A NATION AT WAR - The Second Civil War Book II (The Second Civil War - BOOK II 1)

by Marshall Huffman

  “It is the fastest and easiest way to end all of this.”

  “Can’t you see that it was the direction the country was headed that caused all of this in the first place?”

  “Not really. What caused all of this was a bunch of hot headed Senators and disgruntled politicians wanting to set up their own empire,” Quasim said.

  “You can’t mean that. Your administration completely disregarded the provisions of the second amendment. Did you honestly think your administration could do such a thing with no repercussions?”

  “The interpretation of the second amendment is within the power of the President of the United States and the Supreme Court. Just a few weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld revisions to the first and second amendment. Arguments for the fourth amendment are going on as we speak.”

  “You are dismantling the Bill of Rights?” Jason said, shocked at the new revelation.

  “No, we are not dismantling it, as you say, but modernizing it to meet the current political trends.”

  “You are the current political trend. You are taking the government out of the hands of the people,” Jason argued.

  “Oh grow up Jason. The government has never really been in the hands of the people. It is just a myth to give the illusion that they have some say. You are so naïve I wonder how you ever got as far in politics as you did.”

  “President Quasim,” the Prime Minister cautioned.

  “And you honestly think that to end this war we would just knuckle under and let you regain control over the Republic States?”

  “Let me answer that this way. What other choice do you really have? One way or the other we will have control over the so called Republic at some point. The question is, how many more lives are you willing to sacrifice for an untenable position?”

  The sparring went on for the next hour before a short break was called. Neither side had given quarter.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  General MacMillan watched as the last of the planes headed off. They would soon rendezvous with fighters from other bases. He glanced at this watch, 0741 hours. Everything was on scheduled so far but it was just the beginning.

  Colonel Fox had informed him a little earlier that a low pressure area was located over Delaware and could create some heavy cloud coverage for parts of the Eastern Seaboard.

  No use in worrying about that. He couldn’t do anything to change it. It would be impossible to change the plans at this point. All he could do was wait and hope for the best. He felt like he was a hundred years old as he walked back toward the Operations Building.

  ****

  “Gentlemen if you are ready,” the Prime Minister said as they took their seats once again.

  “President Quasim. You may begin.”

  “As I was saying before the break, your Republic is in a very precarious position. The causality rate for the United States is approximately one fifth of what you have experienced. It would seem prudent to consider the suffering of your people. How many more are you willing to sacrifice before the outcry is so strong that you have a rebellion on your hands?”

  “Your observations are correct. We have many more dead than you but that is because we have only targeted military bases. As some point that will change. We are not inclined to bomb cities indiscriminately. We value the lives of innocent citizens.”

  “It is war. In a war everyone is a soldier. Every city is a base. You cannot simply rule out every city and expect to win a war. Even during World War II, cities were bombed on both sides. The Americans, British, and Russians bombed many German cities that had no military significance.”

  “And you want to revert to the tactics of the Second World War?”

  “Jason, war is never pleasant. No one really wants a war but once one breaks out, you find yourself in a position that requires disagreeable choices. After all, not all of the bombs you dropped on Dayton were aimed at just the military. A large section of the inner city was destroyed as well,” President Quasim replied.

  “But that is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We want all hostilities to stop. No more bombing of civilians or military. We need to work together to stop the killing,” Jason replied.

  “To what end?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “To what end? So we stop the bombing, what happens then? Do you seriously believe that we will allow the United States to be divided? Can’t you see how much that would weaken the country? We would be vulnerable to attack by any nation. No Jason, the war will not stop until you decide to give up this frivolous quest for a perfect government.”

  “I’m not asking for a perfect government. Just one that answers to the people. A government that understands what the average citizen is going through. Not one where the Administrator sits in a big building like some Greek god and passes down judgments”

  “Jason, Jason, Jason. You live in such a dream world. Do you honestly think that those in government are willing to give up the perks their office brings? Think about that for a moment. Can you really picture such a thing happening?” Quasim asked.

  “Yes I can. We have it now in the Republic. Our government is made up of people that understand they have a duty to the citizens of the state they represent. We are not going to put them on a pedestal and treat them like they have some mystical power over others.”

  “That is foolish. You may have that now but over time it will never succeed.”

  “I guess only time will tell...”

  The outer door opened and a uniformed officer came in the room and whispered into the Prime Minister's ear. Both of the Presidents could tell that he had just received some rather shocking news. He glanced at the two men and then dismissed the officer.

  “Gentlemen. I would like a quick break. I would like a word with President Jason alone if no one objects.”

  Quasim looked at him curiously but stood and left without asking any questions.

  After the door was closed, the Prime Minister said, “I believe you know what I am about to tell you. Obviously not the details but certainly the essence of the message. It seems that the American Republic sent bombers, missiles, and drones to attack three cities. It is my understanding that Boston, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia were all attacked. A General MacMillan has been trying to reach you. I assume with details. I do not condone this action in the middle of a dialogue between the two countries,” he said.

