Added today's writing; Moved chapters to general

2020-12-17 23:30:06 +02:00
parent 36772b2469
commit e5d0eb9d27
5 changed files with 1096 additions and 714 deletions
--- a/Baseline.md
+++ b/Baseline.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Working Title: *The Difference Between an Idiot and a Moron*
 Step I -- the 'Big Idea':
 'Adir's spectacularly mediocre lifestyle is unsurprisingly jeopardized
-when he's drafted into *nature's dumbest animal --* the military'
+when he's drafted into *nature's dumbest animal -- *the military'
 Step II -- Plot Outline:
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Defense (DFACP)**
 \- a place of great hopes from young soldiers who will never reach the
 greatness they are led to believe they deserve. (False Hope)
-\* **Hutspace Base Complex-** And old place reeking of despair, and the
+\* **Hutspace Base Complex- **And old place reeking of despair, and the
 endgame of all hopes from previous training. (Apathy)
 \* The Boroughs, Airforce HQ -- A proud place full of false substance,
@@ -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
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ agonizes over.
 (False Hope)
-***2. Hutspace Base Complex Base 108***
+***2****. Hutspace Base Complex Base 108***
-**Big Things** ***Are*** **Coming, Right?**
+**Big Things *****Are *****Coming, Right?**
 Adir is stationed in a reality unlike what he had believed, and
 desperately clings to hope of his great role, despite all signs
@@ -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
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ service and regains his self worth and dignity -- which leads to a
 painful loss, and the conversion of depression to rage on his next
 stationing.
-***5. 15***^***th***^ ***AFB -Job Field Airbase***
+***5. 15***^***th***^*** AFB -Job Field Airbase***
 Nature's Dumbest Animal
@@ -169,8 +169,8 @@ it now, but it's okay, because afterwards he's scheduled himself to go
 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
+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:
--- a/Basics.md
+++ b/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. \[300 words a day\]
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ IV. Write an 'Opener'.
    (Dramatic/Philosophical/Suprising/Poetic/Humouros) \[famous
    openers\]
-V.  Write, then critique -- whatever the chunk size. Not both.
+V.   Write, then critique -- whatever the chunk size. Not both.
 VI. Brave the 'Marathon of the Middle'.
--- a/Cutting_room_floor.md
+++ b/Cutting_room_floor.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ no expectations, no comments. Had the rest had been like this things
 would have been considerably easier.
 The Gerbil was already striding through the dark server room towards the
-(aptly named, he mused) restroom for his usual *embarrassing medical
+(aptly named, he mused) restroom for his usual* embarrassing medical
 issue* when one of the many pointless IP phones in the great hall rang.
 He picked up and said nothing because he still thinks it's really funny.
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ 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 --
+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
 and towards the Trainer's door, where Tavor awaited him next to the
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ and frowned. 'You look pretty tired'.
 'Do you want a Mud Coffee, maybe? Was just making one for myself'.
 Sitting down for Mud Coffee with a pilot was every self respecting Air
-Force soldier's *dream*, man, but the Gerbil had an appointment with a
+Force soldier's* dream*, man, but the Gerbil had an appointment with a
 smelly beanbag, and he meant to honor it. It was his highest duty as a
 jobnic, a rebel, and an irritable ass. Even though they have those nice,
 tall coffee glasses here\...
@@ -103,12 +103,11 @@ 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
+ccccrrrrk!* from the scotch pockets), entered the code on the numpad and
-and stepped inside. He didn't need the phone -- in fact, it was a
+stepped inside. He didn't need the phone -- in fact, it was a hindrance
-hindrance -- but it was a matter of principle, like most other matters
+-- but it was a matter of principle, like most other matters in the
-in the Gerbil's life right now. This is his domain and he answers to
+Gerbil's life right now. This is his domain and he answers to none.
 none.
 The Trainer room was blessedly dark -- even the blinds into the
 courtyard were shut. The only light was the big digital clock, filling
@@ -117,10 +116,10 @@ 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.
@@ -129,8 +128,8 @@ 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.
@@ -411,7 +410,7 @@ there was no sound.
 Adir deducted something was amiss using his superb emotional
 intelligence.
