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"You should be here in minutes, then. The sooner, the better. I want you to come with us in Looking Glass." |
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Kellner tensed when he heard the strain in the President's voice. Pray God that Cole Caidin did not have something in mind as foolhardy as his diatribe to Cherny and the attendant escalation to defense condition two had been. "What's happened now, Mr. President?" Kellner asked, dreading the answer. |
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"Our networks have canceled regular programming and gone to nothing but so-called news, raving on about the blackout in Moscow. They've got a bunch of self-proclaimed experts on, hour after hour, doing their thing, spreading rumors and confusion, speculating. Remember those 10,000 body bags that were supposed to come back to the U.S. during the Gulf War? Well, those same prophets are outdoing that prognostication by miles. |
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"The newspapers are putting out extras, also full of rumors. They only know there's been a revolt in Moscow and a news blackout there. They've just begun to tie it in with the Post story about the 'errant missile,' as they called it. And of course everyone's blaming us, the Administration, for the whole thing. They're attacking me. The people are panicking, coming out in the streets. The White House phones are jammed. I'll probably have to declare a state of emergency, get the police and the National Guard out to thwart any troublemakers. We're too damn close to a state of war, Vincent." |
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I'll speak my mind, if he goes off again, Kellner decided. I am freed of ambition at last. I do not serve this man, I serve the presidency. "You do realize that you'll have to give some thought to how to handle the aftermath when John Morgan succeeds in defusing the device, sir." His voice was calm, assured. "Who is there with you?" |
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"Marsh Gray and the head of the Russian desk at the CIA, Collingwood, General Talbot is here for the armythe other Chiefs are on their way. Charlton Fisk is here ready for any contingency. Kruger from the House Intelligence Committee, |
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