244 Honoring The Hero

Springfield's beautiful town square was packed with elite and ordinary citizens. It was decorated with a patriotic tone, and the mood was generally not high.

Among the elites, top billionaires, merchants, bureaucrats, artists, and civil society were present. The military was also in attendance. Everyone's eyes were on the ten-foot-tall monument at the town center, shrouded by a curtain.

General Lance Baker approached the podium and addressed the crowd and the media cameras.

"A good morning to all citizens of Springfield. I am General Baker, appointed by the federal government for this transition period of the city."

There was light applause from the audience. Even though Lance was a familiar face by now, the presence of the military made people anxious.

"I welcome you to a new day in Springfield's history. I will concede, of course, that the past year has been horrendous in terms of human lives lost and displaced. Several terrorist attacks almost shook the city's foundation and brought