He shook his head. “No, Grandma, they may keep me busy for a while. You know this is going to be going on for some time. But I’ll get back,” he reassured her.
She took a breath. “Well, were you planning on getting married to that girl you were dating? Nancy was her name, wasn’t it?” Grandma asked.
Rod grinned at her. Grandma had a touch of Alzheimer’s and had forgotten that the two hadn’t been together for at least five years. “No, Grandma, she’s gone her separate ways. I’m still on the lookout, though. One of these days I’m going to find someone that meets my criteria. When that happens, I’ll bring her home to you,” he reassured her.
“Just make sure your standards aren’t too high. I’m not going to be around forever, you know.”
Rod chuckled. “Not so high. I just want someone that is as smart as I am so that we talk about things instead of just talking at each other. I need somebody to be able to accompany me on my banjo, and to do things with me instead of around me. Of course, I’d like her to be just as pretty as you were in your day,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Grandma Hattie laughed. “I’m still a good catch you little imp,” she said with a wink. “You just take your time. That girl will be out there waiting for you. And if she can’t cook, I’ll teach her everything I know,” she promised. She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m awful proud of you Roderick. Just come home when this is over,” she said softly.
Rod smiled at his grandmother and took her hands. “I promise, Grandma.”
The meeting had been hastily arranged away from the prying eyes of the media that seemed to be everywhere. Pope Gregory XVII welcomed Chancellor Vogel in his private chambers. As Vogel entered, he bowed and kissed the Pope’s ring before being offered a seat beside the Pontiff.
“Thank you for receiving me under these circumstances, Your Holiness,” said Vogel.
The Pope waived it off. “With all the troubles of the world at the present time, I hope the Church can be of service. What can we do to serve our brothers and sisters in Germany?” he asked.
“Actually, I am coming representing all of the Allied nations, Your Holiness,” Vogel said.
The Pope’s eyes opened wider. “Ahh, it must be important then,” he offered with a smile.
“We feel it is, Your Holiness. We are asking if you would speak with the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus’ asking him to speak out against this war,” said Vogel.
The Pope smiled and sat back slightly. “Chancellor, you know the Church has adopted a policy where we cannot interfere in the affairs of government. We offer our opinions and hope people will listen, but we are here for the spiritual wellbeing of all God’s children,” he lectured.
The Chancellor nodded. “I understand, Your Holiness, however Germany, in particular, would urge you to do so. You see, when Hitler came to power, the church decided to turn a blind eye to his government. It didn’t interfere when such interference might have changed a great deal. Imagine if the Holy Church had spoken out against his government. Yes, some of our priests might have been imprisoned, but the people might have had second thoughts about his leadership long before he consolidated his power. The people of the church may have won out. It may have kept him from starting a war. Of course, this isn’t criticism of the Church, but it gives us an example of how the moral spirit, which is a part of the Church, was not awakened. We in Germany suffered because of it, and would wish others could avoid it. Your Holiness, you and the other church leaders are the great conscience of the people of the world. We are simply asking that our spiritual leaders exercise that conscience. Help the people think about what is being done and let their moral obligations to others lead them. We may be at war, but I believe people are basically good and that if we ask them to decide on right and wrong, they will chose the right. That is why I humbly ask you intercession,” Vogel pleaded.
The Pope’s face was a mask of concern. What Vogel said was correct. The Church had regretted its decisions regarding Germany when they might have helped. He was also correct about the spiritual mission of the church and what it teaches its people. Could something like this help? Would the Patriarch be willing to do this? He could use the same arguments with him. On the other hand, should he consider it at all? The troubled look on his face was evident to Vogel. “I see your points and I will take them into consideration. What you ask is difficult, but I can see why you ask and I know it is because you feel it may serve the better good.” He reached over and placed his hand on Vogel’s arm. “You have given me something to pray about,” he said with a smile.
“General Pusko, for the last weeks we have lost ground in Poland. Why is that?” asked President Borodin in front of the general staff.
Pusko knew this was coming and unfortunately, he had not been able to come up with an acceptable answer. “It is difficult to say, Mister President. The allied tactics are still befuddling to us. They seem to be able to attack our soldiers at night as we rest or try to perform maintenance duties. No one has been able to sleep for days unless we pull our men and equipment far behind the lines. Even then, the troops left to hold the front are attacked. We do not even know what is attacking us. Then in the early dawn, their tanks appear and take the lightly defended ground before we can send up the necessary reinforcements,” Pusko explained. Borodin could tell by his voice the man was frustrated.
“Continue,” Borodin ordered sternly.
“The night skies are also filled with their Predator drones. They sweep farther back into our positions and go after the supply trains. As you recall, we sent in another five divisions. They found the door open to them all the way to our lines, but then the supplies and replacements were stopped by both air and armor. We found ourselves almost surrounded. We send more in, then everything is cut off. Now we are concentrating on making sure the supply lines are well protected all the way. During the day, our fighters fill the skies, but at night, the Allies control everything. We send in fighters and our radars can’t see anything. Suddenly our fighters are blown from the sky. The Allied stealth technology is much more effective than we expected,” Pusko said. The other generals in the room were nodding their heads.
Borodin saw defeat in their eyes. He had to get control. “That is enough! You offer excuses, but we need answers. You say our men are attacked in the open. Then from here on, the tank crews live and sleep in their tanks. They can’t get shot through all that armor. Send the food and supplied in armored vehicles, anything you need, but our push forward must resume at once!” he demanded. “I believe we need to set the example. Order the commanding general back to Moskow. Place him under arrest for dereliction of duty. Then send in someone who can make things happen,” Borodin ordered.
Pusko blanched at the thought. It was like the stories of the purges under Marshal Stalin. “You realize that the man has only been in command for five days. All of the former commanders were killed.”
Borodin turned in a wrath. “Do not argue with me! Bring him here at once!” he shouted.
Pusko nodded. “It will be done,” he said.
“Good. What other measures need to be taken?” asked Borodin.
Pusko gave a sigh. “It also appears the Allies are able to see our troop movements. Our intelligence people have identified one of their newer spy satellites in a stationary orbit over Europe. If it is true that they have real-time image capability, they will be able to see everything we do.”
Borodin rubbed his chin. This was a real threat and would explain everything that had been going on. He looked at the others. “Perhaps we need to do something about that. Are you sure this is the only one up there?” he asked.