Several figures wearing light-scattering masks designed to defeat facial recognition algorithm stormed about. Some toted phase EMP carronades. The International District of Indianapolis originally was once the side of town that suffered from the benign neglect of city officials. Property values plummeted, and immigrants moved in. And flourished. Through LISC, the city found money enough to rebrand the area the International District. This grew into the International Marketplace, which soon housed several embassies once the nation’s capital shifted to the booming metropolis.

“You want me to get all worked up because folks are protesting?” Jaha stationed herself at the window’s edge to better take in the scene. “What are they protesting this week? Our taking in more O.E. refugees? Our not accepting their latest currency exchange? Our existence?”

“That’s … not clear yet. But their numbers are increasing.” Lij Matata angled his head toward her, the way an unsure actor new to the stage might.

“Threat assessment?”

“The situation is still fluid. Uncertain. Security protocol red is in effect. It may be best for you to make a … diplomatic withdrawal.” Matata paused, attempting to dance around his own suggestion. “Maybe even head back to the Dreaming City.”

“You may want to check my eyes again to see if they are in the habit of anything close to any kind of … withdrawal.” Jaha hard-eyed the man, staring him up and down to take his measure. “We have a standard deployment of Niyabinghi?”

“Yes.” Lij Matata snapped to attention.

“Then with any escalation of any kind, we dig in and keep an eye on their movements. Give O.E.—well, LISC—one hour to handle this. Then we do what we do.” She softened, since her aim wasn’t to humiliate or demean him. “With your people stationed here, we should be as secure as if we were at the Dreaming City.”

His shoulders relaxing, Lij Matata appeared relieved, the tension of holding his breath while dealing with her leaving him. “That’s good to hear.”

“The Niyabinghi should be visible, however. As a deterrent to any … unnecessary antics on anyone’s part.”

“Understood.” Lij Matata gestured to his contingent, who deployed down each hallway before the door resealed itself. “Nanny fe Queen.”

“Nanny fe Queen.” Jaha waited several heartbeats as if not wanting to be interrupted again. Part of her missed when she was once a Lij and the uncomfortable tension of watching this new generation of young people run forward with the work.

“Ishant, come over here.” Jaha strode to the nearest window. “You got them young eyes. What do you see?”

After all of her genmods, her eyes were as sharp as anyone’s. Still, Ishant approached the window with a put-upon sniff, as if suspecting another test. It was. His travels gave him a valuable global perspective on what was happening around the world and an appreciation of the power of community. How people who cared about one another worked together.