“Just last night our time,” Kercheval said. “Shortly after it was announced that those prisoners would be taken to Egypt. Their ministry claims they don’t want to accidentally shoot down any of our aircraft.”

“Bullshit,” Busick snarled. “It’s that Muslim Brotherhood thing. Khalid Khan wanted to be elected and align Egypt with the Muslim Brotherhood, so he cut our military access in Egypt. Whole lot of good that did him.”

“Egypt is an important friend of the United States, a moderate Arab nation, and one of the most powerful nations on the African continent,” Robert Goff said emphatically. “It’s also one of the most geopolitically and strategically important countries on the planet, for reasons almost too numerous to list. Whatever affects Egypt will eventually affect Europe and North America. I feel it’s important to defend Egypt with everything we’ve got.”

“I agree, Mr. President,” Kercheval chimed in. “Quite frankly, sir, the Libyan action, although horrific in the loss of life and the use of nuclear weapons, was relatively minor. We still have a chance to prevent them from attempting an invasion of Egypt or widening the conflict.”

“I agree with Secretaries Goff and Kercheval, sir,” General Venti said. “The Libyan attack hasn’t destabilized the situation in north Africa—yet. We need to get in there and tell the world that we won’t tolerate any more actions like this.”

Vice President Busick waited for the President to respond; when he didn’t, he turned to him and said in a low voice, “I’m afraid I agree with your advisers here, Thomas. I know you don’t go for things like this, but I’d like to slap Libya down hard. If you don’t want to go in after Zuwayy and kick his ass for using nuclear weapons, at least park the Sixth Fleet right outside his front door and make our displeasure clear.” He paused, then added, “And I know you’re thinking of a second term. This would be a good time to exercise your military muscle. Libya is a pushover. If there’s a shooting war, it’ll be over quickly.”

The President nodded that he understood the veteran politician’s view, then quizzically glanced at Doug Morgan. “I have a feeling you have something else that might influence my decision, Doug,” he said.

Morgan produced another briefing folder, sighed, then opened it. “I’m afraid I do, sir,” he began. “I think our friends the Night Stalkers might be involved in this Libya-Egypt conflict.”

“Oh, for chrissakes ...,” Busick moaned. “Those bastards are going to get their butts kicked one of these days.”