“Think about it for a minute. You said David is becoming unmanageable. I’m sure it’s because he realizes he’s a prisoner. The weight of Presidential authority has taken its toll on him, as it has on every occupant of the White House chair. You’ve let him rest, and no doubt the old, assertive Sims is back, or reappearing.”
“You make me suspect there’s a leak in my administration. How can you know these things?”
He talks as if he’s already the new President. Does he know how telling that is? Is he that aware of himself? No. I doubt it.
“There are no leaks,” Anna said. “I just know my man.”
Harold put both feet on the carpet. “Let me get this straight. You want access to David Sims, the man we’re keeping drugged?”
“Yes. I want to take care of him. I want to make sure you’re not destroying his mind.”
“What if we are?”
“Then I won’t help you.”
“We’re not,” Harold said. “I just wondered about your answer. Still, I don’t understand. How does seeing a drugged patient help you gain power?”
“Who said I’m after power?”
“You implied it.”
“Okay. Maybe I am.” She didn’t think Harold would believe any other answer.
“Fine,” he said. “Help me convince him to deliver this speech, and I’ll let you become a prisoner with David Sims, if that’s what you want?”
A chill swept through her. Is this what she wanted: to live or die with David? Yes. He’s my man, and in some manner, I’m going to save his life.
From Military History: Past to Present, by Vance Holbrook:
Russian Plans. As Putin before him, Premier Konev dreamed of Russian glory: specifically, the reconstruction of the old Tsarist Empire. Glaciation had devastated Russian and Ukrainian farmlands. Konev and his pro-Slavic Party believed the recreation of the empire would pour vast mineral wealth into Russian coffers to help them purchase food abroad. Added to American military aid and grain promises, this set the stage for gaining the first requirement: the destruction of Greater China’s preponderant military and the reunification of Siberia. Konev also yearned to add Manchuria to the empire, to ensure a powerful eastern bulwark.
Konev’s patient strategy these past few years of letting the other world powers weaken themselves first had found great favor among the Russians, as all knew World War I and II had brought disabling casualties to the nation. It also gave him strength when everyone else dipped deep into their strategic barrel to find enough men and munitions to continue fighting.
Before the beginning of the next phase of hostilities, Konev received a last draft of reinforcements from the European Union, who wished to rid themselves of all former GD military. The EU leaders viewed the former GD officers as a menace to European peace. Combined with the American Expeditionary Force, this formed an impressive invasion army of nearly three million men. The ground forces were grouped into 162 divisions: 185,000 from the United States, 210,000 from the European Union and the rest from Russia.
Time was of the essence, as it was evident that Hong drafted large numbers of Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans into the PAA military machine. Because of this, the launch date was set for June 7.
The plan entailed classic armor drives combined with as much air and helicopter transport as possible. As they had done in Siberia, the former GD robotic forces would grind head on, while mobile units swung around with right and left hooks and the air transports dropped down vertically. The velocity of the campaign and the rough terrain would provide challenging problems, demanding high morale, and superior firepower and training. The allied plan hinged on greater battlefield mobility. Three great blocs supplied one of the greatest concentrations of machines ever seen in the world.
American Plans. The United States kept the bulk of its military stationed around the northern Mexican border, where over five million PAA soldiers waited. And the country continued to expand its submarine fleet, dedicating nineteen percent of its industry to its construction. The Pan-Asian Alliance still had impressive numbers and equipment in Mexico and continued to threaten invasion. The Australian fiasco had dampened people’s enthusiasm for overseas adventures. They wished for a quick end to the war, although they also longed for revenge against China. These twin desires stood at odds with each other, balanced at the moment, but ready to swing hard toward peace at almost any price. President David Sims’ speech galvanized the nation as hearts burned for vengeance, and opinion polls showed that the majority of the people waited to see the outcome of the Manchurian Invasion.
Chinese Plans. The Chinese High Command played for time. They would use deploy nuclear weaponry as needed, initiate a mass guerilla war as once envisioned by Mao Zedong and burn up conventional formations in stubborn defense as they waited for troops from aboard and new levies from home to swell their ranks. Hong boasted that China would devour their enemies in a sea of bodies until they could annihilate the invaders and smash them into paste.
Lying on his back, Fu Tao blinked repeatedly as hospital lights passed above him. One flickered, making him wonder if there was a power shortage. In Australia, that had happened all the time.
The drug a doctor had injected into him began to take effect, and he fought it. He still wasn’t sure how he’d let Shun Li talk him into this. Yes. He owed her his life, and he paid his debts. Still, his right index finger. That was asking much.
As he lay on the moving gurney, Tao bared his teeth. She’d told him about Chairman Hong, the most monstrous rapist of them all. The Chairman could act civilized, but he loved to watch men rape helpless victims.
I hate the Chairman. Yes. I will give my finger to protect Shun Li. A rape for a rape, a life for a life, I pay my debts, I always do.
He heard doors open, and a doctor talking. No, this wasn’t a doctor, but a bone specialist. Fu Tao tried to sit up. Instead, he lost consciousness…
He awoke by degrees, incredibly groggy. Someone spoke nearby. Slowly, he realized it was Shun Li. Tao opened his eyes until they focused on her.
“It is done,” she said.
With dull muscles, Tao raised his right hand. He stared at the index finger. It looked so real.
“You still have some of it,” Shun Li said.
Tao nodded, and that made his mouth taste awful. He knew that. He knew. The surgeon had removed the end bone of his index finger, replacing it with a tiny tube. In the tube was a terrible and powerful propellant, which would hurl an equally tiny projectile. If the need ever presented itself, he could ignite the propellant by positioning his others fingers in a precise manner.
“This is a precaution,” Shun Li said. “You must never use it unless the need arises.”
Tao stared up at her, and he realized her fright. The Chairman was like a cobra to her. She feared too much. Fu Tao let his head sink onto the pillow. Fear, he had lost it long ago. He had this special finger now, and he would have to wait and see if he could repay his rape-debt to Shun Li.
-10-
Invasion
Director Harold bent his head in thought as he walked through the White House Rose Garden. He wore a jacket and hat against the unseasonable cold, and he considered his words with care.
Militia General Williamson moved beside him, respectfully silent.
No one else was in evidence, not even the security detail. Harold knew they watched him, but he was reasonably certain none of them trained a listening device in his direction. Security had gone over the Rose Garden yesterday with a fine-toothed comb at his command, and it seemed unlikely any hidden bugs had found their way here since then. Still, caution was in order. He had almost lost everything two years ago because he’d moved too hastily in an underground coup. The lesson had burned itself into his brain.