Authors: J. B. Tilton
"You do have a point, doctor," said Napolitano. "It does seem unlikely that assassinating the President would bring about all that he predicts. Especially since the Vice President will more than likely carry on with many of the same policies the President has. Maybe he was just grandstanding. Attempting to frighten us."
"I don't believe so, Madam Secretary," said Jeremy. "He's a trained psychiatrist. He has to know that simply making these kinds of threats aren't likely to cause any change in our policies. It never has before. There's no reason to believe it will now."
"So what are you suggesting?" Porter asked.
"I'm suggesting, general, that Moser plans to cripple the American government in one blow. Something that could topple the government and cause chaos and pandemonium like it did in Caesar's day. And if he's successful in his plan, he could very well do it."
"That's impossible, doctor," said Napolitano. "Even assuming that Moser is able to kill both the President and Vice President, there is a clear line of succession established by law. There are others in the government who would immediately step in and take charge."
"Yes. And Moser knows that. I had a professor in college who would say that the term 'seat of power' does not necessarily mean the leader of a country. The real power of a country is its laws. If one person controls those laws, then the seat of power rests in them. Something like the monarchy used to be in England.
"But he also said that in a democracy, like the United States, the 'seat of power' rightfully is the Constitution. The laws that govern the entire country and that all people, including the President, are bound by. He would say that the 'seat of power' dictated what people could and could not do. In a democracy, that power rests with the constitution and laws that governs that democracy."
"Okay," said Napolitano. "Are you saying Moser is going to try and destroy the Constitution of the United States? I'm not sure that's even possible."
"No, ma'am, not the Constitution. The people who enforce the Constitution. Or, more appropriately, the people who make our laws based on the Constitution."
"Congress?" questioned Porter. "You're saying that Moser plans to destroy Congress?"
"Yes, general, that's exactly what I'm saying. Without Congress there's no one to make our laws. There would be no one to represent the American people. The country would be thrown into chaos and anarchy. The United States could very well be brought down just as Moser predicts."
"That wouldn't be possible," said Moser. "In order to do that he'd have to strike when both houses of Congress are in session. And do you have any idea of the security Congress has? It would take a virtual army to do it. And there's no way anyone could get an army of assassins into the Capital Building to pull it off. It's just not feasible."
"When Julius Caesar was assassinated he was on his way to the Roman Senate to deliver an address. He was killed before he could get there. But I believe Moser's reference to Caesar's assassination is more than just to illustrate the assassination of the President. I think he picked that reference because Caesar was going to address the Senate.
"I think Moser plans to kill the President, the Vice President, all of Congress, and even the Supreme Court all in one fell swoop. It would cripple the American government and cause widespread panic and pandemonium all across the United States. And it would spread terror on a scale that would make the attacks of 9-11 pale in comparison."
"With what?" demanded the general. "A dozen suicide bombers striking in a dozen different places simultaneously? Do you have any idea of even the logistics of such an operation? Not to mention the manpower, necessary equipment needed, circumventing all that security. It's just not physically possible to carry out such an elaborate plan."
"It is if you have a nuke," said Jeremy. "And everyone is gathered together in one place at the same time."
"The State of the Union Address next month," said Napolitano, suddenly realizing what Jeremy was getting at.
"Exactly," said Jeremy. "I know that at least one cabinet member, the so-called 'designated survivor', is always absent from the State of the Union Address in case of a disaster. And that since the attacks on September 11, 2001 even some members of Congress are absent so they can form what's called a 'rump' Congress. And that all of these people are in undisclosed locations to prevent anyone from getting to them. But one bomb would be enough to do the job."
"And you wouldn't need a dozen suicide bombers, general," said Scarborough. "You'd only need 2, both armed with a nuclear device. The President's speech for the State of the Union traditionally begins at 9:00 p.m. eastern time. So that as many people in the country can watch it as possible. If they wait until just after the President begins his speech, then they get close enough to the Capital Building before they detonate the device, they could practically vaporize the building. Killing everyone inside."
"What of the second device?" Napolitano asked. "Where does it come in?"
"Once the new government is formed," said Jeremy, "it should be relatively easy to find out where they're meeting. It would be relatively small at first while they begin to rebuild the government. Once it's learned where they are, another suicide bomber and another nuclear device. It would effectively wipe out the entire upper echelon of the American government."
"Oh my God," said Napolitano. "You're right. One nuclear device delivered to the House of Representatives during the State of the Union Address would cripple the American government. It would be a long time before we could recover from a disaster of that magnitude."
"If we ever could," said Jeremy. "It might not even be necessary to destroy the 'rump' government. General, you yourself told me of the destruction at Hiroshima when we dropped the first atomic bomb. We also know that Moser has enough plutonium to construct up to 4 such bombs. What would happen if the Capital building were destroyed and three other cities, say New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, were also destroyed at the same time or even soon after?"
"Every governor of every state would mobilize their National Guard," replied Porter. "Martial law could, and probably would, even be declared in most, if not all, of the states by the governors of those states as they prepared for the worst. Cities would shut down as every major metropolis in the country expected a similar attack."
"More than likely," said Scarborough, "all roads would be closed. Major arteries would be shut down. Air traffic would be grounded. After 9-11 all commercial air traffic was grounded for several days."
