Standoff, not checkmate — Year 7 August Fairbanks, Alaska Dette Bremmer took it as a done deed that Shafner would be taking over the position of POTUS — technically. There would be no more leader of the United States of America. …

There was only one way to defeat the monster… Year 7 August Fairbanks, Alaska Dette had thought long and hard that night. As hard as she had tried, she could no longer hold America together. She should have acknowledged it to herself a long time ago, but it was hard…

It’s always the poor that get the short end of the stick. — Year 7 End July As the people of earth adjusted to the threats they were now facing, some things were more important to them than others. Saving the poor was not a priority. Saving the rich had lost its appeal. Instead, the world sought talent and expertise in all fields. …

The battle changes. — Year 7 The Blissful, Los Angeles Robert Olafson got together with Niall Shafner’s men — all of them immune-ones. Beth, Paula, and Ming were present as well. Olafson had a plan. He didn’t know if it would work, but it was a start. …

Answers to questions provide solutions. No answers — no solutions. — Year 7 End June The newspapers had primarily been focused on three issues for two years. They had been the revelation that the the Guati, the increasing number of pandemics, and the many disastrous events caused by climate change. …

Danger on every side, humanity runs for shelter — Year 7 Cape Town “What are we going to do?” Potgieter asked his son who was driving — foot on the pedal pushed down as far as it would go. “I don’t know — haven’t thought that far ahead, but they’re waiting for us.” “Head for the yacht club —…

The size of the problem determines the size of the solution — Year 7 June Iceland Jim Karaganis was frustrated. He had been accumulating data for seven long years, and while he had more and more data, he hadn’t been able to find a single usable weakness of the aliens. It seemed they were outnumbered on every side — every solution had…

When things converge… — Year 7 Houston, Texas “The city is sinking. The Guati are surrounding us. There’s sea water everywhere. The hurricanes are getting so strong that they’re damaging concrete buildings. We can make money out of this.” Paul Grayson heard his best friend out. “You’re always on to something. We’ve made money…

Who lives and who dies, and who makes the decision? — Year 7 Fairbanks, Alaska It was Dette’s decision. She knew that America still retained some sort of influence, but she, nevertheless, called the Chinese premier. When she wasn’t permitted access, she spoke to Wang. “We have to compromise. We have to let 20% of humanity die each year. I don’t…