by Robert Lance
In her experience, special operation projects filtered from the top down, and not the other way around. Alamo had successfully changed the status quo because there was a void in any military planning in the Far East. Could she possibly amend the plan from Palawan? She would have to do so in Alamo’s name. She was taking on more than she felt capable of. She had to present the plan to convince Derek Fremd that the risk was lower, and it would drastically derail China’s options.
She was proud of Ted. He was consolidating his position and whipping up enthusiasm of the small contingent on Palawan. She would have liked to be a participant but she needed to allow him the space to get over his mistrust of her. She had yet to speak privately with him since Alamo’s funeral, and it worried her. Pride and sorrow consumed her.
She was trying to de-conflict her head when she heard her name called out. She blinked and sought the source of the voice. All eyes were on her.
Ted said, “This was Alamo’s idea. It’s up you to LT. What do you think?”
Ted had ruined the moment. Alamo had never considered the idea. Building that man’s reputation was a slap to her face. She said, “It’s always been an option, and I support it, so I need to burn some midnight oil and get it approved quickly.” She hoped the affront to her wasn’t transparent as she left to sulk in her own insecurities.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CNN CRUNCH ROOM. Eddie Matlock was like a guerrilla with a case of gonorrhea. He was bouncing off the walls, arms flailing, and voice screeching. He was in the green room with America’s smart tart, Jane Harlow. She had snagged an interview with the vice president. He said to her. “Jump the fence...drive the entire interview as though he were the president, or about to be. Push him hard, we have six feeds to help you counter his every word. Don’t even touch the idea of impeachment. Let that be a foregone conclusion. Press him on his leadership in the China conflict. Be charming, but be firm, and cut him off if he waffles.” He flapped around again, and said. “This is our chance to impeach the president in front of an American audience. I want a mob sentiment behind the vice president.”
Jane said, “Should I touch on my contentious relationship with the president?”
“No. No. Don’t do that. Let the vice president bring it up. Tripwire him. You’re the professional, and you’ve gotten over it. It’s the president that is the adolescent.”
“Why do I feel like John Wilkes Booth?”
“Honey, the president fired the bullet that killed him. You’re just there to do the autopsy.”
The interview platform was a high class academic setting like the private retreat of a Supreme Court Judge. The lighting tended to set an atmosphere of congeniality. Jane Harlow, dressed smartly sexy, sat primly erect, facing the vice president. She began the interview.
Mr. Vice president. We’re at a crisis point with China over China’s South China Sea claim, thier Nine Dash Line. Isn’t that a problem best resolved by the Asian governments most affected, rather than a president seemingly unwilling to negotiate a peaceful settlement, yet sending mixed signals that infuriate China, our partner in trade? How would you approach the problem other than the way the president has not?”
“You’re trivializing the problem, Jane. One fourth of the world’s commerce transit the South China Sea. The president sponsored UN Resolution 605 which passed in the general assembly. It was proportional and appropriate to refute China’s weak, and dare I say, preposterous claims.
You didn’t answer the question, but given the passage of Resolution 605, would you not agree it should have been a good point for everyone to take a breath of fresh air, and take two steps backwards?”
“I think we all did, Jane. But China reacted by attacking Vietnamese holdings in their EEC.”
“There is a persistent internet rumor that a missile matching the profile of one of our Griffin missiles was captured on film prior to the Chinese attack.”
“There are any number of missiles that have the same profile. I find you mongering in conspiracy when there is evidence that fragments of Chinese manufactured missile parts have been recovered at the site. Shouldn’t we move on to something else?”
Sir, you’re seen as a moderating and thoughtful statesman and what I would like to get from this interview is your personal views. Would you have moved spy satellites over the South China Sea without informing China? Do you think provoking China at this time is wise?”
“I would say provoking the United States is unwise.”
“So you’re in favor of strengthening our naval presence in the region?”
“To the point to make the South China Sea safe for commercial traffic and to aide our allies in the region.”
“Cop on the block?”
“Not in so many words. We have two naval fleets capable of deterring any military incursions by China.”
“You would risk a nuclear confrontation with China over their claims to the Spratly Islands? Our sources from the region are making the allegation that China has hidden nuclear launch sites there.”
“This is the first I’m hearing it. You must be mistaken. We would never allow it. That would put China in a position to intimidate all the nations in the region. Your sources are wrong, and it’s irresponsible of you to quote them here and now.”
“Obviously the president is completely incompetent or doesn’t trust his vice president enough to inform him of earth shaking events. How do you explain Vietnam removing its Navy from the region and the Philippines essentially revoking UN Resolution 605? The saber rattling of the president has precipitated this crisis. If you become president how would you reverse the damage done?”
“This interview is over.”
“This presidency is over as well. I wish you luck Mr. Vice president.”
The president was on the golf course when the controversial CNN interview occurred. When he was informed, he quickly summoned the Alamo cabal to the Oval Office. His press secretary was puppy chasing him on his way to the office. “Not now, Paul.”