-'**WHO**', the man bellowed, '**IN THE** ***FUCK,*** **LET HIM OUT LIKE
+'**WHO**', the man bellowed, '**IN THE *****FUCK, *****LET HIM OUT LIKE
 THIS?!**'
 In the background, people started scurrying. A hand reeled him back in
@@ -519,680 +518,6 @@ force, or
 It's probably just a logistics thing. Adir was certain things will work
 out.
 Chapter III -- The Grand Computing Conference Room
 'I'm not running!' Adir spat back outraged.
 Around them lay pandemonium, with officers, technicians, and the other
 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*
 -**'**
 '*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!'*
 '*IF I TELL YOU TO GO THAT WAY, THEN -'*
 'I WENT TO PICK UP THE TOOLS!'
 ***'YOU DIDN'T SIGN OFF THE TOOLS?!'*** Henesse screeched at him,
 outraged. Adir thought him moments from fuming with spittle.
 He took a deep breath.
 'I have finished our little talk, commander, please and thank you', he
 said.
 *'*Well *I* have been running like crazy here all morning, while *you
 -*'
 'And that is your business, commander, and I wish you best of luck with
 it.'
 'Maybe I will be busy preparing your trial, so you'
 'Getting tools. Buh-bye now', Adir announced, already pacing back.
 Gilad waited around the corner. 'You're an idiot, you know?', he said
 'I am aware, yes'.
 'You drove them crazy this morning'
 'That's not very hard to do'
 'They've been searching for you like crazy people. Couldn't find you at
 the Trainer'
 'I was behind the Igloo'
 'Of course', he said. 'Looking at memes'
 'Yes.'
 His mistake was caving in and going back to prepare the coffee.
 'My mistake was caving in and going back to prepare the coffee', he
 explained to Gilad. 'As soon as I opened the doors David stood there
 staring at me like a deer in the headlights, and I knew I'm in for it'.
 'You poor thing', Gilad said unenthused.
 'Ronen was there within the minute, lecturing about our responsibility
 to be constantly vigilant, and carry out the drill so that we shall be
 prepared in the event of war'.
 'The guy just won't take a hint,' Gilad stated, irritated. 'He's a good
 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
 hours!'
 'Not even for the war?' asked Ronen with an air of triumph
 '*Especially* not for the war!' Adir proclaimed.
 'What if a rocket falls on you?!' cried Ronen
 'I should hope so', he said to Ronen, who was stunned despite them being
 over this a million times.
 'What do you *mean* you hope one lands on you?' Ronen demanded. 'Have
 you ever had a rocket land on you? Oh, it's not pleasant!"
 'Because now I'm having a blast! Get it? A blast?'
 'What am I going to tell your parents?' Ronen confronted him sharply.
 'Your son just stood there and got blasted apart?'
 'He had a blast', Gilad piped in despite himself
 'You can tell them their son is an idiot,' Adir said. 'Mum already
 knows. Dad, I'm not so sure'.
 'Just go to the bunker,' Ronen spat back with visible disgust. 'You've
 done enough'.
 'What if a rocket falls on me?'.
 'Could you lay off for five minutes? We'll discuss this later'
 'Can't wait. I'll schedule an appointment.'
 '*Go.*'
 'You're an idiot', Ana told him back at the smoking area, where they sat
 with Gilad and Max about thirty minutes later. 'Why do you bother
 bickering with them?'
 'It pisses me off!'
 'Do you think *nature's dumbest animal* cares?' Gilad rounded on him.
 'Do you think a guy like Henesee stops after this and thinks, *man, that
 friggin' P.F.C is right! I **am** being a jerk!* Do you think this
 happens, in a place like this?'
 'I'm not a P.F.C for a while. And it doesn't mean I have to take it'
 'Kinda does', Max piped in. 'Kinda does. So shut up, youngster'.
 'I have a day over you! One extra day in the army!'
 'Sure, young'un. Sure you do. But you'll be released later.'
 'Over my cold, dead body'
 'Maybe. Who knows?'
 'Shut up,' said Gilad. 'You've given me a headache.'
 They fell silent until yet another air siren died out. Eitan burst from
 inside through the door.
 'You finished your coffee?' he queried Ana and Max sarcastically.
