Defcon One (1989) (30 page)

How long can we keep this up? What's your estimate?

Chambers frowned, then placed his papers in a neat stack.

We can remain in this posture for a protracted period of time, no question. The primary problem, as we see it, is the inevitable encounter that will lead to further escalations, and, possibly, a nuclear showdown.

Another aide, wearing the uniform of an Army lieutenant colonel, entered the room. He approached the vice president and handed her a message.

Blaylocke read the contents, then sighed in despair, and removed her glasses. Gentlemen, we've lost another SDI satellite.

The group sat stunned as Blaylocke turned to the defense secretary.

Cliff, your recommendation. It's time to take action, Cliff Howard said, balling a piece of paper in his hand. Past time. The Soviets know we don't need SDI to win a nuclear war. It only lessens our casualty rate. Our conventional and nuclear delivery systems are much more accurate and reliable than theirs.

The former general secretary, Chambers politely interrupted, didn't believe we needed SDI to win. That's why he was so willing to compromise. Zhilinkhov on the other hand, well, we simply don't know what he believes. True, Howard continued, we don't know. However, the Soviets are aware of our standoff strike capability, the accuracy of our weapons.

Also, in my opinion, what they fear most is our Stealth bomber.

Chambers looked at Blaylocke. That's true, to a degree.

The Soviets know any massive strike to Russia would be evident on radar scopes very quickly. They would have time to respond in kind. What they are most concerned about is having thirty or forty B-2 bombers, loaded with nuclear weapons, undetected on radar, over the Soviet Union. They wouldn't have any warning time.

My point, Howard broke in. I think the recent deployment of the Stealth aircraft, both the fighter/attack airplane and the bomber, has caused Zhilinkhov to react. I don't think his primary concern is SDI.

I may be wrong.

MOSCOW Zhilinkhov, tired from his trip to Lajes, waited while the cardiologist closed his bag, retrieved his topcoat, and walked through the huge doors of the Kremlin residence.

The general secretary looked at the capsule of blood pressure medicine, then decided he needed a Stolichnaya on ice.

Well, comrades, the American space defense system is no longer fully operable. Our plan will work, without question.

We will pull back, then mount a massive first strike as soon as the Americans return to a normal status. Zhilinkhov smiled, pleased with his efforts.

The Politburo members, along with Defense Minister Trofim Porfir'yev, did not appear convinced. The men remained quiet, each with a vodka in his hand.

Well, Zhilinkhov asked, what is your opinion, my friends? You do not seem to share my joy.

The senior Politburo member, Pulaev, carefully placed his glass on the end table, inhaled his cigar, ashed, then looked at Zhilinkhov.

Viktor Pavlovich, we are very concerned.

Concerned? Zhilinkhov replied, a quizzical look on his puffy red face.

Concerned about what?

The spy, the CIA agent planted here in your quarters.

How did the blundering idiots at KGB allow that to happen?

The elder politician, jaw set, was loudly grinding his teeth.

Calm yourself, my friend, or you'll be needing this medicine, too.

Zhilinkhov's attempt at humor fell on deaf ears. There is no need to worry. Colonel General Vranesevic, the GRU commander, assures me they have the spies contained. It is only a matter of time, comrades.

What about the rest of your staff, Viktor Pavlovich? How many other spies have infiltrated our walls? The Politburo chief drank the last of his vodka while he waited for the general secretary to answer.

Zhilinkhov scowled. They have been checked, all of them, and interrogated. There are no other spies, believe me. Colonel General Vranesevic does not believe the American agent knows anything valuable.

The KGB didn't find any electronic eavesdropping equipment or

transmitters anywhere on or around the

Our present KGB, with respect, Viktor Pavlovich, couldn't track a hemorrhaging elephant in a snow field.

Zhilinkhov sat back, pulled out a fresh cigar, chewed on the end, then responded. I have sent word to KGB headquarters.

If the two American spies escape, Chervenok will be relieved of command.

Does that satisfy you, my friends?

The Politburo members looked shocked. The senior member spoke again.

Viktor Pavlovich, what in the name of ... ? Chervenok is a candidate for the Politburo! He has many influential friends, many ties with leaders in the Central Committee. This is not good, Viktor Pavlovich.Not good...

It will pass, Zhilinkhov replied, as all things do eventually.

The general secretary smiled, lighted his cigar, then added to his statement. Please relax. The American spy, and our traitor, will be caught. No information will leak out. Chervenok will be spared, and our plan will bear fruit.

Zhilinkhov puffed on his cigar, then rose to his feet, walking slowly to the open bar. He poured a large quantity of Stolichnaya in a glass, then turned to his friends. Comrades, trust me.

Just five or six more kilometers, Dimitri. We'll take a break in a few minutes.

Okay, Dimitri replied, breathing hard, his breath condensing in the cold February air.

The late afternoon light was fading under the low overcast as the two men trudged through the deserted fields. Small snowflakes had started falling, drifting lazily through the sparse trees.

Do you think they got your message? Dimitri asked, shivering uncontrollably.

Let's not borrow trouble, huh? We've got enough problems, Wickham panted.

Both agents walked another kilometer in silence, staying close to a collective farm.

The American broke the silence. Dimitri, if we encounter anyone, let me do the talking.

Wickham glanced at Dimitri, who nodded in return. We had an accident and left our car. That's how we got in this shape. We still have our credentials, so The American abruptly stopped, dropping to the ground on his hands and knees. He motioned Dimitri to follow him. The two men sprinted to a tree line and dove into the underbrush, breathing heavily.

