by C A Bird
‘Then, in the early sixties when Khrushchev was premier, it was widely believed the Soviets had developed a 100 megaton super-bomb. It was never tested, but they did test a hydrogen bomb up by Alaska that was fifty-seven megatons. That bomb was massive and had to be carried and delivered by an airplane. By comparison, three of yesterday’s five explosions were each greater than sixty megatons and were delivered by a single, long-range missile. They’ve managed to cram that tremendous power into a bomb no larger than our current, lower yielding ones. With our present technology, if we manufactured a nuclear device that powerful, it would require years to modify our delivery systems to accommodate the size increase.”
“Do we know how many of these missiles they have?” the President, Albert Rissman, inquired.
“No sir, we don’t. Previous estimates indicated they had around 450 of the old warheads, but we actually have no estimates of how many of these new ones they possess.” He took another drink as though he’d been on an all-night bender and was severely dehydrated.
“Now ladies and gentlemen, here’s the real kicker. Until yesterday, our intelligence community had no idea that China had developed the necessary delivery systems to be a serious direct threat to this country, especially with weapons of that size. Previously, of course, they could reach us with SLBMs, Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles, and could also just barely reach us from Mainland China in a ballistic pathway over the North Pole, but with everything coming from the same direction we had a better chance of intercepting them. Their older missile system had a maximum range of approximately 6,800 miles, in contrast to our own capabilities of 8,100 miles.” He pointed his laser pointer at a location, east of the Society Islands, in the South Pacific. “The target for this test was here.”
He moved the computer mouse. The map changed, projecting photos taken from space, showing five distinct explosions, two appearing much smaller than the others. “Again, Satellite reconnaissance indicates this test was launched from the Chinese mainland and exploded, with amazing accuracy, over the South Pacific, 8500 miles away. They completely destroyed a small group of uninhabited atolls north of Easter Island.”
Mark heard “Uh oh,” muttered by several of those in attendance as he himself thought, less politely, “Oh shit!”
“The missile was an MIRV, Multiple Independently Targeted Reentry Vehicle, which delivered nuclear warheads to several different locations. In addition, we believe it utilized Soviet technology designated as FOBS, or Fractional Orbit Bombardment System, which keeps the missile aloft in earth-orbit until it’s ready to descend. This has increased their ICBM range tremendously, enabling them to now reach any target in the U.S. from any direction.”
“Ah . . . Mr. Secretary . . .” The Senior Senator from Texas spoke with a pronounced southern drawl. “How is it we were caught with our pants down again? After India surprised us with their nuclear tests, you would think the CIA would be more diligent. We have these billion dollar satellites with a capability of taking photos of something as small as a paperback novel, but these countries continue to catch us off guard. Can’t these satellites be parked in orbit over one location?”
“Yes, Senator, that’s correct. But since September 11 we have been more focused on the Mideast. There are many hot spots on Earth that require constant surveillance. Iran takes a lot of our resources. The two Lacrosse satellites are solar powered but the KH-12s require precious fuel to reposition them. We need to have suspicion of wrongdoing to justify moving these satellites over a particular spot. China is a signatory of the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. India and Pakistan aren’t. We didn’t expect this from China.”
The senator smacked the table with his fist. “Well sir, maybe you should have!”
There was an uncomfortable silence
“Mr. Secretary, how many other countries have nuclear weapons?” one of the other civilian representatives asked.
“Until India and Pakistan, there were five with declared nuclear capability, the U.S., Russia, Great Britain, France and China. Now there are theoretically seven. But we know Israel has nuclear weapons and several middle-east countries have secret nuclear-arms programs. North Korea, of course. Other countries, including some of the former Soviet countries, South Africa, and a couple of South American countries supposedly gave up testing after signing the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.” He emphasized “supposedly.”
Stearns clicked the computer off and walked to the head of the table. “We have another problem. You’ll notice that two of the five explosions were significantly smaller than the other three. Although the blasts were smaller, they were “dirtier” than the others, but with the type of radiation that destroys life without producing the massive explosion we normally see in an H-bomb. We haven’t completed our analysis yet, but it looks like these two warheads delivered neutron bombs.” Stearns took another drink of his water and sucked in a long breath.
The same man raised his hand again. “I thought all the nuclear powers were trying to lessen the amount of radiation in bombs, to make ‘clean bombs.’
“Yes, that’s true, and that’s the idea behind the neutron bomb. The radiation is different from that produced by fission, as in atomic bombs, or fusion as in Hydrogen bombs. That radiation can linger for years, decades and even eons, depending on the isotope and can contaminate the earth, making it uninhabitable. Even though a neutron bomb produces a significant amount of initial radiation, consisting of extremely high-speed, penetrating neutrons, it does not increase the power of the blast, and it dissipates much more rapidly than normal radiation. The concept is, that it delivers a “sterilizing dose” of radiation, killing life, while leaving structures intact, and after a suitable amount of time, usable. This is why they are considered “clean” in comparison to hydrogen and atomic bombs. Neutron bombs use the fusion process like H-bombs do, and like H-bombs, normally need a fission device, or an atomic bomb, to detonate them. Although the explosion is much smaller, the high-energy neutrons destroy life in an area far beyond the blast radius.”
