A House of Dynamite

As the White House Situation Room's oversight officer, Walker remains calm and precise under pressure. She coordinates intelligence from multiple agencies and keeps the president informed, balancing duty with the emotional strain of potentially catastrophic decisions. Her leadership steadies the room as options proliferate and time increasingly constrains choice.

A FEMA official at the center of continuity planning, Rogers represents the procedural backbone of the government under crisis. She faces ethical and logistical challenges as federal evacuation orders go out to protect the chain of command. Her role underscores how civilian agencies coordinate with the military in national emergencies.

The president embodies the moral weight of ultimate decision-making during a peak nuclear crisis. He weighs the advice of military and civilian aides, questions the wisdom of retaliation, and grapples with whether restraint or force best protects the nation and its people. His authority is tested as the clock counts down.

A key field commander at Fort Greely, Gonzalez faces the pressure of executing interception orders under time pressure. He experiences firsthand the anxiety of a missile defense system performing poorly and the personal toll of operating in a life-and-death, high-stakes environment. His response contrasts discipline with fear as the situation evolves.

An NSA advisor who speculates on possible origins of the attack and the implications of submarine-launched capabilities. Her cautious analysis informs strategy discussions, highlighting how intelligence interpretations shape diplomatic and military responses. She emphasizes the perils of misattribution in a rapidly evolving crisis.

The Deputy National Security Advisor who shepherds policy and messaging during the escalating crisis. He weighs whether to attribute the attack to North Korea and pushes for contingency planning, balancing political considerations with national security imperatives. He interacts with foreign diplomats to manage the international dimension of the threat.

STRATCOM commander who assesses the military response options as the ICBM closes in on Chicago. He advocates for decisive action and supports contingency planning, even as some advise restraint. His perspective typifies the strategic tension between deterrence and the risk of escalation.

The president’s nuclear authority confidant, Reeves counsels on retaliation options and coordinates with the Joint Chiefs. He embodies the technical and strategic expertise required to navigate the crisis while maintaining a calm, rational demeanor. His role underscores the human element within the command chain.

Alive to the looming disaster, she carries the emotional weight of global instability and its impact on the country. Separated from the action by being in Kenya, she nonetheless channels concern and public duty, highlighting the personal dimension of national crises. Her presence in the narrative reinforces the far-reaching consequences of the decision to strike or refrain.