28 | John W. Warner IV Having been Assistant Secretary of the Navy in his younger years, and having absorbed much wisdom through hard political and personal experience, the president frowned at the admirals arrogance. He tilted his head to the side and took a long drag, allowing smoke to slowly rise from his wrist and mouth, partially veiling his face. Through his pince-nez, he locked eyes with King and drilled a look into him that could punch a hole through steel. In a serene voice he said: Theyre not green.. .theyre grey-y-y. Very short or very tall, no empathy to speak of. Rather large eyes. Time travelers, spacefarers, and associates of the most elite Nazis, but that stays in this room. Other more benevolent races abound. Ours is not the only war going on. And the shoot-down order is…not given. Tell your admirals that. These…celestial devices as I call them, unless they fire upon you first, no action is to be taken. Make sure Ghormley, Halsey, and Nimitz are all keenly aware. Do I make myself absolutely goddam clear? An uncomfortable pause. Without moving his head, King looked to Churchill then to Marshall. Both gave him the same hard look. Aye, aye, sir. Very clear. My report, said the admiral glumly. The president hefted the file up and down. Ernie, Ill.. .have to ask you to leave us now. Many thanks. The admiral got up and left in a huff, a bit shaken. He was not privy to the deeper and more classified conversation to be had and clearly resented it. When the door closed, the president continued. Perhaps soon we should bring him into the greater fold, but for now its just us three. Agreed, sir, said Marshall. Churchill nodded. The president went on. Despite our harsh setbacks, Winston, Bataan for us, Tobruk now for you, our victory at Midway and the sunk Japanese carriers should remind us both to stiffen our spines with resolve and count our blessings. And Ill remind the both of you old soldiers that the Russians are taking the German brunt, and despite their own retreats, Stalin has tremendous Siberian manpower in res-e-r-v-e. Millions. And the industrial might in the Urals to supply them with tens of thousands ofnew tanks and aircraft. The wounded but rugged bear will pounce again, and harder, said Churchill. Marshall added: Reports state their casualty lists are growing by the hundreds of thousands from the new German thermobaric fuel-air rockets being tested, a devastating secret weapon system, but thats being kept classified by both sides. I know