Debt Bomb by Michael Ginsberg

Author:Michael Ginsberg [Ginsberg, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Published: 2021-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

President Murray’s national security staff had assembled in the Situation Room. Principals sat at the long, polished mahogany table with gold metal trim. Andrea had taken a seat against the wall where the staffers sat.

This was her first time in the Situation Room. A carved wooden presidential seal hung on the front wall. Each leather chair had the seal of the president embroidered into its back. Custom White House water bottles and etched White House glasses were neatly arranged in front of each seat.

Andrea surveyed the assembled group and felt herself shrinking.

Secretary of Defense Todd Andrews sat to the left of President Murray’s seat at the head of the table. He’d managed to get into a suit and tie for the meeting and his hair was perfectly parted and blow-dried.

Next to Secretary Andrews sat Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Edwin Ogden. Even at this ungodly hour his heavyset frame was ramrod straight at attention. The general was in uniform, his left breast covered in rows of medals and bars.

Admiral Trey Wilkerson sat to President Murray’s right. If General Ogden was the stereotypical army general, Admiral Wilkerson was the classic navy man. Tall and lean, his narrow frame extended well above the back of the chair in his pressed Navy whites.

And Vice President Matthew Campbell sat beside Wilkerson. He was by far the biggest person at the table, looking every bit the offensive lineman he was at the Naval Academy. He was in a crisp suit and tie, missing only the pocket square he favored.

The room exuded America’s power and majesty. From the massive mahogany table, to the crisp military uniforms, to the sophisticated secure telephone, it appeared every bit the superpower nerve center it was.

Andrea began to regret crashing the meeting.

Here she was, Andrea Gartner, CPA, seated among the cream of the national security elite. All of them were dressed as if it was a normal morning while she had thrown on the first outfit she could find. These guys were used to the middle-of-the-night crisis call. She felt inferior, out of place, a dwarf among giants. It didn’t take long for the military men to object to her presence.

“What the hell is she doing here?” General Ogden bellowed. “She’s not a national security principal.”

“OMB needs to be part of this discussion,” President Murray insisted. “We may be about to spend a lot of money.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” General Ogden mumbled, making no effort to hide his disdain.

The president started the meeting. “Gentlemen, ladies, there is a crisis in the South China Sea. Todd, what is the current status?”

Secretary Andrews’s grim mien said it all. “Mr. President, the Chinese have launched a full-scale invasion of Taiwan. They’re cutting off all sea lanes in the South China Sea.”

Andrea feverishly took notes, too intimidated to speak. She still felt as though everyone was looking at her, the interloper who didn’t belong. Taking notes provided a distraction.

“Satellite imagery shows a Chinese aircraft carrier group positioned off the coast of Taiwan,” Secretary Andrews continued.

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