‘I think loyalty pledges went out with Catch-22, sir,’ said Jed, barely constraining the sarcastic tone he really wanted to use. Kip, as was his style, shrugged it off as the Chief of Staff went on. ‘The last time such measures were tried out was back during the time of Lincoln with former Confederates. It didn’t work all that well back then, and it probably wouldn’t work well in the here and now.’

Aside from the notion that it would do no good, in Culver’s estimation, this was just the sort of thing the Seattle press would sink their teeth into and not let go of. He figured it was best to steer Kipper away from that path.

‘You know that’s not what I’m talking about, Jed,’ the President replied. ‘Let me make myself understood: I’m not in favour of sending thousands of women and children, who themselves have done nothing wrong, back into the wastelands they used to call home . . .’ Kip held up his hand like a traffic cop to head off any further interruption. ‘And before anybody says anything, I am well aware that some of these people originally set out from Europe, not the Middle East – I do actually read your briefing papers, you know. In those cases, I am open to the argument that they should be repatriated.’ He smiled now. ‘I doubt Chancellor Merkel or President Sarkozy will want them back, but you’ll be pleased to know, Jed, I don’t much care.’

Culver took the ribbing in good faith as Ronnie ghosted in through the door to see if anybody needed a refill on the coffee. He lifted his cup and waggled it at her while Kip spoke again.

‘Bottom line, anyone who can prove refugee status, by demonstrating they came from one of the countries nuked by Israel – and my understanding is that quite a few of them did – well, in those cases I am open to the possibility of our accepting them in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.’

For Jed, the urge to groan was almost too strong to stifle. He could already imagine how Blackstone was going to play this, and while Admiral Ritchie may’ve been on board, Culver suspected that many of the rank and file in the military were not going to be pleased. The lack of pay, poor treatment in Seattle and the winding back of benefits were loaded onto a platter already overloaded with heavy losses in New York City. Those who remained in the much-reduced US armed forces would not require many more incentives to head to Texas.