[ WP ] `` Daddy , are we the bad guys ? ''

The flag danced in the wind with a hypnotic gracefulness. The day was unusually calm as the disheveled `` Public Service Officers'' made their way to the courthouse. This would be the Ninth government building they'd visit today. In the distance, 2 men looked on from the porch of an older cottage home. To their left side was a small child. 
 
 `` I ca n't believe it. How many volunteered. Just like that.'' Richard said. James nodded. 
 
 `` Things are going to be a whole lot different now.'' He said. Richard nodded his head in agreement, then shrugged. 
 
 `` At least the bombing is over.'' 
 
 `` Yeah. Hard to believe it's been 4 years. I did n't think Harry was going to give it up so easily..'' 
 
 James grabbed for the binoculars slung beneath him, and used them to look out at the flag in the distance, as it was lowered by the `` Public Service Officers.'' 
 
 `` There she goes.'' He said with a gloomy tone. The child next to him spoke. 
 
 `` Daddy, are we the bad guys?'' She asked. The question took James by surprise. 
 
 `` No, what? Of course not honey. We were n't the bad guys before.'' 
 
 `` But are we now?'' Asked the little girl. 
 
 `` No, honey. We just lost to them.'' Replied James, binoculars still in hand, as Rich turned to face him. 
 
 `` So how does it look?'' He asked. 
 
 `` Not much different.'' Said James as he looked out at the flag pole, where a new flag was being raised by the `` Public Service Officers.'' His description was correct - it was n't much different from the old. White stripes, Red stripes, union still as blue as before. But instead of stars, each state was represented by a miniature swastika, 48 in all... 

