by Bobby Akart
However, the reporters were skeptical about the source. DHS painted a rosy picture, consistently touting the accomplishments of the Citizen Corps. The media, including those outlets typically favorable to the President, suspected otherwise. Their ranks had thinned, and only a single camera was allowed. Today’s Q and A following the statement should be interesting.
In the President’s first address to the nation on September 7th, the slightly elevated stage contained the large blue podium adorned with the seal of the President of the United States, together with two flags—the United States flag on the right, and the flag of the President of the United States on the left. Today, a third flag appeared. The blue and white flag of the United Nations stood on the left next to the flag of the President.
The President approached the blue goose, the large blue podium bearing the official seal of the President of the United States. His previously jet black hair had grayed. His wrinkles were more pronounced. He was decidedly thinner. The President looked exhausted.
“My fellow Americans and citizens of the world, it has been two months since the devastating, unprovoked attack upon our nation.
“Although it may seem like an eternity to some, it is a brief period of time under these circumstances. I do not wish to diminish the pain that most of you have endured. I feel for your loss and your hardships. Know that your government is working hard to provide the basic necessities to as many of you as possible.” He paused, distracted as his communications director abruptly left the room.
“In this short period of time, we have accomplished quite a bit. Through the valiant efforts of our Citizen Corps governors and their teams that are made up of people like you, our Citizen Corps team leaders and members of the public worked together. Side by side, you’ve helped save your neighbors and those among us who are vulnerable. As a nation, we’ve come together, and now it’s time to move to the next phase.
“I have set forth a plan for my agency heads to follow. It is designed to take us into the next phase of the recovery process. The plan has two strategic imperatives. First, I want to establish a whole community approach to the recovery effort. By that, I mean every member of the American public must participate for the greater good. Those who are physically able will be able to assist in the rebuilding of our infrastructure. Those who are not may provide goods or other services deemed necessary by the Citizen Corps. This will be looked upon as a team effort.
“Second, I want to foster commitment and loyalty to this great nation of ours. In the past, political rancor and disagreement ruled the day. This is not who we are. I intend to use this catastrophe to bring us together as a nation. We simply do not have the time to argue amongst ourselves, creating bitterness and resentfulness. In addition, we do not have the governmental resources to waste at a time of national emergency.”
The President paused again, this time for effect. “On Tuesday, November 8th, a presidential election was scheduled. Pursuant to my authority under the Declaration of Martial Law, Executive Order 13777, I am hereby suspending elections until further notice, and the Twenty-Second Amendment is also suspended until such time as our nation is able to properly conduct and monitor the electoral process.
“Let me be clear. This decision did not come without serious thought and counsel. These actions are appropriate under these catastrophic circumstances and are necessary to heal this nation.
“Now, I’ll address a few questions. Dan Balz, Washington Post, is first up. Dan.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. Is your canceling of elections and the suspension of the operation of the Twenty-Second Amendment effectively giving you a third term in office?”
Balz remained standing as the President replied, “The office of the President is the only office elected by all of the citizens of the United States. The Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, enacted in 1947, provides the term of office for the President shall not be greater than two terms, or eight years. There are many, including President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, I might add, that believe the Twenty-Second Amendment is an infringement on the democratic rights of the people.”
Balz continued with his questioning. “Mr. President, a follow-up, please. The Twenty-Second Amendment was ratified by every state. Doesn’t that speak to the will of the people?”
“Dan, I consider the Twenty-Second Amendment to be an invasion of the people’s democratic rights to vote for whomever they want to vote for and for however long. Now, I wasn’t on the ballot this Tuesday, so it was never my intention to run for a third term. It is my intention to unify this nation in its time of need. Leaders lead, and that’s what I am doing by this executive action.”
“Mr. President! Mr. President!” came the shouts as hands sprang up around the room.
“Jonathan.”
Jonathan Karl of ABC News addressed the President next. “Mr. President, with respect to the second part of your statement, when do you anticipate holding elections?”
“At this juncture, I can’t answer that, Jonathan. As soon as practicable.”
“Any time frame at all, Mr. President?”
“No,” the President replied curtly. “Over here.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. Luis Ramirez, Voice of America Radio. The United Nations Peacekeeping forces have multiplied exponentially on U.S. soil. Reports are rampant of atrocities committed by their troops. Have you been informed of the details of their misdeeds, and how do you respond to calls for the removal of the UN?”
“We are pleased with the partnership established with the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The UN has provided aid throughout the nation and has been especially helpful in stifling tensions in our highly populated urban regions. While there have been rumors of so-called atrocities, I’ve received no credible evidence from the Department of Homeland Security that these atrocities are the norm rather than the exception.”
