Chapter 15
Agent Jackson had just finished updating his other nine agents. They decided it was best to wake their charges and get them prepared for whatever could occur. Given the current circumstances, there wouldn't be much warning if the plane's engines failed and the plane had to ditch in the ocean. So, by having their thirteen charges already prepared, they would save valuable time. He gave his deputy, Agent Nia Foster, the task of waking the First Lady and preparing her for a possible ditching. He would have done it himself, but since Mrs. Bartlet would be in nightclothes, he wanted to give her as much privacy as possible.
"Okay, let's go. Nia, once Mrs. Bartlet is dressed, please have her Deputy Chief of Staff wait in her cabin with her. Like I told everyone, the pilots think we have about six more hours of flight time if the plane makes it to Perth so having those two together will provide each woman some support. Once you get them together, come back and report in."
"Yes, sir."
Nia made her way down the narrow hallway and stopped at the cabin door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly on the door. Not really expecting a reply the first time, she knocked a second time. This time, she did get a "Come in."
Opening the door to a darkened cabin, Nia let her eyes adjust and saw a person sitting up in the bed across the room. The person reached for a nearby lamp and then saw the First Lady sitting up in bed, "What is it, Nia?"
"Ma'am, I hate to wake you, but there's been some trouble…"
"Is one of my staff ill?"
"No, Ma'am." Nia replied, as she walked closer to the bed. "There's been some trouble with the plane, and Agent Jackson has requested that all of the passengers be awaken."
Abbey shook her head, unsure of what she was hearing. "Nia, what kind of trouble? Is it serious?"
"It could be, Ma'am. I'll explain it to you after you are dressed. If you will get up and put on some jeans, a shirt, and some sneakers, it would save some time. After you're dressed, Jackson wants to send Deborah in here to sit with you."
"Okay." Abbey threw back the covers. She knew that the Service wouldn't be interrupting her sleep and telling her to get dressed unless it was serious. So, she did as she was told. She was dressed in under five minutes and was sitting on the now folded bed tying her shoes when Deborah was escorted in.
"Hi, Deborah. Do you know what's going on?"
"No, Ma'am. All the agent said was that I would be told when I came in here."
Nia sat down opposite the pair and started to explain the situation. The two women sat stunned as the details unfolded and when Nia finished, they were speechless. "So, as I was saying, the pilot thinks we have about six more hours of flying. But that's only an estimate depending on keeping the current power status of the engines. If the power decreases, then it would extend our flying time. And all of our flying time is over water. At any time, one or both engines could stop. We might continue to fly with one, but that is unknown. We have been given our ditching instructions and of course Mrs. Bartlet, you would be given priority to be taken off. I have left two life jackets over the back of that chair so, if they are needed, they are close by."
"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Nia, One more thing. No communication is possible, is that correct? No satellite phone, nothing?"
"That's correct, Mrs. Bartlet. I'm sorry."
"Not your fault, Nia. Not your fault."