God of War: Part 16


Lynn Jepsen


The pain in my side has subsided, although some part of my brain keeps
insisting that's a bad thing. I'm seriously considering unleashing Toby
on some NRA lobbyists when this is over. Believe me, he's been waiting
for the go-ahead for a long, long time now. Let's not tell anyone this,
but I'm a little scared to look down. I remember the blood at Rosslyn.
That's the only thing I really remember. The blood and Toby's face, but
my memories of New York are too clear, too sharp. I don't want to add to
that. Instead, I keep my hand plastered to my side, blinking back the
fuzziness, and trying to ignore the sticky liquid covering my hand.

I've almost convinced myself I'm the victim of a car-jacking gone bad or
something else frighteningly normal when the door opens. It takes some
tooth-gritting to get to my feet, but I can't just sit there. The woman,
she's holding a phone, while two guys who could probably bench press my
car watch the door. I keep waiting for her to say something, but she
doesn't. Instead, she hands me the phone. My free hand clutches it like a
lifeline. Then I realize this is my phone. This is my phone, and Sam's on
the line asking for me.

"Josh? Josh? If you're there, talk to me." Sam. Oh God, was that my
voice? Sam, the United States does not nego--. That must have been the
wrong answer, because the woman yanks the phone out of my hands. I think
I was clutching it a little too tight - when she pulls it away, I end up
on my knees. That hurt.

The phone drops to the floor then, and breaks. How many of those have I
broken? It doesn't seem fair that someone else broke it. I wonder if
Reynolds still has a grudge over that thing during the campaign. I broke
a phone then too. Then I hear the door close. The two mountains are on my
side of the door. That seems to be a bad thing.

*

The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States
does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate
with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States
does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate
with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States
does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate
with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States
does not negotiate with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate
with terrorists. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists.

We do not negotiate with terrorists.

Who's conceding, Mr. President? Toby wanted to wake you an hour ago.
Who's conceding, Mr. President? Toby wanted to wake you an hour ago.
Who's conceding, Mr. President? Toby wanted to wake you an hour ago.
Who's conceding, Mr. President? Toby wanted to wake you an hour ago.
Who's conceding, Mr. President? Toby wanted to wake you an hour ago.
Who's conceding, Mr. President? President Seaborn.

What do you say, Governor? I think the new tax plan will change the
world, or at least California. What do you say, Governor? I think the new
tax plan will change the world, or at least California. What do you say,
Governor? I think the new tax plan will change the world, or at least
California. What do you say, Governor? I think the new tax plan will
change the world.

I'm being blacklisted. You've got to help me here, Sam. I'm being
blacklisted. You've got to help me here, Sam. I'm being blacklisted.
You've got to help me here, Sam. I'm being blacklisted. You've got to
help me here, Sam. I'm being blacklisted.

Donna! Oh God, Donnatella. Don't do this to me! You can't do this to me!
Donna.....

Where do you draw the line? Do you give them the keys to the Situation
Room? Don't pout, Donna, you know I'm right.

I know I can't have more than two drinks, but dammit, Donna, my head
hurts. I'd like to make it go away for a couple hours.

Diana, listen to me for once. I'm in love with you.



Damn.

My head hurts.


God of War: Part 17

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