[color=white][b][u]The American Reign Continues[/u][/b][/color] -------- [b]Leo the Patriotic Lion:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] Leo the Patriotic Lion here. We pick up where we left off, although we do have a couple more events to highlight since we tend to do these out of order; sorry about that. My biggest task, however, both as President of the United States and as the universally-proclaimed "Galactic Emperor," is to get my people to have confidence in themselves, and to get themselves out of the mindsets CNG wants them to have. CNG was influencing people to self-censor themselves, which is just as poisonous as other kinds of left-wing thinking. However, I have been asked to point out that there are other factors contributing to why all the late-night talk shows are going off the air forever, and why the networks will just play old movies, such as declining ratings and losing advertisers, as well as the fact the CNG crisis is forcing them to do the shows without an audience. (Conan O'Brien retired, for example, having done it for 28 years, and decided it was the right time to move on. He is, however, expecting to launch a new show on HBO Max, so good luck to him with that.) We pick up where we left off, however, with a different announcement. So far in my Presidency, I've had a cooperative Congress. I haven't vetoed a single bill yet, and I've only done one or two executive orders (I lost count). It helps illustrate how the current me is not the old me of the 1960s, since I'm opening my eyes to new technology instead of sticking my nose up at it (although all the things I stuck my nose up at were entertainment-related, such as television; I didn't mind new things in the medical field, for example, such as LASIK procedures in eye surgery). With this new law, I'm praying there will be less and less drunk drivers, although we also have people who text and drive, or otherwise use their phone and drive, which sometimes is even more dangerous than drinking and driving. This was just about the drunk driving, however. --------------- *Later, we return to Washington D.C. where Congress created a bill asking automotive companies to find high-tech ways to prevent drunk driving other than just interlock devices. Politicians claim that the cost to attain such technologies will not only be less than drunk driving accidents, but also helps to reduce car insurance costs.* ------------ *Washington D.C.* [b]Mr. Letterman:[/b] We are at that point so it is possible by 2026, such technologies will be implemented. [b]Politician 1:[/b] This is not a stupid bill at all. Automotive technology has changed rapidly. [b]Politician 2:[/b] We got 3D printed minibusses to help people commute to work individually, too. Vehicles have sensors to help reduce and prevent likelihood of accidents. This is a bill I think Leo would be happy to sign. It will change the automobile industry around the world forever, not just here. In fact, the ambassadors here are paying attention to this bill. [b]Politician 3:[/b] America has set global standards for modern life, and we must continue to lead the global standards. We've became an empire (in a nontraditional sense) where our corporations have basically conquered the world. Some of our key allies have corporations that basically conquered the world. [b]Mr. Letterman:[/b] Technology to eliminate drunk driving forever. Interlock devices, driver alertness detection technology, I mean how can Leo be against this? *He signs the bill and gets Congress to follow him to Leo.* Leo, this bill will end drunk driving where new vehicles in 2026 and later will be required to have technological solutions to prevent drunk driving, and not just with interlock devices. You know the public costs on drunk driving. Let's have you sign this bill so we can end it forever. *He hands the bill over to Leo.* [b]Leo:[/b] Whoa; you brought in the entire crowd! Anyways, let's see that bill. *He reads over the bill first.* [b]Leo:[/b] If there ever was anything I absolutely hated when driving my Patriotmobile on the interstate, it was having a drunk driver behind me. Tailgating, I mean. It's amazing I never had a wreck. But if I'm to continue as the Galactic Emperor, I can't have anybody drinking and driving. *He signs the bill.* Now let's look forward to how the companies will respond to this. *A roar of applause is heard and echoed throughout not only the nation, but also from the world. The companies increase their resources towards developing and advancing preventative safety technologies as insurance company employees applause for the bill being signed.* [b]Civilian 1:[/b] All right! Better vehicles and lower insurance costs than before! [b]Civilian 2:[/b] Drunk driving accidents will be nonexistent in our world! [b]Civilian 3:[/b] Insurance companies can now sleep easy. [b]Mr. Letterman:[/b] A monumental moment! [b]Politician 1:[/b] Now nobody can say Leo is a neo-Luddite! *Even human rights organizations have joined in to applause the bill.