"The story will be different this time," Moran said confidently.
"Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, members of Congress will hold a joint session in Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University.
And in order to meet without interference or disruption by the President's unauthorized and immoral use of the military, we intend to confront force with force. I have conferred with my House and Senate colleagues from the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia who have prevailed upon their governors to protect our constitutional right to assemble by providing troops from their National Guard units."
"Will they have orders to shoot?" asked Mayo, smelling newsworthy blood.
"If attacked," Moran replied coldly, "the answer is an absolute yes."
"And so Civil War Two erupts," said Oates wearily as he switched off the TV set and turned to face Emmett, Mercier and Brogan.
"Moran is as daft as the President," Emmett said, shaking his head in disgust.
"I pity the American public for being forced to accep
t such miserable leadership material," Mercier grumbled.
"How do you'read the upcoming confrontation at Lisner Auditorium?" Oates'asked Emmett.
"The special forces of Army and Marines patrolling Capitol Hill are highly trained professionals. They can be counted on to stand firm and not attempt anything stupid. The National Guard is the real danger. All it takes is one weekend warrior to panic and fire off a round. Then we'll witness another Kent State bloodbath, except much worse. This time the Guard will have their fire returned by deadly marksmen."
"The situation won't be helped if a few congressmen fall in the crossfire," added Mercier.
"The President has to be isolated. The timetable must be moved up," said Oates.
Mercier looked unsold. "That means cutting back Dr. Edgely's evaluation of the President's brain signals."
"Preventing wholesale slaughter must take priority over a plan to mislead the Russians," said Oates.
Brogan gazed at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I think we might steal our chicken and pluck it too."
Oates smiled. "I hear the gears meshing in your head, Martin.
What wild Machiavellian scheme has the CIA got up its sleeve now?"
"A way to give Edgely an advantage," answered Brogan with a foxlike grin. "A little something borrowed from The Twilight Zone."
A limousine WAS WAITING at Andrews Air Force Base when Pitt slowly eased his way down the boarding stairs from a Navy passenger jet.
Admiral Sandecker was sitting in the car, hidden by the tinted windows.
He opened the door and helped Pitt inside. "How was the flight?"
"Mercifully, it was smooth."
"Do you have any luggage?"
"I'm wearing it," said Pitt. He winced and clenched his teeth as he slipped into the seat beside the admiral.
"You in much pain?"
"A little stiff. They don't tape cracked ribs like they did in the old days. just let them heal on their own."
"Sorry I insisted on your return in such haste, but things in Washington are boiling up a storm, and Doug Oates is hoping you possess information that might clear up a few entanglements."
"I understand," Pitt said. "Has there been any news of Loren?"
"Nothing, I'm afraid."