Finished another chapter

Baseline.md

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ Tech School. These are satellites to their main locations.
 
 \* Small glimpses of pre-draft life.
 
-***1****. Defense Force Academy of Computer Professions and Cyberspace
+***1. Defense Force Academy of Computer Professions and Cyberspace
 Defense***
 
 The Naivete
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ agonizes over.
 
 (False Hope)
 
-***2****. Hutspace Base Complex Base 108***
+***2. Hutspace Base Complex Base 108***
 
 **Big Things** ***Are*** **Coming, Right?**
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ suggesting otherwise.
 
 (Apathy)
 
-***3****. The Boroughs, Air Force Headquarters***
+***3. The Boroughs, Air Force Headquarters***
 
 Of Course I Have A Say!
 
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ Adir is restationed again, this time aware of the faults in his new
 station -- but powerless to prevent or face them, he grows proud and
 distant -- a facade that comes crashing down and leads to depression.
 
-***4****. University***
+***4. University***
 
 It's So Nice To Feel Human Again
 
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ forth, earn lots of money, fund his Biotech degree and go about saving
 the world.
 
 Here comes the Sacred Cow, and that *'Meaningful Service'* everyone's on
-about. What could go wrong?* *
+about. What could go wrong?
 
 V. Point Of View:
 

Basics.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ I.  Distill the 'Big Idea' -- a single sentence. ('Elevator Pitch').
 
 II. Create a one page outline of the plot:
 
-IV. Grow the plot, and decide its' general type
+IV\. Grow the plot, and decide its' general type
 (Adventure/Change/Mistake/Lure/Race\...)
 
 I.  Decide on a schedule. \[300 words a day\]

Cutting_room_floor.md

@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ engraved in his sorry psyche as the aroma of despair and stupid.
 
 He strode towards the squadron as the jobnics were already pouring in
 with their little backpacks and single Airpods talking enthusiastically
-to their friends about the* crazy* party* *last night, praying to no one
+to their friends about the *crazy* party last night, praying to no one
 in particular that none of *them* show up. None of the bastards did --
 likely too busy parking and shaving and whatever it is they do - and he
 stepped into the first squadron's soothing, people free inner courtyard
@@ -103,11 +103,12 @@ Tavor took his phone from the phone shelf and strode away with purpose.
 
 Adir kind of liked Mike Tavor. He still treats him as human.
 
-He casually hid his phone in his pajama pockets (with a loud*
+He casually hid his phone in his pajama pockets (with a loud
-ccccrrrrk!* from the scotch pockets), entered the code on the numpad and
+*ccccrrrrk!* from the scotch pockets), entered the code on the numpad
-stepped inside. He didn't need the phone -- in fact, it was a hindrance
+and stepped inside. He didn't need the phone -- in fact, it was a
--- but it was a matter of principle, like most other matters in the
+hindrance -- but it was a matter of principle, like most other matters
-Gerbil's life right now. This is his domain and he answers to none.
+in the Gerbil's life right now. This is his domain and he answers to
+none.
 
 The Trainer room was blessedly dark -- even the blinds into the
 courtyard were shut. The only light was the big digital clock, filling
@@ -116,10 +117,10 @@ moments before the instructors arrive.
 
 He entered the small side room and did the whole usual nonsense --
 flipped only some of the switches in that specific order, closed the
-hatch, put the AC on the thingy, made the three beeps, waited for the*
+hatch, put the AC on the thingy, made the three beeps, waited for the
-Vrrrrruuuhhhhh!* to start up and the* Hhhhhuuurrrrrv* that died down*
+*Vrrrrruuuhhhhh!* to start up and the *Hhhhhuuurrrrrv* that died down
-*and crouched his way back to the main room, where the eight big screens
+and crouched his way back to the main room, where the eight big screens
-slowly lit up and started complaining.* *
+slowly lit up and started complaining.
 
 *You and me both*, he thought. Both stupid old things.
 
@@ -128,8 +129,8 @@ seconds of booting up, and five hundred and forty seconds of him staring
 at it. He then clicked on the thing and waited for it to start up --
 thirty seconds of starting the program and three hundred seconds of
 staring at it. Add about thirty scattered seconds of taking out his
-phone, checking the time, sighing grumpily and putting it back with a*
+phone, checking the time, sighing grumpily and putting it back with a
-ccccrrrrk! *Because he still could, dammit. Just as he pressed the
+*ccccrrrrk!* Because he still could, dammit. Just as he pressed the
 gamepad (they paid millions for this! how?!) to confirm the thing works,
 today's two instructors walked in.
 
