Chapter 99

99
THE WHITE HOUSE

President Robert Haskill was a familiar face in the offices of the consulting company which covered Tom Hanneman's real occupation. In fact, Haskill would have been a familiar face had there ever been anyone there to see him. The offices had desks and chairs for more than a hundred, but there was never a soul in the place when the President called save one very elderly woman who sat outside Hanneman's office suite, apparently completely unaware of anything. She smiled sweetly as the President brushed past. Robert Haskill had wondered at various times if she might be a robot of some sort or perhaps Hanneman's mother. He knew that this was not a place where one asked questions.

Hanneman rose as the President entered. "Mr. President. Thank you for coming. We need to have a short, very private conversation."

"What's up, Tom? Not more rioting, I hope." Haskill commented.

"No, Sir. This is good news. A certain kind of opportunity has developed. I wanted to brief you on it."

"What do you mean 'opportunity'?" Haskill shuddered defensively. Conversations with Hanneman about 'opportunities' were always terrifying.

"Robeles and his roommate had company last night, female company." the advisor answered.

"I already like this. Who was she?" asked the President.

"Not she, them. Six young Marines, two men and four women." Hanneman answered.

"Well, at least His arithmetic is good. Do we know what they did?" Haskill asked.

"Not exactly. Tower has got that place so tight that it's hard for even me to find out what's going on there. One thing we do know is that it got pretty mushy at 'Good Bye Time'. I don't think they were prostituting themselves. It looked more like a pretty strong romantic attachment. But, like I said, this opens a door of opportunity, especially since they were Marines." Hanneman's eyes seemed to become ever so slightly more beady.

"You said 'romantic'. Do you think they met before somewhere?" the President was becoming thoughtful, of course, fruitlessly thoughtful. In fact, Haskill's expression could best be described as the product of 'acting' thoughtful.

"I don't think so, but this is what I wanted to tell you about." Hanneman continued.

"I guess I don't quite follow, Tom." the President muttered.

"What I am saying is that you are their Commander in Chief. You can transfer these Marines anywhere you want to. You want Robeles to play ball in your campaign, so wait for Him to ask you to transfer them back. When He asks, you can say yes. Then you're the hero. Plus He will owe you one. Then at campaign time, you can cash in your chip! That is if you still want it." Hanneman was a genius at stuff like this.

"Veemer won't do it. He hates me. He won't do anything anymore. It's terrible the influence Robeles has had on him. Tower, too. They're a couple of altar boys. I'd fire 'em except I've already fired too many generals. Too close to the election." complained Haskill.

"Your new Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Bonforth. He can do it. He's still new enough to want to please you. He'll do it." Hanneman suggested.

"You mean go over Veemer's head?" the President asked, worried.

"Exactly. Just consider it to be side stepping an administrative obstacle." Tom Hanneman had set the hook. President Robert Haskill had just effortlessly agreed to the most provocative move since Truman fired MacArthur.

"Should we threaten Robeles first. Let Him know what the deal is?" the President asked.

"No. Transfer 'em first, then let Him come to you to ask for help." Hanneman said. "Bonforth watched Galter get fired for being stupid and not being a team player."

"Yes. I'll tell him how important this is to me, then I'll send him to you. I don't want any of this traceable to the administration." Now President Haskill was acting competent.

"That will work. Don't worry. I'll handle everything." Tom Hanneman announced confidently.

"You always do, Tom. You know I appreciate it." President Haskill smiled.