Fortunately, Benjamin Arthur hadn't completely lost his rationality. Instead of declaring a nationwide wartime emergency, he only announced a temporary state of emergency for Washington, D.C., currently under attack. As a result, major military units like the Fifth and Seventh Fleets patrolling overseas didn't escalate to wartime readiness. The emergency status was confined to the capital.
This measured decision reassured the Pentagon, the Speaker of the House, and the Vice President, who chose not to voice opposition to Benjamin's directive. Whether due to ulterior motives or political savvy, they knew this wasn't the moment to challenge a furious president. Any dissent now would surely land them on Benjamin's blacklist, a move neither the wily Vice President nor the typically obstructive Speaker was willing to risk.
By this point, it was clear that the attack orchestrated by three conspiratorial factions against the White House and Benjamin himself had failed. The first to accept this outcome was Amir Barkawi, hiding in the mountains of Argentina.
For Barkawi, who had spent years waging a personal vendetta against the U.S., this was just another skirmish in a lifelong battle. He had realized the operation was doomed the moment the rogue AC-130 gunship was decisively shot down by F-22 Raptors. To him, this failure was simply one of many attempts he would make against America in the future. Besides, the operation's costs—both financial and human—had largely been borne by his Japanese intelligence backers and the Roxette organization. Barkawi's losses were minimal, leaving him largely indifferent.
However, for the other two factions—the Japanese intelligence agency and the U.S.-based Roxette organization—the situation was disastrous.
The Japanese intelligence agency and its supporting officials remained somewhat composed. Despite the humiliation of having their plans exposed, they trusted in their ability to hide their involvement. The Chief Cabinet Secretary and intelligence heads believed their clandestine methods would withstand scrutiny, unlike the Roxette organization, whose members were in full-blown panic.
And with good reason.
Colonel Clark, detained at Andrews Air Force Base, was a live wire of damning information. Moreover, Benjamin was no stranger to the Roxette organization.
This was the same president who had purged Roxette operatives from the CIA immediately after his inauguration. This purge had forced the group's remnants to infiltrate other branches of government, with many seeing Barkawi's plan as a golden opportunity to eliminate a president they couldn't control.
But the attack had failed—spectacularly so. Worse, it was clear the president had been prepared from the outset.
The Roxette organization was in deep trouble. Not only had they provided substantial support to Barkawi, but they had also burned key military assets, including Colonel Clark and the logistical support for the AC-130 gunship. The gunship's modifications and its six Gatling guns had all been facilitated by Roxette operatives.
These loose ends were impossible to cover up.
While Roxette members scrambled for answers, the battle outside the White House raged on.
Barkawi's fighters, shockingly resilient, continued their assault even as their retreat was cut off by arriving National Guard forces. Their relentless determination stunned observers, including Castle and his associate, who were monitoring the fight via drone footage.
The global audience was similarly astounded, thanks to journalists broadcasting the battle live. These fearless reporters, undeterred by flying bullets, captured every moment, showing militants advancing against the White House despite insurmountable odds.
FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth, armed with a semi-automatic sniper rifle, had taken position in a third-floor room of the White House. This vantage point overlooked the lawn, the primary attack route for the militants. Booth, a tactical sniper accustomed to close-quarters combat, thrived in such situations, methodically picking off threats.
Meanwhile, Bob Lee Swagger remained stationed on the rooftop. Unlike Booth, Bob's focus was on high-value targets and preventing any heavy weaponry—such as RPGs—from endangering defenders. Their combined expertise effectively neutralized critical threats.
Even these seasoned operatives were impressed by the militants' resolve. Despite being surrounded and vastly outgunned, at least 20 attackers continued advancing fearlessly. For experienced soldiers like Booth and Bob, such determination was almost incomprehensible.
The only cautious individual among the attackers was Kim Yonkang, who had taken the South Korean Prime Minister hostage and retreated to an armored limousine. Realizing escape was impossible, Kim repositioned the vehicle to a less conspicuous corner, tying up the Prime Minister as leverage for later negotiations.
Inside the White House, Benjamin was astonished at the attackers' tenacity. The National Guard had cleared most of the militants outside the perimeter, yet at least 20 remained, pouring fire toward the White House. "Where on Earth did they find such formidable fighters?" Benjamin wondered.
Elsewhere, trouble was brewing.
The Roxette organization, desperate and cornered, made a reckless move. Learning that Benjamin's wife and children had left the White House two days earlier with one of his Italian campaign sponsors, the conspirators devised a last-ditch plan: abduct the First Family to leverage against the president.
Believing the family was lightly guarded at a secluded mountain resort with only six Secret Service agents, Roxette dispatched 20 operatives to capture them.
However, their information was critically outdated.
Unbeknownst to them, the resort was also guarded by John Wick, who had been "training" the agents during his stay. Additionally, Castle had stationed Ivan and 20 heavily armed Russian bodyguards to patrol the perimeter.
As the Roxette operatives approached, they unknowingly walked straight into Ivan's defensive line. The trap was set, and the hunters were about to become the hunted.
(End of Chapter)
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