It irritated some, but most found him charming and very approachable. He had been around a great deal since he was appointed Secretary of Defense.
The Vice-President didn’t have the same view as the President but he tolerated Hollister because to do anything less could result in a potential political squabble. He didn’t want that at all. He had designs on being the President after Oscar Zane Sampson, or OZ as he was called in certain circles, left office. He walked to the Oval Office exactly thirty seconds early and presented himself with his usual flair.
“You can go on in, the President is ready.”
“Thank you. That is sure is an attractive outfit you have on today,” he said, flashing large white teeth that were almost too perfect.
“You always say that.”
“And it’s always true,” he said, pushing open the door.
“Craig, come on in. Have a seat,” the President said.
“Mr. President. Mr. Vice President,” he said and sat down on one of the couches.
“Would you like something to drink? Coffee, Tea, Coke?”
“No thank you sir. I’m fine.”
“I know you are wondering why I sent for you. Let me start by saying that I hope I didn’t offend you when General Devin was here.”
“Not at all sir. I understand that there are things that are for the President’s eyes only. I wasn’t the least bit disturbed.”
“It didn’t appear that way but let’s move on. Are you sure you wouldn’t like something?”
“A Diet Coke maybe,” he said, knowing that the President would ask the same question until he took something.
“Excellent,” he said and ordered a Diet Coke to be brought in.
Hollister popped the top and poured it into the tall glass filled with ice. The President waited until he had taken a drink before he started in.
“Craig, I have asked the Vice-President to come to this meeting so that everyone has the same information. I don’t want either of you to feel left out of the loop. This issue concerns just the three of us for now.”
His voice had taken on a somber tone that he usually used when the issue was important to him. Craig took another drink of Diet Coke.
“Obviously, what I am about to tell you can never be repeated outside of this office. I know I don’t have to say that but, well, I did anyway. Both Craig and the Vice President had moved forward on their seats.
“A few weeks ago, while on my trip to Colorado Springs, I was able to arrange a clandestine trip to Nellis Gunnery Range. Some people refer to it as Groom Lake, Area-51, Dreamland, and other exotic names. As you know, many of our BlackOps projects are housed there during testing and preparation for deployment. The U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, Nighthawk, and others. It is one of our most guarded compounds in this country. The man in charge is General Devin. You already know that Craig,” the President said.
“Yes sir,” he confirmed.
The Vice President gave him a quick look. Why didn’t he know this?
“One of the things that concerns me the most is that General Devin has no immediate superior other than me,” he said, letting it sink in.
“No one else?” the VP asked.
“That’s right. The reason is that when the program was originally developed back in 1947, by Harry Truman, he didn’t want anyone else to know about what was really going on. Eisenhower followed suit and it is my understanding, that it has been that way ever since,” he told them.
“I wonder why in the world Truman did that? You seemed to be in agreement to some extent as I recall,” Craig replied.
“That simply cannot be. He has to answer to someone in the regular chain of command without jumping directly to the CNC,” the VP replied.
“That was exactly my reaction. Maybe in the 40s and 50s it would work but I have serious doubts about it in today’s world. Not only that, but if something happened to General Devin, who would be able to step in and take over? It could back up projects for months or even years. I am convinced that General Devin, or whoever is in charge of Nellis at any time in the future, must have a superior who knows all about every project we have going on” he told them.
Craig took a big gulp of Diet Coke as the Vice President stirred his coffee absently.
“Sir. I just don’t see how this has gone on for so long. Didn’t anybody think about this before?” Craig asked.
“If they did, they didn’t do anything about it. Only a few Presidents have even been there to see for themselves what goes on. Carter and Clinton neither one took the time. As far as I know, only Regan and the Bushes knew what was going on out there recently,” the President said.
“Unbelievable,” the VP muttered.
“Yes, and that is putting it mildly,” the President said.
“I take it you intend to make some changes,” Craig said.
“Yes. Above General Devin’s objections, I intend to make some changes. I know how strongly the general feels about this but I simply cannot let one man have that kind of autonomy.”
“I agree. It’s time, regardless of how General Devin feels,” the VP added.
“Craig, do you agree?”
