There was some down time after the Cyprus exercise; it had been pretty intense and everyone was tired; and the Choppers needed maintenance.
One of Jim Harkness’s duties was to keep his ears open and to prod SOCOM G2 for information on anything that looked likely to involve the Regiment. In other words, where things might be getting hot any time soon. Luckily SOCOM had made it plain for a long time that the SOAR regiment got tuned in to anything that looked likely; any warning was a good thing.
Not all the news was bad when it came in; sometimes good news was shared as well. With the all but formal treaty with the Taliban by the Afghan government, official anti-Taliban operations were stopped. Now that did not mean covert operations ended. BUT since SF was forbidden by law from covert activities, they and the SOAR regiments were no longer to be deployed. What actually happened was that the CIA and their covert section –with assistance from SF personnel that were attached to them- a very gray area indeed (legally speaking) would now continue the anti Al Queda operations in Afghanistan and the tribal regions of Pakistan. Rumors were increasing that Osama Ben Laden had been dead for a while- his so called statements were pretty much figured to be old ones recycled-and what was left of the Al Queda leadership was in hiding and still a target. But it was no longer as important as it had been. SO baring something changing the 161st would not be sending any units there. However since the 161st was now the only aviation brigade outside the US, except for the one in Korea which was firmly dedicated there, it would be expected to support any US missions in its assigned area.
The bottom line was that SOCOM would no longer be the sole boss of the 161st; the technical line of command still went through there. But now CENTCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM all could call on the 161st to support any mission. That had been intimated publicly before but it had been more of a smoke screen. Now it was not. And the tightened budgets everywhere meant a lot of people were looking for ways to stretch their operational and training budgets. While not exactly a gun for hire, in practical terms that might not be far off for the 161st. Since they were already closer than any US Aviation brigade, they would be called first on anything concerning Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa.
Liz accepted this as the reality of the world; no use complaining. One rumble that she did not like was the one that suggested one of her Battalions be stationed at Ramstein, in order to be closer to any place of expected need; and right with transport assets. Liz was determined to fight this one tooth and nail; a battalion by itself could go rogue, so to speak. And they could not train in Germany like they could in Scotland; too congested in both ground training areas and air space. So far it had only been some muttering that did not seem to have the support to be pushed through; but she knew that it had to be watched. There had been talk of giving her another assault/transport battalion of Black Hawks and Chinooks; but she knew that then the pressure to put it at Ramstein would be very hard to resist. The only way to keep their training up and also prevent them getting too independent would be to rotate a battalion there every six months or so; but that would be lousy for families.
SOCOM was quite aware of the rumblings and had decided that he needed to talk things over with his new command; so he quietly came over for a quick conference the week after the Cyprus operation finished. He landed at night and left the next evening; so no one really knew he was there. It was a little cloak and dagger but he did enjoy stirring things up. He stayed in the VIP quarters and thus no one really saw him. Liz and Colonel Harkness visited him there. He started things off.
“First let me congratulate you on that training operation; it went very well and you will get credit for most of it. Frankly, a lot of people are not very happy at how well it went. You planned it minimally; quickly; and cheaply. All things that are not supposed to work well. So now there will be a lot of pressure by the bean counters for others to do the same. Those that like their major training exercises planned a year in advance with many expensive meetings and strictly choreographed are going to be forced to do more with less. Which is a good thing in my book; it was getting ridiculous.”
Liz blushed slightly. “Thank you, Sir.”
“It is well deserved and enough of that. Now for the rumblings about Ramstein; this has been tossed around by EUCOM; but at the moment it has insufficient support to go anywhere. I agree with your reasons for opposing it. The trouble that the 160th had with their battalion at McCord Lewis just underlines the fact that your worry is not unfounded. It will almost certainly be moved back to Campbell as the battalion from Georgia will as well. The pressure to give you a fourth battalion is increasing; especially since many think that you already have too much of the hot spots and potential hot spots in your area of responsibility. Needless to say, once you get a fourth; and I think that it will happen; fighting that move will be a lot harder. The GOOD news there is that the germans are getting more restrictive about their airspace and what you can do there; so your training worries will be easier to substantiate. So with any luck at all in a year or so when you get that fourth you should be able to keep it with the other 3.”
“That is good news sir. We have the room here; one of the design parameters was in case we got a fourth battalion.”
“Sometimes we get lucky. Enough of that as well. Now as regards the potential for being tasked by the other three commands: it will happen, there is no doubt of that. What will be will be. BUT the good news there is that we can tap them for funds for training; in addition to your normal budget. The BAD news is that they will expect you to do more training in Europe and elsewhere.”
“Actually Sir, that is not so bad. The weather was great in Cyprus.”
“Well training in the Sahara in mid-summer or the Balkans in winter will not be as nice.”
“Granted; but I think the more different areas and more different units and nationalities we train with the easier it will be to keep my command sharp and not let it get complacent.”
SOCOM nodded; he really expected no less of her.
“Fair enough. Now I know that you have Colonel Harkness here constantly on my G2 to warn of anything suspected of coming your way; and that is a good thing. But of course a lot of the time something comes up with little or no warning at all. So I hope you do not count too heavily on what you hear.”
“No sir. But I figure any information on anything is better than nothing.”
“OK, I buy that. One thing there is a greater possibility of you being tasked with is more humanitarian operations. There is a push now from the DOD for us to show our kinder and gentler natures; and I guess I do not have too much against that in this case. Just that you train your people to search and destroy; and not act as peace keepers. But since you will be strictly transport and escort that should not be too much of a problem. Those that you put on the ground will have most of the responsibility. But it might be something that you keep in mind for training your attack units.”
Liz sighed but nodded. She really did not want to go down that road but orders were orders and she knew it was a possibility. She made a mental note to discuss this with her battalion commanders.
“Now I do not have anything like a crystal ball; but I think the most likely areas you will end up sending your people into are still the usual suspects; the middle east and southwest asia. But I also think that the likelihood is less than it has been in a long time. Things are still unstable in Morocco, Libya, Egypt and Yemen. But the probability is that you will not go there. Iraq is also unlikely; and Afghanistan seems stable enough that you will not have to worry about it. Pakistan seems to be doing better and that is good. Though Ultimate Checkmate is still something to keep in mind.”
Liz shivered a little at that very secret and dire potential operation. It was the seizure by force of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal if it looked like Pakistan would come apart or a fundamentalist government came into power. She had been briefed on it when she went to Afghanistan the last time with her Super Apaches. That was one she hoped never saw the light of day.
“Now for the areas that are more possible. The Balkans are still a mess; but the Europeans are determined to prove that they can handle it. But the possibility is that you would have to support them. So keep it in mind. I will not bother talking about the Russians; if they start anything they first pretty much have to take out the Ukraine and that will take them a while; long enough for us to move real force into Europe. So let us just skip by them. To be brutally honest I would be more worried about the situations in Western Europe than Russia: with all their economies still not recovered from the debt crisis and the near fall of the Euro, and more of their native populations disliking the immigrants more and more, adding to that the muslim sections becoming more militant; things could happen in France, Denmark, Belgium, Spain or Italy. Eastern Europe is in better shape. Of course you getting involved in any of those areas would be a case of pulling our citizens out then anything else. Once again the humanitarian part. The rather constant rumblings from some of the old soviet republics are once again something you need to look at more in the case of pulling our people out; and our friends as well. Turkey seems ok; the Kurds are not doing anything more than usual and the near autonomous area they have in northern Iraq has taken a good part of the steam out of the separatists. Africa once again is more a get our people out worry; we are not getting involved in Somalia again and there is nothing else really we care about down there. South Africa since the African National Congress lost power has settled down more than we had hoped.”
Liz looked at him as he paused, eyebrow up. He smiled slightly.
“OK. Our number one worry of course has been for a while and will continue to be Iran. While their nuclear program is still stalled due to our little monkey wrenches, they still seem bent on getting some. Now the ability to miniaturize them to the point of being able to get them on a missile would be some years after they get a bomb, but we still are more than likely going to try and take it out. The popular protests have been stamped on; but as usual that just makes them more harder and meaner. Does not end it. The Israelis are absolutely determined that they never get a bomb and I do not blame them; even with the wack job no longer the President it is clear the Mullahs still have the power. It is more than likely we will help them get it done but at the same time we still have the contingency plans to help them out. Which in the end would mean putting people on the ground to make sure that the centers are toast. We would parachute them in but getting them out would be your job. Needless to say it would not be easy. The other part is if there is a civil war; unless they are close to getting bombs we would stay out of it in all probability. At least I hope we do. They are still trying to finance various trouble makers but that is the Company’s problem not ours.”
Liz nodded; staying out of any civil war is always the best idea.
“So there you pretty much have it. That is the situation as it is at the moment; which means it could change tomorrow. Anyway, you will undoubtedly start getting more requests for training with more of the European militaries; and some of the Middle Eastern ones as well. Turkey really liked what you set up last time and will want to do it again. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the gulf states will probably want some as well but I am looking at sending some of the 160th to do that; they have very little to do and less reason to train hard.”
Liz blinked a little at that; and then cocked her head and looked at SOCOM.
“This goes nowhere but this room; is that clear?”
Liz and Jim nodded.
“The new commander of the 160th as you know is very raw to the SOAR; losing the last one we did to that accident that put him out of the army really hurt; we had no one to replace him. And unfortunately I am coming to the opinion that he might not be up to the job; he has decreased the training frequency to a point I do not like. So that is why I am going to send part of his people to the middle east. I am looking for a replacement and I want to see if any of his battalion commanders look like they can get it done.”
Liz sat back and thought about that. Right before Christmas the 160th Commander had been hit by a drunk driver and the injuries had put him out of the military; his XO took over but he was brand new to SOAR. And if early word was any indication, backed by what SOCOM had just said, he would not be there long. Problem was that they just did not have many senior enough people in SOAR. A situation that had given her problems as well. There usually were not all that many officers above the rank of captain in the SOAR. Either one. Now there were former SOAR officers here and there at a higher rank, but usually they had left for their own reasons. So she imagined that SOCOM was looking hard at them to see if he could get one back. But that would not necessarily work. It took a certain kind of officer to run a SOAR; she knew that now. And it was now clear to her that she had been groomed for a couple of years to take the 161st. But there were no relief pitchers in the bullpen. She did not envy SOCOM. Those that had commanded the SOAR in the past were either out of the military or now too senior to take it over. She looked at SOCOM.
“Really your only short term option is to give it to your Aviation Chief until a new one is trained up and ready.”
SOCOM nodded. He was not surprised that she had quickly figured out the only real option he had.
There were some other minor details to discuss but that was the meat of the meeting. He talked to Liz about the Cyprus and Turkey training and gave her a copy of the Predator tapes. She would find that useful in the future as regards rating her Battalion commanders. Also it would help her plan future training operations.
Over the next few weeks Liz fielded training requests from several more British regiments; and was looking at arranging another fairly large one in the UK early in the spring to take care of them. And she started to get some requests from Spain and other mainland countries. Greece being one; which was no surprise; since she had trained with the Turks the Greeks wanted equal treatment; and she knew that it was a must. An evil idea occurred to her and she sent a quiet Email to SOCOM about it; pushing EUCOM into funding it. Take some of the regiments from England and go to Greece. Take some others and go to Spain. SOCOM sent back that she should make a formal request for multiple Major Command support for them. Which meant he would support her. So she got Jim and they worked the next two days, calling the various British Regiments and giving them a general time frame- she was looking at late March. Jim contacted the Spanish and they agreed with the place proposed. The treaty to return Gibraltar to Spanish control while maintaining a British base there had eased things between the two countries. It would be the start of that operation that would be interesting; the 161st would pick up a Battalion of British troops and their equipment and then launch an assault on a position held by Spanish troops. Then they would do it the other way. Meanwhile the Spanish helicopters would be working with the 161st on training on rapid assaults on various types of terrain. The whole exercise would involve 3 British regiments and 3 Spanish regiments and their Air Assault units. As was being usually done the US would transport the British troops; the 161st would do that in two days. A POL point would established to fuel all helicopters.
The exercises went off well; once again Liz got with the commanders for both sides and they agreed on a very unstructured operation. The Apache’s and Little Birds did not have much to do; and Liz felt it was time to work them hard; so with permission from the Spanish, they used a Air Force bombing range to live fire all weapons. Liz had them at it for two days and they shot off a lot of ordnance. The Tiger attach helicopters of the Spanish forces also participated; they had become operational not long ago and were green. So Liz in her Super Apache led platoons of them in maneuvers and firing on the go; that lasted two more days. Liz would fire at a target and they raced to hit the same target; forcing them to move and shoot fast. They were ragged the first few hours; but after the second day Liz took them out for some night shooting and they did very well. The Spanish general in charge extravagantly thanked Liz for showing them how it was done. By not telling them what she was going to do, she forced them to read and react; a different way than they had been training. General Morales flat out told his training officer he was not doing it right and relieved him the first day. Liz ended up staying three extra days after the 161st left to help the Spanish re write their attack helicopter training program.
Two months later she got a very nice thank you from General Morales; they had just had a exercise witnessed by the King and the Attach Helicopters had surprised the Army unit by their ability to move fast and shoot fast and hit their targets; the army expected them to hover when firing and were unable to respond effectively. The King complimented the General and he straight out told the King that she had made it possible. A letter of Appreciation was hand delivered to Liz by the Spanish Ambassador to England. As well as an invitation to a formal Royal dinner celebrating the Spanish Military later that year. Liz accepted; one more time in the Mess Dress.
The NATO training missions began to add up; Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary sent in requests. The Greek Operation would be first; in early May. Then Liz was looking at doing the three Balkan countries in one go. Italy next.
The Greek training mission was solely with Greek forces; their Army air assault units, their Marines and two chosen Army battalions. Once again it was the case of the 161st training them up. The exercise lasted three days and all were satisfied. The Greek general in command wanted to see what the Little Birds could do and with the Greek Commandos they did; they captured his HQ that night. In some ways it was very relaxing for Liz.
Things changed in the combined Balkan training mission; Hungary asked to be done separately. Liz was informed by SOCOM G2 that their budget was a problem and they did not want to look bad in front of the Romanians and Bulgarians. So Liz took the 161st to Hungary first and three days later to Bulgaria where they trained with both Army and transport units.
Hungary did have problems; Liz was at her diplomatic best and managed to get things done anyway. They spent 3 full days working with just about their entire Army; assaults and movements and all sorts of things. They were noticeably more able when the 161st left.
Romania and Bugaria were easy in comparison; they still had things to learn but their budgets allowed more training so the basics did not have to be relearned.
Italy was next; in July; but it was in the mountains so it was not so bad. Italy had a very well trained military and the exercises were less about teaching then trying to stretch each other. When they got back from the 5 days there; Liz told the unit to get some rest. The near constant training over the last 6 months had worn them down; so Liz had blocked out all of August for basically rest and relaxation.
She got back from Italy to be told the fourth battalion would stand up in October; the equipment was transferred in from one of the Aviation Brigades that had been disbanded. The Personnel were in training with the SOAR training battalion at Campbell; they had been working on the people since March.
She looked over the personnel files of the officers she would get; luckily the Battalion commander came from the 160th where he had been an XO. But only a handful of the rest were already SOAR. It would be a green battalion. But so be it.
Trouble started to brew in Late July. The Euro crisis started up again when Germany flat out said they would not put any more money into the effort; enough was enough. Since they were the main backer, that sent shockwaves everywhere. Interestingly the countries that had all started the problem back in 2008, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Greece had more or less shaped up; Greece was still a problem but it was under control. Now it was Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark who were in the worst shape. Un restrained social spending had not been cut as much as needed and they had raised taxes which had caused more capital flight. France was openly pushing their Muslim population to leave; that had gotten ugly but the French Military and Police had so far maintained control. Calls for sanctions against France had mostly fizzled; the interesting part was that France and the US had better relations now then they had had for a long time.
As was to be expected the immigrants were the first to catch the heat; and beatings and demonstrations began to spread just as the continent entered the period of greatest heat. A bad combination.
France’s government; a more hard core and nationalistic one then had been seen in many years; also refused to put more money into the Euro. It called for countries to have austerity budgets and get things under control. Germany had also gone to the right and was saying they were no longer going to bail out the Euro.
