Operation Red Dragon and the Unthinkable

Southern Negotiation

Secretary of State Jim Wise and Secretary of Defense Eric Clarke arrived in Brasilia in a small unmarked private jet for a meeting with the President of Brazil, Michel Rousseff, and his national security staff and senior military leaders. President Stein had spoken with President Rousseff at length about their country joining the war and furthering their economic integration. Eventually, the Brazilian President agreed to meet with Secretaries Wise and Clarke to discuss what role Brazil and the other South American countries might have.

The harsh winter of Washington D.C. had been taking a toll on the aging body of Secretary Wise, so as he stepped out of the plane, the warm weather of South America felt like a sweet kiss upon his face. The armored SUV and escorts arrived right on time to take them to their meeting. After a short thirty-minute drive, they arrived at the President’s home to address the awaiting group.

Brazil had benefited greatly from the Grain Consortium, selling large amounts of food products to Asia prior to the war starting. With those trading partnerships terminated, they were starting to see the ill-effects of this bad news in their first quarter GDP numbers. The United States had stepped in, placing massive manufacturing orders for steel, copper and other manufactured goods that they used to purchase from Asia. This shift would help grow Brazil’s manufacturing base, and with any luck would turn the tide of the country’s economy.

The President of Brazil was waiting for his American guests at the front door when their vehicle arrived. He walked down the path to meet them and with genuine warmth said, “Welcome to Brazil, Misters Secretary.” He extended his hand to shake each of theirs. “Please come with me. We have some food, drinks and other refreshments set up for you in the library. The others are already in there waiting for us.” The President led his visitors through the spacious mansion to the library, which was equally grand. The room had vaulted 18-foot ceilings, with rows of bookshelves and paintings of famous Brazilian artists and other national icons all along the walls.

After everyone exchanged pleasantries and had some appetizers, President Rousseff motioned for everyone to find a seat around the large table that had been brought into the library for their meeting. A technician finished setting up the holographic presenter in the center of the table, and Secretaries Wise and Clarke both uploaded their briefings.

“Gentlemen, I appreciate your traveling to Brasilia to speak with us. I know both of you are incredibly busy men. Please, if you can begin, tell us what it is President Stein and America is requesting from Brazil,” said the President graciously.

“Mr. President, Ministers and Generals. We appreciate your willingness to speak with us and thank you for all that Brazil has done to help the United States in perhaps our greatest hour of need. As President Stein has conveyed to you, we are in need of assistance once again, and we are turning to you as an ally and friend.” Secretary Wise gauged the room for their initial reactions to his statement, trying to identify those who may pose as potential obstacles.

“As you know, last week the Islamic Republic detonated two nuclear bombs on American soil. While you have likely seen the footage of the devastation on the news, there is still information about the extent of the damage that we have not shared with the American public. We will be explaining the following in a press conference this evening, but we have determined that the structural damage to most of the skyscrapers, harbor, bridges, and surrounding boroughs (both in New York City and in Baltimore), is completely beyond repair. For safety, the remnants of any structures will need to be torn down and bull dozed. There is no salvaging what was left.”

As the videos showed the extent of the structural and human losses, Jim could see on their faces the shock and horror of the damage that they were witnessing.

“The casualty numbers right now stand at close to four million dead, with nearly eight million more injured and homeless. As you can see, the damage is nearly catastrophic. The cities of New York and Baltimore will have to be abandoned and sealed off until the radiation can be cleaned up and cleared. This may take close to a decade or more to complete.”

President Rousseff interjected, “America has our deepest condolences on the loss of life. This truly was a barbaric attack against a civilian target. What can Brazil do to help America?”

Jim cleared his throat before continuing. “America cannot fight this war on our own any longer. As you know, Russia just declared war on the Allies the other day, and has begun a massive invasion of Europe. The Chinese continue to conquer one country after another in Asia, and right now there is little that can stop them. We are asking that Brazil, along with the other South American countries, join the European Union, Great Britain, Israel, Australia, Canada and others in this war against tyranny.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs jumped into the conversation. “Brazil is already producing massive amounts of munitions, weapons and other materials that America and the Allies need for the war. What more can Brazil offer America that we have not already given?”

