Choosers of the Slain

38

"It was an ambush," General Arco stated flatly. "The surface contact we detected was one of their stealth helicopters, flying slowly at very low altitude and using a blip-enhancer device to simulate the return we would have gotten from the ship. The destroyer itself presumably lay hove to in one of the nearby snow squalls.

"We detected the decoy target and maneuvered to engage it. As we did so, the North Americans launched what we believe were LORAIN surface-to-air missiles set in antiradiation mode. They homed in passively on the radar emissions of our aircraft. There was no warning."

"These damned fancy radar tricks did not work, and in proving it, you cost me two of my patrol planes!" Admiral Fouga spat.

"It did work, Admiral. That is why the North Americans sought out the system and destroyed it."

"Remarkable," President Sparza mused. "A surface warship turning on, and hunting down, the aircraft that are supposedly pursuing it. That is hardly a conventional tactic."

"This is not a conventional ship," Arco responded grimly.

Sparza had again summoned his military Chiefs of Staff and his Minister of State in his private office. During their past conferences on the Antarctic crisis, there had often been tension. Now there was open strain, stemming from the growing sensation that events were slipping more and more beyond their control.

"We are modifying two more of the remaining Atlantique aircraft for bistatic search operations," the Fuerza Aérea general continued. "We are also revising our tactics, so we will not be so vulnerable to this kind of ambush again. By this time tomorrow we should be able to resume the search."

"And what do we do until then? Sit around with our thumbs up our ass!"

"It is irrelevant what else we do, Fouga! When they downed our spy satellite, we lost the only other viable reconnaissance asset we had. During the past four days we have flown more than three hundred conventional search sorties over Drake Passage with every kind of aircraft we have in our inventory. We have not produced a single solid fix on the enemy's location. The North Americans' stealth systems work! Combine them with the deteriorating weather conditions over the Antarctic convergence and they are rendered effectively invisible. The bistatic radar is our only hope!"

"Possibly," Sparza interjected quietly, "but we may not have time to wait for it. Gentlemen, just before the two of you arrived, General Orcho was giving the latest intelligence updates from the Malvinas. I suggest that we hear him out."

The Army commander glanced at his notes in the manner of a man who knew all too well what they contained.

"With the assistance of the United States Air Force Transport Command, the British have completed their defense buildup. Currently, they have two full squadrons of F-model Tornadoes flying out of their military field at Mount Pleasant.

"In addition, VTOL fighter and helicopter units are operating out of satellite fields at Port Stanley, Goose Green, and Pebble Island. Signal intelligence also indicates that mobile air-search radars and Patriot and Rapier 2000 antiaircraft missile batteries have been deployed and are operational.

"The Royal Marine ground garrison has been augmented by the British Army's Parachute Regiment, plus light armored and artillery elements.

"At sea, the British have shut down and secured their offshore drilling operations. They have evacuated the civilian rig crews and the drilling platforms have been manned by Royal Marine commandos, armed with Stinger and Starstreak antiaircraft missiles. In addition, the Royal Navy has been basing ASW patrol helicopters off them. There is also evidence that CAPTOR mines are being deployed in the vicinity of the rigs. The liquid natural-gas storage facilities at Low Bay have also been successfully vented and shut down."

"What is the latest information on the naval forces?" Fouga demanded.

"Maintaining course and speed. They will arrive within strike range in approximately seventy hours. It is believed that both the British and American carrier groups have nuclear submarines running about a day ahead of the surface ships. This is not the most immediate threat, however."

The General removed a folder from his briefcase and began to pass around the photographic prints it contained.

"This first print is a freeze-frame still taken from a CNN news broadcast out of Mount Pleasant. In the background you can see the tail of a United States Air Force KC-10 tanker/transport, and a number of ground personnel, also identified as North American.

"This second print is a computer-enhanced blowup taken by the Brazilian Geo-Resources satellite of Wideawake Field on Ascension Island. The three straight-winged aircraft are P-3E Orion patrol planes of the United States Navy. There is also a second KC-10 and what appears to be a B-1C heavy strategic bomber.

