Gordon Ryan - Uncivil liberties

“Well,” Steadman replied, rising from his seat and placing his coffee cup back on the table, “since you asked for my advice, let me tell you a bit about someone who is currently hidden away. Someone I came to trust explicitly. Someone who doesn’t give a hoot about higher political office.”

A quizzical look appeared on President Snow’s face. “Someone from Washington whom you trusted?”

Steadman laughed. “He’s not from Washington. Far from it, but he’s served his country in peace and in war, including the Washington wars, for nearly forty years.”

“You’ve got my attention,” Snow said, beginning to rise to the game.

The former president walked toward the small table in the corner of the room, a silver coffee service in place on its polished surface. “Let me refill my coffee cup and I’ll give you a couple of thoughts. Would you like a refill?”

White House Oval Office

Washington D.C.

February

Lieutenant General William Austin, USAF, Ret., and Brigadier General Padraig Connor, USMC, were escorted into the Oval Office by Dixie, the president’s temporary secretary. President William Snow came out from behind his desk and greeted both men, smiling broadly.

“It’s been a long time, Pug,” the president said. “When I heard you were part of the president’s extended staff, I was surprised and quite pleased. How are your parents?”

“Very well, Mr. President.”

“General Austin,” the president said, turning his attention to Austin. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He offered his hand. “Please, gentlemen, take a seat. General Austin, can I assume that General Connor has explained our distant family relationship?”

“Yes, Mr. President. When Pug… uh, General Connor called to advise me that you had requested my attendance this morning, he discussed your former relationship. I also understand his older brother is your son-in-law.”

“That’s correct. And has he explained our other former connection?”

“Sir, General Connor has also advised that you were partners in a law firm with his father. He casually mentioned that you taught him to play golf as well.”

The president laughed. “Too well, I’m afraid. I wouldn’t stand a chance against him, should we tee it up again. So, now that the familiarities are completed, I’m the one who needs to be brought up to speed. Pug, as my secretary mentioned yesterday, the purpose for this impromptu meeting was to brief me on your current position and the confidential task force you head. Can you succinctly describe the function of your office-what’s it called? The Office of Information and Public Relations? What does that office do for Homeland Security?”

Pug hesitated momentarily, a pensive look crossing his face. “Well, Mr. President, we don’t do public relations.”

President Snow smiled back at his former law partner’s son. “I surmised as much, General Connor. And I confess to a short briefing-yesterday morning, actually-from President Steadman. He said President Prescott had called him to discuss her intention to create your task force and wanted his opinion. He supported her intentions. I have no knowledge of where President Cumberland stood on the issue.”

“I see, sir. Then you understand that President Prescott organized our office under the Homeland Security Department specifically to give her direct control over a quick reaction, military think tank. She wanted a closer relationship to planning as it pertains to rapidly developing terrorist activity, primarily domestic terrorism. She had concluded-during her vice presidency-that it would only grow more intrusive within the U.S. homeland. As she explained it to me, she wanted opinions and suggestions outside the Pentagon chain of command. Actually, we’re a slightly different kind of think tank, Mr. President. Each of our officers-and, sir, we actually have a very small full-time staff, eight people, to be exact-has come directly from command of a branch of special forces and has had direct field action experience.”

President Snow nodded. “Would that include you, Pug?”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Didn’t you also head a task force for President Eastman regarding the California secession movement? Something about election fraud and militia activity?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve prepared a full, written after-action report for you on that subject when you feel ready to review it. The secession issue is still very much alive, Mr. President, although we’ve curtailed the election fraud process. As it stands, California still intends to divide into multiple states, but they haven’t rescinded their electoral decision to secede and form their own nation. In fact, as I understand my latest briefing from FBI Director Granata, the movement is actually growing stronger.”

Snow nodded. “I’m aware of developments in the west. That problem may overshadow everything else, if we’re not careful. I’ve heard back room chat from my Arizona contacts that the secession movement, at least philosophically, has spread to several other western states. But that discussion can wait for a few days. Let’s stick with your current position. What does your task force actually do, Pug?”

“Sir,” General Austin interrupted, “may I speak candidly?”

“By all means, General Austin,” the president said, turning to look at the older man.

“Sir, General Connor may be too modest to give you the full story. I, on the other hand, don’t suffer from that particular genetic abnormality. Washington has cured me of any semblance of humility.”

Both President Snow and Pug Connor could not help but laugh at Austin’s self-degradation.

“Sir,” Austin continued, “for over a decade, first at the National Security Agency and then at the CIA, Pug has served on my staff, most recently as my executive officer. I had to literally drag him out of field command and order him behind the desk. Last year, I recommended him to President Eastman to head the California investigative task force. With some regional assistance from the California Adjutant General and FBI support, the task force broke the ring of corporate moguls that was perpetrating the fraud. But, in light of his current duties-Pug would probably diminish his role-he has an outstanding military record as a combat field commander. America has been involved in two ground wars, but many more covert operations to stop further terrorist attacks. As a captain and then a major, he served as the commanding officer of a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team, which is comprised of a Marine Recon unit assigned as part of a carrier battle group. He has seen direct action in both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as covert activity in other geographic locations around the world. There’s no shortage of trouble spots, Mr. President. This type of assignment can never be openly documented on a military record. Among other decorations, General Connor has a Navy Cross, the citation narrative restricted on a need-to-know basis.

“Mr. President, on the type of missions General Connor used to command, Marines, SEALS or special operation soldiers who did not come home-the media use the phrase ‘gave their all’-are generally reported as having died in a training exercise. It’s a shadow world, Mr. President. Perhaps that’s why it’s called ‘black ops.’ But in summary, with regard to his current command of Trojan-that’s the team’s designation-once the president designates an action as level ‘Troy,’, someone from his staff is required to go out into the world, find the worst of our enemies, and either kill or capture them. It’s neither pleasant nor easy. And it’s terrible on family life. But I submit, sir, that General Connor is eminently qualified to command Trojan and the men who serve under him. Both President Eastman and President Prescott understood this and trusted him. President Prescott gave him his first star at least five years beyond his normal eligibility year date.