Free Great White Throne by J. B. Simmons Page B

Remember, we already took care of the politics.”
    I thought of the meeting of world leaders in Geneva and how they’d agreed to give Don authority, just before the Mahdi attacked. “What if the politics change? What if there’s a new U.S. President who backs out of the UN?”
    “Man, you’ve been living under a rock. When’s the last time you connected your precept?”
    “Earlier today.”
    “Well, let me tell you, just a couple weeks ago, the United States tried to do just that. The President was one of the few Americans who still went back and forth from Babylon—a reward for his loyalty to Don. But I guess when he came back, he started to regret the deal or something. Maybe he missed the power. Whatever the reason, he tried to launch an attack.”
    “Where?”
    “Here! Can you believe that? It was an assassination attempt, pure and simple. A few thousand men and drones—some rogue holdout group of the ISA and a bunch of ex-Marines. They stormed the palace, climbing the Masada hillside like the Roman soldiers a couple thousand years ago.”
    “I didn’t hear anything. What happened?”
    Alexi smiled. “There wasn’t much to hear. We killed them in a flash. Literally. Don’s been experimenting for a while with electromagnetic pulses. He used one to blast the whole area around the palace. Everything within five miles was hit, but everything within our walls was safe. All the attackers went down. Weapons, too. Don ordered the drones to go out and dispatch them.”
    My mouth had fallen open. Don was winning every battle.
    “Scary to think people would be so stupid as to attack Don, isn’t it?” Alexi eyed me knowingly. “You can imagine what happened to the President after that.”
    “He was killed?”
    “No, no,” Alexi said. “Don wouldn’t do that. He visited Washington in person. He dismantled the shield protecting the city. He had the weapons ready to destroy it, and he explained this to the President, broadcasting it to everyone who wasn’t already in Babylon. The President was groveling, begging for forgiveness. He apologized for America. He admitted the country had fallen from greatness, and it was only Don’s and the UN’s protection that sustained it. Don, of course, responded with grace. He accepted the apology, and he let the man enter Babylon, on two conditions.”
    “What’s that?”
    “One, he can never leave again. Two, everything the President sees and does in Babylon will be public. Anyone in Babylon can watch it, if they want. You could watch it even now.”
    “That’s awful. I’ll pass.”
    “Suit yourself. Most people aren’t watching. They’ve got their own desires to enjoy. I know I do.” He paused, licking his lips. “Any other questions? Don told me to make sure you were comfortable.”
    “Where’s Naomi?”
    “In her room.” His eyes grew distant, absorbed in whatever his precept showed. “Actually, she’s on her way here now. I better go.” Alexi stood, and so did I.
    “Why can’t she sync with one of the machines? She’s just as capable as I am, if not more.”
    “Don has given her a different role.” Alexi seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “I told you, he doesn’t trust just anyone in his machines.”
    But I knew he didn’t trust me. Alexi had made his way to the door. “Why are you going?”
    “I came to answer your questions, and I’ve done that. Now the battle calls. You’ll be joining soon.” He opened the door. “Good seeing you. If you have more questions just send me a message.”
    I nodded as he walked out.

NAOMI CAME INTO my room without knocking, wearing the baby in a cocoon of cloth wrapped around her torso. The boy was quiet, peering up at her. He seemed too sentient for an infant. I half expected him to say something. Nothing related to Don could surprise me anymore.
    “Sorry it took so long,” she said. “Ready to find Ronaldo?”
    “How long were you gone?”
    She stepped closer. “About an hour. Why?