"We believe that with the completion of the British defense buildup, the United States and Great Britain are preparing to escalate their level of aggression. We believe that they are preparing to forward-deploy long-range reconnaissance and strike aircraft into the Malvinas to support their blockade. If this is done, our situation will become… more difficult."

"How long do we have before they become operational?" Sparza asked.

"Possibly two days at the most."

The Argentine President returned his attention to his Air Force commander. "Arco, what can we do about this?"

The aviator looked down at the carpeting for a moment, wearily trying to assess the situation. "Well, we could try and knock out Mount Pleasant. It would mean taking our best aircraft off of their current antishipping mission. Even at that, I could not make any guarantees. Hardened airfields require a lot of killing, and they are ready and waiting for us. We would be bound to take heavy casualties."

"You cannot sink a solitary ship! You cannot destroy an airfield! Sweet Christ, why do we bother to have an air force?"

"That is enough, Fouga!" Sparza snapped. "I will be the judge of who is performing adequately and who is not. To date, I have found no fault in General Arco's actions, or in the performance of his service."

Fouga subsided, brooding, and Sparza turned his attention to his Minister of State. "Aldo, what of the diplomatic situation?"

"Things are not good, Mr. President," Salhazar replied. "At the United Nations, it appears that we are caught between North American diplomatic power and British diplomatic finesse, much as it was during the Malvinas conflict. A few of the traditional anti-Western states have responded favorably, but as more of a reflex action than a declaration of solid support. We hold the ABC block and our immediate allies. Not much more."

"What about the Antarctic Treaty conference?"

The Minister shook his head. "We have problems there as well. The other Treaty states are not reacting as we had hoped. The decisive action on the part of the United States and Great Britain is having an effect. The divisiveness and controversy we had hoped to create has not taken place. Again, we can be sure of only the ABC states. Most of the other member nations seem to be taking a wait-and-see attitude pending the outcome of the blockade."

"I am rather curious about that myself, Aldo," Sparza replied, drawing his cigarette case. He took a moment to kindle a Players with his desk lighter before continuing.

"Gentlemen, the window of opportunity for this project is closing, and the situation is critical. We must act decisively if Conquistador South is to be salvaged. Our only other option is to abort and accept the resulting diplomatic and political repercussions. Now, what can we do?"

There was a long moment of silence. Finally Admiral Fouga spoke. "The linchpin of this entire operation has always been the supply convoy and the necessity of getting it through. Very well, then, let us get it through! Now, before we are totally cut off!"

"We are already cut off, Fouga," Arco said irritably.

"The Cunningham would be on top of you before you cleared the harbor."

"Good enough, let them come. Your ghost ship is good at hiding, but to stop us, it will have to come out of the shadows and fight!"

The Fleet Commander leaned forward intently in his chair. "Mr. President, our best escort group will be covering the transports, and our best destroyer squadron will be providing distant cover for the convoy. With that kind of firepower available to me, I am certain that I can defeat any single warship that might attempt to engage us."

"You sound as if you intend to take this personally," Sparza said.

"I do, sir. I intend to command the task force myself, should you order it to sail."

"I see. Gentlemen, are there any further suggestions?" Sparza glanced around the small circle of men in his office. There was no response.

"Very well, then. Admiral, you will sortie the supply convoy and proceed to San Martin Base with all possible speed."

"Yes, sir! At once, Mr. President." Fouga began to hastily lever himself out of his chair.

"One moment more, Admiral." Sparza's voice caught him. "Your primary mission is to get that convoy through, not to hunt United States warships. Be certain that you are clear on your priorities."

"Yes, sir," Fouga replied pompously and saluted, "the Fleet will not fail you."

The heavyset naval officer picked up his briefcase and cap and started for the door.

"Fouga" — General Arco did not turn in his chair to look after the Admiral—"for the sake of your men, don't take the North Americans for granted, not for a second."