Luke let the phone fall to the floor. He opened the trapdoor and pulled a long metal box up and out of it. Another toy chest. Luke kept them salted around the house. He punched in the code from memory and opened the box. This was a bigger box than most.

An M16 rifle. A Remington 870 pump shotgun. A couple more handguns. A hunting knife. Three grenades. Various boxes of ammo, plenty of rounds for the guns. He ran his hand over the grenades. He would try, really try, not to blow up the house. With hands trembling just slightly, maybe from fear, but maybe just from hunger, he began to load up the guns.

The phone rang again. He looked at the readout this time. The caller was blocked. He sighed. He might as well talk to whoever it was. He answered it, hoping for David Delliger, or maybe a late-night telemarketer.

Luke? Its Don Morris.

Luke pressed nine-millimeter rounds into an empty magazine, his fingers moving fast and automatically. As he worked, a piece of the puzzle fell into place with a thud. Don knew something about what was going on. Of course he did. He and the new President were fly-fishing buddies.

Hi, Don. How do you know the former Speaker?

We were at the Citadel together, Luke. Many years ago. After graduation, I joined the real military, and Bill went to law school.

I see.

Luke, we need to talk.

Okay. Luke filled a magazine and put it aside. He started on the next one. But if we talk, lets be honest, shall we?

Thats fair, Don said.

So why dont you start?

Don paused before speaking. Well… By now, I suppose its clear to you what happened today.

Id say its crystal clear, Don. Its suddenly become even clearer as a result of this phone call.

Im glad about that, Luke. That way we dont have to play footsie here. We can get right to the facts. Youre an old battle-scarred warrior, just like me. You must see that this had to be done. It was for the good of the country. It was for the future of our children, and our childrens children. We cannot allow our enemies to push us around on the world stage. The man in question would have handed over the whole fort without firing a shot. All thats over with.

Luke finished another magazine. He started loading a third.

What happens now? he said.

We set some things to right. We put a few people in their place, and we remind everyone out there whos in charge.

After that? What happens with the government?