The Minister of Defense interjected, “Troops, the Secretaries of Defense and State are here to ask Brazil to start to participate militarily, am I right?”

Eric Clarke, the SecDef, answered, “Yes, that is what we are here to ask. We need soldiers, sailors and airman to help us defeat the Axis powers.”

President Rousseff nodded slowly and then surveyed his advisors and ministers before saying, “Secretary Clarke, while we certainly wish to assist you, Brazil does not have a large military right now. We also do not have the support structure to manage a large military right now. We could provide armed support, but it would be limited.”

“We recognize this, and we have a proposal we would like to make. First, we would like to request what forces you do have available be immediately sent to support NATO in Europe. Second, we would like to request that Brazil begin an immediate mobilization within your country for war—”

Before Secretary Clarke could finish his sentence, several ministers began to grumble, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs interrupted, “—Sir, the Axis powers are not directly threatening Brazil or South America. If we start a countrywide mobilization, they may perceive us as a direct military threat. Brazil does not live under the anti-ballistic laser missile defense bubble that America and Europe have.”

Eric tried to regain control of the meeting before he lost it completely. “We recognize that. We would immediately begin construction of over two dozen fixed site missile defense systems in South America, and would augment it with numerous mobile laser defense systems and a series of railgun defensive systems. America would extend our same missile defense technology to Brazil and South America.”

The President signaled for everyone to quiet down and let him speak. “Assuming we went along with this plan — exactly how many soldiers are you requesting of Brazil?”

“Mr. President, America is asking for an expeditionary force of 600,000 soldiers,” the SecDef said.

For a moment, the room was completely silent. Then, suddenly, it burst into loud conversation among the various minister and advisors, with the President trying to gain control of the room. After nearly ten minutes of a heated discussion, Secretary Clarke and Wise signaled that they would like to address the group again. “Gentlemen, we realize this is a large commitment, and that this represents a lot of young men and women we are asking your nation to place in harm’s way. This war is a turning point in history; the Axis powers have a military force of over twenty million soldiers. If we do not ban together now, then it may be too late to stop them. If the Allies in Europe and America are defeated, there will be no one to help South America when the Chinese and Russians come for you. We must unite now, before it is too late.”

“We understand the threat; this is just a lot you are asking of us. I do not believe we have the ability to train and support such a large force,” said the President, looking to his military advisors for support. They nodded in agreement.

“We have thought about that as well, and President Stein has some ideas on how to address that. The US would send you 7,500 military trainers and advisors to help establish five new military training bases here in Brazil. Each new training base would have 1,500 military advisors who would train this expeditionary force. We propose that the training for these soldiers would last ten weeks and be focused on training specific military professions. One base would be dedicated to training men and women who will be filtered into various military support functions. Upon completion of their basic training, they would be sent to the US to attend their specific military support duties (e.g. medical, supply, administration etc.). Three of the training bases would focus on training combat arms career fields. The fifth training base would be designated for officer and senior NCO training. They would attend the same combat training everyone else receives. However, their final three weeks would be geared towards leadership and command training.” While SecDef Clarke spoke, he was showing them via holograph the various types of training facilities that they had envisioned.

“Each week, a new class of 5,000 recruits would start training, and as the pipeline of trainees starts to fill, the bases would churn out 5,000 new soldiers at the end of ten weeks and each week thereafter. At this pace, it would take six months to train the 600,000 soldiers for the expeditionary force once the training begins. We would frontload the training for the soldiers who will need additional military training in the US so that they would complete their advanced training by the time the rest of the force is ready. Following the six-month train-up period, the expeditionary force would receive thirty-days of leave and then report back for a series of two-week training exercises. After that, they would then be prepared for deployment.”

The President and his military advisors continued to examine the information Secretary Clarke presented before the Brazilian Minister of Defense asked the question, “Where would this expeditionary army be deployed to?”