* [b]Civilian 4:[/b] Leo the Champion of Human Rights! [b]Civilian 5:[/b] The automobile industry just got better and cooler! [b]Civilian 6:[/b] I can drive safely over New Years Eve night! Thanks for making life safer! [b]Politician 2:[/b] And that's how it's done! *The Secret Service enter the Oval Office to applaud, but also to make an announcement.* [b]Secret Service 1:[/b] Sorry to interrupt, but somebody important wants to congratulate you. [b]Leo:[/b] Send them in. [b]Secret Service 1:[/b] Yes, sir. *There's a hum and a buzz as to who it could be, but the guest ends up being Super C. Nobody is bitterly disappointed, however, to see that it wasn't somebody like Harrison Ford.* [b]Leo:[/b] He is someone important to all of us. Hello, Commander! *The two exchange salutes.* [b]Super C:[/b] I felt I should congratulate you personally on landmark decisions like this. [b]Leo:[/b] Thank you. [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] Our Commander! ---------------- [b]Super C:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] I wonder if people thought it was going to be some big A-list celebrity from the human world, or something? It ended up being me. [b]Leo:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] It made for a bit of a funny scene, I suppose, but the Commander (Super C) is welcome any time he wants to visit the White House. And I do see him a lot, actually, since he is just as vital to America as the rest of us. He may be from Caticon, whose patriotic colors were black and gold, but if you cut him (don't do that; that's just an expression), he bleeds red, white, and blue. [b]Super C:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] Don't actually cut me; that's rude. Anyway, on to the next highlight. Now that Leo signed that bill into law, Leo (as a G-52) and his administration joined the rest of us on a trip to the Motor City (Detroit); there we got a look at how General Motors was responding to the law. -------------- *Later, we visit Detroit in Michigan to visit the headquarters of GM where volunteers are testing prototype anti-drunk systems and interlocks.* [b]Volunteer 1:[/b] Whoo-hooo! Free money and booze, huh? [b]Volunteer 2:[/b] This is going to be fun. [b]Scientist 1:[/b] Yes, but we're making sure you don't go home drunk. In front of you are nice ice cold bottles of beer. Open them, drink them, and carry them into the prototype vehicles. Remember to follow instructions, too. [b]Volunteer 1:[/b] All right! *One group of volunteers voluntarily consume some alcohol before carrying then with them into their assigned prototype vehicles. Another group of volunteers don't drink alcohol but enter their assigned prototype vehicles. Of course, they all follow instructions to try to start the vehicle. The ones who consumed the alcohol cannot start their vehicles, due to the prototype technologies detecting alcohol.* [b]Scientist 3:[/b] Very good. With fool-proof technology, drunk driving will be impossible! [b]Scientist 4:[/b] *To Leo* As you can see, Mr. President, no matter how much one tries to circumvent the prototypes, the vehicle will not start, as long alcohol is detected in the presence. We are also working on developing interlocks that have automatic calibration, so that they are always accurate in detecting presence of alcohol in one's breath before starting the vehicle. [b]Scientist 5:[/b] Tracking technologies will detect any signs of tiredness or drowsiness from the driver to automatically engage safety mechanisms. Not only will it alert the driver, but also automatically pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and avoid other vehicles to prevent collisions. These landmark technologies are expected to reduce vehicular accidents by at least 98%, at the bare minimum. So imagine how much lower your insurance costs will be because of such technologies. Imagine the headaches from vehicular accidents being relieved from everybody because of this. [b]Juno:[/b] This is a huge start. Families will love this! [b]Scientist 6:[/b] The prototypes are being tested on our performance models first as performance models are made to test the vehicle's capabilities to the limit so they can be applied to other models, so they can be more reliable for regular use. Our Corvettes are way more than just looks and speed. They're there to test every component on the vehicle to see how much abuse they can handle before applying their reliability on other models. [b]Juno:[/b] Nice, nice. [b]Scientist 7:[/b] NASCAR isn't just for entertainment; it's a demonstration to put automobile products to the test. [b]Scientist 8:[/b] Like what you see? [b]Scientist 9:[/b] *To Cripto* Soon enough, your next new vehicle will have this similar technology, so don't be surprised when you have to use the interlock's breathalyzer to start your vehicle. Even better is that soon, you will never have to worry about drunk drivers. [b]Mechayote:[/b] This makes our police forces' jobs much easier so they can focus on other things. This also takes a load