Well I was going to save this chapter for later. But screw that.
San Marino, eh? Kind of reminds me of The Mouse that Roared. I wonder when the nukes are going to come out...
I'm torn. I kind of want Percy to join Brunhart for the sheer awesomeness of it all. But at the same time it would be handing this guy world domination, if the US were indebted to him, and they took Russia as well.
Also holy shit Percy. Is this what he's really like? Caught glimpses of it before, but he's starting to scare me all over again... I'm not sure if I would want him in charge either honestly.
Can't wait to see where this is going. The Easy 8 in action for real... please don't fall off any cliffs, lol.

Fuck. Not Wallace. I've always seen Wallace as sort of like... the conscious of Percy? Not quite the word. Like he's the only thing that's holding him back? From going full out Istanbul mode. He sort of represents the whole Union thing for me, so if he doesn't show up soon that would mean a lot... But I am curious about seeing the other side of Percy that's been hinted at so often.
I was worried about Warren as well. Two of them going under would've really screwed everything.
On the other hand WTF Doyle? Are his men brain damaged or something? What does shooting at police officers and firefighters have to do with anything? Especially not going after the soldiers. It's almost like they want to rile Percy up...

Go Ethan! I guess William is smarter than he looks. Least at predicting what people will do. I was waiting for that moment for so long, seriously.
"The military has been trained to act as dogs; they'll never rise up." It's funny, that reminds me of a quote from some movie (Full Metal Jacket I think) were they said sort of the opposite. Like soldiers are kind of useless in a real battle if all they can do is follow orders. So yeah I'm not so sure how useful the (non-Eight) US military is going to be in these worldwide conflicts.
Was not expecting Trotter to show up again, but he is one awesome dude. Funny how the half-dead guy is the only reasonable voice here. Hm, is Brunhart focusing on Europe or does he want to go worldwide too?
Never really thought about that. Somehow I don't see Percy as a political person... is there an answer? I thought Ethan was Republican at first (for whatev that's worth) but now I'm not so sure. But I usually don't ask after political beliefs... it just unleashes all sorts of hell.

Haha that was why she knocked on the door? I really want to know what's between them now. I bet Raine got what she needed in any case.
Lol, I kind of like drunk William. Especially with his little bro egging him on. He should do it more often. I still can't figure out exactly why he went to Union though... he doesn't seem to have actually done anything substantial.
That was a creepy vibe I was getting at the end. Like he's a ticking time bomb or something. Hopefully Ethan can keep him in line back in DC.
I kind of agree with Wallace. I'd rather have liberty than justice... I guess I can imagine justice w/out liberty but not the other way around. Because if you had freedom then you'd have freedom to carry out whatever action you think is justice right? And I can see what Warren's trying to do but I don't see what God has to do with it. Liberty comes from God? So the oppressed should just sit back and wait for Him? And if he doesn't show up then what?
Royal and the phone. Maybe things are circling in more ways than one...

Lots to think about. I was imagining Doyle would be a dogmatic person to get caught up in this fight. But it looks like he's just as lost as everybody else. That makes me more sympathetic... maybe he's not so bad. He just doesn't know where his life is going. His life story kind of reminds me of Percy's as well. Foil?
Wallace's outburst also took me off guard. Although it makes sense on reflection. "Take this opportunity to get out of this bullshit career." Is that how he really feels? I wonder if he's gonna let it show around Percy, and how that'll affect him.
Also Raine. I think I'm starting to get her. Something happened between her and William. Maybe when he went over to the 'other side' ? "I'm going to destroy you." I get the feeling that a lot of her actions, her motivation can be explained by that. Catch me if I'm wrong here - but this ain't no ordinary lover's spat.
PS. nice end note... looking forward to it.

I can't figure William out. Like is he actually trying to get on Percy's side? Or is he just interested in being a jerk to Jordan. It's funny how he gets on his bro for being a 'failure' when they're similar in so many ways. Especially with Raine (maybe), lol. I feel like he's either a lot smarter or a lot dumber than he lets on.
Ceto's a great name for a sub. Also nice way to expose Ellis, how his hold on the forces is actually tenuous (at best). The Sea Dogs have the right idea IMO.
I'm glad Royal and Warren reconciled a bit. Although I'm getting this horrible premonition with Royal now.
"I didn't join to fight. I was running away." It's interesting how he said that. Because that's also why he left, right?

Hm, I'm starting to like Ethan more and more. Interesting how he's from Michigan. His actions just tell what kind of person he is. But how he was thinking of Mackenzie also got to me... I'm unsure why I disliked him in the first place. This isn't the direction I was expecting the trial to take at all, which is great. And William too doesn't seem like such a bad person. Hope they can pull this thing off.
Interesting to hear what's going on in the rest of the world again. It's kind of hilarious how they're kibitzing China for having a civil war and all when the US is on the brink of the same thing.
Oh yeah I liked the 'I keep my hands free' quote lol.

Wow, Doyle. I'm going to have a really hard time taking him seriously now, after what happened there. That was just... not even a fight. I almost felt like laughing. Okay, I did laugh. I'm a terrible person.
Yeah, I felt bad for all the guys they killed though. "There was no reason to slaughter them like that." Especially since Doyle got out free. Hopefully they can use him as a hostage or get some use out of him. Somehow I feel like Ellis just won't give a shit about him though. I predict either he's gonna be completely reformed, or this experience is just gonna make him that much more bitter/hating Percy.
I was kinda surprised Wallace got so worked up at Jordan, though. Guess I'm pretty jaded at this point.
Torres does seem like a good guy. I hope Percy comes to trust him, because he seems like a valuable ally.
Oh and it seems I was too paranoid about Chen again. Lol.

