Fatal Terrain

by Dale Brown

  completed yet," National Security Advisor Freeman said.

  "We don't even really know to what extent everything is clas-

  sified yet. Our review could take several months."

  "I see," Senator Finegold repeated stiffly. This was the face

  of the opposition, she thought-this White House was tough,

  experienced, and well organized under Kevin Martindale. It

  might take several months for hearings to begin if these po-

  litical pros put on a full-court press to postpone them.

  But the unwritten "three-month honeymoon" period after

  the inauguration was now over, and the Martindale adminis-

  tration was fair game to any inquiries she could concoct.

  "Well, I'll see to it that the SASC gets together with you and

  the Pentagon folks in drawing up a list of witnesses and agree-

  ing on a format," Finegold said. "I'm counting on your full

  cooperation." The President nodded stiffly and gave her a

  cocky smile. It was obvious to Senator Finegold that the entire

  Cabinet had given the idea of Senate hearings very careful

  thought and had already begun to arrange its ground rules, all

  of which would be designed so the White House and Pentagon

  would reveal as little hard information as possible.

  "The. other matter I wanted to mention to you, Mr. Presi-

  dent," Finegold said, leaning forward and interlacing her long

  fingers on the table, "was your proposal to repeal the 1979

  Taiwan Relations Act, which would allow for full'diplomatic

  recognition of Taiwan. Did you think it was wise to announce

  this proposal to the entire world before consulting with Con-

  gress? To my knowledge, you didn't even consult with leaders

  in your own party before announcing your intention to support

  Taiwan's independence from mainland China and to allow an

  exchange of ambassadors."

  11 Is there a problem?" the President asked. "Don't you feel

  we should support Taiwan's independence efforts?"

  Finegold looked angry. "Frankly, Mr. President, I hadn't

  thought about it," she said testily, "just as I haven't consid-

  ered what the proper response might be in Northern Ireland,

  or Cyprus, or dozens of conflicts anywhere else. The point is,

  we should be deciding these questions together. It would help

  the ratification process tremendously if the Senate Foreign Re-

  FATAL TERRAIN 177

  rations Committee and the leadership knew what you have in

  mind before announcing it to the world."

  "My hand was forced by Taiwqn's abrupt vote for inde-

  pendence-they chose not to consult with us, or anyone else

  for that matter," the President said. "I felt it was necessary to

  make a decision and take a stand quickly, before China de-

  cided it needed to give its errant province a spanking. I will

  be sure to consult with you closely the next time."

  "The world still considers Taiwan a province of China, Mr.

  President," Finegold said. "We've isolated ourselves and put

  ourselves on a collision course with mainland China by rec-

  ognizing the Republic of China."

  "Do you think it's nothing but a rogue republic, Senator?"

  the President asked. Finegold shook her head in exasperation,

  and the President went on, "The question is important, Bar-

  bara. Read your history books. The Nationalists were our allies

  in World War Two, every bit as important in establishing a

  second front' in Asia as Britain and France were in Europe.

  Because of a Communist-sparked civil war, our allies were

  pushed off the mainland and onto a rock in the Pacific Ocean.

  They've endured artillery bombardment, constant military

  threats, global loss of diplomatic recognition, and economic

  isolation. Today, they're one of the richest industrial democ-

  racies in the world, and they still count the United States as a

  friend and ally despite what we've done to them over the past

  thirty years.

  "Now they've taken a major step in deciding their fate as

  a nation by rejecting their Communist overlords and declaring

  independence, and they've asked for our support. I proudly

  gave it to them. I took a stand. Now you have to do so as

  well."

  "The Congress has got to look at the overall effect on our

  economy and the military threat," Finegold argued, '$efore

  4we vote to repeal the Taiwan Relations Act or ratify our

  recognition of an independent Taiwan."

  "The net effect of the President's declaration is zero, Sen-

  ator," Secretary of State Hartman said. "China might decide

  to retaliate by imposing strict tariffs or even banning our

  goods, but we feel that China cannot long continue such a

  measure. They need our markets just as much as we need their

  investments."

  "So you tell American companies to be still and patient

  178 DALE BROWN

  while they suffer because we've turned away thirty billion dol-

  lars' worth of markets in China in favor of three billion dol-

  lars' worth in Taiwan, all because we like supporting the

  underdog?" Joseph Crane asked. "If you had consulted with

  Congress instead of charging off, we would've advised further

  negotiations to help bring the two Chinas back together gently

  and peacefully, rather than rip them apart suddenly."

  "Mr. Crane, Taiwan has been looking down the barrel of a

  Chinese artillery piece for the past forty years," Secretary of

  Defense Chastain argued. "China isn't interested in gentle re-

  unification-they're insisting on total absorption, by force if

  necessary. "

  "China is ready to completely 'absorb' Hong Kong," Crane

  retorted, "and the process is going along smoothly and peace-

  fully."

