Rushing past the well landscaped lawn, the two black limousines came to a halt at the back of the white edifice. Three men in black suits came out of the first vehicle and hurried to take position on the steps of the wide staircase, scoping out the surroundings through their dark sunglasses. Four more men rushed out of the second one, two of them in military uniform. Swiftly moving up the stairs, the second vehicle’s occupants rushed up through the stairs to the security desk and kept walking at a quick pace along the wide hallway beyond. After climbing another staircase, the two men wearing black stopped when they reached a small corridor, and the two in military uniform kept on. Bursting into the presidential study, the younger of the two said, “Mr. President, I think you’re gonna want to see this!”
“Mike? John? What is it?” replied the man seated in the room, completely taken by surprise. Colonel Mike Spade rushed to the small TV set and turned it on.
“You still watch TV on this old thing?” the other asked.
“It still works. Why change it? It pre-dates President Obama. When I got into office, I promised myself I wouldn’t replace it until it stopped working. I’m not sure why; call it nostalgia,” replied President Jarvis.
The image of China’s president, Xi Jinping appeared, while Colonel Spade adjusted the volume. All three men were now silent, watching the small screen.
“…as I have many times before. It is time for America to recognize China’s power and remove its military presence in North Africa before the end of the month, or we will have no choice but to take military action against the west. It would be a mistake to underestimate China’s resolution on this issue. We are prepared to stand our ground and take the necessary actions. For too long has President David Jarvis tried to find what he falsely calls a peaceful resolution to the problems China faces with misleading talks and one-sided propositions. For too long has America been treating China like a child and not listened to its demands. It is time for America and President Jarvis to learn that they are no longer the main player on the world’s chessboard. The time has come for China to be recognized as the greatest economic and military power in the world. We will not accept any more interventions from the United States in China’s affairs. If America’s military troops have not left North Africa by the end of the month, we will take action, and the consequences will be on President Jarvis’ conscience.”
Xi Jinping’s words were translated in English by his own interpreter, standing a few steps to his left and back. Even if they did not understand Chinese, the tone of his voice left no doubt as to the gravity of his address. Mike Spade turned the screen off as the TV anchorman began his commentary on the Asian leader’s speech.
The President turned to General John Glenn.
“Not good… OK, John, what do you think?”
“David, this is serious. I think we have a real problem on our hands, here. My intel agrees. China is ready to strike, and they don’t think he’s bluffing. Some even suggest he’ll go forward with his threats, regardless of what we do.”
“I agree, Mr. President,” added colonel Spade. “He means business, and it looks like he is simply looking for any reason to start a war. We should get our men out now. It’s probably time to talk about our military defense position as well.”
“OK, I’ll arrange for a cabinet meeting ASAP,” replied the American President. “John, you need get our guys out. I’m not taking any chance with this lunatic any longer than necessary.” He then picked up the phone next to him and called for his senior staff.
As the two men were exiting the room, President Jarvis put his phone on his chest and called out, “How’s your wife, Mike?”
“She is well, Mr. President. Thank you.”
“When is the baby due?”
“Any day, now, Sir.”
“Send her my best, will you?”
“Thank you, Mr. President. I will.”
As the two men started back down the hall, John glanced at Mike, giving the young colonel an approving smile. It wasn’t that surprising that the president had asked him such a personal question at a time like this. David Jarvis had been elected at a time when the American people were in great need of a leader they could trust again; someone who truly cared for the well-being of the nation and its people. Too many times had the country witnessed the disappointing lack of change promised by those elected. Too often had the bashing between candidates become the focus of their electoral campaign, while the addressing of serious issues was pushed aside, unanswered, or altogether ignored. And, while vague, and even outlandish, claims were still made by some of the other Presidential candidates, the North Carolina politician had quickly become a favorite in the polls. A few weeks later, he had become the youngest American president at the age of forty-one, winning over his rival candidate with an overwhelming eighty-nine percent of the votes. Incidentally, he had also become the second president to ever win the elections running as a third-party candidate since George Washington, back in 1789.
Six years after his election in 2028, he was still a well loved and respected by most of the population. Now in his second term, he had managed to bring the nation back on its feet in many areas. Unemployment was lower than it had been since the 1970s. Real estate had regained strength, the economy was stronger than it had been in decades, and foreign relationships were better than could have ever been expected, all things considered. One country, however, continued to stubbornly challenge the world’s peaceful balance. China had become a loose cannon in the global power arena. All experts agreed. Xi Jinping was now a dictator of alarming cruelty and thirst for power. China was on the brink of declaring war with the west, and this new threat was being taken extremely seriously by the United States.
A week later, 12,000 troops were moving out of Africa. It was estimated it would take another couple of weeks to get them all out, but it was believed the Chinese deadline would be met. Several plans were put into action to evaluate, and ultimately respond to, the threat the Chinese President had made. But even after China had openly invaded several small Asian countries soon after the address, some experts still believed Xi Jinping was bluffing. Attacking the US was obvious suicide for the Chinese. Only a mad man would. Regardless, the possibility of a world war was too great to ignore, and a team of elite snipers and marines had been secretly dispatched to the East by the CIA. The Black Sparta, as they had been named, would infiltrate China and assassinate Xi Jinping.
President Jarvis had given the OK for an immediate strike, and most of his advisors had agreed with his decision. In three days, the Black Sparta task force, it was hoped, would manage to enter China and put an end to the abusive regime of president Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, in Washington DC
“Right now?” said the man standing in the doorway to the woman in front of him. She was accompanied by a young man dressed almost entirely in black. Both were wearing dark sunglasses, and it was obvious the two were not here to trick or treat.
“President Jarvis has asked for your presence at the White House immediately, sir. This is a level 5.” replied the woman. She was tall and slim, in her early forties. Her sort blond hair was combed back, and the fit body under her clothes suggested she exercised regularly. A small birthmark just above the right side of her upper lip made her look very attractive to Dr. Robert Byrd, the man in the doorway.
“Dr. Bird? Sir?”
“Ha, yes… Sorry… Huh, please give me a few minutes to gather my papers and change my clothes. I’ll be right there,” he said, realizing he had been staring at her.