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from a point near galaxy cluster Abell 2744. We may never know its source, but we do know it is constantly expanding and moving dangerously close to Earth. Concurrently, there is evidence of substantial increase in solar activity. There is no way, yet, of calculating when the planet will physically encounter this dark matter. We estimate, however, that it may occur within weeks—not months, and certainly not years. How many days or weeks? This is infinitely faster than climate change, a ‘greenhouse effect’ on fast forward.”
    Chang saw the assembled scientists shift in their seats and whisper to one another. He knew what they were thinking, because he had thought the same things himself when the bizarre phenomenon had first been revealed to him.… Now, what would they do with their thoughts? Could they come up with an idea to conquer this seemingly insurmountable threat?
    There were far more questions than answers in his mind at this point.
    “My friends, let’s take a look at the data available to us and decide how we can help one another find a solution for our world.”

CHAPTER
    10
    POTUS and his staff discussed whether he should keep his appointment to speak at the National VFW conference in San Antonio, or stay in Washington to deal with the earthquake in Turkey.
    “Mr. President, your core constituency is made up of veterans and their families,” Charley said. “The way I see it, you don’t have any choice. You have to go to San Antonio.”
    “But wouldn’t it seem rather uncaring if I did that?” POTUS asked. “I mean here the poor people of Turkey are suffering unspeakable privations, while I enjoy the pomp and ceremony of a speech that is like preaching to the choir.”
    “On the other hand, the country needs to see that business is still being conducted. I think it is important that you do go.”
    When POTUS called in the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader, both of whom were members of the opposing party, and they agreed with his staff that he should go, he made up his mind to do so.
    *   *   *
    Inside the boardroom of Air Force One, POTUS sat in an overstuffed leather chair at one end of the long oak table, conducting a meeting with people from his inner circle. Charley Crawford sat just to his left, tapping into a laptop, and Freddy Harris, chief of the President’s Secret Service detail, was standing in front of the door that led into the boardroom. Win sat on a chair near her husband and as she watched him she was overwhelmed with pride and love at his calm and assured manner.
    Here she was flying on Air Force One, arguably the most elegant and powerful mode of transportation in the world, and she contrasted that with her experience as a child on the overcrowded, leaking boat in which she and thirty-three others had escaped Vietnam. A short while ago the chef of Air Force One had served a meal of bacon-wrapped filet mignon, asparagus spears, and rice. It was rice instead of baked potato as a concession to Win. They ate from gold-trimmed Air Force One china, and drank from crystal embossed with the presidential seal, and Win was humbled by the unique gifts that life had given her.
    The pilot’s voice came over the speaker. “Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve been given priority clearance, and we’ll be landing at SAT in about fifteen minutes.”
    “Wow, we’ve been given priority clearance. Can you imagine that?” Crawford asked, and the others laughed.
    *   *   *
    The presidential limo was parked on the tarmac right beside the plane, and after POTUS, his wife, and his son came off the airstair, they got immediately into the car that was to take them to the Gonzalez Center, where the VFW convention was meeting. They were led and trailed by police cars, and flanked on either side by police motorcycles. Just before they turned off South Alamo onto East Market, POTUS saw someone holding a sign. The sign read:
     
    PRESIDENT—AN AGENT
    FOR THE DARK