She turned to see the chiseled face of Ethan Norwood, an online political commentator and frequent nemesis. She broadened her smile. “Why, Ethan, I thought you were in the Caribbean on vacation.”

“Cut it short. Election cycle. Never seen an off year like it. Where’s Sabin?”

“At home. Deadline on some hologram he’s designing, as usual. So it sounds as if Rodney has you pulling overtime too.”

“He wants me to do a feature on the American Party’s chances.”

“And what do your instincts tell you?”

“That you’ll lose seats in the House but might hold on to the Senate. Counting your seat, of course.”

“It’s not my seat yet. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Lauren, our latest polls show the Democrats pulling even with the AP in national party affiliation. And they’re ahead in Texas. Do you really think you can hold your lead?”

“Well, without a viable Republican in the field…I assume this is off the record.”

“Of course.”

“We’re figuring on forty percent of the Republican vote. And with Governor Menendez working for us…”

He shook his head. “With the economy going south, I just wonder how you’re going to turn the tide.” He took a sip from his drink. “After five years in the White House, the AP—look, I hate to say it—you guys look stale.”

“If we look stale, it’s not the first time you ingrates have created a false impression.” Lauren laughed. It was a forced laugh but moderately convincing. She wanted to keep Norwood honest, but she also needed to stay on friendly terms with him.

Norwood was right. With the economy faltering, things weren’t breaking the American Party’s way. It wasn’t the fault of their policies. War in south Asia had caused shortages and price spikes in several technology sectors, fueling inflation and creating market jitters. Economic growth was slow, and unemployment was up. The trajectory of the American Party—a centrist third party that had overtaken both the Democrats and the Republicans and captured the White House and Congress—was for the first time downward. They were no longer the up-and-comers; they were in power, and they were being blamed for the nation’s woes. That’s how the game worked. The party needed an issue it could latch on to. Lauren needed an issue that would create movement in the Texas polls.

Lauren’s audial implant alerted her to an incoming message. “Excuse me, will you, Ethan? My assistant is tapping me.”

Lauren stepped aside and entered virtual reality, a glazed look overtaking her face. A moment later she returned to physical reality. She turned to see a congressional colleague, Clara Barnes, standing in front of her.

“Are you okay, Lauren? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

“No,” she answered unsteadily, “but I’m about to.”

“Crisis, Lauren?”