"Sir… they're not stopping." The Captain stammered fearfully.
"Hold the line," A response over his earpiece. "Wait for the command."
Suddenly, the crowd breached the inner barricades. The soldiers below the wall fell back, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
Several began retreating toward the gates, while others stood their ground, raising their weapons in trembling hands.
… Inside the White House ….
"The line's breaking," one advisor said, his voice shaking. "We need to make a decision now!"
President White stared at the screen, his knuckles white against the table.
"We already made the decision." He took a breath. "Tell them to open fire."
….
The order rippled through the chain of command like a spark igniting a fuse.
Bang!
A single rifle cracked, the sharp sound cutting through the chants and cries of the crowd.
