The Russian Woman

Chapter 18

The Russian equivalent of the Pentagon was situated on the Moscow River, not far from the Kremlin. Tarasov and his senior officers were seated in the war room, watching a live satellite feed of Turkish tanks and infantry streaming across the border into Syria.

Buried three hundred feet below the surface, the war room was three stories high, the heart of the National Control Defense Center. The lowest level was filled with six long rows of computer consoles that allowed instant communication with any and all of the Federation's diverse military forces. The consoles were segregated by service, as could be seen by the different markings on the uniforms of the men and women sitting at them.

Images of the Turkish invasion from a satellite orbiting over Syria were displayed on a gigantic screen. Two long tiers of U-shaped balconies faced the screen and overlooked the floor below. The balconies were lined with rows of red leather chairs.

Tarasov sat in the exact middle of the front row on the first tier, looking at the images on the screen. He was flanked to either side by General Kerensky and Defense Minister Fedorov. First Deputy Defense Minister Stepanov sat next to Fedorov. The rest of the chairs were filled with the Russian General Staff and ranking officers of the Federation's Army and Air Force. The second tier was currently empty.

"It begins," Tarasov said.

"Yes, Mister President," Kerensky said. "Sevim's tanks and planes will make short work of initial resistance, but they haven't come up against the main defensive positions of the SDF yet. The Kurds always knew this day would come. They've prepared for it. They know what they're doing, and they know what they're up against. They've placed their heavy weapons using features in the terrain to slow the Turks down. It will give them time to bring up reinforcements."

"Can they win?"

"No, Mister President. Not if Sevim is serious about crushing them. Their Air Force is limited to some aging F-16s and a few helicopters. They don't have enough weaponry to beat him. But it will be a costly victory for the Turks. The Kurds are dug in and determined. It's bound to drag on for quite a while."

"Have they begun moving reinforcements from the oil fields?"

"Yes, sir. As we anticipated, some detachments of their forces protecting the fields are moving to meet the Turkish advance."

"What are the American advisers doing?"

"Nothing. I've received reliable intelligence that they are not going to do anything," Kerensky said. "The security services have a highly placed source in Washington who reports their president will evacuate them if necessary."

"As I thought," Tarasov said. "The man is weak."

"It will be necessary at some stage to remove them," Kerensky said.

"All in good time, General. Perhaps their president will take care of that for us. Make sure there are no incidents that force the Americans to react."

"Yes, Mister President."

"Operation EAGLE?"

"Ready to begin on your command, Mister President."

"Open the link to General Chernov."

Kerensky spoke into his headset. Seconds later, General Chernov's voice sounded in Tarasov's ear.

"Yes, Mister President."

"General Chernov. Are you ready to execute?"

There was only one possible answer.

"Yes, sir. Our forces stand ready, awaiting your command."

"The Motherland is depending on you, General. I have every confidence you will carry out your mission with full success."

"Thank you, Mister President. I will relay your words to our troops."

"Very well. You may begin operations immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Tarasov broke the connection.

In Syria, General Chernov turned to his commanders.

"EAGLE is to begin immediately. Pass the word." He looked at his watch. "Final briefing in thirty minutes, at 0830. Dismissed."

Outside the headquarters building, Colonel Novikov turned to Major Gorky.

"All right, Nikolai. Form up the brigade and get them ready to roll. The 12th will take the lead with their tanks."

"The men won't like that, sir. They expect to be in the front of the action."

"They'll be happy enough when they see what the tanks do to the Kurdish positions. There will be plenty of action, you can be sure of that."

"Sir."

Gorky saluted and went off to carry out his orders.