Alcibiaties of Athenae
Imperator
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
It's hard to put into words what happened to me this day, and what happened to my city and my country.
On this day, I lost a lot of friends forever. They will never again see their families, or their friends, or anything else. This was the last morning they ever had, the last meal, the last begining of work.
This started like almost any other day, a rush to catch the train, a kiss for my son, and my beloved, and out the door. No big deal, we will talk via e-mail, like every day. On the train, through Queens, I can see the Empire state building, where she will be, and the Trade center, just a few blocks from me. same as every day.
Into work, begin the grind of another day, look at mail, have our morning meeting, get things together. My window faces the trade center, blocks the view of Jersey, but no big deal. nothing in Jersey anyway, right? Get started on reports, do a little of this, a little of that, turn on the net, and talk to my friends while working, same as everyday.
This wasn't everyday. For a lot of my friends, this was their last day.
Around a qaurter to nine, I hear a hell of an explosion. I look up, and see smoke coming out of one of the towers! <br />What the hell happened? Is it a bomb? Can't be, too much damage. Then, I see a plane heading straight towards the other tower! What the hell is wrong with the pilot??? Why is he banking? Pull up!!
It hits square, and another explosion. The windows shake. Massive fireball, my god, all those people! 50,000 work in the towers!!!
Alright, keep calm, remember your training, it doesn't look that bad. A lot of people are gone, but the buildings still stand. Maybe it will be alright. But it will never be alright again.
Wait a minute! They must be hitting NY landmarks! Like...maybe the Empire State building??? Maria is there!! Call her, but the damn phone doesn't work, neither does the cell!! No TV, Cable is out, nothing on the radio, only the net works! Send an e-mail!!!
She doesn't answer. The towers look very bad. I can't reach any news sites, only Apolyton is working! Start a thread, ask for some help with info. Rumors are everywhere. My friends from all over the world are flooding me with messages of concern. Can't think about that. Only Maria matters!!! Can't think of anything till I know she's OK.
No word, more friends call. The unthinkable, one of the towers just collasped! I was looking at it, and it's gone!!!!
No word for her. Why doesn't she answer????
Lots of people posting, more messages, more rumors.
What the hell??? the other tower just went!! how the hell can this be happening???
They won't let us leave, and there is nothing but rumors. They say the pentagon is gone. Now I am mad. God damn cowards.
My staff is panicky, and they need to be calmed. I'm numb. I can't reach her, and I have so many friends in the towers. Are they all right??? They can't be dead, can they? Who would do this?
More messages from my wonderful friends. They are affraid for me, and for the country. My euro friends are outrages, my US friends are shocked. No word yet. Have to keep frosty, people need help.
How is she????
She sends a message. She is alright. And she knows I am also.
Now it's almost two. They are clearing us out, but I go to voluteer to help.
This is ALL true. I will continue the next part in a bit, I'm drained.
It's hard to put into words what happened to me this day, and what happened to my city and my country.
On this day, I lost a lot of friends forever. They will never again see their families, or their friends, or anything else. This was the last morning they ever had, the last meal, the last begining of work.
This started like almost any other day, a rush to catch the train, a kiss for my son, and my beloved, and out the door. No big deal, we will talk via e-mail, like every day. On the train, through Queens, I can see the Empire state building, where she will be, and the Trade center, just a few blocks from me. same as every day.
Into work, begin the grind of another day, look at mail, have our morning meeting, get things together. My window faces the trade center, blocks the view of Jersey, but no big deal. nothing in Jersey anyway, right? Get started on reports, do a little of this, a little of that, turn on the net, and talk to my friends while working, same as everyday.
This wasn't everyday. For a lot of my friends, this was their last day.
Around a qaurter to nine, I hear a hell of an explosion. I look up, and see smoke coming out of one of the towers! <br />What the hell happened? Is it a bomb? Can't be, too much damage. Then, I see a plane heading straight towards the other tower! What the hell is wrong with the pilot??? Why is he banking? Pull up!!
It hits square, and another explosion. The windows shake. Massive fireball, my god, all those people! 50,000 work in the towers!!!
Alright, keep calm, remember your training, it doesn't look that bad. A lot of people are gone, but the buildings still stand. Maybe it will be alright. But it will never be alright again.
Wait a minute! They must be hitting NY landmarks! Like...maybe the Empire State building??? Maria is there!! Call her, but the damn phone doesn't work, neither does the cell!! No TV, Cable is out, nothing on the radio, only the net works! Send an e-mail!!!
She doesn't answer. The towers look very bad. I can't reach any news sites, only Apolyton is working! Start a thread, ask for some help with info. Rumors are everywhere. My friends from all over the world are flooding me with messages of concern. Can't think about that. Only Maria matters!!! Can't think of anything till I know she's OK.
No word, more friends call. The unthinkable, one of the towers just collasped! I was looking at it, and it's gone!!!!
No word for her. Why doesn't she answer????
Lots of people posting, more messages, more rumors.
What the hell??? the other tower just went!! how the hell can this be happening???
They won't let us leave, and there is nothing but rumors. They say the pentagon is gone. Now I am mad. God damn cowards.
My staff is panicky, and they need to be calmed. I'm numb. I can't reach her, and I have so many friends in the towers. Are they all right??? They can't be dead, can they? Who would do this?
More messages from my wonderful friends. They are affraid for me, and for the country. My euro friends are outrages, my US friends are shocked. No word yet. Have to keep frosty, people need help.
How is she????
She sends a message. She is alright. And she knows I am also.
Now it's almost two. They are clearing us out, but I go to voluteer to help.
This is ALL true. I will continue the next part in a bit, I'm drained.
