Military Rule

S. Bennison Mark

Description

America has secured its place as the world's superpower, with total control of the Middle East and its oilfields. Absolute world domination is in its grasp. But the outgoing President seems to be losing his grip and some believe he is selling out.The military, headed by a power-crazed general, have other ideas about the fate of the nation and are prepared to seize control at any cost and establish a dictatorship. Their answer: military rule for America and subsequently the rest of the world.In a tangled web of deceit and conspiracy, personal and selfish ambitions come to the fore. The line between friend and enemy becomes blurred in the battle for power. Who can be trusted, and will a David arise to slay the dangerous Goliath that has emerged before it is too late?

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 27 janvier 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781908582126
• Langue: English

Extrait

Title Page
MILITARY RULE
Mark S. Bennison



Legal Information
First published in 2006 by
Apex Publishing Ltd
PO Box 7086, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO15 5WN
www.apexpublishing.co.uk
Digital version converted and published in 2012 by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
Copyright © 2006 by Mark S. Bennison
The author has asserted his moral rights
All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition, that no part of this book is to be reproduced, in any shape or form. Or by way of trade, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser, without prior permission of the copyright holder.
Production Manager: Chris Cowlin
Cover Design: Andrew Macey



Prologue
The President of the United States of America, Richard Burkhart, was sitting at his desk in the Oval Office of the White House when the Secretary of Defence, Paul Denny, entered.
“Good Morning, Richard,” said Denny. “How’s the speech coming on?”
“Good morning, Paul,” replied the President. “Very well. Just putting the final touches to it. This year of our Lord, two thousand and eight, will go down in history as the end of a great presidential era, lasting eight glorious years.”
“Yes, Richard,” concurred the Secretary of Defence. “One of great leadership, conspiracy and reward.”
“Thank you, Paul,” said the President. “I could not have put it better. It makes one feel proud executing the American dream of personal wealth.”
“I agree,” replied the Secretary of Defence. “We’ve done well out of our term in office. It’s a shame we can’t continue: now that we control the whole of the Middle East.”
“Indeed so,” said the President. “But even I can’t change the Constitution. All we can do is tidy things up, tie up the loose ends. It’s time to think of my retirement. I’ve got what I want from my presidency. In my speech, I shall announce that I intend to hand back the Middle East to an elected leader. But, of course, one of my choice. One sympathetic to Western values. One sympathetic to my legacy, and retirement fund. It will demonstrate that I have listened to political leaders across the world, and taken on board their advice and wishes. It takes a great leader to compromise and show a willingness to do so.”
“Undeniably, Richard,” said the Secretary of Defence. “I’m sure you will display your compassion when reading your speech. This will lay to rest the criticisms about the Middle East being in ruin and chaos, unable to mount any meaningful revenge or attack in order to regain control of their oil, and also unable to dispel your legacy of democracy, though they throw it back in your face. They really are most ungrateful. But in reality, Richard, I feel we may have a problem closer to home.”
The President’s tone changed. He seemed frustrated at the sudden switch of subject. “Oh, and what problem may that be, Paul?”
“After everything we have achieved, our generals may not agree to surrender the Middle East.”
“I hear what you are saying, Paul,” said the President, with an air of confidence again. “We don’t need to worry about our generals. The generals do as they are told. It’s the American democratic way. Yes, they can voice their disapproval, but that is all. Nothing to worry about. Besides, I shall be supporting my brother’s candidacy, and my speech today will help him get elected. It will ensure another Republican administration. That will smooth things over with them.”
The Secretary of State paused in thought: he’s just brushing it aside. “I admire your confidence, Richard,” he replied. “But have you forgotten the rumours soon after our initial invasion, some five years ago. Our intelligence agency picked up on discontent among certain generals out there. I just feel uneasy.”
“Only rumours,” said the President, positively. “As proved, nothing happened. Also, if I remember correctly, General G. Mandeville, chief of staff to our army, quashed the so-called mutinous talk.”
“Ah, Mandeville,” said the Secretary of Defence. “He’s the one I fear most. He may well have done so but, even so, if the talk was true, I fear he won’t have forgotten; kept it in the back of his mind for future use; something to take advantage of. I know him well, Richard. He’ll think you’ve sold him out.”
“Nonsense, Paul,” rebuffed the President. “I know him well too. No matter what the grievance and how bad it seems to him, he is ultimately loyal to his commander in chief. Now, I’ll hear no more of this.” The President looked at his watch. “My press conference will be starting soon,” he said. “All the invited guests will be arriving. The time has come to deliver. My actions and speech today will show the world that America meant well. I don’t want to leave the presidency as a tyrant, but as the one who gave hope and the American dream of achievement to the citizens of lesser nations.”
“Is your speech ready, Mr President?” asked the Secretary of Defence, quietly. “Your appearance is indeed expected.”
“Yes, Paul,” replied the President with confidence. “It is now complete after being compiled over the years of our great administration. The Lord will smile upon us on this day, Paul.”
“Never mind the Lord, Mr President,” responded the Secretary of Defence. “I only hope Mandeville smiles upon you on this day.”
The President laughed. “Who cares what he thinks?” he scoffed. “He’s in place to serve me, America and our Lord. Come! It’s time to face my peers.”



