Ave, comitis. Morituri te salutant.

As I gaze out into the wastelands we once called civilization, I find myself reflecting on what the catalyst for this destruction was. What spark was it, that lit the flame of not only discord, but widespread turmoil? To find this answer, I need only look to the past.

First, however, perhaps some background on this subject is needed. After all, one can only truly give a respectable, worthwhile opinion if some background knowledge is attained. The year is…well…how should I put this? For all intents and purposes, this is the year 2044. A rather nice number, don't you agree? I mean, the digits add up to 10, all numbers are even…but I'm getting off track.

If I'm going to give you an idea of our situation, I'll have to make you understand that it is not, in fact, 2044. The actual, lawful number would be 12,044. Now, before you discard this writing in frustration, hear me out. The reasoning for this alteration means more to this tale than you could hope to imagine.

To compensate for our previous, 'outdated' BC-AD system, 10,000 extra years were added to the calendar to represent the time before year 1. Now, I know what you're thinking. There most certainly were more than 10,000 years before that year. But none of the events that occurred in that time serve any purpose to the higher ups of our government.

There is no past, because past is unnecessary.

The purpose for mentioning this year is to introduce to you The Free Trade Agreement of 12,013. By this time, the United States of America had adopted the concept of 'Manifest Destiny'. In other words, expansion is necessary because they have a divine right to rule. Russia, looking to protect its vast expanses of land from this colonization, sought to ally themselves with nearby nations.

This technique seems natural. When you're in over your head, you look for backup. That's how it's always been. But let's keep in mind that the oil-mongering United States holds a virtual monopoly on all trade. The so-called 'Leaders of the Free World' supply most of the militarily proficient nations with necessary materials, along with holding a considerably vast nuclear arsenal. If a nation were to ally itself with Russia, they would not only be isolating themselves financially, but also diplomatically.

So, the best course of action for the Russians would be to eliminate this monopoly. The only question was how. The aforementioned agreement, the brainchild of one Niklas Shcotz, broke the control, and took the world out of America's hands.

I'm no genius, nor do I know the technicalities of the agreement. But I will tell you this. The draft given to the United Nations, while altered after, called for a leveling of the playing field. It demanded that smaller, weaker nations be given discounts, at the very least, when it came to their necessities. In some cases, handouts would also be given, and all of the main powers of the world must contribute. This allowed nations to choose sides based on ideals, and let's face it, when you have to choose between the oppressor and the oppressed, with little fear of retaliation, you're gonna go for the latter.

The resulting flurry of transactions astonished even the most learned experts. Russia was able to gather an alliance of its own, and fend of the attacking U.S. For about a decade, there was the illusion of peace. Countries kept to themselves, never worrying about one another. Genocide in third world countries? Pure poppycock, not worthy of large scale attention. Maintaining the illusion was far more important.

This was, also, the picture perfect time to plan opposition. With munitions included in the agreement, and the larger countries of the world blinded by their own ignorance, smaller nations began planning a war of their own.

Terrorism is not so effective when performed in times of war. During such periods, hostile acts are expected, and defended more simply. Breaking the peace is at least ten times more effective. And when peace is shattered, fear readily takes its place.

This is how the United States, along with several other world powers, fell. A terrorist cell, known only as the Disciples of Justice, staged multiple attacks against the world leaders. Each attack increased with severity, and with publicity. The Empire State Building, Parliament, the Eiffel Tower, Saint Petersburg. The group seemed to have no loyalties of any kind, isolated from international affairs.

As I previously said, worldwide terror commenced. People were frightened, not only of this organization, but of their own country's inability to fend these hostiles off. Rebellions, one after another, weakened the targets further. It was a simple matter for the Disciples to dismantle an already chaotic country. Nothing remained of the Earth but a widespread and confused Anarchy. The people needed a leader.

The leader they chose…the only one who had truly come through over the years, the man who had led the Disciples, and shown that he was a leader like no other…his name is Juliann Ragloff.

I finish this entry to my journal with hope for the future. For I know that, as long as one of our group remains, we have a chance. If you find this, I beg you to read it. For the life expectancy of one in my position is not very long, and my location is by far the least secure in the world. I suspect that I shall die in the coming days, and if I do, I die like a dog. But perhaps, through this, I can spread knowledge, spread disloyalty, spread the sacred doubt that gathers us together.

Seek us out. We are nameless, but we remain. Steadfast and loyal to the past. I wish you well, and hope that you can overcome this horrid dictatorsh...