The US, which had been pretty quiet in this, mostly played the calming influence as much as possible; even though the immediate effects were better for the US economy, which had had a couple of very good years recently. The more stringent budgets and at last capping spending on Medicare and Welfare, along with the first real cuts in the Federal government, had gone a long way towards removing the deficit. This was the first year that there was real hope that the budget would be balanced by the end of the year. Contrary to many predictions by the more liberal political figures, less government spending had not had the disastrous effect they had hoped would happen. It had been tough on the US Military, but true reforms in spending and heavy cuts in overhead (The Pentagon had been cut in half as regards personnel) had helped a lot. The real problem had been the commercial real estate crisis that had started in 2011 and gone through 2012. It had finally started to ease in 2013 and had helped speed the recovery.
China as usual tried to find a opportunity to expand its influence by offering loans at low rates to the country’s most in trouble. Not that China was doing all that well; the pollution effects had finally forced them to start working hard at controlling it and they were finding out how much that cost. Several natural disasters had also drained their huge savings accounts; added to which millions were demanding better public services. But they as usual saw a chance to get more international influence and made their move. The country’s needed money and looked for it from China; but then found out there were strings attached. They had to grant concessions to Chinese firms. Desperate left wing governments took the money and then found out that their people did not like it. This happened at the beginning of August just in time for another heat wave to hit.
Liz walked to her quarters; it was just after five that Wednesday afternoon. It was unseasonably warm; it was almost 75. Which for this area was a heatwave; much to the amusement of the Americans. But farther south in England it was getting towards 80. And higher in some areas. Which for a country that had very little air conditioning, but lots of humidity, made things very uncomfortable. But it was still not as bad as it was on the Continent. There temps of 85-90 were hitting.
Liz had had Jim keep an eye on things; with the current crisis plus the heat she wanted no surprises. He called her that evening.
“Colonel, sorry to bother you but some Flash traffic just came in.”
“That is OK Jim at least I finished dinner. Poor Max will have to do the dishes.”
Liz went into the Communication room and signed for the Flash Traffic; she then had to use her own decoder for her to read it. This did not happen often; usually it meant an intelligence update; but to use Flash, the highest priority and security, meant it was important.
She took the pages of gibberish and went to her office; opened her safe, took out her code book and since this was the modern Army was able to use her computer to decode and print it out; the program was such that as soon as it printed it was erased in every way from the computer.
It was an intelligence update and made for very worrying reading.
She read it once, then again then sat and thought for a while. Then looked at the clock; it was almost 9 PM. She decided to lock it in her safe and talk to Jim about it the next morning. She went back home and tried to forget it for the evening.
At 0730 the next morning she buzzed Jim to stop by. When he came in she motioned for him to shut the door; she then opened her safe and handed him the message. It was several pages long so it took him awhile to read it all. He finally looked up at her.
“OK, this is not good. Question is how does it affect us?”
“If the EU collapses, which is what they think might happen, then it could get very ugly. England has some edges in that they still have the pound and they are separated from the continent. So our immediate situation is not a problem. BUT the upheaval could get very nasty and guess what: SOCOM warned us about having to evacuate people. The governments that took the Chinese money are incredibly unpopular at the moment; there could be massive rioting in the streets there. France and Germany are probably the only two countries that could be expected to not go up in smoke; France because they already have their military deployed and Germany because their economy is doing OK. Eastern Europe would not see the effects for a while. Greece could be a worry because the unions are still butt hurt about the austerity programs. Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark had the most give aways that have been taken away. The good news is that there are not a lot of weapons there. My question would be what if the military and police just quit as well. If things collapse none of them get paid. And that could spread most places. We could have the whole continent bubbling.
He nodded slowly. “So what do we do?”
“Good news is that there are no training missions currently scheduled; not for a month. And those only relatively local ones with British regiments. So for the moment we will cancel any leaves that have anyone going to the continent; get the word out. And anyone going to the US, warn them they could be next. We might need everyone.”
Liz sat in her office after he left; she put the message in the safe. It had gone into detail why they thought this was possible; and it made sense. But they also figured that the Europeans would do just about anything to keep things from collapsing. So odds were some kind of deal would be made. Liz was not so sure; she had made a point of having the newspapers (in English) delivered from Paris, Berlin, Rome, Brussels, etc. She had been reading them and the message had not surprised her all that much. A lot of people in Germany were very fed up paying the freight for the other countries; and the amount of social spending was too high. ‘Cradle to Grave’ sounded great in a campaign speech; but paying for it was another matter. Add to that the choking regulations that Brussels had cranked out each year to add to the rest.
She decided that brooding about it was not helpful and went back to her paper work.
Moving to Peace (AU,CC,Mature) Complete 22 Apr
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Re: Moving to Peace (AU,CC,Mature) Part 11 20 Apr
The next couple of days saw more tension as Germany made it absolutely clear that they were Not going to give in to entreaties to bail out the Euro. As expected that started getting comments from other countries about greedy germans. Then some started saying Germany owed it to Europe. Their Chancellor had this to say:
“Germany no longer owes a debt for WW2. That has been paid many times over. Germany has the responsibility for Germany first and then other nations.”
The far left Green party screamed about this; but their influence had waned with the Euro. And a new poll showed 65% of Germans wanting shut of the Euro and the EU.
That seemed to really start things going. France announced that they were leaving the Eurozone, which meant giving up on the Euro. They would be going back to the Franc. Like dominoes over the next few days country after country abandoned the Euro and went back to their old currencies. The UK just said that they were saddened about this and would maintain the pound. In one week the Euro was dead.
Needless to say that caused a ruckus. Surprisingly to some, there were no mass demonstrations about people angry about leaving the EU. There were attempts to organize them, but were met with either indifference or downright hostility.
Each country was stuck with the dilemma: what should be the official exchange rate for people turning in their EURO’s for new currency. Not that this would happen overnight. It would take weeks if not months before enough of the currencies were made to even start an exchange. Meanwhile the EURO still had to be used. The countries all agreed that they would be used until 1 Jan 2015.
Gold, silver, Dollars, the British Pound; all were in demand as people tried to get rid of their Euro’s. Gold which had dropped below $800 an ounce sky rocketed back to the records set in 2011; over $1600 an ounce. Silver hit $50 an ounce. The US Dollar strengthened hugely; the British pound was not far behind. Many banks refused to exchange money.
China, despite the rebuff, tried again to gain influence by attempting to make deals with countries that still had their own currencies; like much of eastern Europe. Once again loans with strings; and this time the governments wisely turned up their noses. The Chinese government was all very puzzled about this.
The media was on this like stink on a skunk. Talking heads blathering everywhere about everything. Saying very little that meant anything to people on the street.
Also one after another governments fell. Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium first; but Italy’s and Portugal’s next, not a surprise since they had been coalition ones anyway. Spain wavered but held on. Ireland as well. Some EU types, still not getting it, tried to schedule an emergency summit to try and save the EU and the Eurozone. It failed miserably as most governments did not even bother to respond and those that did rejected it. It was accepted that the EU was an idea that had failed. And that was that. The massive EU bureaucracy was the first to get fired; 170,000 were told they were done that next week since there was no money to pay them and no job for them to do. Germany’s Bundestag formally voted by 4-1 to leave the EU and Eurozone. France was next. Spain and Ireland followed in days.
Belgium took the biggest immediate hit with the firing of the EU mob. Of course many of them would return to their home countries; but it was still a big group of suddenly jobless people.
Brutal humor started to appear. When one commentator wondered if they would riot, another one pointed out that there were no manuals or regulations regarding how to riot so there was no worry.
While Liz was glad to see that so far, 10 days into it, there were no massive riots and the like, it was still not good. Every country had put their military on higher alert. In many cities riot police were a virtually permanent sight. Now that each country would be thrown on their own resources, things were starting to come to light. Pundits and so called experts started to make predictions.
This was all eclipsed as on 15 August France announced that they would start to deport illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. Forcibly and they would start coming the immigrant areas for them. Things started to get ugly and rioting by immigrants started and were brutally put down with tear gas and beatings.
Morocco said they would not take any and France said they were getting them whether they liked it or not. Turkey was more realistic and said they would but they would be put in camps to sort out. Many Muslims that could bought tickets to their old countries and got out.
That of course started to stoke problems in the Middle East. Turkey seemed OK at the moment but that remained to be seen over the longer run. Eastern European immigrants headed back there which would be a strain on them but the numbers were not huge. The first plane loads of them arriving in Morocco and elsewhere were not covered by the media simply because the governments refused to allow it.
The UN was pretty much out of it since France would veto anything the Security Council tried to do; and the General Assembly was useless.
Some Pollyanna’s thought that since there had been no huge riots or the like that things would settle down. They refused to acknowledge the fact that a very critical even had occurred.
Russia meanwhile watched all this with barely hidden glee. They were figuring that they would gain from all this. They had never been particularly comfortable with what was virtually a super state building on their borders. Then someone in the Russian government did the math and realized that since all their arrangements had been in Euro’s with all the European countries they were going to have to get down to it as well. The oil and gas industry in Russia, the great engine that kept the country going, had been starved of investment. Production of both were going down and no end was in sight. Increased defense spending was another huge drain and deficits were jumping. To a neutral observer it would seem that Russia would need to get its own house in order but that would have been ignored by the Russian government anyway.
Those that think coincidences can happen were bolstered by the events that began in China. Earthquakes and floods had been unusually damaging then came the big one; a 7.5 right near the huge Three Gorges Dam. The whole world turned away from Europe to watch the huge dam crack and fail. The flood was called Biblical and it was. 1 million died or were swept away. 10 million were homeless. The loss of electric power was immense; and meant that China would have to start up coal fired plants they had mothballed. The cost of all this was estimated at $1 trillion dollars. China would be concentrating on its own wellbeing for some time to come.
With the big money bag now out of the discussion, Europe returned to its own problems. The week that everyone had been watching China had given the European governments some breathing room. Since the EU was dead and everyone knew it, now each country had to start doing things like border control and immigration and the like. Some of the displaced EU personnel started to find jobs. It seemed like things might not be so bad after all.
6 weeks after the first governments fell, elections began to happen. Now it was seen that having them that fast was probably not the best idea but the pressure was on to get new people in. The results were as expected. In one country after another the right wing parties got into power. And they began to cut spending.
The forced repatriation France did was nothing to what happened when the overpaid underworked bureaucrats started to get fired or told to make things better. They began to strike. The Governments, fresh from political victories, fired them. Which did nothing to calm things down. They began to riot, joined by other disaffected types. The governments, seeing their police were outmanned, called in their militaries. In Brussels and elsewhere it was messy and bloody.
Liz had put the 161st on alert as soon as the riots had begun. She was alerted by SOCOM that taskings to bring people out would come through the State Department. Liz called the 352nd SOG and alerted them they might need refueling. Liz then talked to her base ops people and had them start getting prepared for a lot of people staying there. Material and supplies were ordered from the US. The good thing was that many US citizens had already gotten out of Europe. But Liz knew she might be pulling other nations citizens out so that might not mean all that much.
The first alert from the State department came the very next morning. They wanted all their people out of Brussels. They were closing the embassy. The rioting appeared to pause for a bit and Liz moved. She sent in every Black Hawk she had to Melsbroek Air Base and went with them; leaving her Apache behind. She felt that was not a good thing to have around at the moment. 50 Black Hawks, from the 4th Battalion as well even though they had not yet technically stood up, landed and waited. Liz got a predator up, courtesy of the Belgian Army, and looked the situation near the embassy over. There was riots not far away, but they were not too bad. She called the ambassador.
“Ambassador, this is Colonel Parker. Ready when you are.”
“Right now would be good, Colonel.”
“We will be there in 20 minutes sir. So you have a count?”
“237 people so far. But more might show up.”
“Very well. May I speak to your marine commander for details?”
“Of Course, here he is.”
“Major Haywood here, Colonel. Do you have a picture of the Embassy?”
“Actually I have a predator up right now looking at it live. If you want to step out the door you can wave to us.”
“That will work. I am on a satellite phone so I will be coming out the entrance at the side. Heading there now. I am out the door and waving to you.”
“I see you. Where do you want us to land?”
“The clear area I am standing in right now. We should be able to get 3 in at a time.”
“Looks doable; I will be in the first one.”
“Be watching for you, Colonel.”
Liz looked at her commanders. “Just like the plan. A Company first; I will call once the first batch are off and the last ones are landing. B Company next. And so on until all are gone.” Then she looked at the others. “We are taking them right to Ramstein.” She also reminded them to make sure all passengers had the hearing protection they had brought with them.
Then before she got into the lead Blackhawk, she called Ramstein. They had been waiting and they let her know they would be ready.
Flying over Brussels the smoke from the rioting was very dense. It was only ten minutes flying time to the Embassy. She landed with two others and got out to take the Salute from the Marine Major who took her to meet the Ambassador.
“Good day, Ambassador. Is the first group ready?”
“Good day, colonel. They are. All are going to Ramstein?”
“Yes sir. They are waiting.”
“Very well. My family and I will be the last ones out just before the Marines.”
She nodded. That was usual. She watched as the civilians flowed out and into each of the black hawks. She noted with approval that they were organized 12 at a time. It took only 5 minutes to load the first three. She was quietly surprised as nothing went wrong and they had everyone but the Marines and the Ambassador and his wife and herself out. The last Black Hawk came in and she and the Ambassador and the Marine Major and the last 6 men of his unit got in. She called the rest of the unit and told them to head home. It was a little over an hour to fly to Ramstein. Once there she had the Black Hawk refueled and then led the whole group back to Scotland.
Brussels seemed to be the only city that had really bad rioting; there were others around but nothing that bad. 3 ‘A’ teams of Green Berets had become guests of Liz’s; just in case they had to go and get some more elsewhere. Brussels had not been bad but the decision upstairs was that she needed some there just in case.
Every morning Liz had a meeting with the senior Captain of the 3 teams, Jim, and the head of her small intelligence section. The current situation was looked over and discussed.
5 days after Brussels, the situation in France took a turn for the worse when the French President was assassinated. A car bomb took him and a good part of his cabinet out at a PR event outside of Paris. The event had only been publicized hours before he appeared so the odds were that it had gotten leaked. The head of the Senate assumed office and would rule until a new election. France went on National Alert. Martial Law was declared and a dusk to dawn curfew was put in place. France then sealed its borders and would not let anyone in or out. All airports were shut down as was the Chunnel and all trains and roads blocked.
A left wing group claimed responsibility but no one knew if it meant anything. Sentiment turned very definitely against immigrants when it was found that the driver had been a Turk. Several others detained quickly thereafter consisted of all immigrants or far left activists. Many had been forced out already but now they were being chased out.
Liz and her small group looked the situation over. SOCOM called and informed her that they might have to go in and take the Ambassador out. Forcibly. Liz kind of doubted it; she had a good source of information. Her good friend the group captain had another good friend who was a general in the French air force, and they stayed in touch. The troops around all embassy’s were to make sure no one tried to get asylum. No more. Until they were sure they had all those involved France was locked down. Liz called SOCOM and without mentioning names described her source. Then she was told something she had not known; that the Ambassador to France was a close personal friend of the US President. So that made things a little tighter. With that in mind Liz contacted the Group Captain and asked if he could get him to talk to her directly. He called back an hour later and told her that the General only called one number; and she needed to be in London. So she got a black hawk and was there in a little over an hour and a half.
The Group captain made a call which was to another officer. He would talk to the general who would then call the number.
“Is this Colonel Elizabeth Parker?”
“Yes it is.”
“Enchante’ Madame. I understand you are under some pressure from Washington about the embassy and the ambassador?”
“That is putting it mildly, General. The President is leaning hard.”
“I can assure you that no one wants to do anything to any ambassador or embassy. That is from the absolute top. We hope to have the last of them in 24 hours and then things will settle down.”
“That is good to hear. I will do my best to calm things down in Washington.”
“You must visit Paris when it is quiet.”
“I hope to do that soon, General.”
Liz took a deep breath then pulled out her special encrypted satellite phone and called SOCOM direct.
“Sir. Just spoke to the source- a general inside Paris. Everything we have been able to find out backs him up that this is very temporary. Not a threat to any embassy.”
“Hang on Colonel. Call this number- it is the White House.”
Liz took a deep breath and told the Group captain she needed a room alone and he took her to a nearby conference room. She took another deep breath and called the number.
“Hold for the President.”
“Colonel Parker.”
“Mr President.”
“What is the situation?”
“According to a French Air Force General I just talked to, they are surrounding all the embassies to make sure none of the suspects get asylum. That goes with what we have learned from other sources. At this time I can say with some confidence there is no threat to our Embassy.”
“Very well. Straight, Colonel. If we have to force our way in what are the odds?”
“Getting in is one thing Mr President; getting out is another. I think we can get in; I doubt we can get out.”
