“Let’s think out of the box,” the president said. “Syria is one option. What else could Russia be up to?”
“Ukraine could be a focal point,” Christine answered, “although the Northern Fleet would have to transit into the Black Sea. They’d be in an excellent position, on Ukraine’s southern border. Russia could be coordinating its ground and naval forces, bringing as much firepower as possible to bear on the Donbass region of Ukraine.”
“How are things going in Donbass?” the president asked SecState Cabral, referring to the civil war between the Ukrainian government and separatist forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, collectively referred to as the Donbass region.
Dawn answered, “The conflict is currently at a stalemate, with separatist forces controlling most of Donbass. Although an official cease-fire is in effect, sporadic fighting continues along the line of engagement, and tensions remain high. Additionally, a separatist movement has gained momentum in Moldova, on Ukraine’s western border, with ethnic Russians requesting support from the Russian Federation. With unrest in Ukraine’s eastern provinces and now to the west, things are getting dicey for Ukraine.”
The president nodded. “What else could Russia’s Northern Fleet be up to?”
After no additional ideas were offered, the president said, “What about the Pacific?”
Christine answered, “Most of the conflict in the Pacific concerns ownership of natural resources, but I’m not aware of any claims Russia would try to enforce with their Pacific Fleet, unless they intend to join the fray in the South China Sea. But I don’t see that happening.”
Both SecDef and SecState agreed, and after no further ideas were presented regarding the purpose of Russia’s Pacific Fleet deployment, the president said to McVeigh, “Keep working the problem and let me know what you come up with. What about Russia’s ground unit movements?”
McVeigh answered, “It looks like they’re deploying the Second Guards Motor Rifle Division and two missile brigades into the Kaliningrad Oblast. One of the missile brigades is an offensive weapon system, employing the Iskander short-range ballistic missile, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. The second missile brigade employs the S-400 Triumf air defense system, which is Russia’s most advanced version, able to engage targets out to two hundred and forty miles. They’re deploying twenty-four battalions, which translates to over one thousand missiles. And that’s just what’s being added. Kaliningrad Oblast already has a significant air defense capability.
“By adding a Guards mechanized infantry division and the two missile brigades, Russia is turning Kaliningrad into a fortress from which they can neutralize NATO airpower in northeastern Europe, undermining a central pillar of NATO war planning. Additionally, their 448th Missile Brigade gives them a significant surface attack capability. The Baltic States are concerned, to put it mildly. It’s possible Lithuania and Poland will refuse to allow the additional Russian troops across their border into Kaliningrad Oblast, and if so, Russia will be incensed. We’re not sure how they’d respond.”
The president contemplated the information laid before him, then said, “As far as the Russian Navy goes, let’s keep an eye on both fleets, with forces close enough to engage quickly if necessary. What are our options?”
McVeigh answered, “Most of the Atlantic Fleet has been transferred to the Pacific, but we have five submarines we can send across the Atlantic to shadow Russia’s Northern Fleet. We also have a guided missile submarine near the Persian Gulf that we can send into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, where she can await the Northern Fleet’s arrival. As for Russia’s Pacific Fleet, we can have the Reagan strike group shadow it as it heads south, or assign that task to the Truman strike group, which is in transit from the Indian Ocean to replace Roosevelt off China’s coast.”
The president replied, “Let’s leave the Reagan strike group where it is. I don’t want to go from two strike groups off China’s coast to zero. Have the Truman strike group rendezvous with the Russian Pacific Fleet as soon as possible, but keep them at a reasonable distance. Between Russia and China, tension in the Western Pacific is high, and I don’t want any interactions that could escalate out of control.
“Regarding the Russian ground force redeployments,” the president said, “keep me informed as the situation develops.”
As the meeting drew to a close, the president said to Christine, “You’re heading to Russia on Monday, right?”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
After a moment of reflection, the president said, “Proceed with the trip.”
12
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Christine returned to her office and had resumed reviewing the draft nuclear arms treaty for only a few minutes when there was a knock on her door. She looked up to see a Marine Corps Colonel standing in her doorway along with Sheree Hinton, one of Hardison’s interns.
“Miss O’Connor,” she said, “I’d like you to meet Colonel Bill DuBose, the president’s new senior military aide.”
At the mention of Captain Brackman’s replacement, Christine’s stomach tightened. She rose from her desk and strode across the office, forcing a smile onto her face as she extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Colonel.”
The Colonel’s handshake was firm, matching his muscular physique. “If you’ll excuse me,” Sheree said, “I have to run an errand for the chief of staff. I’ll let you two get acquainted and be back in a minute.”
That was the last thing Christine wanted to hear. At the sight of the president’s new senior military aide, the memory of what she’d done to Brackman resurfaced; she was aboard the sunken submarine again, the cold metal handwheel in her hands, turning it shut, sealing Brackman in the flooded compartment. Through the portal in the door, she watched Brackman drown, sucking in a lungful of cold seawater with his last breath, staring at her until his eyes glazed over and he drifted into the darkness.
The memory of what she’d done had slowly faded over the last few weeks, but the arrival of Brackman’s replacement ripped the wound open anew.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss O’Connor,” he said.
“I, as well,” Christine replied, before retreating to her desk. As she slipped into her chair, she said, “I apologize for being abrupt, but I’m pressed for time. I leave for Moscow on Monday and have a lot to review.”
She looked down at the documents and picked up a yellow highlighter, trying to focus and push Brackman from her thoughts. The Colonel remained in her doorway, waiting for Sheree to return and continue his introductions to the White House staff.
“How did you end up on the president’s staff,” DuBose asked, “being from the other party, I mean?”
“I interviewed for the job,” Christine answered without looking up.
“Will I have routine meetings with you and the president, or only when required?”
“When required,” Christine said quickly, attempting to conceal her irritation; could he not decipher she wasn’t in a talkative mood?
“Sheree told me that you and Captain Brackman worked closely together. I hope we can do the same.”
Christine replied without thinking, “I won’t make that mistake with you.” She clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late.
There was a long silence before Colonel DuBose said, “Is there something about me or marines that you don’t like?”
“My father was a marine,” Christine replied, her eyes still glued to the document in front of her.
There was an awkward pause before DuBose asked, “Was he a good father?”