@@ -527,8 +528,8 @@ soldiers from Adir's department scattering randomly in every direction.
 
 'What do you mean you're not running!?' roared Henesee, loud enough to
 slow the scattering around them, if momentarily. 'I am your *Department
-Commander!, *and as your ***Department Commander! **I demand that
+Commander!,* and as your ***Department Commander!** I demand that*
-*-**'**
+-**'**
 
 '*How are we still having this conversation??'* Adir shouted back at the
 top of his lungs. *'I could have gotten there **TEN TIMES** by now!'*
@@ -588,7 +589,7 @@ prepared in the event of war'.
 man but he just won't take a hint. What did you tell him?'
 
 'Look, we've been over this. I will not keep 'undergarments' here. I
-will* never* keep 'undergarments' here.* *Not for two weeks, not for two
+will *never* keep 'undergarments' here. Not for two weeks, not for two
 hours!'
 
 'Not even for the war?' asked Ronen with an air of triumph

General_Chapters.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ General Chapters
 
 To be Incorporated
 
-***Chapter ****\[****\]****-- Corporal Adir Levin***
+***Chapter** **\[\]-- Corporal Adir Levin***
 
 "Says here you're a, uhm, corporal?" said the NCO sitting across from
 Adir.
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ Personnel file.
 
 "What??"
 
-"I left mine in Hutspace. Well over a year ago. Whatever it is *you're
+"I left mine in Hutspace. Well over a year ago. Whatever it is *you're*
-*holding I've never seen in my life."
+holding I've never seen in my life."
 
 The NCO sighed deeply.
 
@@ -334,8 +334,6 @@ You've been given a great privilege. Act like it'. He left.
 The others were just pouring out, and as soon as Dan was out of sight
 many they flocked to Adir.
 
-* *
-
 'You're an idiot,' Yogev thoughtfully stated. Even Karin seemed to
 agree.
 
@@ -967,3 +965,150 @@ do them the honors, bring Ram here to show them how much we appreciate
 them -- and grant their rank from the unit commander, personally. Ram?"
 
