An aide burst into the Oval Office and said frantically, "Mister President, there is a drone circling over the Mall near the Washington Monument."
The President turned to Masterson and said, "This has got to be Hotchkiss' doing. Stop that madman before he goes too far."
"Calling him now, Mister President," replied Masterson.
Masterson put his hand over the mouthpiece and said to General Haddock, "Call General Rodriguez and order him to enter the building. Place General Hotchkiss under arrest and take him into custody."
Haddock did not reply and did not move.
"I repeat, arrest General Hotchkiss. That is a direct order, General. Respond or face court martial."
Haddock still did not move.
Hotchkiss picked up the telephone in Utah and Masterson said quickly, "Recall that weapon immediately, General."
Hotchkiss replied, "You have no authority. I report directly to the President."
"I am speaking for the President, General Hotchkiss. Recall that weapon."
In the distance there was an explosion and there was no doubt in anyone as to what had just happened.
"You are relieved of command, General," said Masterson and hung up the phone. He then called General Rodriguez at Camp Williams to order the arrest of General Hotchkiss.
Following that, he turned to Haddock and said, "You too are relieved of command, General. May God have mercy on the pair of you."
Out on the National Mall at the impact center, there was panic that was nearing hysteria but there was a murmur growing as people all around realised what had happened.
"Stand your ground."
"Stand your ground."
The murmur spread then became a shout. It got louder with each repetition. In an incredibly short time that which began as a murmur grew to become a roar, "STAND YOUR GROUND!"
The sound of hundreds of thousands of voices in unison was like nothing anyone had ever heard before. On hearing it, the President turned to the television camera and started speaking.
"My fellow Americans. That strike was not ordered from the White House and we are proceeding with the arrest of the man who did it. He will face a military tribunal for what he has done. Like the burning of the Capitol Building, let this stand as a symbol of the power we can unleash on each other but we must not use it. We must act in unity to get through this desperate time. I say again, we will survive and America will survive. God bless America and God bless those who were lost this day."
The President then stood back from the desk and put his hand over his heart. Masterson watched silently and thought to himself perhaps this man really is a commander.
Each of them stood in the Oval Office, not trusting their voices to speak, when they realised the sound from the crowd was changing. After a minute it became clear.
"My God," said the President, "they're singing the National Anthem."
There were tears in his eyes.
Just then the telephone rang. Masterson looked to the President who nodded and then he answered, simply saying, "Masterson."
After listening for a minute he said, "Thank you, General Rodriguez. Know also that General Haddock has been relieved of command and you will report directly to me. Continue securing the facility and report again when that is completed."
Masterson hung up the telephone and said to the President, "General Hotchkiss has shot himself, sir. He did not survive."
The President thanked him for the information but did not otherwise have anything to say.
After a minute, the President said to Malcolm, "Can we use military helicopters to fly out the injured to hospital. I don't want to cause further panic but we must assist where we can."
"I will send word, Mister President," replied Malcolm and he left the room.
The younger man turned around to look at Masterson and said, "General Masterson, would it be possible to also supply some logistical support. There are so many thousands of people out there and they must be straining the facilities of every hotel, bar and restaurant in the area. I'm thinking of food, blankets, latrines, etc."
Masterson looked at him, surprised, and thought this fellow isn't here because he is somebody's son. Maybe he even has military experience.
"If you assure the coordination with your people, we can fly in whatever you need," replied Masterson.
Susan saw what happened and burst out, "So many lives lost!"
She buried her head in her hands, sobbing almost uncontrollably. Roger walked over to her and lifted her to her feet to hold her.
"I'm responsible. I can't ..."
"We are all responsible, darling. We all let this go too far. I love you more than breathing and I have always told you straight. If you are responsible then we all are."
They held each other quietly while everyone else looked at the ground, not knowing what to say or even what to feel. Soon they all heard the sound from the crowd coming over the television monitor.
"Listen to them, Susan. Listen," said Roger ever so gently.
"Stand your ground."
"Stand your ground."
When the chant gave over to the National Anthem, Susan's tears started flowing again but this time she did not lose her strength.
In Atlanta, Rachel Hawkins heard Abrams cue her to check her monitor quickly. She saw a flood of messages coming across and she didn't need to read all of them as the only thing changing in each one was the name of the city.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot give you a video image of what happened in the National Mall as Washington has been a no-fly zone for years but you heard the explosion and we have now confirmed that was a drone strike. We heard some of the discussion in the Oval Office but we will wait for an official statement on what actually happened with the Army."
