US President Jeffrey Michener quotes from The Last Ship

US President Jeffrey Michener

This is President Jeffrey Michener addressing all Americans from the Navy ship the USS Nathan James, which is now entering the heart of this great nation, the Mississippi river. We are survivors of this great plague, just as you are. We have struggled, just as you have, and we still have great hope in the future, just as you do. I know that you've stayed alive this long by isolating yourselves... And your families, that many of you have been living in fear, Fear of the virus, fear of each other... Fear of the unknown. There have been people out there who have taken advantage of that. Despicable rumors and misleading videos have been broadcast from this network, lies designed to manipulate you, to make you believe that this ship and the people on it are your enemy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The men and women on this ship are some of the bravest, noblest that I have ever met, and it is an outrage that their commitment to bring all of us the cure has been undermined by those who thrive on your fear. I can tell you now that we do have the cure for the Red Flu. Attached to this message is video footage where you can see for yourself our doctor attending and curing patients sick with the virus. It is our mission now to spread this cure to as many of you as we can. At noon tomorrow, the 18th, we expect to land at the docks in Vicksburg, where we will remain in port for six hours. On the 20th, we'll arrive in Tennessee. We have made contact with a few brave citizens at the college of Memphis. Our team will meet people there at 9:00 A.M., again, for a period of six hours. We'll end our journey at 10:00 A.M. the following day, the 21st, at the port of St. Louis. It's time to turn the tide and the bloodshed, put the past behind us, and heal this great nation, all of us together. Thank you.

US President Jeffrey Michener

This is President Jeffrey Michener. As usual, I speak to you from the historic Old Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri. On this, the 154th day of my presidency, I'm happy to announce that our American reconstruction plan continues on pace. In fact, if you're hearing me over an electric radio in the four corner states or seeing me for the first time on television, you already know that the Johnson hydroelectric plant is back online, providing consistent power to much of the Southwest. And from all over the country, we have more reports of Americans joining forces to fix the broken pieces of our nation. Yes, the American spirit is alive and well. Today, many of you will receive your newly printed ration cards to be used for all essential purposes. A reminder... These are not a replacement for U.S. currency. We continue to work with the banks to ensure everyone has access to their money and their property, but until our productivity can keep up with demand, these cards will ensure citizens are granted equal access to available goods. We ask for your continued patience and your help with this implementation. Dr. Rachel Scott's murder came as a shock to us all, but she died knowing that she brought life back to this great nation. And her sacrifice will not be forgotten. This St. Louis radio hub will continue to bring you updates and information, along with your local stations as they come online. Of course, I'll be back tomorrow to speak with you directly. Until then, I thank you for your contributions and your courage. This project will succeed because of you. May God bless you and the United States of America.

US President Jeffrey Michener

Gentlemen, Mrs. Price, I'll remind you that we were sitting around this table just five months ago. We put our hands together and we agreed that this was the best arrangement for the country under reconstruction. The presidency, here, in St. Louis with the Chief of Staff and my Secretary of Foreign Affairs chosen from your regions. Senator Beatty with the constitutional authority to ratify certain new laws, and I thank you for that... and an expectation that all of you would try to maintain control over your regions until we sorted out how the boundaries could be drawn or whether or not we needed to elect new governors. Now, we've got congressional elections coming up next month, after which the people, through the voice of the new Congress, can decide whether or not to retain my policies. Until then, I say this... get a handle on your people. If you can't and you really fear rioting, I will not hesitate to use the full force of our armed forces to maintain order in this country. Now, I have a job to do, and so do you. As your president, I advise all of you to get to it. Thank you for coming and have a safe trip back.

Jeffrey Michener

"...It is our responsibility as immunes to restore this great nation. And just as God chose Noah to survive the flood of the old testament, he has chosen us to survive this plague that washed away the sins of our world."

Yes.

Do I sound convincing? Do you believe it?

Why, yes. Of course, but I don't have Sean's charisma.

I watched his videos. I've seen the translations into Spanish, Bulgarian. You don't understand the language, but you believe what he's saying.

Bulgaria?

