“I didn’t expect you to cave so quickly. The women must be very important to you.”
“You mean the women that are on their way home right now? The two women that your three men kidnapped and foolishly had no idea what to do with? Those women?” Santori’s face stilled as he stared at the screen. “We really expected more from you, Santori. Your men are dead. And believe me, they were wishing for a fast death and didn’t get their wish.
“Right now, there are some very, very angry men on their way to you. That’s right. An entire team of men headed to take you out. We’re not just going to let you go on about your merry way. You’ve lost this battle, you will not get the oil, and you will not get your nephew.
“What you will get is the surprise of your life and I am very happy to say that I was a part of sending it to you. Oh, and before I let you go, just know the press conference in Chicago is happening in seven minutes. You should be able to watch it if you have satellite. You do have satellite, don’t you?
“Well, never mind. I’ll record it and send it to you later. See you soon, Santori.”
The screen turned black and Chief let out a long slow breath. Sniff was beside him, Ruckus and Beast at his feet. The team had brought replacements for Chaos and it would take two animals to replace that one. Chaos would recover but he’d have a ways to go before he would be running and protecting again.
“The girls are safe, brother,” said Brax. “We should have been watching them more closely.”
“No. No, it’s not your fault,” said Chief. “We thought everything was handled here. He knew what to look for. He knew that we had a team here because the POTUS told him we were here.”
“The press conference is about to start,” said Wyatt.
“Grab the popcorn. It’s about to get more interesting.”
“Good afternoon. Thank you all for being here today, and thank you to the members of the press, representatives from industry, labor leaders, state and local officials, and our partners joining us from across the Americas.
“Today, I am announcing a discovery of historic significance—one that has the potential to reshape the energy landscape of the Western Hemisphere and redefine the United States’ relationship with global energy markets for generations to come.
“After more than a decade of geological research, seismic mapping, and multinational cooperation, scientists and energy experts have confirmed the existence of what is now being called the Pan-American Continental Oil Vein—the largest continuous oil formation ever identified. This vein stretches, deep beneath the Earth’s crust, from the southern regions of Argentina, through portions of South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States, reaching as far north as the Dakotas.
“This is not speculation. This is verified science.
“The scale of this formation is unprecedented. It represents a resource base that, if responsibly developed, could supply energy for decades while strengthening economic stability throughout the hemisphere.
“Following a rigorous review process involving U.S. regulators, international partners, and independent experts, the Administration is announcing today that Robicheaux Oil and Gas will serve as the lead private-sector partner for drilling, extraction, and refining operations within the United States.
“Robicheaux Oil and Gas was selected based on their proven technical expertise in deep-earth extraction, a documented safety record, advanced refining infrastructure already operating domestically, and a binding commitment to environmental safeguards and workforce investment.
“This will not be a rushed operation. It will be deliberate, phased, and regulated at every level.
“Let me be clear about what this means for the United States.
“This discovery gives our nation the opportunity to dramatically reduce—over time—our dependence on foreign oil. It strengthens our energy security. It insulates American families and businesses from volatile global markets. And it ensures that decisions about American energy are made here, by Americans, under American law.
“Energy independence is not an abstract concept. It is about stable fuel prices, secure supply chains, strong domestic manufacturing, and jobs that cannot be outsourced
“This project alone is expected to support hundreds of thousands of jobs across exploration, construction, refining, transportation, and advanced engineering—many of them union jobs.
“Now, I want to address an issue that matters deeply to this Administration and to the American people: environmental protection.
“Energy development and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.
“All drilling conducted by Robicheaux Oil and Gas will adhere to the most stringent federal environmental standards, continuous groundwater monitoring, advanced leak-detection systems, and mandatory land restoration requirements.
“In addition, a portion of federal revenues generated from this project will be directed toward renewable energy research, carbon capture technologies, infrastructure resilience, and conservation efforts.
“We are investing in today’s energy needs while still planning for tomorrow’s climate realities.
“Because this oil vein crosses borders, this effort also represents a new era of hemispheric cooperation.
“The United States is already working with partner governments throughout the Americas to ensure respect for national sovereignty, fair economic participation, and shared safety and environmental standards.
“This is not about extraction at any cost. It is about shared prosperity and mutual responsibility.
