by Parker James
President Andrews instructed the Corporal at the communications console to include General Meehan in the conversation, so that he could be seen and heard by the Ministers of both India and Pakistan.
“Ministers, I would like to introduce you to General Meehan of NORAD, secondarily in charge of our military operations who I now wish to include in our discussion.”
With the proper introductions and greetings, President Andrews continued with Meehan now included so that both Ministers would hear the truth in his words. Without a doubt India and Pakistan were at the mercy of the United States and its allies, a point which had already been made clear in the initial transmission, and also a point which Andrews didn’t wish to pursue. He would disclose information so that both would understand his true convictions.
“Ministers, although our reserve drone fleet has not yet been fully modified to withstand the radiation levels on the surface, a significant number already have. I ask of you both what can we possibly do in an immediate sense to assist you in your survival?”
Minister Rhanawat again spoke on the behalf of both.
“President Andrews, our immediate concerns are as follows. We are extremely concerned about being further attacked. Our defensive and offensive capabilities no longer exist. The few of us who have survived are at the mercy of other nations. Our food supplies will not hold out much longer, and we have been unable to establish communications through our satellites in order to confirm the survival of those located within our other bunkers.”
Andrews turned to Meehan.
“General Meehan, how many drones do we currently have operational on a rough estimate?”
“Mr. President,” Meehan asked, “Do you want this information unilaterally disclosed?”
President Andrews was taken aback, but knew that Meehan had the best interests of the United States foremost in his mind. Not wishing to exacerbate the situation with both Ministers and have them second guess the United States and allied nations intention responded simply and calmly.
“General Meehan. Our common goal is the future survival of all. The Ministers of India and Pakistan have been completely honest with us, as also shall we. General, trust has to start somewhere, and it starts right here.”
“My apologies, Mr. President,” Meehan replied as both Ministers were privileged to this interaction. It couldn’t be faked.
“Currently we have twelve to fifteen hundred drones operational, Mr. President.”
“And do we have sufficient airborne tankers available as well as transport drones for the containerized food convoys?”
“We do, Mr. President; two-hundred transport drones now fully operational.”
“Thank you General,” Andrews said as he now gave further orders to Meehan as the leaders of India and Pakistan continued to listen as the conversation progressed. He wanted to do so in such a manner so that neither of the Ministers would be insulted due to the position they found themselves in or question his motives.
“General Meehan, I would like you to do the following immediately. Dispatch from Area 51 one-hundred drones outfitted with anti-ballistic missiles immediately to the Indian and Pakistani coasts for protective defensive measures. I would like you to also dispatch sufficient re-fueling tankers to keep them all airborne for a minimum of one week. Secondly, you are to dispatch 50 transport drones and direct the closest of the three food convoys to the coordinates deemed appropriate in consideration of the radiation levels within the area. The submarines headed to escort that convoy are to position themselves in a protective grid surrounding both countries’ coasts once they’re able to rendezvous. Have three grouped satellites put into geosynchronous orbit above both countries allowing them to retain continuous contact. Both nations are simultaneously to be permitted continuous access to our own satellite systems with nothing held back. We now consider both India and Pakistan allies in our new fight; our mutual continued survival. Both nations are now under our defensive umbrella. All codes for direct communications with the satellites are to be disseminated as well all data relevant to our hydroponics program, stasis operations, and bunker site modifications. Our scientific teams are also to be put in direct contact with those of India and Pakistan, sharing all data as necessary. Are my orders understood, General?”
“It will be done immediately, Mr. President.”
“Good, General. Get it done,” Andrews replied as he turned to the Ministers of both countries, who now held total faith in this one single man; the dignity of all now respected as was the preciousness of life itself.
“Ministers, our allies and I have determined to conference once daily and address all issues globally in order of priority, as we collectively pool our resources for what is now our common goal. I would like both of you to be a part of that. I assure and promise you that we shall do everything within our power to assist you in these dark times. I wish to again advise you that we have yet to hear a response from either the Russian Republic or the People’s Republic of China, putting us all at great risk. Is there anything else we can further do in an immediate sense to assist you at this point in time?”
Both Ministers were taken aback, dumbfounded by this kindness shown considering the situation they found themselves in which could just as easily been expressed as vengeance simply by ignoring their plight; no nukes were needed.
“President Andrews,” Minister Rhanawat said. “We wish to express our sincere gratitude on the part of the United States and its allies, which we now consider you.”
“Ministers, we look forward to conferencing with you tomorrow with those who have joined us in this common cause. We mourn the loss of all souls and hope to prevent the loss of anymore. I would ask that you express to your people that we are with you, no matter what challenges lay ahead. Until tomorrow Gentlemen. President Andrews out; end transmission.”
Andrews turned to McCreary and the Joint Chiefs who had overheard the entire conversation, yet it was McCreary to whom he spoke.
“That’s two out of four, Phil. Two threats remaining.”
“Kill em’ with kindness, Mr. President?”
