Okay guys, So, my 3d printed shop got shut down. So that sucks. But I have two 3d printers that don't have any projects so what am I gonna do?

Well, screw it, lets see if I can 3d print an FGC 9

For those of you who don't know what that is?

Look up Plastic Defense: 3d Printed guns in europe.

RIP JSTARK 1809

I know I've mentioned that documentary before on here, but its just something I believe is important.

Jem

"Jem, are you sure this is a good idea?" Winter couldn't believe this.

She had expected a lot of things to happen. But Jem bringing on Robyn and Fiona as part of his security detail? She never saw that coming. It wasn't long after Jem came back from the prison they were being held out that he had made a public statement to the people of Mantle. Obviously some were not happy to see the faces of his two would be killers. But after he had released the footage of their confession and proof of innocence, it had been relatively calm. However, it didn't stop some from continuing to believe that Robyn and Fiona were part of some conspiracy. Jem didn't pay those people any mind. Some people were just too demoralized to the point where you could show them authentic proof and they would refuse to believe it.

Lion Skelter had of course been his most vocal critic. Seriously, the only reason that guy still had a job was because Jem refused to go against him. Mostly because he knew how bad it would look if he as a politician tried to censor free speech. So he just let the little dickhead run his mouth. It wasn't like anyone was paying him any mind anyways. Either way, Jem was not going to let some snake in the media tell him what he could and couldn't do. As much as he disliked Robyn from the show and the debates, he couldn't bring himself to believe she had intentionally planted a bomb in a school.

Sadly, they couldn't identify the remains of the woman who tried to kill him while he was in the hospital. Dental records didn't match with anything on record, blood wasn't in the system, and the face was so god awfully disfigured that facial reconstruction was impossible. So as far as he was concerned, he had bigger fish to fry.

"Look, while I recover, I will need some extra security. And these two need to repair their image in the eyes of the people. Sure I may have proven their innocence, but this could help bridge the divide between some of her supporters and mine when they see that we're coming together for the good of Mantle." He said as Robyn and Fiona looked around awkwardly.

Neither one was particularly feeling welcomed considering Winter had been giving them a death glare since they arrived.

"But don't you think people will see you as part of the political machine you rallied against?" She said just trying to find any way to get these two out of their lives.

"If that was the case, then choosing another underdog who was also running on behalf of the little guy would not be the one I would associate with the machine." He said as that usually was reserved for people who had spent their entire lives in politics.

"But Lost Liberty would gladly protect you if they needed to." Winter said trying to appeal to Jem's little militia group.

"You're right, and I couldn't ask for a more loyal group of men and women. But the fact of the matter remains that they are loyal to ME. Again, having the happy huntresses around is to show people that we can come together for a common good." Jem said as he knew Winter was not going to let this go.

"You're only getting two of the original group, and we still don't know if the other two were involved or not. And frankly, I don't feel comfortable knowing THEY took their orders from HER." Winter emphasized her point as Jem shrugged.

"Just remember the devil was once one of God's precious angels, But just because someone fell from Grace it doesn't mean their leader was evil. While we may not know if Joanna or May were involved, you saw the footage same as I did. Robyn and Fiona had no knowledge of it. If we ever find Joanna and May, we'll do the same thing. If they're innocent, they're innocent. If they're guilty, they're guilty."

Winter was about to say something back, but Jem cut her off.

"Winter, there isn't a part of me that wishes we could round up an old west posse, and drag those two back kicking and screaming. But I DON'T get to make that call. I have to maintain some semblance of order. The people are already on edge since the terrorist attack, I need to show I can remain calm in these times, and the last thing I want to do is attack this from an emotional standpoint. Emotions if not tempered can get you killed. We need to approach this from a level head."

Robyn felt like she had to interject.

"With all due respect Jem, I'm certain if I'm allowed to broadcast a message, Joanna and May will come out of hiding." Robyn said as Jem took it into consideration.

"While I certainly wouldn't mind a quick end to this mess, theres no guarantee they would make it back alive." He said as he thought it over.

"While we could say that they wouldn't be harmed on their way back, the fact of the matter is theres a LOT of angry citizens out there who think they did it. They could be innocent of the whole thing, but the fact of the matter was that kids could have been harmed in that bombing. And people don't think right when kids are in danger. And I know I'm guilty of that myself. But people would gladly give away their own rights and freedoms if they thought it would protect a child. So imagine what they'll do to someone who they believe tried to KILL their children?" Jem said as Robyn went silent.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I'm hearing a lot of what COULD go wrong and not enough solutions!" Fiona spoke up but 'meeped' and then calmed down.

"First...wow thats one of the few times I've ever seen you get slightly miffed. And two, I know. Complaining about a problem without presenting a solution is whining. But this is a tricky situation." He rubbed his hand against his forehead as he tried to think about his options.

"Honestly, I think our best option is going with Robyn's plan, broadcast a message that if May and Joanna turn themselves in, they will be given a fair trail and a chance to present their case." Jem said as Robyn smiled.

"Thank you, you won't..." She was cut off by Winter.

"Don't you think you're being too lenient with her?!" Everyone was surprised to see Winter had lost her composure.

"I don't care if she's innocent! You're being far too trusting of a woman who up until recently was a top suspect for your murder, AND she was a political rival of yours before then! How can you-" Winter was cut off by Jem smacking his hand against the table.

"WINTER!" He yelled in a stern voice to cut her off and let her know he wasn't joking around.

"WHAT did I just say about not letting emotions get in the way of this? Think about it! Whoever tried to frame Robyn for this crime wanted to take attention off of themselves. Who knows, maybe May and Joanna did it. But I refuse to judge these two for what someone else did! Thats all in the past! And if we want to move forward, we need to stop this petty squabbling and actually work together on this!" He said as the room went silent.

