak, the Beckie Flu brought up those who were strong. He planned for the Redeemers to bring forth a new age of harmony. He discussed it with other leaders of Redeemers, and they slowly began to see his way too.
During a closed meeting with the elite members of Redemeers in 1931, he said that "Blacks and whites. Irish and Slavic. All are equal in the eyes of the Lord." He was meet with great applause and some believed he was ready to make the announcement to the rest of the world for better or worse. Unfortunately for the Redeemers, that speech would never come. Instead of much worse one did on November 1, 1931, over the talkie box Aaron II announced that he was dissolving the League of Redemption. "We have done our duty in the name of Jehovah and state, but now that time is passed. We are no longer needed." Operations under the Redeemers ended almost immediately. No one is certain why Aaron II made that call, but what was certain is that the lives of the Inferiors would never reach the dream that he had envisioned.
October 31, 1931, 8:32 Philadelphia
He could feel the sweat forming on his forehead. He pulls a handkerchief from his pockets and dabs the sweat. He does not want to show how nervous he was. He cheeks the large clock hanging over the secretary's desk. His meeting was at 8:00. If Steele wanted to see you, he saw you when he commanded. If he didn't want to see you, you waited, and if he didn't want to see you and saw you, you were in trouble. Their meeting was unusually late on a Saturday night. He had told Steele's secretary that he had the new edition of Custer Youth Brigade's Handbook written and a new word book the researchers had thought up. He had not seen Steele since Uncle Thomas' funeral a few weeks back. He had been the Supreme Chief of the Education Department for so long, and it would be hard to replace him. He calmed himself by thinking that was what Steele had wanted to see him about. Of course, he would want some input from the man who would be working with the new Supreme Chief closely.
Just as he was settling in, an ORRA officer walks out of Steele's office, comes up to, and tells him, "The President will see you now." He nods his head and walks into Steele's office.
His office reminded him of his father's. Despite being a busy man, perhaps the busiest, it was kept in good shape, and there was not a single cluttered spot. His bookcase covered an entire wall full of books of topics from law, religion, and personal pleasure. He remembered seeing Steele reading during his free time during the war. He could read an epic novel in an afternoon. He had such little time he had to become a fast read to compensate. The desk he sat behind was clear except for a few stacks of papers and a food tray that had the remains of sandwich and soup bowl.
Steele did not acknowledge him when he first walked in but instead focused on his papers he was reading. Once he was at a respectable distance, he shots his arm into the air and shouts, "All Hail!"
Steele looks up to see him and then gestures to the chair across from him, which he takes. The chair was shorter than the one Steele sat on, so he was forced to look up at Steele. He continues to read for a moment before checking his clock and declares, "Falls are the busiest time of the year you see." He places his papers down and leans back. "Nature begins to die, so all the woodland creatures have to prepare for it. Bears eat until their nice and fat and go to sleep. Lucky them. Us, well, we don't have such a luxury. We have to work until the last day of Sun or face starving in the winter with nothing but the snow to shelter us."
"Only the strong will survive then, my Atheling." He tells him.
Steel scratches his mustaches and tries to think of something clever. "You're right, Aaron, but the thing about bears is. They don't have to worry about other bears wandering in and take what is theirs. People have done worse. Which is why we need order."
"You've done that, sir, better than anyone beside Jehovah." Stele did not respond. He stares up in the ceiling in thought. Aaron pulls out the documents he wanted to show Steele. "As you request we have a new edition to the Custer Youth Brigade's Handbook. We hope you like the changes we implemented. The boys down in the writing department came up with this new word book for non-English speakers. They call it Infespeech, but it sounds a bit ridiculous to me."
He hands the documents to Steele, who places them on the pile of papers he was reading earlier. He folds his hands and stares down at Aaron. "I've brought order indeed, but order is like an invisible man. You can't see it, but you can see its effects. Food on your plate, men at work, and smiles on peoples' faces. But eventually, people forget why that is, and sometimes that requires order to show its face."
"I agree. Sometimes my children get a little too rowdy, and I have to bring out the belt." Aaron says, trying to empathize with him.
"You have how many children?" Steele asks.
"I have five. Two boys and three girls."
