Deep beneath the White House, the Presidential Emergency Operations Center—often called the "Doomsday Bunker"—had been fully activated for the first time in its history. The facility was brightly lit but the atmosphere heavy with dread. Multiple display screens lined the walls showing real-time footage from major cities—smoke rising between Manhattan's skyscrapers, military standoffs with protesters in Chicago, abandoned cargo ships at the Port of Los Angeles.
The President stood in the center of the recording studio, his face ashen and eyes weary. Three advisors stood behind him, a speech on the table before him, though he knew no prepared words could adequately describe the current situation.
"Recording ready, sir," the technician signaled that everything was in position.
The President straightened his tie, took a deep breath, and looked directly into the camera.
"My fellow Americans," his voice was slightly hoarse, "in the past seventy-two hours, our nation has faced the most severe crisis since its founding. This is not merely a financial collapse or cyber attack, but a multi-pronged assault on the very foundations of our country."
He paused, swallowing hard.
"At this moment, I must announce to the nation that, under the powers vested in me by the Constitution, the United States is officially entering a state of national emergency. Military forces have been deployed to all major cities to protect critical infrastructure and maintain order."
The monitor on the President's desk displayed real-time data: the East Coast power grid was 70% disabled, communication networks were experiencing 40% failure rates, stock markets suspended, food and fuel supply chains broken.
"Our investigations indicate this crisis was orchestrated by foreign powers in conjunction with domestic malicious actors. They exploited vulnerabilities in our systems, attempting to destroy America. But I assure you, we will identify those responsible and hold them accountable."
The President made no mention of Project Atlas, nor that the Defense Department had confirmed some attacks originated internally. This information was too sensitive.
"The immediate priority is for all citizens to remain calm and follow the directions of local law enforcement. Hoarding supplies and acts of violence will only accelerate social breakdown. The military will ensure distribution of essential supplies."
The bunker lights flickered momentarily as backup generators took over power supply. The President frowned slightly but continued his address.
"In times of crisis, we must stand united. I have authorized the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve System to take all necessary measures to stabilize the financial system, including temporary freezing of all large transfers and implementing currency controls."
An aide handed the President a note. After quickly scanning it, his expression grew even more grave.
"Finally, I must share sobering news. We have confirmed that multiple hostile nations are amassing military forces at our borders. The Department of Defense has elevated alert levels, and Strategic Command has implemented response measures."
The President looked directly into the camera, determination flashing in his eyes: "Whatever challenges we face, the United States of America will endure. We have survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. We will overcome this crisis as well. May God bless America."
As the recording ended, the President collapsed into his chair. The National Security Advisor approached and spoke in a hushed voice: "Sir, the Pentagon just reported that we've lost contact with an Ohio-class nuclear submarine. We suspect the command systems may have been compromised."
The President closed his eyes, feeling utterly powerless for the first time. The world outside was crumbling while he hid in an underground bunker, trying to save a nation that might already be beyond saving.
In Manhattan's financial district, towering glass skyscrapers were burning. The streets were littered with broken glass and overturned vehicles. Clashes between protesters and police had continued for three days, and the situation worsened as the President's emergency address played on surviving television screens.
Erin Wu and her colleague Tom Lee were hiding in a conference room on the forty-second floor of the Goldman Sachs building. They were supposed to evacuate immediately after the President's address, but protesters had occupied the ground floor, blocking all standard exits.
"They're throwing Molotov cocktails," Tom said tensely, crouched by the window observing the street below. "All of Wall Street has descended into chaos."
Erin was rapidly organizing documents and hard drives, stuffing them into a waterproof backpack. "We need to leave immediately. Once they breach the elevator shafts, we'll be trapped."
After the President's broadcast ended, the shouting from the streets grew louder. Crowds chanted slogans about "Wall Street criminals" and "Give back our money," while flaming objects were repeatedly hurled at the building.
Tom locked the conference room door, his voice trembling: "Do you really believe the government can control this situation? Look outside! Where's the military? Where are the police?"
Erin shook her head, checking the map on her phone. "This isn't just an ordinary riot, Tom. This is organized, premeditated societal dissolution. The Atlas system has been maliciously activated, and it's dismantling the entire country's infrastructure."
A tremendous boom shook the entire building. Erin and Tom stumbled, and the conference room lights flickered before going dark. Emergency lighting activated, casting dim red illumination across the room.
"What was that?" Tom asked in terror.
"Probably a power substation exploding," Erin replied calmly, continuing to organize equipment. "We need to take the fire stairs and avoid the main streets."
Another explosion, closer this time. The building noticeably swayed, and the sound of helicopter rotors thundered outside.
"Quick!" Erin pulled Tom up, shouldered the backpack filled with hard drives and documents. "I know a route that can lead us to the subway system."
They rushed out of the conference room and through darkened hallways. In the distance came sounds of breaking glass and shouting crowds. The building's fire suppression system activated, cold water spraying from the ceiling.
"Fire door's that way," Tom pointed toward the end of the corridor as they moved quickly.
Just as they pushed through the fire door, the building violently shook again with a deafening explosion from below. Erin and Tom grabbed the stair railings to steady themselves and began running downward.
"What are you carrying that's so important?" Tom asked as they ran, eyeing Erin's pack.
"The core algorithms of Atlas and decryption solutions," Erin answered briefly. "Plus the keys needed to rebuild the financial system. If these fall into the wrong hands, America is truly finished."
They descended dozens of flights of stairs, their legs burning, but they dared not stop. At the thirtieth floor, they heard footsteps and shouting from below.
"Damn, someone's coming up," Tom whispered.
Erin pulled Tom toward the safety exit on the twenty-eighth floor. "This way, we can cross to the adjacent building. They have a freight elevator that goes directly underground."
Just as they pushed through the safety door, gunshots rang out from above, followed by screams. Erin didn't allow herself to think further, pulling Tom through the abandoned office area toward the connecting bridge to the neighboring building.
Outside, Manhattan's sky glowed red with fire, helicopter searchlights sweeping between buildings. In the distance, the Statue of Liberty stood silently in the harbor, witnessing the collapse of the city. Erin knew that in this moment, America's destiny had been irreversibly altered.