“Well, I certainly agree, Archie,” said Al Augustus. “But so far, things are going just fine for our side. Beaulieu has given me carte blanche for crisis management. That includes getting our troops and equipment out of the corrosive ash from those volcanoes. The air force meteorology guys say there’s an ash-free pocket near you in New Mexico and another in southern Colorado. I’m moving in what amounts to a combat-ready strike force. Totally undercover, you understand. Maybe we’ll never need it—I hope we’ll never need it. But, along with three big nuclear subs and a good stock of tactical nukes they’re laying on right now, we’ll have some powerful bargaining chips in our hands if things should—well, get out of hand.”

“That may prove to be very important, I’m afraid,” Gladstone agreed.

“But, Archie, you’re going to need two more stars so I can put you in charge of the outfit. Would you go for that?”

“Naturally, but I’m not up for two, Mr. Secretary.”

“You leave that to me. Any hesitation about jumping into this thing?”

“No, sir,” he said. “I’ll gladly command the units, but when it comes to turning guns on our own boys, or even some world force, that’s going to take a lot of getting used to. We’ll have to see what happens as this thing plays itself out. But, Mr. Secretary, I can promise you that I will keep my mouth shut about this conversation. I’ll keep the units in my command in top-notch shape, and I believe you know you can count on me to do the right thing when the time comes.”

“I do know that, Archie,” said Al Augustus, “and that’s why you’re here. But that will have to do for now. One day, we’re going to have to fight for our freedom against enormous odds. For now, get used to the thought.

“Now, come on,” he said, grabbing Archie’s hat and flight bag, “and I’ll show you where you can sleep tonight.”

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

JOHN EDWARDS FLIPPED on his high-powered satellite receiver. He and his guests gathered around the large-screen television set to watch the nationwide address by the new president, Mark Beaulieu. But as they listened, John Edwards began shaking his head, registering surprise and alarm at what he was hearing.

“What’s the matter, Jack?” asked Carl.

“This is terrifying, Carl,” he said, “and no one in the audience appears to see what’s happening. Parts of this speech are virtually word-for-word from one of Adolf Hitler’s speeches at Nuremberg! I don’t suppose there’s anyone alive who remembers or who would care, but this sinister, seductive rhetoric he’s using—it sends chills down my spine!”