As the getaway vehicles began their move from West Point toward eastern Pennsylvania, Major Bates and Captain Scribner continued their northbound mission by piloting the two helicopters toward the New York state capitol city of Albany. Their orders were to land in a remote area of the international airport just north of the city to refuel and pick up additional jumpers for another parachute drop. Based on the direction of their flight path, and having no reason to suspect any foul play in the distance behind them, they were unaware that three black suburban’s had melted to almost nothing behind a cluster of buildings at the Camp Smith Military Reservation. Those Fugas bomb explosions had been properly set for their timed detonation, as they had occurred within three minutes after the first of the attacking force launched grenades upon the unsuspecting masses at West Point. Much like the three vans in the mass of vehicles on the academy grounds, there had been little or nothing left to sift through for evidence. To balance the scales of ignorance in the current moment, the attacking force was also unaware that the helicopters hadn’t returned to a mass of melting suburban’s near the parade ground landing zone.

The Governor of New York, in his most typical fashion, had expressed a desire to upstage his counterparts in the states that housed the other service academies. He had called in several favors, including one to his old friend General Norgard, so that he could carry out that intent. The plan was to have personnel from the New York National Guard duplicate the jump over West Point by landing in the Rockefeller Empire State Plaza that surrounded the State Capitol Complex. The Governor would then seize the opportunity to address the assembled crowd, and in so doing, remind them of how his presence in Albany had positively impacted the state of New York. Then a marching band would play some inspirational tunes, with a huge fireworks show to follow. It was well planned pomp and self-propaganda at its absolute worst to kick start his intended presidential run for 2028, but unfortunately for the governor, none of it would transpire.

As Major Bates and Captain Scribner, having flown a northerly heading that for the most part kept them directly above the Hudson River, were now positioned high over the city of Albany, it was time to begin their approach into the international airport. At that same moment, the Governor had just completed what he initially felt to be an intrusive phone call from the White House Chief of Staff. Once he had heard why the call had been placed, he no longer felt that way. An act of terrorism had occurred within the state of New York, and with good reason, the plans for any continued celebration in the downtown area of Albany had suddenly been dashed. After hearing the news of West Point, and acting upon the directive from Washington D.C., the Governor contacted the awaiting National Guard personnel and the airport police. His order to them was clear and concise. They were to secure the helicopters from future flight, and detain the crews who flew them, until federal agents would arrive to begin an investigation.