He has followers everywhere. I used to do Meet the Press every once in a while, but getting in front of crowds like this...

Commander Mike Slattery. I'm the Executive Officer of this ship.

Jeffrey Michener

I want to speak to the Captain.

Well, he's presently indisposed... Wanted us to get acquainted till he gets here.

You are aware that kidnapping the President of the United States is a federal offense, punishable by death?

The Captain was under the impression he was rescuing you.

At gunpoint, against my will?

Sir, I don't think you realize who the Ramseys are or what their goal is...

You don't need to tell me anything.

No, sir, I don't. Unless you want to be fully informed. I'd like to show you something, if I may. This is from August. She was second in succession... President then. These were her orders to us. [plays video file of President Geller]

Morning, Commander. I know... the last you heard, I was Speaker of the House. The President died two months ago, the Vice-President a week later. What's left of the Federal Government is holed up 200 feet below the White House. Most of our population, along with our armed forces, is dying or dead. We have no allies, we have no enemies... Just a world of sick, desperate people. If Dr. Scott has the makings of a cure, you must come home... now.

We came home. Found things not quite as hospitable as we'd hoped. No infrastructure... No government, no orders. So we went to the White House, and we were able to get our hands on many of the Presidential files and directives. This is the secretary of the Navy. I understand you... You knew him pretty well. [plays clip of SECNAV Ray Mabus]

The U.S. Navy is currently on a mission to find the materials for a vaccine to combat the pandemic. If you're viewing this video, you are part of the new network of facilities in the United States and certain foreign countries, which were chosen to produce and distribute the vaccine. You'll be able to communicate with the civilian command with each other. Hopefully, you'll then start producing and distributing the vaccine, and we can get to the task of rebuilding our great nation. Godspeed.

We have the cure, sir. Dr. Scott was able to produce it right here on this ship. Guess you wouldn't have any need for it yourself. The rest of the world, the ones who aren't lucky enough to be naturally immune... We got to Norfolk, we found pilots, we sent doses around the country and to Europe, as we were ordered to do. The project to mass-produce the cure was well under way, and then we ran into some problems. This is a recording made by one of our scientists. He was trying to get a message through to Dr. Scott. [replays Dr Hunter's entire desperate message to Rachel] You might recognize that Irish accent. Those were Sean Ramsey's people. They gained access to our secret network, the location of all our labs, and they blew them up with their long-range missiles. Destroyed our limited infrastructure, murdered our scientists... All because they believe that they are the inheritors of the earth. That's why Captain Chandler rescued you from the Ramseys. I can only assume you knew nothing about this. I mean, if you did... This is a comprehensive look at Dr. Scott's protocols, experiments, and trials. Complete Captain's logs, combat center records, including our attempt at a response to the Ramseys' assault on our labs. It's not easy to listen to, but I think it'll be informative. I'll let the Captain know that you've been briefed. [leaves]

You blame yourself. You think you could've done something differently. Somehow, all those people would be alive... Your wife, your daughters? What could you have done differently, Jeff?

President Jeffrey Michener

Nothing. Nothing.

We're going to New Orleans. And you're going to help us defeat whoever it is that twisted you all around, but we are never gonna get there until you face whatever it is you can't let go of.

There's nothing... Nothing to let go of!

It was your son, wasn't it?

He was in Michigan. Summer session at the university.

You had him brought down to Florida.

No.

Against CDC protocols!!

No.

There was no way to test him, but he seemed okay, and you let him in the stadium.

That's not... that's not what happened!

I have the records from the White House.

No, you're wrong!

Two days after you brought him to Florida, there was a massive outbreak in Ann Arbor.

No, please! Please! That's not what happened!

The security details... they were lax! You couldn't have known. He infected everyone in that stadium... it was hot! They were careless with their masks! Your wife, your daughters.

Please! No! No!

It was all on you.

That's not what happened! Stop it!

You were the one who was supposed to protect everybody.

Stop it.

And then you stumbled into the immunes, and they told you that it was all meant to be and that you were chosen and your children were not and that all of this was destiny. And it was easy for you to believe because you needed to believe it...

