by Parker James
Andrews then addressed the Joint Chiefs directly.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Each and every one of us has a very long day ahead of us tomorrow and undoubtedly for the foreseeable future. I suggest that you all retire to your quarters, have a good meal, and get at much rest as you can. We all need to be 100% and at the top of our game. Once surface reconnaissance is complete, the following course of action we determine may very well decide not only our own fate but the very existence of the entire human race. If you dream, dream of contingency plans. Dream of our options. Let’s plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Meeting adjourned.”
“Yes, Mr. President” was heard repeatedly from all members of the Joint Chiefs, standing at full attention for their Commander-in-Chief. To a person they were as determined as he that they do everything within their power to see that occurrence was brought to fruition; that they would in fact survive this nightmare wrought upon the planet. The war had to end, and it had to end quickly before the planet was pushed beyond brink, beyond the point of no return. That reality was clear to all.
President Andrews rose and exiting the control room headed straight for his quarters. He had very little time left before he needed to return to oversee restart operations, and knowing this Linda already had his meal waiting. Although the Joint Chiefs would get some long needed rest, for at least the next ten hours for him there would be none. Information regarding the condition of the surface in all likelihood would be undertaken by Meehan immediately upon the return of the drone from Bunker Site 1 and reconnaissance operations completed within the next 24 hours. The true extent of the nuclear war wouldn’t be fully understood until all drones returned to NORAD and the data collated in conjunction with satellite imagery. The President somehow would find a way to get some sleep between those two events, but most certainly that wouldn’t occur tonight. In a sense he knew Professor Enghult and Dr. Lazzario could handle restart themselves, yet he would personally be on-site despite that. Nothing would be left to chance. Once exiting the conference room and looking down the main hallway, Andrews couldn’t help but notice that the Secret Service Staff was out in full force; four at the entrance to the control room and another four at the elevator. As he approached his quarters even more Agents were stationed outside, solid as rocks with a look of seriousness on their faces. The door to his own quarters, that of the First Family had no lock or keys, the Agents themselves were more impenetrable than any security measures that could ever be put into place. They also needed unimpeded access should the situation ever arise, but that threshold would otherwise never be crossed. As he opened the door he inexplicably turned and addressed them personally.
“Thank you, Agents.”
As the Delta Force Teams in the Dome hadn’t responded to his words, neither did the Agents. But once again his heartfelt words carried a great deal of weight. It was late now, at least on the surface. In the bunker time seemed endless; there was no night or day. The only sense of time was when the lighting was dimmed for what would otherwise be considered evening in order to give the occupants a semblance of normalcy. Immediately upon entering Linda approached him, looking into his eyes and gave him a long hug without any words being spoken. Andrews was concerned about how his wife had held up during her tour of the hospital, but she was more concerned about him. She knew Level 20 was currently on lockdown and that something very serious had happened. The flurry of activity upon her return could hardly be missed, nor could the four Agents armed to the teeth standing outside their quarters. After several minutes she finally let go of her husband; he needed that comfort as much as she did but he was the one to speak first. Holding her by the shoulders and at arm’s length, he looked directly into her eyes.
“How are you holding up?” he asked.
“Me, how am I holding up? How are you holding up?”
“A little tired. It’s been a long day and I have to return to the control room in about an hour and a half. I’ll have to spend most of the night there.”
“Good news or bad news?” she asked.
“Good news. NORAD survived the attack and we received their first drone. We’ve ordered them to start surface reconnaissance and somehow the satellite system survived intact. Now all we have to do is pray that we’re not attacked again. Where are the little ones?”
“Exhausted, fed, and fast asleep. They wondered where you were and I told them they’d see you when they wake up. Will they?”
“I should be back by then. We’ve decided to continue with restart despite the drone from NORAD. We’re going to go ahead with all of the plans we’ve put into motion despite everything else. We have to.”
