Continuity Command is what is left of the US military. It kept its chain of command, some weapons and a few working helicopters. It says it is the lawful government of the United States.
Its home is Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado, a base dug deep into the rock behind huge steel blast doors. It held on there through the Dark Years. Its salvage teams go down into Denver in winter.
General Carla Nash, 58, female, commands at Cheyenne Mountain. She says she is the lawful authority of the United States. Ben Tucker is one of her helicopter pilots.
Continuity Command wants to rebuild the United States under its own rule. It wants the immune girl so it can make a vaccine and control who gets it.
Outsiders are useful to Continuity Command as scouts, workers and guides. They are paid and fed, but never told its secrets. Strangers are never allowed inside the mountain.
Mutated may serve only in labor crews outside the mountain. Undead are shot.
Continuity Command has guns, ammunition, trained soldiers and the only helicopters in North America. It trades escort work and rides on its helicopters as favors. It buys food and fuel.
Allies. None it fully trusts. Some Compact strongholds work with it.
Rivals. The Gate Compact and Lifeline.
Enemies. The Tollmen, who rob its convoys. Deserters who left its ranks.
Continuity Soldier. Trained troops with rifles and body armor.
Continuity Sniper. Marksmen who cover convoys and gates.
Continuity Officer. Squad leaders and officers.
Deserter Soldier. Former soldiers who left. They often turn to raiding.
Continuity Command tells the world it can make a vaccine from the immune girl's blood alone, without killing her. That is half true. It also wants to control who gets the vaccine, and to use it to make every stronghold obey. Cal Rourke is taking the girl, Nell Avery, to them.