“In a second,” he said, lasing the target. There were three mortars and he’d been told there were more around somewhere. There, they weren’t in one battery but they’d been clustered. There was a trail in the area and that was probably the reason. Three batteries of three mortars apiece. Looked to be the standard Russian 120s. And glory be…
“Stupid,” the supervisor said, pointing at the screen. “They’ve got their ready ammunition stacked between the guns.
“I noticed,” the pilot said, banking the Predator around to line on the positions. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but it increased the ease of engagement. “Four rounds, three positions. Two piles of ready ammo and three guns per. How d’you want me to do this? One round to each position and one to finish off the wounded at one?”
“Wait,” the supervisor said. “That’s how I want you to handle it. Three positions, three birds.”
“Yeah,” the Pred pilot said. “I hope the guys who are taking fire can wait.”
“Well, I hear they’re in more trouble than mortars… ”
“Good evening, Prime Minister… ”
President Cliff, unlike his predecessor, was an “early to bed, early to rise” person. He liked a definite schedule and minimum possible interruptions in it.
However, he was more than aware that sometimes a president had to adjust such things. Such as when an international crisis of epic proportions, if very very quiet, was underway.
The problem was the files Mike had picked up in Albania. They contained blackmail information that could damage every major government in the world. Even when it was information that damaged an opponent, it was so inflammable that it was bound to blow back on the groups in power.
Since none of the governments had trusted the others with the information, Mike, as the easiest to erase if need-be, had been chosen as the guardian.
And now the guardian was on international TV, apparently about to be wiped out by a superior force.
“I am happy that you were willing to take my call,” the Prime Minister said. “It is very late for you, is it not?”
The Japanese never ever came to the point!
“Sometimes it is necessary to adjust your schedule,” President Cliff replied. He could play the indirect game when he had to.
“Some issues do take precedence over personal comfort,” the Prime Minister of Japan said. “I was, in fact, awakened from a quite pleasant dream by a senior aide when a particular name was noticed on television.”
“I have had a very busy day,” President Cliff replied. “But I have been watching some television this evening.”
“I note a name, one I had not expected to see on CNN.”
“As have I. Were you awake for his most remarkable… display? I was having supper.”
“You have my sympathies,” the Prime Minister replied. “I have seen the replay. He is… formidable. However, there is the issue of certain materials… ”
“The materials are secure,” President Cliff said, trying not to sigh in relief that it had only taken this long to get to the point. They must be really exercised. “This issue has had my attention for some days now. Perhaps I should have ensured you were informed but it was a private matter, some aspects of which have, unfortunately, become public. However, for many reasons but not least the security of certain materials I dispatched a Ranger company to secure the area. They are unaware of that portion of their mission but are under definite orders to ensure the security of the facility in question. I am also privvy to certain details regarding close security and termination of the materials in the event of unauthorized access. I will ensure that you are given sufficient information to ensure your own peace of mind on that score tomorrow.”
“I was, in fact, aware of the presence of your infantry unit,” the Prime Minister said. “However, my advisors tell me that they are unsure of its ability to secure the materials in the event of attack by the forces in the area. And while we are equally aware of the ‘tripwire’ aspect of even a small American force being in place… These are, after all, fedayeen and all the response in the world will not save the situation if they capture the materials.”
The President looked around the Situation Room and rolled his eyes. The God damned Japanese were telling him that a company of Rangers wasn’t enough! God damn them!
He had one of two choices, tell them to fuck off or play their game. But the point was… Was a company of Rangers enough? Colonel Pierson’s talk about war theory was all well and good but the operative word was theory.
“I apologize for this, Prime Minister, but could you hold for just a moment?” the president said.
“Of course,” the Prime Minister said, politely.
The President of the United States put the Prime Minister of Japan, who was up in the middle of the damned night, on hold, and looked around the room.
“How fast can we get some B-52s on station?” the president asked. “In Georgia. The Japanese don’t think that a company of Rangers can ensure the security of the Keldara.”
“What do the Japanese care about… ” the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs started to say.
“Not now,” the Secretary of Defense snapped. “You’re not in that compartment. They do. Leave it at that. How long?”
“We don’t have any in Germany right now… ” the Chairman replied. “England. Whooo… Nine hours? If we scramble them right now. If they can get off fast; they’re not on pad alert… ”
“B-1s,” the Secretary of State said. “Qatar. Tankers out of Iraq and Turkey, afterburner as far as they can on fuel. This morning’s report had three mission capable.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the chairman said, shaking his head. So how in the hell did she keep up with all the changes she was making in her own department and read, apparently, his entire morning readiness report? “That’s the answer, Mr. President. Four hours or so after they lift off.”
“Start loading them with JDAMs,” the president said. “Or whatever they should carry to support the Rangers in the event the Chechens enter the area.” He picked up the phone and hit the release key. “Mr. Prime Minister, I apologize for keeping you on hold so long. We are dispatching aircraft at this time. They can be in the area before the Chechens can approach the facility. I will also call the President of Georgia and reensure ///sic/// that he is aware that I consider the Valley of the Keldara to be a place worthy of defense. It might be useful if your government… ”
“Said similar things?” the Prime Minister finished for him. “We will consider that with serious intent. Thank you for relieving me of this burden, Mr. President. Perhaps I can return to pleasant dreams. My best to your lovely wife. I hope she was not too discommoded by the images on the television.”
“She was snatched out of the room just in time,” the president said. “And I wish you pleasant dreams, Prime Minister.”
“I’ve sent the orders to prepare the B-1s, Mr. President,” the CJCS said. “I’ll know in about thirty minutes how long it will take for them to get to the mission area.”
“We’ve got calls from the Brits, the Germans, the French, the Russians… ” the Secretary of State said, ticking them off on her manicured fingers.
“If it’s a Prime Minister I’ll talk to them if I have to,” the president said. “Otherwise, field it lower. But that’s the party line. The area is secure, there are Rangers guarding it, we’ve got bombers on the way in case that’s not enough and maybe they should suggest to the Georgians that they do some of their own damned jobs. It wouldn’t kill them to push a battalion up into that pass!”