"Robyn, notify the media, I want you ready to broadcast a message to those two within an hour." Robyn slowly nodded and left with Fiona.

Winter went to leave to make sure they didn't do anything but she was stopped by Jem.

"Not you..." He said as Winter stopped.

"I'm just going to-" She said as Jem cut her off.

"I said...STAY..." Jem looked pissed.

Those two had gotten into minor fights before back on Jem's earth, but this time, he legitimately looked mad at her versus the playful anger she had seen from him back home.

"Look, I was just trying to-"

"Did you not watch the security tapes from the prison?"

"I don't see-"

"Did you watch the security tapes from the prison?"

"...Yes..."

"Was Robyn shown to be telling the truth in those tapes?"

"Yes."

"And did I NOT just get finished talking about how important it was for us to work together? But you still continue to question my decisions therefore showing you have absolutely NO trust in my judgement?" Jem said as Winter spoke up.

"Okay, you're going too far there!"

"AM I?!" Jem said as he stood up fast his hand on his cane.

He was wobbling as he was standing since his strength hadn't quite recovered even with the physical therapy. So for him to stand up as fast as he did showed how pissed off he was at Winter.

"You Doubted the evidence you saw with your own eyes! May I remind you that we live in a world where manipulation of the truth is a tool used by Salem to cause people to panic and turn on each other?!" Winter fell silent at that.

"Now I can understand it has been a rough six months for you and all of us. And I cannot blame you for being angry! Trust me so am I!" He said as he wobbled over.

"But if you won't even trust my judgement, how the hell am I supposed to lead effectively? If the one who I should be counting on for support is constantly second guessing everything I do!" He said as he sat back down.

"For God's sake Winter, you just showed two of our current allies that you don't trust them! The whole reason I went down to that prison in the first place was because I didn't believe the official police report! AND I WAS THE ONE CAUGHT IN THE EXPLOSION." He said as he was trying to calm down. Knowing he had to keep his emotions in check.

He breathed out a long sigh as he collected himself.

"We NEED to give the benefit of the doubt to Joanna and May, and Trust me, you know how I feel about May, you know I don't like her, but with the knowledge I have about Salem's manipulations, I refuse to believe that this isn't just another trick!" He said as both went silent for a bit.

"I'm sorry...its just..." She said as she trailed off.

"It's what?" He asked as she was holding something in.

"I...I can't go through that all again." She said as Jem listened.

"Seeing them here, I know they're innocent, but all I can think back to is when I saw that person standing over your hospital bed, and I just kept beating her and beating her until she stopped moving. And then I tried everything I could to get your heart to start back up again...but it wouldn't...and I thought you were gone for good." She said as Jem could see what was going on here.

He recognized the shakes, the quivering. He cursed himself as he realized he was so blinded by his own anger he didn't see the clear signs.

Winter must have had some form of PTSD after that incident in the hospital.

"And just seeing her again, all I can think about is when the police told me the happy huntresses were the primary suspects, and...I just can't help but hate them for that." She said as Jem walked over and lightly grasped her shaking hand.

"I'm sorry...I didn't even consider that." Now Jem felt like an asshole.

For someone who was talking about keeping emotions in check, he completely forgot to take into consideration Winter's feelings over the past few months.

She had hardly left his side since he started physical therapy.

He thought he had it rough with learning his home was gone, learning he was the victim of a terrorist attack and then finding out that he had to regain the strength he lost throughout his coma.

He had been through a lot, there was no doubt. But just because he had been through a lot didn't mean the people he cared about also hadn't been suffering as well.

"I am sorry Winter." He said as he gave her a hug and she just wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I just can't help but feel that same fear every time I see them." She said as she never saw the face of the woman in the hospital who tried to kill Jem.

All she could see was the suspected faces of the Happy Huntresses. And even though she knew Robyn and Fiona were innocent, it didn't stop that trauma response.

"I know, and I shouldn't have lost my temper. I'm sorry." Jem said as they both sat down.

"But the fact of the matter is, they're also the key to finding out WHO truly did this." He said as Winter went silent.

"...I still don't trust them..." She said as Jem sighed.

"Then Trust me when I say that they have my confidence." He said as he knew this was going to be a lot of work to get Winter to trust them.

But they had to unite over a common enemy or else they would destroy themselves from within.

Okay, what did you guys think?

I don't know, I'm trying to make Jem more reasonable but I also don't want him to be this Great political leader since I don't want him to be perfect. I want him to be flawed.

But at the same time I don't want him to come across as a incompetent buffoon, so I'm trying to find that sweet spot.

Oh also, shit has REALLY gotten weird in the world since I last posted.

Everyday seems like we're on a new chapter of the book of revelations.

Look guys, I'm gonna keep harping on it. I've put in multiple authors note the need to be prepared. And obviously I'm not saying everyone needs a doomsday bunker with 30 years worth of food and an arsenal to fight off most third world armies.

But the truth of the matter is you see whats going on in Eastern Europe and the middle east right now. Things can be fine one day and then go to hell the next. Whether me like to admit it or not, society as we know it is extremely fragile. And at the end of the day you need to take steps to be responsible for your own protection and perseverance.

I don't care if the only gun you can afford is a Hi Point C9 and the only extra food you can stock up on is canned spam. Just do ONE thing that can help you be more prepared for an emergency then you are now.

Whether its having a backup generator, training a martial art, training basic survival skills, or finally getting your shit together when it comes to work...

You got to do things to prepare for emergencies.

That doesn't mean you have to be afraid of anything.

But you do need to be ready for anything