Adding short stories directory to practice

Added today's writing; Moved chapters to general
2021-05-01 22:04:41 +03:00 · 2020-12-17 23:30:06 +02:00 · 2020-12-17 23:28:31 +02:00 · 2020-12-13 21:23:28 +02:00 · 2020-12-13 21:22:53 +02:00 · 2020-12-09 23:30:53 +02:00
11 changed files with 2314 additions and 1522 deletions
--- a/Baseline.md
+++ b/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:
--- 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. \[300 words a day\]
--- a/Cutting_room_floor.md
+++ b/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
@@ -103,12 +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.
@@ -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
--- a/Cutting_room_floor.odt
+++ b/Cutting_room_floor.odt
--- a/Chapters.md
+++ b/Chapters.md
@@ -1,770 +0,0 @@
 ***Chapter ****\[****\]****-- Corporal Adir Levin***
 "Says here you're a, uhm, corporal?" said the NCO sitting across from
 Adir.
 "Yeah, I-" Adir began answering before being rudely interrupted by a
 takeoff. They were sitting in the Technical Division part of Air Base
 10, in the far north of the country. The building was absolutely
 disgusting, and unfortunately situated a spitting distance from the
 massive runway.
 Both sat there stupidly waiting for the plane to take off. Adir assumed
 it was big because it took much longer than usual. The NCO motioned him
 to continue with the booming sound of the engine still hung back, but
 Adir waited a bit longer. At last, the last wisps of the jet faded out.
 "Yeah, I've long lost track of whatever's written there. I have no idea
 what it says -- only that it's wildly inaccurate at this point."
 "That doesn't sound right to me. We air force guys, we keep track of
 things, don't we? Now, it says here you're from the headquarters."
 "I haven't been in months."
 The NCO cast a doubtful look at first, but seeing how Adir did not
 flinch he continued.
 "Before that, you were in, uh... Hm. Air base 30. You've gone around,
 haven't you?"
 "I've been there a grand total of six hours. Never stationed there."
 "Look, it says right here in your file..."
 "It also says I'm a first sergeant at that station, doesn't it?"
 The NCO chuckled. "Now, don't be -- What? How did you know?"
 "I told you so."
 "You've been serving just under 18 months at that point. That doesn't
 make any sense. No promotion could get you in this early."
 Adir eyed him smugly.
 "Where did you get this?" the NCO demanded, waving Adir's Ground
 Personnel file.
 "Where did *you* get *this*?"
 "What??"
 "I left mine in Hutspace. Well over a year ago. Whatever it is *you're
 *holding I've never seen in my life."
 The NCO sighed deeply.
 "This is some mess of paperwork for your commanders. Never mind. I'll
 send you back with the documents and your commanders can sort it out. HQ
 loves this stuff."
 Adir began to protest but was cut short. "But wait, you're not HQ now,
 you said?"
 "Nope. 15^th^ wing."
 "Fine. You'll give them the papers."
 The room fell silent.
 "Anyways, you're here for a Computer Network Manager course -- but I was
 told you came over from a computer profession already, something from
 the greens. Is that right?"
 "Yes. I'm a Computer Systems Infrastructure Manager."
 "Never heard of it."
 "It's from Communication Corps"
 "That explains it. Is that it's brooch pin?", he asked, pointing to the
 insignia on Adir's left breast pocket.
 "Yeah."
 "What's going on there? What is it?"
 "It's a computer in the middle. Around it is the radioactive sign, for
 some reason. All Computer Academy courses have it for some reason. And
 it's split in three for the three arms of the army we get assigned in --
 the green part for ground forces, the blue for navy and white for air
 force. And there's a square root, for some reason."
 "It's too busy."
 "It is."
 "So basically, you have to go through the whole course again. It's two
 months in here, Air base 10, and you'd be assigned alongside the
 privates. However, seeing as you're already familiar, we decided to
 offer you the same test they get at the end of the course -- if you know
 your stuff, it could save us all the trouble. How does that sound?"
 "Sounds great. I wouldn't have come up here otherwise."
 "Up to the building?"
 "No, up north."
 "You're a handful, aren't you?" the NCO remarked fondly. "But that's
 someone else's problem. Look, I've asked Idan -- my most senior course
 instructor, to swing by and ask you a few questions. If you're
 reasonably familiar, you can take the test. He should be here any
 moment."
 "Sure."
 "Would you like anything to drink in the meantime? Cold water? It's a
 hot day"
 "No, thank you kindly. I'm all good."
