“We have survived the greatest tragedy in the history of man. But this is not the end. It is the beginning of a new age, which will rise UP from the floods, UP from the earthquakes, UP from the volcanoes. Tonight, I release you from outmoded nationalism. I release you from outmoded traditions. I release you from outmoded and unrealistic secularism. I release you into a life of total freedom within the Union for Peace.” Then he lifted his open right hand in the universal sign for peace. On his palm was a bright red dot. Those who watched saw the dot glow intensely bright. They were transfixed by its hypnotic power. Somehow, it was more than a sign. It seemed to be some kind of psychic signal.

Then there was a stir behind the president as the popular Speaker of the House of Representatives stepped down from his seat and hurried to the speaker’s platform. The president turned, then stepped aside as the Speaker approached the microphone.

“Mr. President,” he said, “ladies and gentlemen, please forgive me. But, like you all, I have been challenged tonight in a way I have never been challenged in all my life. What I have heard here tonight has given me new hope and a feeling of pride I thought I would never feel again. I am, quite frankly, stunned by the vision that President Mark Beaulieu has just described and I, for one, say ‘Amen, Mr. President!’

“I say, ‘Count me in!,’ and I say yes to the people all over this nation and the world who applaud you. I say yes to the Union for Peace, and yes to our common hope. In times like these we need a savior. Tonight I am convinced that our time has come—and a savior has indeed come for us all.”

At that, the crowd that had been assembled at the Capitol for the address broke into spontaneous cheers and loud applause as the Speaker grabbed the right arm of the president and lifted it high to the crowds and the television audiences around the world. Then, waving and holding up both arms in a victory salute, Mark Beaulieu said good night. The speech was ended. But its impact had only just begun.

The radio, television, and print media went wild. The effect of the president’s speech was overwhelming, and around the world, phone circuits were jammed with calls, faxes, and data communications. Commentators described the new American president as charismatic, compelling, magnetic, and electric. World leaders started falling in line immediately, one after another, competing to see who would be first to embrace the Union for Peace.

Mark Beaulieu was being billed as the one natural leader for the world.

Those in Washington—seasoned political operatives, cynical reporters, members of Congress from both the Left and the Right—had never seen anything like it.