“I see,” Clayne said, not trying very hard to hide the bitterness in his voice.

“Once martial law is lifted, those implantations will be removed.”

“Major Denison?” Estelle Hardy, the mayor, spoke.

“Yes?”

“You said that the Punishment Mode will be applied to people breaking curfew. Surely that is not the same as treason. Is such drastic action really necessary?”

“Mayor Hardy,” the Major said patiently, “these rebels can only function effectively with the help of the citizens—either deliberate help or unsuspecting help. We must isolate them, cut off their ability to move freely about the city.”

He smiled, and Nicole supposed it was meant to be a kindly smile, but in the context of what he was saying, it became grim, almost macabre.

“Actually, for tonight, the first night, we will use only small increments of the voltage, just give them a sharp jolt or two. But—” his voice rose sharply, “thereafter, it will be a very painful experience. And for anyone found helping or abetting the rebels in any way, the Punishment Mode will be the maximum. And that means a very painful death. Please make that very clear to the people. Treason threatens our very society and, therefore, will bring the maximum penalty.”

“Major?” It was Roy Hartford again. He spoke quietly into the hushed silence that followed the statement. “You said all media reports on the crisis had to be cleared by committee. How is this to be done, and how long will it take?”

“Good question. Our intent is to expedite the clearance as much as possible. Captain Travis Oakes will chair the public communications committee. He has personnel already standing by to clear your reports of this meeting immediately after we close.”

Charles Cowles, president of KSHV-TV raised his hand.

“Yes, Chuck.”

“And violation of this media blackout on our parts would also constitute treason. Is that correct?”

The Major’s eyes narrowed into icy blue slits. “Yes, that’s correct. I don’t like to—”

A sudden sharp buzzing filled the room, causing Nicole and everyone else to jump and stare at their wrist computers. They were all buzzing in synchronized rhythm. Nicole stared at the face as a message flowed across it in bright yellow letters.

ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS OF SHALEV. AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE SHOWN ON KSHV-TV BEGINNING EXACTLY THREE MINUTES FROM NOW. PLEASE TURN ON YOUR TELEVISIONS AND STAND BY.

Then it began again. ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS—but the Major’s angry roar jerked Nicole’s attention away from her wrist.

“What’s going on?” he shouted. “Chuck! What’s the meaning of this?”

But the president of KSHV-TV was as stunned as anyone in the room. “I don’t know,” he stammered, his face white. “I told them to stand by with normal programming until they heard from me.”

“Who’s sending out unauthorized messages on the wrist computers?” Travis said. “That’s what I want to know.”