Sivarek’s eyes were wide with disbelief — he knew there was no use in denying it any longer. “How do you know all this, General?”
“Because I briefed him, sir,” Major Nancy Cheshire said. She stepped into the briefing room and closed the door behind her. “I intercepted the satellite feeds and radar data, and combined them with CIA listening post intercepts to piece the incident together. I don’t know why you chose not to brief NATO on what happened—”
“NATO? Why bother with NATO?” Sivarek snorted, scowling at the lady test pilot. “NATO has all but ignored Turkey ever since we were inducted into the organization. We were allowed to be the only non-Christian members of your exclusive European club only because you did not want us falling into the Russian sphere of influence, perhaps even turning communist ourselves. My government appears to have had enough of your weak leadership in NATO, first with your aimless and politically motivated interventions in the Balkans, and now by your insistence in not getting directly involved in affairs that concern your European allies. Turkey will take care of itself, with no help from America.”
“General, I’m not going to say our relations with Turkey have been exemplary,” Cheshire said. “I’m not going to apologize or offer any explanations. But I’m telling you now — we think we know who attacked your F-16 tonight, and we think we have a way to help defend against future attacks.”
“Who was it?”
“We believe it was a stealth fighter-bomber,” Smoliy said. “A Soviet fighter-bomber, built years ago but only recently activated. It is a combination fighter and bomber, with an equally effective air-to-air as well as air-to-ground attack capability. Its stealth technology is second-generation at best, but it is extremely effective against standard air defense systems — including those deployed in my country, and yours.”
“How could you know so much?”
“Because I helped build it,” Smoliy said. “Years ago, in a Soviet research and development facility in Lithuania.” And he quickly, breathlessly explained everything. Sivarek’s eyes were soon wide in complete and utter shock. “We believe this aircraft is responsible for the attacks against Albania, the downing of the NATO AWACS aircraft, and your F-16. We can help you find him.”
“But how? If it is a stealth aircraft, how can such a plane be found, unless you simply stumble over it?”
“Because we know everything involved in its design, construction, testing, and capabilities,” Cheshire replied.
“The general was just a test pilot — he said himself he did not even fly it. How could he possibly know all these things?”
“Because we also have the aircraft’s chief design engineer, sir,” Cheshire replied. “Colonel Luger.”
“Luger? Luger is really a Russian aerospace engineer? I always thought the man was odd.”
“Luger’s an American who was … involuntarily a guest of the Soviet Union,” Cheshire explained. “He was forced to apply his knowledge and expertise into building Soviet warplanes, including the one we believe is flying right now.”
“This … this is extraordinary,” Sivarek breathed. “All this, just so a money-hungry gangster can build a pipeline through the Balkans?”
“What would you do for a hundred million dollars a day, sir?” Cheshire asked. “That’s how much Kazakov can earn if he builds his pipeline. But more important, Russia occupies the Balkans again.”
“And if this plan works, what will stop Russia from moving against other countries so they can build more pipelines and occupy more territory?” Smoliy asked. “You know as well as I that there are two nations in the region that will certainly be prime targets for both this stealth warplane and the Russian army….”
“Turkey and Ukraine,” Sivarek responded. “Neutralize both nations, and the Black Sea belongs to Russia, just as it did in the Soviet era.” Sivarek grew silent, his mind racing. “You are thinking of your homeland, General, no?” Smoliy asked. “You are thinking, who stands with Turkey? Believe me, sir, I have thought of little else regarding my homeland as well. No one stands with Ukraine at all. We are already dependent on the Russian Federation for so much of our raw materials, trade, foreign debt, and political influence. But if we opposed Russian interference in the region, to whom can we turn? We have already been battered to near obliteration by Russian bombs, and we are not yet full members of NATO.”
“Why is your president doing this to us?” Sivarek snapped at Cheshire again, running his fingers through his hair in confusion and frustration. “Why has America become so weak? Do you enjoy your prosperity so much that you are willing to see madmen destroy the rest of the world so you will have no more competition?”
“You know that’s not the situation, sir,” Cheshire explained. “I believe our president wants to show the world how strong our country is, not by stationing tens of thousands of troops on foreign soil like the world’s only supreme superpower, but by letting our friends, allies, and adversaries have their own identity, free of American influence and interference.”
Sivarek snorted. “Pretty words … to describe isolationism. Or cowardice.”
“I would call President Thorn a lot of things, but not a coward,” Cheshire said. “He’s the first American president in the last hundred years not to rely on American military power to back up our foreign policy interests. Think about it, General — you’re arguing that America is withdrawing back inside its own borders, while at the same time you’re fearful that another country will march across yours. Do you want foreigners on Turkish soil or not?”
“You understand so little about life in my country, Major,” Sivarek said. “Turkey is surrounded by enemies. We chose to look to the West for the strength to survive. Now we feel the West has turned its back on us. It appears Germany has joined Russia in spreading its influence through Europe — who will join with the Republic of Turkey?”
“Ukraine will, General,” Smoliy said. “I think you are wrong about Thorn. If he wants to bring his troops home, so be it — I would not want Ukrainian troops stationed in any foreign country for any reason. But if you want an ally to stand squarely against the Russian Federation in the Black Sea region, Ukraine will stand with you.”
Sivarek looked at Smoliy with a shocked expression. “An alliance… between Turkey and Ukraine?” he asked. “Is it possible? Can we stand against the might of the Russian army?”
“I have served in the Soviet army and I have seen the Russian army at work, and they are not as imposing as they seem,” Smoliy said confidently. “Do not pay attention to all their propaganda. Besides, we do not think of it as having to take on the entire Russian army — we just need to exert our own influence in the Black Sea region. This gangster Kazakov wants to ship oil across the Black Sea to fill his trans-Balkan pipeline — he will have to do it with our blessing. Any problems from Russia or from this stealth warplane, and those Metyor oil terminals in Bulgaria and Georgia are smoking holes in the ground!”
“What will keep Russia from decimating both our countries if we dare oppose them?”
“Let Russia worry about what they will do first,” Smoliy said. “They are acting very bold and think they are clever because they think no union of nations will oppose them. The only way we can hope to survive a confrontation is to stay together. One nation, even one as large as Ukraine or Turkey, can be swept aside with ease by Russia. But two such nations — that is an entirely different situation.”