He nodded. “My mom and dad live on a farm. I haven’t been able to talk to them. My sister lives in Eugene…”
“And you haven’t heard from her, either?”
“No. ma’am.”
“How extensive is the damage?”
“All I can tell you is what I saw. We were airlifted in by helicopter the same morning as the quake and the tsunami. That was three days ago. The higher elevations didn’t have the tsunami to contend with, so the damage isn’t anywhere near as extensive as it is here. Still, from what we could see, the damage extends for at least a hundred miles inland from the coast.”
“I think I’m ready to see your Colonel. Thank you for taking this little detour.” She got back into the Humvee still clutching the Teddy Bear.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ten minutes later they arrived at the command center. The Sergeant led her into the large tent where portable tables ringed the side flaps. Colonel Graytower stood in the center reviewing reports and issuing orders.
“Colonel, this is Senator Elizabeth Bechtel,” the Sergeant said.
The Colonel turned and smiled. “Senator, thank you for pushing for National Emergency Status on this. The federal funding is helping. I must have a hundred private contractors running all over the place, asking how they can help, and they all seem to know your name.”
“It is my district, Colonel, it’s my business to know them,” she answered.
“Of course it is,” the Colonel replied. “I wouldn’t have implied otherwise.”
“So, what’s happening?” she asked.
“Portland is our ground zero,” Colonel Graytower replied. “Between the earthquake and the tsunami, the greatest number of casualties were here.”
“What about the coastal cities?”
“They are a total loss, as would be expected, but the advance warning saved a large number of people. We were very fortunate for what little warning there was. Usually with an earthquake like this one, we don’t get any warning at all.”
He doesn’t know, she thought, and I have to keep it that way.
“Fortunately,” he continued, “with the shape of the Columbia River Valley, the effect of the tsunami was limited. As bad as this is, it could have been a lot worse.”
What he doesn’t understand, is that none of this should have happened in the first place, either here, or in China. I have to find a way to keep events like this from ever happening again. The problem is that I can’t pass a law prohibiting the military from using a weapon they already have. The public can’t know what happened. As a Senator, I can’t stop them from using this weapon, but there is one public office where I could…
CHAPTER 63
The Island of Diego Garcia was the largest in the Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory. Originally settled by the French, the island chain and surrounding ocean had been part of the Terms of Surrender agreed to with the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte by the Duke of Wellington on June 18th, 1815. In 1971, under a Joint Operating Agreement with Great Britain, the United States Navy began on Diego Garcia construction of the largest Naval Support Facility in that part of the world.
As he awoke in his jail cell, Billingsly still felt exhausted from the long C-130 flight. It was dark when he had arrived, so he didn’t recognize any of the buildings or the locale. All he knew was that it was hot and muggy and his orange jump suit stuck to his skin. Well, I’m not in Kansas anymore, he thought. He had assumed that the rest of his life would be in the Special Prisoner Section of the Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Four Marine guards entered the brig area and stopped at the door to his cell. “Prisoner 3258717, turn around, get on your knees, hands on your head, fingers interlaced, NOW.”
Billingsly complied calmly. There wasn’t any point to arguing or resisting. Two of the Marine guards approached and began the process of placing the handcuffs and chains on his wrists and ankles. When they were finished, the Marines lifted him to his feet. “Where am I going?” The Marines wouldn’t even make eye contact with him. “Where are we?”
Billingsly was led out of the brig, which was part of the Shore Patrol complex, and across the large paved area. He scanned the clear blue sky, taking in the aroma of the sea air as the gentle breeze drifted across the pavement. He took particular notice of the scattered palm trees interspersed between the light tan buildings. His stomach began to knot up as he realized how far from America he must be. What the hell are they doing? Why am I here? As the guards and Billingsly approached a small building with a covered porch, a man in a suit emerged from the door.
“I’m Sam Forrester, Secretary of State, Mr. Billingsly.” The man’s expression was grim. He didn’t offer his hand, nor did he make more than momentary eye contact. “We’ve had to resort to extraordinary measures in an attempt to de-escalate the situation you caused. This way.” Billingsly was led into a large room. On the left side of the room stood the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy, along with a number of support staff. He noted the look of anger on the face of his old boss. The Secretary of the Navy wouldn’t even look at him. The men standing on the right side of the room had their backs turned to him.
“Gentlemen, we can begin,” Forrester said.
The men on the right slowly turned to face Billingsly. They’re Chinese! What the hell are the Chinese doing here!
An older man stepped forward from the Chinese delegation. “Premier Li Qijing,” the Secretary of Defense said. “The United States of America offers its profound apology for the unprovoked attack against your country and your people. I assure you the attack was not authorized and our country intended no harm to come to you or your people.” Premier Li Qijing’s face looked stone hard as he turned his gaze to Billingsly.
“Are you the one who ordered the attack that caused the earthquake in China?”
“What?” Billingsly replied. Panic suddenly filled his chest, his heart pounded and his mouth went dry. He looked around the room, trying desperately to understand what was happening. He locked eyes with his old boss, the Secretary of Defense.
“I told you, we’re not starting World War Three over this,” the Secretary of Defense said.
“Are you the one?” Premier Li demanded.
Billingsly glanced around the room once more. The only thing that met his eyes was hardened stares. They’re sacrificing me! His mind raced over the options as the final realization settled in. We’re on the verge of nuclear war. I am the sacrifice that will avert the destruction of my country. I am being called on to serve that greater good, one more time. Billingsly stood tall and faced Premier Li. “I am the one who ordered the attack on your country. I caused the earthquake. I acted without authorization. I alone am to blame for the death of your people and the destruction of your province.”
Premier Li studied Billingsly’s face for a full minute, nodded slightly several times, and turned to the Secretary of Defense. “Both of our countries have been seriously injured by the acts of this man. If there are no more provocations, we will take no further action against you. We will need time to heal, just as you will.” Premier Li stepped back as four men from the Chinese delegation came forward and took Billingsly by the arms and guided him out the door. As they passed between the buildings, the large white jet with the red Chinese national flag on the tail section came into view. Leavenworth I could handle. This? I don’t know. All I know is that I live to serve the greater good.