I opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air. Toni followed me a minute later."Looks like we're at the rest stop near Elbridge just wes... of Syracuse. I've had breakfast at this place before. We're better waiting and eating somewhere closer to the city. Is that okay with you, Toni?" I yield to the man who lives here. Where do you suggest, Bear?" I can think of one place but it will take a little while to get there. How about my house?" Really? How far are we out?"'About ninety. But I kept my feelings to myself. Austin’s birthday arrived several weeks into our knowing each other. Faced with the complicated dilemma of deciding on a gift for someone who meant so much to me in so short a time, I was flattered when Austin claimed to not want or need anything other than time that we could spend together (in the cyber world, of course). However, on the flip side, he was adamant about wanting to purchase something for me. He gave me some hobbit yarn about birthdays are meant. I observe my mother who is already showered and dressed, and is in a calmed frenzy preparing a big plate of all the delicious fixings. She sees me, smiles and brings the plate into the dining room where she sets it down at my usual place at the table. "You taking those to the truck?" she asks as she comes up to me and kisses me on the forehead. "Yes" I reply. I hungrily glance at the food on the table and my stomach makes an audible growl. My mom giggles and gives me another peck on cheek. "Go. The plan Jack came up with was simplicity in itself. As they expanded they used Imperial technology to vet new members of his population to insure they would be honest, loyal and supportive of the new way of life. Imperial technology was good enough that a person’s loyalty and fidelity, once determined, always turned out to be as Glorious certified. They continued to use Imperial technology to protect the land they expanded into. They continued to be loyal to the United States but as they.