It wasn't the first time Jack had been called into the oval office, but he never got used to the feeling of pride and purpose that an office could bring out in him. The president motioned toward a couch and sat opposite him, a coffee table between them. He looked Jack in the eye.
"Did they tell you why I called you here?"
"They mentioned something but I don't really understand..."
"I know, I find it difficult to believe that we've reached this point myself but..." the president shrugged.
"So..."
"Yeah, I know it's hard to comprehend. I had my top advisers write up a briefing book to give you." The president slid a thick blue binder across the coffee table toward him. Jack spread his shoulders.
"That's not necessary Mr. President. If you think it should be done then its my duty to carry it out. ...It's not the moral question that troubles me, it's the feasibility. Also, am I the best person to ask for something this... gigantic?"
The president stood and moved around the table and clasped Jack's shoulder.
"I'm not the first president to rely on you. Or even the second or third... but I trust you. America trusts you. You can do this. Read this; Nancy will show you to an office. After you're done, come back and we'll talk."
Nancy showed him the office and he read. And read some more. He finished reading and got Nancy to show him back to the oval.
The president looked up from some papers.
"Pretty dire stuff huh?"
"Yes Mr. President. Although I'm not completely sure about some things... there were some...that is to say a lot... of formulas I'm unfamiliar with in this binder and so I'm not altogether sure what exactly..."
"I know what you mean, but the facts are the facts, even if neither you or I understand them."
"I guess so Mr. President."
"So you know what you have to do then?"
"I'm to go and attempt to get information from the foremost expert on the...enemy."
"Enemy is right. Never forget it Jack. Be careful though, he's been studying the Universe for his whole life. He might not take kindly to the notion that it has to go. You might have to...take steps."
"I really hope that isn't necessary Mr. President."
"So do I." said the president with a solemn nod." So do I. Pack a raincoat, England is a rainy place."