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navy blue field were now aligned in a circular pattern and an added, larger, fifty-first star sat at its very center. The flag took up most of the wall and hung from a brass rod at the ceiling. A banner at the top of the wall read Licentia vel nex . Jason looked at the banner and then to back to Cramer.
    “My Latin is a little rusty. Let’s see … Freedom or Die ?”
    “Freedom or Death,” she corrected.
    “Whatever. What the hell is this all about, Admiral?
    “It’s about doing the right thing. It’s about the beginnings of a new nation. And it’s about taking advantage of opportunities.”
    “Where are the men and women who were manning this base?” Jason asked, fighting to stay calm. “There must be hundreds of them—what the hell have you done?”
    “I did what had to be done to ensure the longevity of this great country.”
    “What does that even mean? I want those people released.”
    “We’ll get right on that, Captain,” she said sarcastically.
    “So all along you were lying to me. A ploy to make a power play?” Jason asked, more of a statement than a question.
    The admiral shrugged, then looked to her fellow officers with a smirk. “Are you really so naive, Captain?”
    Jason didn’t answer.
    “You were a convenience. Please, don’t get me wrong; you’ve proven yourself to be immensely resourceful. Undoubtedly, the American people—the world—owe you their eternal gratitude. You helped save our planet from a horrible fate. But don’t mistake my gratitude for stupidity.” Jason was about to respond when a display on the wall at the end of the table flickered to life. On view was CNN Breaking News, an aerial view of Washington D.C. Two Craing Battle Cruisers hovered in the air—one directly above the Pentagon, and the other above the Capitol building. The feed changed and a third warship was shown parked in front of the White House.
    “As you can see,” the admiral said, enjoying the theatrics, “we’ve adopted some of your unconventional tactics, Captain.”
    Dark smoke rose from several locations—the most notable being the Jefferson Memorial. It had been obliterated.
    “Close proximity military bases, including Fort Myer and Fort McNair, were also destroyed.” She stood and walked to the display. “Everything is coming together. You may not see it—you may not understand it—but we’re patriots, Captain. Understand, we’re not out to destroy America. We’re out to make this country great again. Now, with our fleet of Craing warships, real change can take place. I hope you can see that.”
    “I know crazy when I see it, and you’re certifiable,” Jason replied, finding it hard to take his eyes from the screen.
    “You’ll come around.”
    “Not likely.”
    Admiral Cramer waved him off with her hand and said, “I’ll be leaving this evening to speak with the president and Joint Chiefs. Talk about ideas for real change. But who knows? They may not be the right people for the job.”
    “I think you’re fucking crazy,” Admiral Reynolds piped in.
    Admiral Cramer ignored the remark. Another display came alive. “I think you recognize the emissary for the Craing Empire?” Admiral Cramer smirked.
    Jason looked up to see his brother. His father looked disappointed.
    “Hello, Jason … Dad,” Brian said. “I’m sorry. This is not the way I wanted things to go down.”
    “Your deceit and treachery seem to have no bounds.”
    “On the contrary, Dad, I’m ensuring Earth’s long-term survival. Why can’t you get that through your head? At least now, with the help of Admiral Cramer and others, the Craing Empire will no longer be a threat to Earth.”
    “Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought you were, Brian. All you’ve done is hand the Craing our planet on a silver platter. For fifteen years, I’ve experienced their lying, their deceit,” Admiral Reynolds spat. There was a renewed fire in his eyes, one that Jason hadn’t seen for weeks.
    “Enough!”