THESE CHAPTERS WERE SUPPOSED TO COME OUT TODAY. UPLOADED MORE THAN NEEDED YESTERDAY.
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"Hey David, this is Lance. There's something I'd like to ask you."
"Of course. Go ahead."
"Captain's heading back to Kansas City the day after tomorrow to pack up. I'm still in Miami and can't get away—can I trouble you and Charles to help him out?"
"...Lance, Alex didn't leave for Washington because of the money, did he?"
"…"
"You don't have to answer. If I'm wrong, just deny it. Alex could've gone to New York, to Buffalo, to Minnesota. But in the end, he chose Washington because they were willing to offer draft picks and a cornerback, right?"
"…"
"Oh, Jesus Christ. What have we done? Sorry, Lance. We all lost our minds over that Super Bowl win. I get it now. I'll go help."
"…Thank you, David."
"Don't worry—we'll give Alex the sendoff he deserves."
In the end, Lance couldn't stand the thought of Smith leaving alone. So he called Anderson from Old Oak Tavern, using the move as a pretense, hoping they'd go help—and Anderson had already guessed the truth.
Fans are passionate and often blind to the bigger picture, stuck in their own narratives. But at the same time, they know their team better than anyone.
As defending champions, every move the Kansas City Chiefs made this offseason was under a microscope. The Eagles, Patriots, and Vikings were all making waves with bold moves, becoming hot topics in the league.
But the Chiefs? Quiet.
Last season, the media constantly mentioned how young the Chiefs were—a weakness during the season, but now an advantage.
Perhaps this youthful team was already complete. Maybe they didn't need major overhauls—just minor tweaks?
At least, that's what Veach believed.
Since free agency opened, the Chiefs had only made two moves:
One, trading Alex Smith.
Two, trading cornerback Marcus Peters and a 2018 sixth-round pick to the Rams in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick.
Veach's strategy was now clear.
Focus: the draft.
Are the Chiefs perfect as is?
Not really.
But instead of rushing to sign veteran free agents to plug holes in a mad dash to defend their title, Veach stuck to the plan—patiently building through the draft, creating a team in their own image, developing within a clear system.
In short, Veach's goal wasn't just to repeat as champions—it was to build a long-term contender over the next three to five years.
Patient. Careful. Steadfast.
Looking at the big picture.
Now, looking back at last year's draft strategy—Veach's first as GM—his boldness was rooted in a clear blueprint.
When he saw a player he truly liked, he acted decisively.
Lance was one of those players.
So, was Mahomes another?
Had Kansas City's future been written the moment they drafted Mahomes?
And then there's Smith.
Maybe it was because he saw Veach's long-term strategy—one where he had no place—that he chose to leave. Rather than stay in Kansas City and wait to be replaced, discarded, and booed, he chose to step aside.
And, in doing so, he got the Chiefs what they needed: a cornerback and draft picks.
Of course, Smith wasn't purely altruistic—he also secured a major contract and made the best decision for himself.
But could anyone really blame him?
Anderson couldn't.
Lance said nothing over the phone. But his silence, his pauses, his unwillingness to let go—all of it spoke volumes.
Anderson believed they were saying goodbye to a true leader, a real Chief. But that was okay, because the Chiefs now had a new leader, and Smith deserved a proper farewell.
And so—
We got the Arrowhead Stadium scene.
A sweeping tide of red flowed down both sides of the road. Amid the sea of fans, one woman in an Argentine tango dress held up a sign that stood out instantly:
"Don't Cry for Me, Argentina."
Only—"Argentina" was scratched out in red ink and replaced with "Alex Smith."
That clever bit of humor quickly spread on social media, going mildly viral.
Unlike Cousins' high-profile move to Minnesota, Smith's transfer to Washington sparked a different kind of conversation—one full of emotion and reflection.
Mahomes saw it online and immediately ran to share it with Lance.
"Look."
"Hah." Lance chuckled, then tilted his head. "Is that even contextually accurate?"
Mahomes shrugged. "Does anyone care?"
Lance: "Captain would. Oh, Alex."
Mahomes blinked, then added softly, "Alex isn't our captain anymore." A touch of sadness in his voice.
Lance took a deep breath. "You should be happy. It's your time now."
Mahomes nodded. "I know. But I'm not sure I should be happy. I've been waiting for this moment ever since I heard the news. But now… it feels like I couldn't wait to see the captain go."
"This transition—it feels off. I don't know if I'm supposed to celebrate or not. Celebrate? Feels wrong. Not celebrate? Also feels wrong."
"Is that normal?"
Lance smiled. "Of course." No hesitation in his voice. "It means we're still young—we haven't become numb to this. It means we still care. And while victories and money matter, some things matter just as much. We can't forget that."
"If we get to face him again on the field—play our hearts out and beat him. If not—then fight to the very end this season. That's the best way to show respect. More sincere than any words."
"Believe me—Alex is looking forward to that day too."
"So how about we start with doubling tomorrow's workout?"
Mahomes rolled his eyes hard. "Double?"
A little bitterness. A little sweetness.
Mahomes looked out at the vast open sea. Endless blue stretched before him, and his gaze drifted out into the ocean.
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Powerstones?
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