by Parker James
Episode 23: “Ultimatum”
* * *
President Andrews knew a roundtable discussion was in order with the Joint Chiefs and decided to include Professor Enghult, however, he also knew that after the final group meeting with the Bunker Site Commanders occurred, once the drone arrived from NORAD the following day it would be a very long one indeed. The decisions they would soon make would be irreversible, and there would likely be only one of two possible outcomes based upon what course of action the Unites States determined to take deciding their future fate. Without a doubt they would be up throughout the evening; the drone providing them not only with a comprehensive picture as to the level of damage sustained within the United States but effectively worldwide. Despite all of their efforts to avoid it, the war had inevitably occurred and there was no going back. The damage had been done. There were only two choices available; continue the war or attempt to end it. Mankind, or what remained of it, was hanging by a thread. Considering the devastation wrought upon the planet, regardless of what course of action the President and Joint Chiefs decided to take and assuming no more nuclear weapons were deployed, mankind very well might not survive despite their efforts.
So in the conference room off of the Control Center in Bunker Site 1, President Andrews questioned the Joint Chiefs who’d completed the tour of Bunker Site 1 the prior day and collected their thoughts on whether any other further modifications should be made in addition to those already put into place. In fact the Joint Chiefs had been extremely impressed with what they’d seen and the sheer proficiency of the bunker on many fronts. Those who hadn’t completed the tour would do so the following morning, but ultimately the President was waiting for the final group meeting to occur so that he could then dismiss the Joint Chiefs, enabling them to get some badly needed rest knowing what the following day would bring. They’d all be up for thirty hours or more hours once the drone arrived from NORAD with all of the information it certainly would contain. He wanted the Joint Chiefs to feel, even if just for a brief time period of time that they were being proactive.
Although the discussion was fairly muted, those who completed the tour expressed not only their satisfaction of the bunker’s overall design and interactive systems, but also they’re enthusiasm for future plans regarding interconnection, expansion, suspension chamber operations, and hydroponic food production. When they’d reached Level 11 they’d equally been satisfied with military operations under Colonel Hastings auspices, letting it be known not only to him but the military personnel as well. Their complimentary stance was greatly appreciated by all. Time passed quickly in the conference room, with the final group meeting soon taking place. The Bunker Site Commanders were advised of the latest developments regarding reconnaissance efforts, and upon its conclusion all of the Joint Chiefs excluding General Rodriguez were relieved for the evening. Rodriguez would again oversee operations throughout the night. The President would also retire, but before doing so addressed the Joint Chiefs.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. When the drone arrives from NORAD tomorrow evening, we shall determine our ultimate course of action based upon a complete picture. In all likelihood we shall discuss matters throughout the evening and determine our ultimate course of action on an informed basis. It is my greatest wish that we have the ability to end this war, not only to ensure our own survival but that of other nations as well. Without the concrete data General Meehan is soon to provide, discussion this evening on matters at hand would be pointless and speculative at best. Get some rest, and should you believe there is a God pray this comes to pass, that we have the ability to end this nightmare. The second tour of Bunker Site 1 will continue tomorrow as planned, while restart of the power generation unit in bunker 5 in light of recent developments will temporarily be postponed. Tomorrow will be a very long day indeed. You are all dismissed.”
With the appropriate salute to their Commander-in-Chief all of the Joint Chiefs retired except for General Rodriguez; each and every station in the Control Room now fully manned as would remain the case from this point forward. All would again reassemble at 0700 hours, shortly thereafter conducting the first group meeting of the day. Those designated to tour the bunker would then do so, and upon conclusion again be dismissed as they awaited the arrival of that oh so very important drone. All were resigned to the situation they were faced with and the difficult decisions that had to be made, yet still determined as was the President that they do everything within their power to ensure their survival, not only that of the United States but the world-at-large. As President Andrews approached his quarters, Level 20 now removed from lockdown as ordered, he noticed that the Secret Service Staff continued to remain at full-force.
And so the night ended, with 0700 arriving all too soon. After a good night’s rest for everyone, the President entered the Control Room where all of the Joints Chiefs were already assembled.
“General Rodriguez, your report if you please.”
“Mr. President. There is nothing to report of significance on a security basis and as of yet we have had no further contact with NORAD as expected. Tunneling operations continue to bunker 5 up until a certain point, with postponement of restart confirmed by Dr. Lazzario. The power generation unit in Bunker Site 1 continues to operate normally, while the modifications to all drones contained within the complex have been completed. I am advised that they now have the ability to withstand the extensive radiation levels on the surface. There are no other issues to report.”
“Very well,” Andrews said. “Please contact all Bunker Site Commanders and advise them that this morning’s conference has been moved up and will commence within the next five minutes; 0705 hours.”
“Right away, Mr. President,” Rodriguez replied, immediately notifying the Bunker Site Commanders from the main communications console.
President Andrews turned to the Joint Chiefs.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get this day underway.”
Within minutes all of the Bunker Site Commanders appeared upon the screen. The group now fully assembled, President Andrews got the meeting underway.