of stress off our healthcare systems' backs. Even I can feel the relief, too. [b]Leo:[/b] I can see that. The ones who drank the beer can't start their cars. Beer is something I always hated the smell of, and so that was the initial reason I refuse to drink it. [b]Cripto:[/b] It's almost like something out of a spy movie; if the breath is potent enough, you can't drive. Or is it, "if the breath isn't potent enough?" Whichever is correct. [b]Super C:[/b] Do these people drink on a regular basis? If so, I pray hard they quit. [b]Scientist 1:[/b] We can't give out that specific detail. We can only say that the participants we chose are those who drink about at most as average as others. [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] I see you have sensors that detect opened alcoholic drinks as well. [b]Scientist 2:[/b] Yes, and let's just say people are going to learn a lot before they drive. [b]Zax:[/b] This will change the automobile world forever. With the rise of autonomous mini-buses for commuting directly to work from home along with mass transit systems being popular, I hope traffic congestion will be a thing of the past. And of course, the rise of working from home. [b]Jack:[/b] You would think; otherwise, the Astroworld proves that it is not always the case. [b]Juno:[/b] There's always going to be something unexpected. Don't forget FIFA 2026, meaning lots of heavy traffic in America. The world is gradually loosening travel restrictions from the CNG crisis so we can expect a flood of tourists in America by then. Right now, the next FIFA event will take place in Qatar. [b]Mechayote:[/b] If we qualify, then we will celebrate. So far, Germany, Denmark, and Brazil have qualified. [b]Juno:[/b] Please let there be no soccer drama or any of that dumb stuff like Neymar's theatrics. [b]Super C:[/b] Oops, sorry. I'm just concerned about their safety; that's all. I look out for the people I protect, whether they drink or not. [b]Cripto:[/b] Are we hosting FIFA in 2026? [b]Leo:[/b] I believe so. The last time we did that if I'm correct was 1994. Brazil won that one. [b]Tom:[/b] If we are doing FIFA in 2026, then we should have no worries about riots. [b]Zax:[/b] There will be plenty of cops in riot gear with shields and catchpoles, though, but that's just how it is. ------------ [b]Leo:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] It is indeed. Meanwhile, South Africa was going through new transitions as well. Even though my counterpart, Letsego the Adventurous Lion, was elected the new President of South Africa, a signficiant number of people were still leaving the country because they had made the commitment to do so. They wanted a better life, and we have opened the door of opportunity for them. All they had to do was walk through it. --------- *Later, we visit the state of Pennsylvania due to explosive economic growth and rapid increase of Boer immigration into the state from South Africa. Thanks to the Boers integrating with the Amish due to cultural connections, there is a rise of Amish stores, which have become way more popular for grocery shopping than their competitors. It is important to know that most Amish these days are open to new technology despite having strong tendencies to stick with traditional methods.* -------- *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] My home state has never looked so better! [b]Politician 1:[/b] These Boer immigrants from South Africa are exactly the kind of people we are looking for here. [b]Politician 2:[/b] The Amish and Boers are the backbones of this state. We learned so much from them, not just Leo. We learned more about their values way more than we ever learned from Leo. *to Leo* Nothing personal. [b]Leo:[/b] Nothing taken. [b]Politician 3:[/b] He made the right choice in granting priority status to these immigrants, and now they are Americans. I had no idea South African culture is similar to ours. But we learned a lot from these South African immigrants. I can see why they desire to live with us. [b]Politician 4:[/b] This will solidify our state as an economically resilient state. We got lots of small businesses galore! [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] Don't take it for granted. Treat them well, and in return they will treat you well. This is how you keep this state growing. [b]Politician 5:[/b] We did manage to hire some VPN workers as IT managers, since they possess a huge amount of knowledge on IT security and this is vital in protecting our public databases. So we hired them in all levels of our government here. Finding IT managers for our cities and towns was easy. Finding an IT executive for our state government here in Harrisburg, not so easy. But we did finally manage to find someone for that position. The fact that these people contributed to China's downfall to make way for Liu, and the fact that they earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was way more than enough to hire them on the government budget. They were the perfect people for our government jobs. [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] I'm glad you found some people for that. Also note that most dishes of American cuisine began in this state from the Amish community. [b]Shadow Lord Coy:[/b] *Is eating an oatmeal cookie.