“Cheer up, Carl Bennett! This is your moment, and I’m sure you won’t disappoint me now,” Commander Aslög said. She lifted my empty black coffee cup from the sink and placed it in my hands. “Drink another cup of coffee, Carl. I won’t tell anyone about it.”

“But I’ve already had 3 cups, Commander. That would be a violation of the rules.”

“It’s O.K now, Carl. Soon you won’t have to won’t have to worry about those silly rules, but don’t throw them out. There would be chaos without rules. I know they seem foolish, but Carl…” She stepped closer, placing a gloved hand against my bruised cheek. “The Corporation, Incorporated made real discoveries after the Day of Devastation. As a veteran, you know that though, don’t you, Carl?

“Yes, Commander Aslög,” I said.

“Chaos ensues when the people change faster than the rules, you know. Maximus has said that since the Day of Devastation. It’s just as true today. If not for the Corporation, Incorporated, humanity wouldn’t even exist. We can’t have that now, can we?”