Metafire

and the two impossibly insane ones,

Cairo, Egypt, and

New York City.

There were two major results of these blasts. A now combined NATO and the Russian Federation overran and took over the rogue nations of Iraq, Iran, Libya, and Serbia. Nuclear devices were used to 'put out the lights' of the governments in place. Any resistance was met with the most severe and decisive forms of policing.

However, this did not stop the economic collapse. New York City had a belly wound and the financial disaster was more immense than anyone had suspected it could be. Inside of four weeks, major companies were grapling for cash in a confusion of lost personal relationships.

At the NSP, congressional orders were given to accelerate the American exodus from earth. Another general series of firings and hirings took place. John Adamson continued to direct colony logistics, and Erisa retained her position in his office. She enjoyed playing a key role in keeping colonists alive in space. She took a personal interest. John had known she would. That was why he hired her.