*** 

 

The president flipped through the congressman's bill. He made it to the last page and looked to his advisers.

 

“Do you really think this is the best course of action?” the president said.

 

Joining Jones with the president were his chiefs of staff and the vice president.

 

“It's radical, Mr. President, but this will save the rest of the country,” one of the generals said.

 

“The army has already been mobilized to the new border, and we've begun removing what resources we had on the west coast,” another general echoed.

 

“Congressman Jones has already spoken to the local police commissioners and sheriffs. He's secured their cooperation with agreements for their extraction and a new position in the Northeast,” Vice President Johnson said.

 

“Is this true, Raymond?” the president asked.

 

“Yes, Mr. President. The process started weeks ago,” Jones answered.

 

“That's not exactly legal, Congressman,” the president said.

 

“What's best for the country is always legal, sir,” Jones replied.

 

The president gave a weary nod. He rose from the chair, and the rest of the room followed suit. He walked to the window.

 

“You’re confident the bill will pass in both the House and Senate?” the president asked.

 

“It will,” Jones answered.

 

“And Colorado will remain with us.”

 

“Yes, Mr. President.”

 

“The martial law sanctions in Colorado were just for show, Mr. President,” one of the joint chiefs said. “NORAD will still be within our borders.

 

The president turned around and leaned forward on the desk. He pointed his index finger into the pages of the bill resting on top of it.

 

“If this fails, we won't just have a water crisis on our hands, we'll have another civil war to worry about. Make sure that doesn't happen,” the president said.

 

“I won't let you down, sir.”