Chapter 268: Secret Plot for Power!
The Pentagon Meeting
The time returns to fifteen minutes before the President awoke, as a special meeting was being held in the Pentagon.
The attendees were either key members of the Senate or military commanders. Thirteen people were crammed into a small office, engaged in a fierce discussion about yesterday's events.
Prior to this, many still doubted the President's demonic identity, believing the claims to be baseless slander. However, the videotape recording of the battle left them utterly speechless.
The President was actually possessed by a demon!
Recalling their experiences over the past years, everyone shivered. They had unknowingly worked with a demon for four years, and what was worse, besides Jack Harvey, none of them had detected it.
Kylek, the Senate Pro Tempore, sharply declared,
"This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Everyone remotely connected to the demon must be scrutinized. Not a single person can be let off."
Hyde Clym, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, added, "The government absolutely forbids evil worship. The demon Ghast must have recruited many followers during its four years impersonating the President. Those people are dangerous and must be rooted out."
Other senators nodded in agreement.
In contrast, the Department of Defense and the military representatives appeared somber and seemed to disagree with the senators' views.
Hyde Clym tapped the table. "General Lane, you were the executor of this incident, the biggest contributor. Your capability is evident to all. We unanimously agree that the subsequent investigation should be your responsibility."
Sam Lane maintained a stern expression, refusing to speak. Norman Gant, the Secretary of Defense, interjected,
"An investigation is certainly necessary, but the question is under what authority, and where does that power originate? If I recall correctly, neither the Senate nor the Department of Defense has the authority to execute this kind of mission!"
Someone else added, "Without an authorized document signed by the President, the Supreme Court, the FBI, and the CIA will not accept the investigation results and may even intervene."
Hyde Clym narrowed his eyes.
"Special circumstances require special measures. Just like yesterday's attack—it didn't wait for White House approval. Imagine, if General Lane hadn't saved the day, who would have realized the President was parasitized by a demon? And how could we have eliminated the demon and restored peace to the White House?"
"I agree with Speaker Clym," Kylek quickly asserted. "As things stand, we can't rely on the White House. We must resolve this ourselves. We must find the demon Ghast's minions before the situation deteriorates further. We can't wait a second longer."
Kylek's voice was high-pitched, echoing like a gong in the room, yet the military representatives remained unresponsive.
Everyone seated here was highly shrewd; they knew exactly what the Senate's true goal was.
According to the US line of succession, if the President is incapacitated, the Vice President takes over. If the Vice President is also incapacitated, the succession falls to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Pro Tempore.
While the probability of this is extremely low, it was now a reality. Vice President Dick Cheney had been removed from office following the alien abduction case, and the President was in a deep coma. According to the medical team, he needed at least a month to wake up, and even then, he might be intellectually disabled.
A person with an intellectual disability could not serve as President. So, who would succeed him? This was why Speaker Hyde Clym and Senate Pro Tempore Kylek were at the Pentagon—they hoped to secure military support.
If the military agreed, everything would be simplified.
Secretary of Defense Norman Gant frowned, pondering for a long time. He eventually looked toward the other generals with real authority. Although he was the nominal head of the military, he couldn't decide on an issue of political alignment alone.
The generals exchanged glances. Some agreed, some disagreed, but no one spoke. The situation was deadlocked. Hyde Clym stared fixedly at Sam Lane.
"General Lane, I'd like to hear your opinion."
All eyes turned to the small, unassuming old man. Among the generals present, he was the least noticeable in appearance, yet he was the most uncompromising, strictest, and most fearless figure.
Sam Lane straightened his posture.
"When will the President wake up?"
A nearby assistant quickly replied, "The medical team just called. At least one month."
One month!
Sam Lane remained silent in thought for a long time before finally speaking. "Executing an investigation must first receive authorization from the First Lady."
That one sentence caused the senators to frown simultaneously.
Hyde Clym suppressed his anger and said, "Mrs. Nash has been in prolonged contact with the demon. What if her judgment has been corrupted?"
Sam Lane retorted coldly, "The demon Ghast is dead."
"It's dead, but its influence remains. You've all witnessed the demon's power. Who can guarantee that it didn't have contingency plans?"
Hyde Clym's voice grew louder, trying to pressure Sam Lane. The general was about to respond, but the Secretary of Defense shot him a warning glance.
Just then, the door was forcefully thrown open.
"The President is awake!"
That announcement instantly changed the expressions of everyone present. Norman Gant demanded sharply,
"When did he wake up? I thought it would take a month?"
The newcomer produced a report and spoke rapidly,
"Just now! The medical team checked him carefully. Everything is normal, except for his brain. The President has severe amnesia. He doesn't know who he is, can't recall anything from the past, and doesn't even recognize his own daughter."
Hearing this, Hyde Clym and Kylek regained their composure.
A patient with amnesia clearly could not bear the heavy burden of the presidency. They still had a chance.
Norman Gant, less concerned with the political maneuvering, immediately ordered his subordinate to prepare the cars. The rest of the officials followed suit.
The procession quickly arrived at the White House and soon found the President sitting in a chair, staring blankly. Compared to before, Joel Nash's demeanor had undergone a massive change. His expression was cold, and his eyes were even colder, like ice. He occasionally frowned, seeming to ponder something, or perhaps hesitate.
Norman Gant walked over to Kate Nash, who was quietly weeping nearby, and asked in a low voice,
"The President's mind?"
Kate Nash shook her head bitterly. "He doesn't remember anything."
Norman Gant sighed heavily, unsure what to do. The others stepped forward, offered a few meaningless words of comfort, and then left the room.
Hyde Clym found Dr. Brown, the head of the medical team, and immediately asked,
"Is there a possibility of the President recovering?"
Dr. Brown hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly,
"We cannot be entirely certain. While the President has lost much of his memory, his brain waves are surprisingly stable, and his intelligence doesn't appear to be affected. With sufficient guidance, he should be able to recover to a normal state."
That last sentence chilled Hyde Clym to the core.
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