Steele shakes his head. "No, no. I remember your file saying you and your wife have three children. A boy 12, and two girls, 10 and 7. Are my files incorrect?"
"Well, um no," Aaron says, stumbling on his words. "I adopted my brother's children. They are orphans, but I love them as much as I do my own."
"Are they good children?"
"Yes," he lets out a sigh of relief. "They are much better than mine."
"Its because they know what happens when they step out of order. The best lesson their father taught them, I would think." Aaron attempts to agree with him but his mouth felt tight. He nods his head again. "The whole nation, especially the business clans, saw order that day. But I think a few have forgotten that lesson. Those Freemason and secret societies operate in the shadows and plot against the nation. They have to be shown what happens when you go against the order. In about an hour, the Freemason will no longer be an issue."
"That's good news. All of Americas' enemies need to purge from within."
"I'm glad you agree. In respect for our friendship," Their friendship was something both of them knew no longer existed. "I hope you will do me the favor of ending the Redeemers yourself so I do not have to."
"But my Atheling, we are not the nation's enemy. We have suffered the nation and church for generations."
"You speak against everything the nation stands for, Winchester," Steele slams his fist down onto his desk, showing a brief side of anger Aaron never saw even on the battlefield. "You wish to make those who are inferior our equals. Don't deny it, my people heard you. The Redeemers have no purpose anymore anyway. There are no more Irishmen in America. No more Dagos, Redskins, Wetbacks. No need for Redemption any longer. Would you rather have me add Winchesters to that list?"
"No, sir."
"Good. I am positive you will have everything solved by the time I have my breakfast that is it. Oh, and whatever updates you have for the handbooks, they're approved." Aaron got up to leave as Steele return to his pile of papers but as he grabbed the door handle, Steele called for him. "Wait one moment. This Infespeech is very interesting. Have your people develop it a little further. I want it to be excellent. I mean, I want it to be doubleplusgood."
Mary Winchester passed on May 2, 1910. The papers across the nation reported that she was hosting a tea party for members of Ladies of Redemption, a club of upper-class women from Redeemer families when she suffered a heart attack and died. Many kind words were written about her, and Custer ordered a day of mourning. "A good Christian woman has left us today, may all remember her," he told the press. The town of Samson was hit hard too. Many point to this as the end of the Samson Renaissance as artists began to flock to bigger cities for work. Mary was able to carry herself in a way that her male counterparts could not. In business, she was an autocrat to be feared and respected, but to the public, she was an endearing figure who you would love. Many in Samson called her Mother Mary despite never knowing her. Aaron Winchester, her heir, despite his aunt possibly threatening his life to take control of the company, also stated, "she had too much love for this world and not enough time to spread it."
Aaron was still the President of WORE, but he needed a new Head Secretary, he decided to appoint an outsider from the Winchester family. He appointed Heidi Johnston, and she would bring about the near end to dynasty. She was a brilliant woman with credentials that appeared genuine. However, they all traced back to the Blind Christian Gentleman, Mr. Tobias. The Redeemers had more power than they realized. The widower Thomas Edison still took the materials WORE published and shipped them throughout the nation for the school curriculum. Redeemers had been tolerated by the AFC for their missionary work and devotion to the faith, but now with Custer's friendship with the Winchesters, the small clique's power could only grow. Heidi was not a Sister of Purity, as some have claimed. She had tried to become one but never bore Mr.Tobias a child. He did have other uses for her. Custer would not forsake the Winchester for Mr.Tobias, but he would recommend a hard worker to hire. Edison warned his nephew not to appoint an outsider as Head Secretary along with Allan Winchester, his Vice-President. Unfortunately, Aaron trusted his Atheling too much and hired her.
It is doubtful, Heidi wanted to sabotage WORE at least at first. It was one of the most prestigious companies controlled by one of the wealthiest families in the nation. Every morning millions of Americans would read newspapers, magazines, and books stamped with the silver Winchester Seal. If that system were destroyed, the nation would fall apart. She instead focused on curtailing Aaron's ambition of Redemption supremacy and asserting more emphasis on Spiritual Marxism, something that Aaron began to come around to. However, her efforts were blocked mostly by Aaron II, his eldest son. He resembled his grandfather in many ways, quick to brawl and a skilled fighter, but had a love for his family's business. Aaron II did not trust Heidi nor did any other in the Winchester beside his father. Unfortunately for the family, war broke out in 1911.
