It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.
-Douglas MacArthur

I don't know why anyone would be interested in hearing my story, but you're the reporter or whatever it is you call yourself. You might actually know something, although that's always an iffy thing. No offense, of course. I'd never insult you purposely. That would be wrong, don't you think? Hey, don't give me thoughtful looks like that. I can't be intimidated. Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf anyway?

Anyway, I had a pretty much normal life for most of it. Dull for a life story, but at least I didn't have the problems that a lot of these people have had. But since you won't let it stand at that, I can give you the boring details. Although it got less boring, obviously. My parents divorced when I was eight, amicably even. I have an older brother in the Army, who knows what happened with him after the takeover? Hopefully nothing too bad. We haven't heard from him, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything these days. Now that I think about it, I should have that checked into. It was three years before the shit hit the fan here that I joined up with Miguel to help out. Sounded like a good cause to me, and look now. I'm serving my country. So much for not having discipline, eh?

I spent most of the earlier times with Miguel just doing what they always did. Helping kids who needed it. Aren't I saintly? Seriously, I did get a good feeling out of doing it. And I have this little power, which I found out about not all that long ago, that helps back people off. Meaning any trouble tends to be less intent on coming my way if I work on trying to intimidate it away. I backed enough people off, it earned me my moniker of Deter. Do it in other ways too, but physically is the way I do it best. Couldn't be because I'm big, could it?

Well, it was a short time back that I ended up being one of many who got taken to that asshole Okanu. I caught his attention while there by standing up for his daughter Buchi against that pussy Auntoni and so Okanu decided I'd make a good bodyguard. Used a spell on me that would keep me there and bring me back if something resulted in my leaving. At least Buchi's a quiet one, except when she decides to sing you to sleep. Damn. I needed earplugs. But such was my torture. And Sabotage thought he got it bad.

Well, it was awhile but finally they got off their asses and got me out and that spell off. Easier to sleep without the so-called musical refrains blasting through my poor head. At least I'm not stuck at the hideout with Deon and Tricks. No thank you. I'd never sleep. I don't know how some of the quieter ones, like Alec, put up with it. I swear, I'm surprised they haven't alerted the Strikers to their presence by noise level alone.

Ah good, I think I'm done. There's certainly nothing more I can think of to say. I told you, dull. And I like it that way. I don't attract attention most of the time, sorry to all the guys who have to worry about pains in the ass like Nadine. Glad to say that's not a problem I have nor am I likely to ever have it. Nice being unremarkable. I'm sure Emilio agrees.

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.
-Daniele Vare

Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
-Thomas Carlyle