39 Meimi
I sit in my chair at the Liberation Celebration, my mind whirling through ways to get backstage before Godwin’s big moment.
Meaning before the smokescreen rolls across the stage.
And the Crawler lumbers across the floor.
Not to mention the part where millions to die.
In other words, just a few minutes from now.
A smooth male voice echoes across the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present … President Hope!”
The wall of monitors shows the Presidential Palace. It looks just like what Godwin modeled back in the Simulacrum, two months and a million years ago. President Hope even wears the same white pantsuit and heels. A black patch covers her left eye. Camera drones encircle her as she steps to center stage.
“My people,” says the president. “Tonight, we celebrate the glorio
