Shadow Storm

Chapter 1“ARE THEY CLEAR?” With elbows resting on the hand-tooled leather surface of his mahogany desk in a room the size of most houses, the man listened through the crackling. “American troops? Inside? How do you know?” He absorbed the answer and glanced at the colorful Chinese wood panels and his eclectic collection of antiques. “If they weren't close, how could they know they were Americans?” He was growing red. “The Eledorians are still denying involvement. That will work.” He tapped his fingers hard enough to imprint the leather desk pad. “Get them out.” For a moment, he contemplated the importance of his next call. “There were American troops. I don't know where they came from. A few of our men were killed. We didn't change anything.” “Nonsense. Don't worry about the dead. We don't have to pay them. We achieved our purpose. We have their attention. The Eledorians deny involvement. The Narians are impotent. Everyone points fingers. And the Americans don't know which way to turn. We have them all where we want them. Now watch the stock market.” “We don't need the money.” “You wanted, no, insisted, we do this from the inside, so we need the money. We still don't own enough candidates, and the elections are going to be expensive. We have to be ready. We don't want more of the same. We need the money. Unless, of course, you want to spend your own.” There was no response. The man in the elegant office knew he could indeed spend his own, he had plenty, but why should he when a little manipulation added still more. “Of course not,” he finally said. “But he'll be gone in a year and half. Why be so blatant?” “Because uncertainty breeds fear. Fear wins elections, and even better, scared people don't want more of what made them afraid. Your grandfather taught you that many years ago.” “Then we move to the next … performance.” THE PRESIDENT sat at his desk in the Oval Office, watching the cable news coverage from Naria. The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs sat on the couches. Reporters had been allowed into Naria early in the day and had been interviewing people throughout the capital. The reporter said the general response had been overwhelming happiness and relief that their government had come to its senses. One of the reporters had managed to catch a senior official who said only that the Narians expected an equal response from the West. “End the sanctions.” “We're not going to rush on that score,” said the president. “I've had no contact from the leader and there have been no feelers from any of his partners.” He looked exhausted. His quick trip to Riverboro High School the previous night had not led to a good night's sleep. He'd had to work as soon as he returned to Washington. The portal had performed as hoped, but he had to keep it under wraps. The secretary said, “Mr. President, I think you know that Mr. Russell and his people are not likely to disclose what happened, but can we trust the Israelis to be quiet?” “I had a long talk with the prime minister, Charlie. His biggest threat is gone. He rescued his people. You saw the reports. All wrong, but he gets the credit. I don't think he wants to make me angry. At least not for now.” General Beech said, “Colonel Mitchell is writing an after-action report, but he told me he has questions about what really happened. 'Misgivings,' he said. He doesn't think the Eledorians were real soldiers, at least not Eledorian soldiers.” The president frowned. “Get me a copy of the report, please, General.” “Yes, sir. You should know his report complimented Mr. Russell, Mr. Gilbert, and the rest. The colonel said he wouldn't hesitate to work with them again.” “I'm glad. They're good people. I like them a lot. I hope we don't need them again too soon.” He remembered the first time Fritz walked in on him and told the assembled group the story of that first portal visit and his own adventure going back to New Jersey that afternoon. An image of Robert E. Lee ran through his head. “I'll call him later.” FRITZ RUSSELL packed his briefcase with a weekend's worth of work and headed for the parking lot. Ashley Gilbert was waiting for him. “The president hasn't called.” “Given what happens when he does, I'd think you'd be delighted.” “Well, yeah. I do hope he'll give us this weekend off. I have a lot of grading to do. You want to come for dinner?” “Yeah, that would be great. Really. I've been eating sandwiches all week. But I expect better food this weekend. I'm going to DC tomorrow and Sunday.” “Sightseeing?” “You might call it that. I've been told that Washington has some exceptional landmarks.” Ashley grinned. They ate dinner early, and Ashley didn't hang around. Fritz and Linda were sitting on the sofa watching the news, when Linda said, “Wow! That kick. Like a field goal. Here, feel.” She placed his hand on her growing belly. “Nope, I think it's a soccer game.” THAT EVENING, the president worked late. Colonel Mitchell's conclusion that the soldiers weren't really the Eledorian army troubled him. He jotted notes on a pad that rested on his leg and watched the purple sunset cast shadows across the South Lawn. He wanted more intelligence. Earlier, he had consulted with the leaders of England, France, Germany, Russia, and Turkey about the Narian announcement but said nothing about what had really happened. He had then spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister about an upcoming summit. Before the conversation ended, the prime minister asked if he could offer an appropriate reward for “the people from the school.” SLEEPING IN on Saturday wasn't in the cards. When Linda came to the kitchen, Fritz's papers, laptop, and a cup of coffee occupied the table. A website on the age of exploration stared at her when she kissed him. “Are you including yourself in the lesson?” she asked. “Hi, Ash. When did you get here? Hmm. You look like Linda.” He stood and kissed her. “How do you feel?” “I'm okay. Glad I didn't get up early. I spent too much time on my feet this week.” He poured her a cup of coffee. They talked about Naria and how the people interviewed in the street were smiling. Linda told him about a woman who had said she was happy because she didn't have to worry about being bombed. “It's kind of quiet without Ashley having popped in by now,” she said. “He's smitten. But she's going to be a problem for him.” “He'll figure it out. It's a nearby trip, as commuting relationships go, but still, I'll bet he's single again by Christmas. She's just so different from all the other women he's dated. She's either brave as hell or just plain crazy. Do you want breakfast?” THE SUNROOM, with books lining shelves from floor to ceiling, was probably not the best place for Fritz to work. Its windows tempted him to daydream. But the quiet snapped when a phone call dragged his eyes back from the outdoors. “Hi. What's up?” The president laughed. “I guess you're getting used to my calling. Hi, Fritz. I haven't bothered you so you could get some downtime. The prime minister asked me to convey his appreciation. Right now, I'm outside Bethesda Naval Hospital. I came to see how Jane's doing, and it seems she has company. I just left.” His smile seeped through the phone. “Ashley, I expect.” “Yeah. I think I may have created a monster. Mr. Gilbert's apparently been here since first thing this morning. Her doctor said that he sweet-talked his way past everyone.” “That figures. How is she?” “Going home this afternoon. She's still weak and in a lot of pain, but I think she'll have an attentive nurse. He might make her take it easy. Fritz, I've known her for quite a while now, and Ashley has changed her. She smiles more.” “We've known him forever, Mr. President. I've seen him with lots of women, but last weekend, wow. I'll tell you this. He surprised me when he went to rescue her, not knowing if there was live fire.” “Pretty gutsy, I agree. I'm beginning to think your visit to the Oval Office is proving to be really lucky. Not just because of the good the portal has made possible, but for the people I've seen do extraordinary things.” Fritz grinned at a compliment he had never expected. “Thanks. Is there something I can do for you, Mr. President?” “Fritz, on a personal basis, I can't thank you enough. But I keep forgetting to tell you. The prime minister wants to reward you all. Maybe an all-expenses trip. And in your mail next week, you'll find more tangible thanks. I intended to tell you yesterday, but we had some distractions. Once things settle down, maybe we can get together for dinner.” “Mr. President, thank you. But do me a favor. Stay out of trouble for a few weeks. Let me get back to teaching. Linda could do without the extra stress too, and we need to set up a nursery. Pretty mundane after this week, but kind of important, you know.” “I'll talk to you soon. If you need anything, give me a call.” “Okay, thanks. Say hi to the First Lady.”