CallistaBoard

President Steele sat tensely behind is desk in the Executive Office, having summoned his national security adviser, Tedrick Washington. The president trusted Mr. Washington completely; odd given his primary advisor was just 24-years old.

NSA Washington was no ordinary 24-year old. He'd graduated first in his class from the Patriotguard Standing Forces Academy, and was a four-year starter on the academy football team. His performance at the academy was so exemplary that it caught the attention of the Commanding General of Patriotguard Standing Forces, Duke Ruger. Gen. Ruger knew he'd found a prodigy before he even ended his first conversation with Mr. Washington, and it was Ruger who suggested President Steele appoint the young man his national security advisor.

The door to the Executive Office opened and Agent X announced the arrival of the president's guest.

"Mr. President, national security advisor, Mr. Tedrick Washington."

"Teddy," the president beamed, stepping from behind his desk to absorb the firm handshake of a man who still prided himself on being an athlete.

"Mr. President," Mr. Washington said politely but firmly.

"Have a seat."

The president stepped behind his desk and sat down opposite Mr. Washington. He pulled out a bottle of Patriotguard's finest whiskey, and placed two glasses on his desk.

As he poured a bit into the first glass, Mr. Washington raised his hand.

"None for me, sir. Thank you."

"Suit yourself."

"Why the unexpected invitation, sir?"

"Tedrick, no one understands the dynamics of Patriotguard's...entanglement...with High Kashiik, as it relates to Victor Kashian as well as you do."

"I'd like to believe that's true sir."

"My word says that it is. And I have to admit to being something of a fool for not having consulted you on this issue until now."

"Mr. President, a fool doesn't win a civil war and return peace and liberty to 36 million people."

"Nonetheless, I need the wisdom of the most important man under 30 years of age in this entire nation."

"Mr. President, I can assure you that my staff and I have worked on this issue without ceasing since you appointed me to..."

"Mr. Washington, I'm not looking for a recap of what happens in your office. You surely have an opinion on this matter, and I need it now. Bluntly, honestly, and without reservation."

Mr. Washington nodded.

"Honestly, sir, I think Victor Kashian is the most completely evil piece of human feces walking God's green earth right now. He was responsible for the deaths of millions. Not tens of thousands, sir. Millions. I believe the best thing that can be done to pure evil is to oversee its complete eradication. Kashian is pure evil. If you'd let me strangle the life out of him with my own bare hands, it would be my highest honor to date. But regardless, Kashian deserves to die."

"Worst case scenario if that's the decision I make?"

"High Kashiik sends a terrorist or terrorists to detonate dirty bombs in some of our largest cities."

"Dirty? You mean a chemical attack?"

"Possibly. But as you were going to read in your morning briefing, sir, High Kashiik has begun mining uranium."

"Uranium? So nuclear dirty bombs."

"They're a ways away sir, but yes."

"Tedrick, if you were sitting on the other side of this desk, what would you do?"

"Still speaking bluntly, sir?"

"Always."

"I would send Kashian's lifeless carcass back to his dictator son with a toe tag that read, 'F*ck with us and you're next, junior.'"

The president laughed a little despite the gravity of the situation.

"Would you like to sit behind this desk, Mr. Washington? You have the decisive style it requires."

"Decisively, sir? Hell no."