The president, flanked by his Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, appeared in the double wide doorway of the Situation Room. He leaned into the NSA's ear and the NSA quickly backed out of the room. The president and the Sec State strode in the room as Secret Service agents closed the thick steel doors.
The president noisily deposited his wide frame into his custom made leather chair, the one decorated with the presidential seal. Already crowded about the too small room were the vice president, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, the Directors of the FBI, CIA and CDC, the Attorney General, the president's Political Director and Chief of Staff.

All conversation ceased. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," the president said. He turned to his Chief. "Is everyone here Cal?"

The Chief quickly scanned the room. All his invitees were present, minus one.

"Yes, Mr. President, except….." He glanced to the president's immediate right, the seat usually occupied by the NSA.

The president nodded while eyeballing the room. "Amanda is checking something for me. Let's go. We've all got warm beds to get back to."
"Mary," the Chief of Staff prompted and the CDC Director got to her feet. "Mr. President." Not used to face time with the Boss, her voice trembled and she nearly knocked over her chair as she stood.

"Tell me why I'm here at three in the AM, Mary."

The CDC Director made her way to the front of the room. With the push of a button a flat screen emerged from the far wall. One more click filled the screen with a multicolored map.
She paused as the NSA slipped into the room and took her seat next to the president, "The Philadelphia metropolitan area, sir. The city itself has slightly fewer than two million inhabitants. The entire MFA contains over seven million, including northern Delaware and southern New Jersey."

"Fucking blue states, all of them," the president cracked and the room filled with laughter.

The CDC Director continued dryly, understanding the president's need to cut the tension. "There is no way to say this, Mr. President, but to come right out with it. The Philadelphia MFA is 'ground zero' for a virus. We've had people on site for three weeks, performing tests of soil, water and air. It's been confirmed scientifically."

"What are the symptoms?" the president asked.

"A lack of aggression. A supernatural calmness both in words and action."

"Sounds pretty innocuous. How did we find out about this?"

The FBI Director stood and joined the CDC Director near the screen. He tapped the screen twice and different numbers and colors filled the map. "No one has been murdered in the Philadelphia MFA in three months, sir. That's after nearly four hundred murders in 2007 in Philly alone."

The Political Director nodded. "We've already taken credit for that, sir. Made us look good on the law and order front. We increased federal funds to the city of Philadelphia by three point two percent in the last two years. Spearheaded by our sympathetic contacts in radio and cable, we've made considerable headway in the national press with the narrative that your administration drove these results."

The president shot the PD a look and the FBI Director continued, "Not only have murders flat lined but all violent crime." He tapped the screen once more. "These are statistics from the area emergency rooms. Except for accidents, their customers have dried up."

"No one is getting sick?" the president asked.

"No, sir," the CDC Director responded. "The virus seems to have the effect of keeping all other illnesses – cancer, heart disease, AIDS, anything – at bay. The only deaths in the region have been accidental. The AIDS clinics, even those treating sexually transmitted diseases, have practically shuttered. No one is dying of old age."

"The fountain of youth?" questioned the AG.

"Births?" someone else asked.

"Birth rates are higher than normal," the CDC Director responded. "Birth defects and infant mortality are non existent."

"How long has this virus been active?" her boss, the Secretary of Homeland Security asked. Both were aware that he already knew the answer but the question intentionally led the still nervous CDC Director to discuss the virus' history.

"We estimate that the virus was born one year ago. Its spread has been very slow but steady. Our testing shows that its origins are in the Philadelphia reservoir on Belmont Avenue in the city's North West section. We believe that the virus represents a random combination of the pharmaceuticals that are present in all of America's urban reservoirs and, we theorize, chemicals illegally dumped into nearby rivers and creeks by the region's numerous drug and chemical firms."

"You're fooling yourself if you think that this is not terrorism," the vice president snapped. She was shaking her head vigorously before anyone could respond. "This was not a random act of nature, not a combination of an overmedicated populace and industrial neglect."

The CDC Director began to respond but the CIA Director quieted her. "Mrs. Vice President, as you know, the CIA's opinion is that such a virus is beyond the capabilities of all known terrorist organizations."

The president made a stop sign with his meaty hand to quiet the VP before she could argue the point. "What about other nations, Michael? We can all name the usual suspects - Cuba, Iran, North Korea."

"Russia?" added the Secretary of Homeland Security.

The CIA Director shook his head. "The technology is beyond our own people, sir."

