OUT OF THE LOOP

Ben knew the instant he put eyes on Paula Preston that she was going to be big trouble.

“I am the only remaining official from the United States Consulate left in this city,” she told him, sticking out her chin. “What happens here in North Africa is my business.”

“We’re not from the United States of America,” Ben said.

“Of course, you are. Where is the American flag? Why aren’t you flying it?”

“I am Ben Raines, Ms. Preston. Commanding General of the Armed Forces of the Southern United States of America. The SUSA.”

“You’re what?”

“You don’t know what happened in America, do you?”

“We’ve been cut off here for years with no electricity, no communication. We knew there was some sort of civil war, but…”

“The SUSA won. The United States is broken up into four sections now, Ms. Preston. I have nineteen battalions here in Africa. We’re stretched out over the entire continent.”

“I fear that Field Marshal General Bruno Bottger has you outnumbered, sir. Even with your nineteen battalions.”

“The Rebels are always outnumbered, Ms. Preston. We’re used to that.”

“The … Rebels? The Southern United States of America and the Rebel army? Then you fly the stars and bars of the Confederacy?”

“No. We do not. We fly the stars and stripes, Ms. Preston. We just don’t have as many stars as before.”

3 WILLIAM W. JOHNSTONE THE PREACHER SERIES

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