Target America

62

The president and National Security Advisor Jeremy Lewkowicz were speaking privately in the briefing room at Edwards, awaiting the arrival of the cabinet, when General Couture entered the room.

“Sir, President Patrushev is on line one.”

More than a little surprised, the president took the phone from the cradle. “Let’s hope this isn’t more bad news.”

He pressed the button and said, “This is the president of the United States.”

“Mr. President, how are you?” Russian president Patrushev asked in a somber voice. His English was quite good.

“Very, very busy, President Patrushev. How may I help you, sir?” It had already been made crystal clear to the Russian ambassador that the United States was extremely displeased with the Russian government for allowing not just one but two of its nuclear weapons to be stolen and smuggled onto US soil.

“I’m afraid I have bad news,” Patrushev said, “and I wanted to call you about it myself.”

The president stared at Couture. “I’m listening, Mr. President.”

“One of our intelligence people in North Korea has verified that the North will execute a surprise attack against the South the moment it is reported there has been a nuclear detonation in Washington, DC.”

The president sat down, grabbing a pen and scribbling “North K to attack S after detonation.”

“How certain are you, Mr. President?”

“The source is very reliable,” Patrushev said. “Your troops on the Korean Peninsula should ready themselves for war. I am calling because I want to personally assure you that we will not attempt to take advantage of the situation in any way. Nor will we condone such a move by Pyongyang.”

“I appreciate that, Mr. President. Is there any chance you can talk Pyongyang out of making this move?”

“The Chinese are attempting to do so now, but I would not hold much hope. Kim Jong-un is not a stable man — as you know.”

“President Patrushev, I’m sure you’re already aware of this, but in case you are not, sir, our military now stands at DEFCON One.”

“Yes, I have been told.”

“Then with that in mind, Mr. President, considering the grave news which you have just shared with me, are you willing to keep your navy at a safe distance in the waters around the Korean Peninsula? I ask you this, Mr. President, because there exists the very great possibility that our capital city is about to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon of Russian manufacture. The last thing I want — the last thing either of us wants — is for war to break out between our two nations.”

Couture glanced at Lewkowicz, his eyebrows soaring. The president of the United States had — in so many words — just threatened a Russian president with nuclear war for the first time since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

There was a long moment of silence before Patrushev made his reply. “I will order all surface vessels withdrawn from the Sea of Japan until this crisis is resolved. Will that be satisfactory, Mr. President?”

“Yes, it will, sir. I am grateful for your consideration in this matter.”

“Very well,” said Patrushev. “I wish to you good luck in finding the device — wherever it was manufactured.”

“Thank you, sir. Is there anything more I can do for you at this time, Mr. President?”

“It is I who will remain at your service, Mr. President. Please do not hesitate to call if I can be of any further assistance to you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You are welcome,” Patrushev said. “Good-bye.”

The president of the United States hung up the phone and looked at General Couture. “He’s agreed to pull the Russian surface fleet from the Sea of Japan. What’s that tell you?”

Couture didn’t hesitate. “It tells me he knows the nukes are Russian — and he’s worried a second detonation could lead to war. What about Korea?”

“The North plans to attack South Korea the minute they hear there’s been a detonation in DC. Patrushev said the Chinese are trying to talk them out of it, but he doesn’t expect success.”

Tim Hagen came into the room. “I have news from Montana, Mr. President.”

“Is Shannon’s family safe?”

“Nobody knows yet, sir, but the Gulfstream didn’t divert to Creech as ordered. It landed at a private airfield in Montana, and Shannon’s team took off in a private plane.”

The president was too rattled by the prospect of war on the Korean Peninsula to get worked up over Gil Shannon’s whereabouts. Going to war with North Korea within minutes or hours of losing Washington, DC, would make for a logistical nightmare. Kim Jong-un may have been unstable, but his military advisors were clever. North Korea would never get a better opportunity to try to reunite the peninsula.

“Fine. Leave it alone. We’ll worry about Shannon later.”

“But, Mr. President—”

Couture cut him off. “I believe the president of the United States just gave you an order, Mr. Hagen. I suggest you obey it.”

Hagen looked at the president, expecting support.

“Go and greet the cabinet for me when they arrive, Tim.” The president sat back with a sigh and began to massage his temples. “We’re very busy here at the moment.”