“We always knew that this was a possibility, just as we knew that the army chiefs could also have refused to fire the GBMD system. We had a plan for how to handle that, and we have a plan to handle this, but we both know what this means. The colonel said to me that in the end we have to make the go/no-go decision for ourselves. And you have a right to make this decision for yourself, just as I am going t—”

“Stop, Jack.” Martin interrupted him and Jack went silent, “Like you said, we always knew that this was a possibility, but we’re talking about millions of lives here. We both know that neither of us could walk away from this.” Martin took a deep breath and looked resignedly at the major, “You know what my answer is, just as I know yours.”

They nodded at each other, paused a moment as if something else might need to be said, but then thought better of it. The B-2 bomber was among the stealthiest machines ever made, but they were about to fly it over some of the most war-torn countries on earth, and once they were there, they were going to launch firebombs into the atmosphere. To top it off, they were going to have to steal said bomber in order to do it. Admittedly, the way they were going to steal it would mean that the US government would not know about it until long after they had done what they had to do, but eventually they would realize what had happened. And after that they were on their own.

They were under no illusions as to how this night might end. But they also knew why they were doing it, and neither of them could think of any way that they could not try, at least try, to slow the coming plague. In the end, the only thing less appealing than the task at hand was the thought of living with themselves if they didn’t accept it.

They stood and left the room, silent and resolute.

* * *