 'Yeah, ok', Max replied neutrally.
 'Just finishing a cig,' Ana said.
 'Alright. Come soon', he told them. 'Gilad, Adir'. With that he left.
 'Come,' said Gilad. 'We have to rescue Yoav. They probably got to him as
 well. Crazy people.'
 'Do you think Eitan will snitch?'
 'Of course. Not like he's got anything better to do', Ana blurt out
 grumpily.
 'I'll be dead right inside, per usual', remarked Max.
 'I'll go scream into my pillow and change my email signature,' Ana said.
 'See you at lunch'.
 'Give me some credit,' Adir told them. 'I'll swing by much sooner'.
 'Your problem', Max said and let the door slam behind them.
 'Come on, enough bullshit', Gilad told him. 'We're going to gather as a
 squad and discuss your problem, you idiot. Let's fetch Yoav'
 'Do you think he can help?'
 'Not even you can help. Come on'
 'Like you're not an idiot'
 'How dare you', Gilad stopped and turned to confront him. 'I've been
 stuck here for *two years* with these people. Do you think an idiot like
 you could have pulled two years like that?'
 'Over my cold, dead body'
 'You've died like a dozen times the last two hours. Calm down,
 princess.'
 Unsurprisingly, they found Yoav in the department alone with David, who
 was on with six phones at once.
 'Yes, Gilad, I'm still working through the operations log,' he proudly
 told commander Henesee over the phone. 'Yoav, how's it going with the
 operations log?' he frantically asked. 'Well, there's the -' 'Yoav, hang
 on. No, Ronen, the operation log is incomplete. I can't find Adir
 anywhere. Sent Gilad out to fetch him, and -'
 'I'm right here, dude' Adir said. 'You're not looking very hard. It's
 like I don't mean anything to you, man'
 'No! Adir, you kind soul, of course you - Ronen, I'll call you right
 back!, just wanted to report, okay? I, uh, I have found Adir -- I will
 add him to the task force, with him and, and uh, Yoav, to handle the
 operations log, quickly. Can you please keep Gilad up to date? No? Okay,
 I'll tell him. Just hang on a second, Adir, don't go anywhere. Yes,
 Gilad, I have Adir here, an- to your office? At 18:00? well, now, look,
 there's a task forc-'
 'Thank god,' Yoav exclaimed as the door slammed on David alone in the
 platoon. 'The guy really needs a break! They won' t stop calling'.
 'Really?' Adir asked innocently. 'It's been a slow day'.
 'Ronen just sits upstairs and constantly calls Gilad, who constantly
 calls David, who constantly calls Dor, who is constantly called by
 Johnny -- how does anything get done? They just sit around and call each
 other. No one ever gets up!'
 'You have a call', said Gilad.
 Adir snatched the phone. 'We're at Operations, David', he said quickly
 and out of breath. 'The new server fell! Yoav helped set it up so he can
 help'
 'Look, I need Yoa-'
 'I'm sorry, I'm being bombarded with calls. Call you from inside', he
 said and hung up.
 'Poor David', Yoav said.
 'He chose this', Adir said. 'Part of the job, dealing with pricks like
 me'.
 'Shut up,' said Gilad. 'My head hurts, because of you two.'
 'I didn't say any-'
 'You too. Off to the Great Computing Conference Room.'
 Another siren blared, and everyone else conveniently rushed in the
 opposite direction. The three naturally assumed a stance of great
 importance and strode with purpose until everyone was holed up again.
 And there they were: The Great Computing Conference Room, the Computing
 Department's pride and joy.
 The other departments in the platoon all had their spots - Networking
 had the smoking area, and even Comms -- cursed as they were -- could sit
 around in their spacious room and never talk to each ever, as they often
 do, because nobody cares what Comms do, including Comms.
 Yet Computing had been deprived of that joy -- besieged by the
 department (the room) a few steps down the road next to the airfield,
 Communications Platoon command a bit further inward and the Base Command
 right across, they stood no chance. Until Gilad, tired and greatly
 depraved of the silence he so desired, had come to a decision.
 'This is the Great Computing Conference Room', he had told Yoav and Adir
 one day when they arrived out back of the Tradition Room, further away
 from the airstrip just before Construction. 'Look at the luxury! There
 is this nice ledge, here, and we can shelter at Construction if it
 rains, and no one comes here ever'.
