Anil smiles. “If you insist, Dr. Sanders. How can I repay you?”
“Don’t mention it. Your contributions are crucial for the future of our company and indeed the world.”
After saying goodbye to Prisha, they exit and walk down the damp hallway to an elevator. Austin finds exposed wood beams soaking in ocean water. “These are not acceptable living conditions. Every unit on the floor must evacuate immediately.”
Anil looks back and whispers, “I received a notice last week to vacate. I didn’t tell Prisha and I don’t want her to worry. It’s a difficult time.”
They take the elevator up to the twentieth-floor and approach the leasing center. Austin opens the door. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, Anil. It’s too much pressure for one person.”
Anil steps inside. “I’m not the only one suffering. None of our neighbors have moved. There’s nowhere to go.”
“We are all in pain. Every year, I’m moving to a higher floor. It’s difficult to keep up with the rising water levels. There’s no longer any stability in the world.”
22.
AT HIS CIA OFFICE, Gareth Allen peers through his smartglasses when an incoming meeting request from “Director” flashes on the screen. He pulls his feet off the desk and sits upright, gathering himself before accepting the call. His boss appears in his field of view. “Good morning, Mr. Klein.”
“Gareth, we have an emergency,” Stan says.
“What’s happening?”
“The President wants to meet with us immediately.”
“Now?” Gareth’s eyes widen. “Is this about the War?”
“We can’t discuss over the line. The meeting starts in ten minutes. Get over to my jet and we’ll fly to the White House.”
Gareth frantically collects his jacket and belongings, slipping a dossier into a briefcase before running from his office. He nearly trips over his untied shoes before racing to an unmarked door and scanning in.
Short of breath, he pants as he approaches the receptionist. “Morning, Holly.”
She points down a hallway. “Mr. Allen, please proceed through the open door.”
Collecting himself, he ties his shoes and pins an American flag to his lapel. “Thanks, Holly. Never a dull moment around here.” He paces down the hall to find an elevator in a secret room.
Never seen this before.
He steps inside, his destination preselected for him. Seconds later he finds himself on the roof deck, stepping out into the deafening roar of a plane. He covers his ears as the engine hurls dust and debris in the air.
The aircraft’s hatch is open. Gareth runs towards the jet and takes a seat next to his boss.
“You’re late!” Stan hollers.
“Apologies, sir. Let’s go…”
The plane ascends and flies south above the island of Washington D.C. Concrete levees line the perimeter of the nation’s capital. In the distance, Gareth spots the flooded remnants of Alexandria, Virginia.
Stan grits his teeth. “What’s happening in New China?”
“They’re still imposing the blockade,” Gareth shouts. “No ships can get in and out. Doesn’t seem like they want to back down.”
“Have you updated the war plans?”
Gareth opens the briefcase. “Yes, sir, here it is. We have three spacecraft with EMP missiles en route to Mars.”
“Keep them on high alert. The President wants all options on the table.”
They fly over the Lincoln Memorial and land on a helipad on Pennsylvania Avenue. A military drone scans their irises and escorts them into the White House.
Gareth tries to keep up with his boss. “Sir?”
“What is it? Hurry, we’re late.”
“There are new developments. It seems another round of cyberattacks were launched.”
“From China?”
“I don’t have the details, sir.”
They enter the White House and pass an inspection point before heading to the War Room in the basement. Four generals huddle in a corner as cabinet members shuffle in.
Defense Secretary Carl Vinson approaches Stan and Gareth. “It looks like your stupid tariffs made things worse. The War is escalating because of you.”
Stan appears unfazed. “You’re wrong, Carl. The enemy is desperate and they’re acting out. We’re winning.”
“You should have listened to me, Stan. We agreed to focus on Russia and instead we have two fronts to worry about.”
Stan seethes. “Are you questioning my judgment?”
“You damn right I am! If you heeded my warning, we’d be in a better position.”
“So you want to appease the Chinese? That’s what traitors do.”
Carl leans forward. “Listen, your open hostility is a problem. Everything is a battle with you. Take a step back and see the big picture.”
“You’re a fucking moron.” Stan raises his chin and walks away to the executive table. Gareth grabs a chair behind his boss.
A Presidential staffer enters the room. “Please be seated. We will begin momentarily.”
Conversations turn to whispers and the emergency session convenes. The President enters with the Secret Service at his side, briskly taking a seat and ignoring the aides standing above him. “Let’s get started,” he says. “I want to first comment on the Summit we had last week. I had a chance to review the proposals and my enthusiasm is tepid at best.”
Gareth’s heart races and he pretends to take notes.
President Hughes broods. “We need more innovative solutions for the energy crisis. Your plans won’t move the needle when it comes to oil prices. Be prepared with new ideas. We will hold another meeting and I want to see bold initiatives this time. If you don’t meet expectations, you will be replaced.”
Deputies and generals steal glances at one another as tension grips the room. Stan stares at Carl in disdain.
The President reclines and places his palms on his head. “Let’s get on with this. I called you here to discuss concerns over China. Carl and Stan, as you are the Directors of Defense and CIA, I want you update the Cabinet on the recent developments.”
Carl turns to the group. “I would be happy to—”
“Mr. President,” Stan interrupts, “the Chinese are escalating the conflict. We have prepared a war strategy.” He grabs the documents from Gareth and places them in front of the President.
Carl tilts forward with clasped hands. “My colleague is mistaken. The CIA has gotten us into this mess. I blame their Information Tariffs for intensifying the War. The proper course of action now is to de-escalate.”
The room erupts in conversation.
An army general shouts, “It’s too late for that. We can’t go back in time.”
Stan grins. “Exactly right. We must counter China’s actions. They’ve laid siege to our colony on Mars. It is an act of aggression that warrants a tough response.”
The President appears unfazed. “Have they attacked New America?”
Stan nods. “Effectively. Their actions are definitely a provocation. Rockets can’t land and deliver equipment to our colony, and our soldiers are suffering. This is equivalent to armed conflict.”
“What do you propose we do?”
“As outlined in the dossier, Mr. President, we have three spacecraft equipped with EMP missiles, which were highly effective on the Russia front. Our spacecraft are heading to Mars now and we can launch a barrage at a moment’s notice.”
“And then what?” President Hughes asks.
“New China will be crippled—”
“The President is asking,” Carl declares, “for the repercussions of an assault. How will the Chinese respond? What are the consequences?”
Stan shrugs. “I don’t understand. We are at war. The purpose of military conflict is to destroy the adversary.”