Storm (Swipe Series)

Rank.
    “Then let us begin,” the Presider said. “First of all, allow me to say that, in light of the ongoing Markless riots across Beacon and New Chicago, I’d like to keep today’s meeting brief; I know how eager all of you must be to return to your positions. Marked citizens across America are thanking you for your outstanding moderation of the peace in our streets, and the last thing I want to do is distract you from your duties to them.” The Presider nodded quickly, as though punctuating his own selflessness. “That being said, our Council has assembled us here today because, concurrent with these trying Markless protests above ground, there is a matter that we feel requires additional attention from us right down here below.”
    The Presider lifted his arms. “Controllers. The dawn of a new era is upon us. An era without borders, without violence, without the very concept of ‘difference’ itself. Nationality, culture, religion, perspective . . . I speak to you today from a world’s stage in which all of these divisions are no more.
    “Unity!” the Presider said. “Finally! Unity.”
    A wave of applause swept through the house, but Lily couldn’t help noticing a certain shuffle among the seats around her. A certain discomfort, perhaps, accompanying each clap. What was it these IMPS knew that she didn’t?
    “Advocates, Champions, fellow Presiders . . . Fourteen days ago, our long-awaited Global Union became a permanent reality. The integration of East and West is now complete. And understandably, this has led many of you to wonder, ‘Well? What does our new Unity mean for me ?’” The Presider paused. “An excellent question.” And the Presider stepped away from his podium, pacing down toward the front of the stage to speak now more directly with the IMPS in the audience. “First of all, Controllers, allow theCouncil and me to reassure you: At the moment, our chain of command remains unchanged. Standard Operating Procedure remains unchanged. Your day-to-day activities remain unchanged.
    “You will not become the subordinates of our European brethren. You will not be receiving mixed signals from your superiors on account of the impending two-head system between General Lamson and Chancellor Cylis. Your roles in the world will not be reduced to ‘glorified police officers’ or ‘relief aid missionaries’ or whatever else your peers have been saying in these last few weeks. Our new perfect Unity does not make our forces any less relevant today than they were prior to the ratification of this great Global Treaty.
    “In fact, Controllers—quite the opposite.
    “While we recognize that the Articles of Unification are a work in progress, and while it is true that they do not yet fully address all foreseeable details of the impending East-West IMPS integration, it is critical for each of you to understand that your job, both to your fellow IMPS and to the Marked citizens you have Pledged to protect, is the same now as ever. Our goals are unchanged, our stature is unchanged, our roles are unchanged—”
    There was a growing murmur now, around the lecture hall.
    “And, for the time being, any speculation you might have heard suggesting otherwise is baseless, reckless, and absolutely without place among our ranks. Is that clear?”
    In unison, all three auditoriums replied, “Yes, sir.” But it did little to cut the tension in the air.
    “In many ways, Controllers, this integration is the ultimate fulfillment of every IMP’s original and, to this day, fundamental purpose. Since our inception, we have always Pledged loyalty tothe great Chancellor Cylis in Europe. We have always regarded him as our one true savior, as the man who pulled us up from the ashes of the Total War and the terrors of our former, Unmarked lives. And now, Controllers, finally—all of us will have the honor of serving under this great leader directly.
    “We have always owed a debt of thanks to our brothers and sisters in the European Moderators of Peace. Their exemplary institutional model made our own success possible. It will be a privilege to work more closely with them. And at present, there is no evidence whatsoever suggesting that any of this will adversely affect the rank, status, or responsibilities of any Controller in this room. Therefore, the Council and I have called you here today to let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that effective immediately, any public or private display of doubt,