The pool cameraman and the pool producer both wagged a finger at Brent and he started by reading a prepared statement as his aides handed out printed copies.
“Good afternoon. It is with great sadness that I report to you today that a Marine helicopter on a routine assignment at Camp David in Maryland crashed earlier this afternoon. All persons onboard the aircraft perished. The dead include Navy Lieutenant Commander Niles Markey, Marine Aviation Captain Jesse Higgins, and Warrant Officer Peter Klug. The sole passenger, Doctor Roland Landau, was also pronounced dead at the scene. The next of kin have been notified and the president has spoken to family members to offer his condolences and prayers during this difficult time. The circumstances surrounding this crash, which appear to be related to mechanical failure, will be further covered by Commander Bowman, who will take the podium shortly. That is the end of my prepared statements. I will take limited questions because, at this time, we do not have all the facts. Miles.”
CNN had broken the story, so Miles Chafee got the first question. “We have a report that the president’s science advisor was at Camp David when this occurred. Is that why Professor — ” He looked down and checked his reporter’s notebook, “Landau was also there?”
“Yes, Miles, I am glad you reminded me. First off, let me say that Dr. Hiccock and his family are fine and have not been affected by these events. As the commander will speak to later, the aircraft went down outside the compound proper, and at no time was anyone in the compound in danger. As to Professor Landau’s visit, and there will be a follow-up information packet on this within the hour coming from the office of Science and Technology that Dr. Hiccock heads up, I believe that Dr. Landau was there to accept a position in the ‘2020 Committee’ or ‘2020 Initiative.’ I’m sorry I don’t have the exact title.”
He turned to an aide to the right of the podium and then repeated out loud what the staffer read from his jotted down notes. “The ‘2020 conference?’ Thank you, Jeff. As I said, that information is coming, but essentially, it is a new program that was to be announced Monday, focusing on the scientific challenges facing America and the world as we approach the next decade. Professor Landau was accepting the chairmanship of this commission and would have been heading up the recruitment of leading scientists and technological innovators around the world. And again, although the loss of every life is to be mourned, Dr. Landau’s untimely demise is certainly a great loss to the scientific community.”
Brent switched his focus and bodily direction to the other side of the room and called on the reporter from CBS. “Harold.”
“Was this aircraft a Sikorsky from the president’s fleet or was it — ”
The sound switched off as a hand put down the remote and scratched at a scraggily beard. “They didn’t mention the missile.”
“Of course they didn’t. They need to show control. They also didn’t mention the research. They are hoping the story dies with Dr. Landau,” was the calm and measured response.
“We should have waited a little longer till the helicopter was over public land. Then there would be evidence of our attack and the world would be forced to find out what these monsters are doing.” The man’s stress was evident in the rising pitch of the voice.
“It happened the way it happened. But we still have a card to play.”
With that he picked up a cell phone and dialed. “Hello, CNN, I want the editor on the helicopter crash. He will want to talk to me. Tell him it was not an accident. I will hold.”
His fingers tapped the phone. At that moment, there was a knock on the mobile-home door. Both men in the trailer jumped.
“United States Marines. Please come out of your trailer; this is an investigation. Repeat, please come out of your trailer.”
The nervous man not on the phone whispered, “What do we do?”
“Hold them off while I speak to the world.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
The man on the phone reached under his chair and produced a MAC 5 machine gun. “Distract them for only a minute more.”
“They will kill me!”
“We will all die if they continue this research. Now go; I am sure I will be right behind you.”
“Is there no other way?”
“Be brave. Give me a minute more.”
The shaky hands of the man about to take on the US Marines fiddled with the latch and pushed through the flimsy metal door. He screamed as he opened fire, spraying bullets toward everything that moved.
“Dr. Hiccock, I have an after-action report from Perimeter Squad Two.”
“Who is this?”
“Sergeant Holmes. We just engaged an individual who attacked us with a machine gun. We lost a man in the fight. Three wounded. However, there was another man in a trailer. As near as we can tell he caught a round in the right temple as he was attempting a call. I think he was calling CNN.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I picked up the phone and CNN was on hold. A man answered and said, ‘National Desk.’”
“Did you say anything?”
“No, sir. I hung up.”
“Good work, Sergeant. I am sorry about your man. Where are you now?”
“By the north ridge line.”
Bill turned to the leader of the men in the room. “Captain, I need to get out there.”
“Sir, you are a civilian…”
“Hold up; I am an SES 14, which is the simulated rank of major general, Captain. This is a matter of national security and I am the ranking national security officer on the scene.”
Five minutes later, a Humvee carrying Bill and two armed Marines pulled up to the trailer as a military ambulance evacuated the wounded. The body was being covered with a blanket by the medics. Bill was shocked and saddened to see them cover Corporal Bradley, the soldier who had brought the pony for Richie. Bill closed his eyes and thought of man’s little boy and how much Bradley loved him. Fear suddenly arose from Bill’s inside. He had been in tough situations before and he’d reluctantly seen a lot of action. Before he was a father he had almost bought the farm on a few occasions, but this was the first time he felt like he had skin in the game. He now sensed a hesitation and an anxiety about even being out here so soon after gunplay. Richard Ross Hiccock wasn’t going to grow up without a dad. Then he thought about Bradley again. Bill found strength in Bradley’s courage and sacrifice. He breathed deeply and trudged ahead thinking, Everyone in harm’s way has a little Richie at home. You ain’t that special; now get over yourself!
Sergeant Holmes was ordering his men to fan out and search for the rocket launcher. He approached Bill. “You must be Hiccock.”
“Must have been a hell of a fight.”
“Fast and unnecessary. A good man, killed. Three wounded. Two scabs dead. I screwed up. I didn’t expect unfriendlies.”
“Sergeant, we aren’t in Fallujah. This is the Maryland countryside; who would expect…”
“He came out blasting.”
“Sergeant. Not your fault; now where’s the other guy?”
“In the trailer, sir.
Bill entered the trailer and was shocked. It wasn’t the dead body with the blood pooled under its head. It was what the body was wearing — a priest’s collar.
“Don’t touch anything,” a voice said.
Bill turned around and saw a man in a suit holding a badge. “Barkley, Naval Criminal Investigations. I am impounding this crime scene.”