Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Secretary of Defense Decker quickly interjected. “That’s true, but why did they change tactics? What does it mean?”

“I don’t know, but with the majority of our resources looking within our own borders, I have a feeling we need to take a look at what the Empire is doing in theirs.”

The president addressed the military personnel in the room. “Generals, Admiral, do you see anything out of the ordinary in terms of troop deployment? Are they preparing to invade Europe?”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs answered the question. “Mr. President, that is not likely; we have no doubt that they are planning an invasion, but our best estimates put that twelve months out at best.”

“Could that estimate be wrong?” Secretary Laferriere asked.

“Right or wrong, the question doesn’t matter,” Director Jimenez interrupted. “This diversionary tactic will buy them twelve to sixteen hours to accomplish something under the radar. Invading Europe will be no more a secret than Normandy was eighty-three years ago. That’s not what this is.”

Everyone looked at the president, who had a Ph.D in American History. “Normandy was certainly not a secret; it was the largest military invasion in the history of the world at the time. The Allies did, however, create many diversions and spread misinformation so the Nazis would think the invasion would be launched at a different location. I agree with Director Jimenez; the Empire probably thought they would have a short window to quickly sneak something past us. The question is what.”

Admiral Mack stepped forward. “Computer, give me a status report on the Port of Gibraltar.”

“I’m sorry, Admiral Mack, you don’t have access to my system. Presidential authorization is required.”

“Computer, grant full temporary access to everyone in this room with the exception of the Secret Service Agents, and grant Admiral Mack’s request immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. President.” The map of the Iranian Theater zoomed in on the Port of Gibraltar. “The James Russell is operating at sixty-two percent efficiency. The flight deck will be operational in fourteen hours. Allied Forces in Spain have redeployed and have secured the north and south sides of Gibraltar. They are holding the line from Tetouan to the Atlantic Coast. Iranian forces to the south of the line have shown no signs of advance towards the port.”

“What?” Admiral Mack inquired. “I was certain this had something to do with Gibraltar. Computer, what is the status of the Iranian fleet in the Mediterranean?”

“The Iranian fleet has shown no signs of forward movement in the last twenty-four hours.”

Admiral Mack looked defeated. “Maybe we are on a wild goose chase here. Another attack might be coming for us here at home.”

“I’m sure that the agencies represented in this room are working diligently to prevent that from happening. I agree with Director Jimenez; this is a diversion.” FBI Director Warren Gill studied the map intently.

“Thank you, Warren.” Roberto Jimenez even sounded like a grouch even when he was expressing gratitude.

General Weygandt addressed the White House A.I. “Computer, display the five enemy bunkers and give a status report on each.”

Secretary of Defense Decker spoke up. “Computer, standby on the status report. General, I know what you’re thinking and let me address your concern. All five bunkers are under constant surveillance. We can read the license plates of any vehicles coming or going from any of the facilities. If we detect a spike in radiation we know there’s a chance they’re attempting to move one of their nukes. If they open the launch doors at any of the facilities, we know immediately. If either of those things happens, we can strike immediately and destroy anything topside of the bunker.”

“Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I figured you would have a watchful eye over the bunkers. Computer, continue with status report.”

“Bunkers 1 and 2 have had no significant movement in the last twenty-four hours. Radiation levels remain normal. Bunkers 3 and 4 were resupplied by armored vehicles.”

“Wait. Computer, standby. Why do we let them resupply their bunkers?” Governor Prince asked.

“They have a series of underground roads that lead to the bunkers. The entrance to the tunnels is always in a populated city, usually next to a hospital or a school.” Secretary Decker replied with disdain.

“Bastards. Why do we still follow the Geneva Convention again? They seem to be doing just fine without it,” Governor Prince replied. “Computer, continue with the status report.”

“Radiation levels at Bunker 5 have not increased in the last twenty-four hours.”

“That’s it? What about movement at Bunker 5?” Governor Prince asked.

“We don’t know. Six months out of the year the weather blocks out the bunker from our satellites. If we’re lucky, we get a clear day or two a few times during the blackout. All we can do is monitor the radiation levels. It’s exactly why they chose the location.” Director Jimenez didn’t like secrets being kept from him.

The president had been listening intently to everything, taking it all in and thinking. “Roberto, I’m starting to suspect this has something to do with Bunker 5. It’s the only thing that it could be. They aren’t moving towards Gibraltar, and we can see anything that goes on at the other four bunkers.”

“Mr. President, I’m inclined to agree with you. However, beyond the radiation levels, we can’t tell what is going on. Any drones we send near the bunker get shot down before they can see anything.”

“What would happen if they tried to move a nuke out of the bunker?”

“We would know it the instant it came to the surface. We could target and destroy it before they loaded it onto a vehicle,” Jimenez explained with complete confidence.

“That’s good to know.” Governor Prince smiled at Director Jimenez for the first time.

“Governor, I’m glad you appr… Wait! Something is happening. That can’t be right! Computer, confirm the radiation levels at Bunker 5.”

“Radiation levels have increased by six hundred nineteen percent.”

“God no! They’re launching a nuke!” Stacy Reid was covering her mouth in surprise.

“Relax, ma’am. That’s not what’s happening; something else is wrong.” Roberto had lifted his hands to manipulate the map on the screen to overlay a detailed weather map of the region.

“Did someone detonate a nuke and try to take out the facility? I didn’t authorize a launch, and the leaders of the Allied Forces must unanimously approve a nuclear strike launched from Europe!” President Powers was angry but maintained his composure.

Jimenez cleared his throat. “Mr. President, a nuclear detonation has not occurred. If it had, we would see the flash and the cloud cover would be pushed away. If they were moving a nuke, it would show up as a small pocket of radiation, one that we could target. The radiation levels have spiked over a ten-mile radius around the bunker and we are completely blind. The weather system is continuing to spread the radiation even further. Radiation levels continue to rise. Before the sun sets on the Empire, the radioactive cloud will reach the Indian Ocean.”

“Who did it?” General Moody asked.

“The Empire is responsible,” Jimenez said very slowly.

“What? A rebellion? Who’s trying to take over?” Secretary Laferriere practically screamed.

A look of sad realization dawned on the president’s face. “Admiral Mack, I want the Enterprise and the George Washington to move into the Indian Ocean and join the Fifth Fleet with all due haste. The Empire is smuggling a warhead out of Bunker 5 in order to launch a nuclear strike on the United States. We have to set up a blockade to ensure that they do not succeed.”