“No, Mr. Chairman. This is bigger than any one of us. Save as many as possible, no matter what it takes. Two choices to use your own words, and I’ll add to that. Kill em’ with kindness, or kill them all. Nothing’s off the table until we hear from two more nations, and let the chips fall.”
McCreary nodded. He couldn’t disagree, despite his first inclination bred into him to protect the United States at all costs. The President was right. What had occurred was bigger than any person or any one single nation. It truly was a gamble; the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Not a single one of the Joint Chiefs or Meehan would voice any opinion whatsoever, a shiver of realization running down the spines of almost everyone within the room who overheard those words. There was only one person now completely in charge; an unstoppable force to be reckoned with; his resolve once again soon to be tested. Joe was right, that drone never had a chance.
Almost 42 hours since the address, no one leaving the Control Room. Professor Enghult was completely immersed in the data streaming in from the other bunkers and in close contact with the science teams at Area 51 and NORAD, making plans to send drones to those bunkers unable to communicate, hoping that it was just a problem with their communications array and they weren’t destroyed; but that would take drones sent to each individual site, which for the moment were at a premium until the entire reserve fleet had been modified. What drones were available for desperately needed for defensive operations. Other bunkers suffered damage and were being walked through temporary measures to shore up their integrity, allowing them to prevent radiation seepage into the complexes. Veronica was at his side, learning more during those few hours than she ever thought possible. The President and Joint Chiefs were in the conference room discussing various issues when suddenly Colonel Hastings appeared at the door.
“Mr. President, we’ve just been contacted by the Russian Premiere, and ask
ing to speak with you personally. We’re informing General Meehan as well.”
Almost everyone in the room jumped up from their chairs and headed to the main communications console, where Premiere Kryshenski was waiting patiently on the monitor; standing alone.
“Premiere Kryshenski, it’s good to hear from you.”
“And you as well, President Andrews. We have received your transmission, and please pardon our delay in responding as we had our own science teams confirm the data that you supplied.”
“An understandable precaution, Mr. Premiere,” Andrews replied, knowing the Russians were very measured in their decision making process. Andrews was encouraged in that the Russians had also been very active in their attempts to prevent the war, but once attacked and the situation escalated they were forced to respond for their own self-preservation.
“Mr. President. We agree with your conclusions and at this time I have issued orders for all our forces to stand down and return to our homeland. The Russian Republic formally declares complete neutrality and will not continue to be a part of this madness that has devastated us all.”
“Mr. Premiere, I wish to express our great sadness for the losses that you have suffered in your country and wish to say to you in the strongest terms possible that the United States and its allies respect your decision, will not attack you, and wish to offer whatever assistance we can. We have already heard from every nation remaining in the world, but as of yet have not heard from the Chinese Government, which is the only reason we remain in a defensive posture. It is our hope that we hear from them shortly and wiser minds prevail; that they too reach the same conclusions that you have come to. May I ask if there is anything we can do to assist you at this time?”
“We have sufficient resources for the moment to see to our citizens who remain, but like you have lost contact with a number of our bunkers and are currently attempting to reestablish communications through our remaining drone fleet. We too also remain in a defensive posture; however, our attentions for the moment are also directed to a number of our nuclear reactors that did not go into automatic shutdown mode. Our science teams are attempting to come up with a solution to resolve this.”
“Mr. Premiere, through our satellite imagery we have also detected continued radiation leeching from those plants and also consider it to be a threat to our collective mutual survival. Our science teams as well have been working on a solution to this problem, and I wish to have our teams at Area 51 put in contact with your own to assist in this endeavor in the hopes that working together we can solve this problem.”
“That would be most helpful, Mr. President.”
“I’ll have the direct communication codes to Area 51 sent to your location immediately, Mr. Premiere, and please rest assured that whatever our teams come up with we will assist with any and all assets at our disposal as needed. The leaders of the other nations of the world as well as the United States have determined to conference daily and address all of the issues we must face with what resources collectively remain. We would like you to be a part of that.”
“Most certainly, Mr. President. There is one more issue that I would like to ask your assistance with.”
“By all means, Mr. Premiere.”
“When the war first broke out and progressed at such a rapid pace, a number of our merchant vessels in the Sea of Japan visually observed and communicated that the Japanese had launched several hundred drones toward our homeland. Some military factions within the Politburo misinterpreted their defensive measures as a threat, not knowing whether or not those drones carried nuclear weapons. Without proper authorization they redirected a number of missiles toward what they perceived as a threat. I would ask you to mediate in this matter with our sincerest apologies for this regrettable tragedy. I believe that should we contact the Japanese ourselves that it would be non-productive. I would assure you that those responsible for this breach of protocol have been punished severely.”
Andrews knew what that meant. The Russians being very measured had strict rules in place. Follow those rules and you will have a very long career. Break those rules at your own peril. Premiere Kryshenski without saying it directly had indicated to the President that those responsible for that breach had been executed, yet he made no judgments.
