BEFORE THE SUN CAST LONG SHADOWS across the east coast, the airways sizzled with un-substantiated claims and speculations, led by a popular TV news show host of the American National Network
“Good morning. This is Tom Neumann broadcasting to you from our ANN newsroom in the nation’s capital. At this hour reports of a strange happening are pouring into our newsroom. Only a few hours ago something occurred in the desert regions of Nevada that have many observers wondering if the United States Government has broken the long-standing Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed nearly fifty years ago. Our correspondent Mindy Logan is live at the scene. Mindy, what can you tell us about this event?”
A young blue-eyed woman with blond hair and high cheekbones appeared on a split screen with streetlights glowing in the background. “Nothing official yet, Tom, but I'm hearing from sources that a large explosion occurred shortly after 1:30 this morning. Witnesses in North Las Vegas say they heard a distant explosion and saw a red glow low in the night sky earlier this morning. Over that horizon behind me.”
“Thank you Mindy for that live report. Joining me is the former head of the Government Accountability Office, Daniel Santana. Daniel what can you tell us about this strange sighting?”
A dark haired middle-aged man with a carefully crafted beard stared straight ahead. “As you know, the Test Site has been off-limits for many years. Only authorized personnel are allowed on-site. I can't speculate, but if an atomic bomb exploded last night it was either top secret or possibly a terror attack gone awry.”
“A terrorist attack of this magnitude, Daniel, would be a serious threat to national security. Could you elaborate on that point?”
Daniel shifted his position. “Nuclear testing ended years ago. It would take an act of Congress to reauthorize testing. No such act has been approved. That means only an unauthorized detonation occurred or something is going on the public should know about.”
“That's an intriguing idea. Thank you Daniel Santana for your thoughts. Moving on, we are following events that occurred early this morning in Nevada. I want to bring in our panel for an assessment. Joining me is Gabriel Lloyd, a former State Department official, Zoey Chapman, a national security analyst with the Hawkins Institute, and Gavin Taylor, president and CEO of Global International Studies. Zoey, I'll start with you. There are indications that a bomb has exploded. What do you make of this?”
The screen split into four windows. A woman with tightly curled gray hair spoke. “I'm disturbed that we have not heard from the military. This incident has occurred in restricted areas under their jurisdiction. The public has a right to know what's going on. Are Americans in imminent danger from a foreign power or does this signal a change in our policy dealing with nuclear proliferation?”
Gavin Taylor interrupted. “I disagree. If the military is performing exercises in the desert, there is no reason to believe it poses any threat to Americans. In fact, this might be the government's way of showing we mean business when it comes to national defense.”
Tom Neumann turned to Gabriel Lloyd sitting across from him in the studio. “Gabriel, do you think there is a link to terrorism?”
Gabriel shook his head. “No. Acquisition of a nuclear weapon is far too sophisticated for the terror operations at large today. Even if they got such a weapon, creating a delivery system would be difficult, if not impossible.”
Neumann faced the camera. “I want to thank my guests for their informed opinions.” The camera angle changed and he turned his head. “Here in our studios, Bryant Smith has a special report for us.”
A slim gray haired man stood in front of a giant map of southeast Nevada. “Thank you, Tom. As you can see the test site covers almost 1,400 square miles. Based on what we know,” he pointed to the map, “the explosion was about here, in the middle of this vast area. The fact that there are no towns anywhere near suggest this was a planned experiment.”
“Thank you Bryant. That's good information for our viewers. I've just been handed breaking news. The President will address the nation on this mysterious explosion in the southwest. Our White House correspondent Rina Nankato is standing by to report on President Graham Steward's forthcoming appearance. What do we know, Rina, about the President's sudden decision to speak to the country?”
The face of an attractive Asian woman standing in front of the White House flashed on the screen. “It was announced a few minutes ago the President will address the nation. He will make a short statement and will not take questions from the press at this time. Sources close to the President say he’s been thoroughly briefed, and is in control of the situation.”
“Have you heard any talk about this being linked to a possible terrorist threat, Rina?”
“Right now there is no confirmation that this development is connected to terror activity, but no one is ruling out that possibility.”
“Thank you, Rina. It will be interesting to find out what the President has to say about a subject that is on everybody's mind. The fact that he's speaking directly to the country and not dealing with the subject in a White House Press Conference underscores the importance he must place on this strange occurrence.” Neumann paused. “Here is the President of the United States.”
A full-length podium with the President's Seal filled the screen backed by four American flags. President Graham Steward stepped up, faced the camera and assumed a serious expression.
“Good morning my fellow Americans. Today I come before you not to spread an alarm, but to spread the word that America is strong. America is safe.
“Safe from all those who might think we are not ready to defend ourselves, if defense is needed.
“Safe from those who would do us harm, if harm is intended.
“Safe from the insidious forces that lurk within and without our borders, if these forces underestimate our resolve.
“Safe because we value every citizen of this great country and can and will protect them with the most powerful military force in the history of the world.
“Because we have the duty to purge ourselves of the dark forces that stand ready to invade our way of life–our family values and basic freedoms earned by the blood, sweat, and tears of our forefathers and the sacrifices of our brave men and women of the armed forces. We resolve to remain the shining example of what the rights of men and women mean to society at large, I can assure you, all is right in the America we love.
“I can tell you this because our constant vigilance demands that we never fall behind in the endless struggle to maintain our defenses. That vigilance was demonstrated early this morning in the vast deserts of the great state of Nevada where a top secret experiment was conducted. An experiment that furthers our constant research into a strong military presence in the greatest nation on the globe: the United States of America.
“I know there are those among us who would speculate with theories of conspiracies. Let me assure you our goal is to preserve the freedoms we cherish and preserve the security of the nation. God bless all of you and God bless America.”
The President remained standing, his head high and displayed a thumbs up gesture. The camera pulled back and a commercial for sexual enhancement flashed on the screen.