February 21, 2022

New York, USA

America sighed to himself, slumping down in his seat and pulling out his phone as the nations around him began to file out of the room. G20 Meetings were so exhausting, and he couldn't even just ignore everyone and annoy England like he usually did, as it was his turn to host. Thank goodness it was over..

Alfred yawned, doing his best to keep his eyes open against the sleep that threatened to take him at any moment. He'd been up most of the night before, having just come back from a trip to China, and had an early-morning meeting with his top scientists about the new "Spidertech" his government was developing. Honestly, usually the American would be excited for the new technology, as he had helped come up with it himself, but now it just annoyed him. It took away too many sleep hours.

Suddenly, America felt a dark force behind him, and the fatigue began to drain away, replaced with an uncharacteristic scowl, setting his phone down on the table. He was not in the mood to deal with all of this crap today.

"Good morning, Америка," a deep voice giggled behind him. "How is your advanced satellite development going?"

America froze, his insides twisting. Advanced satellite development? Did he mean Project X Terra 2020? If so, how had he found out about the secret NATO project? Was he being paranoid? Should he stop asking himself questions? Should he actually answer the question? Probably!

Swiftly, the exhaustion that had settled into his bones evaporated, leaving adrenaline in its wake. Shaking himself and recovering rather quickly, if he did say so himself, America forced a puzzled expression on his face and turned to the towering Russian, raising an eyebrow in a perfect imitation of confusion.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. "Have you finally put too much vodka into your system, you dirty Commie?"

Russia's—no, the Eurasian Union's—smile twitched slightly; if America hadn't known him so well, he would've missed it. The superpower's insides twisted. That wasn't a good sign.

"You think I don't know what you're up to?" Russia questioned. His smile turned much more sinister, and a dark aura began to permeate the room. Around them, America sensed some of the nations stop to watch the scene between the two superpowers. Ivan seemed to notice this as well, as he raised his voice so that everyone remaining in the conference hall could hear. "You and NATO really need to get better security. Project X Terra 2020, your advanced satellite mapping system. Why is it not globally available?"

So he did know. America cursed under his breath in several languages. Whoever had slipped this little tidbit to the Eurasian Union was not going to have all their limbs tomorrow. Dropping his confused façade completely, America frowned at Russia, pushing the whispers from the remaining nations that began to dot the meeting place to the back of his mind.

"Why should I?" He challenged the intimidating man, and he could feel a horrified gasp permeate the crowd. He inwardly rolled his eyes. Wimps. "I invented this for NATO, not for any wannabe nation off the street!"

"Perhaps," Russia's grin seemed slightly forced, and America could feel the temperature in the room drop at least fifteen degrees. "But maybe the virus inside your borders will change your mind, da? Remember Ebola? This will only get worse."

Alfred's ring finger twitched, and he forced himself to take a deep breath. He had this. He had survived the Cold War, come out on top, even, and he could do it again. He was the Hero, and Heroes never lost, especially to dirty commies!

"And what does that have to do with me now?" He countered. "I had, like, what, eleven people get Ebola in my country[1]? And more importantly, why do you care?"

"Well, if you aren't willing to make the satellite systems global, we can always solve this problem the old fashioned way, da?" Russia's smile turned sinister. "But aren't your troops too sick to fight the likes of me?"

"Bring it on," America hissed, standing up to face Russia, who only smiled deeper. "Last I've checked you've been hit too, so we're even."

"America, not now…." He could hear Canada's worried voice behind him, but he didn't care. If he didn't stand up to the dirty commie, what would the others think of him?

The whispers would only get worse…

Russia's voice snapped him out of his inner monologue.

"I already have a vaccine for the new virus," he announced loudly, and the surrounding nations, America included, started. The superpower cursed in almost a dozen[2] different languages internally.

Has Russia already come to match my power again? Have I underestimated him?

"What about you?" The Russian questioned confidently. "Also, what would you do if I decided to tell all the nations listening in on our conversation just why I am conversing with a capitalist pig?"

Before America could quickly respond with a witty retort, a new voice cut into the battle between the two World Powers.

"I heard," India frowned, crossing his arms as he stepped up, unafraid. "Now tell me, what exactly is going on here? If another World War Three is about to begin, I would certainly like to know why."

America froze, then turned to the rising world power. India only raised an eyebrow questioningly, his face in an impassive mask.

"I know."

Everyone in the room spun around to spot Japan, sitting only a few seats down from America and the Eurasian Union. He was putting some documents in a paper, before standing up respectfully and bowing to India.

