“Our intelligence services were so stunned by the sudden shifting of so much power to you. It is no wonder they consider you one of the most dangerous military leaders in history. And now we know why, you seem to be able to talk people into doing things they would not otherwise consider. It is because you are so logical, so organized…yet calm when you make your point.” Elena raised her glass in a toast to Alex.
“And Curt I was serious about not wanting to kill your father, and if you remember I whispered something in your ear before we left the mine that day. Do you recall?”
“Yeah. You said our government was withholding the fact that an asteroid strike was coming and billions would suffer because of it.”
“Fortunately, that was just a ruse to hide all that has happened here with the takeover.”
“Has your opinion changed about the United States now?” Curt asked.
“No, I still distrust your government, but it’s your people that are surprising to me, your father for one, Dr. Chenowith, agent Somers, all of you seem so…so human…yet so talented and focused, it is refreshing to be around such people.”
Sandi was a little more comfortable, but Alex had shocked her for the first time with his decision to bring the two Russians, Elena and Andrade, into the fold. Somers still had her suspicions about Elena and would continue to watch her closely anytime she was around Alex. Meanwhile, in Moscow key military and intelligence officials were hurriedly gathering at President Kleskova’s office for the unheard of telephone call about to take place.
Chapter 4
The Russians
Jeffers, Liz, Somers, Elena and Andrade joined Alex in the communication room awaiting the call from President Kleskova.
“Hello General Hanken, it is Petrov Ingosich, I have President Kleskova, my superior Konstatin Bocovich, Director of External Security Affairs, and our senior military leaders, Admiral Joseph Krystanilaus, General Dimitri Inken, and General Ivan Tchafsky here in the room for this conference call. The President has asked that he be allowed to speak first.”
“General Hanken, Petrov has briefed me on your earlier call and your request to utilize our agents to uncover the traitors within your government, to which I say you have my permission to do so. But, you must first convince me and my military advisors that our country should have no fear of your military arsenal,” Liz interpreted for Alex.
“President Kleskova, to you and your assembled advisors I say this; it has never been, nor will it ever be, my intention to use my considerable arsenal in an offensive manner against another nation. The nuclear and traditional forces under my control are currently on standby readiness, but it is purely defensive in nature, and is only aimed at internal targets if Admiral Torrance should decide to initiate a hostile act,” Alex said and Liz spoke in Russian to relay his message.
“General, Admiral Krystanilaus, you have most of the land based and some of the air to air nuclear weapons at your disposal is that correct?” Liz spoke to Alex.
“No sir that is not correct, this morning we effectively shut out Admiral Torrance from any land based nuclear weapon systems; I now command NORAD and SAC exclusively. I have all of the land-based weapons and all of the air-to-air nuclear weapons in my arsenal. I have Air Force 2 and three separate control centers spread out across the nation from which to launch if I choose to do so,” Liz translated.
“Then Admiral Torrance has the U.S. Navy and its carrier force along with the submarine fleet?” The Admiral inquired. Liz spoke to Alex.
“No sir, that is not correct either, approximately six hours ago I secured the loyalty of Admiral Hanover and his entire staff. Along with that comes three carrier groups, two in San Diego, and one in Hawaii, twelve attack subs, six missile frigates, and thirty-eight thousand sailors and airmen, which includes, two full Marine divisions,” Alex said and Liz passed it on to the Admiral.
“General, you are now the most powerful military figure to ever walk the earth; I pray that you will be wise and judicious in using your new found power. That is all I had Mr. President.” Liz translated for Alex.
“Gentlemen, it is my most fervent hope that I will never have to fire a shot in anger at anyone. However, do not mistake my defensive posture as one of weakness. I will not hesitate to act against any aggressor to protect this nation, I hope you can relay that to your Chinese friends for me,” Alex finished and Liz spoke in Russian.
“General, this is General Inken, I head up the Air Forces for Russia. You have command of the B-2 bomber squadron and all the air launch nuclear tipped cruise missiles?” he asked. Liz relayed the question to Alex.
“Yes General, they are all under my control,” Alex replied and Liz interpreted.
“Mr. President, as long as General Hanken has that kind of control over so much of the US strategic arsenal we don’t have to worry about Admiral Torrance, that is all I had,” Liz passed it along to Alex.
“One final question General Hanken, what if Admiral Torrance launched an attack against us with no provocation on our part, who would you support?” the President asked.
“Mr. President, I would employ the old military tactic that states, my enemy’s enemy is my ally, I would help to annihilate him, he is a traitor to this country, and I will spend my last drop of blood seeing to it that he hangs,” Alex concluded and Liz interpreted.
“General Hanken, I like what I hear from you, it sounds like you are a reasonable and honorable man. If we can help in any way, call on us, and I look forward to meeting you someday. Elena and Andrade you show the Americans how good we are at counter intelligence make us proud, good day General,” the President said.
“And good day to all of you, and thank you.”
Alex turned and looked at the astonished expression on Ted Jeffers’ face and the blank stare on Somers face.
“Alex do you think the Russians bought that?”
“Of course not, but I wanted to strike the first conciliatory note, it will give us some time before they start dispatching agents over here to stir the kettle.”
“Jesus Hanken, you just did in fifteen minutes what nine previous Presidents have been unable to do for over forty years,” Jeffers commented.
“Don’t you believe it for a minute, the Russians still don’t trust us.”
“He’s right our military leaders especially don’t trust the Americans, but my boss, Petrov Ingosich, I think he can be swayed to your way of thinking General,” Elena offered.
Sandi stuck her head in and mentioned to Alex that the base housing officer was here to take Elena and Andrade to the civilian office for their housing and id’s. Alex told them both to return to the residence for dinner at six sharp, they agreed and excused themselves.
“Mom, he had the entire Russian elite eating right out of his hands, it was a truly historic moment.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you Liz, you were outstanding, there was no hesitation during your interpretation, excellent job, and you might be exaggerating a little on the level of acceptance by the Russians,” Alex stated.
Alex asked Sandi to have a nice dinner prepared. He wanted to get things started on the right foot. Sandi mentioned he needed call to Torrance at eight. Also, did he remember Professor Kumar from Cal Tech, who gave the presentation in Washington DC? He had called and wanted to speak to him as soon as possible. She told the professor that Alex would call him back the next morning. Alex put his arm around Sandi’s shoulder and told her how important she