 It was brilliant. Only a few steps further down from Base Command, with
 a clear line of sight to the department. It was so bold, so audacious,
 that no one could even think to find them there.
 'Yes, I guess no one does', mused Adir, who stared even further away
 towards the Igloo with sudden interest, as no one had ever done before.
 'What are we going to do here?' Yoav asked, skeptical. 'We're just going
 to sit here with our coffee and discuss events of the day?
 'We are going to sit here with our coffee,' Gilad curtly explained, 'And
 discuss events of the day'.
 The three sank in deep thought.
 'You know,' Adir told them, 'There really is way too much going on.'
 'There's no such thing as too much for the sons and daughters of Job
 Field Airbase!' Yoav proudly proclaimed, giggling.
 'Shut up,' Gilad said.
 'Shut up,' Adir said.
 'No, I mean, every day here can be a damned soap opera. Something
 happens every single day'
 'You know,' admitted Gilad, 'It's true.'
 'A real *Computanovella*', said Yoav
 *'*Shut u- no, wait. That's actually brilliant', said Gilad.
 '*Computanovella, chapter 3253: Opal configures the squadron's emails*'
 *'*God, that was a disaster', said Adir*.*
 *'Computanovella, episode 6386: David fixes a keyboard'*, Yoav continued
 'The motherboard!' cried Adir. 'We ended up replacing the motherboard!
 The guy wouldn't listen!'
 'He's a good guy, but he just can't take a hint!'
 '*Computanovella, episode 6972: Adir discovers Igloo meme-haven'*, Adir
 added, excited.
 'When was that?' asked Yoav
 'Why, today', Adir replied, looking further off with newfound greed.
 'You're an idiot', said Gilad. 'As well as a co-founder of the Great
 Computing Conference Room, where we have just proven the system works'
 'Our system', stated Yoav
 'Of course', Adir retorted. 'Who else's? Those animals?'
 'What are you doing here?!' barked some officer they'd never seen at
 them.
 'What are *we* doing here??' Adir shot up and confronted him. 'What are
 *you* doing here?!'
 'Me?! How dare you! While you loiter an-'
 '*Loiter!?* You come waltzing in from headquarters and think you know it
 all? Can't you see we're discussing strategy?'
 '*Out in the open?*' the officer demanded. 'That's against information
 security regulations!'
 'It is!' Adir cried. 'This is a confidential zone! You trespass and run
 off to complain about us? Wait until your commander hears this!'
 'What?? I-'
 'You're leaving', said Adir, 'and we part as friends'.
 The officer checked the time on his iPhone. 'I don't have time for
 this,' he muttered and strode off.
 Chapter IV -- The Machine Is Perfect
 Delicate, smooth waves of sandy motes gently blew past the virgin,
 desolate sands of Firing Range Six. Unbelievably tall hills, the tallest
 Adir had ever seen, masked the source of the harsh salty wind spray,
 turbulent ocean waters a rich shade of deep blue in the day's furnace.
 He thought it a terrible waste to designate such a place to the
 military.
 He took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the baked, tainted earth
 filling him completely. The warmth even took away some of the cold
 indifference in the muffled shouts he could hear.
 "Fire!", he just made out, and pulled the trigger. The shockwave met
 rough, dirty green linen as it coarsed through him without resistance.
 Even through the earplugs, the roar of gunpowder was deafening. The
 media never gets it right -- it's such a raw, explosive noise, such a
 vicious boom of hate and violence ready to pierce both flesh and soul.
 *"**Fire!***", the cry came again, and Adir smoothly fell to a crouch
 with accustomed movement. Six more rounds, the ritual uninterrupted -- a
 little nudge to position the butt of the rifle, squeezing the cheek
 against the disgusting, sweat-sodden stock, making contact around the
 dirty plastic barrel, pulling it close, closer. closing an eye, holding
 breath, and finally -- the mental leap to pull the trigger, and embrace
 the violence about to surge past you.
 "Fire!", and Adir dropped to the ground and fired ten more bullets with
 a clean, timed rhythm. He hated how he found it both therapeutic and
 awesome at the same time, like some dumb middle schooler with a new
 Xbox.
