Don't Go Quietly. There comes a time when you need to put your boots on (whether they be a weathered pair of ropers or laced up combat boots), get the hell up off the ground and, punch #life square in the jaw. After all, why should you be the only one taking a beating in this fight? Find your defiance.

The Descent I woke up to the world shaking around me. I struggled to find footing as I made my way outside. It was there that I saw my first glimpse of the collapse of society. Whole cities burned. Mighty skyscrapers, monuments to centuries of humankind, crumbled to dust. Bodies already began to litter the streets. For reasons unknown, I felt compelled to walk. My journey felt like years. I walked through the desolation; expecting it to have limits. Alas, some things have no borders. I watched with horrified eyes as the world's people turned on each other. There was no help coming and they turned on each other with a quickness. Hope had been lost. As I progressed so did the fighting. Wars were no longer a thing between nations. Small factions staged ambushes on the unsuspecting. In the worst of places; they defiled, raped, and even ate each other. I felt a sickness creeping down to my very soul. I finally came upon the remains of a vast city. I felt a pull to press onward. To what end, I did not know. This city was a battleground. Gunfire. War cries. Pleas of mercy. All could be heard in grave detail. At the center of Death's Metropolis, I could see a gigantic pillar of smoke. Overcome by fear- I ran. At the outskirts of the city, I found myself in a makeshift graveyard. Human remains still visible through thin layers of dirt. There was a figure there. An old man in gray robes, still and silent. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me followed shortly by the first sense of calm I could remember. I knew this man was my answer. As I approached, he began to speak. "You have journeyed across a world of desolation, yet you still feel. You have seen man turn to animal, yet you still care. Your Soul is intact, though your world is no more. One act of selflessness can save Them. A sacrifice, willing, into the fire. Tragedy begets more tragedy. You may choose to save or condemn your people." I stood, mouth open, not believing what this man had told me. I had done no wrong! I steeled myself and mustered up enough courage to say: "Could you have given me a choice?" I set off towards the tower of smoke. The great epicenter of this apocalypse. I felt the eyes of mankind upon me as a progressed, climbing onto a ledge above the swirling flames. I looked out upon the gathering masses. For the first time since the world was normal, I saw them laying down their weapons. I saw them looking up at me with a sense of wonderment. I gave a slow nod as I felt that they understood what I was about to do. I leapt into the chasm. The fall went on and on. At first I felt a searing pain as the flesh burned from my bones, orange light overtaking me. Still falling, I began to feel peace as the orange went to black and the pain stopped. I began to see a bright light, I reached for it as I fell-wanting desperately to get to it's embrace. I plunged through the piercing white light.... And woke up in my barracks room in Fort Benning, Georgia. It was Fall when this dream occurred and yet, I awoke with a red tinge upon my skin that felt like a Summer sunburn. This dream utterly terrified me in many ways. I'm sure I'll never fully understand it. I'm also sure that I don't really want to.

Eternal Atlas Where is the disconnect? You say that I don't understand. That I'm closed off. You get angry and funnel your wrath towards me. Am I not what you wanted? Was I not forged, through months of being broken down, to be your savior? You say that not everyone can be as "hard" as me. Whatever that means. I only know that if there's a threat, a problem, that I must attack it and win. Going straight for its throat before it spreads. Do you not think that I feel fear? I can assure you that I do. Every day. If this was for me, I would have hung up my boots long ago. I press onward for you. Because I won't let myself break. Because I can take it. I told you once... That I was scared. That the things I've had to do still haunt me. I saw the cold look in your eyes as you told me I should have expected it. How, in God's name, can a 19 year old kid expect THAT? But it doesn't matter now. Does it? Just know that... While I stand strong and defiant... I have a cold ache inside. It's a lonely #life. Nobody will ever quite understand this type of pain. I've learned not to expect them to. This is just the way it has to be. These memories are mine. These scars are mine. This burden is mine... Because I can take it. I will hold you up for as long as you need. Atlas... Eternal.

Blood On The Risers This creed may very well be the source of my special brand of crazy. Airborne. All The Way! AIRBORNE CREED I am an Airborne trooper! A PARATROOPER! I jump by parachute from any plane in flight. I volunteered to do it, knowing well the hazards of my choice. I serve in a mighty Airborne Force--famed for deeds in war--renowned for readiness in peace. It is my pledge to uphold its honor and prestige in all I am--in all I do. I am an elite trooper--a sky trooper--a shock trooper--a spearhead trooper. I blaze the way to far-flung goals--behind, before, above the foe's front line. I know that I may have to fight without support for days on end. Therefore, I keep mind and body always fit to do my part in any Airborne task. I am self-reliant and unafraid. I shoot true, and march fast and far. I fight hard and excel in every art and artifice of war. I never fail a fellow trooper. I cherish as a sacred trust the lives of men with whom I serve. Leaders have my fullest loyalty, and those I lead never find me lacking. I have pride in the Airborne! I never let it down! In peace, I do not shrink the dullest of duty not protest the toughest training. My weapons and equipment are always combat ready. I am neat of dress--military in courtesy--proper in conduct and behavior. In battle, I fear no foe's ability, nor under-estimate his prowess, power and guile. I fight him with all my might and skills--ever alert to evade capture or escape a trap. I never surrender, though I be the last. My goal in peace or war is to succeed in any mission of the day--or die, if needs be, in the try. I belong to a proud and glorious team--the Airborne, the Army, my Country. I am its chosen pride to fight where others may not go--to serve them well until the final victory. I am the trooper of the sky! I am my Nation's best! In peace and war I never fail. Anywhere, anytime, in anything--I AM AIRBORNE!

Necessary Evils It begins as a scream in the night. You awaken to a foggy reality. "Where's my weapon?"- is the first coherent thought you form. Slowly, you realize where you are and place your palms to your face as you sit back on the bed. Ashamed. You know people look at you differently. You can't even attend a fireworks display on the 4th of July without sweaty palms and a bout of anxiety. Your body is exhausted, although you're still young. And still, when they ask, you go again. And you feel alive again! It has become your reality. For you, it is normality. You have realized that you are a dangerous man. But these are dangerous times. And the world needs you that way. Rough, gritty, foul-mouthed, and ruthless. Yes, the world needs forces that can act like nature. "The world sleeps peacefully in their beds at night because there are rough men who stand ready to do violence on their behalf."