There was silence for a bit. “OK. Keep an eye on the situation. I want to know if anything changes right away. Use this number.”
“Understood Mr President.”
“Good day, Colonel.”
“Good day, sir.”
Liz took another deep breath. Then she headed back to Scotland.
The next day signs showed things were easing up and Liz was able to relax some. None of the scenarios she had looked at with the SF guys had been in any way encouraging. Two days later the troops around the embassies were removed and Liz took a real deep breath.
The riots in Brussels died down after a week and the government announced an even tougher budget. Those without employment would have to help collect garbage, street clean, etc in order to get a check. The fact that it stayed quiet after that showed that it was sinking in that the easy times of doing nothing and getting a fat check were gone.
After that was done in Belgium, Denmark and Netherlands followed. This kind of budget and hard core attitude spread steadily across Europe. Immigrants, especially those without jobs, left Europe and headed back east or south.
With the beginning of September what passed for a kind of normalcy began to return to Europe. The SF left and went back to the states and Liz took the unit off of Alert status. She then began to look at training again. She still had several British regiments interested and decided that since they were wanting to do it at different times that she would split the Regiment up so that everyone would get some time in.
The financial situation seemed to be sorting itself out better than anyone had thought it would. With the new tougher budgets, the countries found their credit ratings starting to climb, which made borrowing cheaper. The markets started to recover and gold and silver began to drop back down. All in all things looked like they would be all right.
The revolution season the Middle East had in 2011 had changed things in Libya and Egypt. Libya had its oil and was able to start to build something once they got decent leadership. Egypt, however, had not done so well. Which was not surprising to anyone that could look at the situation intelligently. Egypt had very little in the way of natural resources. So they did not have much that they did not make themselves. They had a relatively large population that was overall not very well educated. There was not a whole lot of industry and without an educated public not much more was going to be built. The new government made noises like they wanted a theocracy but that did not last long. However they managed to lose all their goodwill within a year of taking over from the Army. A year later and they were out. The next group was better but still hamstrung by basic economic realities. A large number of Egyptians had been run out of Europe and had to go home. They of course wanted some of the fat benefits that they had gotten in Europe. They joined the disaffected wanting more; not caring that there just was not more. The good news was that there were no real hard core Islams that had much support. The various opposition parties fought each other as much as the government. What had settled in was a stagnant situation unlikely to get better.
Syria still had Assad jr as leader, but was starting to frey around the edges more and more. Syria also had little in the way of natural resources or industry, though they had overall a better educated people than Egypt did. The army was not happy since its budget was cut but was forced to accept the fact that the country could tear itself apart if anything else was done.
Most of the rest of the Middle East continued to muddle along. Iraq was as it had been; still not totally peaceful but better than it had been. Israel and the Palestinians were still negotiating; probably would be for many more years. The Oil kingdoms just kept selling their oil. They sent enough to Syria and Egypt to prevent collapse but that was about it. Looking at the rest of Africa, Morroco was not doing too well taking back the thousands of immigrants from France. But it was holding on. Other than that Africa had not changed much.
Mexico had finally pulled itself out of the drug mess; helped when the US finally closed the border using regular troops and the national guard. This backed up by a new immigration bill that gave everyone 90 days to register or be tossed out to never be let back in. Those that registered had 5 years to become a US Citizen or leave. The new president of Mexico quietly asked for CIA assistance to kill the heads of the Mexican drug cartels. In one month the leaders of all of them were dead. With the US border closed and shut for once most of the drugs could no longer get through-and the gangs turned on each other to wipe out any competitors. Leaderless, they basically killed themselves off in a sea of blood. It was a terrible six months, but once it ended the Mexican people finally stood up and demanded an honest government. In the three years since that happened, a lot of progress had been made.
South America was quiet; Venezuela post Chavez had continued to put itself back together. Nothing major was going on elsewhere. The same for most of the Pacific as well. North Korea seemed to be steadily sinking; everyone around waiting for the final death throes. China would be concentrating on China for some years to come. Japan had begun to pull itself out of the post earthquake/tsunami/reactor melt down and was doing better.
Liz had instructed her intelligence chief to keep her up to date around the world; while spending most of his time on her area of responsibility. He was telling her one day in early October that things might be shaking lose in Russia. Liz looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“A very close friend of the Russian President was killed yesterday; probably by the Russian mafia.”
She blinked at that. The Russian Mafia was very powerful, but that was a very dumb thing to do. The Russian president had been a protégé of Putin; and was known to be very tough.
The next day the Russian president ordered the security forces to destroy the Russian Mafia no matter what the cost.
And it would prove to be very costly. In the first month over 1000 were killed and 10,000 arrested. 3 assassination attempts barely failed. After the third one he declared Martial law, which was a joke since it had already happened for all intents and purposes. The Russian mafia had gotten very arrogant, sure that they would never be attacked directly. Therefore they had not been very careful about disguising who they were. Most of the military and virtually all of the more elite of the military were loyal and the Mafia died by the hundreds. Documents and paperwork captured implicated more than one third of the Duma and many government supervisors.
Needless to say many chose to run but found the borders closed on both sides; the other former parts of the Soviet Union began their own crackdown. Within three months the most feared Mafia in the world was destroyed.
Almost missed was another important happening; the application of a virus designed to specifically destroy the poppy plant. This had been known about since early 2000; and how it got out no one would ever admit. The CIA was suspected but no one found any evidence. It spread all over the world and the poppy plant virtually disappeared. Which meant the heroin that it came from disappeared. This was the final blow for the teetering drug world. Meth was still a problem but manageable since much more could now be brought to bear on it with the other drug problems disappearing. There would always be some but it was now something that no longer threatened to destroy cities and countries.
But for all the good news some bad started to also show up. The remnants of the Islamic extremists decided they needed to make a big statement that they were not yet defeated. And what better way to do that then with a big bang. But to do that you needed a big bomb. There had been a few other attempts at attacks similar to Mumbai, but they had mostly failed. They still had supporters in the ISI though nowhere near what they had before. They worked on a very secret plan; one they hoped would once again establish their power and reach.
Liz had started to do training missions again with willing British regiments; of which there were always some. With the passing of the holidays, and things settling down, Liz was contemplating taking some time off for a real holiday. Take Max and the kids somewhere for at least a week or more. With France becoming peaceful again, she was looking at the Riviera. Not too far away if she had to be recalled, but warm and sunny. Max leered at her and wondered if they could go to any nude beaches; she smiled at him and said NO.
The third week in January Liz took her first real leave in almost two years. They found a nice quiet area on the Riviera and just basked in the sun. They did not go into any nude beaches; but considering what was supposedly swim wear it did not make much difference. Liz put on a string bikini and got a very nice tan. Aliya had blossomed and this was also a bit of a celebration of her 15th birthday. Her naturally darker skin tanned very well; while Max and James had to slaver on the sunscreen. Liz was not aware that someone had recognized her and took pictures until they appeared in one of the French Newspapers a week later. Liz was very thankful she had not taken her top off. But Max told her she should be happy the pictures were so flattering. Liz was in top shape and the bikini certainly showed it. She looked years younger than 31.
Being who she was and her position Liz kept her satellite phone with her at all times. After their tenth day, with two more to go, she had just about forgotten it. They had just come in that evening to their motel room, ready to change and go out for dinner, when it rang. Liz sighed and answered it.
“Parker.”
“Sorry to break into your vacation but we got put on full alert. You need to get back; no reason given.”
Liz sighed and agreed. She looked at Max and he shrugged. “Oh, well.”
“We need to get to the Marseilles Airport. They have a C-20 on its way; it should be there in about an hour.”
Liz had brought a uniform with her just in case, which worked out well.
“Germany no longer owes a debt for WW2. That has been paid many times over. Germany has the responsibility for Germany first and then other nations.”
The far left Green party screamed about this; but their influence had waned with the Euro. And a new poll showed 65% of Germans wanting shut of the Euro and the EU.
That seemed to really start things going. France announced that they were leaving the Eurozone, which meant giving up on the Euro. They would be going back to the Franc. Like dominoes over the next few days country after country abandoned the Euro and went back to their old currencies. The UK just said that they were saddened about this and would maintain the pound. In one week the Euro was dead.
Needless to say that caused a ruckus. Surprisingly to some, there were no mass demonstrations about people angry about leaving the EU. There were attempts to organize them, but were met with either indifference or downright hostility.
Each country was stuck with the dilemma: what should be the official exchange rate for people turning in their EURO’s for new currency. Not that this would happen overnight. It would take weeks if not months before enough of the currencies were made to even start an exchange. Meanwhile the EURO still had to be used. The countries all agreed that they would be used until 1 Jan 2015.
Gold, silver, Dollars, the British Pound; all were in demand as people tried to get rid of their Euro’s. Gold which had dropped below $800 an ounce sky rocketed back to the records set in 2011; over $1600 an ounce. Silver hit $50 an ounce. The US Dollar strengthened hugely; the British pound was not far behind. Many banks refused to exchange money.
China, despite the rebuff, tried again to gain influence by attempting to make deals with countries that still had their own currencies; like much of eastern Europe. Once again loans with strings; and this time the governments wisely turned up their noses. The Chinese government was all very puzzled about this.
The media was on this like stink on a skunk. Talking heads blathering everywhere about everything. Saying very little that meant anything to people on the street.
Also one after another governments fell. Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium first; but Italy’s and Portugal’s next, not a surprise since they had been coalition ones anyway. Spain wavered but held on. Ireland as well. Some EU types, still not getting it, tried to schedule an emergency summit to try and save the EU and the Eurozone. It failed miserably as most governments did not even bother to respond and those that did rejected it. It was accepted that the EU was an idea that had failed. And that was that. The massive EU bureaucracy was the first to get fired; 170,000 were told they were done that next week since there was no money to pay them and no job for them to do. Germany’s Bundestag formally voted by 4-1 to leave the EU and Eurozone. France was next. Spain and Ireland followed in days.
Belgium took the biggest immediate hit with the firing of the EU mob. Of course many of them would return to their home countries; but it was still a big group of suddenly jobless people.
Brutal humor started to appear. When one commentator wondered if they would riot, another one pointed out that there were no manuals or regulations regarding how to riot so there was no worry.
While Liz was glad to see that so far, 10 days into it, there were no massive riots and the like, it was still not good. Every country had put their military on higher alert. In many cities riot police were a virtually permanent sight. Now that each country would be thrown on their own resources, things were starting to come to light. Pundits and so called experts started to make predictions.
This was all eclipsed as on 15 August France announced that they would start to deport illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. Forcibly and they would start coming the immigrant areas for them. Things started to get ugly and rioting by immigrants started and were brutally put down with tear gas and beatings.
Morocco said they would not take any and France said they were getting them whether they liked it or not. Turkey was more realistic and said they would but they would be put in camps to sort out. Many Muslims that could bought tickets to their old countries and got out.
That of course started to stoke problems in the Middle East. Turkey seemed OK at the moment but that remained to be seen over the longer run. Eastern European immigrants headed back there which would be a strain on them but the numbers were not huge. The first plane loads of them arriving in Morocco and elsewhere were not covered by the media simply because the governments refused to allow it.
The UN was pretty much out of it since France would veto anything the Security Council tried to do; and the General Assembly was useless.
Some Pollyanna’s thought that since there had been no huge riots or the like that things would settle down. They refused to acknowledge the fact that a very critical even had occurred.
Russia meanwhile watched all this with barely hidden glee. They were figuring that they would gain from all this. They had never been particularly comfortable with what was virtually a super state building on their borders. Then someone in the Russian government did the math and realized that since all their arrangements had been in Euro’s with all the European countries they were going to have to get down to it as well. The oil and gas industry in Russia, the great engine that kept the country going, had been starved of investment. Production of both were going down and no end was in sight. Increased defense spending was another huge drain and deficits were jumping. To a neutral observer it would seem that Russia would need to get its own house in order but that would have been ignored by the Russian government anyway.
Those that think coincidences can happen were bolstered by the events that began in China. Earthquakes and floods had been unusually damaging then came the big one; a 7.5 right near the huge Three Gorges Dam. The whole world turned away from Europe to watch the huge dam crack and fail. The flood was called Biblical and it was. 1 million died or were swept away. 10 million were homeless. The loss of electric power was immense; and meant that China would have to start up coal fired plants they had mothballed. The cost of all this was estimated at $1 trillion dollars. China would be concentrating on its own wellbeing for some time to come.
With the big money bag now out of the discussion, Europe returned to its own problems. The week that everyone had been watching China had given the European governments some breathing room. Since the EU was dead and everyone knew it, now each country had to start doing things like border control and immigration and the like. Some of the displaced EU personnel started to find jobs. It seemed like things might not be so bad after all.
6 weeks after the first governments fell, elections began to happen. Now it was seen that having them that fast was probably not the best idea but the pressure was on to get new people in. The results were as expected. In one country after another the right wing parties got into power. And they began to cut spending.
The forced repatriation France did was nothing to what happened when the overpaid underworked bureaucrats started to get fired or told to make things better. They began to strike. The Governments, fresh from political victories, fired them. Which did nothing to calm things down. They began to riot, joined by other disaffected types. The governments, seeing their police were outmanned, called in their militaries. In Brussels and elsewhere it was messy and bloody.
Liz had put the 161st on alert as soon as the riots had begun. She was alerted by SOCOM that taskings to bring people out would come through the State Department. Liz called the 352nd SOG and alerted them they might need refueling. Liz then talked to her base ops people and had them start getting prepared for a lot of people staying there. Material and supplies were ordered from the US. The good thing was that many US citizens had already gotten out of Europe. But Liz knew she might be pulling other nations citizens out so that might not mean all that much.
The first alert from the State department came the very next morning. They wanted all their people out of Brussels. They were closing the embassy. The rioting appeared to pause for a bit and Liz moved. She sent in every Black Hawk she had to Melsbroek Air Base and went with them; leaving her Apache behind. She felt that was not a good thing to have around at the moment. 50 Black Hawks, from the 4th Battalion as well even though they had not yet technically stood up, landed and waited. Liz got a predator up, courtesy of the Belgian Army, and looked the situation near the embassy over. There was riots not far away, but they were not too bad. She called the ambassador.
“Ambassador, this is Colonel Parker. Ready when you are.”
“Right now would be good, Colonel.”
“We will be there in 20 minutes sir. So you have a count?”
“237 people so far. But more might show up.”
“Very well. May I speak to your marine commander for details?”
“Of Course, here he is.”
“Major Haywood here, Colonel. Do you have a picture of the Embassy?”
“Actually I have a predator up right now looking at it live. If you want to step out the door you can wave to us.”
“That will work. I am on a satellite phone so I will be coming out the entrance at the side. Heading there now. I am out the door and waving to you.”
“I see you. Where do you want us to land?”
“The clear area I am standing in right now. We should be able to get 3 in at a time.”
“Looks doable; I will be in the first one.”
“Be watching for you, Colonel.”
Liz looked at her commanders. “Just like the plan. A Company first; I will call once the first batch are off and the last ones are landing. B Company next. And so on until all are gone.” Then she looked at the others. “We are taking them right to Ramstein.” She also reminded them to make sure all passengers had the hearing protection they had brought with them.
Then before she got into the lead Blackhawk, she called Ramstein. They had been waiting and they let her know they would be ready.
Flying over Brussels the smoke from the rioting was very dense. It was only ten minutes flying time to the Embassy. She landed with two others and got out to take the Salute from the Marine Major who took her to meet the Ambassador.
“Good day, Ambassador. Is the first group ready?”
“Good day, colonel. They are. All are going to Ramstein?”
“Yes sir. They are waiting.”
“Very well. My family and I will be the last ones out just before the Marines.”
She nodded. That was usual. She watched as the civilians flowed out and into each of the black hawks. She noted with approval that they were organized 12 at a time. It took only 5 minutes to load the first three. She was quietly surprised as nothing went wrong and they had everyone but the Marines and the Ambassador and his wife and herself out. The last Black Hawk came in and she and the Ambassador and the Marine Major and the last 6 men of his unit got in. She called the rest of the unit and told them to head home. It was a little over an hour to fly to Ramstein. Once there she had the Black Hawk refueled and then led the whole group back to Scotland.
Brussels seemed to be the only city that had really bad rioting; there were others around but nothing that bad. 3 ‘A’ teams of Green Berets had become guests of Liz’s; just in case they had to go and get some more elsewhere. Brussels had not been bad but the decision upstairs was that she needed some there just in case.
Every morning Liz had a meeting with the senior Captain of the 3 teams, Jim, and the head of her small intelligence section. The current situation was looked over and discussed.
