“Who better’n the folk who used to do it, I guess?”

“You can’t say we don’t have the relevant experience.”

“So… the same people, doing the same job, but called something else?”

“You may have hit closer to the essence of the Great Change than Chairman Risinau has in a hundred hours of speeches. Welcome to the new Union and its People’s Inspectorate, headquarters at the House of Truth. It’s the big building in the Agriont with the little windows, in case you were wondering.”

“They’re not asking questions there any more?”

“Oh, they’re asking questions.”

“Just… nicely?”

“I doubt it.”

“But truth is more important than it used to be?”

“Time will tell.” Though Vick had her doubts about that, too.

“I hear the People’s Army let out all the prisoners.”

“Some of whom I worked hard to put in there. Most of whom weren’t even Breakers. Thieves, smugglers, more than one murderer and an idiot who liked to set fires. Not to mention the Young Lion and his co-conspirators. You’re all free, Brothers! Did they let your sister out?”

“They did.”

“Good.” She regretted saying it right away. New Union or old, letting a feeling show was like pointing out a chink in your armour. An invitation to stick the knife in. She frowned sideways at Tallow. With his sister released, he’d no real reason to work with her. Still less to be loyal to her. “You’re still here, though, I notice.”

“I’m standing with the winners.” He gave her a weak grin. “And where else would I go?”

“Fair point.” What with all the folk who’d flooded into Adua with the People’s Armies, and the mills and manufactories that were shut up or broken down, and the shambles on the roads, canals and docks, work was hard to come by and prices were higher than ever. And who knew where anyone’s loyalties sat these days? Old friends were set at odds and old enemies made allies. In the new Union, everything was ripped up and spun around, and who was to say it wouldn’t be ripped up fresh tomorrow?

“You got a uniform, at least,” said Tallow.

Vick frowned down at herself. Bloody thing was too tight under the armpits and the boots pinched. “Seems black never goes out of fashion.”

“Looks good on you. Very fearsome.”

“I guess this has all been worthwhile, then.” It was hard to point out much else the Great Change had achieved so far. No doubt some folk had gained and some folk lost, but that better world she’d let herself hope was coming felt as far away as ever.

The Constables had finally heaved the wagon into position, maw of the cannon pointing at the bank’s doors. She leaned towards their leader, a big-shouldered bastard so acne-scarred he’d probably looked less frightening when they still wore masks. “This bloody thing loaded?”

“I’ve got shot,” he said, “but there’s no powder to be had.”

All shot and no powder summed it right up. She’d just have to blow the door down with lies, like usual. “Get the match-cord lit at least, make it look like we think the damn thing works.” She cleared her sore throat and turned back to the bank. “Can you hear me in there?”