Free State of Emergency: Jack Emery 2 by Steve P. Vincent

saved Jack’s life after Jack’s exposure of isolated Marine Corps cooperation with a CIA torture operation. Though the full details had remained top secret, Ortiz had earned himself a chest of medals and a promotion and Jack had earned a Pulitzer for the story. If Omega was calling, something was wrong.
    “I don’t know anyone by that name.” Jack was completely deadpan, not wanting to give away that he knew Ortiz to anyone tapping the call. “What can I do for you?”
    “A lot. And soon. In the place my kids love.” The line went dead.
    Jack felt a bit of a buzz. For the three months since the commencement of the executive orders, he’d mostly kept his head down. Jo had flown home to New York and Jack had kept filing stories on his site, which were then purchased by national media. Despite temptation to do otherwise, he’d done the right thing and had everything vetted by the authorities before publishing. Though it grated on him, he had no desire to rock the boat.
    Now he wondered what Ortiz had for him. He knew straight away where the meeting point was – Millennium Park. Ortiz had told Jack about the place on a long ride through the desert in Afghanistan. His kids loved the Millennium Dome, he’d said. Luckily Jack was close. He stood, exited the Starbucks and started to walk the few blocks to Millennium Park. He’d be there in a few minutes.
    His heart was beating faster and he was uneasy about meeting his friend. Jack knew it was likely that he was being monitored – just as closely as Ortiz, probably, given the effort the other man was going to to avoid scrutiny. But despite the risk, Jack didn’t hesitate. He owed Ortiz more than any other man alive and if he said jump, Jack asked how high.
    He looked toward the park as he crossed North Michigan Avenue. He could see no sign of danger except for the armed State Guardsman scattered around, which was par for the course these days. He still found the sight of armed men on every second block off-putting. By the time he reached the Millennium Dome it felt like everyone was watching him as he paced back and forth next to it.
    “Where is he?” Jack whispered, after he’d waited for about ten minutes. He was feeling as conspicuous as a pink battleship, until he spotted Ortiz approaching.
    “Hi Jack.” Ortiz held out his hand and sported a wide grin. “You’ve been busy since I saw you last.”
    “Yeah, tough gig, saving the world.” Jack smiled as he shook the proffered hand and then pulled Ortiz into a hug. Jack was taller, but Ortiz was as solid as a tree trunk.
    “I bet.” They broke apart. “Good thing this humble one saved your not-so-humble ass.”
    Jack laughed. “Good to see you, Dan.”
    “I’m wearing a Cubs hat, in case you haven’t noticed. I feel filthy.”
    “At least you’ve still got your quarterback good looks. How are you?”
    “Just peachy.” Ortiz nearly spat the words. “Get my ass shot at fighting for freedom only to find uniforms on the streets over here. I can’t even buy a bottle of booze!”
    “At least you can still work.” Jack snorted. “I have to submit to Uncle Sam before I’m allowed to publish.”
    Ortiz laughed. “Pussy. What happens if you don’t?”
    “I’ll get locked up. A journo I know tried that one on. Turns out FEMA isn’t joking.” Jack kept his voice low. “So what’s going on in the world of the US Marine Corps?”
    Ortiz shrugged. “Oh, about the same. The grunts are confined to base full time and the NCOs and officers can’t scratch their ass without approval.”
    Jack was slightly surprised by this. Though he knew the troops on the streets weren’t regular military – or even National Guard – it shocked him that the military was apparently on lockdown along with the rest of society. The situation stank, and Jack wasn’t sure if there was any hope of a resolution any time soon. Though the attacks had slowed, they hadn’t stopped entirely.
    “So what can I do for you,