Book 2 Chapter 1: The Cabinet

Book 2 Chapter 1: The Cabinet

After shaking my hand, Masters, walked down the line to introduce himself to the rest of the people whod gathered from STAR territory to meet him and the rest of the Remnant leadership. That left me standing there confused. What had he meant when he said that I was the man who was going to help bring America back to life?New novel chapters are published on

The remaining four members of the cabinet began making their way down the line as well. First greeting Leah, then Boyd, then myself. They seemed less interested in talking than Masters, simply giving me their names and exchanging simple pleasantries before continuing down the line.

Only one of them, Matthews, did anything out of the ordinary. She opened her helmet, revealing a woman in her mid thirties with black hair and circular glasses. She turned my hand over after we shook and stared at it.

Fascinating, she muttered with her eyebrow raised.

I raised my own nonexistent eyebrow, but she didnt notice the gesture and instead continued down the line. Of the cabinet, three were men, and two were women. Masters was clearly the one in charge, but whether their deference to him was something formal or informal, I couldnt tell. Either way, while they worked their way up and down the rows of sycophants, I approached Leah.

What was Masters talking about? I asked.

I was planning on briefing you along with the rest of the cabinet after they were done introducing themselves here. Masters shouldnt have mentioned anything yet. The jist of it is, that we have a job for you.

That wasnt a surprise. Id figured even from when she approached me in Jasper that there would be a job involved at some point. Sure I was a representative for Potts, but I was also a representative of getting shit done. The latter role was definitely the one I was more suited for.

The Remnants are based in space? I asked.

Leah nodded. It was one of the old governments crowning achievements. Putting a self sustaining station in orbit, and getting our best people up there. Weve been monitoring things from there for quite some time. What we were able to monitor anyway.

Before I could question her further, the Cabinet, the Remnant soldiers that landed with them, and the STAR personnel all started moving away from us.

Leah gestured at Graves, who nodded and moved back toward the Shrike. He started it up, ascended and flew ahead to whatever the destination was. She then gestured for me to follow her, which I did.

The procession made its way a little less than a mile, to about a dozen trucks that had been altered into transports that could fit the heavily armored members of the Remnants, and a series of camouflage tents. Different people filtered into each tents, and Leah led me directly to the one I saw the members of the cabinet enter. Masters was standing outside making a bit of last minute smalltalk with Boyd who shot me a look when I entered. I responded with a toothy smile that made the color drain from his face.

The tent was mostly bare, filled mostly by Remnant guards in power armor, as well as a large table and some chairs.

Masters nodded. Leah told us.

I understand that you may take it as a given that people will do as you ask, but I dont owe your version of the US of A anything, and as far as I know going to The Cut is a death sentence.

Adams stood, causing the table to shake violently. You owe EVERYTHING to it. His voice was familiar, but I couldnt quite place it.

Masters held out a hand for Adams, who managed to calm himself and sit back down. I simply stared at him impassively. Outbursts didnt impress me much.

If you need to get over there, why dont you send a Shrike? Or even have one of your landing craft arrive there? I asked.

Matthews shook her head. Too many variables. None of our monitoring equipment seems to function properly on that side of the cut. The entire area is invisible to us, a complete unknown.

So its as unknown to you as it is to us, and no one has ever crossed The Cut to let us know what was on the other side.

Someone has made it across, said Masters

What? I asked.

Less than a month ago we found a man that we believe came across the cut from the other side, responded Leah.

The Cut represented the edge of my world. A barrier beyond which lay the unknown. In spite of the situation I found myself in, surrounded by tentative allies, and honest betrayers, I was suddenly excited. I took a moment to tone it down and calm myself. However strong my desire to move, and explore may be, I didnt work for free, and I did my best not to operate blind. I needed more information. Where is he?

Hes here, in one of the other tents. Hes hurt and having difficulty answering questions. Though even beyond that he refuses to answer certain questions until he speaks to one of the other Resurrected. Were hoping you might have better luck speaking with him.

Whys that? I could certainly do some good work as an interrogator, but I wasnt exactly a diplomat.

We think the Chosen are deadmen.