"A new satellite system America-san has neglected to tell us about, if what I hear is correct," he announced, and America's nails dug into his palms. He and Japan hadn't been on very good terms lately[3], and he could tell that the eastern nation had entered the conversation just to prod at him and his reputation. Passive-aggressive, just like Canada.

India frowned, his expression turning accusative as America noted some of the non-NATO nations turning to glare at him. America glanced back at Japan, who simply kept his composure and continued sorting out his documents.

If he goes World War II on me again, I swear I am going to scream.

"Well then." America turned once again to face Russia, who looked triumphant. "You will make this project of yours global, da?"

America gritted his teeth as he glanced around him. Thankfully, most of the countries in the meeting room had left already, but he could still count at least half a dozen eavesdropping into the conversation. Word would spread like wildfire once they left this room. Alfred caught sight of Germany in the crowd, who was subtly shaking his head 'no,' and mouthing 'don't you dare.'

But was risking World War III with Russia and India really worth keeping a satellite system?

"Come on America, make your choice," Romano spoke up, also seeming to have been listening in, though he seemed to not be in his usual bad mood. Odd[4]. "Now isn't the best time to go and do your own thing. Each choice is good and bad. When Veneziano and I occupied Libya, we did what we thought was best. What is best for all of us?"

"Make it global!" China put in his own two cents.

The pause drew out longer, with America internally battling with himself over what he should do. Should he refuse, standing up to Russia, staying in control of the project he had spent so much on, and keep the little respect he had worked so hard to gain? Or yield, possibly preventing another arms race and/or World War but losing the trust of his allies and his power in the process?

He kept his eyes averted from Russia, desperately trying to decide in the few seconds he had left before the Russian's patience wore out, and his eyes caught sight of his cell phone, still lying on the table. Attached to it was a little clay charm that was supposed to be a bird, but one couldn't really tell unless they were told. Puerto Rico, one of America's youngest sons at six years old, had made it for him.

What was he thinking?! The answer to this dilemma was obvious.

Sorry Ludwig, but before I am a country and an ally, I am a father.

"Fine. I'll make it global."

Russia grinned, but America did his best just ignore him and the scene they had created. Instead, he picked up his phone, fingering the little bird charm, doing his best to pretend he didn't notice Germany's glare on the back of his head, or Japan's eerie smirk, or India's victorious demeanor.

America turned around, leaving the conference room and entering the hallway. Being a hero was a lot harder than he ever would have expected it to have been back when he was a kid, but… he had promised to never put any of his children in danger again. He made a mental note to visit Florida[5] when he got home.

Being a hero was a full-time job, and sometimes he just needed to take a break from it all.


[1]- 4 cases diagnosed in the US, and 7 evacuated to American hospitals after contracting the disease elsewhere.

[2]- There is no official language in the US, therefore he can speak the dozens of the major languages inside his borders.

[3]- Trading disagreements. Basically, Japan got upset that America paid off most of his debts to China and not to him. Relations are a bit tense at the moment, and Kiku is being passive-aggressive to Alfred, hoping to cause a stir in revenge for not yet being paid back. Japan has also had his eyes set on annexing South Korea since North Korea was annexed by China, but as South Korea is under the protection of America, he can't do that. So yes, Japan and America are not very friendly with each other right now. Sorry I didn't put this in the story, but this happened gradually over the course of several years and I didn't know how to write that without drawing attention away from the main plot. Thus, this extremely long footnote.

[4]- I am so, so sorry for Romano's OOC-ness. His countryball in VoidViper's story is calm and analytical. I'm doing my best to keep him in-character, but it's very difficult.

[5]- I just think that upstate Florida would be like America's summer house, where he goes to relax and vent out.

World News (February 21, 2022 to March 21, 2022):

1) Eurasian Union receives information on advanced satellites in NATO

2) New Order Venezuela requests to become an ally of the USA

3) China continues to create more sponge cities

4) The disease spreads through North America and Africa

5) The Eurasian Union develops a vaccine to the virus, but has yet to release it to the public

6) The United Kingdom receives inspiration from the Discovery Channel. They begin on a new project, ignoring the rising tensions between the USA and Eurasian Union

7) New Zealand asks what would happen if trees never existed in the first place

8) Hong Kong has lost his shopping interests

9) The people of North Korea are demanding to become independent

10) Greece finds primitive tribes on the unexplored island and takes the necessary precautions

11) Switzerland's tasty new chocolate the Tasty Swiss has earned the most delicious chocolate title in the world

12) Italy makes progress in creating a vaccine for the virus

13) Ethiopia now has 16 quarantine zones

14) There has been a malfunction in the Satellite systems


Short Chapter is short. The edited Chapter 1 should be out soon!