Chapter 4
"Leo, thank God. What's going on there? I'm being diverted to Bangor Air Force Base where I'll get more details. But tell me what you know."
"Yes, sir. It seems like two planes have lost radio contact with the FAA and the Air Force has scrambled some fighters to intercept. You know we have this all the time, but not like this."
"Hell, it seems like it's getting more and frequent. Is it for real?"
"Yes, sir. Apparently. They're evacuating most of the buildings here. It's a real mess."
"Thank God Abbey and Zoey are with you. Let me talk with Abbey."
"Well, sir, Zoey is here with me, but the First Lady should be here..."
The steel doors of the bunker clanged shut. A sucking noise was heard as the air was exchanged for air from a special supply, kept only for the occupants of the bunker. This would provide breathing air uncontaminated by anything that might appear in the air normally circulated in the White House. Special filters and valves prevented any air exchange with the outside. That was a built-in security measure to prevent any intake of air-borne particles that might be dispersed in a bio-terrorism or chemical attack.
Dead silence.
"Leo! Leo!"
Nothing but silence.
"Charlie! I've lost the connection. Get the line back."
Charlie called the main switchboard on Air Force One. After speaking to the Communications officer, he turned to the President.
Jed didn't like the look on his face.
"Charlie, what is it? Why did I lose Leo?"
"Sir, I don't know how to tell you this. The White House has been hit by one of those planes. The fighters were able to shoot both planes down, but one apparently crashed into the White House."
"Oh my God! How bad?" Jed's heart stopped as he thought of his family and best friend caught in that mess.
Charlie didn't reply. He walked over to the bank of televisions in the Office and turned one on.
The picture that appeared was of the White House on fire.
Jed sat down in his chair, trembling at the thoughts going through his head. "It just can't be. Abbey, Zoey, and Leo are in that mess."
But this was not the time for tears.
The country needed the President to remain strong.
But it didn't stop the man from asking a Higher Power for help.