“And you,” Nancy Kozak stated crisply, “are being asked to do what any good American, given a chance, would do.” All eyes turned to the National Guard officer who stood with her arms folded and back to the wind. Though not particularly tall, she seemed to tower over them all. Even the normally skeptical Sergeant Gandulf accepted her authority without hesitation. “We’re not asking you to kill anyone. All I’m asking you to do is your job. What you say after the governor makes his statement is up to you.”

“How can you be sure the governor will roll over and call for an end to hostilities?” Anderson shot back as he rose to Nancy’s challenge.

“I’ve read everything he has sent to the State Adjutant General since this crisis broke,” Nancy explained. “I believe he had no intention of pushing this affair as far as it has gone. While it is true that he set the stage and is responsible for what’s happened, given the opportunity to make things right I am convinced he will seize it.”

“What happens,” the skeptical journalist continued, “if he refuses? What do we do if we suddenly find ourselves stuck in the middle of Indian country with a hostile chief executive on our hands?”

“We hold him hostage,” Nancy stated calmly, “and hope that someone in the chain of command takes advantage of the situation we will have created. With luck they’ll ignore the President’s stupid ‘stand fast’ order and come charging into Boise to rescue us.”

At this, both Jan and Nathan exchanged glances. They guessed that Nancy Kozak was counting on Scott to do just this. Having served under him on several occasions she knew the professional views and habits of the commanding general of the 4th Armored Division, just as Jan and Nathan knew the love he had for his family.

For several minutes Sam Anderson said nothing as he sat cross-legged and hunched over studying his two hands which he held clutched firmly in his lap. Finally he looked over to Jan. “We share all credits on this,” he stated. “And I get the first interview.”

Jan smiled. Though she had always intended to do exactly what he had asked, except maybe the first interview, Jan appreciated Anderson’s need to feel as if he were an equal and not just being taken along for the ride because he had the equipment and connections to make the broadcast.

“Then it’s all settled,” Nancy announced as she surveyed the gathering. Turning to Nathan, she began to issue her orders. “Lieutenant, I want you and your platoon sergeant to coordinate with Sergeant Lightfoot and come up with the load plan for the four vehicles that we have. It’s going to be cramped, but I think we can do it.”

“Any chance of getting one or two more vehicles, Colonel?” Gandulf asked.