As entire continents began to rip themselves apart to destroy each other, Aaron II found himself training to work on areoship and was soon shipped off to fight on the Californian Front on the USS Georgia Brown, the personal ship of Joe Steele. Many young men of the Winchester family and Samson soon found themselves far from home, but Heidi was able to find some replacements. Zealots from the Tobias Institute began to fill the ranks of WORE. At first, no one made a big deal of it as they were good workers, and they were needed for the war effort. Soon they began to act as if Samson was another Poconos, policing the citizenry and carrying their weapons as they pleased. They far outgunned and outmanned the local RUMP forces. Things began to heat up after the Samson Junior College hosted a meeting for the Young Redeemers Club. They wanted to discuss possible redemption programs for when Quebec and California were annexed. However, their meeting was interrupted loudly by Zealots, who tried to take over the stage and proclaimed that extermination should be done for the Inferiors and the Redemption Menace. Shouting turned to fighting and fighting turned to shooting.
Aaron Winchester II
Aaron II was stationed on the California front as a talkie operator onboard the USS Georgia Brown. His great aunt had him learn all the ends and outs of the machines as a means to prepare him to take over the airwaves once he took over. It had only so far helped him secure a rather mundane job with little opportunities for actions or glory. That was until the Sack of Sacramento. The spring of 1912 had just begun, and the Union's offense began to heat up. Despite their overwhelming firepower, the Californias refused to give up. Sacramento saw some fo the worst fighting of the entire Californian front and Joe Steele was going to be a part of it. His areoship was bombing the defenses of the city, civilian and military alike. Though they had presumed air supremacy they were misinformed. Several Californian areoship swept from the north and bombarded Steele's forces. Steele returned fire but the USS Georgia was getting pounded. The main front gunner was hit, and Aaron II rescued his comrade from certain death. As no new gunner came to take his place, Aaron II mounted the gun and began to blast away at the enemy's areoships. He would operate the station until the Californians were beaten back.
Steele would promote Aaron II for actions and even took him under his wing. He saw a lot of himself in Aaron II, and he would be one of the few people to call Steele a friend before his ascendence. Aaron II would get his father to sign a copy of Steele's favorite Dutch Williams' book, the Lost Treasure of Hidden Earth, and gave it to Steele for his birthday. He would keep the book in his personal office. Knowing his son was alive and doing well calmed Aaron's nerves, but knowing he was putting himself at risk more and more made him worried.
Soon after, the Beckie Flu made its presence felt across the nation. Custer had instructed the Winchesters to keep quiet about the flu and focus instead on winning the war, but after the death of Horatio Hendrick and Custer "relocating" to the Poconos, it was impossible to diminish the chaos the flu was causing. Once the New Order of the Illuminati began their People's Revolution, the papers were drowned with news of sorrow. Some of it was headed for Samson. The flu hit them a little after Boston within a month a hundred in the town were dead. The Zealots then began to deal with a problem that not even affected Samson yet.
Make shift hospitals in Samson
RUMP officers try to break up the fighting in Samson
His greatest novel written during this period was The Wandering Tradesman. An orphan boy, David, makes friends with a wandering tradesman who has magically gits for the people of his town. The Tradesman is charming and friendly and soon has the whole town at his beg and call. The children adore him the most, especially David. Soon David finds an old man that warns him of Tradesman and his powers before dying. David does not heed his warning and soon discovers all his friends missing. One night he is attacked by another old man warning David to stop the Tradesman. David kills the man in self-defense and flees. The Tradesman takes David in for refuge and offers him a way to escape jail. He turns David into a grown man to avoid being arrested. David leads the life of a man with the mind of a boy and enjoys it for a time, but begins to notice his hair has gone grey and his teeth are falling out. He returns to the Tradesman, who is departing from his town to find "new youth somewhere else." David realizes that the old men who came after him were trying to warn him about the Tradesman trick. David tries to overpower him but begins to wither away, and the Tradesman escapes.