“Next up is Peter Baker, New York Times.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. A follow-up to my question at our last press conference. Are our intelligence gatherers any closer to determining who is responsible for the cyber attack?”
“No, Peter, they’re not. Attribution—or lack thereof—is another major obstacle that prevents any nation from defining when a perpetrator initiates a cyber attack. If a government cannot determine who carried out the attack, it’s difficult to know who to blame and whether the attack warrants retaliation. Without definitive evidence leading to identification of the offender, a nation-state can’t formulate an appropriate response without knowing who was involved.”
“Mr. President, at one point, the Russians appeared to be on the radar of our law enforcement agencies. Is Russia still the focus of their investigation?”
“Just like any criminal investigation, if law enforcement could somehow figure out the assailant, then a lot of issues go away. If you know who’s conducting the cyber activity, you also get an insight into their intent. If it’s the Russian government, you know they have the ability to take things a step further. If it’s some hacker in his mom’s basement, you know there’s no intent or ability to raise the level of force that’s going to be used. Ultimately, the issue of attribution is not a legal problem; it’s a technical problem.”
The President continued, this time addressing all of the media present. “It is human nature in a stressful situation like this to seek answers. It is important to know who and why. There have been justifiable outcries for this administration to respond militarily. So let me be clear. Attribution, the process of detecting an adversary’s fingerprints on a cyber attack, will always be a challenge. Establishing any degree of confidence in determining guilt may always stand in the way of a military response. Will the United States government require a beyond all reasonable doubt standard as it might in a criminal prosecution? Time will tell.”
“Mr. President, a question about Fox News.”
The President glared at the reporter from the UK Daily Mail. “Go ahead.”
“Fox News has been barred from press events by your communications staff. They are the fifth news organization to be excluded from direct questioning of your administration. Do you feel this has a chilling—”
The President interrupted the reporter. “Our administration will no longer grant press credentials and access to the highest level of government to any media source that has no journalistic integrity. Our nation is in a crisis, and it doesn’t need the flames of emotion stoked by false or misleading reporting.”
“But, sir,” the reporter continued at the risk of losing his credentials, “all of us in the media recognize the inherent conflict between the official statements released by the administration and our desire to press the government for more accountability and transparency. Wouldn’t you agree the media’s job isn’t to write down what you or members of your administration say and regurgitate it. If that were the case, we could limit this room to one person.”
The President was incredulous. He looked over for his communications director twice and caught the eye of an aide, who tried to melt into her chair.
“Well, perhaps we should do that. I believe in a free press. I also believe our country is in dire straits. Before the cyber attack, the public’s confidence in the media was at record lows. Perhaps you should look at each other to determine whether you are being sensationalistic or acting for the greater good of our nation.”
The President began to walk away from the podium, but the reporter persisted as Secret Service agents moved toward him.
“It’s a slippery slope, Mr. President,” he said, raising his voice. “If there are no objective points of view to say this is true and this isn’t, then what are we left with? The American people will only be left with one set of facts—yours!”
As the young brit was wrestled to the ground, the second post-collapse press conference in sixty days came to an end as the single camera broadcasted the events to the world.
Chapter 42
Monday, November 7, 2016
8:30 p.m.
310 Washington Street
Boston, Massachusetts
“Tomorrow is a big day, my friends, so let’s get down to business. I’ve met with all of you individually today, and I’m comfortable that we’ll have the right personnel in place. I am pleased with the turnout from the Massachusetts State Defense Force.”
Steven walked toward the front pews and gestured for a man to stand. “Props to Colonel Lancaster from the 1st Battalion Operational Support group out of Milford. You guys have done a tremendous job in bringing in new recruits with substantial training under their belt. Would you like to say a few words?”
“Thank you, Steven. The MSDF was formed by the Massachusetts General Court during the Civil War. For one hundred and fifty years, our all-volunteer military force, made up of members who have regular civilian careers, stood at the ready until activated by the governor. I regret that we weren’t here to prevent this injustice against our Massachusetts legislators. We intend to make it right tomorrow!”
Cheers and applause rose throughout the Old South Meeting House. Steven thanked Colonel Lancaster and continued.
“As you all know, our President, the tyrant, went too far. The right to vote is the most important right granted to a U.S. citizen, as it acts as a preservative of all other rights we hold true. When we vote, we make our voices heard. We register our opinions as to who government should work for. This President has stolen that right from us!”
“Choose freedom!” shouted one of the Mechanics. He cajoled his fellow militiamen to join in, which resulted in a full-throated chorus. “Choose freedom! Choose freedom!”
Steven moved to quiet the crowd. “Tomorrow will be a big day in American history. Like other patriots around the country, we will band together to stand up against the tyrannical approach this President has implemented.”
