Assuming the Presidency
Posted on Wed Jan 22nd, 2025 @ 6:26pm by Johnathan Keats
869 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Towers of the Void (Series Premiere)
Location: Secure Facility, Undisclosed Location, Virginia
Timeline: July 25, 2024
The house buzzed with activity as Secret Service agents worked with unwavering efficiency, transforming the quiet suburban home into a makeshift command center. Portable communication units were unpacked and set up in the dining room, with laptops and secure phones connecting to whatever emergency networks still remained operational. A perimeter was established with motion sensors and surveillance drones, while the hum of a generator added a low, constant backdrop to the tense atmosphere.
Six Army service members, led by First Lieutenant Richards, had joined the Secretary’s entourage after losing contact with their command. Arriving in two Humvees, they were grateful for any semblance of leadership and security. Their presence added a sense of gravitas to the operation, but it also underscored the growing fragmentation of what remained of the military chain of command.
Secretary Keats sat at the dining table, his hands clasped tightly as he watched the activity around him. His son, Matthew, had been moved to a small room at the back of the house, guarded by an agent with clear instructions to report any changes in the boy’s condition.
Special Agent Davis approached; her expression calm but serious. She placed a tablet on the table in front of Keats, its screen displaying a secure briefing document.
“Mr. Secretary,” Davis began, her tone measured, “we’ve confirmed that the President and Vice President are unaccounted for following the attack on the White House. There are also no signs of the Speaker of the House or the President pro tempore of the Senate. As the senior-most Cabinet member we’ve been able to locate, you are next in line. In six hours, if no further communication is established, we will swear you in as Acting President.”
Keats leaned back in his chair, the enormity of the situation pressing down on him. “I’m the Secretary of Education,” he said, half to himself. “I’m not equipped for this.”
“You are,” Davis replied firmly. “The chain of command exists for moments like this. Right now, the country needs a stabilizing force, and you are it.”
Keats rubbed his temples and exhaled deeply. “What about the Pentagon? FEMA? Any sign of a coordinated response?”
Davis shook her head. “Minimal communication from the Pentagon. We suspect they’ve been compromised. We had intelligence before the attacks suggesting Skynet is behind this. I’ll be honest, sir—it’s chaos out there.”
Keats nodded, absorbing her words.
Keats checked on Matthew, who was awake but still feverish. He sat beside his son, brushing back his damp hair. “Hey, buddy. How’re you feeling?”
Matthew looked up at him with tired eyes. “Better,” he whispered. “Are the bad guys gone?”
“Not yet,” Keats said gently. “But we’re going to stop them. I promise.”
Six hours later, the house fell quiet as the gathered personnel prepared for the swearing-in. Keats stood outside in front of the house, flanked by the Secret Service and Army soldiers. Most had their phones out, recording the historic moment. A Bible and a pocket copy of the Constitution had been retrieved from the house’s library, a somber reminder of the continuity of government protocols.
“Mr. Secretary,” Davis said, her voice steady, “are you ready to take the oath of office?”
Keats hesitated, his gaze sweeping the gathered faces. “Yes,” he replied finally, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Davis handed him the Bible and Constitution. “Raise your right hand.”
Keats complied, and Davis began the oath, her tone clear and deliberate.
“Repeat after me: I, Johnathan Keats, do solemnly swear—”
“I, Johnathan Keats, do solemnly swear—”
“That I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States—”
“That I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States—”
“And will, to the best of my ability—”
“And will, to the best of my ability—”
“Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
“Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
“So help me God.”
“So help me God.”
The silence that followed was deafening as Keats lowered his hand.
“Congratulations, Mr. President,” Davis said, her tone firm with respect.
Back inside, Keats gathered with Davis and First Lieutenant Richards at the dining table. The room, now a command hub, buzzed with low conversation and the hum of equipment.
“Alright,” Keats began, his tone measured. “We need to prioritize. What’s the status of our communications?”
Richards spoke first. “Local communications are functional within about a mile radius, but long-range systems are down. If we want information, we’ll need to move closer to sources. We might have to establish runners or drones to get information.”
Keats frowned. “What caused the outages?”
David and Richards looked at each other as if they both knew the answer.
“We believe its Skynet,” Richards said grimly. “It’s an advanced AI system we've integrated into our defense networks.”
Keats leaned forward. “How do we fight it?”
Richards hesitated. “Well, we don't know yet. Right now, sir, I believe survival should be the priority.”
Keats nodded, his mind racing. “Then survival is where we start. We need to figure out our next move, and we need to figure it out fast.”
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