The Invitation(28)
“Yes, Sir,”
“I want you back in Miami with me by tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll be there, Sir.”
“And I want you to maintain, at all times, open communication with our commanders. They are not, repeat not, under any circumstances to initiate any military action without your personal order.”
“Understood, Sir,”
“After you get back to Miami tomorrow, I want you to stay close to me. Opening ceremonies are supposed to start at eight. I want you with me at least an hour prior to that, just to be safe. It’s important that we keep open, secure contact with all of our people, especially air defense.”
“I understand, Sir.”
“Good. I think we’ll be okay. My wife, the Vice President, and some friends are coming in tomorrow for the starting ceremonies. Then on Sunday, we’re all back in Washington. It’ll make for a quick weekend. Thanks for your help, General.”
“My pleasure, Sir.”
As the President is speaking these words, another plane is in mid-flight traveling in the opposite direction from Florida to Washington, carrying Tim Colby, who is returning to the nation’s capital after his interview with Ron Cushman, the President’s former Chief of Staff. Believing the information he obtained from Mr. Cushman is central to questions about the President, he will upon arrival drive straight to FBI headquarters, and report directly to Director Frank Slaughter, who is expecting him.
Two flights going in opposite directions pass within fifty miles of each other and briefly appear on the same radar screen seen by air traffic monitors, who view them routinely without comment. These two unassuming radar blips quickly moving away from each other might be said to represent opposing forces that will soon collide head-on, one force inviting mankind into its future, the other, pulling backward to the familiar, and ancient reflexes of fear and aggression. In only hours, their imminent collision will alter the course of human history.
Chapter Eleven
The alarm clock rings early this Friday morning for Rebecca Kearns and her husband, Congressman Steve Kearns. Today, they are both guests of the President, invited to attend the opening ceremonies at the Olympics in Miami, though in truth the freshman Congressman would prefer to stay home. The challenges and discomfort that travel imposes on a wheelchair-bound triple amputee are considerable, but at least for this trip, they will be minimized. The President has personally arranged for the couple’s needs. Still, the trip seems almost pointless, but Steve told the President that he would be there, and he intends to do that, and if Steve Kearns is going to be there, Rebecca Kearns will certainly be there, in selfless, unwavering support of her husband, as usual.
Still puzzled over exactly why the President asked them to come, she says to her husband, “I still can’t figure out why he wants you to be there.” she says, helping him into his wheelchair.
“I don’t have a clue. I know you’d rather be home, Rebecca.”
“Actually I’m kind of lookin̓ forward to this. I’ll have my camera.”
“You’re going to get some shots.”
“That’s right. As many as I can. Think how good they’ll look in our photo album.”
“I’m sure they will,” Steve says.
“So we fly to Washington, and from there we ride with the First Lady and the Vice President to Miami,” Rebecca says.
“That’s right.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying that. That’s pretty select company.”
“Then we see the President in Miami.”
“Wow, that’s pretty heady stuff,” she says.
“So we have about an hour before they get here with the van.”
“Everything is packed and ready.”
“We’ll be fine, honey. Let’s just wait for our ride,” Steve says as he touches his wife’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you for everything.”
As the Congressman and his wife prepare for their busy day of travel, another busy day is underway at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. After a complete report from his subordinate, Tim Colby, Director Slaughter has new and potentially explosive information concerning the President. Seated in his office this morning are Senators Fields and Merrick, and also CIA Director Paul Stewart, who has been apprised of all information on this case. Shown the recording of a young Ken Myers reading at incredible speed, the CIA director is at first completely taken aback. Then a palpable sense of alarm seems to slowly come over him. With eyes locked on the image of that very bizarre object on the TV screen he asks the FBI director, “You’re telling us, Mr. Director, that this thing is real. Is that right?”