American War

Sarat travels to the ruins of Lake Sinclair, the site of a random assault by dozens of Un-Oriented Drones. In a bombed-out house, Sarat meets with Joe and tells him that Gaines has disappeared. She worries that federal authorities have snatched him up, but Joe tries to assure her that Gaines is probably okay, adding that he used to disappear all the time when they served in the military together. Back in Lincolnton, one of Adam Bragg, Sr.'s henchmen, Attic, tells Sarat that his boss would like to meet her. They drive to the United Rebels headquarters in Atlanta where Bragg, Sr. tells Sarat that she needs to lay low for a while. Sarat's response is defiant: "Don't call me little girl" (234).

On the way out of Atlanta, Sarat and Attic stop in a bar. They discuss the Southern cause, about which Attic doesn't care. She asks him, "Why'd you pick up a gun and risk being torn to shreds by the Blues if you don't care for the cause?" (237). To which he responds, "I just wanted to be something" (238). Back at home, Sarat is angry that Simon favors Karina, an outsider who cares little for the Southern cause.