“I agree,” said Smith. “We can talk about all this later. Captain Freedom, would your people like to say hello to the crowd?”
“Yes, sir,” said the huge officer. He turned to the soldiers. “Unbreakables,” he snapped, “dismissed.”
Their salutes shook the air. Then they moved to the crowd, shaking hands and hugging strangers. Some even posed for photos. St. George saw Billie Carter exchange salutes with one and the two began to speak at length about something.
Danielle dropped her voice. “What the hell are you talking about?” She looked at Smith. “Both of you, for that matter.”
“We should discuss this matter in private,” said Stealth. “It is not good for the civilians to see us argue amongst ourselves.”
“We’re not arguing,” said St. George. “We’re just talking.”
“I’m ready to argue,” said Danielle.
“Look,” said Smith, “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn. I just got excited. This is like winning the lottery three times on the same day.”
“You were so excited to find us here,” said Stealth, “yet your first response was an assault.”
“Standard operating procedure, ma’am,” said Freedom. He loomed behind Smith and made the suited man look even less like an adult. “In an unknown situation, when you hear gunfire, your first duty is to protect your people and take control of the situation. I’m sure you can understand.”
“So you attacked us,” said St. George.
“Because you resisted our attempt to control the situation.”
“We resisted because you attacked us. Welcome to the real—”
“This country is under martial law,” said Freedom. “My authority here is absolute unless otherwise ordered by Colonel Shelly or the President himself.”
There was a moment of silence. His words reached some of the closer edges of the crowd and nervous whispers began to work their way through the people gathered to see the soldiers.
“Martial law?” said Danielle. She raised an eyebrow.
Smith cleared his throat. “As of July 2009, the country’s been under martial law. It still is. Nobody’s thrilled by it, but the fact is the military’s in charge. As the only known ranking officer in the American southwest, Colonel Shelly is the man running things.”
Stealth shifted her stance again. “What are you implying, Mr. Smith?”
“I’m not trying to imply anything,” he said. “I just think we all need to be aware of where things stand, with no confusion or illusions.”
“So the Mount is now under the Army’s control?”
“Technically, unless you seceded from the United States at some point in the past two years... yeah.”
“Which United States are you referring to?”
The question froze Smith and Freedom. It jarred the others, too. The man in the suit coughed once. “I... I’m not sure I understand your question.”
Stealth crossed her arms. “Which states are still united? California has not had a functioning state government for twenty-two months now. There are no social services in effect. No taxes levied or laws enforced. Its borders and lands are not maintained. As a state, California has ceased to exist by any possible definition. From our own limited reconnaissance, I can say with some certainty it is not alone in this respect. Alaska. Arizona. Florida. Hawaii. Massachusetts. Nevada. New York. Oregon. Texas. Washington.” She paused for a moment, then added, “The District of Columbia.”
Smith shifted his feet.
“So I ask,’ she continued, “which states are still running and operating to the extent they can form a united nation, one which you and these soldiers can represent?”
“Captain,” said Smith, “perhaps you could field this one?”
“Ma’am,” said Freedom, “it’s good that you’re reluctant to hand over everything you’ve saved. But let me assure you, we are here as representatives of the government of the United States. Our commanding officer is in regular contact with the President, who is still in office in principle if not the actual building. We represent one of dozens of military outposts which are trying to re-establish local governments and provide services.”
“Why has it taken you two years to do this?”
“Because, ma’am, believe it or not, you’re not the only people who’ve taken heavy losses.”
Smith cleared his throat. “Can I just say one more thing?”
St. George glanced between Stealth and Smith. Stealth nodded.
“I can’t really speak for the Army,” the man in the suit said, glancing over his shoulder at Freedom. “I’m a loose liaison at best. But I can tell you this is going to be good for you. We’ve got a lot to offer and I know the Army is going to want to offer it. We’re here to help. We’re not going to take everything you’ve got and leave you helpless like...” He shrugged and gave a smile. “Well, if you’ll pardon me saying it, like the military would in some bad zombie movie.”