“But Mr. President, CNN has crossed a journalistic line, and they need to be censored immediately.”
“Yes, Yes. Work on that. I’ve got more important things to do.”
The president slammed the door behind him, leaned against it, and looked upward as if he were talking to God. “Well now, that should give the Chinese president a case of the runs for the next month or so. He doesn’t do so well at news conferences does he?”
The Secretary of State said, “You need to be worrying about yours.”
The president pushed away from the door and waved his hand dismissively. “You know we haven’t heard a word from President Zuhuan since this began. Maybe I should shut up, and let Zuhuan do all the talking.”
Secretary Holcomb said, “Mr. President, aren’t you worried about your presidency?”
“Adrian, why do they call me the ‘sitting president’? I could sit in this office for the next six years like my predecessor did. We have a crisis that no president should ignore, but many have. The hallmark of leadership is what comes of it, and my numbers have nothing to do with stopping a nuclear confrontation. Don’t you agree?”
Holcomb reluctantly nodded. “You certainly set the vice president up.”
“Mike’s a good man. He needs distance from this in case he becomes my successor.”
Holcomb said, “CNN made sure the whole world knows the intel leak didn’t come from the capitol, which makes us look foolish. That’s good. It makes me look like I’ve been bluffed by China. That gives us the distance we need, and believe me, we need time to find those damned nukes.”
The president flopped into his chair and the other men in the room followed suit. “The point of this exercise is to bring world condemnation to force China to remove the nukes from international waters.”
The Director of National Intelligence spoke. “Sir, the Chinese are going to deny everything. We could demand inspection of the facilities.”
The president responded. “We�
��ll let the Russians do that. They won’t find anything, even if China complies. We know that from the Alamo intel. Alamo will find the war heads, this I can tell you.”
Bolin said, “The assessment we’ve made from Palawan and the intelligence community is, China will double talk their way clear of the trap we’ve set.”
“We’ve planted the seed of doubt in the mind of all the world’s leaders. That’s very key don’t you think? They’ll talk, talk, talk; whine, and talk some more. No one is going to do anything because they can’t. The cowards will breathe a sigh of relief when we face down the menace in the South China Sea.”
Derek Fremd and Peter Bolin paused to exchange meaningful glances. Peter gave Derek a slight head nod.
Derek cleared his throat and said, “Mr. President, we’ve received a rather extensive contingency plan from Alamo that could bring a swift end to the crisis. It’s worth considering.”
“I like that man. Thinks on his feet, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Let’s hear his idea.”
“He intends to steal the nukes.”
The president’s head jerked side to side so fast his eyeballs had to catch up. “What?”
“He intends to steal the missiles under the very nose of the Chinese. We’ve reviewed it, and it’s doable.”
“Then why aren’t you doing it? God… I love it. I love bold.”
“Mr. President, it’s going to require executive authorization and delicate coordination.”
“Out with it. What’s the downside? What’s the risk factors?”
“You’ll have to run a bluff and deploy our fleets. The down side is we could lose the entire Palawan contingent.”
The president paused to contemplate. He shook his head and said, “I can never quite get over why these brave lions risk all in the name of patriotism. You give that man everything he needs, and do not fail him. What I wouldn’t give to be there.” He shook his head again. “I want a running commentary of every miniscule detail, starting right now.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
It was time for Heather to have a showdown with Ted. He had been walking around her as if she carried the plague. The way he talked around her was with guarded short remarks. It spilled over to others. She and Carole seemed exiled, eroding the camaraderie that had existed between the SEALs and the other personnel at the resort. Only Ted could turn around the morale of the task force.
She picked her moment when the SEALs finished their breakfast and dispersed to plan tactics. Ted lagged behind, and she caught up with him. He picked up his pace and ignored her. She grabbed his hand and said, “Ted, we need to talk…privately. It’s not a request.”
“Can it wait, LT? I need to go over details with Willer.”
“No, it can’t wait. Meet me at the end of the trail, by the stream, where we used to meet.”
“Not a chance. I’m done with that.”
“You’re undermining my authority. You’re acting just like Alamo, and I’m done with that. Do you want me to uplink what really happened to your hero? Do you? That’s what I should do and you know it.”
Ted’s Jaw tightened. “Give me thirty minutes.”
Ted slipped up on Heather. She was wearing Khaki shorts, a tee shirt, with a colorful short sleeved blouse. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He stopped to observe her. She was beautiful, disturbingly so. She was standing in front of the bench, talking to it, trying on different faces. Then she’d wipe her face of tears and start over again. She seemed vulnerable, in a little girl way.
There was a time when Heather had completely consumed his soul, soothed all the demons in him, and made him joyous. He had fallen into that trap, and her latest threat brought him back to reality.
He surprised her as he angrily stomped into the clearing. She recovered and said, “Sit down Ted. I have a few things to say to you.”
“I’ll stand. What’s on your mind, Heather?”
“Why can’t you say something nice for a change? Something cordial.”