"What we do know was as you heard with the reaction, particularly when people started singing the National Anthem. What we can tell you now is that we are getting reports from across the country that the same thing is happening in every city from which we are getting a report. It seemed likely that there would be rioting but that isn't happening anywhere."
"We are getting reports now that there are helicopters flying over Washington. We don't yet know what that means but we will bring you more on that as soon as we learn."
In the Oval Office the President again started speaking to say, "The Army is sending helicopters to the National Mall to evacuate the wounded. These helicopters are not equipped with weapons. I will say that again. There are no weapons on these helicopters and they carry medical personnel to help the wounded and evacuate those who need a hospital. They will not be arrested."
"Those who need evacuation will be flown to Andrews AFB for triage and subsequently to hospital as necessary. They will receive the best care we can give them. Our hearts go out to those who were wounded and to the families of those who were lost."
An aide had come into the Oval Office while the President was speaking and had been waiting for him to finish. The President looked toward the young lady to let her know she could speak.
"Mister President, we are getting calls from around the world from leaders who want assurance as to the direction the United States is taking."
"Thank you, Andrea," said the President. "Please respond to such calls that the video feed is the best way to follow what is happening. There will be individual calls at the appropriate time but we have not yet reached that moment."
The President looked at Masterson but didn't speak. Each regarded the other with a growing understanding and a respect for maintaining composure in the throes of the chaos that had been visited upon them. Before either could say anything, Malcolm returned and he was obviously angry but he only took a position beside the other generals. Without a word from him, the President concluded Malcolm had been to the strike site to see for himself what had happened.
"Malcolm, may I suggest we defer any ceremony until we have stabilised the situation and then we can proceed as you will," said the President.
"That's reasonable, Mister President. None of us are interested in glory."
Masterson was surprised that Malcolm had accepted the proposal. He made no comment and gave no signal of it but he resolved to continue observing carefully.
"We have all been standing since we came in here so let us take seats. Andrea, please send in some more aides to arrange chairs convenient to the telephones and arrange to bring in some food and refreshment."
"Yes, Mister President," said Andrea and, with some relief, the young lady left the room.
Masterson again said nothing but his respect for the President was increasing beyond observing the chain of command. He had originally thought the President had rolled over too quickly but he was swinging to full agreement that this was the best course of action.
The President turned to Masterson and said, "This has got to be Hotchkiss' doing. Stop that madman before he goes too far."
"Calling him now, Mister President," replied Masterson.
Masterson put his hand over the mouthpiece and said to General Haddock, "Call General Rodriguez and order him to enter the building. Place General Hotchkiss under arrest and take him into custody."
Haddock did not reply and did not move.
"I repeat, arrest General Hotchkiss. That is a direct order, General. Respond or face court martial."
Haddock still did not move.
Hotchkiss picked up the telephone in Utah and Masterson said quickly, "Recall that weapon immediately, General."
Hotchkiss replied, "You have no authority. I report directly to the President."
"I am speaking for the President, General Hotchkiss. Recall that weapon."
In the distance there was an explosion and there was no doubt in anyone as to what had just happened.
"You are relieved of command, General," said Masterson and hung up the phone. He then called General Rodriguez at Camp Williams to order the arrest of General Hotchkiss.
Following that, he turned to Haddock and said, "You too are relieved of command, General. May God have mercy on the pair of you."
Out on the National Mall at the impact center, there was panic that was nearing hysteria but there was a murmur growing as people all around realised what had happened.
"Stand your ground."
"Stand your ground."
The murmur spread then became a shout. It got louder with each repetition. In an incredibly short time that which began as a murmur grew to become a roar, "STAND YOUR GROUND!"
The sound of hundreds of thousands of voices in unison was like nothing anyone had ever heard before. On hearing it, the President turned to the television camera and started speaking.
"My fellow Americans. That strike was not ordered from the White House and we are proceeding with the arrest of the man who did it. He will face a military tribunal for what he has done. Like the burning of the Capitol Building, let this stand as a symbol of the power we can unleash on each other but we must not use it. We must act in unity to get through this desperate time. I say again, we will survive and America will survive. God bless America and God bless those who were lost this day."
The President then stood back from the desk and put his hand over his heart. Masterson watched silently and thought to himself perhaps this man really is a commander.
Each of them stood in the Oval Office, not trusting their voices to speak, when they realised the sound from the crowd was changing. After a minute it became clear.
"My God," said the President, "they're singing the National Anthem."
There were tears in his eyes.
