Among the Ruthless

A new kind of terrorist threatens America. These killers do not use military weapons of any sort. Instead, they deploy exotic industrial technology in deadly new ways. Each attack has the potential for hundreds of civilian casualties. The carnage, which is already severe, seems ready to escalate. The terrorists promise bigger, bloodier attacks if America's president does not send them a billion dollars.

The president knows things need to move quickly. America's sea of faceless bureaucrats, h...