* Oh, man; the Amish put a lot of love into what they do! Leo learns a lot from the Amish, no doubt about that, which explains his affinity for them. [b]Politician 6:[/b] So I heard the world is loosening restrictions on travel from the CNG crisis, but China won't be allowing foreign sports fans to come in just like they did in Japan. Is that correct? [b]Mechayote:[/b] Correct, and know that those who took part in selling VPN services are VIPs in China. So when do these new IT workers for your government start their jobs? [b]Politician 5:[/b] Two weeks after the Olympics end so they can have time to settle in to their new homes in this state. Give them time to not only get used to their new homes, but also our communities as well. We know it's a lot for them to be VIPs in China, because they're the ones who basically liberated that country. I didn't think this was going to happen but now here we are. [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] *To Leo* Pennsylvania is looking great here. Your policies benefited America very well. Like what you see? [b]Leo:[/b] I do like what I see. I'm positive Letsego is just as happy; he's now in charge of South Africa, but even he wanted his people to have the best life they can live, and we offered it. *The Golden Fife and Drum Corps play tunes for the public as Ulysses makes his appearance.* [b]Leo:[/b] May I introduce you to my First Civil War counterpart, Ulysses the Union Lion? Those of you who haven't met him, anyway. [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] Ulysses! *The G-52s who haven't met him salute to him first as Ulysses returns the salute. The G-52s who are new to him also introduce themselves as well.* [b]Mechayote:[/b] I take it that you live in this state of Pennsylvania? [b]Ulysses:[/b] I sometimes think of Gettysburg as a second home, but I'm just visiting. My real hometown is Hartford, CA. And I have with my my drumming counterpart; I play the fife. *The other parallel present is Grayson the Faithful Lion, Ulysses's drumming partner. Grayson had also given the salute to the G-52s who saluted.* [b]Grayson:[/b] How do you all do? [b]Mechayote:[/b] We're doing well! [b]Shadow Hunter:[/b] It's been a pretty interesting year. Soon, we'll be preparing for our trip to China for the Olympics. [b]Zax:[/b] You heard of how we unintentionally took down Jinping, so Liu can take his place. Why? The Jinping Administration really had an enormous temper tantrum over their kids using our VPN services to circumvent their censorship system, so they can play their games late at night, when they should be getting a good night's sleep. [b]Jack:[/b] It's the job of the parents to keep their kids off the internet late at night; not the government. [b]Ulysses:[/b] What makes them think they could control every aspect of people's lives when they can't even run themselves? [b]Zax:[/b] Exactly! [b]Zachary/Zihao:[/b] *His phone beeps and he looks at it.* Well, Leo, you got a lot of loyalists to you being elected across America. Even the newly elected mayor of New York City is loyal to your ideas. ------- *New York City, NY, USA* *The newly elected mayor proceeds to place massive orders for the latest police technologies and hardware for the NYPD, because one of his campaign promises is to support the police and increase funding for them.* [b]Police 1:[/b] *Looks at the various catchpoles.* Interesting. [b]Police 2:[/b] *Inspects the various Israeli firearms that were recently ordered.* SWAT teams will love this! This is exactly what we need! Hopefully we don't have to use this. [b]Police 3:[/b] I prefer using the catchpoles first. *The police pose in their riot gear with catchpoles and Tavor X95s for the media to take pictures of.* -------- *Tel Aviv, Israel* [b]Civilian 1:[/b] *In Hebrew* About time New York City ordered our guns for their police. [b]Civilian 2:[/b] *In Hebrew* I hope the catchpoles help reduce criminal deaths so they can live to see the consequences of their actions. [b]Civilian 3:[/b] *In Hebrew* I hope no football rivalry explodes during FIFA. ----------- *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Leo:[/b] What do you make of that? [b]Super C:[/b] You must be doing something right. ------------------- *Tel Aviv, Israel* [b]Lior:[/b] *in Hebrew* What do you people think about these catchpoles the US police officers are now electing to use? I just happen to have one on me. *Indeed, somebody sent one to Lior so they could get his opinion on it. He then gently demonstrates it with a volunteer.