"Mr. President, we have a problem," Stan Mansfield, the Director of the NSA began as he entered the oval office.
"I'll call you back sweetheart, something's up. I love you." The man behind the desk hung up the phone and nodded to a chair. "Whatcha' got Stan?"
Before sitting down, Stan put a DVD in the player and let it auto-start.
The image on the screen was the planet with jagged lines depicting the major fault lines. A female with a slight British accent began speaking. "Good day, Mister President. We apologize for this interruption. In seven days, a fifty to ninety kiloton device will be detonated in a subterranean location on a major fault line. Since the United States is, in effect, the planet's police force, we felt that you should be the one to receive this message.
"You may reset the seven day timer, once, by removing all American troops from Middle Eastern countries before the seven days pass. The UN troops can remain to protect the people of those countries until they are able to do so for themselves. The exception being the bases that where built prior to your 'Operation Desert Shield' of the nineteen-nineties. Your continuing military presence in that area is only making matters worse.
"We understand that it might take more than a week to do this, since you have a lot of troops and equipment. The detonation will be delayed until your troops are removed, then it will be reset to one week. We feel that we should mention that if you are not in earnest removing your troops, the deal is invalid, and the timer will continue on the original schedule; you will not be warned in that event.
"Once your troops are removed, the American government will cease all financial aid to foreign countries. We applaud humanitarian efforts and relief, however there is something you're not officially aware of; your money is not going to help improve the lives of the people. It's being used to buy weapons. Ironically, In most cases, the weapons are being purchased from Americans and used against American interests and people.
"Israel. Continued financial and military aid to this country is letting them seek military solutions to problems that can be resolved peacefully. This, in turn, is further destabilizing the Middle East. Religious differences are not the main reason Israel is hated by all of their neighbors. They need to grow up and realize this. Cutting them off financially might also be the key to finally balancing the hundred-trillion-plus-dollar American debt; it certainly couldn't hurt. We would also recommend that you charge a fee to countries that ask for your military protection. However, the last is only a suggestion.
"It is also required that legislation be ratified by the U.S. government that will outlaw the use of all engines that use petroleum products as fuel. This must be accomplished within the span of time for the device. The international dependance on Fossil Fuels must cease. If you need more than a week, we would recommend you get those troops moving, that is the only way you will get more time.
"It may seem like we are making demands only of your country, Mister President. The explanation is simply that your country is a leader in our world. What you do and decide, affects the rest of our world. We're sure you're aware of that fact, but we wished to make that point clear.
"Many years ago, the American President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the American people, and her allies, that we had given too much power to the industrial complex during the last world war. He warned that steps needed to be taken to reign them back in, or they would end up controlling the entire planet. Less than twenty years after that prophetic warning, his words are reality. Unfortunately most of the world's people still don't realize it.
"The largest and most idiotic problem in the United States Government right now is the lack of cooperation between your office and the two houses of congress. We see this mostly as a result of the control of Corporate America that President Eisenhower tried to warn about. Unfortunately, since racism is still a major issue, we are convinced that they will not believe this message. They will need proof before any of them will believe and do as you tell them. Sadly, some of them still won't.
"Within thirty-six hours after you actually receive this message, we will provide that proof. Any attempt at financial restitution to the affected corporations, including price increases in their products, will result in more 'examples'.
"On this disc you will find a file that lists tested and proven forms of clean, alternative energy that have been forcibly repressed for years. You will also find theoretical plans for a spacecraft that is capable of realistic, interstellar travel. It is missing the design for the engines, but we do have them. If the world survives the changes that are needed, we will send you the rest of the design.
"Finally; it is extremely unlikely that you will locate any of our devices in the maximum possible amount of time. However, we feel that you should know that they are being monitored, and will be immediately detonated if discovered or tampered with. We are aware that legislation can be repealed, and troops can be redeployed, as well as the many covert methods of giving aid to other countries. For these reasons, the devices will remain hidden.
"We are aware that, if detonated, our devices will kill millions, possibly billions, of people. That is not our desire. We honestly, and earnestly, wish for these changes to be made. We believe that they will be a benefit to the entire world. We are also aware that this is blackmail. Terrorism is not our goal either, which is why this message was delivered covertly. We have been pushed to this method because all other means of peaceably resolving these issues are either bogged down in discussions until they become non-issues, or not taken seriously. We hope that now, at least, you will accept the seriousness of the problem. None of these demands are negotiable nor are they actually impossible. There will be no further discs from us. We pray that future 'messages' will not be needed.
"We would like for you to publicly announce the changes; this is not a requirement, and we don't care who takes credit for them, as long as they get accomplished. There are enough of us to watch and make sure the demands are getting accomplished. Good Luck, Mister President."
"Damn! No offense Stan, and I really appreciate your bringing this to my attention, but why didn't Frank Dorset bring this in?" the President asked.
Stan looked a little uncomfortable. "Sir, this item is far down Homeland Security's list. "I was told they'd check it out in a couple of weeks, when they had time. When we sent this to them, it was marked Urgent; High Priority. We believe this threat is absolutely real."
"How so?" the President asked. He was curious instead of critical.
"The list of repressed technology on the disk is completely accurate. We don't know how they got copies of them, but they do have them. Also voice analysis of the woman on the DVD says she honestly believes every word. She is either a delusional computer genius, who is as much of a threat as a bomb on a fault line, or she's exactly what she portrays herself as. Either way, this threat has to be treated as real, and it has to be acted on immediately. We can't afford to ignore it for two weeks."
"Jesus! I wish I could just disband those assholes at Homeland Security!" He thought about his options, and came to a decision. "This is going to cost me the Presidency, but I can't let this get pulled into a committee. Stan, I need you to go to work on this. Try to find out the who, what, why, and where. I'll get busy on the list of demands. We'll need to bring in Bill Gent, Ken Swift, and Dr. O'Harrin," he said and reached for the phone.
"Sir, before you do that, remember General Swift and Frank Dorset are old Marine Corp buddies. Telling one is telling the other," Stan said. "Perhaps Admiral Beasley? Though she generally doesn't agree with your policies, she actually is an honest and honorable officer."
"Agreed, she has the stones to get things done too. I should really call Senator Heralds too. I know he's my political enemy, but if we can convince him, it may go a long way with congress. Can you be back here in an hour for the briefing?" The President asked.
"Yes, Mr. President," Stan replied grinning, as he left the oval office. That's what he liked about this president; he asked his people, he didn't tell them. It really was too bad Congress was fighting him so much. Just because a man's skin is a different color doesn't mean he can't be a good president, if he was ever given the opportunity.
President Robertson picked up his phone to ask Gail to clear his schedule for the next couple of days and to pass the word for the meeting. He hung up the phone and looked out at the rose garden. Off in the distance dark storm clouds gathered and a distant rumbling could be heard.