The sun was setting over Harrisburg. The sky was painted red and orange. Ethan stood on the steps of the state capitol, watching as Union soldiers marched through the streets. They were heading north, toward Lancaster. They were ready to fight.
Callie stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the soldiers. "They're ready," she said. "They're eager to fight. They want to stop Lee."
Ethan nodded. "Good. But we need to be careful. Lee is a brilliant general. He'll find a way to outmaneuver us if we're not careful."
He turned to Callie. "Have you heard from Silas?"
Callie nodded. "He sent a message. He said that Lee's army is in Lancaster. They're resting. They'll be ready to attack tomorrow."
Ethan nodded. "Good. We have tonight to prepare. Tell all commanders to fortify their positions. Tell them to be ready for an attack at dawn."
Callie sent the message. The sound of the telegraph key filled the air.
Ethan walked back into the capitol building. He went to his office. He sat at his desk. He spread out a map of Pennsylvania. He took a pen and began to draw. He drew lines of defense. He drew lines of attack. He drew lines of retreat.
He thought about Lee's plan. He thought about the traps he had set. He thought about the rail line that would allow Union troops to move quickly.
He felt confident. He felt ready.
But then, a knock at the door. A young soldier stepped in, saluting. "Mr. Voss, the President wants to see you. He's on his way to Harrisburg."
Ethan's eyes widened. He didn't expect Lincoln to come to Harrisburg.
"When will he arrive?" he asked.
"In a few hours. He's coming by train."
Ethan nodded. "I'll be ready. Tell the guards to prepare for his arrival."
The soldier saluted. "Yes, sir."
Ethan stood up. He walked to the window. He looked out at the city. He thought about Lincoln. He thought about the war. He thought about the future.
He knew that Lincoln was coming to Harrisburg to see him. He knew that Lincoln was coming to ask him for help. He knew that this was the Third Summon.
He felt a sense of purpose. He felt a sense of responsibility. He felt a sense of hope.
He turned to Callie. "We need to get ready. The President is coming. We need to show him that we're ready to fight. We need to show him that we're going to win."
Callie nodded. "I'm with you. We'll be ready."
They spent the next few hours preparing. They reviewed the plan. They checked the troops. They made sure that everything was in place.
Finally, the train arrived. Ethan and Callie went to the train station to meet Lincoln.
The train pulled into the station. The doors opened. Lincoln stepped out. He was wearing a black suit. His face was lined, but his eyes were bright.
"Mr. Voss," Lincoln said. "Good to see you."
"Mr. President," Ethan replied, shaking his hand. "Thank you for coming. We're ready for Lee."
Lincoln smiled. "I know you are. That's why I'm here. I need to talk to you. I need to ask you for something."
Ethan nodded. "Of course, sir. What is it?"
Lincoln's smile faded. He grew serious. "I need you to win this war. Not just for the Union. For America. For the future."
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. He knew what Lincoln meant. He knew that this was more than just a battle. This was a fight for the soul of the nation.
"I will, sir," Ethan said. "I'll do everything I can."
Lincoln nodded. "I know you will. That's why I trust you. That's why I've called you three times."
Ethan's eyes widened. He hadn't realized that this was the Third Summon. He had thought that the first two were the only ones. But he was wrong. This was the third. This was the most important.
"Come," Lincoln said. "Let's go to your office. I want to hear your plan."
Ethan nodded. He led Lincoln to his office. Callie followed close behind.
They sat down at the desk. Ethan spread out the map of Pennsylvania. He took a pen and began to explain his plan.
"Lee's army is in Lancaster," Ethan said. "They're resting. They'll be ready to attack tomorrow. We've fortified our positions around Harrisburg. We've set up traps. We've cut his supply lines. We'll be ready for him."
Lincoln listened. He nodded. He studied the map.
"Good," he said. "But I need more. I need you to not just stop Lee. I need you to defeat him. I need you to end this war."
Ethan nodded. "I know. That's what I'm planning to do. We'll fight him at Lancaster. We'll crush his army. We'll force him to surrender."
Lincoln's eyes lit up. "That's what I want to hear. But how? Lee's army is stronger than ours. He has better generals, better soldiers."
"He has weaknesses," Ethan said. "His supply lines are stretched thin. He's counting on speed and surprise. We'll take that away from him. We'll fight him on our terms. We'll win."
Lincoln studied Ethan. He looked into his eyes. He saw confidence. He saw determination. He saw hope.
"I trust you," Lincoln said. "I've always trusted you. You stopped Lee at Antietam. You stopped him at Gettysburg. You can stop him again. You can end this war."
Ethan felt a sense of pride. He knew that he had Lincoln's trust. He knew that he could count on him.
"Thank you, sir," Ethan said. "I won't let you down."
Lincoln nodded. He stood up. "I need to go. I need to get back to Washington. I need to prepare the nation for the end of the war."
Ethan stood up. He shook Lincoln's hand. "Good luck, sir."
Lincoln smiled. "Good luck to you, Mr. Voss. May God be with you."
He turned to leave. Callie followed him to the door.
Ethan stood in the office. He looked at the map. He thought about the plan. He thought about the Third Summon.
He knew that this was his moment. He knew that this was his chance to make history. He knew that this was his chance to build a better future.
He picked up the pen. He drew a line on the map. A line from Harrisburg to Lancaster. A line of attack.
He knew that tomorrow would be the day. Tomorrow would be the day that he defeated Lee. Tomorrow would be the day that he ended the war.
He smiled. He felt confident. He felt ready.
The Third Summon had been answered.
The war was about to end.
And the Voss Dynasty was about to begin.