Hour Two

Back at the White House, Nancy had called in the complete National Security Council and updated them on the situation occurring with the President and First Lady. Since Admiral Fitzwallace supervised all branches of the military as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he would be especially useful in planning any rescue mission. But first, the critical item was finding out if the President was still on Nantucket.

A general consensus was reached that a silent drone with thermal imaging was needed to fly over the house and send back pictures of anything or anyone seen in those images. That would give them the information they would need in setting up any type of rescue mission.

The only problem was that the weather was changing and a storm front with heavy thunderstorms was moving that direction and scheduled to hit the area in under two hours. If the drone was to do its job, it had to take off very soon. Fitz ordered the drone be prepped, pending launch orders. At the same time, Nancy called Leo and asked him to come down to the Situation Room.

As the door opened, all were surprised to find the Vice President accompanying the Chief of Staff and quickly rose to attention. Russell moved his hand downward and sat to the side of the President's normal chair.

Leo explained. "He was in my office when your call came in, Nancy. Right now we do not know the President's condition. It is true he is not available to make a decision, but the Vice President and I both agree that right now the 25th is not going to be invoked. He and I will work jointly on any issue and, at a later time, decide whether to invoke the 25th. We have both agreed that either one of us can invoke it at any time we feel it is necessary."

Russell spoke up. "Leo and I know this is a bit unusual, but so are these circumstances. Does anyone here have any objections?" He paused, and hearing none, continued. "We all want the President and First Lady back safe and alive, and are working toward that joint goal. Now, Nancy what do you have for us?"

Getting over the initial shock, Nancy looked over at Ron, who nodded, and then presented the first option. "We want to send a drone over the island. It will be dark soon and a silent drone with thermal imaging will help us determine if they are still located at the rented house, how many there are, and, at the moment, where they are. We know they will be moving, but it will give us something to start with. The problem is there is a storm front moving in within a couple of hours so we have to go now if we want to beat it."

"Fitz, do you agree?"

"Yes, Leo, I do."

"Okay with you, Mr. Vice-President?"

"Yes."

"Nancy, Fitz, Ron, have you thought about what to do afterwards? I mean we really don't have a whole lot of time here. It's already 6:00. That means we have less than six hours."

Fitz spoke up. "Leo, Mr. Vice-President, I was thinking about sending in a couple of Navy Seals teams. We can get them underway from North Carolina now and they would be in position at Cape Cod at the Coast Guard base and on standby in a couple of hours. It doesn't mean we would send them in, but we would have them available if we choose to."

Leo thought about it for a minute. The house was on the water. The Seals had been used many times before to rescue American citizens in foreign countries. Why not use them to rescue their own President?

"Mr. Vice-President?"

"I say let's do it."

"Fitz, Nancy, Ron, work out the details and do it. I want them both brought out alive. And I don't give a damn about the terrorists."

"Leo, one more thing."

"Yes, Ron?"

"I want to go to the Coast Guard Station on Cape Cod and set up a Command Center. I need to be nearby. I have to be nearby."

Leo looked at the man and knew Ron felt he had failed the President. "Of course, Ron. I think we all understand. Stay in touch."

"I will, sir."