Deputy Director Byrnes was at his side as they faced the videoconference monitor on the far wall. Peter Forelli, the President’s National Security Advisor, was demanding a full explanation of everything that happened at Fort Oscar. Urgent communications were flooding in to the White House from all over the world, including Great Britain, Germany, Canada, and, of course, France. The early reports were grim and, in addition to information, President Henry Forest wanted to know just how in hell this mess had become his problem.CIA Director Walsh told the President’s advisor that he had no answer yet.“Well, damnit, get one. The President gets blamed for everything from floods to famine. Now he’s getting tagged because the French can’t protect their own fort, which, by the way, hasn’t seen a battle in over two hundred years.”“You’re well aware of the operation that was in place inside that fort,” Walsh replied calmly.“Yes, Michael, I know what was going on there. And incidentally, it was supposed to be a top-secret communications installation, which begs another level of inquiry, once the smoke on this clears.”The DCI said nothing.“We’ve got an airliner down off of St.
