“I thank you for allowing me to help.”
She walked back to her hotel, a faint smile on her lips, because she knew he was right. For the first time in months, the burden she carried had been lifted. She knew what to do.
Chapter 6
THE NATIONAL SECURITY Adviser read the briefing report from the Pentagon. Stockhaisen knew he’d have to get over there. It could be a difficult meeting; the President was getting harder to restrain.
His desk phone rang.
“Sir, I have a call for you.”
“Can’t it wait?”
“I don’t think it can, Sir.”
He sighed. “Ok.” The call was put through.
“Dad.”
“Peekaboo?”
“Are you busy? I can call back.”
“No. What’s the matter?”
“Nothing Dad.” She blurted out, “I want to come home and start again. Let’s put this issue behind us. It’s not worth it, it’s poisoning us both.”
“Yeah, that’s great news, wow.” He sat mouth agape,” I didn’t expect… I can’t wait to see you. When can you get back?” He punched the air, Yes.
“I’m going to call the airline now, I’ll fly today if I can.”
“Let me know.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad. I’ll be home soon.” She hung up. Stockhaisen grinned and punched the air again.
This was as wonderful as it was unexpected. The day had changed; his sun had come out.
“GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A problem, we need a solution. Let’s come up with one,” said the President.
Also present in the room, was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Ian Cotton USAF.
Chief of Staff of the Army General Sally Weingarten, USA.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Nicolaj Kamov, USN.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Bruce Nanut, USMC.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Neil L Cooper, USAF.
National Security Advisor, Stockhaisen.
“Whichever way we go, there’s a downside,” said General Cotton. “We just have to pick the least worst option.”
“What are the chances of a surgical strike, take him out?” asked the President.
“Possible, maybe,” said General Cooper.
“But who replaces him?” said General Nanut. “He could be as bad or worse.”
“What about a full blown air campaign against the North?”
“We could do, but that would be a full on war.”
“The Army would take a big hit, along with the Republic of Korea people and forces of course,” said General Weingarten.
“Aren’t we forgetting someone here?” said Admiral Kamov.
“Who?” asked the President.
“The man on the ground, Mr President. Never forget or underestimate the guy at the sharp end.”
“Can we get him from here?”
“Yes, Mr President.”
Long minutes went by.
“SIR,”
Lieutenant Commander Lemineux, USS Stonewall Jackson’s Communications Officer handed Commander Nathan Blake a communications slip.
“This just came in from COMSUBPAC Sir.”
PRIORITY RED
R 221345Z JUL 86 ZY08
COMSUBPAC PEARL HARBOR HAWAII//N1//
TO STONEWALL JACKSON
PACFLT// ID S072RQ81//
NAVAL OPS/02
MSGID/PACOPS 6732/COMSUBPAC ACTUAL//
MSG BEGINS://
IMMEDIATELY CONTACT JCS BY MILLNET. ORDER OF GENERAL COTTON.
JCS// ID C98IC37X80-011-MN8G7F44//
MSG END//
Blake puffed his cheeks out. Dear God.
“Rig trim to ascend fore and aft, come to periscope depth. Stream the communications buoy.”
Nathan shook his head.
“Lieutenant Commander Lemineux. Make contact as requested, I’ll take the communication in my cabin.” Nathan entered his cabin, sat on his bunk and logged into his console.
Nathan was amazed and overwhelmed. How did you address the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs? There was a contact bleep.
“Commander Blake?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“This is General Cotton speaking. You’re in private, Commander?”
“Yes, Sir. In my cabin.”
“And under the Sea of Japan. Nice day over there?”
“I don’t know Sir, I’ve not been upstairs for a while.”
“Ok. I’m speaking to you from a meeting in the Oval Office. You’re on speaker phone. Present are the President, the National Security Advisor and the Joint Chiefs. I need you to speak your mind. Just tell it like it is, and you’ll do no wrong.”
“Sir.”
Was this actually happening, thought Nathan?
“We’re discussing options to deal with the Korean situation, and we want you in the loop.”
The CINC looked around the room.
“Commander, you’ve seen Fleet com?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So, you’ll be aware of the USS Benfield incident?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“What you won’t be aware of is that two hours ago B1-Bs carried out strikes on Wonsan and the nuclear facility at Punggye-ri. Conventional weapons were used.”
The President held up his hand. “Commander. This is the President. What we need is to get that goddamn North Korean submarine on the bottom. How do we do it?”
Could he? thought Nathan. Dare he suggest it? He’d been racking his brains and couldn’t think of anything else. It was time to take a chance.
“Mr President, there is an idea we’ve been kicking around. It was suggested by a fellow member of the war committee…”
“What’s that?”
“Mr President,” said Admiral Kamov, “the Commander’s talking about a small group on the boat who plan operations. Bounce ideas around.”
“Go on Commander, what is it?” asked General Cotton.
“Sir, we’re calling it Bull Run. I’d like to invite the person who first thought of the idea.”
“Ok, bring him in.”
“I’ll be right back Sir.”
Nathan left the cabin and walked back to the Officer’s quarters, and shook Nikki awake in her bunk. “Nikki. Sorry to wake you, but we’ve got a call. I’m taking it in my cabin, come and join in.” Nikki rubbed her eyes. She picked her bra off its perch and put it on under the blanket, then got out of her bunk in her bra and panties. Nathan just had to look. He hoped his eyes didn’t linger too long.
“Who’s it from?” She stood and arranged her hair for several seconds longer than was necessary.
“Just the President and the Joint Chiefs.” She laughed and pulled on a coverall. “You asked.” He smiled.
“Sir. I have with me Lieutenant Kaminski, the boat’s Navigation Officer.”
Someone spoke over the secure line, she’d no idea who.
“Hello, Lieutenant. Has the Commander told you who’s in the meeting?”
“Only in jest, Sir.” This must be a Senior Officer ashore she thought, maybe an Admiral.
“He’s not jesting, I’m General Cotton. We’re in the Oval Office with the President, the NSA and the Joint Chiefs. Now, this Bull Run idea you have of getting at the Seopung. Let’s hear it. Give it to me straight.”
She stared at Nathan, who grinned. She poked him in the ribs.
“Sir, we tried the east entrance first,” she said.
“Kaminski, describe the layout of the port. We’re not all familiar with it.”
“Yes, Sir. The main Sinpo base is onshore but a mile offshore is an island that’s also part of the base, and that’s where Seopung is. We tried to get in via the east channel, but there’s no chance, Sir. The west channel is the main route in and it’s tighter than a turtle’s… it’s tight, Sir.”
“Sir,” said Nathan, “the area around Sinpo is SAM city so…”
“Yes, we know that. Even a B2 Spirit would be vulnerable.”