​​President Hayes Litch looked into the camera. “Good evening. As your President, I’ve always tried to be straight with you. I think you deserve that. And today will be no different.” 

 

He looked past the camera to his Chief Of Staff, Vernon Jessop, who nodded in support. 

 

President Litch continued. “We are in a crisis. There is an invasion on its way to Earth. They are an alien race we haven't seen before. Our military intelligence has intercepted their communications and determined that they are hostile. They plan on destroying all life on Earth and taking our planet's natural resources. There is good news: Our military intelligence has also determined that we are stronger than the invaders. We have more fire power. More weapons. We have a stronger military. They're still 2 days away and our troops could reach them in less than 2 hours. Long before they would reach Earth. We can stop this threat, but we need to act now. I will work with the Senate tonight so that we deploy our military immediately. To put an end to this enemy.” 

 

President Litch’s voice softened. “I’m sure you are frightened by this news. It’s completely natural. I want you to remember that we are stronger than they are. Both in might and in spirit. In intelligence and conviction, we are stronger. We are stronger in every way. And we will never let them into our house. We'll never let them near our families. We'll blow them out of the sky long before they get a chance. And they'll regret the day they ever came after us. 

 

“I will keep you updated as new information develops. You will each be in my prayers tonight. May God bless you and may God bless the United Countries of Earth.”

 

The broadcast ended. President Litch sighed and slumped back in his chair. Jessop smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

 

—

 

“Those idiots,” Jessop said to President Litch. “They’re going to kill us all,” Jessop snarled. He paced around the room. 

 

It was one day after the President’s broadcast and the Senate hadn't voted to stop the invasion. They were 10 votes short.

President Litch tried to calm Jessop. “Okay, get it out of your system now. Senator Havis is right outside. Get it out before he comes in.” He wasn’t surprised that Jessop was angry. They had worked together for decades.

He was used to talking Jessop off the ledge. 

 

“Havis needs to be put in his place, Mr. President. He needs to be told how reckless he’s being,” Jessop stressed.

 

Litch’s tone was level but firm. “First of all, keep your voice down. He's in the other room and might hear you. Second, what's your endgame, Vernon? Do you think yelling at him will work? Will it change his mind? Or will he stick to his guns out of spite? Let's not throw fuel on the fire.”

 

“Havis is,” Jessop stopped and lowered his voice. “Havis is the one throwing fuel on the fire. He’s making this a political issue.”

 

“Again, do you think screaming at the man will do anything? It might feel good, but it's not going to help.”

 

“Mr President, it’s a matter of justice. He needs to be accountable for his behavior.”
Litch smiled. This was an old conversation for them. “Havis is stubborn. He'll never admit that he's wrong. But, like it or not, we need him. He can get us the votes to stop this. We have to listen to him. Do you understand?”
Jessop continued to pace while rubbing his hands on his face. When he was angry, he couldn't stand still. “Sir, I’ve always admired your diplomacy. How you can work with your enemy. I respect that about you. I truly do. I think it’s what we need, but,” Jessop said, choosing his next words carefully. “It's not what we need now. Havis is destroying our democracy. We can’t let him get away with it.”

 

Litch put his arm on Jessop’s shoulder. “Okay, I’m letting Havis in. Will you promise to try and be nice? Just try?”

 

“Sir, now is not the time to be,” Jessop stopped, knowing that there was no point. “Yes, Mr President. I'll try to be nice.”

 

“Good. Good,” Litch said. He walked over and opened the door to the office.

 

Senator Luke Havis was standing outside the doorway, looking self assured and amused. He was the Senate leader for the opposition party. He was also the biggest obstacle to deploying the troops.

 

“Mr. President,” Havis said. “It’s a pleasure to see you. And Mr Jessop,” Havis paused. “You as well. How do you do?”

 

“I’ve been better, Senator Havis,” Jessop responded, not hiding his disdain. 

 

Senator Havis hated Jessop’s attitude. He didn’t like Jessop either, but he wasn't as obvious about it. He pretended. It infuriated him that Jessop didn’t pretend. Still, he tried to look unphased. He didn’t want to give Jessop the satisfaction. He walked over to the couch and sat down. “Sorry to hear you're not well, Mr. Jessop. I assume this so-called invasion has got you upset.” 

 

“So-called?” Jessop yelled. Havis felt a rush of joy.

 

“Easy now,” Litch whispered to Jessop. Litch sat down on the same couch as Havis. Jessop sat on the chair opposite to him.

 

“So,” Litch started. “It sounds like you have doubts about the invasion. About its credibility.”
Jessop scoffed under his breath but still loud enough for them to hear.

 

“Yes, Mr President,” Havis said.

 

“You’ve been briefed by our military,” Litch continued. "You’ve seen the reports about the invasion. These are facts. Not opinions. But none of the Senators in your party have voted to deploy our troops. You have influence with your Senators. You have the power to sway 10 votes our way. We asked you here to discuss your doubts. We want to hear your concerns and put them to bed.”

 

“If I wanted to, I could give you a lot more than 10 votes. But that’s not the point. With all due respect, Mr. President”, Havis said, about to say something disrespectful. “We’re far beyond that point. Far beyond putting my concerns to bed. Yes, I’ve heard the military’s report. I’ve seen the communications. It doesn't matter. I don’t trust the source.”

 

“You don’t trust our military?” Litch asked.

 

“I don’t trust your party. None of my Senators do,” Havis responded.

 

“Unbelievable,” Jessop cut in. “The military is impartial. We don’t have any influence on them.”
Havis’ face tightened. “There is strong evidence that there is actually no invasion at all. That these aliens do not exist. A lot of people are saying that the attack is a story that your party made up. They say that you created it to build your popularity. To increase your power and declare yourself...”

 

“You can’t be serious?” Jessop interrupted. “What evidence? Show me the evidence. I want to see it.”

 

“Everything will come out in time.”

 

Jessop forced a laugh. “You don’t have any evidence, do you? You're using this crisis to play politics with…”

 

“I’m not playing anything,” Havis said. “I’m defending our citizens from any attack on their freedoms. Any. Including from within its…”

 

“You are the one attacking our freedoms. Not us,” Jessop yelled, pointing his finger at Havis.

...