"I don't buy that," the VP interjected.

"What does it matter who did it, if anyone is responsible? What's the problem? Why are we here? Where's the threat?" the Secretary of State asked. He made eye contact with the person he knew could answer his questions – the vice president.

He continued. "It sounds pretty beneficial to me. A fountain of youth, a cure for violence and everything else that ails us, the worst diseases known to man. What's the problem we're trying to solve in the middle of the night?"

"I believe the Sec Defense is prepared to address that question," said the CDC Director. She and the FBI Director took their seats as the Sec Defense commanded the room, "The opinion of Defense is that this is a strategic weapon being deployed against the United States of America."

The president half raised out of his seat. "They just said this was not man made." He pushed a big thumb in the direction of the CIA Director and CDC Director. "Somebody better get the fucking story straight," the president boomed. The room quieted.

"Seems pretty clear to me, sir," the Sec State said with a grin. "Someone is attacking us by making our people healthy and laid back."

The joke did nothing to relieve the electric tension in the room. "Let's hear it, Hal," the president snapped, the Alabama thick on his tongue. He leaned forward in his seat.

"Yes, sir." The Sec Defense tapped the screen twice. "This is the spread of the virus by percentage of population infected. As you can see, today Philadelphia is at ninety-eight percent infected. The outer edges of the infection include New York and Washington, at about two percent each."

"How is it spread? Do you have to drink the water?" the AG asked.

The CDC Director responded. "Drinking the water is the most direct method of transmission, yes. Sexual contact is another method, similar to the spread of AIDS. It may also spread from touch, skin to skin contact, but this method is not very efficient. We theorize the virus could spread airborne similar to a cold but no one infected sneezes as no one gets sick."

"Get to the point. Tell me who is responsible for this. Tell me how this threatens the nation," the president demanded.

The Sec Defense responded. "With all due respect sir, this is the gravest threat this nation has ever faced, greater that Al Qaeda, greater than the Soviets, the Japs or Hitler. This attacks the soul of the country."

"The American spirit," the vice president added. What makes us great."

"Sounds like fluff, give me specifics." The president leaned back in his chair, waiting.

"If the virus overtakes the country, sir, it will impact the armed forces. Militarily, lacking aggressive armed forces, we are defenseless to any threat," responded the Sec Defense. "It would essentially decapitate the command and control centers of the military. Our worldwide nuclear arsenal would be rendered inert, even the subs, without a Pentagon or Commander-in-Chief who are ready and willing to entire the codes. As you know, America's true strength is its WMD, our conventional forces are far less numerous and capable than those of China and Russia. WMD is our equalizer and if this virus causes the world to doubt our ability to use these weapons…well, sir, we become fair game to our enemies."

The room was silent as everyone considered those words.

"Given the gravity of possible consequences, you're assuming that the attack is intentional," the president stated.

"Yes, sir," the vice president responded.

"Who?"

"I've surveyed the intelligence community, sir," the vice president said.

"Without telling the president?" the NSA asked. "I'm National Security Advisor. When were you thinking about telling me?"

"Let her continue, Amanda. After this, there will be changes around here, I guarantee you. I'm getting tired of this cowboy shit myself." His gray eyes drilled into his VP. "Go on, Margaret."

"Thank you, sir. The minority opinion, held by the CIA and army intelligence, is that this is not an attack but an accident of nature. The other thirteen intelligence agencies hold to the opinion that this is man made and that the nation having the most to gain and with the highest scientific capabilities to produce this virus is India."

"India?" the president asked. He glanced at his Sec State who merely shook his head.

The VP continued. "Yes, sir, India. Eliminating the United States as a world power opens the door for their dominance as the preeminent world economic power and would allow them a clear path to destroy their enemies, starting with Pakistan. While our eyes have been on Iran, India has increased its nuclear arsenal, and has built redundant delivery systems to reach every corner of Pakistan and beyond that, to strike their real rival, China."

The president shook his head. "I don't know if I buy that, Margaret." He motioned for the Sec Defense to proceed.

"The military impacts are obvious, sir – we and our friends become vulnerable. Israel and Iraq would be the first to fall. Economically, again lacking American assertiveness in the world markets, very quickly we will be at the mercy of the emerging world economies of India and China. Not to mention Russia and our so called friends in Europe."

The PD chimed in. "We would lose our will to lead on the world stage, sir."

