“Yes, General Secretary. There are also reports from Lao’s people and your own sources regarding the growing unrest among the collective farms in the interior because of the necessary cuts in their food allotments. Government officials have disappeared, when they were not accompanied by armed police.”
With a sigh, Song asked, “Is that all of the bad news?”
“Unfortunately not,” said Wong, while bowing his head. “Real inflation has risen over seventy-five percent and Muslim insurgents have killed and beheaded over twenty police officers in the far Western provinces. Local officials are screaming for a PLA response to these atrocities.”
“Enough, for now, Wong. Advise me when Lao arrives.” Wong bowed, left the room and closed the door.
Twenty five minutes later Song’s desk phone rang and Wong announced the arrival of Lao. Song had taken a strong, narcotic pain-killer twenty minutes earlier and was already feeling better, although slightly groggy and sleepy.
Lao’s entry had all of the normal formality, except he still walked with a pronounced limp. He approached Song’s desk, bowed and remained still, with his head down, waiting to be recognized.
In a soft and slightly airy voice, Song invited Lao to sit in the chair across from his desk and engaged Lao with the usual pleasantries. Once these formalities were completed, Song did not ask his usual question regarding when the renegade province of Formosa (Taiwan) would be returned to China. Instead he asked, “You have heard about the American destroyer being struck by a container ship?”
Lao’s normal non-committal expression was not replaced by a smile, as Song expected. Instead, a combination of annoyance and outright anger showed clearly.
“Yes, General Secretary. I am quite aware of this incident. In fact, my team has arrested the Captain of the covert submarine on charges of treason. After the destroyer had floated motionless for about fifteen minutes, the Captain informed my team leader, ‘Watch this.’ When the team leader looked through the periscope he could see a brightly lit container ship bear down on the destroyer. It then struck the destroyer causing significant damage and probably, loss of life.”
Song looked in wonder at Lao and his anger. “You believe the submarine Captain calculated the perfect moment to strike the destroyer so that it would be motionless, directly in the path of the container ship?”
“Yes, General Secretary, I do.”
Looking at Lao carefully, Song said, “You don’t believe the Captain should be commended on making such careful calculations that allowed this to happen?”
“General Secretary,” Lao said, taking a deep, calming breath. “If the test of White Lilly had happened as planned, the American destroyer would have quietly sat out in the ocean until their crew managed to restart the engines without the electronics that had been burned out by our EMP. They were without communications, and generally without all electrical power on the destroyer. They would have limped back to Australia where all would have been kept quiet as they frantically tried to discover what had happened. Instead, now the world knows they were struck by a slow-moving container ship. Your instruction to insure that this test was done covertly has failed miserably.”
Song waited for several moments before saying, “Lao, this may very well work to our advantage. The Americans will not want to admit that their destroyer could be struck dead in the water, with no mark to indicate how it was done. In fact, they will probably conduct an investigation and publically announce the crew was derelict in their duties, just to hide this new vulnerability. The U.S. Navy will also suffer a very public embarrassment. At the same time the Fontaine administration will have one more reason to ignore their mutual defense treaty with our wayward Province. Yes, this is good news. Now, arrange for me to meet this amazing submarine Captain and I will present him with the second highest covert services award.”
Lao had not risen to head the MSS by being mentally slow. He quickly determined that Song was probably correct and that, despite stepping outside of his strict orders, the Captain had, indeed, provided China with a unique opportunity. In reality, what he had accomplished was truly amazing. Unfortunately, Lao was not able to capture those positive feelings for very long.
Song said, “Lao, why cannot your people handle the insurgency in the West by the Muslims?”
For the next 90 minutes both men discussed the many problems facing China including the massive economic fall due to the American’s temporary trade freeze. Muslim attacks in the West, collective farm uprisings and minor riots occurring in cities throughout China, at least those cities away from the coast. The sporadic unofficial strikes being held by workers whose pay and hours had been dramatically cut by the economic downturn. The whole economy was spiraling upward. The country was becoming unstable. The instability and insurgency justified a mobilization of the rest of the reserves within the PLA, which had already been occurring. Only a small percentage of these reserves would be used to quell the insurgency; however most would be readied for the invasion of Formosa.
“General Secretary,” Lao said softly, as the strategy session began to wind down, you’re aware of the loss of a member of the Politburo?” At Song’s silent nod, Lao continued, “He was killed by a prostitute, who used poison in his drink. He somehow managed to strangle the girl before he died. Very sad.”
Lao’s face remained neutral as he reported this event. Song had no response.
Chapter 35
The New Year - Plus Fourteen Days
The White House
1900 Hours EST
The conference room in the White House was jammed with Cabinet members and staff. Burt Combs ensured all of the Cabinet members located in Washington, D.C. attended by promising them advance details of the impending wage and price freeze the President was about to unveil, along with other, unspecified actions. Top staff members were present as ordered. There was a blend of emotions, including a buzz of cautious excitement in the room, which was muted by an unexplained uneasiness.