“Good morning. I have just been informed by General Rodriguez that all remains well within the complex. The power generation unit in Bunker Site 1 continues to operate normally, and as discussed earlier tunneling operations are proceeding to bunker 5 while restart has been temporarily postponed until further notice subsequent to the arrival of the drone from NORAD. No other plans for today’s events have altered, and there are no issues to report of significance from here in the Control Room. Do any of the Bunker Site Commanders wish to bring anything to our attention at this time?”
“No, Mr. President,” was heard repeatedly.
All continued to look on as President Andrews walked over the phone and contacted Margaret in the reception area of the Oval Office. He heard a voice he didn’t recognize.
“Office of the President.”
“Who is this?” Andrews asked.
“Forgive me, Mr. President. This is Angela speaking.”
“Is Margaret with you?”
“She is, Mr. President, but temporarily stepped away to run an errand. She’ll return shortly; I could get her if you’d like, Sir.
“No, Angela, that’s fine. Good to have you onboard. Is there a Mr. Joseph Maxwell with you from the damage control crew?”
“Yes he is, Mr. President.”
“Good. Would you please send him to the Control Room immediately?”
“Immediately, Mr. President.”
“Thank you, Angela,” Andrews said, impressed by her professionalism. She must have been an executive secretary at some point in her career, that much was obvious as he hung up the phone. Margaret had chosen well. Andrews again turned to the Joint Chiefs, positioning himself so that he was also visible to the Bunker Site Commanders, but before he began there was a gentle knock at the door.”
“Enter,” President Andrews said.”
It was one of the Secret Service Agen
ts.
“Pardon the interruption, Mr. President. There’s a Mr. Joseph Maxwell here who I am told was summoned by you.”
“Send him in, Agent.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
Joe entered the Control Room feeling slightly out of place, but was again quickly put at-ease by the President’s disarming qualities.
“Good morning, Joe. We’ve decided to move the tour up by one hour. Take a seat at one the consoles; we’ll be done shortly and then you can assist the Vice Chairman and remaining Joint Chiefs with their tour of the bunker.”
“Yes, Mr. President,” Joe replied. He was oddly getting used to being around powerful people and almost felt as though he was now “in the loop.”
President Andrews returned his attention to the Joint Chiefs but also wanted to make certain that the Bunker Site Commanders were also fully informed.
“Very well then,” Andrews said as he concluded the meeting. “The Vice Chairman and remaining Joint Chiefs will begin their tour immediately following this meeting. Once completed, they will be relieved for the remainder of the day as shall we all in anticipation of the arrival of the drone from NORAD. We will reassemble at 2000 hours. General Rodriguez will remain within the Control Room for the moment as General McCreary, myself, and the other Joint Chiefs meet with the Conyers’ in order to get an informal update on their continuing efforts regarding suspension chamber operations. At that point Chairman McCreary is to relieve General Rodriguez for three hours, following which Colonel Hastings is to place his second-in- command in charge within the Atrium and take over a supervisory role here in the Control Room. I ask all of you to put out of your minds for now the arrival of the drone and what information we shall be presented with, and solely concentrate on what we must do at the moment. There will be sufficient time to address the larger issues we are faced with later on this evening. Are they any questions?”
There were none.
“Very well, this meeting is hereby concluded. We all know what we have to do; let’s get to work. Meeting adjourned.”
As the meeting concluded the Joint Chiefs designated to tour the bunker filed out of the room with Maxwell who would once again conduct the tour; his third. President Andrews, McCreary, and the other Joint Chiefs headed up to Level 19 with their escort in tow in order to speak with the Conyers and see what progress was being made on stasis operations. Exiting the elevator they headed directly to the Conyers’ lab across from the hospital and were glad to see a tremendous amount of activity going on. Where there had only been one preparation area for those who would be placed into stasis, now there were three with many of the medical personnel allocated from Dr. Pearson undergoing training. Anya immediately saw the President and his entourage arrive, somewhat hard to miss and approached the group. President Andrews was already very encouraged by what he was seeing.
“Mr. President, so good to see you. Is there anything I can help you with?” Anya asked.
“Yes, Professor Conyers. The Joint Chiefs and I just wanted to informally check on your progress and see how everything is proceeding.”
Looking toward the corner of the preparation room, Andrews saw a small table and asked Anya if she could steal away her husband for a brief time in order to give the group an informal update on their efforts.
“Most certainly, Mr. President,” Anya replied waving over Mitch. They all headed to the table and found a seat.
“So, Professors,” Andrews asked. How are things going?”
Anya took the lead this time.
“Oh, Mr. President, Dr. Pearson has been so very helpful. All of the medical staff that she promised have been reallocated to suspension chamber operations. We’ve tripled our preparation areas, and as you can see the additional personnel are undergoing training by our own staff. At a later date they’ll all be cross-trained in the entire procedure. What you see here in this bunker is also occurring in the other nineteen bunkers as well. I don’t want to be overly optimistic, but I can guarantee you that we’ll reach our daily targeted numbers, but quite frankly, Sir, the way things are going I think we may very well exceed them.”
“And do you feel confident in that as well, Mitch?”
