Mark Beaulieu was already thinking of his next appointment and hardly listened to the secretary’s question. “Certainly,” he replied hastily, “continue as you see fit. But stick to your game plan.” Even the wiliest of men make mistakes. For Mark Beaulieu, president and future leader of the world, this would prove to be one of the biggest.

AS SOON AS THEY LEFT the cabinet briefing room, Al Augustus pulled James Wong aside in a small alcove.

“What do you make of that?” Wong asked.

“First of all,” Al answered, “he’s cleaning house, putting his own guys in everywhere. It’s a coup d’état as big as Hitler and the Reichstag.”“I can see that, but why keep us around?”

“Simple. He knows that the military is loyal to me. Said so himself. When he starts blending our forces into this Union for Peace he’s talking about, he’s going to want to use me as his Judas goat—to lead the lambs to slaughter.”

“Maybe,” James Wong replied, “but don’t you think he’s going to figure out at some point that you’re on to him?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. He may very well have a blind spot. He’s got some sort of incredible power, that’s clear; but he probably figures that because of this power, he can persuade anybody to do anything he wants. If I play along, he may not realize that I understand where he’s coming from.”

“What about me?” James asked. “What do you think he wants me for?”

“The Asian connection. All of Asia is flat on its back right now. He’s probably planning some global money scheme, and he needs you to sell it to the Pacific Rim.”

“Yes, but I’m not inclined to do that, Al,” James Wong said. “Just how long do you think I can cooperate?”

“As long as possible, I hope. After that, when it gets to the point that you can no longer sell the lie, we had better get you undercover.

Whoever is pulling the strings on this operation is a cold-blooded killer. We’ve had proof of that in no uncertain terms. They’ll take you out in a heartbeat if you get in their way.”

James Wong winced at the thought.

“I’m going over to the Pentagon to meet with the Joint Chiefs,” said Al Augustus. “Want to come sit in?”

“Are you kidding?” James Wong said. “You know I do.”

AL AUGUSTUS AND JAMES WONG entered the conference room reserved for the heads of the United States armed forces. Military officers with stars and gold braid and row upon row of military decorations worn proudly on their chests stood at attention as the cabinet officers entered.