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He spoke into a small microphone clipped to his collar "Can you see, Mr President? Can you see the madness?"

President stared fixedly at the huge monitor in the Situation Room

"Yes, General, the trans in clearly"

He sat at the end of a long table, flanked by his closest advisors, cabinet azed at the incredible spectacle that was displayed in stereophonic sound and vivid color

The fastest boats had touched shore, and their passengers quickly scrambled out Only when the first as fully across and the fleet on its way back for the next passengers did the mob assemble and press forward The fewup and down the shore with bullhorns, encouraging and urging the women forward

Clutching their candles and their children while chanting in the Aztec language, the woathering around a rock in expectation of joining again on the other side

The terror-haunted looks of the children and the determined faces of their uns were shown by the cameras Topiltzin said his divine poould protect them, and they fervently believed him

"Good lord!" exclai Oates "The entire first wave is made up of Women and little kids"

No one co observation Thedread as another crowd of woe and toward the tanks and ar their way

"General," said the President "Can you fire a volley over their heads?"

"Yes, sir," replied Chandler "I've orderedinnocent people beyond the town is too great to use live ammo"

"A sound decision," said General Metcalf of the Joint Chiefs "Curtis knohat he's doing"

General Chandler turned to one of his aides "Give the command to fire a blank salvo"

The aide, a major, barked into a radio receiver "Blank salvo, fire!"

The thunderous roar spat a wall of flaust of wind, blowing outclap from the tank cannon and the crackle of shout the valley