"Effective immediately, the Sirius Zone is under emergency military lockdown. All residents are hereby directed to the SZPD secure bunkers. Resistance will not be tolerated. As you may have heard, the President of the United States has accused the zone of insurrection. While we hope to resolve this claim peacefully, we must take precautions," announced Elena Park over an emergency broadcast within the Sirius Zone.

Across the Sirius Zone, SZPD HellVortex helicopters, patrolled the skies, while SZPD Stormkreuzer sedans drove door to door, to evacuate people.

"B-but we are not part of the Sirius Zone!" protested Annette, as Camille and Michelle quickly ushered her and Mikaela into the Stormkreuzer.

"You're in our jurisdiction, and that's the only thing that matters right now. Come on, move it," said Michelle, pushing her into the car.

Within hours, the Sirius Zone had pulled all the civilians into the bunkers, and the SZPD had taken up defensive positions on the streets.

Radar jammers and EMP systems activated, forming a massive dome of electronic interference and ionizing radiation around the Zone.

Guided missiles arced over the Zone's security checkpoints, blasting the roads and bridges connecting it to the rest of Massachusetts and Boston to shreds.

Army drones that tried to breach the perimeter were blinded by the Electronic Warfare interference and blasted apart by cannon fire from the SZPD HellVortex helicopters.

An air force B-2 stealth bomber tried to approach the Zone, only to have its systems scrambled by an Electronic Warfare pulse, forcing it to abort.

Across all US military assets, a readout message was sent: "The Sirius Zone is now sovereign, and nuclear armed. Back off,"

---

"Admiral, we've got a fleet approaching," reported the captain of the Gerald R. Ford.

"I see. They're Russian, Libyan and German, correct?" asked Admiral Artemis Winters.

"Message coming in from the lead ship the Aristotle. They are approaching to fulfill treaty obligations with... The Sirius Zone?" said the communications officer in disbelief.

"Are you living under a rock or something sailor? The Sirius Zone was already de facto independent. And thanks to the President accusing them of insurrection, they've announced formal secession," said Artemis.

The officer flushed.

"Orders, ma'am?" asked the Captain, trying to head off a breakdown in discipline.

"Let them through. I didn't sign up to start World War 3 over a damn corporate city state," growled Artemis.

"Yes, ma'am," said the captain, visible relief in his eyes.

"Ma'am, message from the Abraham Lincoln. Admiral Johnson is signaling his intent to escort the fleet to the Sirius Zone Port," reported the communications officer. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Acknowledge and join the formation," ordered Artemis.

The Ford and Lincoln strike groups moved into formation, creating an escorting wedge for the fleet. Which consisted of the new German flagship nuclear aircraft carrier Bismarck that was loaded with Su-57 jet fighters, the Libyan nuclear-powered missile cruiser and flagship Aristotle, two new Russian nuclear-powered destroyers the Tsiolkovsky and the Severomorsk, and four new K-1000 nuclear attack/ballistic missile submarines.

"I never thought I'd see the day when a German carrier fielded Russian jet fighters," chuckled Artemis wryly.

"It is a surreal experience," conceded her captain.

The formation sailed at 20 knots towards the US Eastern seaboard.

"Admiral, incoming hail from the Aristotle," reported the communications officer.

"Put it through," said Artemis.

"Greetings, Admiral Winters. I wish we met under better circumstances, but here we are again," came Saladin's voice over the radio.

"Premier Saladin, what are your intentions this time?" asked Artemis, wary of Saladin's cordial tone.

"As stated in the original message. I'm here with Russian President Alexander Chekov, and German Chancellor Liesel von Kleist as our duty to fulfill a treaty obligation we have with Sirius Software and the Sirius Zone," said Saladin.

"Forgive me, Premier, but I'm unaware of any such treaty," said Artemis.

"It was recently ratified, transmitting a copy now," said Saladin.

"The Lunar mining alliance treaty of friendship and mutual defense. And it states that any act of aggression, which includes punitive tariffs, sanctions and embargoes, will be met with an immediate and overwhelming nuclear retaliation on the aggressor. Surely this violates international law?" asked Artemis.

"Article two states that members are permanently withdrawn from the UN and that the alliance does not recognize the UN's authority. Of course, that hasn't fully happened yet. The treaty's ink is barely dry," chuckled Saladin.

