DRONE Read Online Free
votes were declared null and void.
For the first time since the days of Abraham Lincoln, the offices of President and Vice-President would be split — two different parties. Wen “Ma” Carter, the losing Presidential candidate, who hadn’t gotten a majority in either popular vote or Electoral Delegates, a Democrat, was declared the winner, the next President of the United States.
The winners were announced on all the networks. Partisans took to the streets. Democrats to celebrate, Republicans to protest. Nobody cared about the Constitutionals.
Within twelve hours, Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tyson, and Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, filed joint suit in Federal Court. Within forty-eight hours the dispute was moved up to the Big Show. The Supremes had agreed to hear the case.
Both sides argued long and hard for nearly eight hours straight. Somebody was going to get the shaft. Sheila Koontz outside the Supreme Court Building suggested it would be the American public — “ . . . however this thing turns out.”
One day later, the Court rendered its decision. By a vote of five-to-four, the Supreme Court justices split exactly along party lines. Congress had no authority to supersede the Constitution. Osborn’s votes were deemed valid and were to be counted. They could not be disallowed.
The public once again took to the streets. Republicans were singing with joy. The formerly jubilant Democrats were incensed. Violence ran from fist fights to the burning of buildings. One man in Los Angeles was shot. Meanwhile, the Senate met and dutifully confirmed the election of a dead man.
Robert Osborn.
Chapter 9
It was a huge crowd January 20th,up and down Pennsylvania Avenue, across the Capitol Lawn to where the stage was set up on the Capitol Steps Balcony. The big man watched as Chief Justice Hedricks swore in Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, the country’s first Morman President.
After the oath of office, the new President asked, “ . . . for a moment of silence. For the man who should be here in my place today.”
The crowd became somber and silent. Big and Short were not standing together but they were close enough to have each other in view.
For a moment Big caught Short’s eye, gave a tiny nod. Short nodded back. Just a little blip. A chin tilt. Not one of the President-elect’s assassinators had yet been found. National Transportation and Safety Board investigators recovered brightly-colored plastic pieces of what appeared to be small motorized airborne vehicles in the wreckage. This had not been reported to the public, and probably would not be for some time. Until it was needed.
Big turned back to watch the new President. Wall’s perfectly combed sandy hair lifted lightly in the winter breeze — just a touch of salt along the temples. He wore a beautiful dark blue suit, a gold tie. He was in excellent shape. The man who had appeared unelectable was growing.
During the campaign he’d stayed in the background, never thought to be much of a speaker. On those few occasions when Christopher Wall was required to give a short speech, his voice had been typically flat and featureless.
He’d been good at following orders. Doing as he was told. A worker bee.
He was learning. Wall’s voice rolled, rose and fell now just enough to be a little interesting. He looked relaxed. Presidential. The huge audience was becoming enthralled. He’d picked up a lot from Robert Osborne.
Silently, overhead, flying at ten thousand feet, military drones kept everything and everyone in view.
ALSO BY MILES A. MAXWELL
Two brothers are connected
by a single link:
Their sister Cynthia
ENTER THE NIGHTMARE
Two years after Drone,
an atomic bomb is detonated in
New York City. Cynthia lives in New York, and her brothers are determined
to find her.
A second city is destroyed.
In the week that follows , while famous religious texts are
For the first time since the days of Abraham Lincoln, the offices of President and Vice-President would be split — two different parties. Wen “Ma” Carter, the losing Presidential candidate, who hadn’t gotten a majority in either popular vote or Electoral Delegates, a Democrat, was declared the winner, the next President of the United States.
The winners were announced on all the networks. Partisans took to the streets. Democrats to celebrate, Republicans to protest. Nobody cared about the Constitutionals.
Within twelve hours, Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tyson, and Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, filed joint suit in Federal Court. Within forty-eight hours the dispute was moved up to the Big Show. The Supremes had agreed to hear the case.
Both sides argued long and hard for nearly eight hours straight. Somebody was going to get the shaft. Sheila Koontz outside the Supreme Court Building suggested it would be the American public — “ . . . however this thing turns out.”
One day later, the Court rendered its decision. By a vote of five-to-four, the Supreme Court justices split exactly along party lines. Congress had no authority to supersede the Constitution. Osborn’s votes were deemed valid and were to be counted. They could not be disallowed.
The public once again took to the streets. Republicans were singing with joy. The formerly jubilant Democrats were incensed. Violence ran from fist fights to the burning of buildings. One man in Los Angeles was shot. Meanwhile, the Senate met and dutifully confirmed the election of a dead man.
Robert Osborn.
Chapter 9
It was a huge crowd January 20th,up and down Pennsylvania Avenue, across the Capitol Lawn to where the stage was set up on the Capitol Steps Balcony. The big man watched as Chief Justice Hedricks swore in Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, the country’s first Morman President.
After the oath of office, the new President asked, “ . . . for a moment of silence. For the man who should be here in my place today.”
The crowd became somber and silent. Big and Short were not standing together but they were close enough to have each other in view.
For a moment Big caught Short’s eye, gave a tiny nod. Short nodded back. Just a little blip. A chin tilt. Not one of the President-elect’s assassinators had yet been found. National Transportation and Safety Board investigators recovered brightly-colored plastic pieces of what appeared to be small motorized airborne vehicles in the wreckage. This had not been reported to the public, and probably would not be for some time. Until it was needed.
Big turned back to watch the new President. Wall’s perfectly combed sandy hair lifted lightly in the winter breeze — just a touch of salt along the temples. He wore a beautiful dark blue suit, a gold tie. He was in excellent shape. The man who had appeared unelectable was growing.
During the campaign he’d stayed in the background, never thought to be much of a speaker. On those few occasions when Christopher Wall was required to give a short speech, his voice had been typically flat and featureless.
He’d been good at following orders. Doing as he was told. A worker bee.
He was learning. Wall’s voice rolled, rose and fell now just enough to be a little interesting. He looked relaxed. Presidential. The huge audience was becoming enthralled. He’d picked up a lot from Robert Osborne.
Silently, overhead, flying at ten thousand feet, military drones kept everything and everyone in view.
ALSO BY MILES A. MAXWELL
Two brothers are connected
by a single link:
Their sister Cynthia
ENTER THE NIGHTMARE
Two years after Drone,
an atomic bomb is detonated in
New York City. Cynthia lives in New York, and her brothers are determined
to find her.
A second city is destroyed.
In the week that follows , while famous religious texts are
Readers choose
Niall Ferguson
Niki Savage
Kristi Avalon
Elisa Adams
Jesse Browner
Susan Grant
Georgia Cates
J.R. Gray
Nevaeh Winters
Lynn Kurland