Battlefield China

Chapter 2 Calmer Heads Prevail

At 0830 hours, the air was already hot and muggy as General John Bennet, the Supreme Allied Commander for Asia, walked into the central meeting room of the Ripon Building. As soon as he entered, he was met by Major General Alan Morrison, the Australian Commander of Allied Forces in India. Behind him waited a small cadre of staff officers as well as Rear Admiral Shelley Cord, the commander of Task Force 92, the naval fleet supporting the ground operations. The new Secretary of State, Philip Landover, was also seated at the table along with several of his staff. When General Bennet walked in, Secretary Landover walked over to Bennet and heartily shook his hand.

The pleasantries were short, even by military standards. They had a lot to discuss. Once everyone was seated, General Bennet started the meeting. “All right, General Morrison, I’d first like a quick update on the disposition of the Allied forces in India,” he announced.

General Morrison stood. “General Bennet, five days prior to your arrival, we successfully offloaded the remaining Allied units and supplies for our next offensive campaign. As of right now, Operation Jade Tiger, which will capture Bengaluru in the center of the country, is still ready to launch when you give the order. I have two Australian divisions, one New Zealand brigade, one British armored division, and two American mechanized infantry divisions ready to move.

“To cover our right flank and ensure the continued occupation of Chennai, I have a Canadian light infantry brigade, a French brigade and a German tank brigade, along with numerous other support units. If the Indian government doesn’t want to pursue peace, then we’re still ready to prosecute the war until they will,” General Morrison said, a full grin on his face.

General Bennet smiled too. It was obvious the man before him was truly loving his position as the Allied commander in India. After all, within the last month, he’d gone from having a small contingent of 32,000 soldiers to over 73,000, with more on the way.

Secretary of State Landover inserted himself. “I’ve read over your progress up to this point, General — very impressive. You’ve certainly succeeded in humbling the Indian government.”

“General Morrison, please excuse Secretary Landover,” said General Bennet, shooting a scornful look at Landover. “I have a few more military matters to discuss before we move to politics.” He didn’t like being interrupted. This was his turf.

“My apologies, General,” said Secretary Landover, his cheeks a bit red. “I was getting ahead of myself. I’ll wait until we’re ready to discuss tomorrow’s meeting.”

Bennet turned his attention back to the Australian. “General, I’m pleased with your progress up to this point. You have done a superb job with the forces given to you. You managed to pull off some impressive wins. Chennai was captured with very few casualties and very little civil unrest, which is fully attributed to the way you had the Army carry out its initial seizure of the city and the port.

“I spoke with President Foss, who has spoken with your Prime Minister, and they’ve accepted my recommendation that you be given a third star and continue to remain the overall Commander of Allied Forces in India. I have multiple divisions en route to Asia from Europe, and depending on how tomorrow’s meeting goes, I may have those divisions placed under your command for you to widen the war in India. I hope that doesn’t happen, but if it does, then we’ll begin discussing additional objectives beyond Operation Jade Tiger.”

General Bennet paused. “OK, then, Secretary Landover, it’s over to you now.”

Secretary Landover stood. “Thank you, General. My objective tomorrow is simple: get the Indian government to agree to a complete and unconditional surrender. If they don’t, the war will continue as planned. You’ve shown me that you have the supplies and the forces needed to keep the war going, and frankly that’s the major reason I wanted to meet with you today. I do have one question — may I inform the Indian prime minister that if he doesn’t agree to our terms, our victorious European armies will now be directed to India?”

General Bennet thought about that for a moment. Under normal circumstances, he would never want to advertise his position like that to an enemy, but at the same time, if that information could lead the enemy to surrendering, then it’d be worth it. “If General Morrison has no objections, then neither do I,” Bennet asserted. “We need this Indian theater wrapped up sooner rather than later. Once ground operations start in mainland China, we’re going to be hard-pressed to keep India fully supplied for heavy offensive actions.”

“I have no objections,” Morrison confirmed.

The meeting went on for a bit longer as the military and political sides were discussed, then everyone broke for an early lunch and a nap. Between all the flying and the time zone changes, the sudden shift was wreaking havoc on people’s mental alertness, and they’d all certainly need that the following day.

Prime Minister Vihaan Khatri was both enraged at the situation he now found himself in and greatly ashamed that he had allowed it to come to this. He knew India should have stayed on the sidelines of the third great war, but he had permitted himself to be convinced that joining the Russian and Chinese grand alliance would position India for future greatness. America had been on the decline — everyone had said so for years. Even the President prior to Gates had publicly acknowledged it. Khatri clenched his fists. “I should’ve known not to count America out,” he mourned.

The scene was filled with juxtaposition. Khatri sat in the leather chair of an Embraer Legacy 600 luxury jet, and yet, the members of his parliament were ready to throw him out of office. After such horrific humiliation and loss of life suffered under his leadership, even his partner in crime, President Aryan Laghari, had begun to side with the growing antiwar movement sweeping across the country. The absolute slaughter of their militia forces at the naval airbase outside of Arakkonam had shaken the population to the point of nearly collapsing the government. The people were furious that these largely underequipped and poorly trained militia forces had been thrown against a battle-hardened enemy because the government had not accepted the Allies’ first peace offer to end the war. Now, the people and parliament had demanded that he settle the matter, or they’d replace him with someone who would.

