President Andrew Russell made the speech of his life. He thanked his predecessor for all of his hard work and devotion to the United States and lightened the mood with some personal and witty insights into the man who had been their President for seven years. He talked of his promise to continue on with the great programme of bills and reforms that his predecessor had started and most importantly assured the country that the government was as strong as it had ever been.
He walked back from the briefing room refusing to take any questions from the press. His speech had contained everything he wanted to say at this very sad time. As he closed the door on the Oval Office, alone for the first time for many hours, he sat in the President’s chair. His chair. Behind the iconic Resolute Desk, a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes. And finally, he smiled. It was his. After decades of kissing ass and sucking up, he had made it. The highest office in the land.
A catalogue of calls he had received and was required to return was basically a list of every President and Prime Minister from around the world. They were all anxious to ensure that America was still their ally and that President Russell would only improve their relationship. One call stood out from the others. He was not a head of state or government but President Russell knew that he held just as much sway.
“Ben, how are you my friend?” asked Russell.
“Mr President.”
Russell instantly noted that ‘Andrew my dear boy’ had been dropped.
“It’s good to hear from you. How are you?” enquired Ben.
“As well as can be expected.” Russell thought it best to play down his elation.
“Of course.” Ben was no fool and knew exactly how President Russell was feeling. He knew him better than Russell knew himself. “I know how close you and the President were.”
“Thank you, Ben.”
Formalities over, Ben turned to business. “A couple of quick updates for you.”
Russell was about to stop Ben in his tracks He was president and didn’t get involved in detail any longer but just as he was about to speak, he thought better of it.
“OK, shoot!”
“OK.” Ben could sense the reluctance. It seemed Russell was already getting a little over comfortable in his newly found position. “If you’d rather I updated somebody else, I would understand, Mr President.”
Russell realized that his tone had not hidden the feeling that that was now being beneath him.
“Absolutely not. I’m sorry, it’s just been a very long day.”
Ben was going to have to watch Russell very carefully. He’d give him a little while to settle down but it was important that he did not forget his place and who his real friends were.
“Firstly, I’m very relieved to say that we may have a lead on the nuclear weapon heading towards America and secondly I have an address you wanted.”
Russell ignored the lead and jumped straight to the address. “Baker’s address?”
“Yes, my operative’s no longer in the vicinity and with you being President, it removes some of the concern as regards Ararat. However, James Murphy’s a friend and I’d greatly appreciate your trying to save him.”
“I promise that we’ll send only the best people, rest assured.”
They ended the call and Russell called Johnson with the details, emphasizing that extra special care was required. It was extremely important that nobody, he emphasized, nobody, should be left breathing.
Ben made a call himself but his man wasn’t picking up. He left a message and hoped he’d get it in time.