 "There's some disgusting coffee too, if that's your thing"
 "Not many other options in the military, are there? But thank you, I'm
 all fixed. Nice of you to offer."
 "Of course. It's common courtesy. Ah, that must be Idan! Come in!"
 \~\~\~
 Chapter II -- The New Cyber Kids
 'So, I'm standing there like an utter idiot, and all of a sudden the
 syringe flies across the room and into my shoulder!' Adir was telling
 several of his new coursemates, all huddled excitedly.
 'Into your* shoulder?*' Karin asked with silent awe. She always spoke
 silently.
 'Still have a nasty mark,' he answered, 'Look'. He lowered the thick
 green uniform to reveal a blackened old bruise. 'This is where it went
 in', he gestured just below the neck.
 'And I though I had it bad', said Dennis. 'I still think I had it bad.
 Bastards wouldn't let me out for a smoke. We sat there for hours'.
 'Well, you got in front of me in line. You have the bigger Personal
 Number.'
 'That's Time Length!' Sharon excitedly pitched in. 'Nothing's more
 important!'
 Adir found the whole concept of 'Time Length'* incredibly* stupid.
 'Alright, line up', Shani said from the now open classroom door, just
 enough for them to hear. Adir has yet to decide his stance on the whole
 constant shouting business, now that's it's over with.
 They lined up in front of the classroom, all forty two of them.
 'One minute to attention', Shani said coldly. 'Look nice for the Course
 Commander'.
 'ONE MINUTE TO ATTENTION!' bellowed Roi. Well, maybe not entirely over
 with.
 After much more than a minute, the CC showed up.
 'Alright, alright', he chuckled. 'Come on, get inside'.
 It was 11AM and Adir was fiercely struggling to stay awake. The CC was
 vigorously instructing them on Operating System Internals, and Adir
 realized that for the first time in all these months he is in real
 jeopardy of dozing off. He stood up -- joining most of his coursemates
 at this point.
 Much to his surprise, Re'em nudged his shoulder. He had fallen asleep.
 Adir suddenly felt a wave of despair. What else is he supposed to do?
 'Could I go?' he suddenly blurted out to the CC.
 The CC stopped mid-sentence, and everyone turned their fragile attention
 to him. The officer was so surprised he did not even seem about to scold
 him.
 'Go?' he asked, frowning.
 'Yea'.
 Silence fell, and eventually Adir realized the CC was expecting him to
 say something else.
 'Pee, I mean'.
 Yotam, the course commander, did not expect this from Adir, who had
 never piped up before.
 'Be a bit more, er, professional next time, please', he said, and
 gestured at the door. Adir fuddled out with elation.
 'The key,' Yotam added.
 'Here man', mumbled Bar and tossed the keys at him. They hit him right
 in the face and fell to his hands.
 The heavy metal door closed behind him. He stood at the small, empty
 space outside, overlooking the muddy nothing with the few benches in
 between. The other coursees in the other classrooms were all still
 studying.
 He took a deep, exhausted breath. He felt the warm sun on his uniform.
 He stretched lazily, joints cracking softly, feeling some strength
 returning.
 He began rounding the small classroom towards the restrooms, very
 slowly, humming to himself.
 He inserted the key in the door -- to his surprise, it was unlocked.
 A tall, red headed coursee opened the door. Behind him was another
 squat, dark haired soldier.
 'What?' he demanded.
 Adir saw his stripithings. Black and white. These must be the new Cyber
 coursees.
 Socially handicapped as he was, even Adir had managed to pick up on the
 long lasting rivalry between the Computer Systems Infastructure Managers
 and the Cyber Security Defense Specialists. He could not understand why
 -- they do pretty much the same thing -- though he dared not utter this
 aloud. This was a fact of this place, inherited one course cycle at a
 time, and like everything else in his life right now he accepted it
 offhandedly.
 He would not buy into this foolish affair, though.
 He would treat this person with utmost respect.
 'Pee', he answered diplomatically.
 The Cyberer sighed.
 'Don't make a mess', he reprimanded. 'We clean this up later'.
 'Everyone cleans this up later', he said. The Cyberer looked at him as
 one might a deranged, fuming chimpanzee.
 He 'ugh'd and left.
 By the time he got back around the classroom, everyone was outside. How
 long has it been?
 Naturally, he went to his desk for his three minutes of intense sleep.