With Aaron's retreat from public life, Allen was left in control of the company, but with a world war waging and an epidemic ripping the land apart it was not the best time for him to take charge. He could not fire Heidi so he decided he had to do what was best for the family and remove her permanently. Allan kept an uneasy peace with her and the Zealots until the Christmas of 1913 as the war hand ended they expect the men of Samson who had survived the war to return home and wanted them out. Allan gathered an armed crowd and headed to Heidi's residence. She waited for him outside with a pistol. Their conversation was brief. He informed her that her services were no longer required and that she should leave "before more blood is spilled." She fired a bullet into his left shoulder. Several more were fired from her house, and cars full of Zealots came charging through. The firefight did not last long, and the Winchester crew retreated. They took Allan to a hospital in Boston to avoid any attacks by the Zealots.
A blessing came as a tragedy as Aaron died on January 20, 1914. His death has led to conspiracies of murder, poison, and suicide, but all still meant he was dead. His will clearly stated in his will that Aaron II was to succeed him as President. Heidi knew her time was up unless the AFC could wind up on top. Custer was dead as well, and just like Alexander the Great, his generals were at each other throats to take his place. Joe Steele was the dark horse candidate by many, but for those who truly knew him, he was the only one who would do what was necessary to take power. Steele had heard of the incidents happening at Samson from Aaron II and knew the AFC would have to get in line before they took too much power.
Heidi prepared for the worse when Aaron II returned. She imagined areoships and legions of men pouring into the city, ready to reduce it to rubble. She was prepared to let it happen but go down fighting. That never happened. Instead, the men of Samson came back from the war along with a friend from Shicagwa. Their friend gave an epic sermon that day, glorifying the nation and the peacemakers and welcoming them back to their rightful homes. After Billy Sunday's deed was done, he packed his bags and left along with the Zealots. Heidi did not leave but hung herself in her house, knowing she failed Mr.Tobias.
Aaron II had secured his company from enemy hands, thanks to Steele. He was in his debt, something few men wished to be in, but many fell to. At first, Steele wanted him to run things as Aaron II saw fit but wanted him to remove Allan. "He is of weak blood," Steele told him. That may have been true, but he was definitely someone who would influence Aaron II to be more independent than Steel would want. Allan took his firing peacefully but warned his cousin that "you have allowed evil into this family." Aaron II's brother, Samuel, took over as Vice-President. Samuel went on to college and finished as the war ended. The post-war economy was booming, and the Winchesters were wealthy beyond belief. They were the masters of print and held a respectable presence on the airwaves. Aaron II saw the next stage in the film industry.
Talkie shows and books were cheap to make compared to the large scale studio dramas produced. They needed money and backers, and Aaron II was willing to be one under his conditions, however. The films had to pass the Winchester Seal test. He began to support Benny Nixon's Lucky Ducks Studios. Unfortunately for Aaron II, Nixon and his head director B.W. Biffle did not like outside influence from the "money bags" as they called it. When the race scandal involving Roy Butcher broke, Aaron II wanted him gone. After one of his accusers, Joe Skaller, was beaten to force a confession, Aaron II was done. Skaller worked for the Kissimmee Enquirer, owned by the Republican Courant. He wouldn't allow his journalist to be harassed and attack. "That Southron bastard needs to hang," Aaron II told Steele, who had his plan for the film industry drawn up. Aaron II decided to support Luck Ducks' competitors instead before making his own studio. He was there on a visit to the set of Pinnacle Youth during the fateful day of Operation Tinseldown. Some speculate that Steele waited for Aaron II to be there before he launched the attack.
Aaron II was on the set of Pinnacle Youth as the orchestra began to play Anything Goes as the ORRA raided the studio. He saw the director Williams Quarters arrested and was about to be himself before demanding to speak to the ORRA officer's superior. He was ignored and was about to be placed in one of the makeshift pens before Commander Marcus Aurelius Garner recognized him. He asked what was going on and informed Aaron II that they were cleansing the city of sin and filth and that he best comply. "You went easy on these people. You relaxed the rules too much to see your pictures and now look whats happen," Commander Garner told him. He asked to speak with Steele and Garner complied. He released Aaron II and two ORRA officers followed him to his hotel room to call Steele. After an hour of trying to contact Steele, he answered. Steele told Aaron II that the Winchester had been slipping on their moral control over media and that he had to step in. Mary had evaded falling into the clan system, but he would not. It was for the good of the nation he was told, and just like that, the largest corporation independent of Steel's control fell. Aaron II told his family there would be changes, but they were now the Goliath of the Media Clan, second to none. Except for maybe Ryan Hendrick.
