Paradise Burning (The Virtagwalla Series Book 2) (18 page)

              Hampton Ray walked away from his friend, as Kay dashed to his side to make sure he was okay. Calling Knaub and couple other Guardsman over, he told them to gently make sure the President made it home safely. Rove, lying at the fountain’s foot, understood what Ray wanted him to. Even through his drunken haze, Rove grasped the tremendous lesson all of this was meant to teach.

36

              “Good Morning ladies and Gentlemen, it is just a hair past eight a.m. on November 3
rd
,” Elisabeth Mooring said looking at the clock on the wall above the heads of the last few remaining reporters. “I have a couple big announcements today so I encourage you to hold your comments till the end.”

              “First, the President has decided, with the urging of his personal physician Colonel Lisa Buckingham to take a personal day and remain out of the office. Mr. Rove will remain at the Presidential Manor in Settlerstown and attend to any issues that are deemed necessary enough for his attention. In these situations the Prime Minister, Artimus Zhang would traditionally take over as acting President, however he too is unable to serve. Making a last minute trip to Hawaii late last night, the Prime Minister is shoring up the details of the Congressional vote that is still scheduled for tomorrow in Washington, DC.”

              “Lis, who will be acting as the Commander and Chief than?”

              “I was just getting to that, thank you. The Constitution outlines that for all ceremonial purposes the Minister of Defense will take over in these instances as the Commander and Chief of all the armed forces, while the Chief of Staff to the President will act as the administrative person responsible for running the office of the President. He does not have the power however to sign anything on behalf of the President, and must refer all issues relating to the National Guard to the Minister of Defense, the treasury to the Minister of Finance, domestic issues to the Minister of the Interior, legal issues to the Minister of Justice, and so on, with all parliamentarian issues to the National Parliament. Mr. Ray has convened the Cabinet and they are putting forth efforts to allow Mr. Rove to enjoy his day out of the office.”

              “Moving on, the Office of the President wanted me to let everyone know that the site for the Statehood Gala, originally scheduled to be held in the large ballroom at the Ponchertrain Civic Center will be moved to the smaller ballroom on the thirteenth floor of Capital Tower. Director of Communications, Charlie McFurror made the decision to move the Gala after threats of violence from protestors and citing budgetary issues. Outside of the site change the final preparations have been made, and I have been assured that the President and Prime Minister will be in attendance at the Gala. Dexter.”

              “Is the President alright? I have heard reports the President was spotted in Park Giza in a “belligerent state”.”

              “Dexter, as I am sure you are aware, I am not at liberty to speak to the President’s health, that is between the President and his doctors. Stuart.”

              “What are the President’s doctor’s saying about his health? The general public has noticed a lack of public appearances from the President as of recently, and each time they do see him, he seems to be expressing symptoms of exhaustion.”

              “Again, Stuart, I am not at liberty to discuss the President’s health. Charla.”

              “Has the President or anyone on the cabinet made any comment about the threats to the Gala? Is security being increased to protect those in attendance to the Gala?”

              “Security of course will be a high concern for the National Guard and the National Government as the event is taking place. I am confident the National Guard will ensure the location is very secure. Doug.”

              “Speaking of security, has there been any discussion at the President’s level yet, about what to do with the gathering mass on the Eastern lawn of Capital tower?”

              “This morning I was informed by General Laurels himself that the President has repeatedly insisted that the gathering mass of people, something like 11,000 strong now, are not to be messed with in any way since they are merely exercising their right to peacefully gather. The Eastern lawn of the Capital Tower has long been a place of refuge and protest for the people of Virtagwalla, and in this highly volatile time we wish to not keep them from that space with guns and smoke canisters. The National Guard however is ready to act if the mass becomes violent in any way. Ok folks I will have more for you at ten o’clock.”

37

              Hampton Ray found it difficult to act as the President. He always had enjoyed his role of the behind-the- scenes man, working the cogs of government without having to carry any large mantle of responsibility. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that the one-day Xavier took a personal day would be the same day that Virtagwalla finally became unhinged.

              It started slowly. A small mob of people gathering in Park Giza began shouting and making a fuss. Ray was in a meeting with the Ministers of Justice and the Interior discussing some last minute changes to the transition plan and proposal for statehood when an armed guardsman knocked and opened the doors to the Office of the President, and allowed Thaddeus Bush in, asking for Hampton Ray to follow him. Being briefed quickly in the hallway on the way to the Situation Room, Hampton yelled for someone to get Jon Pacer immediately. The guardsmen watching the doors to the situation room, opened them for the acting President, as Ray walked in the Generals and Ministers already gathered, stood.

              “Sit down sit down I am not President Rove,” Ray said standing in the spot of the Chief of Staff and not that of the President.

              “General Laurels, Mr. Bush, Minister Kaiser what are we looking at?” Ray asked pointing to the screens on the wall that had live video showing the growing riot.

