The President digested the information and sat silently thinking about what it meant before asking a follow up question. “So, what you are saying is, this guy is a very well-connected man both in Russia and outside of Russia. He has money, influence and contacts in critical areas within the government. Yet he also appears to have some sort of connection, a deep connection, with the SVR. What was his connection with Fradkov before he died?”
Glancing at his notes for just a second, “Gromley knew Fradkov; they had attended the same military school and college, and they worked in the FSB together for a short period. I have not had enough time with my sources still in Russia to really gain a full understanding of their relationship, but it is safe to say they knew each other for a very long time.” Dr. Strom spoke with increasing confidence as he started to feel more comfortable with briefing the President.
President Stein took a sip of coffee; he was in the process of cutting out his steady diet of Red Bulls. His physician had said they were partly to blame for his headaches, so he had to find another source of caffeine. As the President placed his mug down on the table between his guests, he looked at Director Rubio and asked, “Do you believe there is a bit more to Gromley than we may think? Looking at what I’ve read and now heard from Dr. Strom, Gromley seems to be more of the spy master or chess master, moving players around the board. I find it strange that most of the individuals with whom we know he had strong connections prior to the death of Fradkov, suddenly find themselves in critical positions within the Army. Not to mention the very suspicious sudden deaths of nearly a dozen other figure heads within the government right around the time of Fradkov’s death — it almost seems like his death was planned, but that’s just me speculating.”
Director Rubio nodded in agreement. “I believe you may be right, Mr. President. This could have been an internal well thought out plan. The question then, is if this is, then what is their end state?”
Dr. Strom knew he should probably not say anything since it was clear his section of the brief had concluded, but he could not help himself. “Mr. President, if I could, I believe Gromley’s intensions will be to bring some sort of honorable end to the war. If he truly represents the oligarchs and elites within the country, then they know the war is no longer winnable, at least not without destroying Russia in the process. They have too much to lose in that scenario, and they must have believed that Fradkov would probably never pursue peace.”
The President thought about this for a moment. “You may be right, though I think their decision probably had more to do with the likelihood that Fradkov was going to move forward with the Pan Asian Alliance. Joining the alliance was probably the only way to save his war. Our capture of Murmansk has shaken them to their core, and we are now positioned to strike deep behind their European lines.”
CIA Director Rubio responded, “I think that is a safe assumption, Mr. President. From the intercepts we have from China, they were not going to provide Fradkov with reinforcements or additional military equipment unless he agreed to join the alliance. They had promised him one million PLA soldiers if he agreed to join, and it looks like he was probably going to get Russia to accept the agreement.”
The President let out a soft sigh and looked out the window again, drifting away to a far-away world before returning. “Gentlemen, you both have given me a lot to think about. If you will excuse me, I am going to spend the next hour thinking about this meeting and formulating some questions and potential responses to them.” With that, the President indicated that it was time for them to leave the Oval Office and allow him some time alone.
As President Stein sat at his desk, he began to pen several scenarios out, and wrote some goals he wanted to achieve during the meeting. He also put together a list of demands, if the Russians did want an end to the war.
Two hours later, President Stein walked down to the PEOC to have his virtual meeting with President Gromley. As the President walked into the communications room, he sat down at the center of the table. Just out of sight was General Branson, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Jim Wise, the Secretary of State, Eric Clarke, the Secretary of Defense and Patrick Rubio, the Director of the CIA. Monty, the President’s Chief of Staff and senior advisor was seated next to the President with a pad of paper and a pen. The President signaled that he was ready to receive the call. In seconds, a message was sent to the Russians to let them know President Stein was ready to start the meeting.
A minute later, the holographic screen came to life, and a life-size image of President Petr Gromley appeared opposite of President Stein at the table. President Gromley spoke perfect English, and initiated the discussion saying, “Mr. President, thank you for agreeing to meet with me and for the immediate ceasefire. As you know, President Fradkov suffered a massive heart attack. I was asked to step in as interim President until a new election can be held in two years. One of my goals as the new President is to work with you to find a way to bring this war between our nations to an end.”
With the ball now in his court, President Stein now had to decide; did he want to pursue an end to the war then? Or did he want to fight on and end the war on their terms, as an unconditional surrender?
“Thank you for reaching out to me, President Gromley. Congratulations to you on becoming President. I am glad to hear that your government would like to pursue an end to this war. I must tell you; I am not sure Russia is willing to agree to our terms. We have been committed to nothing less than an unconditional surrender of Russia,” Stein said, laying out his initial starting point for these talks. He wanted the new Russian leader to know that America was committed to continuing this war out to its conclusion; they did not need to agree to a peace just yet.
Gromley knew President Stein would want to set his terms. From everything he had read about Henry Stein, he knew he was a shrewd negotiator…tough, but fair. Russia had inflicted some serious wounds on America, and President Stein was going to want America’s pound of Russian flesh in return.
“I am sure you understand, Mr. President; the Russian Federation cannot accept those terms as they are presently laid out. We have suffered some battlefield defeats, but we are far from defeated as a nation. My government’s goal is to end this war and the bloodshed. As you are aware, the reinforcements from our Indian allies have arrived. Their forces have not been committed yet, but their introduction to the European front will have an impact. I would like to negotiate an honorable end to the war and not have to commit them to the defeat of NATO.”
The President shifted slightly in his chair before responding, “Thank you, President Gromley, for being open and more importantly direct. So, let me be direct with you as well, so we can save each other a lot of time and remove any confusion. The Russian Federation, in coordination with the Islamic Republic and the People’s Republic of China, launched a massive surprise attack against the United States, Israel and our NATO allies. This was an unprovoked attack that has claimed the lives of tens of millions of people in the United States and our allied nations. I would like to find a way to end this war with your nation, but it will be on favorable terms to the United States and our allies, or we can continue this war until my forces have either captured or killed you and your government.” Stein spoke forcefully but respectfully.