Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 200 Dawn of Victory

Washington, D.C., Federal Emergency Management Center.

"You run really fast."

McCann shook his head and sighed, pointing to the animated image in the center of the projection.

Population flow, gas station consumption models, LTE base station switching trajectories, and highway analysis summaries—red, yellow, and blue colors superimposed to form highly saturated patterns, densely covering the state borders.

“Population density east of California’s San Joaquin Valley has dropped by 20 percent,” he murmured.

"There are also unusual developments in Texas, with more than 80,000 people leaving the five counties surrounding Dallas in the past 48 hours."

McCann turned to his staff and said, “Stack the heat map and the frequency of local councilors’ speeches.”

A few seconds later, several curves appeared on the chart.

The closer one gets to Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois, the more ambiguous the descriptions become on the platform.

The original criticisms were either heavily deleted or replaced with neutral terms.

“See?” McCann said gently. “It wasn’t us who forced them to evacuate; the voters ran away on their own.”

The census bureau chief behind him didn't dare to look up, only replying in a low voice, "Yes, Mr. President."

“Colorado, silent for forty-nine hours.” McCann glanced at the lower right of the chart. “The governor of New Mexico sent his deputy and son on a night flight via Denver to Vancouver last night, supposedly to attend an ‘education conference’.”

"Oh, and there's also a state legislator, a family of five, who were transiting in Atlanta at 3:40 this morning on their way to Dublin."

He paused, as if mocking, "These people always plan their escape route first, and then they come to discuss constitutionalism."

However, before anyone could agree, a knock came at the door.

The chief of staff quickly walked in, his expression revealing barely concealed excitement:
"Sir, we have just made contact with Indiana."

McCann turned around: "Who?"

“An ‘informal’ contact from the governor’s office.”

"say clearly."

"The lieutenant governor, the chief of budget, and three Republican state legislators."

"They verbally acknowledged the 'necessity of federalism' and expressed their willingness to send people to Washington."

As soon as he finished speaking, McCann laughed.

It wasn't a relaxed laugh; it was more like a hunter who had been lying in wait all night, catching a trembling bird feather in the bushes.

He strolled back to the conference table, his fingers tracing the cold surface.

“This is the eighth,” McCann said.

"This is the eighth state to proactively reach out since I announced the launch of the EAM chain."

He looked up at the map that was gradually being swallowed by the blue light.

"Twenty-three states have explicitly seceded from the Union."

"Now eight have loosened their stance, leaving only fifteen still observing."

McCann pronounced the word "wait and see" very slowly.

Without anger or anxiety, it was as if they were simply assessing whether the speed of some natural process was in line with expectations.

The room fell silent.

The data flashed on the screen, updating in real time.

There was no request for instructions, and no objection was raised.

Because nobody knows what to say, or what else they can say.

The changes that have occurred in the past few days are unprecedented.

There are no historical precedents to refer to.

All established models, cognitive tools, and constitutional references have been shattered by reality.

After a long pause, McCann spoke again with certainty:
"In time, these states that are still hesitant will no longer be able to remain silent."

“We don’t even need to launch an offensive; we can simply let the unrest continue on their borders.”

"The fracture has occurred; the rest is up to physics."

The chief of staff nodded upon hearing this.

“Sir,” he paused for a moment, his words carrying a restrained admiration, “your judgment came earlier than most models.”

"The situation does indeed exhibit a predictable and manageable structure." "So I was thinking," he took a deep breath and asked, "about tomorrow's speech to Congress, is it going to be broadcast live, or controlled through designated channels?"

McCann hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly said, "Live it live."

"Let the nation, no, the world, see the President of America standing there."

“Let them hear the full speech, coming from the heart of power, without paraphrasing or editing.”

"Tomorrow, only one voice will be allowed."

"From the moment I arrived, any unauthorized interpretation, paraphrase, or summary will be considered a hostile act."

"You go and coordinate the IPAWS/NCCS system."

"The signal is synchronized across Federal Broadcasting, major cable news channels, and commercial websites."

There was no further movement in the meeting room.

The light shone brightly on the metal tabletop, almost blindingly so.
-
The kitchen lights are very bright.

Zhou Yi stood by the island platform, looking down as he slung the gun over his shoulder.

He has tried three times already.

Unfortunately, it gets stuck in the same spot every time.

The silicone made her body look two sizes bigger.

The sling either got stuck in the gap of the prosthesis or slipped off completely.

Movements are erratic, and breathing rhythm is disordered.

Finally, the woman couldn't stand it anymore. She got up from her chair and took the rifle from his hand: "Stop messing with John."

“Once you come out of Congress, we’ll be in the car, we can change clothes in half a minute and then begin the rescue. There’s enough time.”

At the other end of the living room, the man was sitting on the carpet, quietly cleaning his pistol.

Upon hearing the woman speak, he immediately added:
"An explosion occurred, EMP interference occurred, and no one was able to calmly check identities."

"Then it will be time for us to act."

"But remember to take your medication beforehand. Even a small dose of radioactive fallout can make you feel terrible."

Zhou Yi nodded and sat down.

Three seconds later, the woman suddenly clicked her tongue.

"Why are you all so calm?" she asked.

“That’s Capitol Hill.”

“A bastion of civilization, a beacon of representative government, and the most sacred temple of the United States.”

Before she finished speaking, the woman couldn't help but clap her hands, her smile carrying a certain pleasure.

“We’ve been working abroad for so many years, in Amman, Tripoli, Kyiv, and we never imagined we’d have the opportunity to participate in such a grand project.”

"God bless America!"

"God bless America!"

The man sighed.

"Anna, can you please stop acting like a child on a roller coaster before every mission?"

"Then what do you think I should do?" She turned and glared at him, replying half-jokingly.

"With that stern face of yours, like a widower who just attended his wife's funeral?"

The man rolled his eyes.

Zhou Yi did not participate in their conversation, but silently lowered his head and examined his own body.

It belongs to another person; the skin is loose, the joints are bent inward, and the nail beds are yellow.

When standing, the center of gravity shifts backward, the abdomen bulges out, and the neck leans forward.

Even the most basic act of turning around and scanning requires more effort to counteract the pulling sensation caused by the implant.

Everything felt so unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Fortunately, this will be over soon.

An ending never before imagined in history.

(End of this chapter)