5 days after Brussels, the situation in France took a turn for the worse when the French President was assassinated. A car bomb took him and a good part of his cabinet out at a PR event outside of Paris. The event had only been publicized hours before he appeared so the odds were that it had gotten leaked. The head of the Senate assumed office and would rule until a new election. France went on National Alert. Martial Law was declared and a dusk to dawn curfew was put in place. France then sealed its borders and would not let anyone in or out. All airports were shut down as was the Chunnel and all trains and roads blocked.
A left wing group claimed responsibility but no one knew if it meant anything. Sentiment turned very definitely against immigrants when it was found that the driver had been a Turk. Several others detained quickly thereafter consisted of all immigrants or far left activists. Many had been forced out already but now they were being chased out.
Liz and her small group looked the situation over. SOCOM called and informed her that they might have to go in and take the Ambassador out. Forcibly. Liz kind of doubted it; she had a good source of information. Her good friend the group captain had another good friend who was a general in the French air force, and they stayed in touch. The troops around all embassy’s were to make sure no one tried to get asylum. No more. Until they were sure they had all those involved France was locked down. Liz called SOCOM and without mentioning names described her source. Then she was told something she had not known; that the Ambassador to France was a close personal friend of the US President. So that made things a little tighter. With that in mind Liz contacted the Group Captain and asked if he could get him to talk to her directly. He called back an hour later and told her that the General only called one number; and she needed to be in London. So she got a black hawk and was there in a little over an hour and a half.
The Group captain made a call which was to another officer. He would talk to the general who would then call the number.
“Is this Colonel Elizabeth Parker?”
“Yes it is.”
“Enchante’ Madame. I understand you are under some pressure from Washington about the embassy and the ambassador?”
“That is putting it mildly, General. The President is leaning hard.”
“I can assure you that no one wants to do anything to any ambassador or embassy. That is from the absolute top. We hope to have the last of them in 24 hours and then things will settle down.”
“That is good to hear. I will do my best to calm things down in Washington.”
“You must visit Paris when it is quiet.”
“I hope to do that soon, General.”
Liz took a deep breath then pulled out her special encrypted satellite phone and called SOCOM direct.
“Sir. Just spoke to the source- a general inside Paris. Everything we have been able to find out backs him up that this is very temporary. Not a threat to any embassy.”
“Hang on Colonel. Call this number- it is the White House.”
Liz took a deep breath and told the Group captain she needed a room alone and he took her to a nearby conference room. She took another deep breath and called the number.
“Hold for the President.”
“Colonel Parker.”
“Mr President.”
“What is the situation?”
“According to a French Air Force General I just talked to, they are surrounding all the embassies to make sure none of the suspects get asylum. That goes with what we have learned from other sources. At this time I can say with some confidence there is no threat to our Embassy.”
“Very well. Straight, Colonel. If we have to force our way in what are the odds?”
“Getting in is one thing Mr President; getting out is another. I think we can get in; I doubt we can get out.”
There was silence for a bit. “OK. Keep an eye on the situation. I want to know if anything changes right away. Use this number.”
“Understood Mr President.”
“Good day, Colonel.”
“Good day, sir.”
Liz took another deep breath. Then she headed back to Scotland.
The next day signs showed things were easing up and Liz was able to relax some. None of the scenarios she had looked at with the SF guys had been in any way encouraging. Two days later the troops around the embassies were removed and Liz took a real deep breath.
The riots in Brussels died down after a week and the government announced an even tougher budget. Those without employment would have to help collect garbage, street clean, etc in order to get a check. The fact that it stayed quiet after that showed that it was sinking in that the easy times of doing nothing and getting a fat check were gone.
After that was done in Belgium, Denmark and Netherlands followed. This kind of budget and hard core attitude spread steadily across Europe. Immigrants, especially those without jobs, left Europe and headed back east or south.
With the beginning of September what passed for a kind of normalcy began to return to Europe. The SF left and went back to the states and Liz took the unit off of Alert status. She then began to look at training again. She still had several British regiments interested and decided that since they were wanting to do it at different times that she would split the Regiment up so that everyone would get some time in.
The financial situation seemed to be sorting itself out better than anyone had thought it would. With the new tougher budgets, the countries found their credit ratings starting to climb, which made borrowing cheaper. The markets started to recover and gold and silver began to drop back down. All in all things looked like they would be all right.
The revolution season the Middle East had in 2011 had changed things in Libya and Egypt. Libya had its oil and was able to start to build something once they got decent leadership. Egypt, however, had not done so well. Which was not surprising to anyone that could look at the situation intelligently. Egypt had very little in the way of natural resources. So they did not have much that they did not make themselves. They had a relatively large population that was overall not very well educated. There was not a whole lot of industry and without an educated public not much more was going to be built. The new government made noises like they wanted a theocracy but that did not last long. However they managed to lose all their goodwill within a year of taking over from the Army. A year later and they were out. The next group was better but still hamstrung by basic economic realities. A large number of Egyptians had been run out of Europe and had to go home. They of course wanted some of the fat benefits that they had gotten in Europe. They joined the disaffected wanting more; not caring that there just was not more. The good news was that there were no real hard core Islams that had much support. The various opposition parties fought each other as much as the government. What had settled in was a stagnant situation unlikely to get better.
Syria still had Assad jr as leader, but was starting to frey around the edges more and more. Syria also had little in the way of natural resources or industry, though they had overall a better educated people than Egypt did. The army was not happy since its budget was cut but was forced to accept the fact that the country could tear itself apart if anything else was done.
Most of the rest of the Middle East continued to muddle along. Iraq was as it had been; still not totally peaceful but better than it had been. Israel and the Palestinians were still negotiating; probably would be for many more years. The Oil kingdoms just kept selling their oil. They sent enough to Syria and Egypt to prevent collapse but that was about it. Looking at the rest of Africa, Morroco was not doing too well taking back the thousands of immigrants from France. But it was holding on. Other than that Africa had not changed much.
Mexico had finally pulled itself out of the drug mess; helped when the US finally closed the border using regular troops and the national guard. This backed up by a new immigration bill that gave everyone 90 days to register or be tossed out to never be let back in. Those that registered had 5 years to become a US Citizen or leave. The new president of Mexico quietly asked for CIA assistance to kill the heads of the Mexican drug cartels. In one month the leaders of all of them were dead. With the US border closed and shut for once most of the drugs could no longer get through-and the gangs turned on each other to wipe out any competitors. Leaderless, they basically killed themselves off in a sea of blood. It was a terrible six months, but once it ended the Mexican people finally stood up and demanded an honest government. In the three years since that happened, a lot of progress had been made.
South America was quiet; Venezuela post Chavez had continued to put itself back together. Nothing major was going on elsewhere. The same for most of the Pacific as well. North Korea seemed to be steadily sinking; everyone around waiting for the final death throes. China would be concentrating on China for some years to come. Japan had begun to pull itself out of the post earthquake/tsunami/reactor melt down and was doing better.
Liz had instructed her intelligence chief to keep her up to date around the world; while spending most of his time on her area of responsibility. He was telling her one day in early October that things might be shaking lose in Russia. Liz looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“A very close friend of the Russian President was killed yesterday; probably by the Russian mafia.”
She blinked at that. The Russian Mafia was very powerful, but that was a very dumb thing to do. The Russian president had been a protégé of Putin; and was known to be very tough.
The next day the Russian president ordered the security forces to destroy the Russian Mafia no matter what the cost.
And it would prove to be very costly. In the first month over 1000 were killed and 10,000 arrested. 3 assassination attempts barely failed. After the third one he declared Martial law, which was a joke since it had already happened for all intents and purposes. The Russian mafia had gotten very arrogant, sure that they would never be attacked directly. Therefore they had not been very careful about disguising who they were. Most of the military and virtually all of the more elite of the military were loyal and the Mafia died by the hundreds. Documents and paperwork captured implicated more than one third of the Duma and many government supervisors.
Needless to say many chose to run but found the borders closed on both sides; the other former parts of the Soviet Union began their own crackdown. Within three months the most feared Mafia in the world was destroyed.
Almost missed was another important happening; the application of a virus designed to specifically destroy the poppy plant. This had been known about since early 2000; and how it got out no one would ever admit. The CIA was suspected but no one found any evidence. It spread all over the world and the poppy plant virtually disappeared. Which meant the heroin that it came from disappeared. This was the final blow for the teetering drug world. Meth was still a problem but manageable since much more could now be brought to bear on it with the other drug problems disappearing. There would always be some but it was now something that no longer threatened to destroy cities and countries.
But for all the good news some bad started to also show up. The remnants of the Islamic extremists decided they needed to make a big statement that they were not yet defeated. And what better way to do that then with a big bang. But to do that you needed a big bomb. There had been a few other attempts at attacks similar to Mumbai, but they had mostly failed. They still had supporters in the ISI though nowhere near what they had before. They worked on a very secret plan; one they hoped would once again establish their power and reach.
Liz had started to do training missions again with willing British regiments; of which there were always some. With the passing of the holidays, and things settling down, Liz was contemplating taking some time off for a real holiday. Take Max and the kids somewhere for at least a week or more. With France becoming peaceful again, she was looking at the Riviera. Not too far away if she had to be recalled, but warm and sunny. Max leered at her and wondered if they could go to any nude beaches; she smiled at him and said NO.
The third week in January Liz took her first real leave in almost two years. They found a nice quiet area on the Riviera and just basked in the sun. They did not go into any nude beaches; but considering what was supposedly swim wear it did not make much difference. Liz put on a string bikini and got a very nice tan. Aliya had blossomed and this was also a bit of a celebration of her 15th birthday. Her naturally darker skin tanned very well; while Max and James had to slaver on the sunscreen. Liz was not aware that someone had recognized her and took pictures until they appeared in one of the French Newspapers a week later. Liz was very thankful she had not taken her top off. But Max told her she should be happy the pictures were so flattering. Liz was in top shape and the bikini certainly showed it. She looked years younger than 31.
Being who she was and her position Liz kept her satellite phone with her at all times. After their tenth day, with two more to go, she had just about forgotten it. They had just come in that evening to their motel room, ready to change and go out for dinner, when it rang. Liz sighed and answered it.
“Parker.”
“Sorry to break into your vacation but we got put on full alert. You need to get back; no reason given.”
Liz sighed and agreed. She looked at Max and he shrugged. “Oh, well.”
“We need to get to the Marseilles Airport. They have a C-20 on its way; it should be there in about an hour.”
Liz had brought a uniform with her just in case, which worked out well.
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thumper1942
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Re: Moving to Peace (AU,CC,Mature) Part 12 20 Apr
They were back in Scotland in 2 hours. Liz went right to HQ and Jim was waiting for her. He told her that the alert had come and that they said more information would be coming soon. Liz then got on the secure line to SOCOM.
“Colonel Parker. I need an idea of what is coming so I can get people ready. Just putting us on alert is not really all that helpful.”
She got the G2. “Colonel, more information is coming soon; but I can say it will mean you will need long range transport. Ramstein and 352nd SOG have also been alerted.”
“Then have the transports come here NOW. We can be loading as we wait if it is as critical as you think it is.”
“Very well. They will be told. How many do you want?”
“Everything they have. If it turns out to be a false alarm they can go back. Better to have then here and not need them then the other way around.”
“Agreed.”
After Liz hung up, she looked at Jim. “Let’s get everyone ready to go; the whole Regiment.”
It was 4 hours before the first transport arrived; a C-17. Liz was told several more were on their way; C-5’s would be coming by early morning. She decided to have Apaches, Black Hawks and Little Birds loaded in the first group.
A total of 7 C-17’s got in by Midnight; they already had two loaded before the rest showed up. The first had 2 Apache’s; the Second had 4 Little Birds. The third had 2 Black Hawks. The fourth had 4 Attack Little Birds. #5 had 2 Apache’s; #6 was 2 Black Hawks; #7 Had 4 Little Birds; then the first C-5 showed up and they got the first Chinook into it plus another Attack Little Bird.
Liz deliberately sacked out at midnight; the orders were in. So far no more word from SOCOM. She had her intelligence people looking at the news and everything they could think of but no one had a clue. Which told her the information was really deep.
She got up at 0600 and was at the Field by 0630. It was getting crowded. She ordered the first aircraft to head to Mildenhall to wait. 2 more C-5’s had appeared and were being loaded with Chinooks and Attack Little Birds. Another C-17 had arrived and 2 Black Hawks were going on it. She was told enough aircraft would be there to load then entire regiment by the end of the day. She also ordered the crews of the birds already on their way to Mildenhall to catch the next plane out. The ground crews as well. At 0800 Jim contacted her; SOCOM was calling. She got to the office on her scooter in 5 minutes.
She took the secure phone from Jim and answered.
“This is Colonel Parker.”
SOCOM answered. “Colonel, how much of your unit is loaded and moving?”
“One Company of Apaches; All my Little Birds both regular and attack; One company of Black Hawks and one platoon of Chinooks.”
“Good. Get them headed to Kandahar ASAP.”
At that moment Liz knew what it was all about and her heart almost stopped.
“Ultimate Checkmate.”
SOCOM paused for a moment. “I guess I should not be surprised. The good news is that it is not all of them. The Bad news is that two storage areas have been targeted. If they get there they will blow them up if we try anything. We think we have a day- maybe two. But not likely. We cannot tell the Pakistani army because we do not know who we can trust. So you will be going in to take those two sites. We are quietly working with some unit commander we trust to make sure the others are OK. But two of them there is no one near. More details will be waiting when you get to Bagram.”
“Sir won’t they know we know if the 161st shows up at Kandahar?”
“That is true. Which is why before the first aircraft gets there they will be sent to a temporary field we have ready or will have ready. Make sure your people have everything they need for field ops. There will only be fuel there, nothing else. I do not need to tell you that this is absolutely top secret; Kandahar is what you tell anyone that you have to tell – but do not do that if you don’t.”
“Sir wouldn’t Bagram be a better diversion?”
“Point. Use that instead. Should have thought of that myself. Good thinking Colonel.”
Liz sighed after she hung up. She had motioned for Jim to leave the room when she got there. She would tell no one else; and Bagram only if she had to.
She opened her door and brought him in. Then closed it.
“Ultimate Checkmate.” He paled. “Bagram first but do not tell anyone that unless you have to. We will go on a course for Baghdad then change at the last minute for Bagram.”
She then got on the radio and told the planes already heading for Mildenhall to start circling. Then she saw another C-17 land. She went to Jim.
“Get my bird on this one. Make sure the supplies for anything we need is coming with us. Work on the assumption that we are going to a field that has nothing.”
2 Hours later Liz was with the first wave heading to Ultimate Checkmate.
Liz looked at her note board. She had about one third of the unit with her now; the next one third would be in the air in a few hours; the last with the parts and such would be in the air before dark. It was 8 hours flight time. She decided to see if she could get some sleep, telling those with her to do the same. She wanted to be woke up an hour out of Baghdad.
The message came to her just as she was woken up. The coordinates for the emergency field. She went to the flight deck.
“Captain, these are the coordinates to where we are going. Contact the other aircraft with us and let them know. I will contact command so that the planes following us know.”
After that Liz tried to get more sleep and did nod off for a while.
The one good thing about the field was that it did have a long runway; it had been repaired a few years ago just in case. But as was promised, outside of some C-130’s unloading fuel bladders, there was nothing else. They did contact them with wind and temperature readings; and they landed one by one.
She ordered the 4 C-5’s with them to park as far away as possible. The extra time and people needed to take out the Chinooks and get them ready were needed elsewhere; they would be last. Each transport carried a full combat load for her apache’s plus 4 aux tanks. Same with the Little Birds sans tanks. She then headed to the parked C-130’s; they had moved to the dirt area to free up as much concrete as possible. Going in the lead she found a SF Colonel waiting for her.
“Colonel Parker, Colonel Johnson. 5th Group. I have 3 teams here and more on the way.”
“Colonel, have they given you any updates?”
“Not much. I have the coordinates of the two storage sites. Normally each has half a company of guards. Satellites have seen nothing unusual so far. We have a live feed for both here.”
She looked at the areas; they were in the south of the country, in the mountains; as far from India as possible without being too close to Afghanistan. Target 1 was 175 miles away; Target 2 was 250 miles away.
She looked at the colonel. “What plans are there for the Pakistani Air Force?”
“AWACS will be jamming their radar; and their radios in the southern part of the country. We will have top cover of F-15’s.”