“Right now, we are not 100 % sure yet. It will be the middle of August before they are ready to deploy. A lot will depend on what the situation looks like in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. They could be deployed to the Middle East as an occupation force so that we could transfer the American Third Army to Europe or Asia, or they could be deployed to Europe to assist NATO. We will have a clearer picture as we get closer to that timeframe. President Stein is also open to suggestions for where you would like to see them deployed as well,” the SecDef said.

“Let me ask a more practical question. How is Brazil and the rest of South America supposed to equip or pay for this expeditionary force?” asked the Minister of Finance.

“The President has authorized me to provide the export/import and manufacturing licenses to build the myriad of armored vehicles and other military equipment that will be needed; this will create tens of thousands of high-end manufacturing jobs for your country. In addition, because of the cost required to support and sustain this expeditionary force is substantial, the US Department of Defense will be responsible for paying the salaries of the force and will purchase the required military vehicles and aircraft being produced by Brazil at 15 % above cost,” Clarke finished.

“I assume there will be a similar training program for the pilots for these aircraft as well?” asked the Chief General of the Brazilian Air Force.

“The individuals identified for pilot training will be sent to the US for training at our facilities; they will be integrated into the American Air Force for the duration of the war and will be transferred back to Brazilian national control once the war is over. We will not train a separate Air Force or Naval Force in addition to the ground force. The ground force will receive all of its air and naval support from the US. Essentially, Brazilians who want to join the air or naval arm of the expeditionary force can do so; they will just be integrated into the American air or naval forces for the duration of their enlistment or the length of the war, whichever comes first,” Eric Clarke said, hoping this addressed their concerns.

“How long will this expeditionary force be required to serve?” asked the Minister of Defense.

“They will be required to serve for the duration of the war, or for four years, whichever is shorter,” Secretary Clarke answered.

“Is this same offer being made to the other South American countries as well?” asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Yes, we are seeking a total of one million soldiers to form the South American expeditionary force. We will be asking the other countries to contribute a similarly sized force, though most of the manufacturing of the equipment needed would take place in Brazil, pending your joining the Coalition.”

“So, if we do not join and Argentina does, then the manufacturing goes to them?” asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“That would be correct. Brazil is our biggest supporter, and we wanted you to have the first chance at this offer,” said Jim Wise.

“Gentlemen, we need some time to discuss this privately. I would like to ask that you take a break to freshen up or get some sleep, and then meet us for dinner in four hours. We will have an answer for you after the meal,” said the President, concluding the meeting.

As Secretaries Clarke and Wise left the room, they walked to an outside patio so that they could soak up some sun while they drank a glass of fresh tea. “Do you think they are going to join?” asked Eric, looking to get another perspective.

“I believe so. That is, unless the Chinese have already approached them and made a better offer. However, I believe that at this point South America is too heavily tied to the American and EU economies to just cut ties and join the Axis powers,” Jim replied, though it sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

“If they do, it’s going to be a herculean effort to get this expeditionary force trained. Not only do they not have the facilities built, they would still have to draft the needed soldiers,” Eric said, not sure if they had bitten off more than they could chew.

Jim thought for a moment before responding, “We can bring in more PMCs to help augment your soldiers.”

“That only works to a certain extent; besides the PMCs are already stretched thin. It’s not like people’s enlistments are ending while the war is going on. We’ve stop-gapped everyone for the time being,” said Eric.

“You know that is going to become very unpopular if this war continues for several more years,” Jim retorted. He remembered what it was like during the Iraq War in the 2000s when the Bush Administration put a stop loss in place to keep the army numbers up.