 "Cease fire! Cease fire!"
 Adir lowered Karl and took out his earplugs.
 "CHECK SAFETY!"
 "CHECK SAFETY!" they all shouted back.
 "RIFLE -- SIXTY DEGREES!"
 "RIFLE -- SIXTY DEGREES!"
 "MAGAZINE -- PULL OUT!"
 "MAGAZINE -- PULL OUT!"
 "**RIFLE -- DISCHARGE FOR EXAMINATION!"**
 "RIFLE, DISCHARGE FOR EXAMINATION!"
 Adir quickly discharged his rifle and kept it up. He found this part
 harder than the actual gunfire.
 The company commander made the usual scurry behind them.
 "Discharge indicator," she spat at Ran at the edge of the line and
 tapped his shoulder.
 "Discharge indicator! Discharge indicator!"
 She tapped his shoulder as well. "Discharge indicator!"
 Adir put in his discharge indicator. The company commander finished the
 survey.
 "RIFLE, DISARM!" she roared. Adir pressed the thingy and disarmed Karl.
 "You may lower your rifles," said the company commander.
 "SHOOTERS, CROSS THE LINE OF FIRE!" Commander \#5 took back charge and
 lashed at them, perfectly conveying his deep displeasure of the
 situation. Disgusting prick.
 Everyone slung their blistering rifles aside carefully, and began
 running across the slosh of sand and old military gunk to the cardboard
 targets afoot the great wall of sand.
 He somehow got to his first. He looked up, fascinated to the shrubs
 hanging of the hill's side. How can it grow in such a hostile place?
 "Adir", said commander Gal. Adir shot her a surprised glanced -- he did
 not see her running with them. Commander Gal, in turn, seemed surprised
 by his surprise.
 "Let's take a look. How do you think you did?"
 "How I did?"
 "Yes. Do you think you hit?"
 "Hit? Hit what? We're not supposed to hit anything"
 "The targets", she said, masking a confident smile.
 "Oh! The targets!"
 "Yes! Do you think you hit?"
 "Well of course I hit the targets. That's what we're supposed to hit,
 isn't it?"
 "You know, not everyone hits at all."
 "Kind of funny for a soldier"
 Gal was already inspecting the battered cardboard cutout. Adir thought
 shaping it like a person is quite distasteful, considering his battalion
 of computer guys, university students and general staff.
 "Come with me. The next round is coming up."
 She started jogging back, and he took it as an excuse to avoid another
 sprint as well.
 They crossed the line, and she motioned him further on, past the
 crumbling concrete wall. They were out of the range.
 "What side did you end up firing on?"
 "I think it was right this time."
 "Is this your rifle?"
 "Yes, this is Karl."
 She gave him a distasteful look. He didn't argue. That lot doesn't get
 it.
 "And you have yours with you, commander"
 "Yes, of course," Gal said, flustered. She had lent him her rifle on the
 previous shootout so they could determine on which side he shoots.
 "Do you think you did any better?"
 "I honestly don't remember how it went last time."
 "Adir, didn't you shoot about ten minutes ago?"
 He stared blankly.
 "Well, let's see", she browsed her dusty notepad, flipping back and
 fourth between the pages.
 "How strange."
 "Yea."
 "I didn't tell you anything yet."
 "Yea."
 Gal gave him a somewhat concerned look and gave a small sigh. "You hit
 all but two dead center," she said. "If no one this round hits it all,
 you're first in the company and second in the battalion."
 Adir continued staring blankly, not registering at all.
 "You had the exact same score on both hands. Never seen it before."
 "So I can go akimbo?"
 "Could you what?"
 "Can I go akimbo, commander?"
 "Explain yourself, please, Adir"
 "Two rifles, one on each hand, commander", he curtly explained.
 "Every soldier gets one rifle, Adir". That lot doesn't get it.
 "But I have two"
 "That's because Yuval is sick today."
 "Oh, he is? Is that why I have his rifle?"
 "You can't go akimbo."
 "Damn shame. Knew I should have gone to combat. I'm wasted talent at
 communications"
 "That's enough. You're out of line. Go rejoin the squad"
 "Yes, commander".