Liz nodded. About as good as she could hope for. This would be a night time operation anyway. Then the secure phone beeped and the Colonel answered it; and listened; she saw his face pale some then grow grimmer. “Yes Sir we will start planning immediately.” He hung up and looked at Liz.
“It is being moved up. Word is that they will move tomorrow.”
Liz looked at her watch. It was 1300 local time. She went outside and looked at the field. They had unloaded the C-17’s which were taking off already. Everyone was now moving to the C-5’s to get them unloaded. At the moment She had 8 Apache’s plus her own. All but 4 of the Attack Little Birds, and all the rest. She would have 4 Chinooks by nightfall. 12 Black Hawks. There was enough to do the job. She looked at the Colonel.
“We can go tonight. We have enough here.”
He nodded. “But the AWACS will not be here until early morning; the F-15’s will be here about the same time.”
“But it is at night and the Pakistani Air Force has very little night capability. Really they were just for comfort and back up. We did not really need them.”
He slowly nodded. “That part is your call. The sooner we go the happier I am; less chance for anything else to happen.”
“Do we destroy them or take them?”
“The original Idea was to take them then give them back; but now I think destroying them would be better.”
Liz sighed. “Fewer nukes are just about always a good thing; but if I remember correctly this is half the Pakistani arsenal. Would them having that many less make it more destabilizing?”
He shrugged. Liz then went to the secure phone. “Need to talk to SOCOM.”
“Sir. We are looking to go tonight; I have enough here to do it. Question is destroy them or take them. And one other possibility. We just stay there and guard them. Until loyal Pakistani forces show up.”
She could tell the colonel was slack jawed at her last suggestion; but to her it might be for the best; she had no doubt they could get there, overwhelm the guards and destroy the warheads and be gone without much if any loss. But the consequences were huge. Taking them just as big. But just guarding them. Maybe not the most romantic or aggressive idea but maybe the best?
“Colonel, I will take this upstairs. Be ready to move tonight.”
Liz then got a call on her command satellite phone.
“Parker.”
“Colonel, the last plane just took off for you. The entire Regiment is in the air.”
The MOD had been called and decided a news blackout was best. Just to make sure of it, roads to the area were quickly sealed off and all phone and cell phone utilities were blocked. The Media was shut down from talking about it. They did not know how long they could keep the lid on but they would do their best.
The next third would be landing in 4 hours. She would have all her Choppers except some Chinooks, she figured. Then she looked at the Colonel.
“We need to get more ground pounders if we are going to stay and guard.”
“I have three more teams that will be here in a few hours.’
“If we are going to guard we should have more. What is available at Kandahar?”
“No US combat forces. Not really sure what is there.”
Liz thought for a moment then called another number.
“Group Captain; this is Colonel Parker. Does the UK have any combat troops in Kandahar?”
“We closed Bastion last year; we should have some there. I will check. I take it something is up?”
“VERY big and very quiet. Need to know ASAP.”
As it turned out there was a Battalion of the 2nd Scots there. Liz looked at what she had. She could take 260 men right now; in a few hours she would be able to get the whole Battalion. She called SOCOM.
“Colonel Parker; the decision has not been made yet.”
“Understand sir. There is a battalion of the 2nd Scots at Kandahar. They would be useful.”
“Understood. I will get it started.”
Even as she shut it off another C-17 landed. They had managed to get the last Chinook out of the last C-5 as the next C-17 landed. In order to not have to disassemble too much, the front of the Chinook was raised up to lower the rear so that it would fit in the C-5. So it was awkward getting it out quickly, but they did it. Amazing what 30 men working together can do.
Lt Colonel Burns-Wilke read the message he had just received. The Commander of the 2nd Scots blinked then put it down. He looked at his XO.
“Alert the men. Prepare for an operation. 3 days rations and ammunition. And have them ready in 2 hrs.”
Liz and Colonel Johnson were hard at work preparing; depending on the orders they got. Option A was to guard; Option B was to take; Option C was to destroy. Since clearly Option B was the hardest they worked on it first. The bunkers the bombs were kept in were earth covered concrete magazines with heavy steel doors. The Green Berets had all the necessary demolitions for blowing the doors off. Liz wondered if hitting it with a hellfire would work just as well; they were dubious and figured it would just mangle it to the point they would not be able to get it open and have to blow it anyway. The Bombs were kept in metal containers; but they were so heavy that there was no way they could manhandle them out. They were over 4000 lbs. And they were not big enough for the 20 men it would take to move it to get a grip on it. There were forklifts at the site but counting on one to work was just plain dumb. They might be on dollies that rolled but they could not say for sure. Liz finally looked at Colonel Johnson.
“If they are not on dollies we destroy them.”
“I agree.” If they were on dollies they would either wheel them into waiting Chinooks or have them lifted out on slings.
So Option C was then worked on; much simpler. Demo charges placed on the containers would mangle the bombs to the point they would not work. 15 LB shaped charges would be used; they would almost cut the bombs in half.
Option A was the best all around; but would Washington agree.
The meeting at the White House was heated. The arguments on both sides were passionate. One group wanted to destroy the bunkers with precision munitions. One group wanted to take them away.
The Air Force Chief of Staff was blunt.
“We would not have big enough bombs to ensure the demolition of the bunkers for another 24 hours. We need 4000 lb bombs and there are only some at Guam and in the US. The Aircraft would have to come from the US or go to Guam and pick them up. From the US would take 24 hours. Guam would take longer.”
That took care of destroying the bunkers from the air.
“They weigh 4000 lbs and are probably sitting on pallets. Unless they have a workable fork lift they are not getting them out of the bunkers- that cannot be done by hand. They might be on dollies but our information is that only on alert status is that done.”
The Chairman had felt from moment one that going in and destroying the bombs was the only real viable option. The rest were beginning to come to that realization.
“We do not have anything we can get quickly that can get them out of the bunker.”
At that moment SOCOM arrived. He had been listening by secure teleconference.
“Colonel Parker suggests we just guard them. The Pakistani’s would have loyal troops there by tomorrow once they are told. We just surround the two sites and make sure no one gets close. That is a restricted area for miles around those sites so anyone that gets close is subject to immediate execution anyway. Anyone that shows up gets waxed. We wait and the Pakistani’s show up and it is over-quietly we hope.”
That got them all talking.
The President had been quiet.
“What would be the political and diplomatic fallout if we take or destroy those weapons.”
The Secretary of State responded.
“Our relations with Pakistan would be critically damaged. For years to come.”
His Chief of Staff addressed the political side.
“Probably not great here; but overseas? Probably not good.”
The President nodded.
“We cannot risk one going off. So we either take them or destroy them or guard them. Taking or destroying them is better than letting one go off. But still bad. Guarding appears to be the one way to cause the least amount of fallout.”
They all realized the president had decided. The Air Force Chief of Staff had one thing to add.
“Let us set in motion the mission to get the bombs there to destroy the bunkers. Better to have it and not need it.”
The President nodded. “See to it.” He then looked at SOCOM.
“Colonel Parker and Colonel Johnson are to ensure that the bombs are not used. Guarding them is preferable; but only loyal Pakistani officers will be allowed around them. They are to be destroyed if there is any doubt.”
Liz and Colonel Johnson were happy with the decision; it was the best one as far as they could see. They would go with everything needed to destroy them, but only as a last resort. Moving them was discounted. Liz looked at her watch. It was 1600. There was about an hour left of daylight. Liz went out to see what was going on.
All her Apache’s were here. All her Little Birds of both types were here. All but 10 of her Black Hawks were here. And half of her Chinooks were here. She had enough to haul the 2nd Scots. She nodded to herself. She looked at Colonel Johnson.
“I will send my transport choppers to pick up the 2nd Scots now. They should be back by 1900. I say we launch the operation at midnight.”
He nodded. She got on the radio to divert the last aircraft to Kandahar. Soon the choppers started up and took off. Liz sat down and drank some water and gnawed on a MRE. She decided to catch some sleep and went to her Apache and curled up in it with the hatch down but not sealed. Rather surprisingly she quickly nodded off.
It took a little longer than she had thought, but by 1930 all the Choppers were back. Lt Colonel Burns-Wilke was the first off and he immediately was ushered to the command tent that had been erected. Colonel Johnson quickly briefed him on the operation; Liz came in, surprisingly feeling quite rested after her almost 3 hour nap. Colonel Burns-Wilke filled them in on his force.
“5 companies; left HQ behind. 743 men. 12 60 MM mortars and 6 81MM mortars; and some machine guns. We have 50 rds for each of the 60 MM and 30 rds for each of the 81 MM. Rations for 3 days. Also brought all the illumination rds we could get our hands on.”
They sat down and began to get to the details. It was decided to split the force in two with one company in reserve. 2 companies and 3 ‘A’ teams for each target. The mortars, ammunition, machine guns would go in the Chinooks. Detailed terrain maps showed several landing sites close to each storage bunker area. The two targets were North East and South west of Kuhzdar. The last company would hold back at an equal distance from both waiting to be called in.
“They go tonight; word might somehow leak if we wait. The infidels will know the wrath of Allah.”
The other nodded. “The one site we have been able to locate loyal followers. They will kill the unbelievers and seize the weapons. The other site is less likely to be a success. Therefore it will launch first.”
“When do they move?”
“When darkness falls they begin. The first group will attack at the best time; halfway between darkness and dawn; one hour after midnight. The second group will go in and be welcomed at two hours past midnight.”
“Allah be praised.”
“Allah be praised.”
“Colonel Parker. I need an idea of what is coming so I can get people ready. Just putting us on alert is not really all that helpful.”
She got the G2. “Colonel, more information is coming soon; but I can say it will mean you will need long range transport. Ramstein and 352nd SOG have also been alerted.”
“Then have the transports come here NOW. We can be loading as we wait if it is as critical as you think it is.”
“Very well. They will be told. How many do you want?”
“Everything they have. If it turns out to be a false alarm they can go back. Better to have then here and not need them then the other way around.”
“Agreed.”
After Liz hung up, she looked at Jim. “Let’s get everyone ready to go; the whole Regiment.”
It was 4 hours before the first transport arrived; a C-17. Liz was told several more were on their way; C-5’s would be coming by early morning. She decided to have Apaches, Black Hawks and Little Birds loaded in the first group.
A total of 7 C-17’s got in by Midnight; they already had two loaded before the rest showed up. The first had 2 Apache’s; the Second had 4 Little Birds. The third had 2 Black Hawks. The fourth had 4 Attack Little Birds. #5 had 2 Apache’s; #6 was 2 Black Hawks; #7 Had 4 Little Birds; then the first C-5 showed up and they got the first Chinook into it plus another Attack Little Bird.
Liz deliberately sacked out at midnight; the orders were in. So far no more word from SOCOM. She had her intelligence people looking at the news and everything they could think of but no one had a clue. Which told her the information was really deep.
She got up at 0600 and was at the Field by 0630. It was getting crowded. She ordered the first aircraft to head to Mildenhall to wait. 2 more C-5’s had appeared and were being loaded with Chinooks and Attack Little Birds. Another C-17 had arrived and 2 Black Hawks were going on it. She was told enough aircraft would be there to load then entire regiment by the end of the day. She also ordered the crews of the birds already on their way to Mildenhall to catch the next plane out. The ground crews as well. At 0800 Jim contacted her; SOCOM was calling. She got to the office on her scooter in 5 minutes.
She took the secure phone from Jim and answered.
“This is Colonel Parker.”
SOCOM answered. “Colonel, how much of your unit is loaded and moving?”
“One Company of Apaches; All my Little Birds both regular and attack; One company of Black Hawks and one platoon of Chinooks.”
“Good. Get them headed to Kandahar ASAP.”
At that moment Liz knew what it was all about and her heart almost stopped.
“Ultimate Checkmate.”
SOCOM paused for a moment. “I guess I should not be surprised. The good news is that it is not all of them. The Bad news is that two storage areas have been targeted. If they get there they will blow them up if we try anything. We think we have a day- maybe two. But not likely. We cannot tell the Pakistani army because we do not know who we can trust. So you will be going in to take those two sites. We are quietly working with some unit commander we trust to make sure the others are OK. But two of them there is no one near. More details will be waiting when you get to Bagram.”
“Sir won’t they know we know if the 161st shows up at Kandahar?”
“That is true. Which is why before the first aircraft gets there they will be sent to a temporary field we have ready or will have ready. Make sure your people have everything they need for field ops. There will only be fuel there, nothing else. I do not need to tell you that this is absolutely top secret; Kandahar is what you tell anyone that you have to tell – but do not do that if you don’t.”
“Sir wouldn’t Bagram be a better diversion?”
“Point. Use that instead. Should have thought of that myself. Good thinking Colonel.”
Liz sighed after she hung up. She had motioned for Jim to leave the room when she got there. She would tell no one else; and Bagram only if she had to.
She opened her door and brought him in. Then closed it.
“Ultimate Checkmate.” He paled. “Bagram first but do not tell anyone that unless you have to. We will go on a course for Baghdad then change at the last minute for Bagram.”
She then got on the radio and told the planes already heading for Mildenhall to start circling. Then she saw another C-17 land. She went to Jim.
“Get my bird on this one. Make sure the supplies for anything we need is coming with us. Work on the assumption that we are going to a field that has nothing.”
2 Hours later Liz was with the first wave heading to Ultimate Checkmate.
Liz looked at her note board. She had about one third of the unit with her now; the next one third would be in the air in a few hours; the last with the parts and such would be in the air before dark. It was 8 hours flight time. She decided to see if she could get some sleep, telling those with her to do the same. She wanted to be woke up an hour out of Baghdad.
The message came to her just as she was woken up. The coordinates for the emergency field. She went to the flight deck.
“Captain, these are the coordinates to where we are going. Contact the other aircraft with us and let them know. I will contact command so that the planes following us know.”
After that Liz tried to get more sleep and did nod off for a while.
The one good thing about the field was that it did have a long runway; it had been repaired a few years ago just in case. But as was promised, outside of some C-130’s unloading fuel bladders, there was nothing else. They did contact them with wind and temperature readings; and they landed one by one.
She ordered the 4 C-5’s with them to park as far away as possible. The extra time and people needed to take out the Chinooks and get them ready were needed elsewhere; they would be last. Each transport carried a full combat load for her apache’s plus 4 aux tanks. Same with the Little Birds sans tanks. She then headed to the parked C-130’s; they had moved to the dirt area to free up as much concrete as possible. Going in the lead she found a SF Colonel waiting for her.
“Colonel Parker, Colonel Johnson. 5th Group. I have 3 teams here and more on the way.”
“Colonel, have they given you any updates?”
“Not much. I have the coordinates of the two storage sites. Normally each has half a company of guards. Satellites have seen nothing unusual so far. We have a live feed for both here.”
She looked at the areas; they were in the south of the country, in the mountains; as far from India as possible without being too close to Afghanistan. Target 1 was 175 miles away; Target 2 was 250 miles away.
She looked at the colonel. “What plans are there for the Pakistani Air Force?”
“AWACS will be jamming their radar; and their radios in the southern part of the country. We will have top cover of F-15’s.”
Liz nodded. About as good as she could hope for. This would be a night time operation anyway. Then the secure phone beeped and the Colonel answered it; and listened; she saw his face pale some then grow grimmer. “Yes Sir we will start planning immediately.” He hung up and looked at Liz.
“It is being moved up. Word is that they will move tomorrow.”
Liz looked at her watch. It was 1300 local time. She went outside and looked at the field. They had unloaded the C-17’s which were taking off already. Everyone was now moving to the C-5’s to get them unloaded. At the moment She had 8 Apache’s plus her own. All but 4 of the Attack Little Birds, and all the rest. She would have 4 Chinooks by nightfall. 12 Black Hawks. There was enough to do the job. She looked at the Colonel.
“We can go tonight. We have enough here.”
He nodded. “But the AWACS will not be here until early morning; the F-15’s will be here about the same time.”
“But it is at night and the Pakistani Air Force has very little night capability. Really they were just for comfort and back up. We did not really need them.”
He slowly nodded. “That part is your call. The sooner we go the happier I am; less chance for anything else to happen.”
“Do we destroy them or take them?”
“The original Idea was to take them then give them back; but now I think destroying them would be better.”
Liz sighed. “Fewer nukes are just about always a good thing; but if I remember correctly this is half the Pakistani arsenal. Would them having that many less make it more destabilizing?”
He shrugged. Liz then went to the secure phone. “Need to talk to SOCOM.”
“Sir. We are looking to go tonight; I have enough here to do it. Question is destroy them or take them. And one other possibility. We just stay there and guard them. Until loyal Pakistani forces show up.”