"Let me ask a silly question," the Sec State interrupted. "Wouldn't this thing spread worldwide? Wouldn't the playing field eventually be level?"

The vice president was shaking her head as the Sec State spoke. "Mr. President we can't take that chance. Such a strategy – doing nothing – would expose the United States to all of its enemies. There would be a window of time where we had the virus and others nations did not. We would be vulnerable sir, politically, economically and militarily."

"I agree," the Sec Defense added.

"General?" the president asked as all eyes went to the CJCS.

"Sir, the Joint Chiefs concur that this is a threat. However, we don't agree that this is man made. And we would like to preserve the virus, once we have dealt with this problem, as one of our biological capabilities."

"You want to use this against someone else? Who?" questioned the NSA.

"China," the CJCS stated quickly. "With their growing military presence worldwide they threaten the security of this nation now. As we speak their waters are sprouting deep water harbors which their shipyards are filling with nuclear subs."

"The China threat is overstated…" the Sec State said before being interrupted.

"Enough. I need options," said the president.

The room fell silent.

"Sir, if I may?" began the Sec State. "Before we discuss options, I would like the room – specifically the vice president and the Secretary of Defense – to answer your initial question: Why are we here at 3 am? The CDC stated that this is a slow moving virus. Why do we have to make this decision now? What is the urgency?"

The Secretary of Defense and CIA Director exchanged looks and both glanced in the direction of the vice president.

"Hell," the petite, gray haired woman said as she got to her feet,"This is about options and opportunity, Mr. President." Deftly manipulating the touch screen a mug shot of a terrorist appeared. "Our friends in the ISI captured this man leaving the Pakistan tribal areas six hours ago. In a backpack he had enough weapons grade plutonium to construct a dozen dirty bombs." She tapped the man's picture and documents, including some maps and schematics, came on screen, "A map of major cities on the East coast – New York, Boston, DC, Philadelphia. The plan apparently was to smuggle the materials through Mexico, to the East Coast where this person would either construct the bombs himself or enlist confederates."

"Should I be more disturbed that a man obtained plutonium and was heading for our shores or with the fact that I'm the goddamm last person to know about this?" The president banged his hand on the table.

The president's NSA shook her head and shrugged.

"Mr. President I apologize. We waited to give you the complete situation," the VP said.

"Whatever. So, what's your plan? You must have a plan, Margaret."

"We leak the Al Qaeda materials to the press, ramp up the alert status. We heroically intercept several of the dirty bombs but one gets through, in Philadelphia."

"Just like that? Kill two million people?" The Sec State smiled. "You can't be serious?"

Silence dominated the room. "Can you?"

The VP continued. "Mr. President, I reiterate that this is a threat. The CDC has proven that transmission is primarily via the water supply and sexual contact. Eliminate the city water supply and what you have left is a disease passed on by sexual contact. And the destruction of that water supply has the collateral effect of destroying most of the carriers of the virus."

"Human beings, Mrs. Vice President, they are human beings. 'Carriers' makes them sound like luggage," the Sec State corrected.

"Casualty estimates?" asked the president.

"A warhead strategically placed to maximize destruction of the city's water supply would kill a half million instantly, with another quarter million dead within thirty days," the CJCS said.

"A terrorist attack on American soil – real or fake – would be a disaster for this administration and for your legacy, Mr. President," the PD piped in.

"James, this is not a political decision. We have to do what is best for the country. By God, we have to save our country," the vice president urged.

"Why not just tell the residents of the city that the water is poisoned?" asked a sullen Chief of Staff.

"Hell, bottles of the water would be on eBay within minutes. The shit will cross the country as fast as Fed Ex or UPS can carry it," the vice president responded.

"Options people," boomed the president.

"We could quarantine the metro area. No one gets in or out," the Sec Home Security said.

"Is that what you recommend, Thomas?"

"Yes, sir. No loss of life and it will give the CDC time to find a cure."

The president turned toward the CDC Director. She was pensive, anticipating this question.

"How far away are we from a cure, doctor?"

"Could be days or could be years, sir. I simply don't know."

"Can we hold these people for years? Is that legal?" the president asked no one and everyone.

"We're doing it already, in Guantanamo Bay," the NSA answered.

"But these are American citizens on American soil," the Sec State said.

All eyes turned to the Attorney General. "There would a court case, Mr. President."

"Can we win it?"

"Probably not," the AG responded. He began counting with his fingers. "Scalia, Thomas would be with us."

