by Larry Bond
The Vietnam crisis, another exercise in U.S. diplomacy and deterrence, had suddenly transformed itself into a much wider challenge. McConnell proposed this Defender as an answer—maybe the only answer, since Barnes hadn’t heard of any others.
He looked at the proposal. Did he really buy into it? He did, Biff realized. McConnell and his team knew what they were doing.
Biff sat back down at the keyboard. He had some friends in high places.
Pentagon Briefing Room
Arlington, VA
September 29, 2017
Secretary of Defense Everett Peck approached the podium; a sea of anxious reporters milled about, eagerly awaiting what he had to say. He was not a happy man. Earlier that day, another GPS satellite had fallen silent, and the tracking data confirmed the projectile that destroyed it had come from the Gongga Shan complex. Immediately after the JCS briefing, the president had ordered Peck to call the Chinese out publicly. The secretary was convinced the press conference wouldn’t do any good, but at least the cards would be back on the table. Striding up to the microphone, with camera flashes going off all around the room, Peck wasted no time getting started.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for the lateness of this press conference, but it was imperative that I had my facts straight, and that takes a little time. This morning at eleven seventeen Eastern Daylight Time, another Global Positioning System satellite went off-line. Like the others, it ceased functioning while over the eastern Pacific. But unlike many of the other GPS satellites, we at least now know why. Based on the two most recent events, the Intelligence Community and STRATCOM have conclusive proof that the satellites were intentionally attacked by a new Chinese weapon system.”
A low murmur broke out as the reporters whispered to each other. It was expected that China would be identified as the culprit, but the words “conclusive proof” weren’t. Peck raised his right hand to silence the mumblings.
“China has installed a very large cannon into the side of the tallest mountain in Sichuan Province in southern China. This mountain, called Gongga Shan by the Chinese, is well situated to launch attacks on any satellite in low-to-medium Earth orbits. The cannon is a kilometer long and has a bore of approximately three meters in diameter, just over ten feet. The intercept projectile is launched from the gun but is also rocket-powered, enabling it to reach our GPS satellites in orbit 12,550 miles above the earth.
“This act of aggression by the Peoples’ Republic of China was unprovoked and is in keeping with their overall campaign to conquer Vietnam. We see these attacks as an attempt to limit our ability to respond to their military buildup along the Vietnam-China border.
“Make no mistake: This is a hostile act perpetrated by the Chinese government against the United States. The president prefers to resolve this escalating crisis diplomatically, and has already delivered a strong letter of protest to the Chinese ambassador. However, the United States retains the right to protect its territory and interests, by military force if necessary, and that right extends to the heavens.”
4
Suggestion
CNN News
October 1, 2017
Mark Markin stood in front of a map of China and Vietnam, a familiar image after weeks of confrontation. He read carefully from a data pad.
“Xinhua, the official Chinese news service, today released a statement claiming a victory over ‘an American plan to seize control of Southeast Asia.’”
Markin’s image was replaced by the Chinese Premier, Hua Peng, speaking to a crowd of cheering citizens. Thin, almost scrawny, the elderly leader spoke with energy in Chinese. English subtitles appeared at the bottom of the image as he spoke: “In response to preparations for a massive attack on Chinese territory, the forces of the People’s Liberation Army have hamstrung the imperialist aggressor by destroying his military satellites. Deprived of their advantage and given pause by our new technological superiority, the Americans can no longer freely play the role of bully in Asia. The territorial disagreements between the People’s Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has waxed and waned over the last fifty years, and America did not see fit to become involved. But now, after Vietnam’s blatant escalation, the United States has shown nothing but unbridled aggression against the Chinese people. We could not allow this to continue and took measures to safeguard our people without causing harm to American citizens.”
Markin reappeared, looking concerned, and said, “U.S. defense officials have refused to comment officially, but it has been the working assumption that the Chinese were responsible for the disabled spacecraft. The officials also were unable to say how or when U.S. military forces would react to this news.
“Sources at the State Department were slightly more forthcoming, but only about the reasons for the Chinese announcement. They believe that the Chinese are openly challenging the U.S. in a field that has long been considered exclusively American: their military-technological edge. By denying the United States the ability to wage its preferred way of war, China has, without bloodshed, wrestled the advantage away from Vietnam in the ongoing South China Sea crisis.
“There was no comment from the White House, except that the president and his advisors are considering all options to protect American interests.”
SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
San Diego, CA
October 3, 2017
Ray McConnell came back to his office and shut the door quickly. He was shaken, almost physically trembling, after his meeting with Admiral Carson.
Rear Admiral Eugene Carson was not just the head of Engineering and Integration, which was Ray’s group, or even of Systems Center Pacific, but of the entire Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. It had taken Ray two days to work his way up the chain, first with Rudy White, his own division head, then Dr. Kozak, the chief engineer for Ray’s center, and so on. With increasing force, he’d made his case for Defender.
Rudy White, his first stop, was more than displeased. “I’ve already discussed this Defender business with you, Ray. Why haven’t you put some of that creative energy into your work here?”
