Free Overrun by Michael Rusch Page B

States,” Ford’s voice was low and threatening. “I control the most
powerful and technologically advanced dome society on this planet. If plans for
military operations are being discussed or exist that threaten that for which I
am responsible, then by God I will be doing the authorizing. Do you goddamn got
that?"
    "This goes way beyond
anything you can remotely imagine, Mr. President," Faulken said icily.
"Way beyond you. You've never known for a reason."
    "And what reason is
that?"
    "To help implement foreign
strategies that you yourself helped design."
    "I am part of no such
thing, Mr. Faulken."
    "But sir, you are. It has
never been a secret that a technological race is underway between the U.S. and
the J.G.U. We are both searching for the same thing, a defense against the sun.
The first country to figure out a way to protect all of its citizens will
eventually heal. While watching the others burn and die. The world is engaged
in a dangerous struggle. One it has never before seen.
    “And Mr. President,
technological withholdings from the rest of the world is something that you do
know and are aware of. You have been a part by embargoing all technological
aid, shipments and communications to any country outside the U.S.-controlled
nation state. J.G.U. political policy is of course to do the same. So we are
not completely evil yet.
    “But then we get to the all out
ban on world trade your administration dreamed up. This fits in perfectly with
what the world has become and what a certain underground government wishes to
see done. We don't bring anything in, and we sure as hell don't ever let
anything out.
    “So, you see, you are a part.
Just as much as we are, Mr. President. You've sealed us off and separated us
from the rest of the world. And this you and your administration have done
completely on your own.”
    Ford's face transformed again
from a reddened rage to a nauseous white.
    "That's not true. I'm not
part of any of this,” Ford said his voice quieting some. “There is no
‘underground’ that I am aware of. I admit I know about the existence of the
plan. Every President is briefed on it before taking oath. He is then asked if
he still wants to accept his term. What I've never been aware of, however, is a
secretive military outfit that seems to be operating only to provoke its
use."
    "We are engaged in
something completely different than the world before," Faulken admonished.
"We are not dealing in a race to build weapons of mass destruction, but
rather a technological contest merely to survive. The one country that is left
is the one that will rule the world. And that rule will last forever with no
other superpower to contest it. Plan Zero has been designed with this in mind.
And it was always intended to be put to use. And the time for that may be
coming very soon."
    Ford's anger dropped away like
someone slapped it from his face. He walked listlessly to his desk and dropped
into his leather chair. He rolled up his sleeves and leaned his elbows against
its oak surface.
    "As you said, what you may
not be aware of, sir, is that small squads of troops have been dispatched
throughout the globe to assess the problem," Faulken continued. "A
special group, in existence for years, was created to carry out precautionary
secretive strikes throughout the globe to ensure that our country is the one to
survive. You may not be aware of their deployment, but you sure as hell know
that they exist. I've allowed enough information to be brought to you for you
to be at least aware of that."
    "Yes, I've heard rumors of
a death squad existence," Ford admitted. "I've seen the effects of
what they have done. But until this moment, I always thought these units were
nothing more than global mercenaries that we may or may not discreetly finance.
Some of it, I didn’t even believe to be true. Either way, I have never before
thought mission orders would be traced back here. I am very unaware that
independent military factions exist