Hammond nodded.
“Anyway, you should hear a few things going on right now in Europe during the briefing. Things seem to be ramping up pretty fast over there. The President and I went to the European Summit last week and those guys are about to go spastic over the Russians. Poland, Germany and Britain are gearing up, Spain and some of the smaller countries are taking notice, but it looks like France is just going to sit by and watch. In the middle of this, the President dropped the big one. He told them, in no uncertain terms, that the United States was tired of fighting their wars for them and would not step up until they all started picking up their part of the load.”
Hammond’s eyes sprung open. “I bet that got their attention.”
“No shit. Most of them are starting to take things a little more seriously for a change. Of course, we are not going to leave anybody out in the cold, but it had to be said. I talked to Steve more about it on the way home. He’s serious about making them pick up the load, so we needed someone who could objectively look at this mess and make the appropriate plans. One of your hats is Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command. We are going to count on you to smooth any rough feathers and get some plans going on a NATO front. When you called yesterday, you had anticipated one of the things I was going to talk to you about. It’s broader than you may think. You will also need to coordinate things at NATO as well. That means a bunch of trips to Europe. We need to try and second guess what is going to happen and get everybody in on it. My gut feeling is Russia is about to go either into Poland or Austria. If they do, there is going to be a shooting war. So we need to know how they might do it and how we can counter it. Quite frankly, we are not prepared for a war the size of World War Two. Our resources are limited. So we need to figure this out and find a way of coming out on top. Styles was a great planner, but I couldn’t really send him around places without pissing people off. You, on the other hand, have tact. The President and I figured we could send you anywhere, and if we do start shooting, you have shown you can handle that aspect too.”
“So I’m supposed to ride up on the white horse and save the world,” Hammond grunted.
“Three bags full,” said the CNO with a grin. “Roger, I’ve been in this office for several years. I’ve gotten to know everybody up here and you are the only one I can trust with this. We’ve both been trying to cut out the politics in the Navy, but it keeps poking its head back up. I do have some very capable officers coming up, but for this job, you are the only one I can count on to do it right. Of course, the President agreed with me.”
Hammond chuckled. “Of course. You know, sometimes I wish I’d never met the man. I could be a big cheese in industry right now,” he joked.
“Yea, with a three alarm ulcer and a bald head,” the CNO returned.
Hammond let out a slow breath. “I guess that means I’m stuck with the job,” he grinned, then gave a wink. “You need to know my Flag Lieutenant and I came up with the same ideas on Europe yesterday on the plane. I’m going to add some people to this study team, then bring in some of the NATO liaisons. Some toes might get stepped on, but I’ll get the job done,” he said smiling.
“You two plotting to overthrow the government?” asked a booming voice from behind them. General Howard Black strode up to the men and grasped Hammonds hand with a vice-like grip. “Damn, it’s good to see you again, Roger. Good to have you back on the team.”
“Never thought I’d left, Chairman,” replied a grinning Hammond.
“Well you were just too far away for me to bother with. Now, maybe, we can get a few things going around here,” said Black. He eased in a little closer. “I even think I saw a few senior officers quaking in their boots when it was announced you would be coming in. It’s good for them. Keeps them in line. Is everyone here?” he asked looking around. There were a few empty seats, but Black never let that stop him. “Let’s get started,” he said, sitting next to Hammond.
The first briefing was the current deployment of troops and ships around the globe, their status and current operations plans. The second was a public affairs briefing that outlines the highlights of current news around the world, from the United States through Europe and to the Far East. Then came the intelligence briefing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, last night there were some protests in Poland about discriminating practices of Polish business against current Polish citizens of Russian descent. Supposedly, these practices are being carried out throughout the nation as some sort of retaliation against Russia and her alliances. Our intelligence indicates these allegations are false. Current employment laws in Poland prohibit such things, but if you recall, these same things began happening in several other neighboring states which were once a part of the Warsaw Pact. We are also getting intelligence that Russian troops and tanks are being moved from their current positions in Ukraine and Belarus toward the Polish and Austrian borders. As of now, we have identified twenty divisions on the move. In addition, six squadrons of bombers have moved to bases in Belarus. The Russian government told its people that with the situation in Ukraine and Belarus becoming stable, there was an effort to protect the state against a NATO invasion. Our sources tell us that these divisions are fully armed and ready. Sources in Hungary have told us of additional aircraft being flown to bases in twos and threes, then being quickly moved into hangers. So far, there have been no flights, but it clearly appears they are getting ready for something.
Austria and Germany have formed an alliance and German troops have begun moving into Austria and joining their forces in making preparations. The Poles have called in their reserves to get ready for what they feel is an imminent invasion. The incident last night will further inflame the situation.
At sea, the Russians appear to have deployed at least twelve of their diesel submarines from the Northern Fleet. All other ships are still in port. The one exception is the guided missile cruiser Kiev, which along with several escorts, is in the Med, near the tip of Italy. Most times they remain in the Black Sea, but on occasion, they show up for a brief period in the eastern Med,” the briefer droned on.
Hammond leaned over to the CNO. “I may be too late,” he whispered.
The CNO shook his head. “It’s a cat and mouse game. They move their people around like in a chess game. It makes it hard to know what their actual intensions are or where they may strike.”
Hammond nodded. He wasn’t really familiar with the morning briefings in the Pentagon. He had been out in the field too long.
The briefers went on for another half hour along with questions and answers. Then the people in the room began breaking up and going back to their offices. Hammond was stopped by a familiar face.
“I see you want me in on your planning session,” said General Claire Richardson. “I guess this makes up for being left off the first go around,” she said with a grin.
Hammond grinned. “Told them I didn’t want anything unless I had the head grunt on the team. How’s it going Claire?”
She actually gave him a hug. “It’s been too long. How’s Patricia and Little Steve?”
“Fine. Although Patricia was looking forward to some time in Italy.”
“And then we dragged you here. You should have known it would happen. We need sane people to keep us crazies on track,” she said with a smile. “I guess you are getting a good look at what we’re up against.”
Hammond nodded. “A little, but I figure it will take me a while to get the whole picture.”
Richardson’s face clouded. “Don’t make it too long, Roger. I’ve got that feeling in the back of my neck that within the next six months we’ll be in a shooting war. Thanks for bringing me in on the team.”