Riley thought for a few seconds. Watch your language, Jack. “May I clarify those… inconveniences?”
The president nodded approval.
Riley stood. “Mr. Bard, you have no idea how much I hate waiting in lines. And you’re absolutely right. This country would be turned upside-down in utter chaos for the foreseeable future, especially if the president pulls a hard lever today. Passengers who are stranded in some strange city or airport would be furious about having to find another way home to friends and family. Or worse, spending a night in some flophouse with six other people. I mean, I’m pretty resourceful, and I know I’d be upset. When even one airline stumbles, people suffer. Let’s face it — travel inconvenience is a major hassle. Now think about airline layoffs, ruined vacations, deferred business meetings, or even cancelling that special family reunion. Who knows what’ll happen to all that luggage? But in my opinion, Mr. Bard, before you curl up for the night on some uncomfortable airport bench and curse at the inconvenience, ask yourself this question: who’s more inconvenienced? You, watching a line of stranded people inch forward to order a cold chili dog for dinner in some airport food court, or O’Hare’s assistant tower chief watching a line of people inch forward at the wake of his wife and granddaughter, who died today on Flight 605? Mr. President, I wouldn’t give these terrorist bomber cowards a second to rest or an ounce more satisfaction. No more flights; no more body counts. Not on our watch.”
Riley sat down. His point hung in the air like a clarion call bellowed by Winston Churchill.
The president lowered his head and smiled briefly. He was first and foremost a naval officer who took deep pride in making decisions based on principle and integrity. Nothing riled him more than bending with the winds of election-year politics, which was Bard’s real motive. He had simply drifted too far into overprotective waters. This was a textbook example of misguided loyalty.
Jeffrey Dorn, the White House press secretary, entered the room. “Sir?”
“I’ll speak to the nation,” the president announced, glancing at his watch, “in fifteen minutes. Andrew, please handle the courtesy calls with Norman’s staff. Keep things brief. Domestic airlines first, then foreign. Don’t forget Senate and House leaders.” He took a deep breath and turned to Bridge. “Are we prepared to issue a nationwide terror alert?”
“Yes,” Bridge confirmed. “Down to the local levels. They know something’s coming, but not the specifics.”
The president kept his eyes on Bridge and pointed at Riley. “I want him in charge.”
Riley placed his hand on his chest. “Sir, with all due respect, I’m not… I don’t work for Justice. This is the FBI’s juris—”
“I’m not going to get into that,” the president said firmly. “I don’t care about jurisdiction. I’ve already spoken with the Attorney General. He understands my reasoning and has pledged his full support. You’re it, son.”
“He accepts, Mr. President,” Bridge spoke up. “I’ll inform Director Colmes.”
The president rose from his chair and gave Riley a direct look. “For America’s sake, find out how they’re doing it.” He turned to Minka. “Shut it down. Everything.”
Minka sat stone-faced. Then he turned and nodded at Slavin.
All eyes in the room watched as she calmly lifted her phone and dialed the number for Vint Hill. A team of senior air traffic managers was already alerted and on standby. From there, emergency advisories would be issued to all regional centers, who in turn would relay the order to local hubs. In less than two minutes, all air and conveyance companies and carriers, airport towers, traffic control centers, and federal transportation facilities across the country would receive the message. In two more minutes, it would be global.
All scheduled departures within or bound for the United States on all flight display boards in all airports across the world would show the word cancelled. All US airborne flights were to find the nearest emergency landing field large enough to accommodate the weight of their aircraft and land immediately. Once on the ground, passengers and flight crews were to exit as quickly and as safely as possible. All aircraft were to be quarantined, searched, and cleared. No exceptions. No aircraft would be allowed to fly. Medical air transport requests would have to show life-threatening urgency and be cleared by the FAA’s National Operations Manager. A separate call went out to all airfreight carriers.
Secretary Bridge strode onto the stage, followed by a mix of newly briefed Cabinet staff and members. At that instant, the networks interrupted their regularly scheduled programs with this breaking news coverage.
President Warren appeared, and the room instantly fell silent.
He approached the podium, pausing to inhale deeply.
“As you know, there has been a second airline tragedy southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. At this time, we are unable to positively confirm whether it or the Milwaukee incidents were caused by mechanical failure, operator, or other human error or via acts of domestic terrorism. In order to take every possible protective measure to safeguard the citizens of the United States, and until we can ascertain cause, I have ordered that an imminent terror alert be issued per the National Terrorism Advisory System. That was initiated just moments ago.”
The room erupted in camera clicks and shouts.
“Please, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to answer any questions. Mr. Dorn will hold a follow-up briefing within the hour.” The room quieted. The president paused again. “Coincident with that order and in keeping with the spirit and severity of that alert, effective immediately, all motorized, floating, or gliding domestic and international passenger, commercial, cargo, recreational, or other airborne craft inside the borders of the United States will be grounded. Those aircraft approaching our borders will be turned back, if possible, or rerouted to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. The airspace over the United States will be under a complete no-fly zone indefinitely. Make no mistake — there will be extreme delays in general transportation across the country as these actions are set in motion. Please bear with us. I ask for your patience, your cooperation, and your prayers in seeing these events to a rapid and safe conclusion. We will work tirelessly to bring this nation and its air transportation and subsidiary industries back to a level of confidence and security for all. The no-fly zone does not apply to law enforcement. It will be enforced by the military. Thank you.”
Chapter 28
The New York Stock Exchange had suspended all trading until some semblance of calm could be restored. Unfortunately, no one on its Board of Directors knew what that meant. They were simply trying to stop the largest volume stock loss in US history, surpassing the previous record set in October 1987 when one trillion dollars evaporated into thin air.
Even the sophisticated computer programs put in place to buffer such tsunami-like selling were overwhelmed. The current trading curbs, a.k.a. “circuit breakers,” called for an hour-long pause in trading at a drop of 1,450 points in the Dow before 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. A decline of 2,900 points before 1:00 p.m. halted trading for two hours. A decline of 4,350 at any point halted trading for the day. Before the president’s announcement, the skittish Dow had lost 1,600 points. The market reopened three hours later but quickly closed again as declines approached a record free fall of 33 percent. Worse, none of the usual liquidity rescuers were forthcoming. They were still trying to digest thirty-day market bottom forecasts flirting with losses of six trillion dollars.