The Secret Service had set up equipment at the door that detected any electronic devices. Never before had such measures been taken. Everyone had to pass through the scrutiny as well as declare whether they carried any electronic devices. Flaunting the rules had been commonplace over the past year of this administration. Two Cabinet members were relieved of their cell phones, despite strenuous objections. Press Secretary Towanda Jefferson had been one of them. She had only closed her mouth when informed by Burt that she would leave her phone and enter or spend the evening in the Secret Service lock-up. Opening her mouth to fire off a new protest, Towanda saw Burt raise his hand toward a uniformed officer. With a look that would have soured milk, she shut her mouth, gave up her cell phone and stomped into the conference room.
Marc Baxter had come into the room thirty minutes early to miss the last-minute rush. He left what had become his normal chair at the main table open for Towanda and, instead, took a seat against the wall. The look on his face was pale. All who asked were told he had eaten something that didn’t agree with him.
At 8:35 p.m. Katherine came into the conference room using a full ceremonial entrance, which included being announced and everyone standing as she walked in, while “Hail to the Chief” played in the background. This was more appropriate when the cameras were rolling for an address to the press, but she chose to do so with her Cabinet and staff. She walked quietly up to the podium set up at one end of the table. A neutral expression on her face ineffectively covered her growing excitement. Katherine blew on a small microphone at the podium. She had placed notes on the podium, but did not look down to read.
Katherine didn’t begin with thanks, or any of the other normal words spoken to an august group summoned for something momentous. Instead, she began in a soft, dreamy voice, “Every President must make
decisions that will affect her country and even the world. The world faces crises that demand firm control in order to prevent everything from falling into chaos. At this time only a firm hand will prevent total collapse of what we have all come to depend on.”
Marc could feel the people present hanging on every word. Everyone could tell they were witnessing something that was momentous. None seemed to notice Katherine’s continued referral to the world, instead of just the United States. Having far more knowledge of what was to come than most, Marc closed his eyes and forced himself to take deep breaths as one tear leaked from his left eye. Unlike the slowly building excitement growing within many in the room, Marc could almost feel the cry rise up from the Founding Fathers, protesting the seizure of power from the people into the hands of one.
Katherine continued, “Twenty minutes ago, I signed a Declaration of Emergency that not only invokes Presidential Executive Order 13603, but due to the looming economic crisis, rioting in our cities, and even the threat of war with China, the gridlock caused by Congress and those that I’ll call haters, it grants authority for me to do what I must to save us all. The People cannot do for themselves, so it has become necessary for their government to do for them. In order to do that, we must have the tools. I have also signed a highly classified Presidential Executive Order granting this administration those tools. Both PEO’s will be in effect for the duration of this crisis. Others will be issued as needed to meet the challenges that we face.”
At the mention of possible war with China, a collective gasp could be heard. Katherine had received a briefing from CIA Director Brad Pittson earlier in the day that confirmed what Eli had told her about China’s intention to invade Taiwan. Pittson had also brought along the Secretary of the Navy, who had briefed her concerning the Navy destroyer that had been struck by the container ship off the coast of Australia. They had no explanation for the ship going dead in the water, however the potential for some type of new, and more powerful EMP weapon was discussed. Burt, Susan, Pittson and the Secretary of the Navy were not surprised.
“Burt, will you please pass out the information packet?” Katherine had finally looked down at her notes to see that instruction highlighted with a yellow star. “The entire contents of the packet is classified TOP SECRET, except for the first PEO. In addition to the PEO’s they contain instructions for each Cabinet member and staff manager for what needs to be done going forward. I will not tolerate any leaks of this information, understand?” Katherine glared at all of those in the room. “Now, at this time, I will need to inform several members of Congress and others. Then I will go before the people of the World at 9 o’clock. I expect each of you to go through your packet, here in this room, over the next hour.” With that statement, Katherine took up her notes and walked from the room.
Towanda was the first to blurt out, “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? We can’t leave here? That’s bullshit. I’m out of here.” She got up and began walking to the door before being stopped by the Chief of Staff.
“Towanda,” Burt said in a commanding voice that could be heard clearly throughout the conference room. “The President was quite specific. There will be no leaks and anyone that feels the need to leave will forfeit their security clearance and will be taken out of this room by the Secret Service to be out processed from government employment. Now, come on people, it’s only for about an hour. Now is a very good time to go through your packets and begin deciding how you will implement those instructions. I’ll be scheduling time to answer questions tomorrow, after everyone has had a chance to digest our new marching orders. The first thing you will notice is that most of your jobs will suddenly become easier, without so many of the roadblocks that existed before this evening. The opposing party in Congress will no longer be a problem.”