When Khatri’s jet flew over Chennai, he immediately noticed the sheer size of the military buildup on the outskirts of the city. He didn’t need a military general to tell him the Allies had landed many more divisions of fresh troops in his country. They were obviously gearing up for a major offensive should his talks fail. Moments later, his plane, which was being escorted by a pair of Australian F/A-18s, landed at the Chennai International Airport in full view of rows of helicopter gunships and Allied warplanes. Once his jet had parked and the engines were shut off, the outer door was opened, and he was greeted by an Allied military honor guard.

At the end of the line of military members stood the American Secretary of State, Philip Landover, the American general currently in command of Allied forces in Asia, and an Australian general, the man Khatri recognized as being in charge of the Allied armies currently invading his homeland. Lifting his chin up in pride, he stepped off the plane and walked past the military members arrayed before him.

“Prime Minister Khatri,” Landover said cheerfully, extending his hand, “I’m Secretary of State Landover, and this is Supreme Allied Commander General Bennet. It’s good to meet with you. If you would please come with us, we have a room set up nearby for us to talk.”

Khatri followed his hosts to the small room that had been set up. Some stewards offered everyone cold water and other assorted drinks. After some obligatory small talk, everyone began to take their seats. The mood was somewhat somber. Khatri realized that the decisions reached in this meeting would determine whether calmer heads would prevail or whether thousands more men and women would die in a futile attempt to resist the Allies.

Opening the discussion, Secretary Landover said, “Mr. Prime Minister, it’s sad that world events have led us to this meeting today. I truly hope that today, you and I can put this matter behind us and allow our nations to move forward together in peace.”

Khatri was a bit taken aback by the statement but quickly recovered his composure. He wondered what sort of terms he was going to have to accept to bring about the peace his nation demanded he achieve.

“I agree, Mr. Secretary,” Khatri offered. “It was unfortunate that our two nations, once strong trading partners and friends, found ourselves on the opposite sides of this terrible war. Now it’s time for us to set aside our differences and work toward peace.”

Landover nodded. General Bennet, who appeared unmoved by the Prime Minister’s statement, continued to stay silent. Secretary Landover shuffled a few pieces of paper in front of him. “I agree, Mr. Prime Minister. Let us begin then,” he said. Landover seemed to find what he was looking for and composed himself. “Many months ago, President Foss offered your country the opportunity to end the war and leave the Eastern Alliance. The terms of surrender were generous. The terms I am authorized to present to you now are much less generous, since your continued war against the Allies, and in particular America, has caused us great harm. Your nation’s cyberattack on our financial institutions cost the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people in our country and destroyed the wealth of millions.”

Khatri shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The PM had been hoping his nation would be presented with the same terms of ending the war as they had been offered prior to the cyberattack on JPMorgan and the ground invasion of India.

“The terms being offered are this — complete and unconditional surrender of your armed forces and complete denuclearization of your country. You may retain your nuclear power capabilities, but your weapons labs and current nuclear inventory up to this point will have to be surrendered. Upon the acceptance of these terms, the 91,000 prisoners of war we’re currently holding will be released back to your country.”

Khatri swallowed uncomfortably but said nothing.

Secretary Landover continued, “Just as in the case of Russia, a small occupation force will remain in your capital and here in Chennai to ensure your government is honoring the terms of the surrender. Your nation will also no longer be allowed to continue war production or provide any sort of economic or financial support to the Eastern Alliance.”

Landover sat back in his chair. “Are you ready at this time to agree to these terms, Mr. Prime Minster?” he asked.

Khatri had felt like an hour had passed as the secretary read the terms of surrender. The bile in his stomach slowly made its way up his throat to the back of his mouth. By the time Landover had finished, he wanted to vomit. What had been presented was a long list of humiliations he’d have to accept if he wanted to end the war. Khatri reached for the glass of water in front of him. He needed to calm his stomach before he responded and buy himself a few moments to think. After taking a couple of gulps of water, he shook his head as he looked up at Landover.

“Mr. Secretary, I’m afraid some of these terms are not acceptable,” Khatri finally said. “While I can concede the points on providing financial and economy aid to the Eastern Alliance, I can’t abide by the dismantling of our nuclear deterrent. India has not threatened to use these weapons against the Allies, but these weapons are imperative to our national security and protection against the Pakistanis, who also have nuclear weapons. If we’re forced to hand our weapons over, we will be subject to attack from our unfriendly neighbors to the north. That’s simply unacceptable.” Khatri puffed his chest out defiantly. He felt he’d made a strong case.

