by Unknown
“Admiral, I have to tell you what a great impression you made today. Not only did you give us upright and truthful answers to our questions, but in some cases dazzled us with your insight. Although some may have had doubts, I doubt there will be any real opposition to your appointment. I plan on a vote on Tuesday. By the way, I know your wife is up to her ears in California. Is she well?”
“She is fine, Senator. I am planning on a quick trip to take care of a few things, then will be back on Monday.”
Raymond slapped him on the arm. “Good! Please convey my personal best wishes and thank you again for being with us today,” he said warmly.
“My pleasure, Senator,” said Hammond.
As he exited the building, Hammond was surprised to see a blue Rolls sitting at the curb. Jeffers was standing beside the car waiting. He opened the door for Hammond to get in.
“Well, what’s this for?” Hammond asked.
Jeffers started the car and pulled into traffic. “I’m here to take you to the airport. Your boss, the CNO, and a certain friend of yours told me to get your ass on the next flight to LA. Your bag is packed and in the trunk.”
“I thought I was supposed to debrief.”
“No need. The CNO and the President watched it on C-SPAN. You were a big hit, from what I heard. Then I was given orders, and you know how I follow orders,” Jeffers grinned.
Hammond threw his hands up. “I will give in this once,” he said.
Jeffers handed some brochures to Hammond. “What are these?” Hammond asked.
“Boss, I found out your home was pretty much leveled during the quake. I talked to Boats Patnaude and he said Patricia and Steve are in your old cabin for now, but they can’t stay there forever. He told me to call a guy named Jack Latham. When I mentioned your name he told me to tell you to see about buying or renting some sort of an RV to live in temporarily. He said he would take care of the rest. So here are some local dealers. If you see something you like, let them know. I was told by each of them they would cut you and the mayor a sweet deal,” he said while he drove.
Hammond looked at the brochures, but didn’t really see them. It seemed that O’Bannon wasn’t the only guy with good friends. After a minute, he seemed to settle on a particular model. It was a pull behind trailer, but had some nice features. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number. By the time he reached the airport, they had agreed on a price. The unit would be delivered and set up by the time he got home. “Just come in and sign the papers sometime in the next couple of days,” the owner had said.
Within an hour, he was on his way home.
Chapter 5
Getting Started
San Pedro, California
It was eight in the evening when an SUV pulled into the parking lot next to the Iowa. There were still hundreds out on the tarmac resting after the evening meal. Televisions had been set up and most were watching some of the local channels. Patricia Hammond saw the vehicle pull up and silently dreaded one more family coming in for help at this late hour. Little Steve was standing on the deck above her and she was getting ready to put him to bed when he called out “Daddy!”
She turned to see a man in summer whites get out of the car and wave to his son. Steve rushed past his mother and down the brow. It didn’t take long before he was in the welcoming arms of his father. Hammond hugged the boy hard. “How’s my little man? Have you been taking care of your Mom?”
“Of course, Daddy. She let me sleep in the Captain’s bed.”
“Oh! Now that’s special,” Hammond said a Patricia walked up. “Hi, beautiful,” he said to her.
Patricia threw her arms around her husband and began to cry. They stood and held each other for a long while until Steve asked, “Why’s Mom crying?”
“Just happy to see Daddy home,” she told her son.
“About time you got here,” shouted a voice from the ship. Bos’n Patnaude stood on the main deck with his hands on his hips. He was grinning from ear to ear as he made his way down to them.
“Hello, Boats. Good to see you,” Hammond said.
“Bull. It’s good to see them. Now take this pretty woman home and get her out of this madhouse a couple of days. I just got the call from Mister Latham. You are all set. I’ll make sure everything keeps going around here, but when you bring her back, some of the guys would like to say hello,” Boats said with a grin.
“Boats, we don’t have a place to go to. Our house…”
Patnaude interrupted her. “No, Mayor Pat, we took care of all that. You two go home a couple of days. He’s probably got to run off again. Us sailors do that, you know. Take a little break and when you come back things will be even better,” Boats said.
Patricia looked at Boats, then back at Roger. She threw up her hands. “I give up. We might be in a tent, but as long as we’re together, it’s okay with me.”
Hammond winked at Patnaude and then bundled his wife and son into the car. Twenty minutes later they pulled into the driveway of their house. It looked terrible. Two walls had fallen and the roof had collapsed, but sitting in front of the house was a huge RV. The lights were on and a man was standing outside waiting for them.
Patricia looked at Roger. “This is for us?”
Hammond nodded. “Jack set it up and I bought the trailer sight unseen. I hope we like it,” he said, getting out of the car.
“Admiral Hammond?” asked the man waiting.
“That’s me.”
The man handed over the keys and a slip of paper. “Here are the keys and the location of the office. The boss told me to tell you not to worry, but come by when you can. The paperwork will hold. If you need anything, he says call that number. There are some instructions about the RV inside on the kitchen counter. Mister Lathum had his guys set up the water, electricity and sewer, then brought in some groceries. Is there anything I can do for you?” he asked.
Hammond took the keys and shook his hand. “No, thank you for all you’ve done.”