Haha, Doyle. This chapter highlights the absurdity of war really well. How they're stuck in the snow and Doyle tries to take over the town but nobody cares. Then that shouting match in the street, that was epic. That's how you fight with words.
Damn, Doyle is ruthless though. Probably has to be or all his men would just rebel...
He's more clever than he looks, using Roo's past like that. But I hope his arrogance gets him shot. Rita really got my hopes up there, I have to admit.
Glad Wallace is okay, I was getting worried about him.
I'm kind of feeling conflicted about Doyle here... I really don't like him for what he's done so far, but he seems to have a point with what he's saying. And I agree with the way he acted toward Dawson, seems he's not completely heartless. Also that part with the dog. Maybe he's just misguided?

Joshua is awesome. I like his attitude, his rockets. Especially that way he talks, spilling out his past and future plans so openly... He's a cool guy, hope he sticks around.
Heh, that scene at the beginning made me laugh. I liked that insight into Conroy's mind as well. I wonder what Chen was so angry about. Probably something to do with the fight? Arg, I'm getting worried he's gonna turn again. Betray them to Doyle/Ellis. Damn it, Percy why do you have to keep doing things like this.
"This is an inquisition. A public interrogation. They plan to humiliate the guy in front of the entire world." Oh god, it's not Ethan is it. I have a terrible feeling it's Percy. Why aren't you worried about this, man?
On a completely unrelated note... a MILLION dollar suit? Holy shit, is this inflation? Or is there seriously such a thing. Especially in times like this, when everyone's so strapped. Yeah that caught my attention to say the least.
And Brunhart too: "That young man is a game changer. He'll do something with this world." I think I'm pretty much openly supporting him at this point. I feel like he's sorta the European foil to Percy. Or something.
Yep, I enjoyed this chapter a lot.

Dang, that got real philosophical. It's interesting to hear what different people think about the big questions. And Freddie being very poetic, as usual. I wonder what Percy's answer would be?
"There's other things I'd like to know." Like how to build/rule a country? Can almost hear those wheels turning in his mind.
It seems like Percy and Raine have more in common than I thought. Both alone without families, but wanting one? Could be totally wrong. They're also like the only ones whose past we don't know much about, yet.
I liked the flashback of the World Series, the cap story. Shows a side of the country that hasn't been evident much... good to know it's still there. "But eventually, people forgot about how strongly de' Medici felt and they forgot about how they felt." Seems like a recurring theme. Like things could change but people just get all apathetic. True story.

Well that escalated quickly. That fight was really ugly. Didn't know Raine was the type to get drunk like that. I'm glad Skipper was there, otherwise who knows what might've happened. Shows how much Percy's guys are strained. I wonder what's Percy's planning that 'could work'.
'If you cause me any more trouble, I will not only end your career in the Army, I will end you.' I think that's a good display of Ellis's character. He's got nerve, calling Percy like that and saying he's 'sorry'. When he was probably the one behind that attack. I wonder how the hell he survived DC. I hope Percy kicks his ass soon.
Huh, I wonder what's up with Percy and women. I thought he might have feeling for Mackenzie, but maybe he really is gay... or maybe he just had a really bad relationship in the past?
BTW, like the chapter title. Thought it was typo at first, lol. Eve2 should definitely be a real holiday.

Damn it. Seems like this Doyle is another one of those villains that always escape... like Ellis. How is he even justifying this attack? Seems like just plain revenge on Percy?
That scene with the drones in the beginning was interesting. I wasn't aware that they had to actually be taken down by fighter jets... that's rather frightening. Or are they more advanced that what we have now?
Heh, Mighty Mouse. Now he's reminding me of Mickey Mouse for some reason. Well if Skipper trusts him, that's good enough for me. 'The name dripped like rotten milk out of his mouth' I liked that simile (?), it gives a good image of how much everybody hates that guy.
Jordan seems like kind of a dumbass to me... like how many times has he nearly died so far? Or that's just how hard it is for a civilian to stay alive in those situations.
Oh yeah, that snow scene was nice. 'In his own moment of disbelief, his rifle slipped out of his hand and crashed against the ground.' Guess not all of Doyle's men are like him. Which augurs well.

Woah, that escalated quickly... Oh man, it was DOYLE?! That's just the icing on the cake. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this guy. Hasn't he screwed over the town enough already? I wonder if there was something more he didn't want them to find out about Freddie.
"Eerily like Corpus Christi," I wonder if this is part of a bigger scheme by Ellis or something to take out Percy... Or maybe I'm just paranoid. '
I'm glad Royal and Warren seem to have made up a bit. I was worried about Warren there at the end. Like I said, if he dies so many things are gonna fall apart in so many ways...
The SFX were kind of... jarring? I guess that was their intention though. I dunno, maybe I'm just not used to them.
Oh yeah, I liked how one of the Sea Dogs did a barrel roll there, just for the hell of it. Lol.

That funeral scene was sad. Just how fake it all was for so many people... You make insightful comparisons, I never thought about it like a parade before. 'Yet when they got up the next day, they went back into the same routine of being more concerned about celebrity gossip, the water cooler rumors at work, and how much more right they were compared to everyone else in the country.' That about sums it up, don't it.
'Why the hell are you all in /my/ office?' That made me laugh for some reason. I think Wallace must care a lot about Mackenzie though, that he apprehended Huck like that. He's come a long way, hasn't he? From calling her a bitch in the first chapters...
'You're stuck with us, Major Raymond!' Haha. Those guys are sweet, can't wait to see more of their antics.