“Because China’s shooting down GPS satellites,” Ray had responded. He’d worked with White for years, and in spite of Rudy’s concerns, Ray knew he could press his point. “Defender can stop that. We’ve got the basic design finished, and I need to show it to the navy officially.”
White laughed cynically and shook his head. “So it’s ready to be built, then?”
“Rudy, please. I’m not that big a fool. I can’t build this, but we—the government, I mean—should be building it now. I want to brief this to Admiral Carson, and higher if he’ll let me. I have to convince them that this is how we can protect our GPS constellation.”
“This has no chance of getting picked up by the navy or anyone else. You know that, don’t you?”
“Virtually no chance,” Ray corrected him. “So, there’s no harm in trying.”
“Hmmm. You’ve neglected your team’s duties, in fact disrupted my entire division, and now you want my permission to take this up the chain.”
Ray responded flatly. “Yes. We need Defender.”
“I’m not convinced,” White answered, “and I’m a lot easier than Admiral Carson will be.” Ray’s division chief paused, then announced, “All right. You’re a good engineer, Ray, and you’ve done good work here. I’m hoping Defender is only a passing madness. Your proposal is clearly outside my ability to judge its merits,” he concluded, “at least that’s what I’ll put down as my reason for letting you see Dr. Kozak. What she does with this is up to her.”
“Thanks,” Ray responded gratefully.
“Maybe this will get it out of your system,” White answered. “It better,” he warned. “I need you here, Ray. Jake’s stepped up in your absence, and done a great job. Don’t give me a reason to replace you.”
* * *
Dr. Rebecca Kozak had been even less helpful, wondering aloud if Defender was SPAWAR prop
erty, since several SPAWAR employees had participated in its design. Ray had been nonplussed, hoping to appeal to her engineering sensibility. Instead, she stopped his presentation on the second slide and began asking questions about Defender as intellectual property. How many people from SPAWAR had been working at his house? How many from other government agencies? Could he guarantee that no work had been done on government time by anyone involved? Ray was unsure whether Kozak was greedy or simply trying to cover her bureaucratic behind.
Seeing she was circling the wagons, Ray decided to play the doctor’s game. Kozak had been shocked when she heard about the several hundred copies of the design now circulating through the defense community, including the Pentagon.
“I’d be delighted to have SPAWAR officially take ownership of Defender.” Ray fought hard to keep a straight face when he saw the look of horror. Kozak hadn’t been able to get him out of her office quickly enough.
Word of Ray’s ascent up SPAWAR’s chain of command became news in its own right, independent of Defender. Some of his coworkers actually came by his office to see “if the stories were true.”
By the end of the first day, he’d managed to get as far as Admiral Griffith, in charge of space systems. The admiral, a submariner, was fascinated by the idea, and was more than willing to approve a meeting with the SPAWAR vice commander, Rear Admiral Gaston, for the next morning.
* * *
The vice commander had been the final hurdle. He’d been more than aware of Defender’s popularity. “You realize that you have no credibility as a manned-spacecraft design engineer,” Gaston explained coolly. He’d been polite, but a little condescending.
“I didn’t think I had to be qualified to have a good idea, sir.”
Gaston shook his head. “I disagree. Without the proper credentials, why should anyone waste their time looking at this design of yours? People have ‘ideas’ all the time. There was an article on carbon nanotubes in the last issue of Popular Science magazine, so we’ve been getting suggestions from interested citizens to use nanotubes in our structures, ‘because they’re so light and strong.’” He sounded amused, but irritated at the same time. “As if that was all it took, or we didn’t understand the potential of what may be the greatest engineering revolution of the new century.”
Gaston smiled. “Some of them even want to be paid. And I would happily pay them, if they could solve the manufacturing and design issues required to actually use carbon nanotubes. The genius that can do that will be well paid.”
He gave Ray a hard look. “Are you a genius, Mr. McConnell? You don’t seem to be. The difficulty is always in making an idea a reality, and you just don’t have a clue what that requires. As far as the navy is concerned, you’re no different than anyone off the street. And you’ve submitted it to the wrong agency,” he added.
“I know that this isn’t SPAWAR’s area, sir, but I’m a SPAWAR employee. I didn’t want to go outside my own chain of command.”
Gaston nodded, smiling approvingly. “Quite right. Your actions have been correct, although”—he glanced at his tablet—“your supervisor’s concerned with the timing of your leave during a crucial phase of a key research project. That can’t be simply ignored. Your official work has suffered.”
“This entire effort has been on my own time, sir. I didn’t want to do it on navy time. And anything purchased to support the design process was paid for out of my pocket; not a single penny came from the Treasury.”
Gaston scowled. “We’re on navy time now.” He sat silently for a moment, pretending to consider the issue, while Ray fretted.
To be truthful, Gaston had made up his mind before McConnell ever walked in the room. He’d just wanted to interview the engineer himself before letting him go on to Carson.
