The Devil's Handshake

52

Moscow

As the President of the United States of America’s face appeared on the television screen, the President of the Russian Federation said nothing.

It wasn’t lost on him that it was the middle of the night in America. That meant the Bored Kid, as he thought of him, was as worried as he was despite trying desperately hard not to show it.

“My fellow Americans, yesterday evening following a request from the United Nations under resolution S/RES/2200 (2013), I ordered our nation’s Armed Forces stationed at Djibouti to provide support to the United Nations Mission that had come under attack from unknown forces. At this time, due to the worsening situation in the country….”

During the speech, in measured careful tones he made reference to the fact that as Russian forces were currently engaged in an effort to put down the civil uprising in response to the outrage and had placed all Russian armed forces on an Elevated Combat Readiness footing. This meant he was left with no choice but to also do so.

The President of Russia wasn’t surprised by the content of the speech. He knew the Americans would state that it was Russia who had upped the ante by elevating the threat level and accuse him of supporting genocide despite having been behind the coup and the attack on the United Nations Mission so to justify them entering the country.

“All because they wanted to undermine the Russian interests in the region,, Things never change! Arrogant as ever!” the Russian President thought in disgust.

Once his counterpart finished with his grandstanding the Russian President also left his situation room to make his way to his office, it was time for his response.

Walking briskly past the nervous State Television Broadcast support team, he sat down behind his desk with the Flags of Russia and his office behind him. He waited for the make-up assistant to finish powdering his nose. Once she was finished he gave a singular nod towards the camera and started his rebuttal of the accusations of the Americans.

Unlike the measured tones, of his counterpart in the White House, the Russian President speech was designed for a different audience.

Full of emotion, he took his turn to accuse the United States of supporting of the attempted coup d’état, firing on Russian Military Aircraft, and the breaking of International law by illegally entering a sovereign country, conveniently choosing to ignore the United Nations mandate in the process by suggesting that the UN didn’t follow the procedure of waiting for confirmation from the host nation as to whether assistance was required.

By the time he was finished the world’s media were left scrambling for information, experts, and content on the world’s newest state that was bringing two of world’s superpowers to the brink of war.

Speech finished, his heartbeat returning to normal, he walked back into Emergency Situation Room to be greeted by his Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“I just took a call from the American Ambassador. He is advising me that if the President of Adwalland makes an effort to deploy his Militia in the direction of the Mission they will consider them a threat and respond accordingly.”

The President of Russia offered a nod.

“It was time to hit back,” he thought.

“Tell our Ambassador in Washington to contact the Secretary of State and inform him that we will be taking over responsibility for the base and that our Russian Armed Forces on the ground will make all haste,” just as he stated he would do in his speech moments ago, ignoring the US Ambassador’s message.

“I will also get our Ambassador in New York to inform the Secretary General as well,” offered the Minister of Foreign Affairs making sure the President’s bases were all covered legally.

“How long will it take our troops to get from Borama to Lughaya?” asked the President towards the Chief of the General staff.

“Approximately three hours, Sir,” responded the Marshal.

The President acknowledged the information with a further firm nod of the head.

“Good! Give the order.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” answered the Marshal without hesitation.

“We must put our troops on ‘Danger of War’ footing,” insisted the Prime Minister, ever aware of the legal requirements of the Russian Federation.

The President looked towards the Prime Minister. There was no turning back.

“Make it so!” he ordered on something that hadn’t been authorized by Russian leader since the Second War World as he looked towards the Prime Minister.

“Yes, Mr. President,” answered the Marshal while he privately thought, “Are we really going to war over this?”