Welcome back to Chapter 2! Enjoy!
**I don't own any characters of the West Wing, it's probably good that I don't, but that's a whole other story for another time.**
Previously on the West Wing…
MCNALLY: "Over 400,000 Chinese troops along the Chinese border with India."
BARTLET: "Do we have any theories as to why the Chinese are poised to attack India?"
MCNALLY: There was a report from Pakistan suggesting that the Indians have conducted an underground test of a nuclear device.
Chapter 2
POV: CJ CREGG || LOCATION: WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM
"Good morning, everyone. I don't have any announcements at the moment, it's a very relaxed day in the White House. I do have time for some questions."
CJ Cregg is in the White House Press Room, giving my daily press briefing. I watch as the 20-some-odd reporters in the room call out my name, and I choose someone in the back, because why not, I'm bored, okay?
"CJ, is there any truth to the rumors of DEFCON 3 being activated by the President in the Asian region earlier this afternoon?"
I look up from my few notes I have. I was surprised. DEFCON 3? That's a little bit strange.
"I don't have any information related to any DEFCON level change, and if I did, I'm not sure I would be allowed to tell you, can you explain where on Earth you got that information?" I ask the reporter, Mark is his name, I remember.
"There's reportedly hundreds of thousands of troops in China posturing for war, and my source from the Pentagon says American troops are being mobilized for some sort of attack, but the source was rather vague on the subject."
"Well, I don't have any information on that, in the meantime, let's move on, shall we?"
POV: PRESIDENT BARTLET || LOCATION: WHITE HOUSE, OVAL OFFICE
"So, 400,000 Chinese troops, poised to attack a nation with a similar population as them," I ruse. "Surely, 400,000 wouldn't just cut it, especially with that large of a populace. I'd imagine there's millions more behind them."
"I'm sure you're right, sir," Leo says.
I look over to him.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just like a game of chess. The Chinese are moving their pieces on the board to take down the Indians. It's our jobs to be the third player in the game and keep India and China from destroying each other."
"Makes sense. I'm just worried of the economic impact of a Chinese-Indian war would have on the global economy. Not to mention the billions of lives that could be lost."
"Two nuclear powers is a tough thing to wrangle in, but I believe we can get it done."
"When's my next report?" I ask as I look up from Josh's report on the healthcare bill I'm trying to get Congress to pass.
"Here in about 25 minutes, sir."
"Okay. Do me a favor. Check in with CJ and Toby, find out if they have heard any of the reporters talking about this. Just remember that the lid needs to be kept closed on the subject. I don't want CJ to be embarrassed again. You remember India and Pakistan, right?"
"Indeed, I do. I'll see what I can find out."
"Good, CHARLIE!" I shout.
Charlie enters the room. Leo nods to me and then to Charlie as he leaves to find CJ and Toby.
"Yes, sir?" Charlie enquires.
"Tell Josh I want him in here as soon as possible, I want to figure out this healthcare bill problem quick. We have 45 votes in the Senate, how the hell do we not have 51?"
"Well, I heard the Republican grandfathers are against it. Something about the-"
"Ah, grandfathers. As always. Okay. Let me talk to Josh, I'll probably have you help him since you probably know more on the situation than what I do."
"Yes, sir, I'll go look for him right now."
"Good, thank you, Charlie."
Charlie nods as he leaves the room. I set my head in my hands for a minute before lifting it up and finding a book on the desk. I pick it up and slam it back down on the table.
It was supposed to be a really good day.
And that concludes Chapter 2! Hope you enjoyed, I'll see you later!