Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Executive Branch
    The Executive Branch
    The Executive Branch
    Ebook80 pages1 hour

    The Executive Branch

    By Wolf DeVoon

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    In just 19,000 words, The Executive Branch kicks ass in triplicate, three penetrating portraits of command, diplomacy, and the sharp spear of Special Forces deployed in enemy territory, initiating combat and risking their lives. The characters are in clear focus, real people who have loved ones, the relentless obligation of duty, and responsibility to make decisions that touch national security every moment, every day and night. Budgets are tight. Debt is high. The independence of a young nation hangs in the balance, depending on the ingenuity and stamina of a Chief Executive to check a skittish, hostile civilian Board of Directors.

    Wonderful story.

    A future libertarian nation, one that might be.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWolf DeVoon
    Release dateDec 15, 2018
    ISBN9781370659425
    The Executive Branch
    Author

    Wolf DeVoon

    Wolf DeVoon is the author of six novels, including three adventures starring Chris and Peachy, repeatedly challenged to risk their lives in 'A Portrait of Valor', then tasked to unravel a wave of increasingly grisly serial murders at a Hollywood studio in 'The Tar Pit', and finally at the vortex of a $3 billion cybercurrency and CIA black ops to stop it, in 'Charity.' The author is also known for anarcho-capitalist theory ('Laissez Faire Law', 2007, and 'Constitution of Government in Galt's Gulch', 2014), science fiction saga 'Mars Shall Thunder', and a much admired confession of folly and intransigence, 'First Feature: A Rake's Progress in Downtown Gomorrah'. His futuristic web serial 'The Good Walk Alone' has been published in paperback. Award-winning author L.B. Johnson observed that DeVoon's fictional hero Chris Cable is "a master of sly observations, of the truths hidden in words, not the least bit afraid to ask for that which defies policy and common sense... a big dose of literary fun, that even if played out in today's world, echoes to the time when men were men, and writers weren't afraid to tell stories." High praise indeed. In a former life, Wolf DeVoon was a film and television director. We all have to start somewhere.

    Related to The Executive Branch

    Related ebooks

    Action & Adventure Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Tom Cunliffe

      Sep 4, 2020

      Tom Cunliffe
      5 min read

    • Article

      Tom Cunliffe

      Sep 4, 2020

      Tom Cunliffe
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Great Moment In Black History

      Aug 14, 2018

      And now here's this week's episode of Great Moments in Black History. The year is 1979. Jimmy Carter is in office, disco is on the radio and Ron Stallworth has just joined the Ku Klux Klan. We are indebted to the Deseret Morning News, of Salt Lake Ci

      2 min read

    • Article

      Four Poems

      Jan 1, 2023

      Radioactive dust landing on the surface of an eye decades after a meltdown.Something pooling there.The feeling one gets passing by a beggar who rattles his cup.Reaching inside, emptied of change.Not even one kind word.A woman weighing her pockets dow

      2 min read

    • Article

      Edge Case

      Aug 13, 2021

      Edge Case
      11 min read

    • Article

      Rev

      Feb 15, 2024

      Rev
      33 min read

    • Article

      Paul Heiney

      Jan 27, 2023

      Paul Heiney
      3 min read

    • Article

      Paul Heiney

      Jan 27, 2023

      Paul Heiney
      3 min read

    • Article

      Paul Heiney

      Jan 27, 2023

      Paul Heiney
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Criminal Tale Of Two Cities

      Jul 26, 2023

      Stranded by bad weather the other day in Portland, Oregon, I took a walk. The town still prides itself on its 1880s converted sawmills-and-saloons ambience. But, surveying central Portland from a nearby hilltop, I was struck more by the similarity to

      3 min read

    • Article

      Vietnam My Son, The Soldier

      Sep 1, 2021

      Vietnam My Son, The Soldier
      9 min read

    • Article

      State Of Emergency

      Jan 17, 2020

      I thought this was a story about a snake,” says Robert Carlyle on the Manchester set of Cobra. To be fair to the star, his initial take on Sky’s new six-part thriller wasn’t a million miles from the truth. Inspired by the shadowy nature of emergency

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Escape Of Koravitch

      Sep 30, 2019

      The Escape Of Koravitch
      16 min read

    • Article

      From Hell To The Heavens

      Oct 12, 2021

      From Hell To The Heavens
      8 min read

    • Article

      From Hell To The Heavens

      Oct 12, 2021

      From Hell To The Heavens
      8 min read

    • Article

      From Hell To The Heavens

      Oct 12, 2021

      From Hell To The Heavens
      8 min read

    • Article

      Conflict Resolution

      Feb 19, 2023

      Conflict Resolution
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Executive Branch

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Executive Branch - Wolf DeVoon

      The Executive Branch

      A short story by

      Wolf DeVoon

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright © 2018 by Wolf DeVoon

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this book may be reproduced

      or transmitted in any form or by any means

      without written permission of the author.