Just then the telephone rang. Masterson looked to the President who nodded and then he answered, simply saying, "Masterson."
After listening for a minute he said, "Thank you, General Rodriguez. Know also that General Haddock has been relieved of command and you will report directly to me. Continue securing the facility and report again when that is completed."
Masterson hung up the telephone and said to the President, "General Hotchkiss has shot himself, sir. He did not survive."
The President thanked him for the information but did not otherwise have anything to say.
After a minute, the President said to Malcolm, "Can we use military helicopters to fly out the injured to hospital. I don't want to cause further panic but we must assist where we can."
"I will send word, Mister President," replied Malcolm and he left the room.
The younger man turned around to look at Masterson and said, "General Masterson, would it be possible to also supply some logistical support. There are so many thousands of people out there and they must be straining the facilities of every hotel, bar and restaurant in the area. I'm thinking of food, blankets, latrines, etc."
Masterson looked at him, surprised, and thought this fellow isn't here because he is somebody's son. Maybe he even has military experience.
"If you assure the coordination with your people, we can fly in whatever you need," replied Masterson.
Susan saw what happened and burst out, "So many lives lost!"
She buried her head in her hands, sobbing almost uncontrollably. Roger walked over to her and lifted her to her feet to hold her.
"I'm responsible. I can't ..."
"We are all responsible, darling. We all let this go too far. I love you more than breathing and I have always told you straight. If you are responsible then we all are."
They held each other quietly while everyone else looked at the ground, not knowing what to say or even what to feel. Soon they all heard the sound from the crowd coming over the television monitor.
"Listen to them, Susan. Listen," said Roger ever so gently.
"Stand your ground."
"Stand your ground."
When the chant gave over to the National Anthem, Susan's tears started flowing again but this time she did not lose her strength.
In Atlanta, Rachel Hawkins heard Abrams cue her to check her monitor quickly. She saw a flood of messages coming across and she didn't need to read all of them as the only thing changing in each one was the name of the city.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot give you a video image of what happened in the National Mall as Washington has been a no-fly zone for years but you heard the explosion and we have now confirmed that was a drone strike. We heard some of the discussion in the Oval Office but we will wait for an official statement on what actually happened with the Army."
"What we do know was as you heard with the reaction, particularly when people started singing the National Anthem. What we can tell you now is that we are getting reports from across the country that the same thing is happening in every city from which we are getting a report. It seemed likely that there would be rioting but that isn't happening anywhere."
"We are getting reports now that there are helicopters flying over Washington. We don't yet know what that means but we will bring you more on that as soon as we learn."
In the Oval Office the President again started speaking to say, "The Army is sending helicopters to the National Mall to evacuate the wounded. These helicopters are not equipped with weapons. I will say that again. There are no weapons on these helicopters and they carry medical personnel to help the wounded and evacuate those who need a hospital. They will not be arrested."
"Those who need evacuation will be flown to Andrews AFB for triage and subsequently to hospital as necessary. They will receive the best care we can give them. Our hearts go out to those who were wounded and to the families of those who were lost."
An aide had come into the Oval Office while the President was speaking and had been waiting for him to finish. The President looked toward the young lady to let her know she could speak.
"Mister President, we are getting calls from around the world from leaders who want assurance as to the direction the United States is taking."
"Thank you, Andrea," said the President. "Please respond to such calls that the video feed is the best way to follow what is happening. There will be individual calls at the appropriate time but we have not yet reached that moment."
The President looked at Masterson but didn't speak. Each regarded the other with a growing understanding and a respect for maintaining composure in the throes of the chaos that had been visited upon them. Before either could say anything, Malcolm returned and he was obviously angry but he only took a position beside the other generals. Without a word from him, the President concluded Malcolm had been to the strike site to see for himself what had happened.
"Malcolm, may I suggest we defer any ceremony until we have stabilised the situation and then we can proceed as you will," said the President.
"That's reasonable, Mister President. None of us are interested in glory."
Masterson was surprised that Malcolm had accepted the proposal. He made no comment and gave no signal of it but he resolved to continue observing carefully.
"We have all been standing since we came in here so let us take seats. Andrea, please send in some more aides to arrange chairs convenient to the telephones and arrange to bring in some food and refreshment."
"Yes, Mister President," said Andrea and, with some relief, the young lady left the room.
Masterson again said nothing but his respect for the President was increasing beyond observing the chain of command. He had originally thought the President had rolled over too quickly but he was swinging to full agreement that this was the best course of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment