As always. Palmer was quick with the introductions.
“Viktor, you know Mr. Carrigan, yet I believe this is the first time that you’ve met my Secretary of State, George Michaelson.”
The two statesmen shook hands and the Premier offered a sincere greeting.
“It is a pleasure to at last meet you, Mr. Michaelson. Since you have taken your present post, your work has been greatly admired.”
Pleasantly surprised by the unexpected compliment, the Secretary of State responded in kind.
“The pleasure is mine, sir. Like all of us, I’ve looked forward to this day with the greatest of expectations.
I’m only sorry that it has been clouded by this unnecessary crisis.” “You and I both,” Rodin said as he took his seat along with the others.
The President sat forward and initiated the conversation.
“I’m sure that you’ve heard about the Seasprite going down. It’s damn bad luck that they didn’t get a definite on that bogey, but chances are that it was the Vulkan. I just got off the horn with Admiral Miller.
He’s in constant contact with our task force, which is currently closing in on the last coordinates reported by the helicopter. He’s also monitoring the approach of the USS Triton, our Los Angeles-class attack sub that had previously tagged the Vulkan in this same general area. Unfortunately, the Admiral reports that the surface ships are too distant to close by 2130 hours — the intended launch time. We’ve got to be realistic: With the Triton as our only hope, the odds of stopping the Vulkan in time are continually decreasing.
“I’ve asked you two to join us in an effort to clear the air of all misconceptions. Both of you are free to be completely candid. Trust amongst ourselves is all that we have left.
“The question that we have for you is extremely basic. I know that each one of you has been considering it for sometime now, so here it goes. What course of action do you advise the United States of America to take if the Vulkan’s missiles are indeed released?
Patrick, why don’t you start us off?”
Momentarily surprised by the nature of Palmer’s request, Carrigan stared at Rodin suspiciously before beginning.
“I think it would be best for me to start with the manner in which we have already reacted to the list of targets that the General Secretary was kind enough to give us. Because of the sensitive nature of the sites involved, we have taken the following actions.
Per the request of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, alternative communications systems have been activated worldwide.
This includes sac’s Silk Purse, Scope Light, and Blue Eagle flying-command posts, and our minimum, essential emergency communications network.
These steps will hopefully insure that military communications will not be totally decapitated.
“When the delicate issue of evacuation was brought up, it was unanimously agreed that the nation’s underground command posts would remain on duty.
This includes the Pentagon, Cheyenne Mountain, Offut Field, and the various alternative national command centers. The only instances whereby evacuation has been permitted concerns non-essential dependents living in or around the various targeted military installations. To guarantee security, this operation is being carried out under the cover of being just another exercise.
“My biggest concern remains with the residual radioactive fallout created by the blasts and spread throughout the country on the easterly winds; the panic that will ensue once the first warhead explodes; and, last but not least, the tragedy we’re facing in Southern California. A strike by only a handful of nuclear weapons over the Los Angeles basin will produce over one million instant casualties. I fear that our decision not to immediately evacuate the city could be a costly one.”
Palmer quickly interjected, “My decision on that matter remains firm, Patrick. I am wholeheartedly convinced that an evacuation at this time, and the resulting panic it would inevitably produce, will cost us more lives than it will save.”
Carrigan responded icily.
“Even if a few hundred thousand souls could be saved by such a move, my final estimate is that this single attack will cost us twenty-five million lives, at the minimum.”
Staggered by the figure, George voice trembled.
“Never before in the history of diplomacy has a country been faced with such monumental decisions as we must make. I can only return to Great Britain’s decision during World War II to knowingly allow the Nazis to bomb the city of Coventry, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
Of course, that was to make certain that the Germans didn’t find out that the British had cracked their most secret Ultra code, and, in fact, knew of the attack beforehand.
“Because of the unbelievable loss of life and property that a nuclear strike will produce, it’s very hard for me just to turn the other cheek and recommend that we merely ignore the bombs because of the unpremeditated circumstances. Once the first mushroom cloud forms over American soil, my gut instinct will be to side with the surviving public — who will be crying out for some type of hard response to avenge this despicable crime. The number-one priority will be finding the bastards who are responsible for this insanity.”
“I agree with you!” the Premier said firmly.
“No matter the personal sacrifice demanded, I swear to you that I will focus my every effort into tracking down the conspirators. I have already initiated just such an investigation. Led by a handful of trusted agents, elements of the Soviet Union’s internal police force, the MVD, are working around the clock to discover the malefactors. The results of this inquiry are expected shortly.
“It is my guess that we are dealing with a small clique of embittered, sick souls. Since the top-secret information that they acquired lies at the very heart of my command staff, I don’t think that I’ll have to be looking far.”
Allowing himself a calming breath, Rodin added, “Comrade Michaelson, you mentioned that if the bombs do fall, you favor a hard retaliatory response.
Do you mean militarily?”
Far from proud of his decision, the Secretary of State somberly nodded his assent.
Patrick Carrigan offered an explanation.
“George and I have discussed this subject intensively. Our decision was far from an easy one. The crux of the matter revolves around the general public’s initial reaction to the attack. I think it’s safe to say, with some certainty, that the citizens of the United States will not sit back and let this strike go unanswered. If we don’t react, and react strongly, not only do we face a general insurrection, but also the very real threat of a military coup d’etat. That is why we favor response based upon the eye for an eye principle. For each target that Soviet missiles destroy on American soil, we should take out an equivalent site within the USSR. Not only will this course of action appease civilian demands, it will also guarantee military parity.”
But Robert Palmer could not accept his advisor’s decision.
“I beg to differ with you, Carrigan. How the hell can you justify killing millions more just to get even? Don’t you see — that will only give the ones responsible for this madness exactly what they want!
Bomb will follow bomb, and before it’s over the entire planet will fall victim to this conflict. You don’t really think that a military response is the only answer, do you George?”
Staring the President right in the eye, the Secretary of State said, “In this instance, I’m afraid that I do, Mr. President. It goes against my grain to admit it, but right now I have no alternatives.
“Several months ago, while I was still teaching at Harvard, I chaired a seminar comprised of a select group of the West’s top defense analysts.