“What’s first, Radinsky?” Captain Retzlarian asked. The details in an installation like Kapustin Yar or any missile launch site even those in the U.S. military are best left to the junior officers and non-coms. Lieutenants, sergeants and corporals handled the testing then reported to their superiors who passed the results along to the top.
“Lock the room to level one.”
“Level one?”
“Yes, it must be free from any outside breach in case some time we have to do it for real.”
“Makes sense I guess but it’s kind of scary.”
“Scary or not we must do it” Radinsky sat at the control console where he usually was. If missiles were to be launched for real sometime in the future, either he or Retzlarian would push the button.
“Outer doors locked.”
“Ventilation systems closed.”
“Yes, all closed.”
“All communication closed off to the outside.”
“Yes, we are incommunicado.”
“Good,” Igor said.
“Checking circuits,” Svetlov said as he flipped switches and checked dials for electrical readings.
“Phase one,” Igor said as he punched in a code to the computer. A screen overhead lit up and showed all thirty-eight missiles at Kapustin Yar. There were more missiles at the site but only thirty-eight were up for this test. Each one carried a hydrogen warhead so, yes Radinsky had unspeakable power at his disposal when he needed it. “Missile location check.”
“All missiles identified.”
“Missile fuel check.”
“All missiles fully fueled.”
“Missile destination check.”
“All missile targets identified and locked in.”
“Phase two.”
“Initiating phase two
“Missile circuitry check.”
“All circuits working and ready for firing,” Svetlov answered. The words gave him the creeps and he cringed at the thought.
“Lock out entries.”
“Entries locked out.”
“Initiate phase three,” Igor said
“Phase three started.”
“We are in stage four of defensive readiness,” Igor said and a green light went on over the console.
“I hope it always stays there,” Svetlov said.
“Not very realistic.”
“Perhaps not but I have family and I’d like them to see the world for a time… maybe a hundred years or so… at least.”
“Good luck with that. The Americans are building missile defense systems, the Chinese are adding to their arsenal and several fringe countries have nuclear weapons or they’ll have them soon. The likelihood of the world avoiding a nuclear exchange in the next ten years is remote.”
“Sadly, I think you’re probably right.”
“Let’s finish the protocol.” They went through over fifty steps slowly. Igor was stalling until he got a call from Kulagin
“Madam President, I trust you’re being treated well,” President Deniken said as they sat down and began the obligatory small talk.
“Mr. President, it’s like a luxury resort where all my cares are being swept away.” Cameras were taking pictures as flashes blinded everyone. Sergei leaned over and whispered.
“What a crap fest, to steal an American phrase.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“How’s that possible,” Sergei said and they laughed but no one in the room knew why.
“Shall we get down to business?” Ellen suggested.
“I’d be glad to,” Madam President,” Sergei said through his interpreter.
“The Crimea must be free of Russian influence and dominance.”
“Madam President, Russia would be agreeable to eliminating our dominance as you call it but we still must have influence.”
“Agreed but administrative authority must be returned to The Ukraine.”
“If I were to agree to that, then The Ukraine must withdraw any membership of any kind in NATO.”
“Yes, of course, but the United States would not tolerate any military excursions into The Crimea or The Ukraine.”
“Of course, for as you know, Russia has never had any imperialist designs on any other country.” Ellen gave a brief eye roll, knowing that Sergei was spewing the usual falderal of innocence that all countries did.
“Your history in Eastern Europe after World War II might suggest otherwise but I’m willing to take you at your word.”
“I’m glad you accept my word as true… it is a great comfort that two leaders can display the trust that is necessary to move forward in a complex and dangerous world.” Ellen smiled her biggest smile for the cameras and at the BS Sergei was disseminating. He knew it was BS too but it was part of any diplomatic exchange. Each leader’s job is to press the talking points of their respective nations.
“I think we have an agreement,” Ellen said.
“Madam President if I may,” Sergei said as he raised his hand and gave a hold on a minute expression.
“Yes, Mr. President,” Ellen said as she knew what was coming.
“My country needs to know it has security and to such an end the need for strategic naval bases is paramount.”
“Of course, Mr. President.”
“We must have a base at Sevastopol and Hiiumaa in Estonia.”
“I cannot speak for the Estonian government but I have been in contact with the Estonian president and he is categorically opposed to any Russian presence in his country.”
“It is of vital importance to my country to have a Baltic Sea port.”
“The United States will not agree to Russia occupying Estonia for the purpose of a naval base.”
“That is unfortunate,” Sergei said. He knew well in advance what President Lexington’s response would be to his proposal. But, in any negotiation, one asks for the moon and accepts something in the middle.
“I have, however, been in contact with the Ukrainian President and he is willing to allow you to stay at your present naval base in Sevastopol.”
“Interesting and any conditions?”
“Yes, there are.”
“May I hear them?”
“Access will only be from the sea. There will be a security wall around the base and no Russian military or civilian personnel will be allowed to enter The Crimea from the base. They insist on that part.”
“I think that is workable.”
“Anything else, Mr. President?” Ellen asked with a big grin and Sergei chuckled.
“No, the base was our big concern.”
“And, The Crimea itself being off-limits?”
“Not my first choice but we can make that work,” Sergei said.
“Then are we ready to put this into words for tomorrow so we can sign with a big flourish and make Russo-American diplomatic history.” The two Presidents looked at one another for a moment then they both laughed hard briefly but when the stares occurred from staff members, they sobered up fast.
“Excuse me, sir, but I think it’s time for the bus tour,” Vasily Boronovitch said to Sergei.
“Yes, it’s time, Ma’am,” Trent Wilson added.
“Well, I guess we get moving,” Ellen said as she and Sergei stood up for more pictures. They made their way to the exit, covered closely by their security people. The bus was waiting just a few feet from the door and the two presidents were quickly ushered on board. Justin and his people were all seated in the back. Bonnie Fletcher followed Ellen and Boronovitch went with Sergei. Trent, Johnny Rodriguez and Val Wheaton were on the President’s bus and the rest of the secret service, eleven guys were in a car behind the bus. Zhadonov and his assistant Gregori Retzlaf were the only two Russian security agents on the bus as the rest were in their own car to the rear.
“We’re ready,” Trent said.
“We are too,” Vladimir said and the driver nodded, took off the emergency brake and drove away.
“Was your talk with the President productive?” Dave asked Justin.