Several of the junior military officers squirmed under the “my army” insult, but none had the courage to correct her. They all stared at their boss for guidance. General Stewart, the head of all URA forces, ground his jaw. He sat ramrod straight.
“The armed forces of the URA are in excellent shape, ma’am. On the ground, we’ve replaced all of our manpower losses from the Midwest Campaign, and much of the heavy equipment in the last four months. We’ve even managed to grow the Army by 50 %, although bear in mind most of those troops are in relatively light, motorized infantry units. We have far more pickup trucks than tanks, for example. If you count our Texas and Oklahoman allies, we can muster double the manpower as last summer. At sea, we’ve managed to keep the US naval embargo at arm’s length. Their blockade hurts us considerably, but it’s not crippling, ma’am.”
Salazar nodded along absentmindedly. She couldn’t help but notice the general never used “Ms. President” any more. “Yes, thank God for the Mexicans.”
While Canada aggressively, and sometimes violently, enforced their neutrality in America’s civil war, the Mexican authorities were far less fussy. For a surprisingly not so greedy fee, their ports were as open to the West Coast government as those in Los Angeles.
“Yes ma’am, but despite that vital supply line, we’re losing in the air. We can’t replace $50 million aircraft and years-to-train pilots in a few months. It’s a simple battle of attrition in the sky, and the raw truth is that the US started with more planes and crews. Which brings me back to that same crucial request which your office continues to deny. We must end offensive airstrikes into US territory. They cost us far more than they’re worth. The campaign has had little impact on the US war effort. Let’s conserve our strength to defend our own skies, while we still have something resembling an air force left.”
Salazar’s eyes twinkled. “I’ll tell you what. We’ll stop striking their factories when Washington stops carpet bombing American cities!”
General Stewart knew full well the federal strategic bombing of Denver months ago was far from arbitrary. It was entirely too damn accurate, as a matter of fact. Shredded an entire crack division just as they prepped a grand counterattack that should have trapped the federal army. On the other hand, the general had learned some basic political skills over the last year. First and foremost: pick your battles.
“I understand ma’am. Perhaps all these hush-hush new drones we’ve been promised can fill that role. I must say, it’s frustrating that even my staff is kept in the dark about their development.”
“They’re being saved for something much more important. Which also happens to be the one point you haven’t discussed, General. How much longer until we can go on the offensive?”
General Stewart tilted his head at an aide and stood. His younger staffers loved these new 3D beamers as much as the politicians did, but the general felt queasy seeing his troops reduced to video game icons. The general fiddled with his remote until he created a hi-res topographical map of the central US, levitating just six inches over the table.
“It’s not a question of can we, but should we make this gamble, ma’am. Despite our growth, the US military forces have ballooned in size. With their massive population and industrial base, the Feds are training four new soldiers for every one we add. The ratio is more like one to six in terms of armored vehicles and other heavy weapons. Allow me to run through the scenarios again.” Several of the civilians groaned. The general ignored them and kept his eyes on Salazar. She shook her head.
“Well, the short version is that I’m shocked we’ve pulled this ruse off for so long. By all indications, the Feds still believe we’re hoarding troops and equipment in the Midwest. They’ve reinforced their enclaves in our territory and have dug in deep. Better than 60 % of the US Army is camped out in Kansas and Nebraska.”
Salazar beamed with pride. The whole thing was her idea, after all. “I told you those fools would believe what they wanted to. So let’s take advantage of our new Texan and Oklahoman allies and stab the Feds in the belly!”
Stewart frowned. “That’s not what I meant, ma’am. Even if we can keep the USA in the dark, the secret will come out as soon as we advance down south. Once they realize that 80 % of our combat power is hidden in east Texas, this giant army will brush aside our token forces in Colorado. Look how close they came last year, and we threw everything at them.”
“Close doesn’t count, General. Don’t forget who won the fight. That was a brilliant maneuver, sneaking all those air assault troops behind the enemy’s front and crushing their supply lines. That wasn’t luck. Your victory was a product of pure genius.” Salazar didn’t mention that his victory against impossible odds was the only thing keeping him in his position.
The general grimaced at the reminder. The airmobile assault had been a suicide mission with over 90 % losses. Thousands of his best soldiers sacrificed… and all for nothing if this woman got her way.
“I appreciate your confidence ma’am, but it doesn’t change reality on the ground. We’re simply far too outnumbered and up against a much better equipped foe. An invasion of the USA is just not a viable option. If the Feds repeat their grand offensive when we strike, when most of our troops are busy in Louisiana, there’s no doubt how things would turn out this time. Our projections show Denver falling in 48 hours, Salt Lake City within the week. In two weeks, three at a maximum, US soldiers would be crawling around this very room.”
General Stewart could tell he spooked everyone else, but Salazar remained stone-faced. He went on before she could object.
“Now, that bleak scenario assumes we throw all our weight behind this long shot attack. If we recall the troops from Texas and fortify our previous positions, I can’t imagine how the Feds could ever dig us out. We’d have a strategic stalemate, with minimum losses on both sides. You can finally negotiate a permanent peace deal from a position of strength. Remember, while they have to occupy the entire URA to achieve victory, we don’t have to conquer Washington in order to win. Our simple survival is a defeat for the East. So why gamble our nation’s existence on something so unnecessary?”
The president of the URA didn’t waste two seconds mulling that over. This naïve military man never shut up about his peace fantasies. “General. For the last time, how can you be so blind? Do you think that tyrant in Washington and all the special interests that support him are looking for peace? All the president had to do to keep the country together was step down. What did he do instead? He murders his political rival, invades Florida and then bombs us for daring to question his motives. It’s just been one brutal escalation after another with this dictator.”
Stewart knew the risks, but couldn’t help muttering. “That’s all alleged. There’s no hard proof…”
Salazar slammed a binder on the desk, shutting him up. She paced the room like a hungry lioness. “If any of you believe for a second that peaceful coexistence is possible as long as a madman retains control of the United States, then speak up now. Resign, walk out that door and never come back. We have a million soldiers on the front lines risking their lives without hesitation. They deserve to have leaders who can match their unflinching determination.”
General Stewart hung his head in defeat, rather than meet her gaze. “The revolution was never supposed to be decided in the field. We’re gambling everything on one operation.”