"Sir, the National Guard and the Red Cross are gearing up. They're going to set up medical facilities and food stations throughout the city. But their resources are going to need replenishing in the next twenty-four to thirty-six hours."
"Maybe we don't have to put so many people through this." The president turned his attention to George Anderson. "If the radiation is confined to the east side of Indian Point, let's get the word out to the people, encourage them to return to their homes."
"That's what we're getting ready to do: television, radio, and the emergency broadcast system." Anderson hesitated a moment. "Sir, there's so much conflicting information out there. It would help a lot if you would address the American people."
"I fully intend to do that as soon as we get organized." Macklin's neck muscles were beginning to telegraph his intensity "What kind of visual aids do you have: mandatory evacuation areas and areas to be avoided, things like that?"
"They're being prepared — we should have them soon."
The president made eye contact with Anderson. "Okay, George, stay on top of this, and let me know if you need anything — anything."
"Understood, sir."
Macklin rose from his chair, thanked Anderson and the others for arriving on such short notice, and walked them to the exit. The president asked Prost, Adair, and Chalmers to keep their seats.
Macklin returned and slumped into his chair. "Gentlemen," he said in a weary voice, "I want your input on Saeed Shayhidi; keep it short and to the point. Hartwell?"
"Mr. President, before I address the Shayhidi issue, I have to insist that you board the airborne operations center immediately. Even with the air defenses available here, there is no guarantee we could stop a suicide bomber from hitting the White House."
"Hartwell," the president interrupted. "I understa—"
"Sir, please allow me to finish. I'm amazed they didn't hit this place first. Now they've acquired other jets to attack us at will, you could be targeted at any—"
Macklin held his hands up in submission. "I've already had the lecture from Pete and Les. My bags are being packed and the first lady is en route to a secure shelter."
"Good. I'm relieved. The vice president and his staff are on their way from Chicago to Cheyenne Mountain and should be landing in Colorado Springs within the hour."
Prost rubbed his chin. "About Shayhidi: it's time to play hardball with these people, and I mean to put Shayhidi and his cronies out of business — permanently."
The president looked up. "Les and Pete have the same opinion, no argument from me, but what I need is a specific target. Any ideas?"
"Hartwell," Pete Adair said as he slid Prost a piece of paper. "Les and I have outlined some suggestions for striking Shayhidi. We think they'll have a devastating impact on his operation. We'd like you to review them, give us your opinion, or add anything you think will help."
Prost accepted the paper.
"The president has already seen the list," Adair continued. "We have to act now, can't afford to keep reacting to attacks."
"I couldn't agree more," Prost said, as he studied the recommendations. "The sooner we strike Shayhidi, the better."
The president frowned when he thought about missing the funerals of Brett Shannon and his colleagues. "Gentlemen, I want to expedite your plans for Shayhidi." Macklin paused to consider his priorities. "In regard to homeland security, I want air cover — helicopter gunships or fighter aircraft — for our nuclear power plants until this crisis is over. All of them, including the damaged ones."
Prost politely interrupted. "Sir, we need the same type of protection, if not more, for the Pantex plant in Amarillo. The materials from our dismantled nuclear warheads are stored on-site."
"Done."
Hartwell held up a hand. "One other consideration: the facilities at Arco, Idaho, where we reprocess nuclear fuel taken from ships and submarines that are being deactivated and disposed of."
"Make those priorities," Macklin said firmly. "Be sure we have troops with shoulder-fired SAMS at all the locations, twenty-four seven, until further notice."
"That's a lot of plants to protect," Prost reminded him. "It's going to take a while to implement this."
Macklin scribbled a note. "Whatever it takes is what we're going to do. Have the FAA issue a new emergency notice to airmen making every U. S. nuclear power plant a Prohibited Area until further notice. Fifteen-statute-mile radius up to infinity."
"Yes, sir."
Macklin balled his fist and gendy tapped the palm of his other hand. "I want to get the airlines and general aviation back into the air as quickly as possible, but we're going to have to implement some restrictions."
Prost didn't look up. "Two of my people are working with the FAA. I'll get back to you later today with their recommendations."
"Excellent," the president said, and closed his eyes for a few seconds. "And, while Im thinking about it, work out a plan, whatever you want to do, to cover our other power-generating facilities."
"Yes, sir." Prost paused a moment. "I strongly recommend that the FAA NOTAM include the fact that armed helicopter gunships and surface-to-air missiles are protecting those restricted areas."
"Sounds good. Send the message." Macklin felt an inner calm come over him, a sense of morality and duty. "We have the weapons and we have the manpower. We 11 use active-duty military personnel and the reserves."
"Fve already been working on it," Prost said, looking at the list he compiled during the helicopter flight from his estate.
"Ahead of the game, as always," the president said robustly. "I intend selectively to make life an absolute living hell for Shayhidi and his lieutenants, if we can find them."
"We need to take Shayhidi out," Adair said in an even voice. "Send a message throughout the Middle East and the entire world."
An aide quietly interrupted the discussion. It was time for President Macklin to fly to Andrews AFB and board the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center known as Night Watch.
At the behest of his national security adviser, the president had recently updated the Enduring Constitutional Government measures that dealt with the succession of political authority in the event of his death or incapacitation.
Successors to the president are tracked at all times to ensure each is always in a different place. During the State of the Union address, for example, at least one cabinet member is kept in a secret location in the event of a disaster on Capitol Hill.
If he died, Macklin had delegated individuals with authorization to launch nuclear weapons. The identities of those people, civilian and military, were being kept classified to prevent them from being targeted. In addition, senior commanders at the NORAD complex had been given nuclear-weapons-release authority.
Macklin turned to his close friend. "Les, Im going to shuffle things around a bit. I want you and Pete with me, the other joint chiefs inside Cheyenne Mountain with the vice president."
"Yes, sir."
"Hartwell, Fd like you to accompany us."
"Im packed and ready"
The president rose from his chair and turned to leave. He spoke over his shoulder to his aides. "I'm going to take a shower. I'll meet you at Marine One in twenty minutes and we'll go over the suggestions for targeting Shayhidi.'
"What about addressing the nation?" Prost asked.
Macklin stopped and turned around. "Set it up for Andrews, before we take off."
"Yes, sir."
Located twenty-eight statute miles southwest of the heart of Washington, D. C., Manassas Regional Airport was a busy general-aviation destination for people with business inside the Beltway Shortly before 7:30 A. M., a pristine Gulfstream G-IV landed to pre-position for an 8:30 A. M. charter flight to San Diego, California. The trip had been arranged by an engineering consulting firm based in Chula Vista, California.