“At the risk of sounding grandiose, what you’re looking at is the future of the Texas Republic,” Sanchez said.

Chase explained, “SP stands for ‘settlement parcel.’ ”

“These are the most logical areas for moving out the population, at least to start. There’s water, arable soil in the bottoms, good land for grazing. We’re going to proceed in stages, using a lottery system for people who want to leave.”

“Which will be a lot of them,” Chase added.

Peter looked up. Everyone was waiting for his reaction.

“You don’t seem pleased,” Sanchez said.

He searched for the words. “I guess…I never really thought this day would come.”

“The war is over,” Apgar said. “Three years without a single viral. It’s what we’ve been fighting for, all these years.”

Sanchez was leaning forward. There was something tremendously attractive about the woman, an undeniable force. Peter had heard this about her—she was said to have been a great beauty in her youth, with a list of suitors a mile long—but it was an entirely different matter to experience it.

“History will remember you, Peter, for all you’ve done.”

“It was more than just me.”

“I know that, too. There’s more than enough congratulations to go around. And I’m sorry about your friends. Captain Donadio is a great loss. And Amy, well…” She paused. “I’ll be honest with you. The stories about her—I was never quite sure what to believe. I’m not sure I completely understand them now. What I do know is that none of us would be having this conversation if not for Amy, and for you. You’re the one who brought her to us. That’s what the people know. And it makes you very important. You could say there’s no one like you.” Her eyes remained fixed on his face; she had a way of making it feel as if they were the only two people in the room. “Tell me, how do you like working for the Housing Authority?”

“It’s all right.”

“And it gives you the chance to raise your boy. To be around for him.”

Peter sensed a strategy unfolding. He nodded.

“I never had children,” Sanchez said, somewhat regretfully. “One of the costs of the office. But I understand your feelings. So let me say right off that I’m sensitive to your priorities, and nothing about what I’m proposing would get in the way of that. You’ll be there for him, just as you are now.”

Peter knew a half-truth when he heard one. On the other hand, Sanchez’s approach was so carefully laid he couldn’t help but admire it.

“I’m listening.”

“What would you say, Peter, to joining my staff?”

The notion was so ludicrous he almost laughed. “Forgive me, Madam President—”

“Please,” the woman cut in with a smile, “it’s Vicky.”

He had to admit it, the woman was masterful. “There’s so much wrong with the idea I don’t even know where to begin. Just for starters, I’m not a politician.”

“And I’m not asking you to be one. But you are a leader, and the people know it. You’re too valuable a resource to sit on the sidelines. Opening the gate isn’t just about making more room, though we absolutely need it. This represents a fundamental change in how we do just about everything. A lot of details have to be hammered out, but within the next ninety days I’m planning to suspend martial law. The Expeditionary is going to be recalled from the territories to assist with resettlement, and we’ll be transitioning to a full civilian government. It’s a big adjustment, giving everybody a place at the table, and it’s going to be messy. But it absolutely has to happen, and this is the right moment.”

“With all due respect, I don’t see what this has to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you, actually. Or at least I hope so. Your position is unique. The military respects you. The people love you, especially the Iowans. But those are only two legs of the tripod. The third is the trade. They’re going to have a field day with this. Tifty Lamont may be dead, but your previous relationship with him gives you access to their chain of command. There’s no question of shutting them down, we couldn’t if we tried. Vice is a fact of life—an ugly fact, but a fact nonetheless. You know Dunk Withers, yes?”

Peter nodded. “We’ve met.”

“More than met, if what my sources tell me is correct. I’ve heard about the cage. That was quite a stunt.”