  "Apples and oranges, Mr. Crane," Hartman said. "Hong

  Kong is Chinese property leased by Great Britain, and the

  lease is simply expiring. The Republic of China on Formosa

  represents a free and democratic society that we've supported

  for nearly one hundred years, a society and government that

  is one of the richest and fastest-growing economies in the

  world, modeled after our own. It's being threatened by a to-

  talitarian Communist power that wishes nothing less than to

  eliminate it-not assimilation, not sharing, not coexistence, but

  complete elimination of its democratic, capitalist foundation.

  The President has chosen to act to support this Asian friend

  and ally. The question is, what is the Senate leadership going

  to do-support the President, or cut his legs out from under

  him?"

  "You've put us in a very embarrassing position, Mr. Pres-

  ident," Finegold said, addressing Martindale directly. "You

  are the leader in all foreign relations and matters of st . ate. . But

  those decisions affect the country, and so Congress is given

  powers of checks and balances over your decisions, in the form

  of ratifying treaties and passing laws. This relationship ex-.

  pects-no, demands-cooperation and compromise from all

  parties concerned. Your unilateral announcement of support

  cuts our legs out from under us. We should support our pres- />
  ident, but what if his decision is the wrong one? We can't

  absolve ourselves of the blame if our own citizens are hurt by

  our decisions; we can't point fingers at the President. At the

  very least, Mr. President, you've forced us to delay any action

  FATAL TERRA I N 179

  on repealing the Taiwan Relations Act or recognizing the ROC

  until we've had a chance to study the idea."

  "For how long?" Hartman asked.

  "Impossible to say, Secretary Hartman," Finegold said.

  "The committee staffs are just now being organized. It could

  take weeks just to be able to sit down hat areas

  need to be studied."

  "Very similar to the problems you s,,

  deciding about what areas of the air a

  Persian Gulf could be included in Senate hearings," Crane

  added.

  "You're not suggesting that we do any less due diligence

  in examining the risks to national security of revealing details

  of our military actions just so we can see reasonable progress

  from Congress in furthering our foreign policy agenda?" Hart-

  man asked incredulously.

  Representative Crane smiled mischievously. "If the foot-

  dragging fits, Mr. Secretary. . ."

  "We all want progress, Secretary Hartman," Senator Fi-

  negold said, putting a hand on Crane's arm as if to calm him

  down. "If we all keep that in mind, I think we-"

  Suddenly a man in a business suit and wearing a wireless

  communications earset opened the door, saw the chief of staff

  standing nearby, and whispered something in his ear. Most

  everybody in the room recognized the newcomer as Marine

  Corps Colonel William McNeely, the White House military

  liaison who worked in an office next to National Security Ad-

  visor Philip Freeman's. He was carrying a plain black brief-

  case, and Finegold realized with a faint shock what it was:

  McNeely was the man responsible for the "football," the

  briefcase containing a communications transceiver that put the

  President in contact with the National Military Command Cen-

  ter at the Pentagon and several other military command posts-

  so he could issue instructions to the nation's nuclear forces

  while on the move.

  Jerrod Hale quickly stepped over and stooped between the

  President and Vice President; a moment later, all three shot to

  their feet. "Meeting adjourned," the President said quickly.

  The door to the Cabinet Room flung open, and Secret Service

  agents flooded in.

  "What's going on, Mr. President?" Finegold asked excit-

  edly as the senior Cabinet members and the President and Vice

  counter in

  and the

  180 DALE BROWN

  President were surrounded by Secret Service agents. Finegold

  and Crane tried to follow, but they were held back inside the

  Cabinet Room by the Secret Service. "What in hell do you

  think you're doing?" Finegold cried out at the agent holding

  her.

  "You're instructed to remain here until the President's party

  departs," the agent replied.

  "She's the Senate Majority Leader!" Congressman Crane

  shouted at the agent. "She's supposed to accompany the Pres-

  ident."

  "You're instructed to stay," the agent said in a firm voice,

  as if he were talking to his pet German shepherd.

  The Democratic congressional leadership could do nothing

  but watch in amazement as three Marine Corps helicopters

  touched down on the south lawn of the White House and

  scooped up the President, Vice President, and his Cabinet ad-

  visors. "It must be an emergency evacuation," Finegold said,

  reaching for a cell phone in her purse. "Something's happen-

  ing."