Because it was the only way to go on.

There's another way now. With us.

I killed my daughters.

I know.

No. No. You don't.

Then tell me. It's just you and me... Nobody else. Tell me.

After my son died... And my daughters started getting the symptoms... My wife... She begged me to put them out of their misery b-b-before it became... And I did it. [Voice breaking] With my own bare hands. I smothered them in their sleep. But Hollie... She woke up. A-and she struggled. And that's the last thing she ever felt was her father betraying her. [Sniffles] So... What do you say about that?

Mr. President, as of today, this ship has gone from being one of the safest places on earth to one of the most dangerous. You'll disembark with a team of our most experienced operators, led by the XO, along with the other assets we can't afford to lose.

US President Jeffrey Michener

I understand about the cure, about Dr. Scott, and about the children, but I'm the commander-in-chief...

Which is why you need to be protected at all costs. You saw what happened the last time we faced these guys. There's no real choice here, sir.

US President Jeffrey Michener

Do you have some news for us?

I'm afraid I do. It seems that Captain Chandler's plane had some very serious engine trouble as it tried to take off from our airport. Unfortunately, the plane went down.

Plane went down? Are there any survivors?

We are searching the waters now... but we are not hopeful.

We walked right into this.

It is certainly suspicious, Mr. President, with what happened in Vietnam.

As I have told you, there are many rogue elements operating in the region. We suspected pirates at first, but your pilot radioed in with engine trouble. We are sending the transmission now between your pilot and our air traffic control.

Yes. Obviously, we'd very much like to hear that recording.

I assure you we will conduct a thorough investigation and keep you fully informed.

Well, we appreciate that, President Peng, and we will speak soon. [Peng hangs up]

You're not buying that, are you?

I'm not jumping to any conclusions, and neither should anyone in this room. Let's hear that transmission.

CAPT Thomas Chandler

All that said, we have no concrete leads right now to help us find our people.

US President Jeffrey Michener

But you're certain Peng is behind this.

He blew up our plane, to be sure But we have reason to believe that pirates from Shanzhai were responsible for the attack in Vietnam.

So... We sortie the ships in Okinawa. Shackleton and Hayward can be in the region in a matter of days.

I appreciate that, sir, but those ships need to be in Japan, investigating the possibility of the virus mutation. And a larger presence here may draw attention, and it could be counterproductive. I need a lower profile.

You? You're the Chief of Naval Operations and, for all intents and purposes, the head of our entire military. I need you running our global operations from here.

Sir, the James is without its senior leadership. I can't just leave anybody...

I understand your loyalty to your people, Tom.

This isn't just about my people. You sent me here because the region is a tinderbox. I need to stay here now and find out why this happened, what the bigger play is... Not just to save my crew. Though I believe that will be the first step, sir.

I want to know where you're going and what you're doing at all times.

Understood, sir.

Bring 'em home, then.

I will.

US President Jeffrey Michener

My fellow Americans, by now, many of you heard about the reports from Florida and my time spent there. I wanted to take a moment to tell you the truth directly from me. I did not know that my son, Brian, was the carrier of the Red Flu at the time. I did bring him down to Florida from an area that I knew could be infected. As a father, I acted out of desperation. But as a public servant, I was derelict in my duties. Now, as your President, I humbly offer my sincerest apology.

Contrition from the President. Since the release of that statement an hour ago, St. Louis White House remains on virtual lockdown, with no comments from his aides and no further information to support the President's statement. At this time of uncertainty, I will continue to pursue this story wherever it leads. Jacob Barnes, AMT News.

President Jeffrey Michener

I'm proud to honor you today for your service to the U.S. Navy, our great nation, and the world. Captain Chandler, are you ready to be relieved of command?

Who am I passing off command to?

We have the watch, sir.

We have the watch.

We have the watch.

We have the watch.

We have the watch.

We have the watch.

We have the watch, sir.

Bosun, stand by to pipe the side. Shipmates going ashore. [everybody stands up]

It's time, pal. God bless you and God bless America.