 Adir could feel the vibrations in the earth as he kindly waited for Gal
 to turn her back and head away from the squad into the smallest bit of
 shade. He awarded her this great courtesy because she was both a
 commander and a human, a rare gem in Spring Buds Rookie Base.
 Commander Gal later found him in the ruins of the old ammunition bunker
 with a few drifters from other companies.
 "Where are your commanders?!" she shouted as they scrammed back outside.
 Adir looked up and was once again surprised to see her.
 "Why were you staring like that?"
 Adir was even further surprised by her lack of antagonism. Commander \#5
 would have fried him alive. Disgusting prick.
 "I'm sorry, commander. I don't follow".
 "You were staring at your rifle."
 "Karl?"
 Commander Gal gave another resigned sigh. "You were staring at your
 rifle, Karl".
 "Was I? I\...I've been trying to stop it. Keeps happening."
 They locked eyes for a few seconds.
 "Is everything okay?"
 He hesitated.
 "There was.. an incident. Shortly before I was drafted". Should he
 really state that? It hasn't even been a month. And yet, it seems so far
 off.
 "The machine is perfect", she said suddenly with cold determination.
 Adir frowned.
 "The rifle", she said, moving her own around and inspecting it
 reverently, "Is a perfect machine. It is a simple mechanism, executed to
 perfection.
 The flaw," she added, "Is always who holds the trigger".
 With that, she stood up and walked away, leaving Adir with a rare quiet
 moment to steam gazing at the sands, weak mind racing with new thought.
 Chapter V \[Unordered\] -- Air Force Headquarters
 Above all, it was silent. The grand, modern skyscraper, always bustling
 with activity, stood as a monument to the advancement, the brashness,
 standing in defiance of the comforting spring sun.
 Soft white rays of light made their lazy way to the grey brick path
 littered with remnants of old cigarettes, the wooden benches crumbling,
 not a hand tapping against the white tin sealing the narrow passageway.
 On, the silence went, to the grand space afoot the scraper, the curves
 brutally leading your eyes up, up so high, the distance not only
 physical but mental as well, so high you could not bear to look. It
 draws you into the guts, the cold marble floors and the metallic high
 ceilings, looking ahead towards the way up to the towers.
 One can almost miss the small passageway aside, the chrome gates barring
 you out and caging you in, and you stand alone with the massive metal
 door flung aside, and yet hanging there menacingly. Beyond the doorstep
 lies an older era, not unlike an old hospital, checkered tiles worn and
 bright wooden railing leading your descent. To him, it felt a descent
 into madness, watching the officers run up and down in a frenzy,
 enlisted men slunking up, all professional, and nothing echoes but the
 sound of heavy boots. Further and further down, each stop a different
 realm of the same kingdom -- the operators, the intelligence guys,
 co-ordinators, and you're at the bottom. You're home.
 The creak of the floating tiles sears into your very soul, so repulsive
 you tread lightly. You know where to step -- often blamed for sowing
 fear and deceit in the banging and crashing that never follow your path
 like the rest. The effort is unnecessary today -- today is cold, even
 colder than usual, because the beast is dead and the facade is finished
 for now. The silence follows, out of habit, further up the passageway
 and away from the storage area, the crypt of many bright ideals and
 long, successful careers, gone and forgotten. On and on, to the very
 source of the seeping cold -- the wide blank doors.
 You have nothing to do there, you are seldom wanted there, but there
 lies your promise, your right, your legacy. None watch behind the
 cameras today, and so you take a deep breath, hear the faint metallic
 *clunk* and step inside.
 Rows upon rows upon rows of the very best, as good as it gets, fill this
 cramped white cavern to the brim, wires running up the causeways just
 over your head as thick as a man or two. Here, you tread with even more
 care -- below the soft floors lie more and more wires, delicate strands
 of life, a life that should have been yours, that *are* yours, a life
 that inside yourself, and surfacing, you know you will never live. You
 browse the rows, back and fourth, watching the text fly on unclosed
 consoles, hearing the hum of electricity, the screech of a false warm
 gale your only solace this deep.
 You know each and every cabinet -- what it does, why it's there, how to
 handle it -- at least you think you do, but that doesn't matter -- you
 are not needed. You are not wanted.
