Games of the Powerful

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  President Jackson was back in the Oval Office drinking a cup of hot coffee looking at the fresh dusting of snow on the ground in the valley right outside the window. He watched as a herd of antelope scratched through the snow looking for the last of the summer grass. Soon the ground crews would be out feeding them hay that had been stored in barns during the summer months. When he became president, he instituted the policy of feeding the inhabitants of the valley because he was tired of seeing dead animals for lack of food. He also instituted limited hunting rights to the locals to cull the herds. Since he had been doing that, the herds have shown a distinct improvement in health. The White House grounds crews also maintain salt licks for them throughout the valley.

  The door to the Oval Office opened and in walked Scott back to normal, in his impeccable navy-blue suit, white shirt, matching tie and Italian shoes shined black. With most of the formalities dropped between the two, Scott came and went as he pleased with the understanding the president is still in charge, but has given him unfettered leeway. Crossing the room he sat in one of the two chairs provided. Looking out the window to see what the president was looking at, Scott waited for him to acknowledge him. Scott had to admit the view is breathtaking. The president shook his head as if to clear it turning expectantly toward Scott.

  “Mr. President have you seen the latest CIA briefing?” Scott asked with a questioning look on his face.

  “I have seen it Scott, is there something in it that you want me to pay special attention to or is this a trick question to see if I am up to speed on current events?” the president asked lightheartedly to take the edge off the serious question.

  “No sir, I apologize I should have phrased the question differently.”

  “I know what you meant Scott you don't have to apologize, I know what you want to talk about I was waiting for you to arrive this morning to discuss it.”

  “I am concerned that what is happening is directly tied to the aliens that destroyed the Seventh Space Fleet Task Force Seventy and as you very well know from the report that CIA Director Bogusławski put together has the same concerns.”

  “We know the deaths in postwar New York are related Scott, the question is what we do about it. Has anyone spoken to those two detectives yet?”

  “A team has been dispatched directly from here. The director wanted is best agents on this one and I concurred. I am not saying the postwar New York agents aren’t capable it is merely that we don’t want any slipups on this.”

  I understand completely Scott. Whatever this creature is, it can’t be killed. Didn’t the report say the detectives emptied their guns into it and they could not kill it?”

  “Yes sir that in itself has me so concerned. We need to find out what those detectives know and get their story firsthand.”

  “Who is this security officer that reportedly saved the life of one of the detectives?”

  “From what all the reports say a very courageous man took a terrible wound to his upper body to save detective Nakamura. The hospital says she has not left his side since he was so grievously injured.”

  “I would like to meet him if he survives. I have a feeling we are going to need all the brave fighting forces we can get.”

  “I would have to agree with that Mr. President. Meanwhile what do we do about this creature and how do we find it?”

  “You know Scott all we keep relying on is reports I hate reports I need firsthand information now not later. Forget those agents I want those two detectives in this office in twenty-four hours or less. If it is safe to move the security officer, I want him here too. I want you to send the Smith twins, and agents Markowski and DeLuca to do the job. Scott this low profile needs to know only. Leave everything else in place do not change a thing. I have a bad feeling we may have been compromised.”

  “Ok Mr. President it will be done as you say.”