"But that wouldn't stop the populous from trying to protect themselves," interjected Jeremy. "Fearing that a nuclear device might be set off in their city, people would attempt to get as far from the cities as possible. Hopeless congestions and traffic jams would cripple every major road into or out of every major city. People would be in a panic. Crime would run rampant. Fear and suspicion would take hold as people saw terrorists everywhere."
"American Armageddon," said Napolitano. "It could mean the end of everything we know."
"With Moser ready to step in and take over," said Jeremy. "Anyone who didn't convert to Islam would be murdered. And with so many Muslim countries unhappy or dissatisfied with the United States, he'd be hailed as a Muslim hero. For those who survived, the American way of life would cease to exist."
"You were right, doctor," said Napolitano. "This couldn't wait. I'll need to speak to the President immediately. We have to decide what to do about this. General, we have to redouble our efforts to find Moser and the plutonium."
"Madam Secretary, when is the State of the Union Address scheduled to be delivered?" Jeremy asked. "I haven't heard any announcement about it."
"It hasn't been decided yet," said Napolitano. "According to the Constitution, it only says that the State of the Union will be delivered to Congress 'from time to time'. There's no specific timeframe mentioned. Traditionally it's been in January of each year.
"But it's really up to Congress. They have to invite the President to deliver the address. Initially it was a written report that was sent to Congress. But since Woodrow Wilson, every president has delivered it as a speech before a joint session of Congress. And since the advent of radio and television, the speech has been broadcast live on most networks to reach the largest audience possible. But until Congress formally invites the President to do so the speech isn't scheduled. Preparations are being made because the speech is pretty much a given. But no date will be announced until after Congress formally invites the President."
"So we don't know exactly when Moser plans to strike," said Scarborough. "More importantly, neither does he. Until they announce the date of the State of the Union Address, Moser can't finalize his plans. He'll have to wait until he knows when the President is going to address Congress."
"But at least we now know what his target is and when," said Jeremy. "His target is the Capital Building, not the White House. So you'll need to concentrate the bulk of your security there."
"What if you're wrong?" Porter asked. "What if his target is only the President? He'd most likely be going for the White House instead of the Capital Building."
"Even if his target is only the President, I still believe he'll strike during the State of the Union Address," said Jeremy. "It's the only time he'll know for sure where the President is. For security reasons the President's schedule usually isn't made public, as you are aware. Moser has to be able to plan his attack based on where the President is. He can't just attack the White House and hope the President is there. No, he'll go for the Capital Building during the State of the Union Address."
"I agree," said Napolitano. "An attack on a sitting president is something that has to be planned in advance. It can't be done off the cuff. And the State of the Union Address is always delivered in the chambers of the House of Representatives. That means Moser all ready knows where to strike. He can plan for it. He just needs to know when. Once the date is announced he can finalize his plans and have everything in place."
"What about cancelling the address?" Scarborough asked. "That would prevent the attack altogether."
"I wouldn't do that," said Jeremy. "Any changes this late is going to alert Moser that we're on to him. He may suspect that we're on to him all ready but without being sure he'll have to go forward with his plan. If the President suddenly decides not to give the address, Moser will know we've figured out his plan. Most likely he'd leave the country to keep from being captured or killed."
"And he could easily have his suicide bombers go ahead and detonate the bombs in selected cities once he's gone," said Napolitano. "General, we'll need to coordinate with the Secret Service. They'll have to be told that a credible threat against the president has been discovered."
"I'll contact them first thing in the morning, Madam Secretary."
"Doctor, you and your team need to find Moser," said Napolitano. "Now more than ever it's imperative that he be put where he can't do any harm."
"That may be difficult, Madam Secretary," said Jeremy. "If he has the ability to make people do what he wants any guards on him would be at risk."
"In that case, you are authorized to use whatever means necessary to stop him," said Napolitano.
"Madam Secretary, you're talking about cold-blooded murder," said Jeremy. "I don't even believe in the death penalty, let alone what might amount to state sanctioned murder."
"Not murder, doctor," said Napolitano. "Justifiable homicide. If Moser is able to detonate his bomb, even if he's nowhere near the Capital Building, there's no telling how many millions of lives are at risk. The law does permit the taking of a life if it is necessary to protect life. It comes down to one life versus untold millions. I don't see any other choice."
"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that."
"Assistant Director?" Napolitano asked. "What are your views?"
"I'll do what I have to, Madam Secretary," replied Scarborough. "I don't like killing unless there's no other option. But like you I don't see any other way. And I do know there are some circumstances when it is necessary to take a life in order to protect others. Especially the innocent."
"Then I will expect you to do what's necessary. I'm sorry, doctor. I would never ask you to do something that goes against your moral beliefs. But moral beliefs will do us little good if Moser is able to detonate his bomb. Assistant Director, if it becomes necessary, you are authorized to use whatever force is necessary to stop Moser. Up to and including lethal force."
"Yes, Madam Secretary. You can count on me."
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse General Porter and me, we have a lot of work to do. Please continue your search for the missing plutonium and Moser. And may God be with us all."
"That's something I can agree with, Madam Secretary," said Jeremy.
As Jeremy and Scarborough walked out of the office, Jeremy had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like the fact that they were going out to deliberately kill another human being. But he also knew that Napolitano was right. His moral sensibilities would be of little use if Moser was able to set off a nuclear device in Washington, D.C. Like it or not, the only way to stop Moser may be to kill him.