“You’re beautiful. How was that?” he said sarcastically.
“Ted, stop beating me up for what happened. Stop convicting me for loving you. You’re a good and decent man who captured my heart so long ago.”
“What is this, some boohoo please-forgive-me act?”
“You’re a man, so you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to face someone who’s only thought is to force himself upon you, take you, humble you. You don’t get rape and what it does to the mind. You weren’t there, but you know what happened.”
“You could have stopped it a long time ago. Years ago.”
“I tried to. I’m the one who brought charges against him. Do you know how that turned out? I got a transfer, and he got a slap on the wrist…and a promotion.”
“It’s none of my business. All I know is there’s a dead SEAL because of a woman, and that’s UNSAT. I bear the blame. I allowed you to get between me and a brother.”
“You’re not a gang member. Stop acting like you belong to a cult. Get it in your head that not all brothers are honorable men. Alamo spit on everything that SEALs honor—”
“Stop right there. Alamo lost it. I admit that, but don’t malign SEALs.”
“I’m not. I’ve been in love with a SEAL for a very long time. I’ve watched him in combat. My voice guided him into back alleys and into enemy safe-houses. I’ve rescued him in tight situations.” Heather couldn’t hold back tears. “I’ve seen his marriage destroyed, his heart broken, his attempts to grasp a thimble of fatherhood…lost. The SEAL I love is the most honorable man I’ve ever met. My everlasting dream is that SEAL will someday love me back.”
She turned away from him, weeping inconsolably. She murmured. “I can’t do this. This is not what I came out here to tell you.”
“Then what did you come out here to tell me?”
She turned and sputtered angrily. “Stop making Alamo the victim. Carole is a victim. I am a victim. And if Carole hadn’t shot him, I would have because the way he was out of control, fucking up, all of you would have become victims. This mission is too important to get cocked up over a goon with a Napoleon complex.” She shook her finger in his face. “I’m doing everything I can to hold myself together, to keep this mission on track, but I’m losing it.”
“Heather, I’m trying to pretend nothing happened at the Blue Moon. I give you the distance that is required by rank. What else would you expect me to do?”
Ted, there is a subterfuge in your ranks, and I am the focus of it. Your cold deference only makes it worse. Carole and I feel like condemned criminals. We can’t work under indictment. This has to stop. We have two dozen SEALs filtering in, in the next few days. I won’t tell you how to handle your units.” She backed away to leave but stopped short. She gave him a sad smile and said, “I like the SEALs on your team, and there was a time they liked me. Alamo poisoned that relationship. All I ask from you is to pretend I meant something to you.”
Ted walked to her and stopped a foot from her. He said, “I can’t do that, Heather.”
“Why Ted? Why? Just pretend.”
“I can’t pretend…because you do mean something to me.” He took her in his arms and she almost fainted. He held her until her strength returned, and she could compose a dignified pose. She whispered in his ear. “I dare not ask for anything more. Walk me back to the compound.”
Ted waited for his team to take their usual places at the Snake Pit after the evening meal. They were chattering about the upcoming mission when Ted changed the subject. “We all agreed we could work with the LT on this mission—”
“We did, but we don’t have to like.” Gates growled.
“Let me finish,” Ted said. “We’re getting SEALs in the next few days, and they’re not going to stomach women on the mission or a woman commanding the task force.”
Gates interrupted again. “I told you that from day one.”
Ted ignored the interruption. “We have our deployment rules to cover each other’s back
s when one of us gets too close to getting in trouble. We’ve all sent team members home because of personal issues that can compromise the mission. More than once we’ve seen one our brother SEALs cross the line one time too often, and he’s not around the next day for roll call. Bad apples don’t stand in our ranks, even out here.”
Fitzgerald stopped Ted from speaking with a fist slamming on the table. “I know where you’re going with this Perrotte. We all know Alamo lost it and made some bad decisions, but they all worked out. We know why. If you hadn’t fucked his girlfriend, Alamo would have been fine. You crossed a line.”
“I did. How was I to know?”
Perry said. “Just a sec, Dave. We were all Mata Hari fans, and we sorta pushed Perrotte to go for it. Remember? Don’t blame Ted for Alamo’s crack-up.”
“Yeah, but Mata Hari knew the difference. She pretty much whored herself out. She knew what she was doing,” Gates said.
Perry fired back. “We all know he beat her up a couple of times, and that didn’t go down well with me. Not at all.”
Fitzgerald said, “If I caught my woman fucking my best friend, I’d probably be tempted to kick her ass. She got what was coming to her.”
Ted said, “None of you know Heather’s side of the story. Heather divorced Alamo six years ago and brought him up on charges of spousal abuse and rape. He beat the rap, and ever since he’s been obsessed with her. He stalked her, isolated her, told false stories about her that has gone up and down the ranks. She can’t go anywhere without the label that she’s Alamo’s mistress. He brought her out here where he could rape her and punish her whenever the mood struck him.”