"I see. We will be approaching the Eastern seaboard in a few hours. Please stand by," said Artemis, as she relayed the treaty to the rest of the Navy, hoping that they would read it, and not play patriot.

---

A Libyan Navy HellVortex helicopter approached the White House helipad, and touched down.

"At least that part of diplomacy seems to be working," commented Saladin lightly, as he stepped out with Alexander.

"Well, the fact that we've got a fleet stationed within striking distance certainly helped," chuckled Alexander.

A group of Secret Service agents approached them.

At a signal from Saladin, the HellVortex's cannon turret swiveled to train on the Secret Service agents.

"I demand that Mr. Jones be here. He and his men are the only Secret Service detail I trust," said Saladin to the nervous lead Secret Service agent.

"Mr. Jones has left the service," replied the agent.

"Hmm, in that case, we're bringing our own security," said Saladin, and two fully armed Libyan soldiers disembarked from the HellVortex.

"But-" began the agent.

"Under present circumstances, I have no confidence in the United States government to guarantee our safety. This isn't up for debate agent," said Saladin, with a bite of command.

The agent grit her teeth, and signaled to the other agents to stand down.

---

"Well, Miss President, it appears you made a rather big error," chuckled Saladin, as he, Alexander Chekov, and Liesel von Kleist seated themselves in the Oval Office.

Anne said nothing, but sat forlornly in her chair.

"I see, very well. I'll make things clear. The Sirius Zone is now a sovereign city state, and a founding member of the Lunar mining alliance. It owes no allegiance to the United States government, and the residents within it, are now Sirius Zone citizens pending a referendum to choose their citizenship. Any attempt at aggression, military, economic or otherwise, will be considered an act of war against us all, and trigger a full nuclear retaliation. If you doubt me, here is the treaty document signed by us in full," said Alexander, tossing the document onto the desk.

Anne took the treaty document, and nodded.

An aide took the treaty from her, placed it in a secure briefcase, and left.

"Very well, that only leaves one thing left," said Saladin, and gave a signal.

With lightning quick speed, the Libyan soldiers gunned down the Secret Service agents in the room.

Anne shuddered at the sight of the bloody corpses that had been ripped to shreds by the 9mm tungsten bullets.

Her ears and head rang from the echoes of the guns.

"Were those the immediate dangers to you?" asked Saladin, his voice seeming to come from far away.

"Y-yes, but my family. They're still in danger," said Anne, forcing herself to come out of the daze.

"Gordon, were you able to secure them?" asked Saladin into his radio.

"Yup. We got them," came Gordon's reply.

"OK, let's reconvene at Sirius Software HQ. I'm not particularly fond of this place," said Saladin.

He and Alexander gently helped Anne towards the corridor, while Liesel picked up a gun and a radio from one of the fallen Secret Service agents, checked them, and joined the soldiers in the escort.

They quickly moved through the White House, and outside to the parked HellVortex helicopter.

"This is the President of the United States. All US military assets are ordered to stand down. I repeat, all military assets are ordered to stand down," ordered Anne into the radio Liesel had swiped from a Secret Service agent.

Saladin and Alexander bundled Anne and Liesel into the HellVortex, before they climbed in, followed by the two Libyan soldiers.

The HellVortex took off, and headed towards the Sirius Zone.

---

"Well, Aaron. Looks like we are giving our enemies a serious spook," chuckled Saladin, as he sipped a cup of tea in the Sirius Software Conference bar.

"I have a feeling that this is the work of a rogue faction or cell in that Cabal network. They're usually not this reckless," said Aaron.

"Indeed. The boiling frog strategy is usually their Modus Operandi. This smacks more of a hothead," said Saladin.

The Conference bar doors opened, and Anne walked in, dressed in a skirt suit, and looking far more relieved and relaxed as she clung to Gordon's arm.

"I suspect that it is Monica Goldberg, also known as Emily Clarke," said Aaron, as she took a seat.

"Your suspicions are correct, Mr. Zakhrov. It was Monica who tortured me and forced me to sign those executive orders," said Anne, suppressing a shudder as she recalled the memory.

"Hmm. I think it is about time we did something about that," said Aaron.

"I've been getting reports from the intelligence contacts that I still trust. The main man is either Daniel Goldberg or Elijah Edelstein. They're the ones who are pushing the agenda against you guys," said Gordon.

"OK. We'll deal with Emily once we've got the situation stabilized. Are you ready Miss President?" asked Aaron.

"Yes. I'm ready," said Anne.