What is it? Dimitri asked, his grimy face contorted in fear.

You hear that? Wickham briefly glanced at Dimitri, then back to the sky. The choppers are back! The American looked back along their path.Son-of-a-bitch! They must have found where we crossed the road.

Dimitri stared at the approaching helicopters, his mind confused and fatigued. He had never been so tired in his life. The agent reeked from crawling through the garbage pile and his hand still ached.

The Soviet Mi-28s were clattering along, hugging the treetops.

They looked menacing, even from a distance. Both agents watched the helicopters flow over the landscape, nimble, deadly, probing every foot of terrain.

Dimitri, they've got infrared sensors. We've got to get out of here!

Wickham grimaced in pain as he bumped his shoulder turning around.

I don't understand, Dimitri replied, shivering in the semidarkness.

What is infrared?

They can spot body heat in total darkness. Especially in cold conditions like this.

The American frantically scanned the terrain in all directions, then motioned for Dimitri to follow him.

After traveling sixty meters in the brush, hugging the tree line, Wickham stopped.

Dimitri, our only chance is to make a run for those animal pens. The agent pointed toward two fenced areas next to a feeding trough. It's dark enough for us to conceal ourselves in the middle of the pigs and sheep. We've got to blend our body temperatures in with the animals.

Dimitri nodded in silence.

Let's go, the American yelled as they crashed through the brush, stumbling, then vaulted over the fence and sprinted to the edge of the pens.

Both men, panting, lay flat on their stomachs next to the crude fence.

They could hear the sound of the helicopters growing closer.

Okay ... we've got to move slowly to the edge of the sheep... can't scare them. The American paused to catch his breath.

Then we ease under the fence and remain still until the choppers are gone.

Dimitri nodded, then crawled forward on the cold, moist ground. The stench, overpowering, swept both men with revulsion.

The sheep, alarmed by the sound of the approaching helicopters, gave little attention to the two figures lying next to the herd.

The two Soviet gunships, searchlights ablaze, slowly tracked over the collective farm. Both helicopters continually S-turned as they remained on their base course toward Novgorod.

Wickham and Dimitri watched, not moving, not breathing, as the closest Russian helicopter flew directly over the two animal pens. The glare of the spotlight blinded the agents as it slowly crossed the sheep enclosure.

The president stepped off the air-stair door of Marine One, smartly saluted the Marine sentry, and walked briskly into the White House. The president's military aide, hurrying to catch the commander-in-chief, struggled with an oversized attache case and two umbrellas.

Grant Wilkinson and Herb Kohlhammer, followed by a second aide, stepped out of the Marine helicopter and hurried across the lawn.

The weather was cold and dismal. Ice pellets and snow granules fell sporadically, mixed with fog and low clouds. The skies threatened a major winter storm at any moment.

Susan Blaylocke and Cliff Howard greeted the president as he entered the Situation Room.

Have we heard from the Soviet Ambassador? the president asked, removing his topcoat and scarf.

Yes, Mister President. He is on his way here, along with the deputy foreign minister, Blaylocke responded. They should be here in the next five to ten minutes.

Good, the president replied, then looked at Howard.

Cliff, explain to me, in detail, what happened to our shuttle.

The secretary of defense waited until the president and the arriving staff members were seated.

Doctor Hays at NASA has informed me, approximately thirty minutes ago, that Columbia was the target of Soviet laser weapons. He ' How do they know. Cliff? What ...How can they substantiate their conclusions? the president asked, then waited for Howard to compose his thoughts.

Well, sir, the measuring devices the data NASA receives from the orbiter indicates the strikes were highly charged beams. Doctor Hays explained, in layman's terms, the possibilities.

Howard reached for his reading glasses and opened his notes.

There are, according to Doctor Hays and his associates, only three ways to damage the shuttle in such a fashion. First, and least likely, is a killer satellite, in the same orbit, that destroys its victims with barrages of pellets. Shrapnel lasers, if you will.

The president frowned, cleaning his glasses.

Second, Howard continued, is the remote chance that Russia has

developed a ground-based laser powerful and accurate enough to pinpoint

the orbiter. Doctor Hays has projected a random profile of

Excuse me. Cliff, Grant Wilkinson interjected, but the Soviets do have a laser base at Sary Shagan capable of damaging or destroying our satellites, especially the delicate sensors and solar power cells.

They have already damaged a Lacrosse satellite, and knocked out one of the Magnum birds.

Howard looked directly at Wilkinson. That's true. Grant, but the ground-based laser, powerful as it may be, doesn't have the destructive capability to blast sections ... actually disintegrate major structural components of the orbiter. Besides, the Soviet lasers, ground-based and space-based, have a difficult time tracking and aiming. They take a high number of shots for every hit they achieve.

We've been monitoring their efforts-it's documented.

Alright, Cliff, the president interrupted, what is Doctor Hays's hypothesis?

Well, sir, he doesn't consider his conclusions hypothetical beca

I understand, the president interjected. What evidence is Doctor Hays using to support his findings?

That is the next point, sir.

Howard readjusted his glasses, looking over the top of the frames at his

audience. Third, and most plausible of the scenarios, is a space-based

laser. We have evidence that the Soviets have been pouring over a

billion dollars a year into a fast-paced program to develop space

weaponry. Doctor Hays stated

If what you're saying is true, the president interrupted, then all our satellites, not to mention the shuttles, are now vulnerable to Soviet laser weapons. Right?

Not entirely, sir. As you know, we've lost another SDI satellite, presumably to the same weapon that damaged the shuttle.