Peacekeepers

by James Rosone

  Chafing at the comment, Guy explained, “It was a military decision. We had an opportunity to cut the head of the snake off, and we took it. We seriously hurt the Pentagon leadership and the military apparatus with that strike. We killed the Secretary of Defense, along with many other senior generals, so it wasn’t a complete loss.”

  Marshall Tate shook his head in frustration.

  This is spiraling out of control faster than we can handle it, he thought.

  Marshall looked back and forth between his Secretary of Defense, Admiral Hill, and General McKenzie. “Can we still win this conflict?” he asked. “Can we still remove the Vice President from office now that he has taken over, or are we done for?”

  There was a short pause for a few seconds before they said anything. McKenzie spoke first. “It depends. We have enough fuel, food, and munitions for at least three or four weeks of hard fighting, but if we can’t thin out the American air forces, they’re going to pick us apart. The Russian and Chinese surface-to-air missile systems are effective, but we only have a limited number of them. We’re also going to run out of missiles at some point if we can’t get a resupply.”

  Marshall let out a breath in a huff. “The battle in the Atlantic was supposed to break the blockade. What happened?”

  Letting out a sigh, McKenzie looked at Admiral Hill for support. Hill nodded and proceeded to answer the question as best he could. “First off, you must understand this was a long-shot attempt, trying to break through the blockade. Our goal was to bloody the US Navy up and convince them that the cost of stopping the convoys would be too high—”

  Interrupting him, Marshall retorted, “Well, that clearly didn’t work. I read the German summary and it sounds like it was a turkey shoot—a horrific military loss for us.”

  Admiral Hill grimaced at the comment. “It wasn’t an entirely one-sided affair. I’ve read the German report as well—they primarily focused on the UN naval losses and didn’t expound upon the losses we inflicted on the US Navy. The Germans lost three of their submarines in the engagement, but they also sank three Arleigh Burke destroyers and managed to hit the carrier Lincoln with a torpedo.”

  “Yeah, but they failed to sink the Lincoln,” Marshall responded. “It’s still combat-effective—at least that’s what the report said.”

  Admiral Hill shook his head. “That’s not entirely true. The ship did take a hit, and while it was still able to launch its strike fighters, the carrier is going to have to go to the shipyards for repairs. That means the ship will be out of commission for several months, maybe longer, depending on how bad the damage is. That, Mr. President-Elect, is a huge victory for us. It means the Navy only has two operational carriers in the Atlantic, and that is going to make it easier for our supply ships to slip past the blockade.

  “The Russians managed to sink two Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers and three additional Arleigh Burke destroyers for a loss of nine subs. They also managed to sink four American submarines in exchange for five of their own. These losses are going to hurt the US’s ability to run an effective blockade of Canada. We’ll be able to start slipping more supply ships through as the Russian and EU navies continue to hunt down the Americans’ remaining submarines and surface ships.”

  Growing frustrated with the losses, Marshall shot back, “Let’s not forget, Admiral Hill, that when this conflict is over with, this navy we’re talking about hunting and destroying is the same force we’ll be in charge of. This is our military force we’re currently destroying, along with men and women who we’ll be demanding loyalty from when I’m sworn in as President.”

  Admiral Hill paused. He looked out the window briefly, deep in thought, before turning back to face Marshall. “I agree, and you’re right, sir. I don’t want to kill them or sink our ships any more than you do. We’re going to need a military and navy when you become President—but let’s not forget that these men and women have also picked a side. They chose Sachs over you. When this is all said and done and we’ve won, and you are our President, we’ll rebuild.”

  The group sat there in silence for a moment before McKenzie cleared his throat. “Mr. President-Elect, I’d like to discuss the ground operations,” he said.

  Marshall looked at McKenzie and nodded for him to proceed. He’d taken up enough of their time with his questions. They had a lot more to discuss.

  “With regard to the ground operations, we’ve surprised the American Army and grabbed a lot of land quickly,” McKenzie explained, in a voice that was not as optimistic as the news he was sharing. “While we suspected we could grab territory fast, they’re getting themselves organized to respond, and now they’re starting to get proper air support. What I’m trying to say is they’re going to start pushing us back soon if something doesn’t change. What we need is a greater popular uprising to take place in the major cities in your country. We need the people to rise up and take up arms against the government, and in particular, we need them to start attacking the military. If they can attack supply convoys, fuel and ammo dumps or even military bases, it’ll force Powers to divert troops to deal with them that otherwise would have been sent against us.”

  Admiral Hill interjected, “We had hoped more ground units would cross over to our side than what did. I had believed we could get some of the Air Force units to side with us and help us out, but sadly, that has not been the case. As to a popular uprising, McKenzie—yes, I agree that we need to stoke those fires and try to get that to happen, but the attack you launched on Washington, D.C., really hurt our chances of getting a plurality of the country to support us.

  “Then there were those yahoos who went and gruesomely murdered several high-profile conservatives and their families in California. Those two attacks had the opposite effect of what their intentions were. Instead of rallying to our side, people have become appalled by the violence and are now seeing us as the aggressors. They’re siding with the Vice President in this conflict because you took things too far.” Admiral Hill was clearly frustrated and disheartened at how things were turning out.