Linda walked across the room and placed her husband’s dinner in the microwave as she asked, “Have you eaten anything at all today?”
“I had lunch earlier, but dinner wouldn’t hurt.”
“Well, let’s get you fed. Then it’s just you and me kiddo.”
Andrews looked at his wife knowing what she must have been through in the hospital, especially considering the fact that she’d just lost both of her parents, yet all she could do was show her concern for him. He felt guilty in a way, but was glad that he’d married her. “One in a million,” he thought. “How I found her I’ll never know.” As she prepared his dinner he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. It only took a few minutes to reheat the meal that she’d brought with her from the hospital, and he ate it at the kitchenette as if he hadn’t eaten in a month. She watched him silently, thinking the same thing to herself; how’d she ever found him. She decided not to trouble her husband with the sadness that she’d witnessed, and as he finished his meal she put the dishes in the sink; they could wait for later.
The meal had done him well and he felt somewhat tired for having it. Linda walked over to the sofa and pulled the quilt from the top of it that her mother had made for them when they were first married. Unfolding it she sat on the sofa as she patted it with her hand, inviting her husband to join her.
“Sit with me,” she said. “I’ll wake you when you have to go back.”
This was one battle the President didn’t want to fight. They laid together holding onto each other for what little time they had, her husband soon fast asleep not knowing if it would be the last time that they would ever be able to do so. Linda wept silently for all that had happened, but she was also thankful for the time that they did have together and also prayed they would somehow have more. Their brief time spent together seemed to be over in an instant as there was a gentle knock at the door.
“One moment,” Linda said as she rose, trying not to wake her husband. Opening the door she could see it was Agent Phillips.
“Pardon the intrusion, ma’am. General McCreary has just sent word from the control room that they’re preparing for restart and the President’s presence is required.”
“Thank you, Agent. Please advise the Chairman that the President will be there shortly.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Phillips replied as the First Lady gently closed the door and walked over to her husband. She nudged him awake as he slowly opened his eyes and came back to his full senses.
“Is it time already?” he asked.
“They’re waiting for you in the control room.”
“God, I feel like I could’ve slept forever.”
Linda kissed her husband on the forehead and then on the lips.
“Do you know how much I love you?” she asked.
He looked at her without responding.
“More than you’ll ever know.”
“And I you,” he said. “You’re my strength.”
As he collected himself and approached the door, he stopped and turned to his wife of fifteen years.
“Let the little ones know when they wake up I’ll be back in the morning to cook them breakfast.”
Linda could only nod and managed a slight smile, and as the door closed behind him she began to cry uncontrollably.
And again into the control room. It was fully staffed at th
is point with over twenty personnel continuously on duty. Veronica had remained and kept herself quiet, absorbing as much information about the bunkers as she possibly could. There was no doubt in the President’s mind why she had received a full-scholarship. She knew enough to realize that she didn’t yet know enough. Although she had taken the time to have eaten throughout the day, other than that she hadn’t stopped in her effort to absorb all that she could. Youth was also on her side, and with the devastation on the surface qualified personnel would be difficult to replace.
“General McCreary,” Andrews said. “Please report.”
“We’re ready for restart upon your orders, Sir. Professor Enghult assures me that we have green lights across the board and Dr. Lazzario concurs. All personnel on Level 15 are suited up and on standby.”
“Very well then, General. I’ll take over from here. You are relieved until 0800. I’d like you to get some rest, and that’s a direct order. You’ll be in complete charge until the arrival of NORAD’s follow-up drone tomorrow. After this evening I’ll retire to my quarters for some badly needed sleep so that I’m also at 100%. Tunneling operations are to proceed as is the tour of Bunker Site 1 for half of the Joint Chiefs. The other Joint Chiefs are to remain with you in the control room. Level 20 is to be removed from full lock-down. Should any situation arise requiring my attention you are to summon me immediately. Dismissed, General.”
“Sir,” McCreary replied as he saluted.
