Chapter 13

"Ron, the phone is ringing."

"I know. Just ignore it. What's going on in the room?"

Agent Cox turned from the screen and reported to his boss. "Well, they just gave Mrs. Bartlet another dose of something. And they've torn sheets into strips and used them to restrain the President's arms and legs. He seems a little restless so that must mean he's waking up."

"Okay. Now I'm ready. Call in all the agents you can. For this to work we must overwhelm them with numbers. And get Mr. McGarry up here. I want him to be here during the takedown. But keep him surrounded. If one of these terrorists gets loose, I want him protected at all times."

"Yes, sir."

"And call Dr. Tychinka, the Chief of Staff. I want two teams of medical personnel on standby to care for the President and First Lady when we get into the room."

In a few minutes Leo arrived. "How are things inside?"

"No change. But it's time to implement my plan."

"What's your plan?"

Ron and Leo huddled as Ron described it to Leo. The older man shook his head. It was dangerous. And it could cost the lives of the President and the First Lady but there didn't seem to be any other choice.

"Are you sure this will work?"

For the first time Ron expressed some doubts. "I don't know. It's risky. But right now I have to take the risk. The rebels will kill them if we don't get them out. But I can't have further bloodshed on my hands either. It's our only choice. If it works, we should get both of them out alive. But we have to have split-second timing and coordination for this to work. I need Air Force One to be ready for immediate take-off so I can get them out of this damn country and to a safer place. And call Ramstein Air Base and tell them that the President and First Lady will be transferred there after the rescue. It's close by and has excellent medical facilities. Hopefully we won't need it but I want that as an option."

"I'll get on it right away. Ron, just between me and you…is this the best plan?"

"It's the only one that has any chance of working with minimal negative impact. Trust me."

"I do, Ron. I do."