Chapter Eighteen
The pressure was building by the hour.
In that the regular deliveries of gas had been interrupted, stations here and there were running out of product and mini-panics were a common occurrence. Long lines to purchase gas were common and station owners were beginning to place limits on what they would sell. Often the price would be adjusted several times a day — always up. Local news stations reported the prices at the various stations and stampedes were often the result.
Landenberger addressed the Cabinet. “We are close to a major panic. The Strategic Reserves are near the limit without endangering our national security.”
The Secretary of Energy, Stefano Morrell agreed, “Mr. President, we have at most a few days and we will certainly be in dire straits. We have our domestic oil fields working at full capacity and we all know that makes little difference as it is not nearly what we require. Unless you can end this in a few days, you should consider some sort of rationing.”
“I’ve always believed in allowing our capitalistic system to function and instituting some sort of rationing would only make things worse. There would not be enough time to get any program in gear in three days.”
The vice president agreed, “I remember the crisis in ‘73 and the rationing program was a disaster. I think we should take that idea off the table.”
Melissa Farnsworth added, “There was a bright spot in the ’73 crisis. We learned how vulnerable we were and tightened our belts considerably — for a while.”
“Yeah, and we are right back where we started,” commented Deshano as he flipped a pencil into the air.
“Enough discussion,” said Landenberger. “How many of you think it is time to give Kuznetsov that phone call and begin ramping up our Russian oil?”
Everyone’s palm went up.
“We have no choice. I agree.” He picked up the red phone and pressed the speaker button.
The Russian voice at the other end sounded cheerful. “President Landenberger, so good of you to call. How are your wife and daughter?”
“Quite well thank you — and you?”
“I am fine.”
With the amenities out of the way Landenberger decided to launch right into it. “We are going to take you up on your offer to supply our country with oil.”
“That is good. I’ll sign the necessary documents at this end and you can notify your oil companies to begin placing orders. I’ll notify our supply lines to prepare for this and first deliveries could arrive in about a week. Would that be satisfactory?”
“It is more than I could have imagined.”
“You will see — this is the beginning of a mutually profitable relationship that I will look forward to.”
“Goodbye.”
Landenberger placed the phone back on the receiver and turned to his staff. “We are now in business with the Russians.”
“This may be the beginning of a new world order,” observed the vice-president. He removed his spectacles and let them dangle from his lip while he rubbed his eyes. “Hostilities between us are for the most part over. We are siding with the Russians as never in our history, they have already dropped opposition to the EIS. They appear to no longer be aggressive. It has been years since they have made attempts to expand their borders.”
“Get Robinson on the phone. I want him to know about this.”
“Robinson here.”
“I wanted you to know immediately we are officially purchasing much of our oil from the Russians and they are making plans at this very moment to have oil reach our shores in about a week.”
“Congratulations, Mr. President. It must be a great weight off your shoulders. You probably want to announce the agreement to the press immediately as that will ease the anxieties of our citizens.”
“That’s all Houston. I wanted to keep you in the loop on this and not have you read it in the news.”
“You are very kind.”
“Goodbye.”
The Iranians continued to lambast the US at the UN.
“We want this put to a vote now!” shouted Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab as he stood again at the podium. He had his staff working night and day to persuade everyone to kick the Fifth Fleet out of the Middle East. He calculated he had many on his side and it would help his image in his homeland where rioting was an everyday occurrence. Much of it was channeled at the Americans because of the IAF 645 incident and others were due to unrest from the collapsing economy. The whole thing was little more than saber rattling, however it never hurt to take a poke at the US whenever he could.
Russia took the role of peacemaker. “We sympathize with Iran,” began Vissarionovich while he nodded to Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab and his staff sitting in the audience. “My deepest sympathies go out to the Iranian citizens who have suffered a great loss. Yes, all of Russia mourns with you during your time of grief. We understand that in times of grief that we tend to lash out unfairly and that given time we can see the world with a clearer perspective. We allow you your sorrow for now and will make no attempt to sway you from your request to ban the Fifth Fleet from your part of the world. We have always seen the Fifth Fleet as more than simply protecting American interests although no one would argue that that is why they are there. They have been serving that area for many decades and have never asked for any reimbursement for their dedication to serving that part of the world.
“The Fifth Fleet has been there in times of crisis and without their protection there would have been many tragedies and circumstance that would have turned out very differently — adversely in most every instance. The US has never used the Fifth Fleet with wanton abandoned nor took advantage of any border and has shown nothing but respect for international law. It is with the utmost of respect that we would ask for wounds to heal before embarking on any actions. We can only say that there was not a single American involved in the hijacking and it was not their wish for this tragedy to occur. In the final analysis they were successful in containing it in the only way they could.
“Again, our deepest sympathies go out the Iranian families who need time to heal.”
Kuznetsov called President Miguel Rio on a secure satellite link. “Hello President Rio. I thought I would give you time to settle in at the Palacio de Miraflores before I could call to congratulate you on the fine work I hear you are doing with your interim government.”
“It is good of you to call Prime Minister Kuznetsov. Let me give you my thanks for your support of a worthy cause. We are rid of Santiago and the people are fully behind my government.”
“That is good comrade and the Russian people were happy to assist. Do you remember our arrangement?”
“Certainly and I was anticipating your call in the light of the recent events.”
“All is ready then?”
“Yes amigo. All is ready.”
“You may begin immediately.”
The bad news began as a rumor in the oil futures trading pits.
And it became worse with each passing second. By the time anyone noticed anything, it was too late.
Several brokers noticed unusual buying coming in from the Chinese for the Venezuelan crude oil futures three minutes before the close. As contracts were about to expire a trading frenzy ensued and prices reached a dizzying height in 180 seconds. Computerized buying programs locked out all other buyers and like a vacuum cleaner everything was sucked up and swept away. Routinely the futures were traded “for delivery” to American buyers but not this day. The Chinese held on with bulldog ferocity and nothing would sway them from the precious contracts.