They were more than just colleagues; they were friends and more often than not disregarded protocol, especially when consulting in private. For General McCreary, to be so formal sent a very clear message. The President of the United States had his total, absolute, unyielding respect. For the President’s part it was a comfort to have such a person in which he could count on, no matter what the circumstance.
As General McCreary retired and closed the door behind him, he didn’t second guess his orders. He was exhausted and headed straight for his bed. He too would have a long day ahead of him.
Prior to speaking, President Andrews pulled up one of the chairs from another console and positioned it behind Professor Enghult and Veronica, who was sitting next to Professor Enghult with her own set of displays in front of her. Although much of this was new to her, she’d learned enough that should she see something go astray during the restart procedure she would bring it to the Professor’s attention, otherwise she would remain silent. This was only the first of five restart operations; the other four to proceed on a staggered basis within the other bunkers that went into shut down mode. As President Andrews continued to observe, he could see Dr. Lazzario’s face on one of the display monitors in front of Professor Enghult; he was in the control room on Level 15. Andrews turned to the Professor; it was almost 2400 hours.
“Professor,” he asked. “Are you prepared for restart and confident in the nuclear power generation unit being safely brought back on-line?”
“I am, Mr. President,” Enghult replied.
President Andrews then turned to the monitor displaying the control room on Level 15 and asked Dr. Lazzario the same question.
“I confirm, Mr. President,” Lazzario replied.
“Very well, gentleman,” Andrews said. “Please proceed with restart operations at your discretion.”
“Dr. Lazzario,” Enghult said. “Please bring the power generation unit up to five percent capacity.”
With those words President Andrews could see Dr. Lazzario pressing various switches and turning various dials. As he did the monitors in front of both Enghult and Veronica began to display a variety of data indicating the status of the unit. Although not completely familiar with the information being displayed, the President thankfully saw green lights as opposed to red warning lights indicating potential problems.
“Very well, Dr.,” Professor Enghult said. “I’m seeing positive restart with no indications of any anomalies. Let’s continue at 5% capacity for the next two hours with continuous diagnostics, both visual and computerized prior to increasing output to 15%. Are we in agreement?”
“Agreed, Professor. We’re seeing green lights across the board here too.”
“Two hours it is then, Dr.” Enghult said looking at his watch.
Listening to their conversation President Andrews pulled up his chair and placed it in a position so that he could observe the monitors in front of both Professor Enghult and Veronica. He began to absorb all of the displays, not being completely unfamiliar with diagnostics dating back to his days as a Pilot. Placing his trust in the Professor and his reassurances from Dr. Lazzario during his inspection earlier that morning, he sat back and allowed the professionals to complete the task they knew so well. Time passed quickly and for a moment Andrews felt himself dozing. He must have been as he suddenly heard Professor Enghult speaking to him.
“Bringing her up to 15% capacity, Mr. President. Total integrity of all systems confirmed visually and diagnostically.”
“Please proceed, Professor,” Andrews said.
Four hours in and again the procedure repeated itself.
“Prepared to bring the unit up to full 25% capacity, Mr. President. Complete integrity of all systems confirmed visually and diagnostically.”
“At your discretion, Professor.”
Two hours later and the nuclear power generation unit was running at the required 25% capacity necessary to operate all systems within Bunker Site 1 and was ready to be switched over from the battery backup system. The President looked at Professor Enghult and repeated the words that had been said to him recently.
“And the lights won’t even flicker. Correct?”
“That is correct, Mr. President.”
“Proceed with transition from secondary to primary power system, Professor.”
Prior to doing so Enghult consulted once more with Dr. Lazzario and then turning to the President said, “Transitioning power supply now, Sir.”
Two minutes passed while Professor Enghult switched from monitor to monitor, some visualizing various areas of Bunker Site 1 over the internal camera system.
“Are we ready to proceed, Professor?” Andrews asked as his curiosity overtook him.
