originally assigned facilities. I will establish my headquarters at the Coeur d’Alene facility. We will maintain communication using the same numbers and terminal prefixes as before. On January 2nd I will announce to the world what we have learned and as you can imagine pandemonium will reign supreme.
“That’s why you must work non-stop from this moment on to be prepared before the whole fabric of society breaks down. You must get your supplies and foodstuffs ordered and in transit before wholesale riots take place. People are going to panic, your facilities could come under siege, therefore you must ensure all adequate security measures are taken. I’m placing at your disposal three hundred heavy cargo planes at Air Force bases across the nation to move men and material and to retrieve supplies and food at vendor locations throughout the country. Colonel Brad Cole at Nellis will coordinate the utilization of these planes to meet your mission requirements. Now I’m open to questions,” Alex paused and waited.
“General, who do we take orders from, you or the President or the new President-elect when he is inaugurated?” Admiral Byers asked.
“President Cantwell will address the nation on the day I appear at the UN, he will explain that I’m in control of the entire survival strategy as the President-elect and the Cabinet would not be up to speed to handle the threat. Remember, they haven’t even been sworn in yet. Oh yes, and one final note. He promoted me to a fifth star as a congratulations on a job well done, but the more I think about it, I’m not so sure,” laughter could be heard in the background.
“To answer your question you will take your orders from me for now.”
“What if the President issues a conflicting order?” General Tymes asked.
“I’ll see to it that he doesn’t General,” Alex responded.
“How do you propose to keep him from doing that?” Monroe interjected.
“They’re both reasonable men, bear in mind Cantwell literally abdicated his authority to me.”
“General, what if these vendors say they can’t release that much inventory at one time or they put us off for weeks or months?” the General followed up.
“I want all of you to pay close attention to what I say, if you encounter even the slightest resistance, you tell them this,” that General Hanken has your GPS coordinates locked, if my trucks or one of my planes pulls up to your dock and the requested material is not there well, you don’t even want to know what happens next.” Murmurs of approval could be heard in the background.
“Seriously though, we’re not going to go around threatening people with cruise missile strikes, just remind them that General Hanken has a long memory, he’ll not forget those who are a friend, but he will definitely remember those who aren’t.” More cheers and clapping in approval.
“General, you mentioned possible sieges at our facilities, how far do we go in dealing with civilians?” General Paul Amos of Nellis AFB asked.
“Paul, regrettably we must ensure the integrity of these facilities, remember many of these facilities are not just military. We’ll have critical civilian personnel at some sites to help restart the country after the event. To answer your question, I want a kill zone clearly marked with signs to that effect; these zones are to extend five hundred yards from all facilities. You and your men are authorized to use lethal force to defend that installation at all costs.”
“That couldn’t be stated any clearer, thank you General,” Amos replied.
“Ladies and gentlemen some of us won’t make it to next August, but who does remain must step forward and take the mantle of challenge and meet it head on. All of you are highly skilled and experienced, the nation is fortunate to have such a fine group of leaders as yourselves to meet the coming threat. Now go out and perform at your best level, we are all counting on you.”
Sandi was sitting on the couch while Alex conducted his conference call and overheard the entire conversation and questions.
“You handled this pretty well, and the pep talk at the end was exactly what they needed to hear.”
“So are you suggesting I keep my day job anyway?”
“I know this…your night job is pretty damn safe too. After last night, I’m hiring you on as a permanent employee.” Alex smiled, gave Sandi a hug, then got back to business.
“Would you get hold of Ted Jeffers at the FBI and have him meet me here along with the Chief Justice?”
“Relax, I figured as much, I’ve been in touch with both, they’ll be here at three today. Now you sit down and I’ll rub your neck, you’re getting all tensed up.” Sandi massaged Alex’s neck while kissing him to soothe his mind and body. She was more than a rock to him…she was the elixir…the fuel…that gave him the drive he needed to maintain his pace.
Alex brought Ted Jeffers, Director of the FBI, and Chief Justice McKinney into his office. He spent the next hour detailing what was going to happen. As he went through the scenarios both had their own reaction from stunned disbelief to utter despair. Alex outlined what he had done to date and the UN announcement time frame.
“Alex, it looks like we’re back to square one. There won’t be any fear of early or unauthorized disclosure that I’d have to circumvent, so where do I fit in?” Jeffers asked.
“Ted, I want you to combine the FBI and the CIA into one agency. We all know once the word is out, total chaos will erupt. There are those who will try and take advantage of this. Some people will become agitators because it’s what they do, others will agitate as a means to an end. You and your agent’s job will be to thwart those who would impede our plans.”
“That’s pretty broad Alex. How much power are you granting me in these matters?”
“Pretty much unlimited Ted.”
The Chief Justice then spoke.
“General, I spoke to the President-elect prior to coming here, he did not allude to the impending crisis only to say that you had critical information you would impart to me. Based upon what you have just told me I suggest you declare martial law, suspend the inauguration and the convening of Congress until after the event so we know where we stand from a survival standpoint.”
“Yes, I agree with the Chief Justice, at least it should provide some sense of ‘somebody’s in charge’,” Jeffers offered.
“Very well, but Chief Justice I want you to run this by President Cantwell first. After the speech to the UN, I will address the nation that evening to make those announcements. I’ll ask that Allan Haverty, the acting FEMA Director, prepare the Mount Weather and Congressional survival sites ready to take the newly elected President, his Cabinet, and Congress to their respective bunkers. I’m going to Idaho to reestablish a command headquarters. We have much to do gentlemen, and one hundred eighty-six days to do it. Let’s make the most of that remaining time.”
“Alex, would you have a problem with me and Marcia being assigned to your bunker in Idaho?” Ted asked.
“My feelings would have been hurt if you hadn’t asked,” Alex replied.
Thus began the most ambitious national effort not seen since the New Deal followed the Great Depression. The entire government and military networks swung into action, former facility managers rushed to their old sites to review readiness status. Vendors from tents to cots, blankets and socks, were contacted and emergency war orders placed. MRAP rations vendors as well as dried food vendors nationwide were ordered to produce and provide massive amounts within days. Many protested at such a short time frame, but were given Alex’s warning, compliance was immediate and unquestioned. The Air Force began scrambling fighter jets wings and tankers squadrons to their previously designated bases. Specialty combat units along with heavy armored units were dispatched to predesignated bases.
The Pacific Fleet, under orders from Admiral Hanover, began heading to the Panama Canal for stations in the Gulf of Mexico. All Naval, Marine and Army land based personnel