 When he sat down in front of the computer, however, he did something
 else -- and was not quite sure why.
 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
 'I don't understand why you would act like this', Commander Dan told
 him. 'You've been a good soldier so far. Where is this coming from?'
 Adir was vaguely aware of the situation. They were sitting around one of
 the tables outside, after Dan pulled him out from class. He suddenly
 felt cold.
 Adir did not answer, because he genuinely did not know what this is
 about. Why can't he hold on to thoughts lately?
 Dan did that thing where he sits and stares until Adir blurts something
 out to break the silence. Every single soldier ever trained for command
 used this tactic liberally, certain all the enlisted would break under
 their steely gaze.
 It never worked on Adir, and he quite liked seeing confusion creeping up
 their faces.
 Dan was a bit proud for that, though. 'You skipped out on the CC's
 lesson,' he continued, 'And now you write this nonsense on the course
 forum. You're one of the better soldiers here. Why? Why would you spoil
 it by acting out like that?'
 Adir's poem burst out from the great nothing, and he was supremely proud
 of it. It read thus:
 The New Cyberers / Pooshellu
 The Man Bar hands me the key,
 Methinks to meself, make water I shall
 And just when the hand reaches out for the trousers
 Into the room enter the new Cyberees.
 The first's eyes fall to my stripthings
 Purple is great, yet he did not see it thus
 His nose rising just shy of his brows
 'What, do you have a bathroom key too?' he asks
 The restrooms are for all coursees, says I
 Yet Cybereeno remains unimpressed
 *Do me a favor, he begs with a look of plea*
 Don't thrash the bathroom
 Wer'e cleaning it later.
 'I thought it was funny', he stated.
 'And you came here to laugh?', Dan inquired.
 He stared Adir down again. Adir mulled the question over.
 'I know things are difficult', Dan finally gave out, 'But get a grip.
 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.
 'What else is there to be?'
 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
 Chapter II -- The Feline, Or The Language?
 Commander Kim gracefully turned away from the blackboard. He surveyed
 the class calmly with a proud smirk, and was content to see no confused
 faces.
 'And that is it,' he said. 'That was a good introduction to case
 statements. Does anyone have any further questions?'
 'No', the others piped smugly, which Adir found kind of annoying.
 He raised his hand. Commander Kim looked at him, offended and
 bewildered. 'Yes?'
 'Permission to speak, commander'.
 'Adir,' he said, 'You don't need to ask for permission to speak anymore.
 This is not boot camp'.
 'I understand, commander'.
 'And you don't have to call me commander', he added benevolently. 'This
 is not boot camp'.
 'I understand, Kim'.
 'Adir,' he admonished, 'You can't just call me by my name. I'm not your
 mate from boot camp'.
 'I understand, commander'.
 'And you don't have to call me commander', he said sternly. 'This is not
 boot camp'.
 Adir simply stared at him, relinquishing control of the situation. Kim
 stared back with futile anticipation of a response.
 'You had a question,' he prompted after a billion years.
 'Yes...'
 '...'
 '...'
 'Commander Kim,' said Commander Kim.
 'Commander Kim,' said Adir.
 'I have a question about case statements, Commander Kim'
 'Yes, Adir -- you had a question about case statements'
 'Yes'
 'Well?'
 The guy did not even twitch. It's almost midnight, for god's sake. What
 do they do to these people? *What happens in INBA city?*
 'I don't understand'.
 '\...You don't understand?' asked Commander Kim
 'I don't understand', said Adir.
 'You don't understand case statements?' Commander Kim cleverly deducted.
 'Commander Kim, I think Adir does not understand case statements',
 Re'em, Adir's desk mate, helpfully pitched in.
 'Commander, I don't think I understand case statements', Adir admitted.
 'What,' inquired Commander Kim, 'About case statements don't you
 understand?'
 'The case statements, commander', Adir stated. 'I lost you a good 50
 minutes ago'.
 'We've only been on case statements for the last 30 minutes'
 'Yes.'
 'Well, then, why didn't you say anything earlier?'
 'Commander Kim, Adir did say something earlier', Re'em pitched in.
 'I did say something earlier, Commander Kim', confirmed Adir.
 'I'm sorry,' said Commander Kim, who was not at all sorry. 'I can't
 quite recall. Could you repeat your question?'
 'When we just started,' he said, 'You explained what case statements
 were, and I said I did not understand'.
 'I told you to see me after class if you don't understand', Commander
 Kim recalled.
 'Yes.'
 'I answered your question, then'
 'I suppose you did at that'
 'But you did not come to me after class'
 'Class has yet to end. Commander.'
 'Commander Kim.'
 'Commander Kim.'
 'Okay,' said Kim, who was clearly going for something else. 'What else
 don't you understand?'
 'The whole thing -- you were talking about case statements'
 'And?'
 'I do not understand case statements'
 'Come see me after class', Commander Kim commanded.
 'Does anyone have any further questions?'
 'No', everyone else piped smugly
 'Good. Class is over. Adir, will you come see me, please?'
 Adir came to see him. Everyone else left besides Re'em, who was never
 tired because he eats so many coffee beans. Re'em left when Commander
 Kim demanded that he leave.
 'Do I really have to leave, Commander Kim?' he insisted. 'I kinda wanna
 see this'.
 'You can go back to the hostel with the other soldiers,' Commander Kim
 said.
 'Yes, but -'
 'Don't you ever yesbut me. I'm not your mate from boot camp'. Re'em
 sulkily crunched a coffee bean.
 'Now go'.
 With that, they were two.
 'Adir,' Commander Kim said with everlasting patience, 'What don't you
 understand about case statements?'
 'Well-'
 'If you don't understand case statements,' demanded Commander Kim, 'Why
 don't you stay after class to study it?'
 'Because it is 11P.M. Commander'
 'Stop calling me commander'
 'I'm sorry, commander'
 'Why don't you stay after class?'
 'We start at 7AM'
 'That you do'
 'You must see some fault here'
 'I do,' he said poignantly. ' I do see a fault here. You're giving up on
 yourself'.
 Adir thought that was a rather exaggerated statement. 'I think that is a
 rather exaggerated statement', he said.
 'When I was a coursee here,' Kim lectured him, 'I did not understand
 case statements. So I stayed late every day, until I understood case
 statements. Do you understand?'
 'You had also studied programming throughout highschool with
 excellence', Adir said. He knew this because Commander Kim often told
 them he had studied programming throughout highschool, with excellence.
 'The course requires no prior programming knowledge', Kim reiterated yet
 again.
 'And yet, Everyone here has extensive prior programming knowledge'
 'Pele does not, either'
 'It doesn't matter, because Pele is getting released in a month'
 'How did you come to that conclusion?'
 'It's true,' Adir insisted, 'he told me.'
 They sat at their tent together, in the Spring Buds Rookie Base Har'el
 Division Tent Area B. It was cold and damp and there was fuel on the
 floor as always.
 'You mark my words, Adir', said Pele, who says very little. This sudden
 outburst alarmed Adir. 'If I am still in the military in three months',
 he proudly intoned, 'then I am a god damned whoreson'.
 'Don't be silly', Adir had told him. 'We just got in'
 'I'm not going through with this. It's just not for me.
 You mark my words, Adir. Should I still be drafted three months from
 now, I am a stupid, spineless whoreson.' Adir did mark his words, and
 could not help but admire his perseverance. There's a man who knows what
 he's after.
 'What are you on about?' asked Kim.
 'Look,' he said. 'I could obviously sit here and grind water for many
 sleepless nights until I understand case statements'
 'Good,' Kim said, 'We've reached a solution.'
 'However', Adir put in, 'We study for 15 hours everyday'
 'And?'
 'And I am a smooth brain. My brain is smooth.'
 'You're getting off track here.'
 'I cannot study any more than 15 hours.'
 'See? You're giving up on yourself."
 'I do just dandy at everything else, and I need to work very hard to do
 so, because I'm not supposed to be here. I have only so many hours, and
 I choose to use them to surmount the challenges I can'
 'You can do whatever you want if you study hard enough.'
 'I have limited time and energy and I choose to spend them thus. If
 you'd like to help, Commander, I'd be grateful. But I just don't have
 the patience to grind through this alone'
 'Ask your coursemates.'
 'Hey, can you help me with variable type declaration?' Adir had asked
 Tom, who was the best programmer in the course.
 'Sure Adir,' said Tom, 'I'm the best programmer in the course. What
 don't you understand about variable declarations?'
 'The variable declarations', said Adir.
 Tom had gathered the course's finest with a solemn mission -- to teach
 Adir variable declarations. They sat with Adir for about four late
 nights before declaring him unteachable.
 'We're sorry, Adir', they had told him, 'But maybe you should ask
 Commander Kim'.