General Bennet, who had remained quiet up to this point, spoke up. “Mr. Prime Minister, with all due respect, I know where your nuclear weapons are at this very moment. If I have to, I’ll order their complete destruction and be done with it. If your government opts to use them against my forces, I’ve been authorized by the President to turn your country to ash. These terms are not up for negotiation — these are the terms being offered, and either you will accept them, or within the hour, I’ll order my armies to begin tearing your country apart. I have many more divisions from Europe heading this way, and I can occupy your country before the end of summer if I choose to. Secretary Landover is giving you an opportunity to save tens of thousands of lives before it’s too late. Please don’t force me to destroy your country.”

Khatri recoiled. “We are a nation of over one billion people, General. You cannot occupy our country like you can Russia — there are too many of us,” retorted Khatri.

“And how did that mighty civilian uprising you proclaim work out for the militia forces at Arakkonam? Your armies have been defeated. Please don’t force my men to slaughter untrained and ill-equipped civilian militias,” General Bennet shot back, anger and determination burning in his eyes.

Raising his hands to calm everyone, Secretary Landover stepped in. “Gentlemen, please. Arguing and threatening each other isn’t going to resolve this situation.” Turning to look at Khatri, he added, “You’re correct, Prime Minister. The Allies, America, can’t occupy your country like Russia. I personally don’t believe that’s either necessary or required. However, the President is clear that India can’t retain its nuclear weapons as part of the unconditional surrender. President Foss does recognize the unique security challenge your country faces with Pakistan; as such, he is willing to make the same security guarantee to India that we made to Russia. India will fall under the protected nuclear umbrella of the United States, and we will make that publicly and privately known to the leaders of Pakistan. A nuclear attack on India will result in a nuclear response against the attackers by the United States. Just as we agreed to in Russia, America will sign a twenty-five-year military defensive guarantee to that effect.”

Khatri returned Landover’s gaze. “What happens when we move past the twenty-five-year mark? Our issues with Pakistan are deep and long-standing. These issues may still remain well past your security agreement. Will India be allowed to openly pursue a nuclear weapons program then, or are we going to be under continued military threat if we move in that direction?”

Landover had known this might be a problem. He had mentioned it to the President prior to flying out here. However, no one had had a really good answer for him. “Prime Minister, let’s hope that twenty-five-years from now, nuclear weapons will be a thing of the past.” He paused. “I wasn’t given specific guidance that India couldn’t acquire nuclear weapons at the end of the agreement, so I believe that it would be safe to say your country would not face any threat from the United States if it pursued that course of action at that time.”

Pausing for a moment, Landover asked, “Do you need a few moments to confer with your advisors?”

Khatri shook his head. He knew he wasn’t going to get better terms. As humiliating as the offer was, part of him was just glad the US wasn’t seeking financial reparations in addition to the dismantling of their nuclear arsenal. “How many Allied forces would remain in my country, and what would be the process of ending the fighting?” he finally asked, deflated and defeated. More than anything, he just wanted the killing to stop. So many young people had already died in this pointless war.

General Bennet leaned forward to take his turn to speak. “I will order the fighting to cease across the Allied lines immediately, and I request that you order your military to do the same. A forty-eight-hour cooling-off period will go into effect to make sure everyone in the field knows what’s going on. Then I’ll ask that the head of your armed forces meet with General Morrison here to work out the details. For the time being, we’ll leave four divisions of Allied troops in India until the war in Asia is over. Once we can be assured that there will be no further problems within your country, and there are no overt acts of aggression being made by the Pakistanis toward India, we will look to draw down further Allied forces. If we detect any increase in military forces by the Pakistanis near your border, then I’m going to request that you agree to a redeployment of Allied forces to your shared border and allow our forces to be given any support and assistance they require. Our Air Force may also need access to your northern airbases as well.”

While Khatri felt like he was drinking from a firehose, he was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly General Bennet had gone from threatening to reduce his nation to rubble and ash to aggressively defending the territorial integrity of his country should they be threatened by Pakistan. While he hated the terms of the surrender, he felt some peace now that Bennet appeared to be an honorable general and sincere in his effort to end the killing and honor the terms of the agreement, even if that meant fighting the Pakistanis.

“Mr. Secretary, General, I agree to your terms of surrender,” Khatri said, calmly and in a calculated tone. “If we may, I would like to invite you both to New Delhi in forty-eight hours, where we can formalize the end of this terrible war. Would you do my nation the honor of holding a public signing ceremony to formally end the conflict between us? I believe it will greatly aid in the healing process between our two nations.” He hoped he could at least manage this meager face-saving act before his parliament and people.

General Bennet looked a bit uneasy with the commitment, but after a moment prodding by the Secretary of State, he reluctantly agreed.

Following the meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, General Bennet held a separate meeting with his generals. They needed to iron out the details of the occupation and which units would be staying on. While they had to make sure they left sufficient combat power in country to keep the Indian government honest, they also needed as much firepower as they could muster for the coming summer offensive into China. The President had given him clear guidance that he wanted the war over within the next twelve months. Like his predecessor, Foss didn’t want the war to be a deciding factor in the coming 2020 election. If he didn’t win reelection, he didn’t want another president changing the course of the war and eroding the gains they had made.