She could tell the colonel was slack jawed at her last suggestion; but to her it might be for the best; she had no doubt they could get there, overwhelm the guards and destroy the warheads and be gone without much if any loss. But the consequences were huge. Taking them just as big. But just guarding them. Maybe not the most romantic or aggressive idea but maybe the best?
“Colonel, I will take this upstairs. Be ready to move tonight.”
Liz then got a call on her command satellite phone.
“Parker.”
“Colonel, the last plane just took off for you. The entire Regiment is in the air.”
The MOD had been called and decided a news blackout was best. Just to make sure of it, roads to the area were quickly sealed off and all phone and cell phone utilities were blocked. The Media was shut down from talking about it. They did not know how long they could keep the lid on but they would do their best.
The next third would be landing in 4 hours. She would have all her Choppers except some Chinooks, she figured. Then she looked at the Colonel.
“We need to get more ground pounders if we are going to stay and guard.”
“I have three more teams that will be here in a few hours.’
“If we are going to guard we should have more. What is available at Kandahar?”
“No US combat forces. Not really sure what is there.”
Liz thought for a moment then called another number.
“Group Captain; this is Colonel Parker. Does the UK have any combat troops in Kandahar?”
“We closed Bastion last year; we should have some there. I will check. I take it something is up?”
“VERY big and very quiet. Need to know ASAP.”
As it turned out there was a Battalion of the 2nd Scots there. Liz looked at what she had. She could take 260 men right now; in a few hours she would be able to get the whole Battalion. She called SOCOM.
“Colonel Parker; the decision has not been made yet.”
“Understand sir. There is a battalion of the 2nd Scots at Kandahar. They would be useful.”
“Understood. I will get it started.”
Even as she shut it off another C-17 landed. They had managed to get the last Chinook out of the last C-5 as the next C-17 landed. In order to not have to disassemble too much, the front of the Chinook was raised up to lower the rear so that it would fit in the C-5. So it was awkward getting it out quickly, but they did it. Amazing what 30 men working together can do.
Lt Colonel Burns-Wilke read the message he had just received. The Commander of the 2nd Scots blinked then put it down. He looked at his XO.
“Alert the men. Prepare for an operation. 3 days rations and ammunition. And have them ready in 2 hrs.”
Liz and Colonel Johnson were hard at work preparing; depending on the orders they got. Option A was to guard; Option B was to take; Option C was to destroy. Since clearly Option B was the hardest they worked on it first. The bunkers the bombs were kept in were earth covered concrete magazines with heavy steel doors. The Green Berets had all the necessary demolitions for blowing the doors off. Liz wondered if hitting it with a hellfire would work just as well; they were dubious and figured it would just mangle it to the point they would not be able to get it open and have to blow it anyway. The Bombs were kept in metal containers; but they were so heavy that there was no way they could manhandle them out. They were over 4000 lbs. And they were not big enough for the 20 men it would take to move it to get a grip on it. There were forklifts at the site but counting on one to work was just plain dumb. They might be on dollies that rolled but they could not say for sure. Liz finally looked at Colonel Johnson.
“If they are not on dollies we destroy them.”
“I agree.” If they were on dollies they would either wheel them into waiting Chinooks or have them lifted out on slings.
So Option C was then worked on; much simpler. Demo charges placed on the containers would mangle the bombs to the point they would not work. 15 LB shaped charges would be used; they would almost cut the bombs in half.
Option A was the best all around; but would Washington agree.
The meeting at the White House was heated. The arguments on both sides were passionate. One group wanted to destroy the bunkers with precision munitions. One group wanted to take them away.
The Air Force Chief of Staff was blunt.
“We would not have big enough bombs to ensure the demolition of the bunkers for another 24 hours. We need 4000 lb bombs and there are only some at Guam and in the US. The Aircraft would have to come from the US or go to Guam and pick them up. From the US would take 24 hours. Guam would take longer.”
That took care of destroying the bunkers from the air.
“They weigh 4000 lbs and are probably sitting on pallets. Unless they have a workable fork lift they are not getting them out of the bunkers- that cannot be done by hand. They might be on dollies but our information is that only on alert status is that done.”
The Chairman had felt from moment one that going in and destroying the bombs was the only real viable option. The rest were beginning to come to that realization.
“We do not have anything we can get quickly that can get them out of the bunker.”
At that moment SOCOM arrived. He had been listening by secure teleconference.
“Colonel Parker suggests we just guard them. The Pakistani’s would have loyal troops there by tomorrow once they are told. We just surround the two sites and make sure no one gets close. That is a restricted area for miles around those sites so anyone that gets close is subject to immediate execution anyway. Anyone that shows up gets waxed. We wait and the Pakistani’s show up and it is over-quietly we hope.”
That got them all talking.
The President had been quiet.
“What would be the political and diplomatic fallout if we take or destroy those weapons.”
The Secretary of State responded.
“Our relations with Pakistan would be critically damaged. For years to come.”
His Chief of Staff addressed the political side.
“Probably not great here; but overseas? Probably not good.”
The President nodded.
“We cannot risk one going off. So we either take them or destroy them or guard them. Taking or destroying them is better than letting one go off. But still bad. Guarding appears to be the one way to cause the least amount of fallout.”
They all realized the president had decided. The Air Force Chief of Staff had one thing to add.
“Let us set in motion the mission to get the bombs there to destroy the bunkers. Better to have it and not need it.”
The President nodded. “See to it.” He then looked at SOCOM.
“Colonel Parker and Colonel Johnson are to ensure that the bombs are not used. Guarding them is preferable; but only loyal Pakistani officers will be allowed around them. They are to be destroyed if there is any doubt.”
Liz and Colonel Johnson were happy with the decision; it was the best one as far as they could see. They would go with everything needed to destroy them, but only as a last resort. Moving them was discounted. Liz looked at her watch. It was 1600. There was about an hour left of daylight. Liz went out to see what was going on.
All her Apache’s were here. All her Little Birds of both types were here. All but 10 of her Black Hawks were here. And half of her Chinooks were here. She had enough to haul the 2nd Scots. She nodded to herself. She looked at Colonel Johnson.
“I will send my transport choppers to pick up the 2nd Scots now. They should be back by 1900. I say we launch the operation at midnight.”
He nodded. She got on the radio to divert the last aircraft to Kandahar. Soon the choppers started up and took off. Liz sat down and drank some water and gnawed on a MRE. She decided to catch some sleep and went to her Apache and curled up in it with the hatch down but not sealed. Rather surprisingly she quickly nodded off.
It took a little longer than she had thought, but by 1930 all the Choppers were back. Lt Colonel Burns-Wilke was the first off and he immediately was ushered to the command tent that had been erected. Colonel Johnson quickly briefed him on the operation; Liz came in, surprisingly feeling quite rested after her almost 3 hour nap. Colonel Burns-Wilke filled them in on his force.
“5 companies; left HQ behind. 743 men. 12 60 MM mortars and 6 81MM mortars; and some machine guns. We have 50 rds for each of the 60 MM and 30 rds for each of the 81 MM. Rations for 3 days. Also brought all the illumination rds we could get our hands on.”
They sat down and began to get to the details. It was decided to split the force in two with one company in reserve. 2 companies and 3 ‘A’ teams for each target. The mortars, ammunition, machine guns would go in the Chinooks. Detailed terrain maps showed several landing sites close to each storage bunker area. The two targets were North East and South west of Kuhzdar. The last company would hold back at an equal distance from both waiting to be called in.
“They go tonight; word might somehow leak if we wait. The infidels will know the wrath of Allah.”
The other nodded. “The one site we have been able to locate loyal followers. They will kill the unbelievers and seize the weapons. The other site is less likely to be a success. Therefore it will launch first.”
“When do they move?”
“When darkness falls they begin. The first group will attack at the best time; halfway between darkness and dawn; one hour after midnight. The second group will go in and be welcomed at two hours past midnight.”
“Allah be praised.”
“Allah be praised.”
-
thumper1942
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Re: Moving to Peace (AU,CC,Mature) Part 13 21 Apr
They finished talking and planning at 2100. Decided to let everyone rest as much as they could before cranking up at 2330. Liz was feeling pretty good but curled up in her Apache and got another hour or so. Finally she woke up at 2300 and got out; most were already stirring but she went around making sure everyone was up; and started pre flighting her Apache. Trevor was her Co pilot again. She walked around her bird; it looked good. They had full combat loads and full auxiliary tanks. 352nd SOG had come in and would be available to refuel. She looked around at the airfield; it was absolutely packed with Choppers and soldiers starting to get into them. The Chinook doors were open and the mortars and other heavy weapons were being loaded. She checked for messages; Jim let her know that he was with the last planes at Kandahar. They would unload and be ready by dawn. Liz debated this for a second; then decided that you never knew so she let it happen. He had 10 Black Hawks and 16 Chinooks. Almost enough to take another battalion. She had 40 Black Hawks and 8 Chinooks. The way it worked out they were almost balanced at transport ability.
2330 came and engines started. At 2345 they took off and began to form up. Liz after thinking about it hard decided to go with the reserve company; the Little Birds after a lot of thought were going to be left behind until the senior company commander came up with a plan; they had more Black Hawks then needed; put refueling tanks in 4 of them and refuel the Little Birds along the way. Liz finally agreed and 4 more Black Hawks were equipped as such at Kandahar and sent this way; they had landed right after 2230. They refueled their tanks and would go with the Little Birds. They left early at 2300 and headed out; the refueling spots for both groups were checked by satellite and shown to be empty. They were expected to join up with the main group right before the attack. Liz told them to move it – they would not wait.
Liz flew with the reserve company and they headed out a little faster in order to make the midway point first. Colonel Johnson went with the Southern group and his XO, Major Anderson, went with the Northern group. 12 Apaches would go with each group; senior captain in charge of the Northern group and Major Landon with the southern group. For the transport group one battalion commander took each. Little Birds had their Battalion commander in one and senior captain in the other. Liz had worked things for a while so that when commands were split everyone knew who commanded what.
Liz had her radio tuned into the regiment net that all the commanders were on; their copilots had the other net that the rest of the group was on. Liz had Trevor monitoring the command net in case something came up; they would be watching the satellites for any movement. At 0030, about 30 minutes out from the targets, Trevor called in to tell her to switch to command.
“VALKYRIE LEAD, to command.”
“This is Command; we have unidentified vehicles heading towards both targets; ETA 40 minutes. Strength appears to be 100+; probably higher.”
“Roger that. What direction are they coming from?”
“Northeast to South west for both.”
“Roger.”
Now Liz had to think; if she sent her Apache’s ahead they could take out the forces coming. But what about the forces already there that maybe had not been spotted? And what if the guard unit had gone over?
“Valkyrie Lead to Little Bird lead. What is your ETA on Targets?”
“40 Minutes.”
Liz then called the two Apache forces; they could get there maybe 5 minutes earlier if they floored it. She shook her head. No they went in together.
Liz then concentrated and then relaxed letting her thoughts go free. She began to get a feeling that the Southern group was the one to worry about. Over the years her feelings had never been wrong and now was not the time to second guess them. She called to the reserve commander.
“Team 3, Valkyrie Lead heading south. Hang in there.”
“Roger.” No one argued when the Colonel made a choice; she was always right.
Liz floored it, pushing the Apache to its limit. She just knew things would get sticky there.
Colonel Al Harif looked around at his command group.
“Are you ready to serve Allah?”
“Allah be praised.”
“Kill them.”
Within 15 minutes every loyal Pakistani soldier was dead; there were 80 men in the detachment; 20 loyalists; loyal to allah in their mind; killed the rest in a carefully planned attack. Now the brothers rushing to them would have a clear road to the weapons. This bunker was only 100 miles from Karachi; but it might as well be 1000. Loyal men had carefully sabotaged every helicopter at the army bases near the capital. No help would come soon. The only good road this way had been mined by those left behind in the column coming his way. The Colonel smiled; Allah be Praised.
A senior US army general made a call as directed by his president; the personal phone of a senior Pakistani General, commander of their Special Service Group. They had known each other very well over the years.
“Zia, Al Queeda is making an attempt to steal your nuclear weapons. The two bunkers nearest the capital. We have forces going there; they will hold until you get loyal men there.”
General Zia al Huf was alert and moving. “Can I contact the commander?”
“Here are the two satellite phone numbers; the first is the aviation Commander, Colonel Parker of the 161st SOAR; the second is the SF commander, Colonel Johnson, 5th Special Forces group.”
The General moved fast; he had very loyal men in charge of the Special Service Groups, the finest troops in the Pakistani Army. Night flying was not practiced all that often; but they had some specially designed to lead the rest.
The more northern Bunker’s Guard force Commander was a loyal officer; he had been very careful about who he had let into his unit. This loyalty was tested when one of his sergeants attempted to knife him; his deputy shot him dead. The Colonel quickly realized there was trouble and had his men manning their positions in 5 minutes.
The operatives had been careful; they had sabotaged the communications system; the two bunkers were cut off. Only the presidential line was intact.
Colonel Johnson had been informed about the column; they were only minutes away as they neared the bunker. The Apache’s moved to attack the column; the Attack Little Birds covered the landing of the Northern force.
It took the Apaches only minutes to find the force; and literally seconds to blow up every vehicle. 12 Apaches can do a lot of damage and they proved it.
Colonel Burn-Wilke led his men; sent them to surround the bunker complex.
The Colonel from his command bunker saw the explosions in the near distance; then he got reports of troops surrounding the bunker complex. His regular communications were not getting through. Then the Red Phone rang.
The General had gotten to the President; who quickly called the Northern Bunker.
“Colonel, This is the President, Authentication code as follows.”
The Colonel verified the codes were correct. Was this war?
“Colonel. Al queeda is attempting to take our weapons. The Americans and British are surrounding your position. What is your situation?”
“Mr President, one of my men attempted to kill me; we are on alert. There have been explosions to the North East. My men report we are surrounded.”
“The Americans have attacked them already. Hold your position Colonel. There are British troops all around you and American attack Helicopters in the air. Loyal members of the SSG will be there within hours to secure your position.”
“Understood, Mr President.”
But their attempts to contact the southern bunker failed. The General looked at the President. They were both very grim. One was secure; but the other?
Then an aide rushed up to the General.
“Sir, all the helicopters here have been sabotaged; it will take us hours to repair them.”
“Send the closest unit there by truck as fast as possible.”
He looked at the president. “They have prepared all too well.”
There was nothing to say. He just nodded grimly.
Liz caught up to the Southern group and talked to the Major.
“Valkyrie Lead to Team 1. Are you ready?”
“5 mikes.”
“Roger that.”
“Doberman to Axman.
“Axman to Doberman.”
“Axman, stay on plan.”
“Roger that.”
Liz then ordered the Little Birds with the Special forces unit to close up with her; the other Little Birds supported the Scots as they began to land.
Liz used her infrared scope to look at the complex. The vehicles had gone right in. No fighting.
“Valkyrie Lead to All units; no resistance at site. FREE FIRE.”
They all acknowledged; Liz had just declared no friendlies on the ground. She then ordered the Axman to let go.
12 Apaches blew up the vehicles and then the buildings all around; rockets and hellfires.
Liz, with 4 little birds and an A team, headed for the bunkers ignoring the explosions and fire. Even with the explosions the expensive nightsight for the 30mm gave her a clear view. She saw a group of men rushing towards the bunkers and she let go with her 30MM, shredding them; but two had run ahead and got the middle door open; that was the one with the bombs. They dashed inside closing the door.
“Team 1 get down there.”
The Little Birds landed the SF; went down to 20 feet and they rappelled down.
Liz lined up the closed door and let go of a Hellfire. Then another; then a third; it seemed to be sagging; probably had holes in it. She fired a fourth, aiming low; it hit the bottom of the door and lifted it off the shattered hinges and if fell forward. The SF team dashed up to it and she saw them throw something in; probably a frag grenade. At least two of them. She could barely see explosions inside. Several of the team rushed in. She could do nothing other than wait.
Seconds went by like hours.
Then out came a SF with a radio in his hand. She had switched to their frequency.
“Team one to Valkyrie Lead; items are secure.”
Liz almost sagged but pulled herself up; Trevor was yelling victory screams.
Liz took a deep breath and pulled the Apache higher.
“Valkyrie Lead to command. Target 1 secure. No friendlies left on ground.”
“Command to Valkyrie Lead. Confirm target one secure.”
“Roger that command.”
In the White House there was quiet jubilation. Then they started to make calls.
The General and the president waited. Not speaking. There were no words. Then the Generals satellite phone rang. He opened it.