Brad Pittson sat quietly in his chair, but with a glare at Burt that should have frightened him. NSA Director Donald Clayburn said, “Burt, really? She’s really locking us in this room?”
“General, I’m just doing what I’m told.” This was the first time Burt showed any of his own misgivings about Katherine’s actions. “I also checked with the lawyers that drew up the Declaration, who are also sequestered, by the way, and they tell me that when she signed these PEO’s, she assumed the power to do just about anything, for the duration of the emergency. The only body with the authority to challenge her is the Supreme Court and she’s calling each of the four Justices likely to support her as we speak. Let’s give her a chance to do what’s best for the country, shall we?”
“Who else is she calling, Burt?” Clayburn’s voice had dropped an octave and had added a gravelling tone that underlined the dangerous line that was being drawn.
“Fifteen in all, General. They include the four Justices I just mentioned, the House and Senate leadership, and the military leadership, beginning with the SECDEF Hathaway, the FBI Director and those Cabinet members not able to be here now.”
Clayburn asked, “And, what, exactly are they being told?”
“General,” said Burt with hesitation. “I don’t know. The President tore up the script I had prepared for each of them.”
The room fell almost quiet for the next ten minutes as everyone read through the packets. Being speed-readers and used to going through voluminous amounts of paperwork, most were able to get through the material quickly. Burt heard several conversations break out in soft voices, with none of them being happy.
Pittson finally asked Burt, conversationally, “Where do you stand on all of this Burt?” The question brought instant silence as everyone strained to hear Burt’s response.
“Brad,” Burt said before looking around the room at everyone present, “and everyone else, I swore an oath to this President. I believe in that oath and so long as she is working to fulfill her own oath of office, she will have my unwavering support. I expect nothing less from everyone in this administration. These are very tough and dangerous times. We elected her and it’s now time to show the trust we placed when we cast our vote.”
Most of the talk, within small, informal groups, then turned to how each part of the administration was going to most effectively use their newly acquired authority.
Marc sat quietly, rebuffing any attempts others made to get his take on events. His secretary had strict orders to contact him, via the Secret Service protection detail, if there were any issues with getting the President on TV. The White House technical staff was setting up TV camera feeds from the Oval Office for her address. They too, could contact Marc if there were any problems. All staff working outside of the conference room was mystified as to why the administration leadership was not present for the President’s address.
. . .
FBI Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
2052 Hours EST
Director Kidd at FBI headquarters stared at his secure phone, feeling stunned. The President had just finished informing him of her having signed a Declaration of Emergency that activated PEO 13603 and another, classified PEO that would be available to him on the TOP SECRET system by the following morning. Her reasons for the Declaration would be provided to the country, via all major television networks, in her address at 9:00 p.m. The call lasted less than one minute. He could expect a visit from the Attorney General in the morning with further instructions. She then broke the connection.
The Director turned on the television to await the President’s address. He was feeling sick to his stomach. After her twelve minute address to the nation, he did not feel any better.
Chapter 36
The New Year - Plus Fourteen Days
The White House
2215 Hours EST
Susan brought the President a glass with high-quality tequila on the rocks in the President’s sitting room outside of her bedr
oom. Unlike the evening before, both were fully dressed. Katherine was smiling broadly and appeared euphoric. For the past twenty minutes, Katherine had rambled on about all of the critically necessary things that would be accomplished, now that the Declaration had been signed.
Holding up her glass to Susan Katherine said, “A toast! To now having the power to do what needs to be done.”
Susan clinked her glass into Katherine’s and took a tentative sip of the drink. Her attempt to smile and project a celebratory mood, but was not successful.
“All right, my dear,” Katherine said, “out with it. Why are you such a damned sour puss?”
“Madam President,” Susan started.
“I’ve told you, my dear, call me Katherine when we’re alone. Here, let me hear you say it.” She gave the order to Susan with quite a bit of annoyance, although it was apparent she relished watching Susan follow her orders.
“Katherine. Yes, well, you know I am not comfortable calling you by your first name.”
Katherine began to chuckle. “After where you’ve been, my dear, you have earned the right and I demand you recognize the intimacy we share.”
Softening her tone a little, Katherine continued, “Besides, how can you be so formal in the room where you’ve given me so many orgasms? You know, after a rough start, you’ve really improved your technique. Of course, I’m a pretty good teacher.” Katherine laughed softly at the whole conversation. “Now out with it. Don’t you relish the chance to help me fix all those things that need our special touch?”
Susan was in a quandary. She could not tell Katherine how much it terrified her to see the President seize the reigns of a dictator. There simply was no right answer to Katherine’s question and it was apparent she would keep probing until she received an answer she would accept.
The Final Proclamation (An America Reborn Thriller Book 2) Page 19