 'Do you guys wanna get ice cream or something?'
 'It's midnight', said Nitzan.
 'Oh, right,' Adir replied.
 'What are you on about?' said Kim, finally losing his patience. 'You
 know what? When you put in some *real* effort, I may consider helping
 you. I'll see you tomorrow' he said and left.
 Adir left the cold, dead classroom and sat outside, even though he could
 go home. He wished he had some coffee beans. Programming, the feline
 cat, jumped to his lap. They were best buds, even though he was allergic
 to feline cats. And they say he can't pull through.
 The next day, Commander Idan spoke to him just before lunch, robbing his
 precious free minutes. Adir mentally bade his sweet, sweet desk goodbye,
 and silently mourned the three minutes he had lost.
 They sat outside just within sight and out of earshot of everyone else.
 Commander Idan, while a skilled adversary at military mind chess, still
 fell short of Adir, who has learned to anticipate his moves quite
 easily. First, the admonishment.
 'Adir, why were you late this morning?'
 'Life finds a way, Commander'.
 'Do you think,' he said, 'When you're on duty, life will find a way?'
 'That is very much a possibility, I'm afraid'.
 Then, there is the steely gaze.
 Commander Idan gazed at him, steely. Adir did nothing in response
 because he was so tired.
 Then, the merciful change of subject.
 'Commander Kim told me you've been struggling with case statements', he
 said.
 'I have been, commander'
 'Yet you do not stay late and ask for help from your coursemates'
 'I do not, commander'
 'Why are you giving up on yourself?' Idan demanded fiercely.
 'I think that is a rather exaggerated statement.'
 'Look, you've got it in you.' Idan said, inspired. 'Otherwise you would
 not have been here'
 'I am not supposed to be here', Adir stated.
 'How are you so certain?'
 'Because I am a smooth brain. My brain is smooth."
 'Why do you think you are a smooth brain? How do you know your brain is
 smooth?'
 'I turned half my test in empty'
 'If you are here', Idan intoned poignantly, 'You should be here. Look,
 you got it in you. Wouldn't you like to be a Computer Systems
 Infrastructure Manager?'
 'That would be nice', he said
 'Don't you feel it burning in your soul?'
 'I think that is a rather exaggerated statement.'
 'Look, you've got it in you, Adir. What happens if you fail
 Programming?'
 'The feline, or the language?'
 'What are you on about?'
 'The feline, or the language?'
 'What if you fail the feline, Programming?' Idan asked, dumbstruck.
 'I would be greatly upset. We have a special bond'
 'So why do you struggle with case statements?'
 'What does that have anything to do with the cat?'
 'What cat?'
 'So the language'
 'The programming language, yes'
 'Oh. Not the feline cat'
 'Don't joke around with me,' said Commander Idan. 'I'm not your mate
 from boot camp. You know, you shouldn't even touch it'.
 'The language?'
 'No, the feline cat. It's prohibited by martial law'
 'Because I think I shouldn't touch the language either'.
 There was silence.
 'The language should also be prohibited by martial law'.
 '\...'
 'I'm also severely allergic'
 Idan tried the steely gaze again. It was ineffective.
 'If I touch my face now,' Adir mused, petting Programming, 'It will be
 so, so bad'.
 'If you fail Programming -- *the language*, you will fail the course.
 What will you do if you fail the course?'
 'Whatever the country needs me to!' Adir declared patriotically.
 'Wouldn't you like to be a Computer Systems Infrastructure Manager?'
 'That would be nice'
 'Don't you feel it burning in your soul?'
 Adir was not listening, because he was so tired, and Programming's fur
 was sooooo soft.
 'Don't give up on your self,' Commander Idan preached, 'It says a lot
 about character'.
 That got to him. 'I honestly don't understand,' he said, 'Why is it
 considered so awful when I set my own priorities. I'm good at a few of
 the other fields. An hour spent there will help me much, much more that
 an hour of futile programming. I could grind away coding, sure -- but
 I'd like to be good at a few things I already have a grip on, rather
 than a mediocre programmer. Is that so bad?'
 'Don't make excuses. We're good at everything'.
 'It doesn't work like that'
 'Life finds a way. Don't give up on yourself,' he said. 'Now go eat
 lunch. I don't want to be having this conversation again'.
 Yogev walked up to him. 'I think you're absolutely amazing with
 Programming,' he said in his usual cold, cynicism soaked drone.
 'The language?'
