a voice said, shaking her as she lay in her bed. She blinked twice and looked up to see Nelyubov standing over her, another figure – President Newton – behind him. “Not often I get woken up in the middle of the night by the President,” she mumbled as she rubbed her eyes. “What’s going on?” “All hell’s broken lose. Alamo jumped into the system nine minutes ago…” “They’re back?” she replied, instantly awake. “And fought a brief skirmish with Zeus on their arrival before heading right for here.” “Skirmish implies that both sides fought, Lieutenant,” Newton said. “Alamo did not fire at the enemy, and only discharged missiles to disable those of its enemy. Commendable constraint. I’m not sure I would have done the same in his place.” Senator Harper raced in, and said, “I’ve got to get back in forty-five minutes. The Senate’s been called into emergency session. Joint request of the Progressives and the Technocrats.” Looking at Newton, he said, “I think there is an excellent chance that you will no longer be President within the hour.”