Steele's grasp on the Winchester was already clear before Operation Tinseldown. Steele sought reforms for the Education Department. A process of De-Custerization as some have put it. Steele's predecessor was to be forgotten, but it had to be done slowly. It would perhaps take until the 1950s for it to be complete, but soon Custer, Lincoln, and Crawford would all be distant memories. "He who writes the past will write the future," Steele told Edison, who followed his marching orders, and so did WORE. The very words freedom and liberty became synonymous with chaos and anarchy to the school children. "A free nation was enslaved by itself" was written in one of the WORE textbooks.
As part of the clan system now, Aaron II and other members of WORE were invited to Yankee Stadium. They waited there in their business suits in the uncomfortable heat for Steele to finally make his appearance. When they did, the blood left Aaron II's face. He did sin as all men did, but did Steele know of any. The women he took before he went to war. The lies he told his wife. The anger he felt at Steele for forcing him into the clan system. He heard the bullets ring across the stadium and waited for his crimes to be stated by ORRA Supreme Chief George Patton. "Samuel Winchester, Vice President of Winchester Organization for Righteous Education, please rise," Patton declared.
Samuel rose, and Patton read allowed his crimes against Party and state. "For anti-American activity, involving copulation with an Inferior of Society and sapping and contaminating the precious bodily fluids of our society, President Steele hereby sentences you to be shot until dead! May Jehovah have mercy upon your soul."
Samuel looked to his brother as the ORRA officer was coming. "Look after the kids for me," he said before his lifeless body slumped to the floor. Their cousin, Benjamin, was called too for tax evasion. He simply cursed at Steele and Patton before his brains were blown out. Aaron II knew it was Samuel's maid, a Slav. He took care of her more than any Redeemer would, and she was not even that good at cleaning. When she died, he wept in public, and now he lied dead for her. Most would presume that this event would turn him away from the cause of Redemption, but he did not. It was perhaps being saved by the Good Irishmen that kept his belief. While returning to Samson after surviving the Yankee Stadium, he was wandering the city lost in a haze. While crossing the street, a taxi driver did not see him and almost ran him over before an Irishman working a chain gang pulled him from the curb. Aaron II tried to thank him and get his name before the ORRA officers dragged the Irishman away, never for Aaron II to see him again.
Aaron II (center) with his Samuel (right) and his maid.
During a closed meeting with the elite members of Redemeers in 1931, he said that "Blacks and whites. Irish and Slavic. All are equal in the eyes of the Lord." He was meet with great applause and some believed he was ready to make the announcement to the rest of the world for better or worse. Unfortunately for the Redeemers, that speech would never come. Instead of much worse one did on November 1, 1931, over the talkie box Aaron II announced that he was dissolving the League of Redemption. "We have done our duty in the name of Jehovah and state, but now that time is passed. We are no longer needed." Operations under the Redeemers ended almost immediately. No one is certain why Aaron II made that call, but what was certain is that the lives of the Inferiors would never reach the dream that he had envisioned.
October 31, 1931, 8:32 Philadelphia
He could feel the sweat forming on his forehead. He pulls a handkerchief from his pockets and dabs the sweat. He does not want to show how nervous he was. He cheeks the large clock hanging over the secretary's desk. His meeting was at 8:00. If Steele wanted to see you, he saw you when he commanded. If he didn't want to see you, you waited, and if he didn't want to see you and saw you, you were in trouble. Their meeting was unusually late on a Saturday night. He had told Steele's secretary that he had the new edition of Custer Youth Brigade's Handbook written and a new word book the researchers had thought up. He had not seen Steele since Uncle Thomas' funeral a few weeks back. He had been the Supreme Chief of the Education Department for so long, and it would be hard to replace him. He calmed himself by thinking that was what Steele had wanted to see him about. Of course, he would want some input from the man who would be working with the new Supreme Chief closely.
Just as he was settling in, an ORRA officer walks out of Steele's office, comes up to, and tells him, "The President will see you now." He nods his head and walks into Steele's office.