 'Don't be an idiot', Yogev said. 'The feline cat, of course. Things that
 matter'.
 Commander Shilo swung by from somewhere. 'Go! Run!' he told them.
 'There's PE! The Communications commander is here!'
 'Yes Commander!' Yogev spat back and took off with a frenzy.
 'You too, Adir! Get up! *Why* are you giving up on yourself?'
 Adir was so, so tired, and Programming was purring softly, which Adir
 loved because he'd never had a cat before, much less a feline cat.
 'I'm not running', he tossed back, annoyed.
--- a/Chapters.odt
+++ b/Chapters.odt
--- a/General_Chapters.md
+++ b/General_Chapters.md
--- a/General_Chapters.odt
+++ b/General_Chapters.odt
--- a/Stories/The
+++ b/Stories/The
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
 The Server
 It was a warm spring's late morning when Adir decided to hunker down in the lab, pile up the many carcasses of failed computers around the workbench and bring them all back to life.
 The air conditioner was still broken, and he had both windows open, soft motes drifting in the breeze and sunlight they brought in. Adir sat down on the good chair, set the least disgusting chassis in front of him, and set on about his work.
 Prying apart the rusty, salted metal bits and pieces proved physically exhausting, and soon Adir shed the uniform's torso piece and was left in his worn, sweat stained white T-shirt. He was alone, after all - might as well make use of it.
 He had a strict procedure: First, he tears off everything than can be teared off, sets the remains on the largest window's sill, and runs it over with the blower, mindful of anyone who might approach the passage on the other side. Since the window lay behind an iron curtain, even commanders were often surprised to find it there - before Adir, it had not been opened in years.
 Once blown away, he gently lays the bare computer next to the screen, and connects two brand new cables - one to the outlet, the other to the small, beat-up screen. After powering it, depending on the noise the computer makes or fails to make, he disconnects it, discharges it, and swap out one of the parts with a somewhat newer equivalent from the box he'd fetch earlier from the storage room across the hall. Finally, he tries booting again, repeating the cycle with a new part until the computer lives, or until he runs out of parts.
 This was dirty, low work; so despised it was, in fact, even the command staff preffered to perform merely a weak facade of effort before deeming a computer broken, and requisitioning a new one. Adir found it thearaputic - every hunk of junk he could make usable again was a small victory against the culture of ignorance and waste. He did it better than anyone here, and not by virtue of excessive skill.
 Between last evening and even a small excursion early this morning, Adir had managed to amass just over a dozen computers - even pausing his usually distant demeanor to gather them from reluctant users. As soon as they were piled neatly, he set aside the small box of compoments from the storage room, made himself a cup of scalding hot black coffee, and began his work.
 He himself had trouble rationalising his actions ("If we don't know what we're doing, our enemies sure as hell don't either", he mused to himself), only just managing to raise feeble excuses - it was to acquire experience, to create goodwill from key personnel around the base, to appear busy enough to avoid some other, demeaning task to be dropped on him. He liked the latter of explanations best.
 He could not know what any of the others plan for him, and the computers at least were predictable. Though most questioned his actions, Adir decided himself wise - he only sheds the false hope of avoiding some other unpleasant task, and by doing so manages to regain some feeble measure of control. The rest didn't seem to see it.
 One by one, Adir tested them rigoursly, systematically - swapping out parts in order until they finally boot. Each booting computers then gets connected to a different outlet, to run the same set commands on the operating system to help restore it to good condition - much like a patient recovering after a medical operation.
 By the time Ronen burst into the room the coffee was long gone. Adir had but three computers in the pile and one set neatly in front of him, strewn on it's side and much of its' part on the table.
 "What's this?" Ronen asked.
 "I'm working."
 "Adir? Hello? Could you look at me when I'm talking to you?" 
 "Give me a second. I'm in the middle of something."
 "Adir."
 Adir begrudginly set aside a part and turned towards Ronen.
 "What are all these computers doing here?"
 "In the computer lab?"
 "There's, what - one, two, three... Eight computers in here! what for?"
 "I'm fixing them."
 "Well, drop it now. We're going to the Safety Meeting."
 "I'll be there in a moment."
 "Adir, I said we're going now."
 Adir sighed deeply.
 "Give a minute - I've been here all morning. I need to use the restroom."
 "I'm waiting."
 Adir stood up, and eyed Ronen with a skeptical look.
 "Fine. David will be here in a moment. You can go with him."
 "I can find my way just as well."
