Evan Saxon looked over Halloran’s notes. “They’re not going to take this well.”
Philips: “Who cares?”
14
April 30, 2112
When Arlene Sisk reported to the Secretary of the Treasury about Halloran’s confrontation with The Visitors, he told her that the president wished to speak with her again, immediately and in person. So Sisk flew to Camp David and went through the same security procedures as the last time before being admitted to President Litton’s underground office.
This time the president wasted no time on cordialities. “Well? You have some results to report, I hope.”
“Ms. President, I’m afraid the situation now is still somewhat less than desirable.”
The president seemed pained. “So Secretary Burke has told me. I was hoping you could improve on that grim report.”
“I would love to. However, that agent I told you about—the one I wanted to fire—has made a very bad error again.”
Litton waited for Sisk to explain. “Go on.”
“I’m afraid Mr. Halloran decided—all on his own—to attack The Visitors. We’re quite fortunate not to have provoked immediate retaliation, but we still don’t know what all the ramifications will be.”
“But Secretary Burke did say the other two agents were freed as a result, as well as a young citizen who had been taken.”
“Yes, that is true. That is the only fortunate result of this entire episode.”
“What else have you done to improve the situation?”
“We have agents prepared to deploy at strategic locations where they may be able to make contact. However, they have presently delayed deployment until we have we have more facts, because of Agent Halloran’s rash actions.”
“Halloran is the only one in your entire organization who is taking any initiative, as far as I can tell, so you’d better not dismiss him or you’ll have to answer to me,” said Litton. “Certainly, everybody else seems afraid to do anything, especially you.”
“Ms. President! I assure you I’m doing everything I know how to do!”
“Yes. I’m quite sure you are, but that doesn’t seem to be sufficient. I’m considering changing this whole organization.” Litton rose from her chair and walked across the room, where she pulled a rope that drew the drapes back from a large wallscreen. “This is the closest I get to an outside view. I think I’ll change that too. I’m tired of hiding down here.”
Sisk was unsure whether she should remain seated, or follow as the president paced around the office. Arlene turned her chair occasionally to face Litton. “What sort of changes do you have in mind, if I may ask?”
“AABC is not right for dealing with the aliens right now,” said Litton. “I’m not going to disband you, but we need more of a military style organization for this situation.”
“But... But that’s so regressive!”
“Perhaps it is. But AABC has convinced the whole world that the aliens had to be treated as if they were a special minority when they arrived, and that would make them love and respect us. But the reality is that all over the world, nobody has even been able to make contact, let alone treat them any way at all.”
“And you think an army is going to fix this?”
“I think an army type mentality is what we need right now. I don’t care what you call it. I’ve also got in mind that Halloran should head up this force, so please arrange for him to talk with me at the first opportunity.”
“Would you like for him to report here at Camp David?”
“Yes, as soon as possible.” Then Litton went back and sat back and sat behind her large desk. “No, that’s not right. I’ve changed my mind.”
“About Ed Halloran?”
“No. About him reporting here. Send him to meet me at the White House. That’s where I’m going to be.”