"Since you mention the prime minister," said the defense minister, "I have some news, which none of you will have seen because we are in a SCIF and our phones don’t work. As of—" She glanced up at the twenty-four-hour clock on the wall. "Literally ten minutes ago I am the caretaker defense minister. Ruud’s out. The coalition has dissolved. He has notified the queen that a new government will need to be formed."