Milwaukee Deep

General White opened the door to the Oval Office and made his way inside.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” he asked as he entered the room.

“Good, White, you’re here - take a seat,” Crane said.

The General scanned the room.

The President and his aide were seated on the couch, centre of the room. General Conwrey was in a wooden chair, far corner.

“Let’s get this started – Bill, patch the call through,” ordered Crane.

The President leaned forward and grabbed the briefcase that sat on the coffee table and pulled it close.

Opening it he revealed a monitor, a large speaker and a numeric key pad.

President Stoker punched the six digit security code into the key pad.

There was a slight moment of static….

“Command, do you read?” came through the speaker

“Loud and clear,” replied Crane. “Is the line secure?”

“Affirmative, Sir, the Lieutenant has confirmed the code and has entered it into the system.”

“Good,” replied Crane, “We’re scanning for your location now.”

Crane looked over to Harry Bell, the President’s aide.

Bell nodded.

“They’re half a mile in from the mainland – estimated time of arrival, a minute and a half,” he said.

“Is the package secure?” asked Crane

“Affirmative, Sir. Both packages have been loaded and locked into position.”

“Excellent,” Crane turned to Bell, “Harry, can we confirm that our counter measures at sea are ready and waiting.”

“Sir, both fighter pilots are on standby on the Alabama. Once the package has been delivered, and we have confirmation of that, both pilots will leave and be on route for interception.”

“Good,” Crane turned back to the briefcase, “gentlemen are we in position yet?”

“Sir, we are now over land and on route for the target area.”

“Where is the target area?” Conwrey interrupted.

“The Bronx,” replied Stoker

“Sir, approaching target.”

Crane leaned forward.

General White clasped his hands tight.

“We are now over target area.”

The room went dead silent – the static from the speaker the only sound.

“Target released – repeat target has been released.”

Crane rose from his seat.

All parties waited for impact.

General White held his breath.

Conwrey shut his eyes tight.

The static for the speaker increased…

“That’s a negative impact – that’s a N.I, repeat a negative impact.”

“What!”

“There’s been no detonation, Sir – repeat the weapon has not detonated.”

“But how the hell can that - .“

Crane turned to White.

“You! What the hell have you done?!”

“Me?” White froze - his throat dry, his palms sweaty.

Crane turned back to the briefcase.

“Colonel, make sure you do not deviate from the original plan. Set out to sea – wait for interception.”

“Copy that, Sir. We’ve already set our course. Radio transmission will be terminated – over and out.”

Crane glared hard at White for a brief moment as he turned to President Stoker.

“Bill, you have a green light for plan B – set it for go at once.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Stoker.

“Plan B? And what’s that?” White instinctively asked.

Crane took in a deep breath.

“It doesn’t concern you, White,” Crane walked back to his desk. He pressed down on the black button on his intercom.

“All you need to know is this – where you’re going you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

The door to the office opened and in walked two Secret Service Agents.

“Take him away,” ordered Crane as he pointed over to the General.

White stood up.

“Now hold on! What’s going on?”

“Do you think I’m stupid, General? I’ve suspected you weren’t with me once you delayed the arrival of the weapon – I was hoping that I was wrong. Clearly, I’m not.”

“You’ve got this wrong, Sir!” White pleaded, “The delay was just a miscalculation!”

“Save it, General!”

The two agents moved in. With one on either side of him, they grabbed hold of the General’s arms.

“You’re not going to get away with this, Crane! Do you hear me?!”

Crane turned to his Secret Service agents…

“Get him out of here.”