“How many of you have heard of Red Mercury?”
He paused as most of those in the room raised their hands, and then explained for the others, “This is a substance, mercury antimony hydride, produced by subjecting mercury to massive irradiation. When detonated by conventional means, it creates a huge amount of heat and pressure and can actually be used, in turn, to detonate a neutron bomb.
During the Reagan administration the U.S. produced around a thousand of these bombs, but they were never deployed because of objections by European nations, and were dismantled during the Bush administration. We believe China, Russia, Israel, South Africa and others have this technology and may maintain an arsenal of these bombs. With Red Mercury the main concern is that a suitcase size neutron bomb becomes a real possibility. It would eliminate the need for an atomic fission device to detonate it. A neutron bomb could be delivered to a site in a very small package and set off outside the Capitol Building, for example, killing everyone inside. We were more concerned about it as a weapon for terrorists and were unaware it had reached a point of development where it could be used in a weapons systems and delivered by missiles, but we believe the Chinese have used Red Mercury in these explosions.”
He downed the last of the water, gulping several times before continuing.
“This means, to summarize, that the Chinese have developed some kind of God-damned super-weapon, a system capable of delivering it to other continents with amazing accuracy, and they obviously don’t give a damn who knows about it.”
The President stirred in his chair and addressed Charles Hansen. “Mr. Secretary, get together our formal denunciation and contact the U.N. Security Council. They, and we, will be imposing the usual military and economic sanctions. I believe they should be stronger than those imposed on Pakistan and India. Even worse than those we have placed on Iran.”
“Yes sir. We wanted to brief you on the situation first. Something should be rele
ased to the media right away, as they’re getting impatient.”
“Well, we certainly don’t want them speculating.” The president turned to his press secretary, “Tell Jamison to set up a press conference.” He turned back to the table, “Comments, gentlemen?”
Mark saw Will’s face darken and knew what was coming. “My suggestion is we dust off the plans for defense systems we all shelved years ago and get back into production. Your damned test ban treaties have left us in an extremely vulnerable position.” This was slightly unfair since Rissman had come out of nowhere, and was elected on the basis of his strong stance on defense. After other administrations had traded nuclear weapons technology for campaign funds, the electorate wanted no more of that type of leadership.
“We’re all familiar with your objections to the treaties, Mr. Hargraves. This is hardly the time for ‘I told you so’.” This statement came from the Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, Henry Simms, a jumpy looking man with thick glasses perched on an oversized nose. He was glaring at Will over the rims as though he were a naughty boy.
“Senator, I’ve gone on record as being in favor of non-proliferation agreements. The only objection I’ve had to disarmament has been our unilateral abandonment of research and development necessary to keep us even with the other side. What we must do now is resume the R&D as quickly as feasible, if it isn’t already too late.”
There were nods of agreement around the table. Edward Hermann, head of Western Airmotive Corporation concurred, “Will’s right. I know we’ve been through this argument before, but it’s time we faced the facts. Our companies have all had projects underway that were canceled because of disarmament treaties. It isn’t just a matter of the loss to our companies, this latter incident illustrates the folly of believing the ban would ever be observed. First, France tests underground weapons in 1996, then India in 1998, with Pakistan retaliating, and now China.”
Simms cleared his throat, “It seems you gentlemen could be a little more concerned about world peace and a little less concerned about your pocketbooks.”
This brought an immediate protest from a number of voices around the table. “Gentlemen please! Let's keep our discussion aimed at a solution to the present dilemma.” Rissman spoke up and the room quieted immediately.
“Mr. Hargraves, how long would it take you to recommence your companies R&D?”
“Of course there would be a considerable amount of work, but we could get started at once. I can have complete proposals prepared in a couple of weeks. Many employees who worked on those projects are still with me, but I would have to have assurances of a congressional appropriation.”
“Mr. President, I must protest!” Simms jumped to his feet, his face red, “You have no right to resurrect any of these programs without authority from the Congress. This could seriously hamper current negotiations with governments who are not part of the disarmament treaties. Keep in mind that the countries of the old Soviet Union have thousands of nuclear warheads and they’ll be threatened by any increase in arms production on our part.”
“Mr. Simms, entering into these negotiations with other countries is precisely the reason we’re in this predicament. We stopped our research and development while China and other countries obviously pushed forward with theirs, and now they’ve caught us flatfooted. Until all countries comply with the non-proliferation agreement, we’re compelled to move ahead with our own research and development. I want all the companies that had major contracts canceled when the ban went into effect to resubmit paperwork.”