              Minister of Defense Spavin Kaiser stood from his chair and pointed to the screen, “Approximately twenty five minutes ago a small band of excited teenagers and University students gathered together in Park Giza to begin a protest of their parents reduced coverage under the Social Net. Furthermore the University students demanded we take away the new tuition hike that was recently added at the University of Virtagwalla.”

              “How did they know to organize? Are they all friends?” Ray asked still standing by the table.

              “Sir, it seems they organized via a social networking site online,” Minister Kaiser continued with his presentation, “Shortly after the group had convened they lit a couple torches and raised signs basically calling for the fall of the government. They then left Park Giza on the west side, marched around Larynx Central Station and began to march down Grand Via in the direction of Capital Tower. As this group of young adults move westward through the city they have excited the residents that live along Grand Via and have quite quickly gathered many of the now impoverish people along the way. The assembly has grown to well near a thousand men, women and even children. We believe they plan to continue along Grand Via through the Financial District and under the highway loop until they collide with the Eastern Lawn settlement by way of the circle drive in front of this building.”

              “Has there been any violence, any destruction of property, any injuries or any other types of criminal disobedience?” Ray inquired attempting to get the whole picture.

              “Sir, as the mob continues through the Financial District there are unconfirmed reports of looting but no damage has been officially reported as of yet,” Kaiser explained.

              “Why hasn’t the National Guard or the Police of Ponchertrain attempted to stop them?” Ray asked bewildered.

              “Well, the Ponchertrain Police Department was disbanded two days ago sir,” Stewart Bush spoke up from across the table.

              “And the Minister of Defense has yet to allow action from the National Guard,” Laurel’s growled from next to Bush.

              Kaiser started again, “The mob, although loud and growing has not yet turned violent. These people have the right to protest, graphically if necessary, but until it turns dangerous or heaven forbid deadly, the President has time and time again reaffirmed his commitment to the citizens’ rights to the freedom of speech and to gather,” Kaiser clicked a button on a keyboard, and another screen turned on to reveal a map of Ponchertrain, “Ladies and gentlemen I am concerned that if the mob continues down Grand Via it will inevitably collide with the mass on the Eastern lawn of the Capital Tower. At which point I am gravely concerned that we will be powerless to stop any sort of deadly riot that will most likely result from the collision.”

              “Are you telling me that if we don’t stop this march, we could be facing a riot of nearly thirteen thousand people on the very steps of this building?” Ray asked pointing to the screen.

              Minister Kaiser turned to look at him, “I am afraid so.”

              “Mr. Ray we must act now!” General Laurel howled from the side, “If we don’t we are setting this city up for a civil war of revolutionary proportions!”

              The phone began to ring, and Stewart Bush answered it, “National Security Advisor Bush speaking,” he listened to the phone, and putting his hand over the receiver he shouted to an assistant who was standing along the wall, “turn one of the televisions to channel seven, Villaggio has begun a riot has well.”

              Ray watched in horror as the picture became clear that on both sides of the island the unemployed and starving people were beginning to rise up and protest their government. Disregarding the Villaggian uprising for the moment, he turned towards Kaiser, “How much time do we have before the two groups here in Ponchertrain collide on the Eastern lawn?”

              “Approximately twenty minutes sir. The pace of the mob seems to be slowing down as it gathers people” Kaiser answered.

              “The time to act is now! Spavin stop pussy footing around, let my guys protect this city as they were trained to do,” General Laurels shouted.

              Kaiser nodded his head, “Mr.Ray, what is your call?”

              Hampton shook his head, “Minister you are the one constitutionally in charge of the National Guard right now, not me.”

              “I realize that,” Kaiser said stepping forward. “But you sir are acting President. Whatever you decide I agree with.”

              Taking a deep breath, and watching painfully as the growing mob was on a collision course with the sea of people on the Eastern lawn. He closed his eyes and said a little prayer. Looking back at Kaiser, “Minister how long do we have until they reach the elevated highway loop around Capital Square?”

              “I can not say preciously but probably less than ten minutes,” Kaiser admitted sounded deflated.

              “General Laurels, how quickly can you have your men set up as a barrier on the eastern side of the highway stretching across Grand Via?” Ray searched, attempting to put a plan together.

              “I can get it done in less than ten minutes,” the General touted, “if that’s what you are asking?”

              “Then Minister Kaiser here are my recommendations,” Ray announced standing straight up, “move the National Guard, as many members as we can get, onto the Grand Via and other East/West streets between Capital Tower and the highway loop as quickly as possible. Block their way using the humvees, horses, anything necessary. Put helicopters in the sky and ready them with crowd control utilities such as tear gas, and megaphones. We need to try and divert the riot away from Capital Tower, especially the Eastern lawn as best as possible.”

