"We predict that the United States will take at least five nuclear hits. Cities expected to be destroyed include Washington D.C., Houston, Texas, Lansing, Michigan, New York City, and Los Angeles."
Noise levels instantly went up throughout the White House, and outside, more gunshots destroyed the silence. Loud and rapid, they should have drawn immediate attention. When they didn't, the President understood then that it was really happening, was positive he'd be the last man to sit here. Gunfire in the capital and the agents in the room hadn't even blinked. It wasn't a tasteless joke. The world was ending.
"I'm declaring martial law nationwide, effective immediately. The curfew is an hour before sunset. Looters will be dealt with harshly. Our southern border has been closed, all air traffic has been grounded, and prices are frozen across the board." He hesitated again, drew in a deep breath. "I've also reinstated the Draft, effective as of 11:00 A.M. this morning. All males, ages 16-45, will surrender to the convoys of trucks on their way from bases across the country. People who refuse, flee, or follow, will be considered treasonous and dealt with accordingly. Stay in your homes, do what the soldiers tell you, and pray for your country. God bless you and God bless the United…"
He was jerked out of the seat at a nod from Ben and the President stopped struggling as they rushed him outside, panic roaring from the streets.
"Warning! Incoming!" The lawn speakers blared behind them and Carter couldn't take his eyes from the red and orange blur that he could just make out against the glare of the December sun. It was too late. They weren't going to make it!
The agents literally threw him onto the chopper, and the President huddled with his pale wife and twin boys as Marine One quickly rose into the air. As it ascended, its huge blades were assaulted with rocks, shoes, briefcases, and cell phones that doomed citizens threw in fury.
The guards opened fire suddenly as a mob overwhelmed the iron gates and rushed across the White House lawn. Blood splattered, bodies fell, and then they were flying through the beautiful, sunny sky, watching out the windows as the warhead barreled toward the American capitol, leaving a trail of fiery smoke.
"Look, Daddy! Fireworks!"
The explosion was staggering, blinding, and Carter kissed his wife's tear stained lips one last time as the shock wave caught up to them and brought the chopper down. There were no survivors.
2
Only two White House security tapes survived the blast, thanks to the quick instincts of a well-connected reporter with a shark's reputation, and they were what most of the watching people saw when the President's voice disappeared so abruptly. The first was a ten second clip, and in that short time, one perpetrator of the apocalypse was revealed.