Phoebe stalked out, and stiffly let the green-clad soldiers escort her toward the exit. Sighing heavily, Kimberly rolled out of her office after carefully locking her file cabinet and computer and went to a conference room. While she made her way toward the conference room, she waved to people she saw in the hallways that she wanted to be in the meeting- her science officer, official mathematician, weapon connoisseurs and strategists. They walked in a long sophisticated caravan of white lab coats, suits and shined shoes. Once they all got to the room, one with no windows, a long metal desk and really artificial lighting units, everyone settled themselves around the table, tablets out, glasses cleaned, papers highlighted and ears perked for every word that Kimberly might say. " Ah, OK team, " started Kimberly, " As you might know, I have just had another visit from our friend Phoebe Coleman. She insists that we stop the bombing and armed attacks on the city. Now, we can't do that. What do we have to say?"

A dark skinned, long nosed woman politely raised her hand. She was Jaya Patil, head of strategy section 02. " I think that we should loosen our hold on the cities for say, a week. Let the rebels think they are all right, we have shown them mercy. We babysit them for a month and if the citizens are good little children, we will ease the armed forces a smidgen, if not, every day we take one of them."

The people around the table clapped politely. "Yes, yes" praised Kimberly, "But that would make me

look like I was softening wouldn't it, hmm?"

Another person raised their hand. This time it was Pierre La Saux, a round headed man with a face that looked like it wasn't even designed to smile and a very awkward French-'not one knows what' accent. " Miss Patil suggested zat we take one of zee rebels each day, yes? What would we do wis zem? To show zat Miss Kimberly isn't soft, vee can implant zem with one of our serums, and then send zem back with another wave of armed forces. "

Kimberly pressed her fingers to her lips to suppress a grin. " Very good Mr. La Saux, very good indeed! Ms. Cummings- make a note" Kimberly snapped her fingers at a young woman with straight brawn hair highlighted with red streaks.

Sierra Cummings flipped open her laptop and typed just as fast as Kimberly spoke, a good trait to have as secretary. " To Phoebe Coleman and Her Fellow Rebels, I have the following message for you. I will loosen my hold on the cities, and thin out the armed guards around and in your homes. If you behave we will make it permanent. If you behave like good little citizens, of course. Every day you misbehave or fight me, one of you will be taken away and provided with consequences. " Kimberly said.

The secretary punched in a button and walked over to a flat little printer in the corner of the room, grabbed the printed note off the top and handed it to Kimberly, who nodded in thanks. "I will send the digital version to all the points we have of the rebels. " said Sierra. Kimberly nodded again.

After the meeting, Kimberly went to her quarters. She lived in a flat built into the office building.It had large triangular window, and she would look out of them and know she had the entire city-the entire country at her fingertips. And she made her moves slowly and cleverly like a chess game from the heart of New York City- the Chrysler Building.