"They'd be with you if you decided nuke the whole country," the PD cracked.

The AG ignored the joke. "Roberts, Alito maybe." He raised his other hand. "The four libs would be against. That leaves Kennedy and I don't see him supporting us."
"Other options? Right now we're deciding between dropping a nuke on ourselves and building the fucking biggest prison ever."

More silence as the greatest minds in government pondered the question.

"Do nothing," the NSA attempted. "No loss of life."

"Until the Iranians bomb us back to the stone age," the vice president said.

"Or the Russians," added the CJCS.

More silence.

"Can we simply destroy the reservoirs?" the AG asked.

"That would slow transmission of the virus by half," the CDC Director answered.

"Not good enough," the Sec Defense added.

"If we set off the nuke, how much does that slow transmission?" the president asked.

"To five percent of the present rate, sir," the CDC Director responded.

"If we quarantine the area?"

The CDC Director shuffled her notes. "Sixty percent, sir."

"Mary, under the quarantine scenario, what is the likelihood of developing a cure before the virus overtakes the country?"

"High probability, sir."

The president nodded once, then again. "I've made my decision. We quarantine the area and destroy the city's reservoirs with conventional weapons. Any idea how much that would slow transmission?"

"More than half, sir. We would have to run the models but my guess is thirty percent of the present rate of transmission given the combined actions."

The president turned to the CJCS. "General, how soon before a quarantine could be established?"

"One month. We would have to redeploy troops from Iraq and Afghanistan."

"This is more important."

The CJCS nodded his agreement. "I'll get right on it, sir."

The president got to his feet. "Cal, James, I'll need a communication plan on my desk by noon. Any everyone, no fucking leaks." He flashed a stern eye about the room. "Now, let's go back to bed."

* * *

His buzzing cell phone awakened the Sec State, asleep in his Georgetown home, "Yes?"

"Mister Secretary?"

"Yes?"

"Sir, I have grave news. The president has died of a heart attack in his sleep. You're urgently needed at the White House."

The Sec State returned to the White House in time to witness the vice president taking the oath of office. Following the ceremony the new president ushered her Secretary of State into the Oval Office. Waiting inside, seated before the president's desk was the Sec Defense.

The newly minted president and Sec State sat.

The president half turned from her guests to glance out onto the White House lawn. A rare smile graced her thin lips as she turned to face her Sec State. "Mister Secretary, a matter of great urgency has come to my attention. I have just been made aware that several dirty bombs have been transported onto American soil."

The Sec State returned the smile. "And I must inform you, Madame President, of one of the late president's last actions. Prior to our meeting, concerned about the shadow government activities taking place in his administration, the president signed an executive order authorizing full electronic surveillance of all Executive level offices with the exception of this one."

"That's against the law," bellowed the president.

"Feel free to bring charges, Madame President. I'm not sure that Hank Johnson really cares, considering that he's lying on an autopsy table right now in Bethesda." The president leaned back in her chair, smile gone. The Sec Defense shifted uncomfortably.

"Anyway, the NSA has shared the file with the national security team and I have taken the liberty of emailing the video to the next in line to the presidency, the Speaker of the House."

"You've doomed our nation," the Sec Defense said.

The smile returned to the face of the president.

"You realize, Mr. Secretary, that the Speaker of the House is a Philadelphia native."

"Yes, ma'am, I do. Mr. Speaker now abhors violence and conflict of any kind. He'll support your resignation, if, and I quote, 'she really, really thinks it is the right thing to do'. He refuses to bring impeachment charges."

The president's smile grew larger and was shared by the Sec Defense.

"There's nothing you can do," she said. "We can proceed with our plans."

"I, and the entire national security team, present company omitted, have not drunk the water and have the agreement of the AG to immediately indict the President of the United States on murder and treason charges, both of which are punishable by death. I somehow doubt the military will give access to the nuclear launch codes to an indicted president."

It was the Sec State's turn to lean back and grin, "Madame President, the next president and the Nation await your decision."

The president pressed a button hidden under her desk and stood. "Thanks for letting me know that this conversation isn't being recorded." Secret Service agents burst into the room with guns drawn.

"Arrest the Secretary of State. He has admitted to poisoning the president. His co-conspirators are the other members of the national security team and the Attorney General. Arrest them all, and gentlemen, my direct order is that they should all be held at our newest Federal Detention Center…the one located in Philadelphia."