“Yes, thank you so much,” Patricia said.
The man grinned. “Mayor Pat, my family was at the Iowa for two days before we were able to move back home. We were one of the lucky ones. With all you’ve done, I am really happy to do this for you. As a matter of fact, everyone is. Have a good evening,” the man said as he turned, got in his truck and left.
“Can we go in now?” asked Steve.
Both laughed. “Let’s go, Sport,” Hammond said to his son.
The RV was much nicer than Hammond had imagined from the brochure. There was a large sitting/dining/kitchen area in the front, and in the rear was a large bedroom with a king size bed and a bath. In between, were a separate bath and a space for two bunks.
Little Steve let out a shout of glee. The bunk beds were his. Already in his pajamas, he crawled right in and pulled the covers up. “This is ours Daddy?” he asked.
Hammond laughed. “Yes, Sport, it’s ours. Now you just go to sleep and we’ll talk some more tomorrow, okay?”
Steve smiled. His Daddy was home and he had a new house. The world was fine. “Okay, Daddy,” he said as he rolled over and closed his eyes.
Hammond walked to the front, closing the door behind him. Patricia was looking out the windows in the front of the RV. “Our house is gone,” she said.
Hammond put his arms around his wife, kissing her on the neck. “We’ll build another.”
In the sitting area was a fake fireplace which was already running, a couch and two easy chairs. Both walls moved out adding floor space. The kitchen had everything including a pantry. Hammond led his wife to the couch and they sat down. She leaned into his chest. “Is it true what Boats said? You have to go back?”
Hammond sighed, yes, but at least you have some place to go to for now. We have two days. I won’t go back until Sunday night,” he said. He reached over and turned off the lights. The glow of the fake fireplace reflected off the walls while each simply basked in the company of the other. An hour later, Roger Hammond stood, to
ok the hand of his wife and led her to their bedroom.
The White House
Executive Summary
After a three month study of current conditions it is the conclusion of the panel that the largest threat to the United States and NATO is Russia. This is predicated in four undeniable facts:
Russia has expanded its military arm to a force of over five million. Their equipment is currently a minimum of four times the size of all NATO forces, including the United States. Appendix (A) outlines military forces.
Over the past three years, Russia has incorporated a majority of former Warsaw Pact countries back under its influence. Using the excuse that Russian expatriates are being mistreated by local peoples and governments, they have systematically overrun five of these small nations. Appendix (B) provides documentation on recent operations.
There is growing unrest in Poland for the same reasons as outlined in (2) above. Appendix (C) provides additional information specific to Poland. NATO has decided that if Poland is attacked, they will respond. Appendix (D), Overview of current NATO plans and policies.
Intelligence sources indicate that Russia is making preparations and moving people and material closer to the Polish border. Appendix (E), Intelligence assessment (Classified).
It is anticipated that Russia will attempt to take Poland and the nations on the European continent. We anticipate the following:
Russia will attack Poland and continue across the continent until reaching the English Channel. Once Europe has been so divided, they will fan north and south to encompass all of Europe.
The attack will coincide with attacks on all NATO allies including the United States. These attacks will be designed to prevent significant interference by the allies in assisting Poland and delay reinforcement.
Attacks on Great Britain to preclude use of air power and Royal Navy assets. This may come by use of cruise missile technology and their submarine force. Eventually, we anticipate the use of submarines to blockade Britain from receiving both military and civilian supplies. See Appendix (F).
Air attacks on France to reduce air strength and the ability to counterattack or support ground troops. Additional submarine activity to prevent supply reinforcement. See Appendix (G).
Air attacks on other NATO nations to reduce airpower and the ability to provide reinforcing ground troops. See Appendix (H).
Attacks on the United States to slow and delay any coordinated response by United States forces on land, sea or air. We anticipate a major effort to reduce the size of the Navy, especially its aircraft carrier forces, so that quick reinforcement will be difficult. This will also prevent a flexible response due to the lack of ability to project power via the sea. The use of submarine forces will be extensive. Although the Russian Air Force does not have the ability to reach North American targets effectively, they do have the assets to prevent air resources from crossing the Atlantic and providing support for NATO operations. In addition, with the loss of naval assets and air supremacy, the United States will not be able to provide combat troops in Europe. See Appendix (I) – (K).
We anticipate that the attack will come in the late fall of the year, since the winter months tend to work in favor of the Russians. It may coincide with a national holiday in the hopes our forces will not be alert. The attack will be with their best forces and along a relatively small front. In this way, they can push like a dagger through Europe to the English Channel. Appendix (L).
NATO does not have the forces to stop such an attack. At most, NATO will have 600,000 troops available and five divisions of tanks. Air assets are roughly one quarter that of the Russians. Naval assets are roughly one third that of Russia. Of note, Russian submarines have been building their submarine forces far faster than NATO. We anticipate it will be the main naval projection of power. Appendix (A) – (D). One can anticipate the use of submarine launched cruise missiles, torpedoes, and mines.
NATO commanders concur with this assessment.
Recommendations:
Begin moving people and materials to Europe now. Once hostilities begin, such efforts will be much more difficult.