  Page shot back, “It’s not that bad, Admiral. We just need to start organizing more people in the major cities to join our cause, especially in California, New York, and Illinois. We have to give them targets to take their rage out on and get them organized into effective militia units.”

  Admiral Hill held a hand up. “I agree, Page, and we’re doing that, but you have to have some patience. This new war is only a week old. It’s going to take a few weeks to get things organized. Plus, it’s freaking winter. It’s hard to hold massive rallies, marches and demonstrations when it’s below thirty degrees out.”

  Marshall shook his head in dismay. “This would have been a much easier task in any other season,” he said rather glumly.

  “Agreed. But we don’t get to choose when these conflicts happen,” replied General McKenzie. “We just have to adapt to the situation and make it work to our advantage. Speaking of advantages—I’d like to go over the results of the Chinese missile attack in the Gulf of Mexico.”

  Marshall nodded, happy for any shred of good news. He signaled for the general to continue.

  “Several years ago, the People’s Liberation Army Navy converted a number of their large freighters into floating missile platforms. They’re calling them Long Qiwi, which translates to Dragon’s Breath ships. They haven’t told us how many of them they have, but we know of at least nine. Seven have been sunk by the US Navy, but there are still another two left that we know of, and they made a beeline to Cuba. The Russians, for their part, have built up a plethora of SAM sites all over Cuba in addition to boxing in the Marines at Guantanamo Bay.” McKenzie paused for a moment; he had a concerned look on his face like he had some bad news but didn’t know how to say it.

  Sensing his hesitation, Admiral Hill pounced. “What is it, Guy? Spit it out.”

  Sighing, McKenzie announced, “I think we have a problem with the Chinese. As much as they’ve helped us out by attacking
the Navy and Air Force bases with their merchant raiders, their ground army in Mexico still hasn’t started their offensive. Each day they delay gives the Pentagon more time to get forces moved over there to deal with them. They should have started their offensive two days ago. I’m concerned they may be getting cold feet after that daytime raid on Beijing at the start of the war.”

  Standing up, Marshall indicated that the others should stay seated. He turned his back on them and walked over to look out the window for a second, trying to think about what he wanted to ask next. Outside, he could still see the charred remains of the Ministry of Defence building and a few other smoldering ruins from previous air attacks. The war scars marred the beautiful city that had so graciously allowed him to set up his government in exile. He felt terrible about all the suffering the war was causing the people of Canada. They didn’t deserve this, to be caught in the crossfire of an American civil war.

  Turning to look at his staff sitting around the large table next to the kitchen, Marshall asked, “If the Chinese fail to launch their invasion of the Southwest, how badly does that complicate things for us?”

  Leaning forward to answer that question, Admiral Hill explained, “It would be the end of our efforts. We need the Chinese to open that second front so it diverts reinforcements that would be sent against our northern front to the south instead. If that doesn’t happen, then Powers will be able to move those divisions he’s deployed to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to face our forces in the Midwest and Northeast. They’ll also be able to suppress the uprising that’s happening in California and Oregon with the Marines. We need that uprising to be successful. It could generate thousands of new militia members to help us defeat the Marines and give us a few states where we could freely operate.”

  Marshall nodded. “Then let us hope that doesn’t happen,” he said. “Let’s try to reach out to the Chinese Foreign Minister and remind him of our deal. If China wants access to America’s West Coast ports and a guaranteed source of oil and natural gas from my administration, they’d better hold up their end of the agreement.”

  *******

  Washington, D.C.

  State Department

  Secretary Haley Kagel stared at the Indian Ambassador for a full thirty seconds as she tried to discern what he was thinking. His face had remained stoic, devoid of emotion, although she was sure his mind must have been working overtime, running through the calculations and second-and-third order effects of the offer she’d just presented.

  After what felt like an eternity for Secretary Kagel, Ambassador Singh crinkled his forehead, breaking his flat expression. “To clarify what you’re asking—acting President Powers wants China to believe that we’re going to invade and seize control of Tibet and position our forces to appear that we may push deeper into China if they invade America?”

  Smiling, she nodded. “Yes.”

  Singh leaned back in his chair and thought about it for a moment.

  Asaf Singh had been the ambassador to the US now for five years. He had gotten on well with President Jonathan Sachs, and it was well known that he had been deeply saddened to learn that Sachs had most likely died at the outset of this terrible war.

  Indian and American relations had grown strong these last four years. The US had increased its purchasing of specific Indian products, and India had reciprocated. Both nations were doing well as they sought to right the economic world that China had been exploiting for their gain for so many years.

  Secretary Kagel realized that, despite all this positive will between their two nations, the offer she had presented was a huge risk. Ambassador Singh might not even be able to get his country to go for it. However, the reward if it were to work was certainly something she felt must be very tempting.

  Leaning forward in his chair, Singh looked Secretary Kagel in the eyes. “And in exchange for this military action—”

  Kagel corrected him. “Perceived military action. It may not have to happen if they back down.”

