chapter 10
.
Jed wasn't sure how his father learned about the duel. Mimi and Zoey had been sworn to secrecy, same as him. He couldn't imagine Mimi having the nerve to tell him, it must've been Zoey. At any rate, president Mason knew, and he was angry.
.
Mason: Are you insane? You could've been killed, you almost killed your own sister.
Jed: I was protecting my president from a known assasin and traitor.
Mason: How I handle things between her and me is our business.
Jed: Actually it isn't. You have a responsibility to the people of this country to stay alive. And since Secret Service was infiltrated by at least one traitor, I did what I had to do.
Mason: You neary killed the first daughter. Tecnically you could be arrested for treason, even executed.
Jed; Than do it. At least I'll die for serving my country. Better than just sitting around waiting for ELE.
Mason: Is that what this is about? I won't let you enlist so you get yourself killed like this?
Jed: The militias and seccessionists are gaining support. We both know war is inevitable.
Mason: I don't accept it as inevitable. I've seen real war, I hate it as only a soldier can. I'll do what I can to avoid it's return. But yes, there is a distinct possibility that it will come anyway.
Jed: You'll need soldiers for that, let me serve.
Mason: No.
Jed: So you forgive her for treason but won't let me enlist. Who says I need your permission anyway?
Mason: How many of my comrades from Afghanistan said this to their parents? "I don't need your permission old mad, I'm my own person. I'll enlist anyway." How many of those parents saw their children shipped home in coffins? I'll say what they wished the se parents could've said. I'm the commander-in-chief. So, point of fact, without my permission, you can't enlist.
Jed: You always said Lincoln was your hero. He let his son join the Union army.
Mason: And Stalin let his son enlist. Stalin's son was a liuetnant in the Red army, got captured by the nazies. They offerred a trade, Stalin's son for a German field marshal the Russians had. Do you know what Stalin's response was? "I cannot trade a marshal for a liuetenant." I supposse I'm more selfish tha Lincoln or Stalin. I can't lose my children, either of you. Mimi did what she felt she had to do, for her child. Yeah, I let it slide. You tried to kill the first daughter, I let it slide. I've had to make some difficult choices, I'll likely have to make more before this is over. Think of me what you will, let history judge me harshly. But my decision stands.