  “Mr. Prime Minister. Two nights ago the United States forces attacked several of our large cities. They killed forty thousand in Dallas, Texas alone. The reason was quite clear. The whole message of these talks thus far has been that we have no choice but to give in to them. We will not give in. It is as simple as that. This was a message that if they continue to bomb our cities we will attack theirs. Please note. We did not go after New York City, nor did we take out Washington DC, which we could have done. President Quasim sent us a message before the meeting, we are just returning the message,” Jason said.

  “That is all well and good but I see no further need for these talks. You are both determined to have the other knuckle under. Americans have always preferred war to negotiations and this just seems to be another example,” he said standing.

  “What now?”

  “You and President Quasim’s party will be escorted back to your individual planes and will depart Canada airspace immediately.”

  “I would like to thank you for your efforts. The United States has refused to pay for any portion of the meeting. The American Republic will compensate you for your costs,” Jason told him.

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  Flying at 60,000 feet headed back to Nashville, President Jason was talking to General MacMillan.

  “And Boston?” the President asked.

  “Mostly rubble. Everything is packed in so close that once buildings begin to go they take the entire block with them.”

  “Do we have any approximation of fatalities yet?”

  “It will most likely exceed one hundred an
d fifty thousand. We destroyed approximately twenty-two square miles of the city proper.”

  “And Philadelphia?”

  “We are thinking between twelve and fifteen percent of the population.”

  “My God. That could be as much as two hundred thousand people,” he replied.

  “More like two hundred and twenty-five thousand.”

  “Our losses?”

  “So far, sixteen fighters, eleven bombers. Probably around sixty all total to date.”

  “And that damn fool still wants a fight. What if we had targeted Washington and New York? Think of the death toll then.”

  “I understand sir but you are not dealing with a rational human being.”

  “We need to be ready for a retaliatory strike once he gets back to Washington.”

  “We are as ready as we can be. We have fighters around the clock in rotation and every early warning plane we can get in the air,” the General replied.

  “Thanks General. I should be arriving within the next two hours,” President Jason said as he hung up.

  ****

  Hanna Cole was savoring the power she had been given. With Quasim out of Washington she had the reign over the nation. She could feel the power rush surging through her body.

  She had even gone so far as to occupy the Oval Office almost as soon as he had been airborne to Canada. Who was to stop her? She deserved the power, she deserved to be the one in charge. People like Quasim were morons compared to her.

  Now that she was the Vice President it wouldn’t be much of a leap for her to soon become the President. Quasim was as good as gone. Then she would deal with the American Republic. She would crush them like a bug.

  “Madam Vice President. General Ascot is on the phone.”

  “Tell him to hold. I’ll be with him in a minute,” she said smiling.

  Let the bastard wait. Once Quasim was gone that jerk would follow so fast his fat head would spin. She waited another thirty seconds.

  “Yes General.”

  “Madam Vice President. We just got word that Philadelphia, Boston, and Richmond were being attacked by missiles and bombers. We have sent up fighters to intercept but most of them have already gotten through. The missiles were fired from submarines and the drones were from North Carolina and Tennessee,” he informed her.

  “What?” she screamed, “You mean to tell me that our cities have been attacked?”

  “That’s what I’m telling you.”

  “Damn you General. You get your butt over here immediately. Faster than immediately,” she yelled into the phone.

  “I think I should stay and direct our counterstrike operations,” he said calmly.

  “You heard me. I want you here a minute ago,” she bellowed and slammed down the phone.

  That was it. He was as good as gone. She would appoint someone to take his place immediately and launch an attack on Nashville.

  ****

  “Are you actually going to go over to the White House?” General Winfield asked.

  “Why of course. I believe it is the best course of action,” he replied.

  “But you know she is going to either fire you or make you resign. There is no way she is going to allow you to remain in command.”

  “Well I guess that remains to be seen. It all depends on how I approach it,” Ascot said.

  “Are you crazy? There is nothing you can say or do that will appease her at this point.”

  “You may be right but I think it is all in the way I word my response that will make the difference,” General Ascot said, with a slight smile.

  “Phil, we have been through a hell of a lot together but I honestly think you are fooling yourself if you think for one minute you can talk her out of getting rid of you one way or the other,”

  “Oh hell, Arthur, you always were a worry wart. I’ve had tougher battles than this to fight. I mean after all, she can fire me but she can’t kill me. This is just a minor skirmish, that’s all.”

  “All I can say is good luck General. I don’t know who she is going to replace you with but it sure in the hell won’t be me. I will simply refuse.”

  “Let it go. She isn’t going to fire me. I can almost guarantee that she will have a change of heart once I explain the entire situation to her.”