“Sir, we’ve already transitioned over to the primary power supply,” Enghult answered.
“I’ll be damned, Professor. You were correct, the lights didn’t even flicker. Well done to you both, and you as well Miss McCreary.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. We’ll continue to monitor all areas and systems within Bunker Site 1 for the next several hours, but in effect the restart procedure is complete with a high degree of confidence.”
“Very well. I’ll remain on-site until General McCreary arrives.”
Veronica was proud to have played, even if just a small role in the restart procedure, but despite that she’d learned a considerable amount of knowledge. With four more units having to undergo the same procedure, with bunker 5 being the next on the list, what she’d learned was indispensable. General McCreary had woken early with the desperately needed rest long overdue, most especially after these past several days. Not quite 0700 hours, he arrived early ready to relieve the President. If Linda had thought her husband was tired earlier, to General McCreary he seemed completely exhausted. As Andrews rose from his chair he suddenly reached over and grabbed onto it for support. It didn’t escape McCreary’s attention as the President quickly recovered.
“Are you alright, Mr. President?” the General asked with a degree of concern.
“I’m fine, Phil. Just a little sleep deprivation. Maybe I’ve been sitting too long; my mistake. Things went well with restart. Picture perfect in fact. We’re currently running on primary power generation and Professor Enghult assures me all is well. If you don’t mind he can give you a detailed rundown, I think I’d better head to my quarters.”
McCreary’s concern for the President’s health wasn’t lessened.
“By all means, Sir,” he said.
“Phil. I need to be 100%. That me
ans eight hours of sleep after I keep a little promise I made last night. I know I don’t need to ask if you can handle things. Proceed with our plans for tunneling operations and the tour of Bunker Site 1 for half of the Joint Chiefs. Take Level 20 off lockdown and advise the Bunker Site Commanders that restart has been successfully completed. Summon me if any issue arises requiring my attention, and should the follow-up drone from NORAD arrive earlier than expected begin recognition code confirmation and download of their transmission immediately prior to my arrival. Other than that once my head hits that pillow give me eight hours; I need my full faculties about me.”
“Consider it done, Mr. President.”
Andrews walked to the door as General McCreary opened it for him. Although unnecessary the Chairman nodded to Agent Phillips still on duty, indicating that he accompany the President to his quarters; Linda would take over from there. Once entering their now Spartan quarters Linda seemed shocked at her husband’s obvious exhaustion but he quickly perked up, requiring more effort than he led on. True to his word he cooked breakfast for the four of them, and once finished apologized to his daughter’s for having to retire, explaining that it had been a very long night. Linda had prepped them earlier and they understood. As she led him to their room and helped him undress he almost fell over again. Pulling back the covers she placed him under the comforter, kissing him gently on the forehead as she did so.
“I’m used to tucking in the children, darling, not my husband,” she said with a slight stab at humor. “Sleep now. I love you,” she whispered.
She wasn’t quite sure he’d even heard her before he fell fast asleep, and she quickly brought Rebecca and Marissa to Margaret, having promised them they could play in the Oval Office for the day. Returning to their quarters she opened the door to their bedroom so she could hear her husband and then took a seat on the sofa. She would watch over her husband silently for the next eight hours. Linda could physically see the toll that the past several months had taken on him; the emotional toll she could only imagine. Sitting there alone she was like a lioness guarding her lair; Lord help anyone who even attempted to enter that room. As the hours passed she also found herself dozing and put her faith in the alarm clock to wake her if she fell asleep, having decided to cook her family a full meal before he had to return to the control room. She knew the second drone would arrive from NORAD at some point later in the day and it was weighing heavily on her husband’s mind. The First Lady must have fallen asleep as suddenly she heard the alarm go off, hitting the snooze button quickly wishing not to wake him. As she rose she gently closed the door to the bedroom and checked in with Margaret, who assured her that the children were doing just fine.