 "You go with David. Now go use the restroom."
 Adir neatly set the compoments aside, swept up his cup into the bin and wiped down the spot where he'd set it. He didn't like leaving his workspace dirty - even here.
 David appeared perhaps a minute after Ronen, already in a full-blown panic.
 "Adir! we have to go. Come on. I know you're busy, but let's just get this over with, please - It's very important to Gilad."
 "Sure it is. Let me just use the restroom. You can go, if you're in a hurry."
 "You hadn't gone yet?! Oh, Adir, Ronen told me to go with you, and now we're both in a hurry! could you ple-"
 Adir shut both doors behind him, for once thankfull for the restroom's bizzare design.
 "When we come back, there's that NCO in Medical, Guy - he -"
 "I'm sorry, David. I'm busy."
 "Oh, but I've no one else! eveyone is busy. What are you doing?"
 "There's been a range of hardware malfunctions. I've been working on them all morning."
 "Well, if that's all, we'll just order new ones! that's good, great. I'll see you a-"
 "These are all really urgent, David. Otherwise, do you think I'd have bothered on these old husks of salt? Give me a few more hours, and I'll take care of it."
 "I... I don't know, I... Well, there we are. Come on inside."
--- a/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.md
+++ b/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.md
@@ -939,60 +939,64 @@ alright.
 Chapter II -- Rookie Adir Levin
 It wasn't a direct transition to the Academy. However glamorous Adir's
-station, he -- and those whom he would later study with -- must of
+station, he and those whom he would later study with must of course go
-course go through the standard ordeal of having their souls crushed by
+through the standard ordeal of having their souls crushed by the army,
-the army, so that the pulp can be remodeled.
+so that the pulp can be remodeled.
-There are many special facilities to do so, but Adir had had the great
+There are many special facilities to do so, and Adir had had the great
 privilege of enjoying one of the oldest and finest of them -- the Spring
-Buds Rookie base, 15km off the border, in the desert.
+Buds Rookie base, in the desert 15km off the border.
-Adir adapted quickly, but it was a forced, instinctual adaptation, and
+Adir adapted quickly, but it was a forced, animal adaptation, and he
-he often didn't quite register what exactly was happening, and certainly
+often didn't quite register what exactly was happening - and least of
-not why. He did figure it out at some point, which he remembers
+all why. He did figure it out at some point, which he remembers
 especially well.
 It was a fiercely cold night -- a cold Adir had yet to know,
-nonchalantly seeping into your bones and joints and draining you. He had
+nonchalantly seeping into your bones and joints and draining you. Sharp,
-hardly come prepared in his arrogance, and was shivering bitterly in his
+slanted rain smashed bitterly against the hard, worn fabric of the tent.
-team's tent.
+Adir, in his arrogance had hardly come prepared and was shivering
 peacefully in his team's tent.
 Everyone else was getting ready to sleep, and Adir knew he had no point
-trying to rest himself before they all arrive and so was sitting in idle
+trying to rest himself before they all arrive and sat in idle misery,
-misery -- a state which was quickly becoming familiar. He so enjoyed it
+which rapidly became a familiar pastime of his. He so enjoyed it that he
-that he always hurried off and got ready much faster than everyone in
+always hurried off and got ready much faster than everyone in order to
-order to *really* take it all in.
+*really* take it all in.
 His usual solitude was broken this time by Regev. Regev was a
 fascinating person -- he was quiet, but not of shyness like himself --
-but of silent, bitter sarcasm. Under the right circumstances, Regev
+but of silent, poigant sarcasm. Under the right circumstances, Regev
 could stun the entire brigade with a few words of wisdom, uttered
-clearly without hesitations, unsullied by so much as a twitch of facial
+clearly and without hesitations, unsullied by so much as a twitch of
-muscles to convey his misgivings. The commanders despised him, even
+facial muscles to convey his deep and rich misgivings. The commanders
-their own team's unengaged, apathic commanders coming to real fury with
+despised him - even their own team's unengaged, apathic commanders
-him. The soldiers, of course, greatly admired him, as did.
+coming to real fury with him. Naturally, the soldiers greatly admired
 him as a result.
-Adir was greatly in awe and so avoided him with great determination, and
+Adir was greatly in awe as well and so avoided him with great
-passive Regev made no real note of it. This time, however, as he slumped
+determination, and the extremely passive Regev made no real note of it.
-on his sleeping bag, he immediately turned to Adir.