 You consider going back inside, with what few *elders* remain, if only
 to find something warm to wear, and as revolting as the thought is, you
 head back out the blank doors, sealing them -- as you know -- for the
 very last time -- thought none other know yet.
 Of its own will, your hand reaches out to the searing metal, and pulls
 -- to a muted clunk. Nothing.
 You are shunned. You are alone. You are relieved, and you are hurt.
 The only other way is back, back to the small room with a small blanket,
 to dose off yet again and let this strange dream pass by as you drift
 aimlessly towards the warmth. The creaking metal door swings in with a
 hiss, and an old breeze wafts by, the stench of sweat, dust, and
 despair. The metal slams with a bang, the first real noise in ages, and
 darkness leaps into you and envelopes you completely.
 The only sound your ragged breath. The only scent ashes of those who
 have long since left. The only sensation your blood pulsing in delicate
 veins behind strained ears, aimlessly seeking a sing of life.
 You cannot stand this a second longer. There is nothing for you here.
 There is nothing for you there. There is nothing for you up. Up, at
 least, you trade the lying wind for the spring sun. You begin your
 ascent again. You know it to be one of your last -- so you dream, so you
 will, but where will you go? Anywhere but here. There must be someplace
 better. Or is there?
 Out, out past the checkered tiles and thudding boots, past the fearsome
 metal door, past the chrome gates and through that massive hall, small
 and alone. Out to the foothills of this monster, a speck across the
 grand entryway, drifting with the soft light to the crumbling benches,
 lowering with a gentle croak of old wood.
 Outside, just a hand above your head and a small plunge, you can hear
 the happy chatter of people, the heavy engines of buses, impatient
 screeches of cars loaded with families and friends on with their day,
 blissfully unaware of this.
 His eyes drawn up, and he could finally see the top of the building.
 Adir spread out his arms, crossed his legs, and with his head tilted
 upwards he closed his eyes and soaked up every last bit of warmth he
 could gather.
 Chapter VI \[Unordered\] -- Getting helped
 Adir warily made his way deeper and deeper into the base. He had not
@@ -1314,7 +639,7 @@ the exchange is taking so long.
 'Since September'
 'You're telling me', he said, furious, 'You've been here since
-*September* and you don't know your commander, soldier?'
+*September *and you don't know your commander, soldier?'
 'Let me go somewhere in peace.'
@@ -1578,7 +903,7 @@ Tamar broke the drawn out silence.
 'Adir, I find this highly unlikely.'
-'I know you do. I do as well. But take a *good look* at me -- do you
+'I know you do. I do as well. But take a *good look *at me -- do you
 think I had that beard approved? Can you see I bear no rank? Please, be
 my guest -- let's go down to the pit right now and see if anyone
 recognizes me at all.'
--- a/General_Chapters.md
+++ b/General_Chapters.md
--- a/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.md
+++ b/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.md
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@ heart. A decision was made, and he will stick to it.
 He got out.
-***Chapter I --** **Security Service Candidate Adir Levin***
+***Chapter I -- ****Security Service Candidate Adir Levin***
 Private Adir Levin was just shy of 19 years of age when he was drafted.
@@ -899,7 +899,7 @@ Now he was here.
 The Computer Science School was nothing like he had envisioned a
 military base to be -- not that he had done much envisioning at all.
-Spring Buds, where he went through boot camp, had been *exactly* like
+Spring Buds, where he went through boot camp, had been* exactly* like
 what little he had envisioned -- it was stuck in the middle of nowhere,
 it was full of big, ugly green tents and ancient structures torn
 straight out of the 1920's. It had guard posts and lots of dirty empty
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ kept and had lots of emblems and flags protruding from the upper floors,
 with a million passages to and from it -- as if it was the beating heart
 of the base, and the soldiers flowing into it its lifeblood.
-The base was, however, *ridiculously* small -- Adir could circle it
+The base was, however,* ridiculously* small -- Adir could circle it
 leisurely in just under eight minutes. Also unlike Spring Buds -- which
 was huge -- was the fact that it lay right in the middle of the city,
 perhaps a 15 minute bus ride from his house. The base was elevated from