Urgency (Part Eleven)

Ross slowly set down his glass and laced his fingers over his knee. The pose looked relaxed, yet carried an unmistakable authority. "But rather than simply venting our anger, we should be thinking about how to turn this 'crisis' into an 'opportunity' that works in our favor."

"Ross, you're right. Cursing that Black man won't solve the real problem."

President Ellis's smile vanished. He leaned forward, bracing both hands on the desk, his face alight with a politician's hunger for advantage. "But what exactly do we do next? Should we request the Didi Stand-In Service from Warp Group right away?"

"I've received intelligence that President Claudi of Mexico was killed in the earlier accidental H-bomb strike. A provisional committee appointed by the military is now in charge."

He spoke faster, urgency creeping into his voice. "They're mobilizing every force they can, even the National Guard, to stop those things that look like they crawled out of a crack in Hell. Demon Engines, I think they're called."

"But the intelligence is grim. Conventional weapons barely affect them, and they're tearing through the defensive lines. I doubt it'll be long before that provisional government calls me for help again."

"If we can resolve the crisis there quickly through Warp Group, it'll be a tremendous political asset. We'll secure our backyard in the Americas and show the world our influence and our ability to solve problems. That will undoubtedly help my reelection campaign and strengthen my voice and influence among other nations!"

Ross, however, slowly shook his head at the president's eagerness.

He picked up his glass again but did not drink. Instead, he gazed thoughtfully through the clear liquid at the neatly trimmed greenery on the White House's South Lawn.

"Mr. President, please don't worry."

Ross's voice remained unhurried, patient as an