Begin forward deploying air force assets to all NATO countries so that they will be ready to counter Russian air efforts.
Deploy the submarine forces so that few assets are in port. Position these assets to track enemy submarines and be in a position to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare.
Keep our aircraft carriers and their battle groups at sea as much as possible. Never have more than one carrier in port at one time. The sea provides some additional security.
Increase our minesweeping operations around United States and overseas ports.
Begin working within NATO to firmly establish a wartime chain of command and then train to that structure.
Increase our technological advantages. Since NATO cannot face Russia toe-to-toe, we must use the advantages we have in technology and our warfighting abilities. According to intelligence assets, Russian technologies are approximately twenty five years behind that of the United States. This does not mean their systems are not effective, it simply means we have a slight advantage. We must use all our advantages in order to have a chance of countering this threat. See Appendix (M) for assets available.
Move against the Russian infrastructure. Little effort has been made to maintain power grids, fuel distribution, oil production, or basic systems like water and sewer. Transportation systems are almost archaic. Blows to these systems will do nothing but slow down production and movement of supplies to the front. See appendix (N).
If Russia is successful in taking continental Europe, Great Britain can effectively be cut off from any assistance. It may fall. If so, the United States will be alone in the world to challenge this immense threat. Moving people and materials to counter a fallen Europe will be much more difficult than the Battle of Normandy, if possible at all. Few other countries in the world would be able to help. If the Russian moves are later joined by China, the United States would be a great peril.
The Secretary of Defense put the summary down on the table. The entire document was over six inches deep. The evidence was damning. He looked around the table. “I must concur with these conclusions. I’m sure State is seeing some of the same things. Of course, we must continue talks with the Russians, but this is too much like 1939. We all know what happened then. Roger Hammond and his panel of officers have done a magnificent job getting it all down in plain English. Now it’s up to us to decide whether to use this as a template or put it in a file cabinet somewhere and suffer the consequences,” he said as he sat back down.
The cabinet remained quiet for a moment. The Secretary of State was the first to speak. “He’s correct. My people are counting the days. All we get is that they are a peace-loving people looking out for the best interests of Russians worldwide. Our concerns are met with what they think we want to hear. It’s all a whitewash and I don’t know how to prevent it. Substitute Nazi Germany with the word Russia and history is repeating itself. Talking to our NATO ambassadors we get the same answers. War is coming and we need to be ready.”
“Mister President, the Joint Chiefs agree. We would like to adopt this blueprint and get things going. I know we told the NATO allies we wanted them to put up first, but in this case, we can’t be left behind. It would be a disaster,” said Chairman Black.
The President turned to his National Security Advisor. “I take it you agree as well?”
Brent Adams nodded. “All the intelligence assets are on the watch. They are being a little sneaky about things, but over the longer run, they are moving their assets closer. Our assets on the ground are reporting that whole classes of young men are now being trained for their army. It’s to the point that some villages have no young men left. One more thing. We have begun noticing that their submarine fleet is slowly being deployed a few ships at a time. Every few days a group of five or six get underway, but none are returning. We need to take this as a warning,” he said.
&
nbsp; President O’Bannon took a deep breath. “Once again, we are faced with a conflict we did not start and will strain every aspect of our nation to counter. I am getting tired of war. At the same time we will not back away from it. We are going with this plan. Begin carrying out the various parts as we need to. All other departments are to begin reorganizing for a war footing. That means transportation, agriculture, commerce, all of you. Try and keep it low key so we don’t scare the masses, but we must be ready,” he said. Then he sat back in his chair. “I’d like to add one thing. When Roger had his confirmation hearing he mentioned that war was a consequence of a political failure. I thought about this a lot, and he’s right. Someone’s politics is making a change what the rest of us don’t like. Well, maybe we need to change that. I agree with that last recommendation of going after their infrastructure, but I want to do it for a different reason. More than one of us can learn from history. President Borodin has always bragged that he has kept the people of Russia warm and well fed. He boasts about keeping the electricity running and the trains moving. He’s made these promises ever since he gained power and I want their people to see that he can’t do that anymore. I want the Russian people to be cold, dark, and hungry. I want them to understand what their government is doing to them. I want them to blame that government. If they do, it may be like 1917 again. After all, they did it back then, and they might just do it again. Get our assets back online. Kick up Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, our satellite and other broadcast channels. The Russians watch and listen. They have tasted freedom and like it. Let’s see what they will do if they lose it again. Let’s get to work.”
Krakow, Poland
Petyr couldn’t believe all the tanks that had shown up in the woods outside of town. While making a delivery, he looked across a field and there they were. Soldiers were at work around them and it looked like there were more even deeper into the trees. Despite the longer distances he was traveling on his bike to make the deliveries, lately there had been a lot of new things to see. It seemed like soldiers were camping everywhere. They had just about taken over the state park. Occasionally there would be a new plane flying overhead. On one day he saw several helicopters practicing at the edge of town. Petyr liked it because it broke up his ride. He liked seeing the big machines and with all the things on the news about Russia, it made him feel more secure.