MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 67

Chapter 67 -- NQOCOJLMTCPARRQKRV

"All right" said Dean Jordan. "Everyone ready? Just over ten minutes."

All of the group were present, as well as the president. The People's Army had made it clear in their message that their representative would be speaking to the president and no other. It would be a minor problem - Jane Whittaker, the president's chief of staff, would operate the mute button the desk phone he would be using. The speaker was on but it was one way - they could hear the caller but the caller could only hear what the president spoke into the handset. This should be manageable, she thought, as she had to monitor all of his phone conversations and signal to him where he was going off script.

The others sat around the president's chair in a half circle, waiting. At 1930 the phone rang, just as the PLA had promised. The president answered.

"This is President John Kelly speaking." he said. "To whom am I speaking?"

The voice would be disguised, they knew, but this one sounded quite natural. A very good voice synthesis, if it was that, but almost as if the speaker's voice was converted to data and then back to a synthetic voice. It seemed the voice of an average man of middle age, but of course a fake voice was a fake voice.

"My name is not important" the caller said. "Obviously I will not identify myself at this time. You should also be aware that I am not inside the United States or any of its territories. You will of course attempt to trace this call to its source, you are welcome to try. Now, let us get down to business.

"As we stated in our letter, we wish to discuss ending hostilities. In our letter we stated that we were willing to enter into a truce to be observed until such time as a treaty is arranged.

"However, there is no reason for a truce if you are not inclined to agree to our terms, which are as follows:

"The Constitution of the United States will be restored as the ruling authority. This means that a large number of laws, implemented over many years, must be repealed. We will provide a list of those laws, and a framework for expediting this action. Further, you will agree to a review of amendments to the constitution. This will consist mainly of a clarification of the amendments in the Bill of Rights, to prevent them from being violated in the future. Finally, you will release a number of persons who are at present incarcerated by the federal government. None of these people are murderers or other violent criminals, all are imprisoned for political reasons, in violation of the constitution. "These prisoners must be released immediately, as a sign of good faith.

"These terms are not negotiable. If you are unwilling to comply, we will continue as before. The only result will be more death and destruction, and more human suffering, for which you will be responsible.

"If you agree to these terms and begin to comply immediately, we are willing to grant a universal amnesty to all members of this government, in the present or past administrations. There will be no prosecutions or penalties, financial or otherwise, imposed on past members of the government. If you do not comply, we cannot guarantee such an offer will be extended in the future.

"As I said, the terms are not negotiable. Aside from that, we will entertain any questions you have."

"Please hold for a moment" Kelly said, looking around helplessly.

"Obviously we're dealing with a madman, or mad men" Jordan said. "We reject the entire proposal. Anyone?"

He looked around, they all nodded.

"Tell him no to everything." Whittaker said, toggling the mute button.

"Whoever you are" said Kelly "we reject all of your demands, something you must have known. We are willing to discuss a way to end this situation, if you are willing to negotiate. We can not promise amnesty, as many serious criminal and treasonous acts have already been committed. However, we are inclined to be as lenient as the law allows, if you agree to end these actions immediately and surrender."