Chapter 1880 - 1403: Anxiety in the Oval Office

Ten minutes ago.

The White House Chief of Staff, Lucas, didn't even knock before pushing open the walnut door of the President's office.

President Barack Obama was discussing the debt ceiling issue with the Secretary of the Treasury. Upon seeing Lucas's expression, he immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

Lucas was a retired Marine Corps Colonel, having participated in three wars, known for his calmness.

At this moment, however, he looked grim, clenching a remote control tightly in his hand.

"Sorry, Mr. Secretary."

The President spoke as he closed the folder.

The Secretary of the Treasury perceptively packed up his files and swiftly left.

As soon as the door closed, Lucas had already turned on the four screens on the wall.

The leftmost was CNN, looping footage of the shelling; the second on the left was Horizon News's special report, with a glaring headline; the rightmost was Fox News, where the host was connected to a former Central Command Commander for analysis; the second on the right was a real-time social media heat map, with "Mosul Shelling" at the top of the global trending list.

"When did it happen?" Obama asked, his voice seemingly calm, but his fingers unconsciously tapping the desk.

The subtle action seemed to indicate his effort to suppress the emotional turmoil within.

"Mosul time midnight, exactly twelve o'clock. Here, it was four in the afternoon. Horizon News broke the story at four twenty-two, and all media started following up thereafter."

Lucas pulled up a timeline on his tablet.

"Current confirmation is that— the base indeed suffered at least over twenty 152mm shells attack, two facilities destroyed, one severely damaged. The casualty figures are not yet final, but preliminary reports show at least thirty or more dead..."

The President closed his eyes, took a deep breath: "Who did it?"

"All evidence points to the Iraq Tenth Division and the Kurdish Armed Ninth Brigade, which is the armed force controlled behind the scenes by Song Heping, likely using this as leverage…"

Lucas paused, his gaze lingering on Obama's face for two seconds, seeming to assess the President's emotional response.

"To negotiate."

Obama immediately caught the implication: "Negotiate? With whom?"

"Walter is on his way. He knows more details."

Just after he spoke, National Security Advisor Walter entered, carrying a thick stack of encrypted briefing folders.

This strategic expert, deeply trusted by Obama, appeared disheveled at the moment, with a crooked tie and bloodshot eyes.

"Mr. President," Walter didn't even exchange formalities: "'Seeder' plan has been exposed. Song Heping got hold of all the evidence, including financial transaction records, communication recordings, operation directives, etc. He used the shelling as a final ultimatum, demanding us to immediately halt military actions against him and to accept the conditions he proposed."

The air in the office solidified.

Obama slowly stood up and walked to the window, turning his back to the two.

Outside the window, the South Lawn of the White House glimmered in the sunset, tourists taking pictures outside the fence, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside this building.

"What does he want?" The President asked, his voice low.

"First, to release the two hundred forty-seven mercenaries detained by the CIA Iraq Station Chief Lemont, returning all their equipment. Second, all remaining armaments left by the Illinois US Army when they retreated, including those stored in Taji Base, Balad Base, and the underground warehouse at Mosul Airport, should be sold to him at scrap price for disposal. Third…"

Walter's voice was almost inaudible: "A written promise signed by you personally, guaranteeing not to pursue Misu and Blake any further, acknowledging them as protected political refugees, allowing them to settle in a third country. And a promise that the 'Witness' department will not retaliate or sanction Song Heping, his company, company employees or partners in any form, at any time."

"What if we don't agree?"

"He will send the evidence of the 'Seeder' plan and biochemical experiments to major global media." Walter's face turned very ugly: "And expose the signed documents from Hillary directly approving these actions back then."

Obama turned, his gaze sharp: "Did she really sign?"

"Back then, to bypass congressional oversight, some actions required authorization at the Secretary of State level. She… did sign some of the documents."

"God." Obama said softly, rubbing his temples: "Casualties? What are the actual casualty numbers?"

Walter and Lucas exchanged a look.

"Actually… currently… confirmed dead are fourteen, severely wounded nine. But these are casualties from the shelling itself."

Walter struggled to say: "The most troublesome part is, the remaining people in the base are estimated to now all be under Song Heping's control, he currently has about a hundred hostages, including six core agents from the 'Witness' department. If we don't meet the conditions, he won't release them. And if these people's identities are exposed…"

"Unofficial cover personnel from black operations units organized jointly by US Government intelligence agencies and military agencies, right?" Obama continued: "If exposed, we'd face not only domestic legal challenges but also an international public opinion maelstrom, more importantly, the election! Once Hillary's signed documents appear online… the consequences are unimaginable."

"Yes." Walter admitted.

The office fell into a long silence.

Only the news anchor's voice echoed from the TV:

"…the Pentagon still refuses to comment, but Horizon News has just released a fourth video, showing images of what appears to be the transfer of US soldiers' remains…"

"So." The President finally spoke: "We have no choice. Agree to his terms."