President Steven Bovert was working at his desk, writing letters to the Canadian Prime Minister. A Secret Service agent stepped in.

"Mr. President, Hoffman Air Force Base has been attacked."

The President stopped his work, and stopped smiling. "By whom?"

"Hoffman's reported that a skydiver jumped out of a plane and his plane crashed into Area 51 and exploded. The only thing they recovered is this steel plank." He handed the President a photograph of the plate. The President took it and examined it.

"Do you know what 12-21-12 means?"

"We were thinking you might."

"No, I don't. Is the FBI working on it?"

"Yes, sir."

"What do they know?"

"All they know is your seal."

There was a silence. Another Secret Service agent stepped in. "Sir," he said, "we've done a simple Google search on the numbers, and we've found that they lead to a conspiracy theory about the Mayans."

"What does it lead to?" asked the President.

"The end of the world."

"Hmm."

There was another long silence. Then, after examining the photo some more, the President asked what was lost.

"Just some aircraft, buildings, and five workers. Three others were injured."

"What are the names of the five who were lost?"

"I'll get them for you."

"Thank you."

The agent left the room, and came back with a paper with the names on them: Kurt Bundy, Jeff Chophel, John Langman, John Mall, and Kathryn Rowsell.

"Guys," Dr. Bovert began, "I must visit the Langman family in Baltimore. Can you fly me over there?"

"Yes, sir."

"First, I will be giving a speech about this, so get the Press Room ready."

"Yes, sir."

The Press Room was set up, and the media was all ready. The President stepped out on national television.