Dale Brown - Executive Intent

“There can be no cessation of defensive air operations around Aden until the security situation is improved enough for rescue-and-recovery forces to enter the harbor and surrounding areas,” Li insisted. “I do not care about such things as insurance rates while brave Chinese sailors lie dead and injured in hostile waters. The United States will never-”

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, please,” Boris Tarzov said, holding up hands both to the Chinese and American representatives, his voice even more insistent this time. “Obviously something must be done to assure Chinese rescue forces can operate safely in the harbor. The Vladimir Putin carrier task force is just a day or two from the area, and they have a light infantry force, approximately two marine companies, I believe, embarked. May I propose that Russian marines be allowed to land ashore and secure the harbor area so Chinese rescue-and-recovery units can operate safely?”

“Exchange Russian marines for Chinese fighter-bombers?” Colby remarked. “What kind of deal is that?”

“What exactly are you implying, Mr. Ambassador?” Tarzov asked. “Are you suggesting that our marines would form some sort of invasion force? American Marines come ashore all over the world for all sorts of humanitarian, peacekeeping, and security missions, and no one suggests they are an invasion force. This would strictly be a security operation, with no more than five hundred or so marines and a few transport helicopters involved, which I feel should be more than sufficient to suppress any more acts of violence. Russia built the airfield and most of the modern harbor facilities in Aden, so I believe we are very well familiar with the layout of the area.” Ambassadors Li and Colby glared at each other. “Then I hereby move that the Russian naval task-force commander approaching Yemen be placed in charge of an operation to provide security for Chinese rescue-and-recovery forces operating in the harbor at Aden.”

“A motion has been made,” Nascimento said. “Second?”

“And all Chinese so-called defensive operations cease immediately?” Colby asked.

“Cease upon arrival of Russian marines in the harbor,” Li said.

“My motion is amended to include the order that all Chinese defensive and offensive operations of all kind cease upon arrival of Russian marines in the Aden harbor,” Tarzov said.

“May I have a second?” Nascimento repeated.

“And China will receive assistance in conducting an investigation of the bombing of our warship?” Li asked.

“As soon as Russian marines have secured the area, Chinese forensic and military investigators may enter-”

“Multinational investigators, including U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, may actively participate in any investigation,” Colby interjected.

“This will be a Chinese investigation, Mr. Colby!” Ambassador Li retorted.

“The fox investigating the missing chickens, Mr. Li?”

“How dare you…!”

“Gentlemen, please,” Boris Tarzov interjected, spitting out the word please with extra emphasis. “Lives are at stake here!” Colby and Li went back to glaring at each other. “The participation of equal numbers of multinational investigators is a reasonable request, to be led by a Chinese official,” Tarzov went on, “and I hereby amend my motion to include it, as long as all findings made by each team of investigators shall be shared by all other investigation teams, by all participating nations including Yemen, and the Security Council. Are there any other proposed amendments?”

There were none, so Nascimento asked, “May I have a second, please?” The delegate from France raised his hand. “Thank you, I have a second to the motion. As this is an emergency session of the Security Council, I ask that each delegation contact their respective ministries by secure telephone from their seats. I shall call for a vote in fifteen minutes. Thank you.”

“This is not good,” Colby whispered to his deputy as he picked up the telephone.

THE WHITE HOUSE

A FEW MINUTES LATER

Despite the early hour, the residence of the president in the White House was already abuzz in activity. White House Chief of Staff Walter Kordus found President Gardner in his bedroom, throwing clothes into a suitcase. “Mr. President, I told you I’d have Mrs. Line do that for you,” he said. He held up a cordless phone. “The Security Council is meeting right now, and Marcus Colby is asking about the vote. Where’s Mrs. Line?”

“The first lady is out of town, I can’t find my lightweight suit for Arizona, and Mrs. Line doesn’t know the difference between golf shoes and scuba flippers,” Gardner complained. “I sent her to get me some coffee. What’s the deal with the Security Council?”

“They’re discussing Yemen and China,” Kordus said. “The motion before them right now is about letting Russian marines set up security around Aden so China can get their men and ship out of the harbor.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Gardner swore. “Russian marines in Yemen? How many?”

“A few hundred.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad to me,” the president said distractedly, throwing clothes into the suitcase, then throwing them back on the bed. “What does Stacy say?”

“Her secure phone isn’t working in Beijing. We’re working on an alternate hookup. She might have to go to the embassy.”

“Great. Perfect.” Gardner was about to pick up another rolled-up pair of socks, then gave up and motioned for the phone.

“Marcus?” He glared at the phone. “It’s dead. Great. All the phones are on the fritz.” Kordus took the phone back, hit the “HOLD” button, and gave it back to Gardner. The president scowled at him before speaking: “Marcus?”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“What’s going on?”

“The motion offered by the Russians is to allow Russian marines into the port of Aden to secure it,” the United Nations ambassador responded. “ China is to stop all offensive and defensive operations as soon as the Russians arrive. Russia suggests a force of five hundred marines, about half of what they bring in their carrier battle group. The U.S., Russia, China, and Yemen can send an equal number of investigators to find out who attacked the Chinese destroyer, to be led by a Chinese official, and everyone has to share information with the others and with the council. France seconded.”

“What do you think?”

“It’ll stop the Chinese from bombarding the city,” Colby said. “That’s a start.”

Gardner looked over to Kordus, who was on the house line, motioning to him. “Hold on, Marcus.” He covered the mouthpiece and nodded at Kordus. “What?”

“The vice president is in the Situation Room and wants to know if you want him to come up.”

“Doesn’t that guy ever sleep?” the president asked. He thought hard for a moment; then: “Tell him I’ll talk with him in the Oval Office before I leave.” On his phone he said, “Marcus, I’m getting ready to leave for a campaign swing out west. What’s the bottom line here?”

“Five hundred Russians on the ground in Yemen backed up by a carrier task force, together with a Chinese carrier task force, all within a few miles of each other in one of the world’s most strategic sea choke points,” Colby said. “Our closest carrier battle group is about five hundred miles east; we have components of an amphibious ready group in Djibouti, just a hundred miles away or so. The upside: China stops bombing Yemen.”

“That’s it?”

“They took us by surprise, sir.”

“That seems to be the norm around here these days,” the president muttered, directing his remark sideways at Kordus. “What’s the council looking like?”