Free Brink of Chaos by Tim Lahaye Page A

they will only negotiate.”
    Coliquin raised a finger just then, as if he were playing the part of a history professor giving a lecture. “Never underestimate the effectiveness of human fatigue … and national weariness. Remember Joseph Stalin’s speech to the Politburo in 1939, outlining how Russia could advance into Germany and take it over after the defeat of the Third Reich. Stalin was counting on, even hoping for, a long and protracted war — so that England and France and the other allies — in his words — would grow
weary
, thus allowing the Soviet Union to seize Germany for herself. And in part it worked. It would ultimately become East Germany.” He repeated, “Never discount the weariness of your opponent. It’s a major strategic advantage.”
    Abruptly changing the subject, Coliquin asked Ho Zhu, “And the political situation in the United States, where are we on that? President Tulrude has been a strong supporter of our vision. We need her.”
    Deputy Ho bobbed his head, as if calculating the odds. “Our American sources tell us that President Tulrude is the favorite right now. She has the benefit of being the incumbent.”
    Bishop Kora chimed in, “But not elected — constitutional succession from her position as vice president when President Corland became disabled”.
    “Yes,” Coliquin said, “that may reduce the benefit of her incumbency. Look what happened in a slightly different setting to Gerald Ford when Nixon was forced to resign.” The secretary-general wasn’t happy thinking about that. “How strong is her opponent?”
    “Senator Hewbright is running an extremely aggressive campaign.He’ll get his party’s nomination. The race will be close, by a very small margin.”
    Coliquin then asked a question that wasn’t really a question. It had all the resonance of a mandate.
    “Things could happen to change that margin?”

NINE
Arlington, Virginia, Pentagon
    The little communications-center TV set hanging over the desk of Lieutenant Deborah Jordan was set to C-SPAN. Deborah’s eyes were trained on the screen. President Tulrude had just hung the Medal of Honor around Captain Jimmy Louder’s neck. Next to Louder, his wife, Ginny, a petite brunette, was beaming and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Louder’s head was held high, his back straight, and his face now fuller than it was since the first pictures on the web newspapers that broke the story of his rescue from North Korea.
    Deborah made a private bet with herself as she watched. She knew that Medal of Honor winners were usually permitted to say a few words.
But not this time
, she mused. And she knew why. There was no way Tulrude was going to give Jimmy Louder the chance to publicly acknowledge Deborah’s father’s role in the rescue.
    And she was right.
    After President Tulrude shook Captain Louder’s hand, she stepped back to the podium and talked about Captain Louder. “This humble, likeable guy, Captain Jimmy Louder, patrolled the dangerous DMZ to keep that region safe and was shot down by hostile forces. He exemplified the most extraordinary strength, resolve, and bravery during his captivity — some of the finest conduct America’s military has ever seen.”
    Tulrude motioned to Captain Louder and applauded him,wrangling the applause of the attendees in the Rose Garden like a maestro. Then she quickly escorted Jimmy Louder and his wife into a private White House reception, away from the reporters who were calling out questions.
    Deborah shook her head silently, then turned the volume down on the TV. She returned to her work. Her office was located right next to the Press Operations Center in the titanic, five-sided fortress of the Department of Defense. The location of her desk was an anomaly because she hadn’t been assigned to the press center. As it turned out, nothing, including her desk assignment, had matched her expectations since her graduation with honors from West Point.
    As she resumed her review