His office reminded him of his father's. Despite being a busy man, perhaps the busiest, it was kept in good shape, and there was not a single cluttered spot. His bookcase covered an entire wall full of books of topics from law, religion, and personal pleasure. He remembered seeing Steele reading during his free time during the war. He could read an epic novel in an afternoon. He had such little time he had to become a fast read to compensate. The desk he sat behind was clear except for a few stacks of papers and a food tray that had the remains of sandwich and soup bowl.
Steele did not acknowledge him when he first walked in but instead focused on his papers he was reading. Once he was at a respectable distance, he shots his arm into the air and shouts, "All Hail!"
Steele looks up to see him and then gestures to the chair across from him, which he takes. The chair was shorter than the one Steele sat on, so he was forced to look up at Steele. He continues to read for a moment before checking his clock and declares, "Falls are the busiest time of the year you see." He places his papers down and leans back. "Nature begins to die, so all the woodland creatures have to prepare for it. Bears eat until their nice and fat and go to sleep. Lucky them. Us, well, we don't have such a luxury. We have to work until the last day of Sun or face starving in the winter with nothing but the snow to shelter us."
"Only the strong will survive then, my Atheling." He tells him.
Steel scratches his mustaches and tries to think of something clever. "You're right, Aaron, but the thing about bears is. They don't have to worry about other bears wandering in and take what is theirs. People have done worse. Which is why we need order."
"You've done that, sir, better than anyone beside Jehovah." Stele did not respond. He stares up in the ceiling in thought. Aaron pulls out the documents he wanted to show Steele. "As you request we have a new edition to the Custer Youth Brigade's Handbook. We hope you like the changes we implemented. The boys down in the writing department came up with this new word book for non-English speakers. They call it Infespeech, but it sounds a bit ridiculous to me."
He hands the documents to Steele, who places them on the pile of papers he was reading earlier. He folds his hands and stares down at Aaron. "I've brought order indeed, but order is like an invisible man. You can't see it, but you can see its effects. Food on your plate, men at work, and smiles on peoples' faces. But eventually, people forget why that is, and sometimes that requires order to show its face."
"I agree. Sometimes my children get a little too rowdy, and I have to bring out the belt." Aaron says, trying to empathize with him.
"You have how many children?" Steele asks.
"I have five. Two boys and three girls."
Steele shakes his head. "No, no. I remember your file saying you and your wife have three children. A boy 12, and two girls, 10 and 7. Are my files incorrect?"
"Well, um no," Aaron says, stumbling on his words. "I adopted my brother's children. They are orphans, but I love them as much as I do my own."
"Are they good children?"
"Yes," he lets out a sigh of relief. "They are much better than mine."
"Its because they know what happens when they step out of order. The best lesson their father taught them, I would think." Aaron attempts to agree with him but his mouth felt tight. He nods his head again. "The whole nation, especially the business clans, saw order that day. But I think a few have forgotten that lesson. Those Freemason and secret societies operate in the shadows and plot against the nation. They have to be shown what happens when you go against the order. In about an hour, the Freemason will no longer be an issue."
"That's good news. All of Americas' enemies need to purge from within."
"I'm glad you agree. In respect for our friendship," Their friendship was something both of them knew no longer existed. "I hope you will do me the favor of ending the Redeemers yourself so I do not have to."
"But my Atheling, we are not the nation's enemy. We have suffered the nation and church for generations."
"You speak against everything the nation stands for, Winchester," Steele slams his fist down onto his desk, showing a brief side of anger Aaron never saw even on the battlefield. "You wish to make those who are inferior our equals. Don't deny it, my people heard you. The Redeemers have no purpose anymore anyway. There are no more Irishmen in America. No more Dagos, Redskins, Wetbacks. No need for Redemption any longer. Would you rather have me add Winchesters to that list?"
"No, sir."
"Good. I am positive you will have everything solved by the time I have my breakfast that is it. Oh, and whatever updates you have for the handbooks, they're approved." Aaron got up to leave as Steele return to his pile of papers but as he grabbed the door handle, Steele called for him. "Wait one moment. This Infespeech is very interesting. Have your people develop it a little further. I want it to be excellent. I mean, I want it to be doubleplusgood."