“Hear! Hear!” yelled someone in the back of the room.
Steven nodded, acknowledging the expression dating back to the seventeenth century. “In the name of protecting us, he has imprisoned our voices. In the name of rebuilding, he has torn down our freedoms! In the name of restoring order, he has invited a foreign army onto American soil!”
“This will not stand!”
“This is our land!”
“U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”
Steven smiled. So this was what a political rally looked like. The Mechanics brought themselves under control.
“Tomorrow, some of us may die. I am prepared for death. We will mourn the fallen and thank God for those who live. If a revolution is to begin in this country, the time is now. If freedom is to be saved, it will be saved tomorrow. Against all odds, I choose freedom!”
And the group rose again, much like a partisan congress at a presidential State of the Union address. Steven didn’t need to cheerlead further. His men were with him—live or die.
“Tomorrow is our opportunity. There may be others later, but as General Patton once said, A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week. Or as I like to say, It’s time to shit and get it!”
Steven spent the rest of the evening breaking the Mechanics into groups. He moved unit to unit, reminding them of their strategy.
Each had a defined purpose. The attack upon the UN forces would be slow and methodical. The element of surprise would be their key to success. The use of guerilla tactics was ideal for tomorrow’s operation. The Mechanics would use their mobility to fight the larger, traditional militaristic UN forces.
He approached the group that contained the new guys Elkins and Grant. “This team will be using code name Hammers on the comms. There are only four of you, and we will monitor our own frequency on the radio. You guys have one job. Get as close to Governor O’Brien as possible. Elkins and Grant have provided us outstanding intel on how the prisoner swap is to go down tomorrow. Let’s go over what you’ve learned.”
Grant spoke up first. “Today, I was in a food line set up by O’Brien downtown at the government center. He was holding court, as you might say. Shaking hands. Chatting up his constituents, etcetera. I overheard him say to a woman who I assume was one of the wives of the prisoners that he hoped she looked forward to the reunion with her husband. He said he planned to be standing on the State House steps to greet his old friends home.”
Elkins added, “They started assembling scaffolding this morning. I believe it’s going to be an observation stand. It’s behind the wrought-iron fence.”
“Okay,” said Steven. “We won’t know until tomorrow whether this is even feasible. You men, as the Hammers, will have to find a soft spot, a breach in O’Brien’s security detail. We may use a distraction to divert attention. Be prepared to react to conditions on the ground.”
Elkins looked to Grant and then spoke. “I assume you’ve cleared this with the boss.”
“I don’t have a boss,” Steven snapped back.
“Well, I mean Sarge,” replied Elkins. “Sarge is pretty much running things, right?”
“Not tomorrow,” Steven reacted defensively before walking away. “This is my baby.”
Steven tried to shake off the reference to Sarge as his boss. He’s my brother!
He rolled his neck and moved on. Steven held his final conversation with Colonel Lancaster’s unit. “We will fight the UN because the will of the people demands it. We will not stand for the atrocities committed by them in the name of peacekeeping. More importantly, tomorrow we send a clear message to our brothers around the country. Stand with us. Together, we can take our country back!”
Chapter 43
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
11:25 a.m.
100 Beacon
Boston, Massachusetts
This would be their last day at home for many months. Sarge insisted upon being in town for the prisoner exchange even though he agreed joining the festivities was too dangerous. He enjoyed a level of anonymity for the moment. His regular appearances on Choose Freedom radio and his increa
sed contact with both domestic and international political leaders increased his chances of being recognized. He believed he could walk among the people gathering on Boston Common undetected, but Julia wisely warned against it. It wasn’t worth the risk. She was not going to orphan their child before the baby was born.
“I’ll observe from here,” said Sarge to a member of his security detail as he looked through the telescope toward the eastern end of Boston Common. All of the leaves had fallen and the streets were devoid of vehicular traffic. The southeast corner of 100 Beacon provided the perfect, safe observation tower.
“Yes, sir,” replied the soldier, who withdrew to take up a defensive position at the north side of the building.
Julia moved to hug Sarge around the waist. “I know you wanted to be down there.”
“This is a big step, honey,” he said. “If we are going to move forward, there has to be a spirit of cooperation between the government and the people. At least for one day, despite the protests around the country due to the President’s canceling of elections, Boston can raise the white flag and prove an orderly transition of some nature can occur.”
“Even if it’s the swapping of political prisoners,” added Julia.
“Exactly. Throughout history, warring opponents can call a truce for the limited purpose of returning prisoners to their families.”
Julia interjected. “Despite the fact that the prisoners may come back to fight you again?”
“You hope not, but that happens. This situation is unique because O’Brien committed the crime of armed kidnapping, in my opinion. And the victim happens to be the government of Massachusetts.”