“Listen to that,” Charlie said, turning his ear toward the screen. “No cameras clicking, no sounds of people sitting down. All I hear is total silence. The press isn’t even there.”
Maggie and Shade both looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
The president looked into the camera and began speaking in his clipped tone. “Ladies and gentlemen of the United States. Much has transpired in the last twenty-four hours. A group or nation, still to be determined, committed a brazen and nationwide cyber attack upon our great country. Everything, from cell phone carriers to the Internet and the media, was completely crippled by this unpredicted assault. I am happy to report that, due to the efforts of this government, in partnership with communications experts across the nation, disaster has been averted. We are recovering quickly, and, even as I speak, law enforcement, especially the NSF, FBI and CIA, are searching and gathering evidence to find and deal with the cowards who attacked us.”
“I must report that preliminary evidence shows that this cyber attack was committed by a foreign nation, we suspect a Middle Eastern country in collusion with the assistance and aide of high-ranking, ultraconservative members of our own government. Sadly, several respected members of Congress and the Senate, including the Speaker of the House, have been taken into custody. They will be questioned and, if guilty, brought to justice.”
“Every citizen of this country must understand that it is my goal and responsibility to protect you and this nation. Changes are being made that some of you may not understand. Many of you may think of these changes as negative, but you must remember, my friends, these changes are for your own good and safety.”
“I know that we as a nation will triumph against these enemies, both foreign and domestic, and we will come out of this a stronger people and a stronger nation.”
“Last night, after learning of the scope of this attack, I ordered that martial law be imposed. This was not an easy decision. This difficult choice was made after an emergency briefing by national security officials. Once I am assured that the security of this nation is guaranteed and the situation is stable, then martial law will be rescinded, and life as we know it will be restored. Until then, my fellow Americans, I ask that you work with me and your government. This administration will be putting programs into place and taking measures that many of you may question or not agree with. Again, let me remind you that these changes are for the good of the nation.”
“I have ordered the borders with Mexico and Canada closed. Travel into or out of the country is forbidden until this emergency has ended. I’ve also ordered the US military mobilized to assist and reinforce local law enforcement and emergency services. Please cooperate with these brave men and women and stay out of their way so they can do their jobs.”
“Finally, listen carefully to what I’m about to say. In the face of this attack on the United States, treason or aiding or abetting the enemy in any manner will not be tolerated. It will be dealt with swiftly and gravely. Enemies of this nation, take note that we are watching you. To my fellow citizens, I urge you – no, I implore you – to immediately notify the police or the military if you suspect anyone who may be a subversive, or anyone who may attempt to rebel, or who challenges our government. I’m relying on you to help us find and bring to justice anyone you suspect of these actions.”
“I also want to report that my cabinet has been preparing for just such an emergency. Several days ago, we started a new, specially trained and equipped government agency, the National Security Force, which will be taking over management of this crisis. All other government agencies, including the FBI, CIA, and the NSA, will be taking orders and direction from our new security force. I’m sure everyone will rest better knowing these special officers are on the job.”
“Be assured that the situation is well in hand, and your welfare is my utmost concern. We will overcome. God bless you, and God bless the United States.”
With that, the screen switched back to Brian Williams, who began repeating the speaking points of the president’s message. Charlie pointed the remote at the television and began flipping through channels. All the channels were back to normal broadcasting. Two women were screaming at one another on a courtroom program. A QVC speaker was hawking a set of cookware. Sigourney Weaver was battling an alien on an old movie channel. Paula Deen was stirring something in a mixing bowl and talking about southern cooking.
Maggie looked down at her phone, and then at Charlie and Shade. “Cell phone signal is back. I’ll bet the computers and telephone are up and running again as well.”
Charlie stood with his hands on his hips, looking down at the two women. “I guess it’s time to get on with the day but be prepared for some major changes,” Charlie said. “Shade, you’re our best resource for inside information, but you have to be so careful because you are really in the hornet’s nest. I think we all need to listen to everything and say little to anyone. I’m suspecting the government will have moles inside every place, everywhere. Do you guys agree?”
Both women nodded in agreement.
“Shade, would you give Maggie a ride back to her car? I’m going to start surfing the web to see what I can find. Let’s meet here later tonight and compare notes.”
Meanwhile, at the White House, a cameraman signaled President Barakat they were off the air. Immediately, Donna Koontz walked up, tipped her head to one side and gave President Barakat a toothy grin, red lipstick showing on her teeth. “Excellent, Mr. President,” she chimed in a birdsong voice. “Just excellent.”
President Barakat started to shake her outstretched hand when he spotted a man standing in the shadows behind the stage. The president walked right past Koontz as if she didn’t exist, and she lowered her hand, completely embarrassed.
Koontz didn’t like disrespect, and she felt mortified that the president had just shunned her in public. She knew this was not the time to rock the boat so she just kept smiling, the same way she had her entire career.
Thirty-five years earlier, Donna Koontz had thrown her hat into the political arena, easily sliding into a city council position for a small municipality outside of San Francisco not far from Berkley where she had graduated from college. Koontz had left Berkley with a degree in political science and a mind crammed full of liberal thinking. Like a cookie-cutter image of so many other radicals, Koontz was raised in a setting of wealth and privilege. Her family had moved from the deep south of Alabama when she was still young. Koontz’s father owned several thriving computer technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Her mother spent her days at the gym or on the tennis court at the exclusive country club where they belonged. Nothing less than a BMW sat in the driveway of their two million dollar home.
Yet Koontz admired socialism and communism, two systems of government that vilified the way of life her parents lived. In her junior year, during summer break, Koontz traveled with a small group of other like-minded radicals to Nicaragua for their first taste of a socialist regime. In jeans and a tube top, a bright red bandana in her hair, she fit right in with her radical friends. Of course, she was simply visiting and had a pocket full of cash from her parents. She wasn’t out working in the fields twelve hours a day, and Daddy was just a phone call away. She was just visiting. From Nicaragua, they traveled to China and then to Vietnam where the communists had defeated the South Vietnamese and raised the flag of victory in 1975. Again, Koontz was just a visitor looking in on socialism, not actually participating in it.
Yes, Donna Koontz was jealous of the socialist and communist governments. She dreamed of a day the United States government would be transformed. The wealthy would be toppled, and every citizen would be equal. It didn’t even bother Koontz if a few thousand innocents had to be sacrificed for the cause. Koontz was sure of one thing. Whether it was a socialist takeover or a communist victory, Koontz was going to be among the politburo, the ruling elite. She knew she would never stand in line for eight hours to buy a pair of shoes or a loaf of bread.
Donna Koontz had learned in her study of socialism that change