“So, this is a fully functional prototype?”

“Yes, sir. It’s—”

Rapp reached over and pushed the button. After a pause of less than half a second, the young sergeant sprinted through the empty door frame. His guys all just looked around, silently daring each other to move.

“I still can’t feel my lips,” Joe Maslick said, bringing a beer to them. “Do you think that’s permanent?”

Everyone just shrugged.

Rapp finished off his own beer and then glanced around the crowded bar for their waitress.

“So, what now?” Coleman said. “Power’s on and the world’s getting back to its normal fucked-up self. We’re tan, rested, and tech savvy. The calls for contracts are rolling in again.”

“You should take them,” Rapp said.

“That’s it? That’s your advice? ‘You should take them’?”

“Look, I have no relationship with the new president and I might never have one. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to.”

“What’s Dr. Kennedy think about him?” McGraw asked.

“Last I talked to her, she didn’t know what to make of him yet.”

“So, what’s your plan?” Coleman asked.

“I’m headed to South Africa. Claudia and Anna are already there.”

“I mean on a more philosophical level. Do you find yourself surfing for country clubs?”

“Not yet.”

“Then join us. Full time. SEAL Demolition and Salvage’s newest recruit.”

“I don’t remember that working out so well last time.”

“No more celebrity protection, I promise. None of us are starving and that gives us the luxury to pick and choose. And we recently went to a fully democratic model. Everyone votes on whether to take a contract and it has to be unanimous. So, only interesting stuff that pays obscene amounts of money.”

Rapp shook his head, still searching for their waitress. “Look, I’ll always back you guys up if you need it. You know that. But right now, I’ve got a chance to back away for a while. And I’m going to take it.” He stood. “Anyone else need another drink?”

A couple of hands went up and he headed for the bar. The people behind it were just as overworked as his waitress, so he found a stool and settled in. For the first time in years, he had time to wait.

ISIS and al-Qaeda were on the ropes and increasingly turning inward. The Russians were still up to no good but had chosen Facebook as their primary battlefield. The Chinese were a significant threat, but despite a little naval posturing, that threat was largely economic. Finally, the world was moving away from oil, causing the Middle East to slowly lose its strategic importance.

And America? It was being taken over by corrupt politicians, a mainstream media bent on whipping up divisions, and an Internet full of crazies.