  "Hey!" Congressman Joseph Crane shouted. "I see Gant

  and Fortier getting on the helicopter! Why the hell can the

  Republican leadership follow the President on his getaway

  choppers, but we Democrats can't? They got plenty of room

  on those things. . . ." But his outrage was drowned out by the

  rapid departure of Marine One. The three helicopters executed

  a position change shortly after takeoff, a sort of "shell game"

  in the sky with helicopters to confuse or complicate any ter-

  rorists' efforts to kill the President.

  They were finally allowed to leave, long after the helicopters

  were out of sight, and Finegold and her colleagues, still hop-

  ping mad at their snub, made their way to the lower entrance

  to the West Wing. They were surprised to see Admiral George

  Balboa standing in the doorway leading to the driveway just

  outside the West Wing, talking on a handbag-size transportable

  cellular phone handled by an aide. He did not see the con-

  gressional Democratic leaders approach as he slammed the

  phone down into its holder in disgust. "Admiral Balboa, I'm

  surprised to see you here," Barbara Finegold said in true

  amazement. "I thought you'd be with the President."

  "A little mix-up," Balboa offered in a low, rather contrite

  voice.

  "I'll say. Those two butt-kissers Fortier and Gant hop

  7-

  FATAL TERRAIN 181

  aboard the chopper and leave you stranded," House Minority

  Leader Joe Crane said. "Since when do congressmen steal

  seats out from under important presidential advisors?"

  "I ... I was on my way to the Pentagon," Balboa said.

  "Since when does the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  not accompany the President, especially during an emergency

  White House evacuation?" Finegold asked. Balboa's eyes

  widened when he heard Finegold describe exactly what had

  happened-and only then did Finegold know she was correct.

  "I know Colonel McNeely's function as well as I know yours,

  Admiral. Can you answer my question? Why is the chairman

  of the JCS not accompanying the President during a military

  emergency?"

  "I should probably not answer," Balboa said, "except to

  say that I have responsibilities at the Pentagon right now."

  "I guess with the Secretary of Defense bugging out with

  the others, you'd be pretty much minding the store," Crane

  said. "Where's your chopper? Don't tell me you gotta drive?"

  Balboa looked embarrassed, then hurt. "The ... the airspace

  around the capital has been closed," he explained. "No air-

  craft can depart until . . ."

  "Until NEACP departs," Finegold added-and, to her sur-

  prise, Balboa nodded. Another correct guess, she congratulated

  herself. Crane looked a little confused, so she explained,

  "NEACP, Joe, is the National Emergency Airborne Command

  Post, the militarized version of Air Force One, designed so the

  President can be in touch with military and civilian leadership

  all over the world. It only flies when there's a danger of some

  vital command and control center being knocked out-say,

  Washington, knocked out by a nuclear attack."

  "What!" Crane exploded. "A nuclear attack! You're saying

  someone is going to attack Washington ... right now?"

  "I don't know," Finegold said. She turned to Admiral Bal-

  boa and pr
ojected every bit of charm, influence, authority,

  glamour, and friendliness she could toward the embittered vet-

  eran Navy officer. "Can you tell us, Admiral? We have a right

  to know."

  Obviously, George Balboa had been struggling with some

  dilemma for quite some time, well before this emergency, and

  now the pressure of all these events were coming to a head in

  his mind. He nodded, more to himself than anyone around him,

  then motioned for them to follow him back inside. Using his

  182 DALE BROWN

  passcards, he escorted Finegold and Crane, without their aides,

  back into the West Wing, then downstairs by elevator to the

  White House Situation Room. Except for a staff of guards and

  communications officers, the rather small, unimposing room

  was empty. "I'm not going anywhere-it would take me an

  hour to get to the Pentagon in rush-hour traffic," Balboa said

  after he closed the door to the secure conference room. "I'm

  isolated. I can't talk with my command center or the national

  command authority."

  :'What's going on, Admiral?" Finegold asked again.

  'This is strictly confidential."

  " This conversation is not taking place," Finegold assured

  him as sincerely as she could. At the same time, part of her

  politically brilliant mind was already searching for ways to

  cover her tracks when-not if-she leaked any of what she

  was about to hear. "Don't worry, Admiral-we'll get a brief-

  ing on all this shortly anyway."

  Balboa nodded. That was true-he would probably be giv-

  ing the briefing in a couple hours anyway. He took a deep

  breath. "Two nuclear explosions have occurred near the For-

  mosa Straits," Balboa said breathlessly, as if wanting to get it

  all out as fast as he could. Crane gasped in surprise again;

  Finegold remained impassive. "Both were low-yield devices.

  One occurred at high altitude near the island of Quemoy,

  which is a Taiwanese island near the coast of mainland China;

  the other occurred at sea level in the Formosa Strait, about

  sixty miles south of Quemoy."

  :'My God," Crane muttered. "Are we at war with China?"

  'The detonations occurred during a naval skirmish between