“I know. Our plan is that for anyone whose eight-year active and inactive reserve enlistment is up, we offer them a $50K tax-free bonus per year that they re-enlist for, plus a one grade promotion. The number of people who are nearing or are at that actual enlistment mark is actually rather low. Several years ago, we phased out the two and three-year enlistment and went to a four-year enlistment with four-years in the National Guard or Reserves. The Guard and Reserves activations have also been increased from eighteen months to thirty-six months, until we have enough active duty units to fully replace them.” Eric as he took a long drink of his tea before he added, “This was a problem during the Iraq War in the 2000s as well. Too many National Guard and Reserve units were being activated, and it was seriously impacting the families of these men and women, not to mention their employers. The situation is not lost on us. As a corresponding active duty unit completes his/her training and receives their combat equipment, we are rotating those citizen soldier units back to the US. It’s just going to take some time, like everything else.”

“I’m glad to hear that you are taking this issue seriously. My grandson, Tyler, is in the Wisconsin Army National Guard; my son says he is doing good, but he is not sure when their unit will be rotating back to the US.”

Eric looked at the man sitting next to him as if for the first time. “Jim — I had no idea your grandson was in the military. Where is he currently stationed? What does he do?” Eric asked, genuinely concerned.

“He’s a Staff Sergeant in the 126^th Field Artillery Battalion, part of the 57^th Artillery Brigade. They are currently deployed in Israel right now. His unit arrived there a few weeks after the war started,” replied Jim with pride in his voice. He pulled out his cell phone and began to show Eric several pictures of Tyler. There were a number from his wedding and a few of him with some of the soldiers from his unit in Israel.

“Do you talk with him much?”

“He called me once a few weeks back to say, ‘Happy birthday,’ and to let me know he’s doing OK. I offered to help him get reassigned back to the US, but he said he couldn’t leave without his unit. He said it would look bad, and he couldn’t just leave them when they needed him.” Jim eyebrows furrowed while he talked; he just could not hide his concern.

“If you want, I can look into having his unit reassigned. Since they are an artillery unit, I’m not sure I could pull them off the line entirely. We are desperately short when it comes to artillery.” Eric sat there thinking for a few minutes. “Tell you what — if the Brazilians do join the Coalition, we are going to need to pull some combat units to do all of the training down here. I could arrange for his unit to be one of the ones pulled if you would like me to have him moved to a less dangerous place.”

Jim sighed before responding, “I appreciate the offer… maybe. You know the President has been pretty adamant about making sure special favors are not being pulled for senior officials and their family members. I would hate for him to find out I had my grandson’s unit pulled for my own selfish reasons,” he said.

“He certainly has not been making friends with the ultra-wealthy and politically connected people in the country. He had me personally ensure that every member of the Congress and Senate who has an eligible son or daughter was drafted and placed in a line unit. During one of our planning meetings, he said this would be unpopular but he was determined that every eligible citizen, including the wealthy and politically connected, must serve in this war. You should see the emails and phone calls I get from some of my friends who still work in banking and business. They all ask if I can get their son or daughter a deferment or at least ensure they won’t see combat.”

“What do you tell them?” asked Jim. He was curious now.

“I tell them what the President told me; everyone must serve, especially the wealthy and politically connected who have benefited so much from our country. The President promised that this war would not be fought on the backs of the low and middle class of the country.”

“I’ll bet that goes over really well,” said Jim as he chuckled.

An aide walked up to Jim and Eric and asked if they could please join the President and his staff in the library again. They both got up and followed him back into the mansion and to the library.

“Secretary Clarke, Secretary Jordan, please come join us for a drink, a toast if you will. We have discussed your offer, and though some of my ministers and advisors disagree, we have come to the conclusion that you are right. It is time for South America to do their part and join the Allies. We also want to thank you for choosing Brazil to head up the Coalition. We are honored to be a part of this chapter of the world and on the side of the Americans and those who love Freedom,” President Rousseff said with a smile on his face as he raised a glass of champagne.

The Secretaries of State and Defense flew on to meet with the Argentinians, Peruvians, Chileans and Columbians, gaining their acceptance to join the Coalition and participate in the newly created South American Expeditionary Force (SAEF). In time, this expeditionary force would swell to a little over one million soldiers and could grow significantly larger if need be. It would take close to ten full months before this new army was ready to deploy.