Secretary of State Girard acts as a crucial advisor to President Gibson throughout the depicted global conflict. When a Soviet ballistic missile submarine launches an unauthorized nuclear strike on the East Coast, Girard calms President Gibson after Gibson orders retaliatory strikes against Soviet cities, actions unfolding within a devastating global nuclear exchange. Earlier in the crisis, Girard scrutinizes a ceasefire proposal transmitted by Soviet Premier Orlov. He theorizes Orlov may not have actually sent the proposal, casting doubt on its legitimacy and influencing the U.S. decision to reject its demands for major territorial concessions.