              “Yes sir,” Kaiser turned to General Laurels, “General, activate the National Guard to protect the city.”

              General Laurels nodded his head, and walked over to the little red phone on the wall. Ray then turned to Thaddeus Clark, the Minister of the Interior, “Thad, I need you to shut down Capital Tower station of the LLR, and begin evacuating this building through the underground tunnel to the station. Get every Carriage Larynx has and have them sent here. We need to get the Ministers out of this building as fast as possible. Round up the rest of the Cabinet as well. Send the Cabinet to the Houston Baxter Memorial Airport, and send the Ministers to United Nations building on Park Giza. Do you understand? We need to keep this government operational no matter what happens to this building,” Ray commanded pointing to Clark.

              Clark instantly left the room, and within minutes the evacuation alarms were sounding and directing all personnel to evacuate through the tunnel under the East Lawn to the Larynx Light Rail station. Ray called for Kay, when she arrived he told her to get in contact with Minister Sensado and have her close the Virtagwallan Stock Market if she hadn’t halted all trading already. He also told her to have Lis Mooring do a short briefing, and simply explain that the National Government is taking all precautions and hope for the least amount of resistance. She nodded and scurried away.

              Ray’s attention was brought back into the room when Laurels made a cheering sound, and the entire room watched on the screens as helicopters, humvees, and even tanks began to approach the scene. Before long dozens of helicopters were circling above, shouting to the protestors. Ray could only imagine what it was like on the ground. The National Guard had formed a human, vehicle and machine wall six blocks across, with the majority of the members on Grand Via. The pictures from the television cameras on their helicopters were chilling as the group of protestors surrounded the buildings and flooded the streets of the Financial District. The marching riot slowly approached the wall of Guardsmen as the members of the situation room stood in silence waiting to see what were to happen.

              “General, command your men not to fire on the riots, or in any way attempt to stop them,” Ray commended.

              Laurels took off his hat and shot a glare at Ray, “Sir, are you insane, my men will be killed!”

              “General, the people of this island still deeply respect the National Guard, they will not do anything to them. Now command them to not move an inch, and to allow the protestors through if they wish to pass.”

              “Sir?” Kaiser asked standing up.

              “We will not attack our own people,” Ray growled pounding his fist on the table, “As long as they are peaceful.”

              “Mr. Ray, we do need to take into account there is a possibility someone in the riot will try to attack one our guardsmen, or attempt to hijack a humvee,” Bush warned sounding alarmed.

              Ray paused for a moment as if being thrown off by Bush’s comment. He turned to the General, “Let me correct myself. Until a protestor threatens physical harm to a Guardsman, the Guardsmen are to also refrain from physical harm. However if even one stone is thrown I suggest to Minister Kaiser to use the Guardsman in a manner which is decent and humane to the people.”

              Kaiser nodded again, and the General made the call. The riot came within one hundred feet of the National Guard, and over the broadcast the members of the Situation Room could hear the shouts coming from the helicopters for the protestors to cease and desist. The roar of the gathered mob on Grand Via blared over the helicopter’s loudspeaker. General Laurels had his lead field colonel patched through to the situation room.

              “General, it is getting pretty hot down here,” the colonel said with a slight shake in his voice.

              Laurels responded, “Son, hold your position. Mr. Ray, the Chief of Staff of President Rove, has assured me that they will not harm you or any one of your men and women in uniform. I have faith he is right.”

              “Yes sir,” the colonel responded.

              “General what is this young man’s name?” Ray asked pointing to the screen.

              “Colonel Jason Williams, sir,” the man responded over the loud speaker. The roar of the mob was getting closer, “Approximately fifty feet, sir.”

              “Jason, do you know what happens when an unstoppable force collides with an immovable object?” Ray asked putting his hands on the table as the point of collision quickly approached.

              “No sir I do not,” the colonel said, the fear evident in his voice.

              “Well colonel we are all about to find out,” Ray said watching the screen.

              Silence over took the situation room. The clocks hit zero, and the collision happened. The leaders of the mob came face to face with the soldiers. The members of the situation watched through the televisions as the protestors stalled their march and seemed to idle for a few moments. The air that hung in the room was tense. The only person to speak was the colonel to his men, “Steady guards, steady!” Ray took deep heaves as he watched and waited. ‘Please no one do anything stupid.’ The room, and the nation together, watched as the ambitious lead protestor pushed through the National Guard’s line, and began pushing through the field of tanks and humvees. The roar of the mob intensified and the members of the situation room watched as the mob began pushing through the national guardsmen, weaving their way through the blockade.

              The flow of protestors continued to trickle through the guardsmen, and even some of the protestors stopped and saluted or bowed their heads to their statue like roadblocks. The situation room still was silent, waiting for the first sign of struggle. After twelve minutes and thirty-four seconds the silence was broken.