“But Mr. President. Considering what we’ve just been shown I think it unwise to provoke the Chinese until all diplomatic solutions have been exhausted.”
The president looked at Simms for several seconds and then pointedly looked away.
He turned to the Secretary of Defense, still standing with arms folded at the head of the conference table. “Bob, I want the programs screened to evaluate our “state-of-the-technology.” Stay in contact with these gentlemen, utilizing their expertise. Mr. Hansen is going to Moscow to get a handle on their reaction to China’s testing. I’m certain this will result in Russia continuing their own testing, if not more of the old Soviet states. We’ll continue to work through the U.N. Security Council to salvage the test ban treaties even if there’s been a setback and I’ll get with congressional leaders to start seeking appropriations. I’m meeting with the Joint Chiefs in an hour.”
The president stood, the others following suit, and he left the room accompanied by several of the other attendees. Will and Mark had started toward the exit when Simms approached them. “Hargraves, I’ve fought too long and too hard for these test ban treaties. The United States hasn’t even ratified the Goddamn Comprehensive Test Ban treaty that’s been signed by 149 other countries! This must be accomplished. We have a chance to get the other countries on board if we don’t panic over this thing. I’m warning you, don’t fight me on this or you’ll end up never getting any government contracts again.”
“Don’t threaten me, Henry. We’re only going to evaluate discontinued programs. I’m a businessman, believe me, we won’t be spending money until your colleagues appropriate the funds. You just continue your negotiating and leave the important work to us.”
Will and Mark left him standing in the room alone, and made their way to the limousine. As they drove toward the airport, discussing the implications of the meeting, Mark could see more dark clouds forming in Will’s eyes. When Will got angry, things happened. Usually gentle and cultivated, Hargraves could be absolutely ruthless when necessary, and he generally got what he wanted.
Hargraves had made his fortune in the aircraft industry while still a young man. He earned flying money by working in his father’s hardware store, then haunted the flight school, hanging out with pilots and volunteering to help the mechanics, to stretch his one hour of flying time into half a day’s entertainment. He learned everything necessary to pass his ground school exam without spending a cent. An excellent pilot, he obtained his license while still a teenager, and when his father couldn’t afford college tuition, Will joined the Air Force. He took classes at night, and flew every chance he got.
After his discharge, he obtained a position with a small aircraft company in Orange County, California. Continuing to attend college at night, he earned an engineering degree while in his late twenties, and soon became head of the company’s testing and development division. The owner of the company, in dire financial straits, died unexpectedly three years later leaving behind a wife and a young son. Unable to support the business financially, the widow sold the company to Will. These events were of paramount importance to Mark since the dead owner and his widow were Mark’s parents.
Now deeply in debt, Will turned to his father’s good friend Maurice Whitfield for financing. Maurice had been in aircraft for many years and felt that Will’s innovative designs, and his ambition, would give him a handsome return on his money. Will met Maurice’s daughter, Katherine, at Maurice’s home in Palos Verdes and they immediately fell in love. Katherine, only twenty-five when they’d met, was polished and sophisticated beyond her years and she loved flying every bit as much as Will.
He renamed the company, and modified its emphasis to defense-related projects, building it into one of the largest and most respected in the industry. A hands-on owner, his personal involvement kept the company efficient and productive, and regardless of his reputation as a ruthless businessman he took good care of his employees. He continued to employ many of the people who had worked for the former owner. Mark knew it had been Will’s wife, Katherine, who had softened Will’s ambition, keeping his life in perspective.
“First thing tomorrow morning, depending on what Miles found out at the Pentagon, I want the database searched for the old contracts. We need to have preliminary specifications ready to submit to Washington in a couple of weeks; or sooner if possible. We need to get a jump on the competition. I think we’ll mostly be starting over sinc
e the technology has changed so drastically”
They rode in silence for the duration of the trip to the airport. Will seemed to be distracted and Mark was thinking about the nightmare from this morning. He was having difficulty recalling the details but remembered vividly the terror.
Finally Will broke in on Mark’s thoughts, “Mark, I want you to keep in constant touch with me. Carry your cell phone at all times and don’t go off on one of your mountain runs or do anything that will put you out of touch for very long for the next few days.”
“Yeah, no problem. My phone gets great reception. Are you coming to the plant tomorrow?” The limousine pulled into the executive terminal at Dulles Airport.
“No, I’ll be at the house. Chris is coming up from San Diego and I want to see her before she leaves.”
“If you want to see Chris, you’ll have to move fast.” Mark chuckled. “How long is she staying this time? I’d really like to see her myself.” Mark had been in love with Will’s daughter for as long as he could remember.
“Why don’t you come by the house tomorrow? She’s going to at least stay the night. I hope I can convince her to stay a few more days until this problem’s resolved.”