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Emett shook his head "None General Metcalf ordered a communications blackout I haven't been able to reach hion to find out why"

"Then it's all over"

No one replied as they all turned in unison and stood in powerless frustration as Moran raised his right hand to take the oath of office as President, his left hand on the Bible ' "Repeat after me," Chief justice O'Brien intoned like a drum roll "I, Alan Robert Morando solemnly swear "I, Alan Robert Morando solemnly swear "' ' ' that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States," O'Brien droned on

Suddenly the roo of the oath by the Chief justice went unanswered by Moran Curious, Oates turned around and looked at the crowd They were all staring in frozen wonder at Vice President Vincent Margolin, alked through the doorway preceded by Oscar Lucas and flanked by General Metcalf and Admiral Sandecker

Moran's upraised arm slowly fell and his face turned ashen The silence solin stepped up to the Chief justice, the stunned audience parting for hiin look and then smiled at the rest

"Thank you for the rehearsal," he said warmly "But I think I can take over from here"

August 13, 1989

New York City SAL CASIO WAS waiting in the vast lobby of the World Trade Center when Pitt cah the entrance Casio looked at him in stark appraisal He couldn't ree of physical collapse

Pitt moved with the tired shuffle of a man who had endured too much He wore a borrowed foul-weather jacket two sizes too sainst his chest, as if holding it together, and his face was etched in a strange blending of suffering and triunized as the fires of revenge

"I' to Pitts haggard appearance

"It's your show," said Pitt "I' for the ride"

"Only fitting and proper we be together at the finish"

"I appreciate the courtesy Thank you"

Casio turned and guided Pitt over to a private elevator Pulling a small push-button transmitter from his pocket, he punched the correct code and the doors opened Inside was an unconscious guard as bound with laundry cord Casio stepped over him and opened a polished brass door to a circuit panel with the words LIFTONIC ELEVATOR Qw-607

engraved on it He s and then pushed the button that read "100"