* ----------- *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Marshall:[/b] But expect many challenges ahead. ------- *Tel Aviv, Israel* [b]Civilian 1:[/b] *In Hebrew* I think that's brilliant! [b]Civilian 2:[/b] *In Hebrew* How can anyone argue against it? [b]Civilian 3:[/b] *In Hebrew* That makes capturing criminals alive more easy! Just what the police needs! ----------- *Iceland* *The Icelandic government orders catchpoles for everybody, not just police.* [b]Politician 1:[/b] *In Icelandic on TV.* Please go to your local town hall and pick up your catchpoles! [b]Politician 2:[/b] *In Icelandic* Your police will instruct you on how your catchpoles work! [b]Police 1:[/b] *In Icelandic as he teaches the civilians.* Big catchpole is for the body. Small one is for the limbs! [b]Police 2:[/b] *In Icelandic* Hello, Leonhard! Please pick up your catchpoles here! We're going to learn how to use them! This is useful if a CNG smuggler ends up in Iceland. We need to be more prepared these days. --------- *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Leo:[/b] Indeed. -------------- *Tel Aviv, Israel* [b]Lior:[/b] I certainly think so. ------------- *Iceland* [b]Leonhard:[/b] *in Icelandic* Oh, thanks for the heads-up. *He calls for Magnus.* Hey, Magnus. Look at this! [b]Magnus:[/b] *In Icelandic* Whoa! Hey, Balthasar! Look! [b]Balthasar/Baldwin:[/b] *In Icelandic as he picks up his catchpoles.* A catchpole! We haven't had these things for a while! At one point in our history, everybody had these, but they were different back then. [b]Police 3:[/b] *In Icelandic as he demonstrates with his catchpole.* If using the small one, go for the legs. [b]Guitar Guardian:[/b] *In Icelandic as he practice with his catchpole.* All right! Let's do this! ------------ *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Marshall:[/b] *His phone beeps.* Why is everybody in Iceland using catchpoles? I thought those were police weapons. [b]Juno:[/b] They are, but in Iceland, they still operate on a village mindset, so everybody has them. Not to mention, in Icelandic history, everybody had these before guns were a thing there. [b]Zax:[/b] In Japan, schools have them too to ward off intruders. --------- *Japan* *Grade school teachers and staff practice with the catchpoles during intruder drills.* [b]Civilian 1:[/b] *In Japanese* Very good; very good. [b]Civilian 2:[/b] *In Japanese* I think it would be nice if every school on Earth had these. They provide extra backup against intruders. -------- *Iceland* [b]Leonhard:[/b] Okay. You start. I'll follow you. ------------- *Harrisburg, PA, USA* [b]Super C:[/b] I think you started something! [b]Leo:[/b] Looks like it. Even Leonhard is having a go at it. He doesn't need it necessarily; he's got super strength. Not to the degree of Leonidas, but it's super strength nonetheless. *His communicator beeps.* Oh. Even Vladimir Putin is ordering these. ---------- *Cambodia* *Although several civilians practice with them, Leng opts not to due to his skills with bokator, and his students, Bokator Bull and Bokator Bear, follow his lead.* --------------------- *Russia* *Leonid helps the police demonstrate the catchpoles.* [b]Leonid the Cold Lion:[/b] *in Russia* I wish we had these a long time ago. Then we wouldn't have had all those wars or revolutions. Well, they wouldn't have been as violent and graphic, anyways. -------------- *Iceland* *Everybody begins to practice with their catchpoles as one side acts as the attacker as the others defend themselves with their catchpoles.* -------- *Russia* [b]Police 1:[/b] *In Russian* The Soviet Union would've been indeed less violent if they knew what these things were. [b]Police 2:[/b] *In Russian* Not that it would matter because Stalin started the entire mess. ------------- [b]Leonid:[/b] [i](narrating in English)[/i] A bulk of many of the problems we had were Stalin's fault. And with Leo's triumphs, Russia was feeling more embarrassed than ever, and I regretted more than ever the times I lost my temper at all those dopers. I wish people hadn't brought them in front of me, but all it proved was that I was Leo's parallel. Due to CNG effects, anything I said, people obey. Because of that, all the dopers were spending the rest of their lives doing community service since that was what I ordered them to do. If the government overruled that, they haven't told me yet. [b]Leo:[/b] [i](narrating)[/i] The good news was Leonid's health was improving, though, and so he'll be back to his old self in no time. Russia needs him, just as every country needs its parallel. With these catchpoles becoming the next big thing, though, and my new law about the technology in cars to eliminate drunk driving, it was just the latest reason America rules the world. Shortly after I signed that bill, the Canadian Parliament introduced a virtually identical one to Levi Peterson (my Canadian counterpart), and he signed it. The other Commonwealth nations were the next to follow suit, followed by many European nations, and finally Asian nations, particularly China and Japan. Progress leading to better lives and maybe even world peace for us all. Stay tuned if you want more adventures; we got plenty of them! ------------------ [color=blue][b]THE END[/b][/color]