“General, Colonel Parker confirms the items are secured. The Guard company partially mutinied and opened the doors for the raiders but all are dead.”
The General let out a deep breath and smiled at the President who sagged in his seat.
“Thank You. I will now contact Colonel Parker.”
As long as she was stationary the satellite phone worked well; so Liz was not surprised when it rang.
“Colonel Parker.”
“Colonel this is General Al Huf. I am here with the President. I have been told they are secure?”
“Yes Sir they are secure. I have two companies on the ground and a third on the way. In a few hours I will send some of my Apache’s to refuel but half of them will remain on site. The Scots have mortars and machine guns and are digging in. I believe the situation is stable.”
“That is very good to hear. Unfortunately those unwashed sabotaged our helicopters in the capital so your relief is some time off.”
Liz thought quickly. “General; my transport helicopters are capable of getting to Karachi and back with their current fuel; they can be there in less than an hour. They can pick up whoever you want and bring them here.”
“Hold on please.”
He looked at the president and quickly explained, and he nodded.
“Very good Colonel; send them to the army base just north of Karachi; you are aware of it?”
“They are sir. I can have enough there in an hour to transport two companies at least; in a little later they can take a Battalion. I can send for my reserves at Kandahar. They are two hours away. With them we can transport two battalions.”
The General thought quickly. “DO so. I will send a battalion to each site.”
“Understood sir, will start them now.”
“Very good Colonel.”
Liz called up and ordered the Little Birds back to the temporary base; and all others to Karachi. She then called Harkness and had them head towards Karachi as well.
The Scots had set up their mortars and were sending up Illumination rounds; Liz took off her night goggles and was able to see them digging in all around the bunker complex. She could see groups moving through the wreckage. She checked in with the Northern Group and it was secure. The Reserve company had landed and was moving in to bolster the defense.
Liz then had two thirds of the Apache’s land and stay idling to conserve fuel. She stayed up with the rest. She looked at her watch; it was 0145. About 4 hours and a little more to dawn.
Liz had each of them spend an hour on the ground and then back up in the air she figured she could stretch the three hours they would have had anyway to 5.
Then the 352nd contacted her and informed her they were in the area; she sent off 4 right away; and over the next two hours got all hers and herself refueled; the Northern contingent was then refueled afterwards.
By 0330 she had refueled and was on the way back to the site. She got there at 0400 to hear that the first wave of the choppers with the SSG would be there by 0500. They would be getting to the northern site about half an hour later. The rest of the command had arrived in Karachi at 0400; they would make their drop-offs at about 0600.
It was all very anti climatic when the Pakistani SSG arrived; they got out and marched to the site; the SF team walked out and they walked in. The SSG moved down the line, replacing man for man the Brits in each position. The Brits shouldered arms and marched to the waiting Choppers. Since they had refueled in Karachi they could easily make it to Kandahar. In the northern site it was even more orderly. By 0800 everyone was either at Kandahar or just about there.
Liz was the last to leave, of course, but she floored her Apache and got to Kandahar by 0745. The C-130’s had picked up everyone left at the temp air field and had taken them to Kandahar as well. Liz landed her Apache with the rest; with things so quiet this part of Kandahar was vacant so they had plenty of room.
She got out and headed towards the operations room. There she found most of the pilots of her Regiment and Jim Harkness. He handed her a cold drink which she drank right down. Sighing then she looked at him.
“OK. Let’s get everyone together for a debriefing.”
That took a little over an hour. Then Liz got a vehicle to take her to the Base HQ.
There she was greeted by the Base Commander who took her into the main comm center to the phone. She picked it up.
“Hold for the President.”
Liz blinked and straightened up.
“Colonel Parker.”
“Mr. President.”
“First off congratulations on a successful mission. Second, what were our casualties?”
“A few minor wounds, mostly to the SF and Scots at the southern site, No serious ones and no one dead. No damage to any helicopters.”
“Remarkable Colonel. Congratulations once again. I am told you will be heading home tomorrow?”
“Yes sir. We pack up our choppers today, get a good nights sleep, and get back tomorrow.”
“I will then let you get things done colonel. Very well done.”
“Thank You Mr. President.”
Liz hung up and sighed. She looked at the Base Commander. “How about quarters tonight for my people?”
“Already arranged Colonel. My XO will show you to yours.”
Liz followed the XO to the VIP quarters – rather lush. Liz went down to fetch her overnight bag which had been brought in with the items from the temporary field. She checked on how things were going; they were already starting to tear down the choppers; luckily they were being assisted by Base Personnel. She went to her quarters and showered and changed. Feeling better she went back to Operations. Nothing was going on so she told everyone that the day was theirs and to get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow morning they would be going home.
The news blackout in Scotland had finally been broken; the word was out that the whole 161st had suddenly taken off. The fact that the MOD had blocked all communications told everyone something big had happened; but they said no comment.
At the White House there was debate on how to handle all this. They decided to let the Pakistani’s say something if they wanted to. Otherwise it would be called a training exercise.
The President of Pakistan was meeting with leaders and his cabinet. They were debating what to do. Most wanted to just deny anything major had happened. The Americans and Brits had already agreed to say nothing. However some shrewd ones noted that speculation was already going on; the frantic activity had been noticed. People would talk. The sabotaged Helicopters could not be covered up; too many knew. Others said so what? It would all blow away soon enough.
At Kandahar several enterprising reporters had already spotted the 161st. That word got out; and when the word of how the MOD had sat on things people started putting two and two together. Rumors were that the Apache’s of the 161st had fired a lot of ordnance. So it had been a mission, not training. But where? As the word got out people started sniffing around. Then a couple called friends who called friends and it was discovered that the 2nd Scots had been out with them. And had come back. Then someone mentioned Karachi and the army base outside had been pretty busy.
All that day speculation spread. Then the word about a lot of Pakistani helicopters suddenly under repair. Then that two battalions of the SSG had suddenly left. Then a report that the 161st transport Helicopters had been at the Army base.
Meanwhile Liz got something to eat and tried to relax. She called Max and the family and talked to all of them.
Fox News and other media began to think something big had happened. But no one was saying anything. Which meant it had to be really big.
“This is Fox news Tonight. Rumors of a secret military mission are spreading all over Washington and elsewhere. Here is what we know:
“Approximately 36 hours ago the 161st SOAR in Raf Machrihanish, Scotland suddenly was transported to Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan. Where they are apparently putting their helicopters back in the transports to go home. But information has come out that there was a combat mission involved; somewhere in Afghanistan. But no one knows where; there are no reports. Eyewitnesses reported that the Super Apache’s of that Regiment had fired a lot of ammunition when they got back to Kandahar from wherever they were. Reports are that they were in the Army base near Karachi, Pakistan. The transports taking the 161st did not land at Kandahar; at least most of them did not; and especially all their attack helicopters. We will continue to try and get this story.”
The White House saw that eventually most of it would come out; but the real meat of it would not for a long time if ever. And they were content to let it lay.
Meanwhile in Karachi another debate was brewing. Evidence was mounting that the attempt had been supported heavily by factions in the ISI. IT was now certain that the sabotage to the Helicopters had been done by ISI agents. The evidence at the one site showed that the Colonel there had turned. And had a good number of his command with him and they had murdered the loyal soldiers. The Colonel and his family had close ties to the ISI.
The Justice Minister was firm.
“It is time the ISI was brought down. We cannot wait any longer.”
There was very little support for the ISI in the room but they were all aware of the risks of taking that powerful organization down.
General Al Huf had returned from looking over both sites. He spoke next.
“If we do this we have to justify it. The only way is to let it be known what almost happened and blame it on the ISI. Their support would disappear.”
“The humiliation…”
“What is worth leaving those in place that tried this once – so that they can try it again someday?”
The President looked at the General. He nodded. Then he went around the room; one by one they all nodded in the end. The shock of what almost happened was with them; it could not be allowed to happen again.
The President called for a special meeting of the Parliament for two days from now.
Liz and the rest of her Regiment had gotten back to Scotland and were taking a well-earned rest. SOCOM had told her that a Presidential Unit Citation was in the works, but it would have to be a silent one. She was fine with that.
The President began his speech just as the SSG hit the HQ of the ISI and other units hit every known supporter.
IT was broadcast live all over Pakistan. And of course elsewhere.
“People of Pakistan, we have been betrayed by those that were supposed to protect us. 3 days ago traitors allied with Al Queeda attempted to steal some of the Nuclear Weapons meant to protect Pakistan to use for their own foul purposes. They murdered loyal Pakistani Soldiers. They were stopped by our friends and Allies from The United Kingdom and the United States. The traitors were primarily from the ISI. At this moment it is declared a rogue agency; all its files are to be seized and all its members will be detained and questioned.”
This sent shockwaves all over that part of the world. The Indian Prime minister held an emergency cabinet meeting.
“How did we not know about this?”
“There was information something had happened but we had not yet confirmed anything.”
“Well it is confirmed now.”
The President looked at his National Security Advisor.
“Caught you by surprise as well.”
“Sir, no one expected they would admit what happened. But it is clear they are using it to destroy the ISI. This is a very good thing, Mr. President.”
That was agreed with almost universally.
Liz watched the BBC coverage and sighed. Things would not be quiet for a while. It had not taken long for the media to connect the dots.
“The MOD still refuses to comment; but it is clear that UK forces were involved with the operation. It is known that the American 161st SOAR in RAF Machrihanish deployed in an emergency manner. It is known that they were in Kandahar but most of the unit landed somewhere else and flew in there. It is known that the 2nd Scots left Kandahar on the 161st helicopters and came back. One can only deduce that they are the ones that protected the Pakistani nuclear weapons from being stolen by Al Queeda.”
The President had quickly gone to Camp David and had escaped the media barrage. He called the British PM.
“Well, what do you think?”
“I believe we will probably have to tell the whole story.”
“Probably. Clearly we need to make sure the ISI gets all the blame besides Al Queeda.”
“Of course.”
“Could you talk with them and see how they want to do this? I am very surprised as is all my advisors that they took this step.”
“No more surprised than I and mine were. I will give them a call and see what is going on.”
One nice thing about the base was that it was nicely fenced in. So it was not hard to seal it off. Despite the mob of reporters outside its gate.
That evening Liz sat on the sofa cuddling with Max. Then Aliya shrieked “MOM, look at this!”
“THIS” was pictures of the family down on the Riviera. The Sun. Liz in that string Bikini, Aliya in another; and Max and James playing on the beach. Liz groaned but Max just grinned.
“Sexy.”
Liz did look very sexy. She was standing up peering over her sun glasses at Max. It was a very coy look; and she did look very hot.
“Hot on the Beach; and hot in the air” was the headline talking about her latest daring do then going over her whole career. And of course the fact that she was the first and still the only Knightress.
That photo spread around quickly. Liz just knew she was going to get a lot of heat about it.
The crackdown on the ISI went very quickly and quite well. The revulsion many felt about what almost happened stole what little support they might have had and many soon began to rat out the rest that had been able to hide. The SSG had been able to prevent most of the documents at the ISI headquarters from being destroyed and they proved a treasure trove; detailing just how corrupt and double dealing the ISI had been. Prominent political and financial figures were outed and the damage done to the secret intelligence establishment was immense.
The President had sent General Al Huf out to discuss the details of the nights events. Parliament had demanded a full explanation and he gave it to them.
Some of the ultranationalist types tried to use this to attack the President for the humiliation; but the canny General turned that right back on them for supporting the ISI in the past. He was very forthright in his praise of the US and UK forces for quickly moving. And he pointed out to them that their worry about trusting anyone in the Pakistan Government had been proven very correct.
“Now finally when someone has something of this importance to discuss, they can speak straight to us.”
The President finally made a brief statement that for once the intelligence community had gotten things right far enough ahead of time for them to act on it. And since this had been a Special Operations mission they did not give details.
However the media wanted Colonel Parker to speak. The President simply said that she did not like to speak to the media and therefore she did not have to. Which left them very frustrated. He did throw them a crumb and announce that the 161st SOAR would receive a Presidential Unit Citation.
But the media pressure from all around the world continued to build. The White House was told they would have to give more. Finally it was decided to give the transcript of the radio communications. Which was very frustrating to some but fascinating to others. The DOD briefer was very helpful in translating the jargon. Then it was decided to release the actual tapes; the Super Apache recording all outgoing and incoming radio communications. It was digital and thus very clear. It was soon on You Tube.
Liz sighed again as she looked at her computer screen. There were her conversations during the mission for all to see and hear.
Her voice soon became very familiar. Liz had a quiet contralto that was very distinct. And her coolness and calmness was remarked on by many.
The DOD had informed the public that the informal title of the 161st was the Valkyries. Of course that was because of who their colonel was. Then it was mentioned that her call sign was Doberman. That got a lot of comments. Someone got a picture of her Apache with the artistic rendition of a Doberman with huge fangs and a very vicious look.
It was finally admitted that Liz had blown the door off of the bunker and that the SF discovered the Al Queeda agents inside already dead; the heat from the plasma jet that came from the shaped charge warhead of a Hellfire had heated the relatively small area inside the bunker to the point that it had for all intents and purposes cooked them. It was beginning to be said that she deserved another medal for this. A second DFC was probably coming, according to the Talking Heads. She was already acknowledged as the most decorated military person since 9/11.
Liz knew this was all going on but since she could not do anything about it she just started training her Regiment hard again. The mission had been good since it allowed her to gauge the units; they had all done well. She really did not have much to gripe about. So to make up for that she started doing war games; bringing in the officers and presenting them with different scenarios and then standing back to see what they would do. She started another crew competition to see who could service their chopper the fastest and still do it right.
The call from SOCOM was not exactly a surprise.
“Colonel, the 161st will be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. You will receive your second DFC. The President will be visiting England as part of a European tour in May so that is when they will be presented. The Pakistani government will be awarding you, your unit and the Scots and SF a commendation as well.”
After Liz hung up she sat in her office and thought about things. The medals and the commendations were nice; anyone who claimed they did not like being commended was either nuts or a liar. But she knew the clock was ticking on her days in command. This would be the last time she got to really command a unit; after this it would always be at least one step back; no more combat flying. Frankly not much flying at all. Sitting behind a desk. Her new career manager was an enthusiastic type; she was not yet sure enough to call him a used car salesman; not yet. He had told her that she would be going to Command School. Liz had to snicker at that: she had commanded a Company, Battalion and then a Brigade, twice actually. NOW they were sending her to command school. She knew it was a requirement before she got her first star. And there really was no doubt about that, he had told her.
Liz got up and headed out to home. To see her family. As she walked along, acknowledging the salutes of her people as she passed them, she wondered if she really wanted a star. And almost certainly more would come. Was it worth it? All the BS she would have to put up with that so far she had been incredibly lucky to avoid? She pondered that as she went to her family.
2330 came and engines started. At 2345 they took off and began to form up. Liz after thinking about it hard decided to go with the reserve company; the Little Birds after a lot of thought were going to be left behind until the senior company commander came up with a plan; they had more Black Hawks then needed; put refueling tanks in 4 of them and refuel the Little Birds along the way. Liz finally agreed and 4 more Black Hawks were equipped as such at Kandahar and sent this way; they had landed right after 2230. They refueled their tanks and would go with the Little Birds. They left early at 2300 and headed out; the refueling spots for both groups were checked by satellite and shown to be empty. They were expected to join up with the main group right before the attack. Liz told them to move it – they would not wait.
Liz flew with the reserve company and they headed out a little faster in order to make the midway point first. Colonel Johnson went with the Southern group and his XO, Major Anderson, went with the Northern group. 12 Apaches would go with each group; senior captain in charge of the Northern group and Major Landon with the southern group. For the transport group one battalion commander took each. Little Birds had their Battalion commander in one and senior captain in the other. Liz had worked things for a while so that when commands were split everyone knew who commanded what.
Liz had her radio tuned into the regiment net that all the commanders were on; their copilots had the other net that the rest of the group was on. Liz had Trevor monitoring the command net in case something came up; they would be watching the satellites for any movement. At 0030, about 30 minutes out from the targets, Trevor called in to tell her to switch to command.
“VALKYRIE LEAD, to command.”
“This is Command; we have unidentified vehicles heading towards both targets; ETA 40 minutes. Strength appears to be 100+; probably higher.”
“Roger that. What direction are they coming from?”
“Northeast to South west for both.”
“Roger.”
Now Liz had to think; if she sent her Apache’s ahead they could take out the forces coming. But what about the forces already there that maybe had not been spotted? And what if the guard unit had gone over?
“Valkyrie Lead to Little Bird lead. What is your ETA on Targets?”