  “I would bet you fifty bucks on that but you will need all your money once she sacks you,” he said laughing.

  “I’ll be just fine,” Ascot assured his old friend.

  He was in no hurry. It would do her good to be all whipped into a frenzy when he got there. It would make the job so much easier. He stopped by his office and made three quick calls before sending for a helicopter to come and take him to the White House.

  ****

  “Is everything in place?” Presidente Hermilo Medrano asked.

  “Si. We are ready to commence the attack as soon as you give the orders,” Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense, Eleazar Guzman, told the Presidente.

  “Then you may commence the operation,” Medrano said.

  “It shall be done immediately.”

  The Secretary of National Defense picked up a phone and said only one word, “Engage.”

  Troops began flooding across the border from Tijuana, Tecate, and Mexicali. Within the first hour they had penetrated as far as El Cajon, Chula Vista and the outskirts of San Diego.

  No one in America, at this point, realized the scope and severity of the attack. Dazed Californians could not comprehend what was taking place. Mira Mar Air Base was the first to react with any real resistance. The biggest problem was that they had been stripped of most of the planes that could stop the advancing Mexican Army. The 3rd Air Wing had been depleted of most of its fighters and only a few tanks could be rounded up to swing into the battle.

  The few aircraft they had, fought an incredible battle. Being out numbered five to one, they still managed to decimate the Mexican Air Force. The only advantage they had was the proximity of the air field and refueling facilities. The Mexican Air Force was forced to break off when their fuel was depleted.

  The 3rd Air Wing managed to shoot down twenty-six of the Mexican planes while losing only two. It was an incredible accomplishment.

  As soon as the enemy aircraft broke off the engagement, the places refueled, rearmed and began attacking ground troops. Their persistent attacks slowed down the advancing army but could not stop it entirely. By the time the sun had set, the Mexican Army had advanced as far as Del Mar, California.

  The total number of dead and injured would take weeks to finally tabulate. California’s strict gun laws along with their having been stripped of most of the military weaponry, left them vulnerable and with little in the way of organized resistance.

  Even though they asked the United States to send reinforcements, there was little anyone could do. It would take at least a week to get any kind of help. For now, California was on its own.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

  General Ascot walked down the hall to the Oval Office, stopping to get a cup of coffee. He held a brief conversation with the Marine Attachment assigned to the White House. Finally, nearly thirty-five minutes after the Vice President had called, he opened the door to the Oval Office.

  Hanna was sitting in the President's chair behind the massive desk.

  “Where in the hell have you been?” she said, looking at her watch, “I sent for you almost an hour ago.”

  “Actually it was thirty-five minutes but who is counting? I’m here so what is it you wanted to see me about?” he asked sitting down without asking.

  “You come strolling over here and have the nerve to ask me what I want to see you about? I’ll tell you General Ascot. You are a disgrace to the military. You let the enemy come in and bomb our cities. You are responsible for protecting our citizens and you did little or nothing,” she said angrily.

  “What you fail to see is that America has long been vulnerable to attack to our cities. We have no real defense system in place to detour drones, missiles, a
nd attack forces from damaging our cities. The military has been telling the White House for years that we needed a defense system around our most important cities. Of course the budget never allows for such contingencies. Now that we are at war on our own soil, everyone wants to know why we cannot defend our assets,” he said sitting back and taking a sip of his coffee.

  “You mean to sit there and tell me it’s all someone else’s fault again? We got the hell pounded out of Boston, Richmond, and Philadelphia and it’s because you don’t get all the toys you want?” she said her voice rising once again.

  “That’s what I’m telling you, like it or lump it.” he said.

  “Do you realize I am now the Commander-in-Chief? You dare to talk to me in this manner? This is nothing short of treason,” she bellowed at him.

  “The word ‘treason’ seems to get brandished around a lot lately. If anyone has committed treason it is the White House. You started this war when you stripped the Constitution. To me that’s treason,” he said mater of factly.

  “You bastard. You are no longer in charge of the military. I am giving you your walking papers mister,” she said standing up quickly.

  “Actually, no you are not. You are not the Commander-in-Chief. You are nothing more than a surrogate flunky trying to act like a Commander-in-Chief. Ms. Cole, I am the Army and Navy and all the other branches. You on the other hand are nothing,” he said.

  “I will have you arrested and shot for this you pathetic little man,” she shouted.

  “I think not,” he said, still sitting.

  She stormed over to the door and yanked it open.

  “You two, get in here and arrest this man immediately. I want him in handcuffs for everyone to see,” she practically screamed.

  “Sorry Madam Vice President. We cannot comply with that order. Our orders come from either the Commander-in-Chief or General Ascot.”

  “You are refusing to do as ordered,” she said with her mouth slightly opened.

  “Yes Ma’am, we are.”

  “I don’t believe this. I am the Vice President of the United States. You cannot refuse to take orders from me,” she shrieked.