The United States of America
E Pluribus Unum
Chapter 1: Situation Report
Washington D.C.
United States of America
April 10 2016
The American media's normal state is one of alarmism. Every minor disease outbreak is the next Spanish Flu, every skirmish the start of World War 3. For once, however, none of the sensationalism could compete with the sheer insanity of the current world. The dead numbered many and famous. The Pope. The Mexican President. The Kazakh President. All were killed in the span of a month. Bombings in London, organized political attacks in Mexico, Kazakh Civil War. It was truly a changing world. Everyone feared for the President's life.
Security across D.C. had been doubled. Metro Police had been supplemented by members of the US Army from nearby Fort McNair. The White House was protected by a squad of Bradley IFVs, overkill in all meanings of the word. SAM systems, from the M113-based M163 VADS to long-range MIM-104 Patriots, had been set up across the city, with jet fighters ready to scramble at the first hint of contact. It all compounded to make the District of Columbia one of the most heavily fortified places on Earth. It also made Barack Obama feel like a prisoner in his own home.
Stuck in the Situation Room under the West Wing, the President of the United States was surronded by some of the best minds in the nation. VP Biden. Most of the Cabinet (Secretary of Health and Human Services Burwell was the Designated Survivor, so she was in an "undisclosed location"). The JCS. General officers from every branch of the armed forces.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough began, "The world is, frankly, chaos. We all know about the recent strings of terrorist attacks, and we all know that Germany's gone full Hitl-"
"Mister McDonough," Jack Lew, the Secretary of the Treasury, ex-Chief-of-Staff, and a Jew, interjected, "I'd very much appreciate if you stopped right there."
"The point stands!"
"Please, gentlemen, calm down," POTUS Barack Obama said, trying to keep the peace, "The stack of reports on the smaller is not growing smaller by your arguing."
"Either way," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford said, "We need decisive action. ISIS is out of control."
"What do you suggest?"
"Sir, if I may?" Admiral John M. Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, interjected, "The Harry S. Truman is in the Persian Gulf already. I would personally recommend tripling the amount of sorties we're running from her."
"Make it so," Obama waved his hand. Military business wasn't his cup of tea. He let the ones who knew what they were doing make those decisions.
"Next order of business: Germany!" Secretary of State John Kerry announced.
"The damned Na-" McDonough began again, but a quick glare from VP Joe Biden shut him up.
Much debate later, it was decided to send an ultimatum: withdraw or else. "Or else" would be decided at a later date.
Many other issues would be debated in that room, from the Swedish problem to Mexico's instability to the massacres of Hindus in India. Everybody in that room was an expert in their own fields. All knew what was at stake. The fate of the world hung in the balance in that room on April 10th, 2016.
New York City
United States of America
April 14 2016
Donald Trump was tired. He had spent most of last night ironing out his responses for the press conference, the entire day answering the press conference's questions. He had smiled so much he felt as if his lower jaw was about to drop off. He had spent so time under the lights and cameras he felt like he was sweating enough to fill the Atlantic Ocean.
"Mr. Trump! Mr. Trump!" One reporter called out, "What is your stance on the new Mexican President?"
Oh great. This again. Trump was sick and tired of hearing the name "Emiliano Salinas." But at the same time, repetition is what got through to people. Raising his hand for emphasis, Trump began.
"I, honestly, believe that Mr. Salinas has a lot of the right ideas. He... Our goals would line up, you see, if I become President, because that means that Mexico can help America by stopping the illegal immigrants, and America can help it by stopping the drugs that feed the cartels at the border. The way I see it, everyone wins!"
"What's your position on Germany and Austria?"
"I am of the opinion that Germany is, uh... invading Austria. That isn't how it's supposed to go. Germany's supposed to get help from us and approval from Austria before steaming across the border like some crazed Nazi."
And on and on. By the time Trump returned to his room that night, all The Donald wanted to do was sleep.
Roseau, Minnesota
United States of America
April 23 2016
Shit had gotten real. SWAT and riot officers dashed back and forth between barricades, while SMG-armed cops kept their guns trained on the exits. Several snipers had set up in nearby buildings, the only indication of their presence being the red dots that slowly made their way across the walls of the town hall.
Detective Rex Kane was getting too old for this. He had seen his fair share of hostage situations, to be sure- the Robbery of '08 came into mind- but none with so many hostages, nor so soon after another. The Bundy Bunch had caused enough media ruckus already. Turning to Police Lieutenant Brian Kenda, who was fiddling with his ballistics vest, Kane asked about the plan.
"Well, Kane, we're planning to ask 'em to surrender. If these backwood bumpkins refuse, SWAT goes in, multi-point entry, weapons free. Hostages thus rescued, we party, send those lackeys off to the Pen, and all relax."
"That might not work, Kenda. Bogeys got the whole place fortified."
"Of course it'll work, Kane. You just watch."
Standing up and raising a megaphone, Kenda began:
"Attention: We have you surrounded. Come out with your hands up and you will not be harmed. Release the hostages and cooperate or we will resort to deadly force!"
Silently, behind a police cruiser, Rex Kane facepalmed. This isn't going to work. was what went through his head.