Gates considered that response. "So your advisers still believe that you can win this war?"
Duan lied without hesitation. "Yes, President Gates. Your people and ours are strong enough to crush the forces of evil."
There followed a long pause. "I will consult with my advisers to determine appropriate next steps. I wish you and your people good luck in recovering survivors of the bombings."
The line clicked off. One of the military advisers said, "Mr. President, we need to give the Americans a realistic assessment—"
Duan interrupted angrily, calling upon an inner reserve of martial dignity. "What we need is victory, to save our people. We cannot win without the Americans, and Americans don't fight losing wars. If lying about our chances is the only way to save the country, I will lie, and I will not hesitate to order each and every one of you to do the same."
An adviser noted, "The people are tired of war, Mr. President. They have lost so much already. This newest tragedy is going to push many past the breaking point. They will demand that we sue for peace."
Clenching his teeth, Duan said, “One week. We have fought our entire lives to make Taiwan a free, successful country. I have led the country for over a decade. I will hold it together for one more week.”
Epilogue
Duan needed to address Taiwan and, indeed, the rest of the world in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. As he worked with his advisers to craft a speech, I spoke to McCormick, Volodya and Dietrich.
“The war will probably be over before the next time I have a chance to speak with any of you. I wanted to take a moment to tell you that I'm proud of what we have accomplished. If we hadn't knocked out a big chunk of the Chinese air force, there wouldn't be any American soldiers in Taiwan right now, at the hour when they're most needed. We bought the Taiwanese a chance to win the war.”
I cleared my throat. “Your honor has bought you a lifelong supporter. If any of you ever find yourself in need of help of whatever kind at any time for the rest of your life, you need only ask and I will help.”
McCormick responded, “I would be stuck in a Chinese prison if not for you, Mr. Cortez. I might not be as rich as you, but I owe you more than you owe me. Thank you for everything.” McCormick stood at attention and saluted.
I looked to Volodya. “I know your stake in this war is far more tenuous than Sergeant McCormick's. But you have served Colonel Douglas and me honorably.”
Volodya considered for a moment, then said, “This was never my war. But Colonel Douglas was my leader, and he believed in the war because he respected you and you believed in it. He mentioned to me once that you were the only civilian he had ever known who had put his own ass on the line for his beliefs.” Gesturing to my wheelchair, Volodya continued, “You'll be paying for it the rest of your life, but I haven't heard you complain once about it.”
A faint Russian accent crept into his voice despite his years of language training. “My grandfather Victor lost both of his legs at the Battle of Kharkov in World War II. When I was a child, I asked him if he regretted going to the war since he would never stand again. He told me, 'At Kharkov, I fought for my family, my freedom, and my homeland. I have stood for everything I would ever want to stand for.' Mr. Cortez, I think you and Victor would understand each other well. And I think Victor — and Colonel Douglas — would be proud that I fought for a man like you.”
With that, Volodya drew up a salute.
The three last members of the Lafayette Initiative left then, off to find transportation to the American division upon which the hopes of Taiwan rested.
Half an hour later, I wheeled myself into an ornate conference room that functioned as a studio. President Duan, seated at a teak desk in front of a Taiwanese flag, was preparing to give his televised address. As he and his advisers flipped through pages of his remarks, still making last minute edits, I couldn't detect even a hint of worry or concern in his voice or bearing from the pressure of speaking to the entire world.
Finally, everything was ready. His advisers cleared the camera's view, and fifteen seconds later, a red light went on atop the camera to indicate that the video was being transmitted.
“Citizens of Taiwan, it is my duty to report to you a new, barbaric attack by the People's Republic of China. A little over fifty minutes ago, Chinese bombers attacked our forces in the field with three nuclear weapons. This infamous act has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Taiwanese citizens.
“The first important fact you need to know is that we have reason to believe the PLA will not carry out further such attacks. Our American allies are even now deploying their ground soldiers to Taiwan, and we do not believe the Chinese would willingly risk a nuclear war against the Americans. Their cowardly attack was an attempt to shock us into surrendering right before the Americans can begin to make their presence felt on the battlefield. When this war is won, I promise that we will find the perpetrators of the bombings and hold them accountable for their actions.”
Duan sighed audibly. “I know that these bombings and the horrific casualties they have inflicted on us feel like an unbearable tragedy. When I heard of the event and found out how many of our finest citizens had been killed, I nearly lost all hope. How can our country ever recover from such thoughtless destruction? How could a small nation like ours repel a foe as ruthless and massive as the PLA?
“Then I remembered our nation's identity. I remembered the days before the war when our engineers produced a new miracle seemingly every week. I remembered how our innovations would help people across the world. Whenever a cynic says that the world is stagnating, that there are problems that cannot be solved and that the forces of repression are stronger than those of innovation and freedom, I remember that we have seen the worst that evil can throw at us and we are still here, still standing.
“We have endured much sadness and pain. But tonight I ask that you stay the course for just a little while longer. With the help of our friends in America and the resourcefulness of our people, we will weather the current storm and, someday, emerge into a new golden day for our nation. And so, let us end this insane war in the only way that will do justice to our fallen friends and family.
“Let us win.”
Dedicated to the memory of Tom Clancy, whose novels have entertained, informed, and inspired me throughout my life.