Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

SEA OF SHADOWS 47
The vice president’s regular office was in the Old Executive Office
Building.
“They’re moving him to the emergency response bunker?”
“Yes, sir.”
The president nodded. “Good. Any word on casualties at the British
Embassy?”
“CP didn’t brief me on the details of the attack, sir,” LaBauve said.
“Of course,” the president said. His words were lost in the thundering
winds churned up by the helicopter’s rotors as the big machine settled
gently on the lawn.
LaBauve began shepherding the president toward Marine One the
second the helicopter’s wheels touched the grass. A door swung down
from the side of the helicopter and then unfolded itself into a set of stairs.
A young Marine lieutenant trotted down the stairs, stopped to ensure that
they were properly extended and locked, and then snapped to attention and
saluted.
As the president and his security detail walked into the downwash of
the helicopter’s rotors, LaBauve sidestepped to the left and slowed his own
pace for a second or so, putting the president in the lead position for the
last few steps to the stairs.
The president returned the Marine’s salute and climbed the short metal
stairs into the interior of the helicopter.
He was belting himself into his seat when LaBauve climbed into the
cabin, followed by his two flanking agents and then the Marine lieutenant.
Thirty seconds later, the pitch of the rotors climbed an octave, and they
lifted off the ground.
LaBauve spoke into his sleeve again. “Eagle is airborne.”
The Marine lieutenant’s chair was mounted backward from all the other
chairs in the cabin, which left him facing the president. His eyes traveled
quickly around the interior of the cabin, making sure that everyone was
properly seated and belted in. He turned his eyes to the president. “Sir,
Lieutenant Charles Donahue, Marine One in-flight Tactical Officer,
standing by to report.”
The president stared out the window as the ground dropped away.
“Make your report.”
“Sir, the disposition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is as follows: The
chairman of the Joint Chiefs, J1, J4, and J6 are at the Pentagon. J2 is at
Langley. J3 is in the White House Situation Room. J5 is on an inspection