Free ReUNION: What if the Civil War had never happened? by Harvey Ardman Page B

reason
not to?"
    "I don't think it matters one way or the other," the General said.
"We don’t have any military contact with them, except at the border of
course. And they certainly aren't a threat to us."
    Callaway found himself taking a step back from the screen. "Tell me,
General Hutchison, is there any possibility Bourque wants military help from us
for some reason? And, if he does, should we consider it.?"
    Hutchison chuckled. "No and no. Well, wait—he could be worried about
Mexico. After New Orleans, there's plenty of bad blood. But I think the
Mexicans would be nuts to try anything now. The Bourque Line is
impregnable."
    "So we shouldn't consider giving them any military aid?"
    "Bottom line, sir? I don't see any military reason for you to meet with
Bourque. And even if Mexico attacked, I doubt the American people would be
willing to come to the Confederacy's defense."
    Wang chuckled. "I'd say you have a good point there."
    "I agree," said Callaway. "Unless the NAU were genuinely
threatened."
    "Which is very unlikely," Hutchison declared. "But of
course we're ready for anything."
    "I expect no less," said President Callaway. "Thanks for the
briefing."
    On the video screen, the Major General's image was replaced by the Presidential
logo, leaving the President alone with his Chief of Staff.
    "Looks like it's pretty unanimous," Wang said. At that moment,
his cell phone decided to vibrate. He answered it and listened briefly.
"That was reception," Wang told Callaway. "He's just
arrived."
    "Damn," said the President.
    "Shall I have him sent up here?"
    Callaway shook his head. "Let's make it the Oval Office. Better this time
to have a formal setting I think."
    "I assume you're going to decline Bourque's request," Wang said,
still trying to nail it down..
    Callaway reached over to the far edge of his desk, picked up a small, exquisite millifiori crystal paperweight, no doubt the gift of some notable White
House guest from the past, its provenance long ago forgotten and he gazed at it
for a moment. Then he shrugged. "Well, according to the advice I’ve been
getting, it isn't worth the risk."
    "I concur," Wang said, hoping Callaway had really decided.
    "But let's not make an enemy out of Mr. Pickett, Eric. Who knows, we may
have reason to change our minds in the future. Let's let him down easy."
    "You want anyone else in the room?"
    "Beside you? No. He might find that humiliating," Callaway said.
"No photo op either."
    "Goes without saying."
     
    President Callaway was sitting behind the Presidential desk and Eric Wang was
perched on a nearby couch when a chirpy, attractive dark-haired girl, an
intern, ushered LeRoy Pickett into the Oval Office. He was wearing the same
suit he'd had on yesterday. Callaway came out from behind his desk and there
was more handshaking.
    Then all three of them took seats on the twin couches in the middle of the
room, in front of the President's desk. "I've seen pictures of this
room," Pickett said, "but it's much more impressive in person. I'm
intimidated."
    Callaway laughed. "I feel the same way," he said.
    "We haven't had a chance to redecorate," Wang said. "All this is
Howard Exley's vision."
    "It looks like the trophy room of some 19th century explorer,"
Pickett said.
    "Mrs. Callaway can't wait to get her hands on it," the President
said, smiling. "She thinks it would benefit from a woman's touch."
    Pickett held up a hand. "Please, gentlemen, I appreciate the small talk, I
really do, but maybe it's better for all of us if I get down to business."
    "Good idea," Wang said. "You've talked with Bourque? You can
tell us more about his request?"
    Pickett took a deep breath. "He said he wants to talk with President
Callaway about a broad range of issues. He wants to improve the relationship
between our two countries. He used the word 'revive.' "
    "That's an admirable goal," Callaway said, sounding friendly. "A
little vague, though."
    Wang reacted with a kind of negative neutrality. "We'd all like