“I think Anya’s assessment is spot-on, and I would agree with her conclusions fully. Actually Sir, we plan to begin placing the first individuals into stasis tomorrow morning, and as we speak Dr. Pearson and her staff are conducting the final physicals. We’re ready to go, Sir.”
“That’s fantastic news. Thank you both so very much for what you’ve done.” Rising, President Andrews added, “Well, we don’t want to take up any more of your time; you’ve told us all that we needed to know. We’ll keep out of your hair and let you get back to work. Would you mind if the Joint Chiefs and I do an informal walk-thru and simply observe?”
“Not at all, Mr. President. Take all the time you need,” Anya replied. “If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
As they rose and walked about the lab they were all encouraged that at least this part of the puzzle was falling into place. After about half an hour they walked across the hall to the hospital and spoke with Dr. Pearson, who advised them that most of the patients who’d been in the hospital had already been discharged, and those requiring further treatment were being attended to on an out-patient basis. There were some patients with more serious illnesses who required ongoing treatment, but by and large their personnel were now dedicated to preparing their fellow countrymen for stasis operations. The group equally encouraged by what they’d also seen in the hospital headed back down to the Control Room. Andrews turned his attention to General McCreary as they entered.
“Phil, where’s Professor Enghult?”
“Level 15, Mr. President. He’s checking in with Dr. Lazzario; they’re doing a walk-thru on the power generation unit.”
“Would you please contact him and ask him join us in the Control Room when he’s finished. I’d also like you to have Colonel Hastings come down to the Control Room now and take over supervision. I’d like to go over a few things in the conference room and want you there with us.”
“Right away, Mr. President.”
McCreary got right on it and Hastings arrived within five minutes. Professor Enghult satisfied with what he’d seen cut his inspection short and wasn’t five minutes behind the Colonel.
“Gentlemen,” Andrews said. Let’s head to the conference room. I’d like to review the satellite data prior to loss of communications and review the level of damage we sustained during the attack. Let’s get a good picture of point A before we get the updated information from General Meehan. We’ll get the other members of the Joint Chiefs caught up-to-speed when we reassemble tonight.”
All took their seats in the conference room; the President leaving the door open as he placed the computerized wall monitor on vocal command.
“Computer. World map; display schematic overlay and blast radius of nuclear weapon detonations detected worldwide on the night beginning September 18, 2073; satellite imagery prior to loss of communications.”
It wasn’t a pretty picture. Each hit was represented by a circular red dot; dozens of detonations occurring in the United States; thousands globally before imagery went down knowing many more missiles were on the way. Some of the circles were smaller than the others representing nuclear yields and varying degrees of damage. Decades ago it had been discovered through testing that nuclear weapons detonated above their target area could inflict vastly greater amounts of damage as opposed to direct ground impacts. The destructive force of those weapons was greatly increased by this one simple alteration in its delivery despite the weapon possessing the same nuclear yield. President Andrews was well aware of this one simple fact as were all in the room. Perhaps that’s why they were lucky in that the bunker survived the two detonations that almost found them; the bunkers were designed to withstand airbursts and their exact location hadn’t been pinpointed.
“The five rings,” Professor Enghu
lt said almost whispering.
“That’s right, Professor, the five rings,” Andrews said. “One weapon with a blast radius of 100 miles. Total destruction in the first 20 miles, certain death within the next, lingering but certain death within 60 miles, 80 percent loss of life in an 80 mile radius, and a 40 percent death rate in the last ring for those unlucky enough to survive combined with an extremely shortened lifespan with cancers of every kind imaginable developing over years to come.”
“Computer. Total population of the United States prior to nuclear detonations excluding 70 million individuals contained within all bunkers located in same.”
“745 million individuals,” the computer responded in an eerily soothing simulated female voice; such serious questions were being asked.
“Estimated losses based upon known nuclear impacts occurring within the United States cross-referenced with demographic data.”
“300 million immediate anticipated losses in major coastal population centers within the United States known to have experienced nuclear weapon detonations prior to the loss of satellite imagery.”
“Estimated losses assuming nuclear impacts continuing after loss of satellite imagery based upon 80 percent deployment of known adversarial nations available nuclear weapon stockpiles and a 30% interception rate.”
“525 million individuals.”
President Andrews crossed his hands, and leaning back in his chair asked one more theoretical question of the computer.
“Estimated immediate losses on a worldwide basis assuming deployment of all known nuclear weapon stockpiles and a 30 percent interception rate prior to detonation.”
“6 billion, 500 million individuals.”
Now President Andrews, completely composed, rubbed the lower part of his face in contemplation. “Screen off,” he said.
“Well Gentlemen, that’s point A. What information General Meehan provides this evening is point B. General McCreary, please have Colonel Hastings relieve the remaining Joint Chiefs upon conclusion of their tour. You are all relieved, including Professor Enghult and are to reassemble at 2000 hours as planned. Colonel Hastings is to conduct the mid-day conference with the Bunker Site Commanders in our absence. I strongly suggest that all of you get some rest; it’s going to be a very long night. Dismissed.”