Hamilton’s unit had joined the battle against the Syndicate and managed to turn the General’s five hundred guardsmen. Together with Fall Creek and the Community Alliance, Hamilton had led them in an organized assault.
Within an hour, they’d routed the Syndicate.
Broken but not destroyed, the remnants of Poe’s army had retreated across the border, fleeing back to Illinois to lick their wounds.
“And Poe?” Hannah asked.
Hamilton resumed pacing. “Half their armored vehicles were ruined. At least four hundred killed by the guardsmen. Crippled as they are, they won’t attempt another attack for a while. I don’t plan to give them another chance.”
“Who’s in charge in Lansing now?” Liam asked.
“Homeland figures that Governor Duffield was murdered. General Sinclair had a hand in it, we’re certain of that. The Secretary of State, Lauren Eubanks, was sworn in last week as the new governor of Michigan.”
Bishop frowned. “Don’t know much about her.”
“Me either. But she’s got great taste in leadership.” He halted at the foot of Liam’s cot, a broad grin splitting his face, and gave a sweeping bow from the waist. “You’re looking at the newly-promoted Lieutenant Colonel and Michigan Task Force Executive Officer.”
Liam managed a smile. “Couldn’t happen to a better guy. Good thing they don’t promote based on looks.”
Hamilton ignored him. “Governor Eubanks, she’s smart. Got a good head on her, from what I can tell. Capable and decisive. And mad as hell about General Sinclair going off the rails. She may even visit Fall Creek to apologize in person, but I get the feeling she’s got a crap-ton on her plate right now, including cleaning up the mess Duffield left behind.”
“We haven’t received any help from the government since the Collapse,” Hannah said. “You think she’ll be different?”
“She told me her priority is guarding the Michigan border and protecting the rural counties so they can get crops planted and start farming. It’s not just empty words, either. She’s putting her money where her mouth is.
“She’s diverting some troops from Detroit from the 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment. They’re MORTEP certified—they’ve got mortars and know how to use them. We’ll have a few hardened drones at our disposal. Mortars and artillery. A half-dozen Black Hawks. The governor ordered me to engage Poe’s forces and eliminate him from the face of the Earth with extreme prejudice.”
Relief flooded Liam. It was the best news he’d heard in a long, long time.
“That’s fantastic,” Hannah said.
“Even better, I’m in command of Southwest Michigan.” He winked at Liam. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of me, gorgeous.”
Liam snorted. “Can’t wait.”
“How does she plan to feed all these soldiers?” Bishop asked.
Hamilton gave a careless shrug. “That’s above my paygrade. But my takeaway is that whatever she does will be fair and reasonable. She passed my B.S. meter. And Liam, you know I’ve got a good one.”
“Since you dish it out so often.”
Hamilton grinned. “Guilty as charged.”
Charlotte stretched for the cards in Hannah’s hands, bouncing and gurgling happily to herself. Hannah tried to raise them out of the baby’s reach, but Charlotte snatched a card and waved it with enthusiasm.
Bishop tried to distract her with one of her colorful, crinkly, and appropriate baby toys, but she ignored him.
Hamilton made a silly face, and she burst into giggles. “See? Even the baby knows how amazing I am.” He glanced at his watch, then examined the cabinet counters crowded with medical supplies, the desks and stacked chairs shoved in the corners. “The new governor’s giving her first State of the State Address. You got a radio nearby?”
“Annette has one in the principal’s office.” Bishop retrieved the emergency wind-up radio and set it on the counter. Hamilton fiddled with the knob.
The emergency broadcast that had looped for the last four months was no longer on repeat. Instead, the new governor’s strong, confident voice filled the room. “…when the government failed you, you worked hard to save yourselves. You’ve made it this far. You’ve survived. Until we get through this, I intend to do everything that I can to support that rugged indefatigable spirit that defines us all as Americans. I will do everything I can to protect you so that you can continue to work hard to farm, fish, hunt, and otherwise feed your families.