“And what happens to me?”
The president let out a long breath. “If it was my choice, I’d sentence you to twenty years of touring the country and convincing folks to renounce extremism. I won’t sugarcoat things. Once I leave, Congress will have much more influence over reunification, regardless of who wins the next election. As you know, their plans are… much less generous. They probably won’t execute you, despite all the rhetoric. Shooting grandmothers makes for poor political theater. Life in prison is the most likely outcome.”
Salazar didn’t blink. “Worth it to see you out of power.”
She glanced over at General Watie. He gripped his satellite phone like a talisman and leaned forward, both feet tapping away. Her stomach churned, but she mustered up what grace she still had left.
“Ok. The ceasefire begins immediately. I’ll make an announcement tomorrow morning on the Capitol steps. Formal… complete…”
Her eyes blurred and her left arm tingled. She forced the Grim Reaper away, damned if she’d let that old ghost take her now. “I will order the dissolution of the United Republics of America and the unconditional surrender of all our armed forces.”
Salazar hung up on the president and searched the room for any resistance. For the first time in months, smiles greeted her. Even Esterline was calm.
“Do you have a problem with this decision, Mr. Esterline?”
“Of course not, ma’am. I’m merely an advisor. You made a tough call, and I respect that. In a way, you did achieve a victory today. I wish you the best of luck. It was a pleasure to work with you all.”
Esterline collected his paperwork and rose. General Watie covered his phone with one hand.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
The spy chief laid on the charm that he didn’t have. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I need to start hunting for a new job, you know? Don’t worry about my final paycheck. Ha ha…” He squinted at the stone faces around him.
“Ah, but seriously, I have connections in South America. If anyone wants to—”
Salazar nodded at her bodyguards, both of them already baring their teeth at the spook. They planted him firmly into his seat.
“Oh, but I wouldn’t feel right announcing my ‘victory’ without you at my side, Mr. Esterline. Maybe we’ll be cellmates. General Watie, make it clear to your remaining forces: no rats are getting off this sinking ship. You shoot down any private jet exiting our airspace; sink any yacht setting sail and gun down any politician or military officer trying to cross overland into Canada and Mexico.”
She stood and yanked the URA lapel pin off her blouse. “That’s my final order as your commander in chief. Do me proud.”
General Watie snapped to his feet and saluted. It was going to be a busy night, but a lot of fun.
“Johnny, don’t be silly. Of course I’m coming. This is the Medal of Honor, for crying out loud. At the White House!”
She wiggled in his lap. “Don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you in front of the president. I don’t plan on asking any questions until after the ceremony. I’ll play the good little girlfriend while you’re around and then ambush him during the banquet!”
Brown blinked. “Uh, ambush?”
“Oh yeah. Come on, I can’t pass up the opportunity. Exclusive access to the president without any media handlers nearby? Most of my colleagues would kill for the chance. I suppose the least I could do is say thanks…”
She purred and ran her hand over his chest. “I have to admit, the whole hero thing is kind of a turn on. You might be just a caveman, but you’re my grunt!”
Brown pushed away from her kiss and bounced to his feet.
“I’m sorry, but I’m serious. You can’t come to the ceremony.”
“John, what the hell is wrong with you?”
Jessica buttoned her blouse back up, smothering her embarrassment with anger. They might not have had the closest relationship, but passion was the one constant. If that was gone…
“I don’t know why you’re acting like a dick about this, but you can’t shut me out. If you think I’m just going to sit at home and watch everything on TV, you’re out of your mind!”
Brown dug deep, forcing out the harsh words. “I don’t want you there and that’s final.”
Jessica saw red, but she didn’t hit him as expected. That would have been too easy.
She crossed her arms and stabbed him with her eyes. “Ok. If that’s how you feel, then I won’t come as your plus one.”
Brown smiled weakly and tried to stroke her face. She hissed like a cobra and chopped his hand away. “Instead, I’m coming as a member of the press. It might be last minute, but the president’s media team are in a generous mood right now. I can drop your name and bully my way inside.”
He slumped onto her couch, every fiber of his being screaming to give in to her. How could he do what needed to be done with her watching? What could he say to dissuade her? Did he even really want to stop her?
“Fine.”
“What was that? You’re croaking like a damn frog.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. You should come. It’s going to be…interesting.”
Brown faked his best smile and stretched out his arms. “Let’s drop it. Where were we again?” She dodged out of the way of his puckered lips, searching his face. His grief pained her, but she was still riled up.
“Why would I do anything with you after you’ve been such an a-hole?”
“Because life is short. You never know, this might be one of our last nights on Earth.”
He held her close so she couldn’t see his swelling eyes.
“God almighty. Storm Leader, this crowd is a hell of a lot bigger than they told us to expect. How can these protestors possibly coordinate? There’s no power for 22 hours a day. How are they getting the word out?” The California State Trooper had to shout over the ruckus.
Kampbell gave the sea of chanting zombies a bored glance. “What else do they have to do all day?”
The few cops that showed up estimated the protest at over half a million. All screaming for peace and the repeal of the Freedom Referendum. Despite herself, Kampbell laughed. She bared her teeth and shouted back at the faceless horde.
“Where were you fuckers a year ago when we were fighting the Feds right here, just for the right to hold the Referendums!”
Even with the mass of humanity only yards away, across some flimsy metal barriers, none heard her over their chanting. Nonetheless, several raised their middle fingers. They all cursed and screamed in impotent rage at the twenty of so Freedom Brigade fighters guarding the steps of the capitol building.
So much security for so little. The whole thing was for show. Yes, the URA gamely rebuilt the capitol after every US cruise missile strike, but the structure was a hollow shell. All government business of any importance was long-since stashed away in various civilian sites. President Salazar’s new command bunker, located in the basement of a major hospital a few blocks away, was a great example. Those bed-ridden human shields made much better protection than the concrete bunker.
“Come on, Sophie, where the hell’s your backup? Is there anyone else coming?”
Sophie just shrugged. “Dunno. This gig to pull security for President Salazar’s big speech was the first thing I’ve heard from anyone all week. I was starting to enjoy the peace and quiet.”
The cop tossed his radio, satellite phone and cell phone on her Humvee’s hood. “How can you be so calm? Since the ceasefire doesn’t apply to your militia, you guys are basically fighting the US all alone!”