Defender was too widely known, at least at the lower levels. It was a miracle the media hadn’t picked it up already. It was the kind of grassroots concept reporters loved. No matter that it was impossible—a ridiculous idea that could never be built. If he said no, then he’d be blamed as one of the people who prevented it from happening. Better to let McConnell hang himself. Gaston didn’t have to support it, just pass it on.
“All right, I’ll forward it. But ‘without endorsement.’”
Ray had begun to hope.
* * *
The meeting with Rear Admiral Carson had begun poorly. The admiral had granted him fifteen minutes between other appointments and appeared distracted. Ray had started his pitch, but Carson had cut him off after only a few words, chopping with one hand as if to cut off the stream.
“I’m familiar with the design, Mr. McConnell,” Carson had said with irritation. “I’ve received three copies in the past two days, besides this one. I’m also familiar with the problem. I’ve spent most of the last week in Washington answering questions about our own vulnerability and what SPAWAR could do to counter it.
“I’ve also been fully briefed about the Chinese antisatellite threat,” he said finally. “The current estimate is that the Chinese can’t possibly have many more of the kill vehicles.”
He walked over to where Ray sat, almost leaning over him. “I’ve also looked over your personnel file. I was looking for your academic credentials. They’re bad enough: no doctorate, a master’s in electrical engineering, and an undergraduate degree in physics. What made you think we’d take a manned spacecraft designed by you seriously?”
“I’m not the only designer, sir. This was a collaborative effort, and some of the people on the design team have doctorate degrees in aerospace engineering and experience in the field.”
“However true that may be, Mr. McConnell, you’re the one vouching for the viability of this design. Correct?”
Ray nodded silently.
Carson picked up his data tablet and checked something on the screen. “And then I found this: After your master’s degree, you applied for the astronaut program. Correct?”
Ray nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
“And you were turned down. Then you joined the air force. You served six years as a junior officer and, during that time, applied three more times to become an astronaut. Also correct?” His tone was more than hostile.
“Yes, sir. Each time I missed by just a few percentage points. I hoped…”
“You hoped to get into space with this half-baked fantasy!” shouted Carson, pointing to Defender. “Did you plan on scoring the theme music for your little adventure, too?”
“Admiral, I’ve always been interested in the space program, but that doesn’t have anything to do with this. I just want to get this idea to where it will do the most good.”
Carson had sat, glowering, listening while Ray protested.
“Your idea is worthless, Mr. McConnell.” He tapped the tablet again. “Instead of helping SPAWAR deal with a real crisis, you’ve created this fantasy. At best, it’s a distraction at a very difficult time. At worst, it’s a personal attempt at empire building, and a very crude one at that. What’s worse is that you’ve managed to involve others in your scheme, magnifying the disruption.
“Although you’ve broken no rules that I’m aware of, I am directing the inspector general’s office to review your activities and your work logs to see if any of your fantasizing has been done on government time. If that is the case, docking your pay will be the weakest punishment you will suffer. Now get back to work and hope I never hear about Defender again!”
* * *
Sitting in his office that afternoon, Ray struggled with his feelings. He’d created Defender because he’d seen the need for it. Why didn’t the chain of command see that need as well? Was he wrong? Maybe he really didn’t know enough to do it by himself. But he’d had lots of help in designing Defender. And he’d gotten lots of mail back, some critical, but more supportive, much of it even offering to help.
Was it time to sit down and shut up? He liked his job and the people he worked with. Did he really want to lose everything over Defender?
With his m
orale bordering on despair, Ray looked at his overflowing in-box. Mechanically, he reached for the first large folder at the top of the pile, but before he could grab it, his phone rang. Ray didn’t recognize the number on the display, not that it mattered. This was his work number.
“GPS Team, McConnell speaking,” he answered.
“Ray, it’s Jenny. How did your meeting with SPAWAR go?”
Ray quickly pulled the handset away and looked at it with utter amazement. How the hell did she know he’d just finished his meeting with Carson? He’d only learned the time of his appointment after getting into work that morning.
“Ray, are you there?” squeaked a tiny voice.
“Yeah, I’m here,” he replied suspiciously. “And would you mind telling me how you knew my meeting ended just a few minutes ago?”
“I have my sources, Mr. McConnell,” teased Jenny.
“Uh-huh, anyone I know?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss it. Besides, why should I give away a perfectly good advantage in our relationship? So, how did the meeting with Admiral Carson go?”
“In a word, terrible.”
“Oh, that bad?” Jenny’s tone had changed to concern.
“Let’s just say that Custer had more success than I did.”
“Ouch! What did he say?”
Ray had a strong urge to vent his frustration, but then recalled Admiral Carson’s threat about working on anything Defender-related during working hours. “Ah … Jenny, look, this really isn’t a good time to talk right now.”
“Understood. When and where?”
“Tonight, eighteen hundred. The Blue Cantina.”
“I’ll be there.”
The Blue Cantina
San Diego, CA
October 3, 2017
Ray had eaten here before and thought the restaurant was one of the better ones in town, even if the management went way overboard with the “blue” theme. The dark blue plates set off the colorful entrées well, but the blue walls, floor, and even furniture were a little overpowering.