 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
+
+Ram spread his arms and looked about the room with ecstasy.
+
+"How great it is to gather with good news for a change!" he declared
+proudly, and a wave of clapping went through the room.
+
+"Ah, there's no need for much introduction, is there? We all know each
+other. We all work together. And we all watched these fine young men and
+women, standing here before us, grow empowered as they shape the next
+generation of the defense of our country. Those on the outside may be
+mistaken as to think these are quiet times, but if only I could tell you
+what goes on in the shadows! The threats nowadays are much more severe
+than most care to think. It is only via our..."
+
+At this point, the Horizon commander went into the omnipresent rant
+about the air force's crucial air superiority, the threats from the
+north, the technological advantage which the air force has gathered and
+the increasing reliance on it, all delivered with a confident,
+deliberate speech.
+
+Adir, who had heard this speech dozens of times since joining the air
+force (do they gather monthly and rehearse these things? They\'re so
+alike!), naturally drifted away skillfully. He was a person of
+incredible mental will, a trait which manifested itself very helpfully
+in these situations -- once he decided he does not want to hear, then he
+will not commit so much as a syllable further into memory, and looking
+into his rigid stance and attentive eyes you would never see it.
+
+Now, however, he was exhausted -- and in his fatigued mentality,
+something managed to slip through the cracks.
+
+Ram approached each of his coursemates in order. As if through a haze,
+he could see each receiving their rank. Daniel, ever the happy-go-lucky,
+saluted each of the commanders proudly and stood facing the crowd as
+they sewn in his rank, one sleeve each. Each gave him a loud pat on the
+back, and he thanked them with his clear, ringing voice.
+
+Dennis stood casually, but with a smug air, and received his after
+respectfully shaking the commander's hands rather than going for the
+pat. Karin thanked them each in her quiet, shy voice, with eyes downcast
+as her rank was sown. Roni, ever the energy blast, often blurted out
+amazed excerpts - 'I can't believe this is finally happening!', 'Thanks
+so much for this! That's awesome'. Arrogant as ever, Tom gave each
+commanders a strong handshake after a small, satisfied chuckle, and then
+of course prompted them to give him a 'worthwhile' pat on the back.
+Omer, always in neutral, merely went with a 'yeah, cool', and shook
+hands as if with buddies from highschool. Dana screeched with excitement
+and giggled with glee, never managing to gather her feelings into a
+coherent word, let alone a sentence. Reasonable Chen addressed the two
+commanders as of dealing with two respected colleagues, Thanking them
+humbly with an official, reserved greeting and a friendly air.
+
+Each of them were praised as they received their rank -- how they had
+solved this and that malfunction, how funny it was when this and that
+happened to them, how much so and so trait help the team and make
+everyone happy. Adir had not been there for nearly all of the events
+described, recent arrival as he was, and could not relate -- yet even
+through the haze, the words hurt him. He felt envious of the standing
+his coursemates made for themselves -- knowing full well from their own
+words they were unhappy. It was a facade, he know, but he could not help
+but feel strong misgivings, pangs of regret and solitude -- perhaps if
+he had powered through at Hutspace, he could attain that ever-off
+acclimation he so desired, and be left alone in peace.
+
+But why should I wait to be left alone in peace, if I can force the
+others to acknowledge I am alone, in peace? He thought, and with that
+took a deep breath, feeling himself washed away, and shut himself down
+from the rest of the room through sheer determination. It always works.
+
+This time, however, it backfired magnificently.
+
+When he next opened his eyes, every single person in the room was
+staring at him -- some with unveiled curiosity, some with open contempt,
+others with confusion and some even with a shred of pity. He had no idea
+what was going on, and was suddenly growing aware of his sorry state. He
+felt his eyelids droop, the heavy black circles around the eyes
+throbbing, the wrinkles around his eyes and forehead dry and stiff, the
+skin greasy.
+
+Amit was suddenly at his side.
+
+"Come up, Adir. Why did you even stand out here? Come on!"
+
+Adir furrowed his brow, and stared Amit down for an answer.
+
+"You're getting your rank, Adir! It's your turn. Come up! Everyone's
+waiting"
+
+Then it suddenly registered.
+
+They're granting **me** a rank? He wondered, stunned.
+
+They're granting **ME** a rank!? He thought, indignant. What a fucking
+charade!
+
+Amit motioned John to come over, and he promptly surged through the
+crowd parting for him until he was at Adir's side as well. He grasped
+his arm, trying to lead him up, eyes towards Ram. Amit put a hand
+between his shoulder blades. "Go on, it's okay. Go and receive your rank
+like the rest of your friends."
+
+What happened next was profoundly idiotic, on Adir's part, and he was
+well aware of it beforehand. Adir realized very early on he could not
+fight every affront thrown his way by the military -- hell, he could not
+consider even 5% of them. He had to pick his battles, so he may have the
+strength to stand his ground where it mattered. These stupid affronts,
+he would have to take. He would have to stand there like an idiot, no
+one knowing him, no one saying one positive thing about him, and receive
+these two stupid stripes that declared him as slightly less a piece of
+shit than everyone else.
+
+"No," he said. His voice rang surprisingly loud in the silence.
+
+John turned to stare at him, alarmed.
+
+"Are you missing your markings?" Amit asked. "It's okay -- I had some
+brought for you. Here -" he handed Adir a set of two Corporal markings.
+"You'll need to bring the other sets afterwards from HQ. Now -"
+
+"I'm not going", he said again, and was surprised to hear how feeble his
+voice sounded. He was shaking, he realized suddenly -- with fear, anger,
+stress or sadness he could not even tell.
+
+In the Pit, things stay very constant. The lights are always on, and the
+temperature is always fifteen degrees Celsius. There's always the hum of
+servers and fans in the background, and every ten minutes or so a short
+alarm or announcement is sound. Under such static conditions, Adir's
+emotions stabilized as well -- growing more timid with each passing day
+until, finally, dying out completely. He had felt nearly nothing for
+well other two months now; nothing upset him greatly. Nothing brought
+him joy. Nothing went beyond irritating him, and being tired was just
+another state of being.
+
+But now, now he was flooded. He was quivering with anger, tearful with
+sadness, breath heaving with stress and panic coursing through every
+vein in his body. He was proud, he was assertive, and he was deeply
+hurt.
+
+He could see Ram, from the corner of his eye, considering the situation
+awkwardly. The man who'd just been so eloquent and precise now seemed at
+a loss for words.
+
+John stared him down severely. Adir thought he could see a brief flash
+of sympathy in his eyes, which was quickly gone.
+
+'We'll talk about this later', he said quietly, and motioned Ram to
+continue.