1: Revelations at the White House
A White House spokesman introduced the President of the United States of America, Richard Burkhart, after giving a short statement to the gathered press, government officials and joint chiefs of staff.
The President appeared from the rear of the White House, making his way along the corridor to the podium in full sight of the waiting audience. He strode with deliberate pace, arms extended downwards and moving backwards and forwards with purpose. The President had a stern look on his face, confident in the knowledge that he was the most powerful and dominant leader in the world.
The President arrived at the podium and rested his hands on its edges. He looked straight ahead and paused for a moment before he spoke, as if to impose his dominance through silence. He then proceeded to deliver his speech without any welcome or acknowledgement to the audience in front of him.
“After the successful liberation, by my forces and our allies, of the Middle East, it is now time to move the process forward. In order to complete their liberation, I have set a date, in agreement with our ally, to hand over sovereignty to the people. They can then form their own government ...” The President continued with his speech, detailing the process he had just announced.
General G. Mandeville, army chief of staff, ignored the detail however. The opening statement of the speech had taken him by surprise: enough for him to go into deep thought and consider his position regarding the President’s proposed actions. Deflected from his thoughts for a moment as he watched the President elaborating on his opening statement, the General looked on in amazement. Then he returned to his thoughts. Anger was building up inside him, but he made sure his outward appearance remained calm. He’s selling us out, he repeated to himself over and over again. After all our work and achievement. If this is his true intention, he will have to go.
The President was now coming to the end of his speech. The General, now tormented and feeling let down, was anxious to meet with Vice-President, Benjamin Parks. The General looked towards the Vice-President, who in turn delivered a nod in acknowledgement.
“Thank you, I shall take questions from the press now,” said the President, his speech concluded.
This was the signal for the General to approach the Vice-President. He walked over to him purposefully, with barely contained anger. “I want to see you in your office now,” he said with urgency.
They both made their way to the Vice-President’s office, unnoticed due to the barrage of questions being addressed to the President.
Mandeville entered the Vice-President’s office, placing a cupped hand behind his ear to query whether they were likely to be overheard. It was the first time he had ever been in this office.
“Don’t worry, it’s safe. I made sure this was my sole domain from the start,” assured the Vice-President.
“Then why have we met at outside locations in the past?” asked the General.
“I can’t make everybody in the White House blind,” answered the Vice-President.
“All eyes wide open, unlike our President’s,” commented the General, who then laughed at his own joke. Once he had composed himself again, he continued, still angered by the President’s announcement. “I’ve already got a general gone soft out there, corrupting my boys into the ways of decent and moral thinking. And now I have a commander in chief going soft, who is proposing to ruin everything we’ve worked for. Then, there’s us in the middle.” The General walked to the French doors, which were located behind the Vice-President’s desk. He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply in order to calm himself. After taking in the view, he turned his attention towards the Vice-President, who was sitting on the sofa in the lounge area of his office. “You must have known he was planning this move?”
The Vice-President crossed his legs, looking defensive. “Vaguely,” he replied quietly. “You know I’ve been kept at arm’s length concerning R