IX. “…OVER BEFORE SUNRISE”

Lothrop details for Huggins the means of his rescue, highlighting the technology used to create diversionary holograms of Anna.  

Huggins expresses concern over a televised address featuring a doppelganger of the president.  Suspecting that the video was staged by the Russians to obscure Huggins’ escape from the Pro Tem Government, Lothrop proposes a counterbroadcast.

General Lee arrives at the Martian encampment astride a massive war machine.  The leader of the Chinese forces greets Lothrop, Huggins, John, and Anna with great deference.  Huggins appoints John to the post of Secretary of Defense in his shadow government. 

Lee reflects on the nature of revolutionary movements, the legitimacy of governments, and the progress of war.  Lothrop leads a fractious discussion about the strategy for combating the Pro Tem Government.

John and Anna slip away from the meeting and take flight aboard a nearby hovercraft.  Anna points out the signs of conflict in the distance between Chinese and Pro Tem Government forces.  John angers Anna by disparaging the new constitutional government and his place in it.

Anna and John return to the Martian base, where they are greeted by Japhet.  Anna informs her brother of John’s promotion before speedily departing.  Dejected, John retreats to his office to review reports and correspondence on the war effort.  He ruminates on the imminent battle for Arlington.