“Shall we get started?” Andrew said and it was interpreted for Deniken, though as mentioned earlier the Russian President understood English perfectly.
“Welcome, Madam President,” the Russian interpreter said to Ellen after Deniken had spoken.
“Thank you and welcome to you, Mr. President,” Ellen said.
“The salient parts of the treaty are before us on the table,” Andrew said.
“Madam President, the treaty as a framework is a good start. I believe that we can use it as a guide for negotiations,” Sergei said.
“I think it is fine the way it stands. It gives both sides the principal items they are seeking. The Ukraine stays out of NATO and The Crimea is given back to The Ukraine, where it belongs,” Ellen said.
“The Crimea is an independent republic,” Sergei posed.
“Mr. President, there is no one on this planet short of your propaganda department that believes that The Crimea is independent. Russia controls The Crimea much as the Old Soviet Union controlled Eastern Europe from 1945-1989,” Ellen replied.
“I am insulted at that last statement, Madam President. Russia does not control The Crimea,” Sergei said.
“Not to deal in clichés but I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree, Mr. President,” Ellen said and Sergei nodded as a signal to move on to something else.
“NATO membership,” Andrew said.
“The Ukraine agrees to not petition for NATO membership as long as Russia honors the existing border,” Ellen said.
“But will The Ukraine keep its promise in perpetuity?”
“As long as Russia keeps the border as it is now.”
“I see and if Russia pulls all existing administrative offices out of The Crimea what about a naval base?”
“The Ukraine has agreed to a limited naval presence for Russia so they have a warm water naval port.” Sergei conferred with Boronovitch who nodded acceptance.
“Russia needs a full naval base either in the Black Sea or the Baltic. Russia would accept a base on Hiiumaa,” Sergei suggested. Ellen talked with Andrew and Henry. It was clear from the gestures that the two advisors were giving a definite no to a base in the Baltic.
“That’s not a subject that can be broached at this time. Estonia will not give up part of its land for a Russian naval base,” Ellen said. Sergei conferred again with Boronovitch and he sat back shaking his head no.
“Russia cannot be denied a naval base. Further discussion is necessary along those lines or there will not be a treaty,” Sergei said but his tone and facial expressions made it obvious he was not speaking for himself.
“I see, then I guess we are through for the day,” Ellen said. Security agents scrambled to clear a path for the two leaders. The Presidents left the room and the building. The rest sat in their seats until they received the signal to depart.
“Dave, any comment?” Justin asked.
“No surprise.”
“Really?” Andy asked.
“The Russians are hard to negotiate with for just about anything,” Dave replied.
“Will they work with the President to hammer out a treaty?” Jozette asked.
“They will but they’ll kick up their heels for all to see first.”
“When will they meet again?” Andy asked.
“Perhaps tomorrow. The aides on both sides will work out a meeting date,” Dave said.
“So, we get a break,” Justin said.
“Looks like it,” Dave said.
“They broke up the meeting, Comrade,” Nicholas Panesky, a lackey for Andrei Kulagin said as he came into Kulagin’s office. It was really just a room in a flea bag hotel in downtown Volgograd.
“No surprise. Deniken knows he’s on the clock. If he gives away too much too soon, he could be shot.”
“Are we still a go for tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Should I contact Lanewsky and Manatov?”
“No, I’ll do that. Just stay in contact with the hotel and let me know when they’ll meet again. Panesky left and Andrei took out a cell he used for private calls. It couldn’t be traced and he definitely didn’t want anyone to know who he was talking to at any time, let alone now.
“Lanewsky, how are things?”
“We’re ready, Galkin is set and Bulganesky has things right where we want them. He has the secret service and the Russian guards eating out of his hand.”
“Good, but watch out for Wilson, the American, he’s no fool and he won’t be taken in by any gratuities.”
“Yes, Comrade.”
“We move after tomorrow’s meeting during the tour as planned.” Kulagin put his cell away.
Lieutenant Radinsky showed up early for work at Kapustin Yar and that’d been part of his plan for months. He needed to win the favor of Colonel Azarov. He had everything in place and Kulagin’s entire scheme depended on Radinsky pulling off the impossible. If he failed then Kulagin, Radinsky, Galkin and all of the confederates would be shot for treason.
“Good morning, sir,” Radinsky said as Azarov made it to the command console.
“Hello, Lieutenant, everything running smoothly I take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain Retzlarian, where are we on the U.S. missile tests?”
“The usual amount the last wo days. They had spiked a week ago but it doesn’t seem to be connected to the summit,” Retzlarian said.
“Don’t kid yourself, Captain, everything is connected to this summit,” Azarov remarked and Retzlarian nodded.
“Sirs, I need to recalibrate this afternoon,” Igor said.
“Today?” Azarov asked.
“Yes, it’s been scheduled for weeks.”
“I hate to be out of the control room at such a crucial time,” Colonel Azarov said.
“It’s necessary, sir,” Igor said nervously.
“Could we cancel and do it another day?”
“It really needs to be done on schedule, sir,” Igor said. His fingers were crossed. If Azarov canceled the recalibration then Kulagin and his gang would lose control of the command center. Fully manned there were twelve people in the room. Igor had planned it out so it would be him alone or at the most one other guy. He’d simply kill the other person and man the controls. He could seal the doors and it would take hours, maybe days to get through. That’s all the time he needed to launch the missiles.
“Very well, then but can we make it quick?” Azarov asked.
“Yes, sir, I’ll expedite it and it shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes,” Igor said. Azarov thought for a moment.
“Okay, go ahead.” Radinsky breathed a sigh of relief and his knees stopped shaking. Kulagin wouldn’t kill him for failing, at least not this time.
“Deke, what do we have on their surface fleet?” General Zumwalt asked at NORAD.
“Some movement in the Sea of Japan and the Mediterranean and of course the Baltic.”
“Anything extraordinary?”
“No, sir, all within their normal range, though there are more ships involved this time.”
“Do you think it’s related to this summit?”
“Possibly but I doubt if it’s anything sinister. It could be the Russians saying, take us seriously in any negotiations.”
“I read it the same way, thanks, Deke.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get Fillmore up here.”
“Yes, sir. Fillmore!” Deke yelled and Sergeant Fillmore presented himself, to the general.
“Yes, sir,” Jerry said.
“Sergeant, what about the clandestine activity around Kapustin Yar?” Walter asked.