SITUATION ROOM
THE WHITE HOUSE
Every OLED screen in the Situation Room started flashing red. The word “ALERT” cut on and off across the screens.
A moment later, the screens cut to a live video feed. Samantha Stout from NSA was on-screen.
“The North Koreans initiated the launch order,” said Samantha. “Mr. President, you have twenty-six and a half minutes until the North Korean missiles take off.”
Dellenbaugh stared into the screen. After a moment, he turned to the table.
“Once again,” Dellenbaugh said, “what is the flight time from the submarine to the target for our missiles?”
“Three minutes,” said Tralies.
Dellenbaugh looked at his watch. He took a pencil from the conference table and grabbed the closest piece of paper he could find, a newspaper. He started scribbling down numbers.
“We launch at ten minutes,” said Dellenbaugh.
“But sir,” yelled Tralies. “They issued the order!”
Dellenbaugh gave Tralies an icy stare. The president said nothing, waiting for Tralies to finally understand the order.
“Ten minutes,” said Tralies. “In the meantime, per protocol, we need to open the football, sir. There are a number of logistical steps—”
“I know how it works,” said Dellenbaugh. “In the meantime, convene a call with Putin and Xi. Invoke the Emergency Council if you have to.”
The Emergency Council was created by Woodrow Wilson more than a century ago. It included the leaders of three countries. One of the most secret programs in the world, it involved an agreement that superseded political boundaries and could be initiated only by its members, the leaders of the three countries, even in times of war between the parties. When a council member called for a meeting, the other two members were obligated to drop whatever they were doing. The three members of the Emergency Council represented more than 90 percent of all the world’s wealth and most of its land. It was the last bastion of protection, a council at the end of the day committed to fighting true threats to mankind. There weren’t many members: China, Russia, and the United States of America. In essence, the Emergency Council was the big kid on the playground.
Dellenbaugh understood that he needed to let them know he was about to wipe out a country. He wasn’t asking permission, but he was taking the time to notify them.
Two minutes later, a voice came over the phone console.
“This is Scarlett four four blue,” came a European-sounding female voice. “You have the president of the United States, the president of Russia, and the president of the People’s Republic of China.”
Dellenbaugh stepped to the table as all eyes were on him.
“Vladimir, Xi, nice talking with you,” said Dellenbaugh. “I’ll keep it brief. In a few minutes the United States is going to initiate a preemptive nuclear strike on North Korea. It’s our only option at this point. Thank you for your time.”