Blackmail

33 WASHINGTON, D.C.

In the basement of the West Wing, the president of the United States entered the Situation Room and took his seat at the head of the rectangular table, his eyes sweeping over the four individuals already seated: Hardison and Colonel DuBose to his right, and SecDef McVeigh and SecState Cabral to his left. On the far wall, the video screen was energized, displaying a map of Europe.

The president turned to McVeigh. “What’s the status?”

“Things are heating up,” McVeigh answered. After describing President Kalinin’s remarks, McVeigh followed up with an update on Russian military activities. He nodded toward the video display on the far wall, where Russia was divided into four colored regions.

“All units in three out of four Russian military districts have been ordered to full readiness. The Western and Southern Districts, which border Ukraine, along with the Central District, are mobilizing. However, no units have begun moving, except for a motorized rifle division and two missile brigades headed toward Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast. They’ve stopped at the Lithuanian border, with both Lithuania and Poland refusing to allow additional Russian military units into Kaliningrad Oblast. Russian air assets haven’t been redeployed, although it wouldn’t take long to move them.

“On the naval front, the Black Sea Fleet, which has been dormant up to now, is getting under way, and Russia’s Northern Fleet has begun moving again, with its ships departing Syria and rejoining the units at sea. However, the surprising news is that the Northern Fleet is headed to the Suez Canal, and not toward the Black Sea and Ukraine as expected.”

The president raised an eyebrow. “Into the Pacific?”

“Yes, Mr. President. The Northern Fleet has requested priority passage through the canal when its ships arrive.”

“So they’re rendezvousing with their Pacific Fleet?”

“We believe so. Based on the transit speeds of both fleets, we expect them to join forces somewhere in the Indian Ocean.”

“How do we plan to respond?”

“Regarding Ukraine,” McVeigh answered, “the situation is muddy. Ukraine isn’t a NATO member, and if Russia invades, we’ll have a dilemma on our hands. NATO and the United States have no formal obligation to intervene on Ukraine’s behalf, but it will be difficult to do nothing and let Russia invade a sovereign nation. All NATO units are being mobilized, although obtaining authorization to respond will be contentious; you’re talking about a war between Russia and over twenty Western European nations. The conflict could expand across the continent.

“Regarding our Navy’s response, Pacific Command plans to pull the Reagan strike group from China’s coast and route them south at maximum speed to join the Truman strike group. With the Northern Fleet submarines joining those of Russia’s Pacific, we’ll need to strengthen our anti-submarine warfare screen, with both strike groups working together as a task force. Additionally, the two carrier strike groups on the West Coast are preparing to deploy, and will join the Truman and Reagan strike groups as soon as possible.

“The five fast attack submarines entering the Mediterranean have been given orders to follow the Northern Fleet into the Pacific, leaving Michigan as the sole submarine in the Med. Due to her arsenal of Tomahawk land attack missiles, she’ll be routed into the Black Sea to assist if Russia invades Ukraine. However, we have one mission for her first.”

McVeigh pointed the remote control at the video screen, and the image of Europe was replaced with a map of Egypt.

“Once we noted the Northern Fleet’s transit toward the Suez Canal, we reviewed all Russian activity along the route and we detected a Russian Spetsnaz unit deploying inside Egypt a few days ago, some of them near the Suez Canal.”

McVeigh pressed the remote again, and a dozen locations appeared throughout Egypt where the Russian Special Forces unit had been detected.

“We have no idea what they were up to; there’s nothing of significance at these locations, mostly just vast stretches of sand. However, before we send five fast attacks through the canal, we’re going to check things out. Michigan will send a SEAL team ashore to examine the nearest location, not far from the coast.”

The president reflected for a moment, then ordered, “Keep the Reagan and Truman strike groups a safe distance from the Russian fleet. Things haven’t blown up yet, and I don’t want incidental contact to spark a conflict. Regarding Ukraine, mobilize all Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force assets.”

“Yes, sir,” McVeigh replied.

“Hopefully, this is just a false alarm,” the president said. “Russia rattling its sword to obtain concessions from Ukraine.”

As the president examined the four individuals around the table again, he was met with uncertainty in their eyes.