“None, sir,” Venti replied. “Enhanced radiation devices leave no fallout, and the radiation is present for only a few seconds at most. But the damage to human cells is massive. Within a mile of ground zero, death occurs within twelve hours; within two miles, death can occur within twenty- four hours. It would take twenty feet of earth or twelve inches of steel to block the radiation enough to survive.” Thom was leaning forward in his seat, elbows on the table, his lips hidden behind his interlaced fingers. His advisers were accustomed to talking among themselves, as if the President of the United States were not even in the room, while he processed what he heard and combined it with his unique insights, intelligence, military experience, and philosophies to come up with a plan of action. After several moments of listening, he looked at his Director of Central Intelligence, Douglas R. Morgan. “What’s been the region’s general response, Robert?”

“General alert of active-duty Egyptian military and paramilitary forces along the Libyan-Egyptian border— that’s it,” Morgan responded, flipping through his briefing notes. “No counterattacks or mobilizations. Israel has already been on heightened alert status. I believe everyone simply considers this to be a terrorist attack, not a general attack.”

“Although I’d expect a general attack to take place at any time,” Secretary Goff said, “and we can’t rule out the use of nuclear weapons—full-yield fission weapons—by the Libyans again.”

“All of our forces in the Med are on heightened alert, sir,” Venti added. “Securing ships at sea was accomplished very quickly, and the ships are positioning themselves to assist other vessels. We’re hoping it won’t be a killer. We’re ready in case the Libyans try to take a shot at our ships or launch a rocket attack against Israel or Europe.” The President nodded, then turned to his secretary of state. “Ed? Reaction from local politicians, neighboring countries, and organizations?”

“The streets of Alexandria and Cairo are practically deserted, sir—looks like most folks expect more attacks in the cities,” Secretary of State Edward Kercheval replied. Kercheval was not a Jeffersonian Party member, as was the President and the rest of his cabinet officers, but was considered a highly respected and valuable addition to the President’s inner circle of advisers—even though he disagreed more with his boss than agreed with him. “Immediate and heated condemnation of the attack by Dr. Ahmed Kalir, the prime minister of Egypt and the leader of the current majority party. Dr. Kalir has requested help from the United States in fighting off an impending invasion by Libya and possibly Sudan.”

“Does that appear likely?”