+This time, however, as he slumped on his sleeping bag, he immediately
 turned to Adir.
-'You mark my words, Adir', he told him with a clear, ringing voice
+'You mark my words, Adir', he told him with his clear, ringing voice
-devoid of emotion. 'Within three months or less, I will be a civilian'.
+utterly devoid of emotion. 'Within three months or less, I will be a
 civilian'.
 Now, many proud fools make similar claims -- and Spring Buds is ripe
-ground for it. They come like flies to an old steak, and the military
+ground for it. They come like flies to the mush of rotting vegetables
-swats them accordingly.
+behind the dining hall, and the military swats them accordingly.
-Adir had already heard dozens (that day) make similar claims. Coming
+Adir had already heard dozens (that day!) make similar claims - but from
-from a person such as Regev, however, it was worthy of consideration.
+a person such as Regev, however, it was worthy of consideration.
 "\...But, we've only been here a week!" he squeaked back.
 "A week too long, and I will not stand many more like it. I have made up
 my mind."
-Even in the dark, Adir could see his severe face looking him straight in
+Even in the dark, Adir could see Regev's severe face looking him
-the eyes.
+straight in the eyes.
 "You mark my words -- should I still be in uniform 90 days from now, I
 am a stupid, spineless whoreson."
@@ -1001,9 +1005,9 @@ am a stupid, spineless whoreson."
 "A s*tupid, spineless whoreson*."
-Adir let that sink for a bit.
+Adir let that sink for a bit in his feeble faculties.
-"What will you do outside?" he asked.
+"What will you do outside?" he prompted eventually.
 "Whatever the hell I want", Regev shot back quickly.
@@ -1017,20 +1021,22 @@ Regev smiled widely, the first time Adir had ever seen him do so.
 "That's all I wanted to hear," he said, and quickly rolled up and fell
 asleep.
-The next month or so was superemely strange. Adir found himself waking
+The next month or so was supremely strange. Adir found himself woken up
-up to a starry sky by hail smacking his face, running for shelter from
+to a starry sky by hail smacking his face, or running for shelter from
-hostile mortars (which were 'thunder', according to Adir's commander.
+hostile mortars (which were 'thunder', according to Adir's commander,
 'But what does thunder have anything to do with it?' He asked her,
 stunned - 'None of your business, soldier' she'd replied), rolling over
 the sand dunes simulating combat ('It was great, but when you rolled
-just now, you were exposed, and you could've been shot, and killed',
+just now, you were completely exposed, and you would've been shot, and
-she'd told him then, 'but great otherwise'), shooting on the range twice
+killed', she'd told him then, 'but great otherwise'), and shooting on
-on each run ('I've never seen anyone without a dominant shooting hand in
+the range twice on each round ('I've never seen anyone without a
-my life', the stunned Company Commander had said, 'Do it again'), and
+dominant shooting hand in my life', the stunned Company Commander had
-even going up on guard duty for thirty minutes at the middle of the
+said, 'Do it all over again until you figure it out'), and even going up
-night ('You have to get used to it,' said their Commander, to which
+on guard duty for thirty minutes at the middle of the night ('You have
-Regev replied 'I won't, but you do you' and lost a weekend at home), and
+to get used to it,' said their Commander, to which Regev replied 'I
-many other bizzare scenarios, forced on him at random.
+won't, but you do you' and lost a weekend at home), and many other
 bizarre scenarios, forced on him at random, the consequences of which
 often registered many days later.
 Throughout all that madness, Regev's words rang often in Adir's fragile
 psyche.
--- a/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.odt
+++ b/The_Difference_Between_an_Idiot_and_a_Moron.odt
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
shmick	dd6dc5a05f	Adding short stories directory to practice	2021-05-01 22:04:41 +03:00
shmick	e5d0eb9d27	Added today's writing; Moved chapters to general	2020-12-17 23:30:06 +02:00
shmick	36772b2469	Added today's writing; Moved chapters to general	2020-12-17 23:28:31 +02:00
shmick	ca9f8376a5	Finished another chapter	2020-12-13 21:23:28 +02:00
shmick	91bd780266	Finished another chapter	2020-12-13 21:22:53 +02:00
shmick	b265b70a8c	Added today's writing	2020-12-09 23:30:53 +02:00
shmick	618911a7fa	Added today's writing	2020-12-09 23:29:07 +02:00
shmick	0e61468abd	Added today's writing	2020-12-09 23:28:59 +02:00