      Permission granted to share this ebook.

      Available in paperback

      at Lulu and Amazon

      1. The Commander-in-Chief

      Gerald Ralston had served five years as Chief Executive, appointed to the top job after a good man suddenly died. Ralston had been groomed to succeed him as a decorated general officer and college graduate. His calm, distant personality and war record cemented his qualifications as a logical choice for leadership. In college, he quarterbacked the varsity team and was devilishly impervious to the blitz. Gerry Ralston always had a clever, unexpected backfield option.

      As Chief Executive, he kept long office hours, with the understanding that he was available 24 hours a day to deal with emergencies, however rarely such crises occurred. All four Services were commanded by extremely capable brass and experienced staff, perhaps a little older than anyone thought ideal, but it was impossible to argue against battle-hardened competence and smoothly economical peacetime operations. Younger men were being brought along as officers. Budgets were tight. Debt was high. Two air companies and an amphibious battalion had been downsized from active duty strength to ready reserves with periodic exercises.

      Ralston and his guard detail were at a private restaurant when the call came, answered by a skinny j.g. who Ralston thought was amusing, however handily he managed boxy milspec mobile equipment, a recently assigned junior Navy officer.

      Operations, sir, the boy said sturdily, as he handed a wired handset to the Chief Executive. It was implicit that something serious had happened, or was assessed as likely to happen. The O.D. would be Col. Hugh Whitehorse, a few minutes from completing the day watch.

      What have you got? Ralston asked impassively.

      A police request from North California, Bay Area Serious Crime people, sir.

      Ralston frowned. What kind of request?

      They're doing an undercover operation in Los Angeles, and they requested a weapons team, sir. They sent staff profiles, apparently good people. Drug interdiction that went bad, and we've received voice and text traffic from Marin and from friendlies in Santa Barbara, sir.

      I see, Ralston said quietly. Alright, I'm on my way.

      He handed the phone to his aide. His dinner platter was barely touched, the first few delicious bites. Ralston took a sip of water to swish his mouth, put the goblet down and gestured to indicate that the Chief Executive wanted his car.

      Protocol mattered. As soon as Ralston was comfortably situated in the car, he used his screen to call the Chairman. He waited patiently while an elderly man was summoned to a baroque, gilt trimmed communications room.

      The Chairman was routinely displeased with Executive Branch problems, and he was angrier than usual. What is it now? he yelled as he entered, glaring at Ralston's face on his screen. This is the third time today that you've called at precisely the wrong moment! I told you that the O.C. white paper will be introduced and discussed on Thursday!

      Yes, sir, Ralston said coolly. We've received a request from North California to send a team to Los Angeles. I'd rather have your advice, before I consider it further.

      The Chairman's face morphed to an expression of puzzlement. What on earth?

      Yes, sir. I'm on my way back to base, to look at documents and listen to voice recordings, to assess the situation.

      There was brief confusion at the Chairman's end, and he had a conversation with another caller, muting the line to Ralston's car. His car was nearing the front gate. In a matter of seconds, people would hustle and snap to attention.

      The Chairman turned in his chair toward Ralston's screen, a businesslike countenance that foreshadowed a different tone. That was Governor Bland, begged me to approve the request to send people to Los Angeles. What do you think?

      I'm against it, sir. We have no diplomatic cover to operate there.

      Quit talking like a lawyer. Is it a readiness problem to send a Special Forces team?

      No, sir. Your decision in matters like this.

      The Chairman snorted. His furrowed brow contemplated policy. Ralston's car door opened at the blast door entrance, his guard detail drawn up at attention.

      Alright, the Chairman decided. Find out what the situation is. Do what you can to help them. I'll put it in writing. Ralston's screen reverted to main menu, connection ended.

      He strode to his office and the valet helped to remove his fleeced topcoat. Chief of Staff Edward Young stood loosely at attention, calm and happy. Some excitement tonight, he beamed.

      Ralston mentally accused the CoS of enjoying a fine dinner and a leisurely cigar. Ed Young was an old comrade grown fat with an easy desk job. Ralston touched a key on his desk console.

      Yes, sir? the kitchen answered promptly.

      Dinner, please. Steak and eggs, chopped potato and sausage gravy.

      Certainly, sir. About ten minutes, sir.

      Ralston cleared the call and unsnapped the handset of a secure channel.

      Good evening, Mister President, the gravelly rasp of an old voice answered.

      I need a cutter with a SEAL team aboard and a supply ship loaded with fuel and equipment, underway as quick as possible, the Commander-in-Chief ordered.

      Where are they going?

      International waters, hull down off Catalina Island. Stay out of radar contact.

      "Okay, Gerry. About twelve hours or so, then

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1