"How many did we lose?" John Miller asked general Howard in the aftermath of what had just taken place.

"25 by our best count sir." General Howard responded.

John began rubbing his temples. This was really not turning out to be a good day. His hopes rose every time they were near to catching or killing the terrorists and sank every time they escaped.

John and general Howard were watching the chase that was happening. The terrorists vehicle was so far ahead that it was out of sight.

"Please tell me there is at least on God damn camera around that area so we can get eyes on them." John pleaded.

"Unfortunately sir there are not. It appears that all drones in the area have been disabled. These people knew what they were doing." General Howard replied.

"What about car cameras?" John asked.

"We are working on it. The team is moving fast as poss...." General Howard started to answer.

"What in the hell is going on President Miller?" A voice rang out from the car screen. Representative Turner had come on the line.

"Oh Rep. Turner, nice to see you too. The terrorists decided to blow up a building in Plattsburgh New York as I am sure you already know." Was John's snarky response.

"Cut the attitude Mr. President. Remember you are already in hot water. You told me you needed these troops deployed to keep Americans safe. It sure as hell doesn't look like they are safe to me." Rep. Turner stated.

"Do you know how much worse this could have been Rep. Turner? If they get those codes nearly all of us will be dead. Is that what you want Rep.? You want nuclear winter? Obviously the terrorists are dangerous. We were trying to get them, and several more are dead now. And we have made it more difficult for them to crack the nuclear football because we have them on the run." John said, trying to push back the anger he was feeling.

"I get that you are under a lot of pressure Mr. President, but how are we supposed to keep a lid on military operations that are happening on American soil when bombs are going off? I already had a ton of reporters up my butt about the attack on the White House. Now I have started getting calls about Plattsburgh New York. Oh now I have to go, I am getting a call from the representative from the district which Plattsburgh occupies. Please John, I don't want any more bombs going off in our streets." Rep. Turner requested as he hung up the video call.

John reached up to rub his temples more. The rain came pouring down even harder outside of the car.

"Sir we are just about to the bomb shelter. We will switch you to a more accommodating setup when we are there." General Howard stated, breaking the brief moment of silence.

"Can you keep me from getting more calls like that?" John asked rhetorically.

Then John switched over his screen to the Code Blue soldier who was with Qi Lian. They appeared to be heading in a different direction with their vehicle. John had noticed they had stopped briefly.

"She knows the terrorists better than anyone else. We need to chat with her. I can talk directly to this soldier correct?"

"Sure thing, you can talk with him directly Mr. President." General Howard replied.

"You are on now sir." General Howard told John after explaining to the soldier he would be on the radio with the President.

"Hello soldier, what is your name?" John asked.

"My name is Jeffrey Hinkle Mr. President and it is an honor to..." Jeffrey answered before being cut off.

"The honor is all mine Jeffrey. You have made your country proud. I am wondering now if you can allow me to communicate with Qi Lian directly please." John requested.

"Certainly sir, I will switch my watch over to speaker mode." Jeffrey responded.

"Thank you kindly. Qi Lian can you hear me?" John asked.

"I can hear you just fine. I gather that you are the President of the United States, I am honored to be speaking with you." Qi Lian replied.

"I cannot tell you how much we appreciate all that you have done. Now I need your help even more. We want to know what are the next steps we should be taking, and we would like to coordinate with you and Clayton Johnson."

"Do you have more troops outside of the Plattsburgh area, like our friend Jeffrey here?" Qi Lian wondered.

"Yes we do, quite a few more in fact." John answered.

"Then you might want to get them here to New York. I am nearly certain that Han Xin plans to carry his plan out here. In fact I would be willing to bet that he will head back to Plattsburgh." Qi Lian stated matter of factly.

"What makes you so sure of that?" John asked truly curious.

"Because I bet he already had mobilized his troops to come to the U.S. and he would want them all to meet him here. He found my preferred place to survive the nuclear winter and now he wants it for his own." Qi Lian responded.

John looked up at general Howard. He blacked out his screen and muted his microphone momentarily.

"General have we had any more success picking up terrorists?" John inquired.

"I am sorry sir, but the answer is no we have not." General Howard answered.

"Then do as she says." John ordered.

"Yes sir, I am on it." General Howard said.

John reached over and turned back on the screen and microphone.

"We are mobilizing the troops now. It will take some time but they are heading for New York. In the meantime we would like to coordinate with you to try and take down the leader. I presume that Han Xin is the leader, am I correct?" John asked.

"You are correct. And I will be happy to coordinate with your men and women. But the group of individuals in this vehicle with me now are the people I trust most in the world. They will be a major part of the planning of this mission. I agree with you that Han Xin needs to be taken out. If we cut the head off of the Red Tide we may be able to halt the plan altogether. I am guessing that you are familiar with what the Red Tide soldiers plan to do." Qi Lian replied.

"We are Qi Lian. And we are working on regaining control of the nuclear football. But it is taking time." John answered.

"Time we do not have Mr. President." Qi Lian stated.

"No, that we do not. I have to go now but I will be in contact with you again shortly. We currently have vehicles in pursuit of the Red Tide soldiers." John said.

"Make sure you send some back to Plattsburgh. We will meet them there." Qi Lian replied.

John hung up the video chat with Jeffrey. He looked out at the rain, which was still coming down like cats and dogs. But in the distance he caught a little glimpse of sunlight. It seemed to be the perfect metaphor for what he was feeling at that moment.