The entourage reached the makeshift memorial. Footage of Maddy’s appearance there just a few days before had spread around the world, with many taking strength and courage from her words. She was becoming a symbol of renewed strength after tragedy.
Linden paused at the memorial, a somber look on his face as he and his group took in the almost overwhelming display of grief and respect. The entire nation, and even the whole world over, was now looking to him for hope and strength. He had transformed from a fringe candidate to leader of the free world in such a short time. Many of his enemies and detractors were waiting for him to falter, but he had not so far. He had shown himself to be strong, even when faced with near-impossible decisions. Linden had followed his own moral compass. And the people were now grateful to him.
The president now focused on the picture of Tom that Maddy had left at the memorial. Then he looked up and cleared his throat as he turned to the cameras.
“I’m told a brave young man named Thomas Cooper, an ace navy pilot, died in Angel City. He didn’t perish in his jet, but rather fighting on the street. For something—and someone—he loved.” Maddy could feel her hands growing clammy, her face losing color. A
lump grew in her throat, but she had promised herself to hold it together, at least until the cameras stopped rolling. Linden continued. “His story is one of hundreds that will be told over the coming generations. Let us not forget them, ever.
“And as for the Angels, much blood was spilled as they came to aid humanity in our greatest hour of need. Archangel Mark Godspeed was one of many who sacrificed all.” Linden looked behind his shoulder to the memorial that had been built up around Mark’s photo.
He motioned next to the memorial for Louis Kreuz. There was a black-and-white 1930s-era photo of Louis at the height of the days of the Guardian Training System, when he had unparalleled power. Of course, he was in his trademark pose, with a cigar stuck in his mouth.
“Then there was the heroic Louis Kreuz,” Linden said, “who sacrificed everything to bring vital information to those fighting the demons. This information ultimately led us to defeat the army. Louis was a larger-than-life character who was synonymous with Old Angel City. We will always be in Mr. Kreuz’s debt.”
A surge of emotion came over Maddy as she thought about her past with Kreuz, how he had at first been so rude and brusque with her when she started Guardian training, but then had later revealed himself to be a great ally. Louis had been trying to protect her the whole time.
“And now, I must say it is a humbling honor for me to be standing here with two battle heroes. It was our darkest hour, and Jackson Godspeed was able to rally support within the Angel community, support without which I would not be standing here today, speaking to you.” Linden turned to Jacks. “Jackson, on behalf of the Global Angel Commission, and indeed on behalf of all humans around the world: thank you. And I want to state again how much we feel for your and your family’s loss. Your stepfather was a great hero.”
Linden reached forward and shook Jackson’s hand. Cameras snapped and whirred, but Jackson noticed that they weren’t shouting and hollering, like the paparazzi would have. They were solemnly documenting the occasion.
Now Linden turned to Maddy.
“And Madison Montgomery Godright—”
The president was interrupted by several shouts from the crowd.
“Maddy!”
“Maddy!”
But this sounded different from the insane crowds of “Maddicts,” the droves of Angel devotees ready to give anything, go anywhere, for a glimpse of their favorite, perfect Immortal.
No, these voices sounded out like a cry of shared pain, a cry for help and guidance in these dark times.
Linden continued. “As a half-Angel, Madison was in a unique position to help bring our combined forces together. Even before the demons invaded, Madison had already proved her unique heroism by exposing the corruption of the Protection for Pay system. Inducted into the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander Godright, she was able to give us the strategic edge we needed to stay one step ahead of those monsters.”
Maddy’s face began to burn with shame as she recalled how she had abandoned her post during the epic final battle. But Jackson had needed her, and it’d turned out to be her destiny.
“And I know she, too, is grieving in this time, especially for her close friend Lieutenant Thomas Cooper. Let our thoughts and prayers be with all of those who have lost loved ones in this unprecedented attack on humanity.”
Jackson’s eyes flicked over to Maddy as Linden mentioned Tom. He saw that her face went pale for a moment, but the color soon returned. Still, she didn’t meet Jacks’s gaze.
“Madison has proved herself to be a great ambassador for both our people and the Angels, and the speech she made right here only four days ago has captured the attention of the globe. It is my pleasure to announce that I will be offering her the position of special counsel to rebuild Angel City.”
Applause rolled through the crowd and Maddy nodded in appreciation, but inside she was thrown off guard, rolling with near-panic, wondering whether she was even qualified to hold such a position.
Maddy exchanged a quick look with Jackson; she hadn’t been notified of this. Jacks gave her a gentle smile. “You’re going to do great,” he mouthed to her, just like he had before her first TV appearance after receiving her wings.
President Linden looked out again at the assembled crowd as the journalists and camera crews recorded every moment.
“Now that Gabriel has been destroyed and the rest of the Council has been disbanded and stripped of their control, we can be assured of a new, prosperous era in human-Angel relations.
We are about to enter a new age of cooperation between Immortals and humanity. Therefore, as a show of good faith, I am announcing the immediate repeal of the Immortals Bill, subject to further review. This is not a reward to the Angels for intervening in the demon attack, although we will always be grateful. But we believe under the extraordinary leadership of young Jackson Godspeed, the Angels will find a new direction. A new purpose. And a renewed ability to let people believe in them. We already saw that in the Battle of Angel City, and we can be assured that we will continue to see that in the future.”
Linden motioned to Jackson.
“We will be honored to work side by side with the Angels to renew and rebuild this city into something even greater than it was before. We will be allies, and never enemies.”