“Mr. Premiere, this honor that you bestow upon us will be seen too, and we will contact the Japanese immediately. I believe that understanding why this terrible tragedy occurred will be forthcoming; undoubtedly forgiveness will take time. No one is blameless in what has occurred. Mistakes were made on all sides, and that includes the United States. We will express your regrets and thank you for contacting us. We shall also transmit immediately following this discussion the direct communication codes to Area 51 so our science teams can assist your own. Can we count on your participation in our daily worldwide conference beginning tomorrow?”
“You may, Mr. President. And the Russian Republic also mourns the losses that you have suffered. End transmission,” Premiere Kryshenski said abruptly.
Andrews stood looking at the screen as the codes were immediately transmitted to the Russians under McCreary’s direction. He was attempting to fathom how he would present this information to the Japanese, yet he needn’t have worried as much as he did. The Japanese had also seen madness in continuing the war, and although their anger was great, their resolve to end it was even greater. Calmer minds had prevailed. Andrews’ message soon sent on behalf of the Russian’s expressing their regrets and apologies would also be received in a measured manner. Now only one true threat remained; China.
It had been over forty hours since jamming of satellite communications had been terminated and still no word from the Chinese Government. President Andrews was on a cot in the Control Room getting some rest when he was awoken by a sudden flurry of activity. McCreary was heading toward him, Meehan already on the monitor in the Command Center at NORAD. Still half asleep Andrews looked at McCreary now standing above him as he spoke quickly.
“Mr. President,” he said rapid fire, “We’re detecting two submarine based missile launches of our coasts; 24 missiles detected in both the Atlantic and Pacific.”
Andrews jumped up and was in front of the monitor in an instant, speaking with General Meehan.
“General, report,” he said quickly.
“Two dozen missiles launched seconds ago. Half a mile up and gaining altitude on a trajectory for the interior of the country.”
“Launch low-yield tactical nukes against those missiles immediately before their trajectories separate; drones and subs alike,” Andrews said almost yelling.
Almost as quickly as he got those words out the red lines disappeared from the screen.
“Hold on, Mr. President. It appears the missiles self-destructed. We’re also detecting through our listening posts two explosions from the launch sites. It also seems the subs were destroyed as well.”
“What the hell?” Andrews said as Meehan interjected.
“Mr. President. We’re receiving a transmission from the Chinese Government asking us to withhold any offensive actions for the moment and await direct contact.”
“This is it,” Andrews thought.
“General, keep us postured and go to DEFCON 2.”
“Going to DEFCON 2 now, Mr. President.”
Minutes passed in the Control Room in absolute silence. Nothing yet from the Chinese when without notice a second monitor came to life. A young officer appeared upon the screen, and judging from his uniform held the rank of General. The room he was in was laid out similar to the Command Center at NORAD. President Andrews could see blood coming from a wound on his arm and there were a number of bodies strewn about. In the background a large number of senior military personnel were being held at gunpoint including Premiere Xintau, leader of the People’s Republic of China. Something big had just happened; and from what Andrews saw for all intents and purposes it appeared to be a coup.
“President Andrews, this is Acting Premiere
Yeng Chingzau of the People’s Republic of China.”
Andrews responded quickly, prepared to take whatever action necessary while Meehan literally held his finger on the button at NORAD as he listened in.
“Acting Premier Chingzau, we have detected missile launches of our coast followed by self-detonation. May I ask if you are responsible for that occurrence?” Andrews asked, deadly serious.
“We are, President Andrews,” Chingzau replied, not batting an eye. From Andrews’ perspective this young General feared nothing, not even his own death. The President had to choose his next words very carefully.
“May I ask your intentions, Mr. Premiere?”
“Our intentions are to stand down all military forces immediately; we no longer wish to be a part of this madness,” Chingzau responded, straight to the heart of the matter. The few words he spoke were followed by absolute silence on his part as President Andrews contemplated his next move. He choose the respectful route, yet Meehan still had his finger on the button, ready to launch offensive nuclear weapons at a moment’s notice and take out the last remaining threat until ordered otherwise.
“Premiere Chingzau, may I respectfully ask what has occurred at your location?”
“Mr. President. Our government has for a very long time, too long, been divided. Some thought expression of strength through aggressive action was the proper path while others thought mutual cooperation more beneficial. Some in our government have been in power for too long. Your transmission was received, yet prior to that this divide has been going on for many years. Yet your words were heeded, and both promises that you made were considered with great thought. Premiere Xintau has been in power for almost four decades and perhaps led astray by those choosing the wrong path. You must remember ours is an ancient culture, with order and structure being extremely important to us. Rarely do things come to what they have.”
“And what assurances, Premiere Chingzau, can you give us that we will not be further attacked?”
“As has always been the case in our society, moderation has eventually prevailed. But I will also tell you this; it has come with great loss of life in our main bunker. Those who led Premiere Xintau astray were about to attack the United States. We have just prevented that. Although we have been severely limited in our offensive capabilities, the damage we could have inflicted would be great. Many of us in the government agreed that should any more nuclear weapons be deployed that it would certainly be the end of us all; mutual destruction. So we also chose life, as you say, versus assured destruction. What occurs from this point forward is a gift.”