  Smiling, Singh cleared his throat. “Yes. In exchange for this perceived military action and follow-through if it does have to happen, America will pay off India’s national debt, and we’ll secure a ten-year firm fixed price on natural gas. If prices go down, we pay less—if they go up, our price is already fixed and will stay that way for the next ten years?”

  Secretary Kagel nodded. “That is the deal.” She saw him hesitate for a moment, so she added, “Ambassador Singh, we both know China is a problem. They’re only going to become a worse problem if they aren’t dealt with now. If the US is torn apart, if we’re broken into fragments—which is what’s going to happen if the Chinese invade through Mexico—it may be the end of my country. While I’m sure many in the world will cheer at that, let’s not forget the progress our two nations have made together. Let’s also not overlook the position India will be in if you have to face China alone. I’m not saying you should follow through with the military action, but if India did, you wouldn’t find China in a weaker position than they are right now.”

  “My concern, Madam Secretary, is that I don’t believe you or your government fully appreciates the level of casualties or losses the Chinese are willing to sustain if they believe victory can be achieved,” Ambassador Singh stated. “Even if we did carry out our attack, the PLA still has all the units in the Western and Southern commands they can draw from to fight us with. The force they sent to Mexico came from the Central and Northern Army Groups. That means they still have more than one million soldiers in the two military districts near us. It would be a bloody fight if we came to blows.”

  “Mr. Ambassador, how much worse would that fight be if those forces weren’t in Mexico?” asked Kagel. “How much graver will that conflict be when those forces return home, battle-hardened and flush with victory? You won’t have America to rely on or help you.”

  Ambassador Singh grimaced. “I get it, Madam Secretary. America is in a bind. You guys are in a tough spot. We know that. I’m just not sure it will help if we get involved at the moment. Even excluding the Chinese threat of invasion, your country is being torn apart from the inside out. How do we know your nation won’t split apart, even if the Chinese don’t invade?”

  She bit her lower lip as she tried to formulate a proper response. “I agree, Ambassador. Our country is in the process of fracturing. However, the UN’s attack on Washington, the murder of two hundred legislators and the probable death of President Sachs have also coalesced our people around the Vice President like no one could have imagined. Our country has some serious political divides, but at the end of the day, we’re still Americans.

  “People are horrified by what’s happening—the politically motivated killings, the occupation of several major cities by foreign troops—all of this has stirred the patriotic passions that run deep in our country. The Vice President has just announced a military draft, and even now, our military is in the process of tripling in size. We’re going to get through this tough spot, and when we do, Mr. Ambassador, we’re going to emerge stronger and better than ever before.”

  “Or, you may emerge incredibly weakened and unable to be of much help to the rest of the world,” the ambassador offered as a counterpoint.

  Kagel chuckled. “Maybe, but I doubt it. When our domestic troubles have been sorted, Mr. Ambassador, you can bet your job that we’re going to be coming for our pound of flesh against those nations who attacked and occupied our country. We’ve already delivered a powerful message to the governments of Europe. Don’t think our attack was a one-off event. If they continue to invade and occupy our country, we’re going to rain death and destruction on their cities like they haven’t seen since the last great war.”

  She paused for a second, letting her last comment hang there for a moment with a wicked grin on her face. Sensing that he was still wavering, she leaned in to add, “One more thing, Mr. Ambassador. What I’m about to tell you must stay strictly confidential. You may share this with the key members of your governme
nt, but otherwise this needs to stay quiet.”

  She stopped long enough for him to acknowledge what she said before she proceeded. “It was Chinese H-20 stealth bombers that carried out the attack that may have claimed the life of our president and killed our Secretary of Defense and many of our senior military leaders at Raven Rock. If those bombers could penetrate our airspace, they will change the dynamics of a future war between India and China.”

  She paused for a second while he digested that piece of intelligence. “The bombs that hit the facility the President and our Secretary of Defense were in were Russian-made thermobaric weapons, but it was the Chinese bombers that delivered them. As such, we’ve warned the Chinese that if they do invade our country, we will respond with tactical nuclear weapons.”

  Singh raised an eyebrow at that but didn’t say anything right away. “You would use tactical nuclear weapons on your own soil?” he asked skeptically.

  She slowly shook her head. “No, not on our soil. In China.”

  “What? Where?” he stammered in response.

  “The Three Gorges Dam,” she replied nonchalantly. “We’ve already told them that we’d hit the dam and destroy the economy of an entire region if they attempt to invade our country.”

  Singh looked almost sick at the thought. He opened his mouth, then closed it as he thought about his response. “You realize such an attack could kill tens of millions of people, right? The political cost of such an attack globally would be worse than what you’re already having to deal with from your attacks on Paris, Berlin, Moscow, and Beijing,” he said. His voice crescendoed as he spoke.

  Slamming her hand on the table and startling Singh, Kagel spoke through gritted teeth. “Those bastards got caught red-handed rigging our election! Then they bombed our capital. They killed hundreds of our legislators and then assassinated our President. French and German soldiers just captured New York City last night.” She spoke with vitriol and venom dripping from her voice.