“40 Minutes.”
Liz then called the two Apache forces; they could get there maybe 5 minutes earlier if they floored it. She shook her head. No they went in together.
Liz then concentrated and then relaxed letting her thoughts go free. She began to get a feeling that the Southern group was the one to worry about. Over the years her feelings had never been wrong and now was not the time to second guess them. She called to the reserve commander.
“Team 3, Valkyrie Lead heading south. Hang in there.”
“Roger.” No one argued when the Colonel made a choice; she was always right.
Liz floored it, pushing the Apache to its limit. She just knew things would get sticky there.
Colonel Al Harif looked around at his command group.
“Are you ready to serve Allah?”
“Allah be praised.”
“Kill them.”
Within 15 minutes every loyal Pakistani soldier was dead; there were 80 men in the detachment; 20 loyalists; loyal to allah in their mind; killed the rest in a carefully planned attack. Now the brothers rushing to them would have a clear road to the weapons. This bunker was only 100 miles from Karachi; but it might as well be 1000. Loyal men had carefully sabotaged every helicopter at the army bases near the capital. No help would come soon. The only good road this way had been mined by those left behind in the column coming his way. The Colonel smiled; Allah be Praised.
A senior US army general made a call as directed by his president; the personal phone of a senior Pakistani General, commander of their Special Service Group. They had known each other very well over the years.
“Zia, Al Queeda is making an attempt to steal your nuclear weapons. The two bunkers nearest the capital. We have forces going there; they will hold until you get loyal men there.”
General Zia al Huf was alert and moving. “Can I contact the commander?”
“Here are the two satellite phone numbers; the first is the aviation Commander, Colonel Parker of the 161st SOAR; the second is the SF commander, Colonel Johnson, 5th Special Forces group.”
The General moved fast; he had very loyal men in charge of the Special Service Groups, the finest troops in the Pakistani Army. Night flying was not practiced all that often; but they had some specially designed to lead the rest.
The more northern Bunker’s Guard force Commander was a loyal officer; he had been very careful about who he had let into his unit. This loyalty was tested when one of his sergeants attempted to knife him; his deputy shot him dead. The Colonel quickly realized there was trouble and had his men manning their positions in 5 minutes.
The operatives had been careful; they had sabotaged the communications system; the two bunkers were cut off. Only the presidential line was intact.
Colonel Johnson had been informed about the column; they were only minutes away as they neared the bunker. The Apache’s moved to attack the column; the Attack Little Birds covered the landing of the Northern force.
It took the Apaches only minutes to find the force; and literally seconds to blow up every vehicle. 12 Apaches can do a lot of damage and they proved it.
Colonel Burn-Wilke led his men; sent them to surround the bunker complex.
The Colonel from his command bunker saw the explosions in the near distance; then he got reports of troops surrounding the bunker complex. His regular communications were not getting through. Then the Red Phone rang.
The General had gotten to the President; who quickly called the Northern Bunker.
“Colonel, This is the President, Authentication code as follows.”
The Colonel verified the codes were correct. Was this war?
“Colonel. Al queeda is attempting to take our weapons. The Americans and British are surrounding your position. What is your situation?”
“Mr President, one of my men attempted to kill me; we are on alert. There have been explosions to the North East. My men report we are surrounded.”
“The Americans have attacked them already. Hold your position Colonel. There are British troops all around you and American attack Helicopters in the air. Loyal members of the SSG will be there within hours to secure your position.”
“Understood, Mr President.”
But their attempts to contact the southern bunker failed. The General looked at the President. They were both very grim. One was secure; but the other?
Then an aide rushed up to the General.
“Sir, all the helicopters here have been sabotaged; it will take us hours to repair them.”
“Send the closest unit there by truck as fast as possible.”
He looked at the president. “They have prepared all too well.”
There was nothing to say. He just nodded grimly.
Liz caught up to the Southern group and talked to the Major.
“Valkyrie Lead to Team 1. Are you ready?”
“5 mikes.”
“Roger that.”
“Doberman to Axman.
“Axman to Doberman.”
“Axman, stay on plan.”
“Roger that.”
Liz then ordered the Little Birds with the Special forces unit to close up with her; the other Little Birds supported the Scots as they began to land.
Liz used her infrared scope to look at the complex. The vehicles had gone right in. No fighting.
“Valkyrie Lead to All units; no resistance at site. FREE FIRE.”
They all acknowledged; Liz had just declared no friendlies on the ground. She then ordered the Axman to let go.
12 Apaches blew up the vehicles and then the buildings all around; rockets and hellfires.
Liz, with 4 little birds and an A team, headed for the bunkers ignoring the explosions and fire. Even with the explosions the expensive nightsight for the 30mm gave her a clear view. She saw a group of men rushing towards the bunkers and she let go with her 30MM, shredding them; but two had run ahead and got the middle door open; that was the one with the bombs. They dashed inside closing the door.
“Team 1 get down there.”
The Little Birds landed the SF; went down to 20 feet and they rappelled down.
Liz lined up the closed door and let go of a Hellfire. Then another; then a third; it seemed to be sagging; probably had holes in it. She fired a fourth, aiming low; it hit the bottom of the door and lifted it off the shattered hinges and if fell forward. The SF team dashed up to it and she saw them throw something in; probably a frag grenade. At least two of them. She could barely see explosions inside. Several of the team rushed in. She could do nothing other than wait.
Seconds went by like hours.
Then out came a SF with a radio in his hand. She had switched to their frequency.
“Team one to Valkyrie Lead; items are secure.”
Liz almost sagged but pulled herself up; Trevor was yelling victory screams.
Liz took a deep breath and pulled the Apache higher.
“Valkyrie Lead to command. Target 1 secure. No friendlies left on ground.”
“Command to Valkyrie Lead. Confirm target one secure.”
“Roger that command.”
In the White House there was quiet jubilation. Then they started to make calls.
The General and the president waited. Not speaking. There were no words. Then the Generals satellite phone rang. He opened it.
“General, Colonel Parker confirms the items are secured. The Guard company partially mutinied and opened the doors for the raiders but all are dead.”
The General let out a deep breath and smiled at the President who sagged in his seat.
“Thank You. I will now contact Colonel Parker.”
As long as she was stationary the satellite phone worked well; so Liz was not surprised when it rang.
“Colonel Parker.”
“Colonel this is General Al Huf. I am here with the President. I have been told they are secure?”
“Yes Sir they are secure. I have two companies on the ground and a third on the way. In a few hours I will send some of my Apache’s to refuel but half of them will remain on site. The Scots have mortars and machine guns and are digging in. I believe the situation is stable.”
“That is very good to hear. Unfortunately those unwashed sabotaged our helicopters in the capital so your relief is some time off.”
Liz thought quickly. “General; my transport helicopters are capable of getting to Karachi and back with their current fuel; they can be there in less than an hour. They can pick up whoever you want and bring them here.”
“Hold on please.”
He looked at the president and quickly explained, and he nodded.
“Very good Colonel; send them to the army base just north of Karachi; you are aware of it?”
“They are sir. I can have enough there in an hour to transport two companies at least; in a little later they can take a Battalion. I can send for my reserves at Kandahar. They are two hours away. With them we can transport two battalions.”
The General thought quickly. “DO so. I will send a battalion to each site.”
“Understood sir, will start them now.”
“Very good Colonel.”
Liz called up and ordered the Little Birds back to the temporary base; and all others to Karachi. She then called Harkness and had them head towards Karachi as well.
The Scots had set up their mortars and were sending up Illumination rounds; Liz took off her night goggles and was able to see them digging in all around the bunker complex. She could see groups moving through the wreckage. She checked in with the Northern Group and it was secure. The Reserve company had landed and was moving in to bolster the defense.
Liz then had two thirds of the Apache’s land and stay idling to conserve fuel. She stayed up with the rest. She looked at her watch; it was 0145. About 4 hours and a little more to dawn.
Liz had each of them spend an hour on the ground and then back up in the air she figured she could stretch the three hours they would have had anyway to 5.
Then the 352nd contacted her and informed her they were in the area; she sent off 4 right away; and over the next two hours got all hers and herself refueled; the Northern contingent was then refueled afterwards.
By 0330 she had refueled and was on the way back to the site. She got there at 0400 to hear that the first wave of the choppers with the SSG would be there by 0500. They would be getting to the northern site about half an hour later. The rest of the command had arrived in Karachi at 0400; they would make their drop-offs at about 0600.
It was all very anti climatic when the Pakistani SSG arrived; they got out and marched to the site; the SF team walked out and they walked in. The SSG moved down the line, replacing man for man the Brits in each position. The Brits shouldered arms and marched to the waiting Choppers. Since they had refueled in Karachi they could easily make it to Kandahar. In the northern site it was even more orderly. By 0800 everyone was either at Kandahar or just about there.
Liz was the last to leave, of course, but she floored her Apache and got to Kandahar by 0745. The C-130’s had picked up everyone left at the temp air field and had taken them to Kandahar as well. Liz landed her Apache with the rest; with things so quiet this part of Kandahar was vacant so they had plenty of room.
She got out and headed towards the operations room. There she found most of the pilots of her Regiment and Jim Harkness. He handed her a cold drink which she drank right down. Sighing then she looked at him.
“OK. Let’s get everyone together for a debriefing.”
That took a little over an hour. Then Liz got a vehicle to take her to the Base HQ.
There she was greeted by the Base Commander who took her into the main comm center to the phone. She picked it up.
“Hold for the President.”
Liz blinked and straightened up.
“Colonel Parker.”
“Mr. President.”
“First off congratulations on a successful mission. Second, what were our casualties?”
“A few minor wounds, mostly to the SF and Scots at the southern site, No serious ones and no one dead. No damage to any helicopters.”
“Remarkable Colonel. Congratulations once again. I am told you will be heading home tomorrow?”
“Yes sir. We pack up our choppers today, get a good nights sleep, and get back tomorrow.”
“I will then let you get things done colonel. Very well done.”
“Thank You Mr. President.”
Liz hung up and sighed. She looked at the Base Commander. “How about quarters tonight for my people?”
“Already arranged Colonel. My XO will show you to yours.”
Liz followed the XO to the VIP quarters – rather lush. Liz went down to fetch her overnight bag which had been brought in with the items from the temporary field. She checked on how things were going; they were already starting to tear down the choppers; luckily they were being assisted by Base Personnel. She went to her quarters and showered and changed. Feeling better she went back to Operations. Nothing was going on so she told everyone that the day was theirs and to get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow morning they would be going home.
The news blackout in Scotland had finally been broken; the word was out that the whole 161st had suddenly taken off. The fact that the MOD had blocked all communications told everyone something big had happened; but they said no comment.
At the White House there was debate on how to handle all this. They decided to let the Pakistani’s say something if they wanted to. Otherwise it would be called a training exercise.
The President of Pakistan was meeting with leaders and his cabinet. They were debating what to do. Most wanted to just deny anything major had happened. The Americans and Brits had already agreed to say nothing. However some shrewd ones noted that speculation was already going on; the frantic activity had been noticed. People would talk. The sabotaged Helicopters could not be covered up; too many knew. Others said so what? It would all blow away soon enough.
At Kandahar several enterprising reporters had already spotted the 161st. That word got out; and when the word of how the MOD had sat on things people started putting two and two together. Rumors were that the Apache’s of the 161st had fired a lot of ordnance. So it had been a mission, not training. But where? As the word got out people started sniffing around. Then a couple called friends who called friends and it was discovered that the 2nd Scots had been out with them. And had come back. Then someone mentioned Karachi and the army base outside had been pretty busy.
All that day speculation spread. Then the word about a lot of Pakistani helicopters suddenly under repair. Then that two battalions of the SSG had suddenly left. Then a report that the 161st transport Helicopters had been at the Army base.
Meanwhile Liz got something to eat and tried to relax. She called Max and the family and talked to all of them.
Fox News and other media began to think something big had happened. But no one was saying anything. Which meant it had to be really big.
“This is Fox news Tonight. Rumors of a secret military mission are spreading all over Washington and elsewhere. Here is what we know:
“Approximately 36 hours ago the 161st SOAR in Raf Machrihanish, Scotland suddenly was transported to Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan. Where they are apparently putting their helicopters back in the transports to go home. But information has come out that there was a combat mission involved; somewhere in Afghanistan. But no one knows where; there are no reports. Eyewitnesses reported that the Super Apache’s of that Regiment had fired a lot of ammunition when they got back to Kandahar from wherever they were. Reports are that they were in the Army base near Karachi, Pakistan. The transports taking the 161st did not land at Kandahar; at least most of them did not; and especially all their attack helicopters. We will continue to try and get this story.”
The White House saw that eventually most of it would come out; but the real meat of it would not for a long time if ever. And they were content to let it lay.
Meanwhile in Karachi another debate was brewing. Evidence was mounting that the attempt had been supported heavily by factions in the ISI. IT was now certain that the sabotage to the Helicopters had been done by ISI agents. The evidence at the one site showed that the Colonel there had turned. And had a good number of his command with him and they had murdered the loyal soldiers. The Colonel and his family had close ties to the ISI.
The Justice Minister was firm.
“It is time the ISI was brought down. We cannot wait any longer.”
There was very little support for the ISI in the room but they were all aware of the risks of taking that powerful organization down.
General Al Huf had returned from looking over both sites. He spoke next.
“If we do this we have to justify it. The only way is to let it be known what almost happened and blame it on the ISI. Their support would disappear.”
“The humiliation…”
“What is worth leaving those in place that tried this once – so that they can try it again someday?”
The President looked at the General. He nodded. Then he went around the room; one by one they all nodded in the end. The shock of what almost happened was with them; it could not be allowed to happen again.
The President called for a special meeting of the Parliament for two days from now.
Liz and the rest of her Regiment had gotten back to Scotland and were taking a well-earned rest. SOCOM had told her that a Presidential Unit Citation was in the works, but it would have to be a silent one. She was fine with that.
The President began his speech just as the SSG hit the HQ of the ISI and other units hit every known supporter.
IT was broadcast live all over Pakistan. And of course elsewhere.
“People of Pakistan, we have been betrayed by those that were supposed to protect us. 3 days ago traitors allied with Al Queeda attempted to steal some of the Nuclear Weapons meant to protect Pakistan to use for their own foul purposes. They murdered loyal Pakistani Soldiers. They were stopped by our friends and Allies from The United Kingdom and the United States. The traitors were primarily from the ISI. At this moment it is declared a rogue agency; all its files are to be seized and all its members will be detained and questioned.”
This sent shockwaves all over that part of the world. The Indian Prime minister held an emergency cabinet meeting.
“How did we not know about this?”
“There was information something had happened but we had not yet confirmed anything.”
“Well it is confirmed now.”
The President looked at his National Security Advisor.
“Caught you by surprise as well.”
“Sir, no one expected they would admit what happened. But it is clear they are using it to destroy the ISI. This is a very good thing, Mr. President.”
That was agreed with almost universally.
Liz watched the BBC coverage and sighed. Things would not be quiet for a while. It had not taken long for the media to connect the dots.
“The MOD still refuses to comment; but it is clear that UK forces were involved with the operation. It is known that the American 161st SOAR in RAF Machrihanish deployed in an emergency manner. It is known that they were in Kandahar but most of the unit landed somewhere else and flew in there. It is known that the 2nd Scots left Kandahar on the 161st helicopters and came back. One can only deduce that they are the ones that protected the Pakistani nuclear weapons from being stolen by Al Queeda.”
The President had quickly gone to Camp David and had escaped the media barrage. He called the British PM.
“Well, what do you think?”
“I believe we will probably have to tell the whole story.”
“Probably. Clearly we need to make sure the ISI gets all the blame besides Al Queeda.”
“Of course.”
“Could you talk with them and see how they want to do this? I am very surprised as is all my advisors that they took this step.”
“No more surprised than I and mine were. I will give them a call and see what is going on.”
One nice thing about the base was that it was nicely fenced in. So it was not hard to seal it off. Despite the mob of reporters outside its gate.
That evening Liz sat on the sofa cuddling with Max. Then Aliya shrieked “MOM, look at this!”
“THIS” was pictures of the family down on the Riviera. The Sun. Liz in that string Bikini, Aliya in another; and Max and James playing on the beach. Liz groaned but Max just grinned.
“Sexy.”
Liz did look very sexy. She was standing up peering over her sun glasses at Max. It was a very coy look; and she did look very hot.
“Hot on the Beach; and hot in the air” was the headline talking about her latest daring do then going over her whole career. And of course the fact that she was the first and still the only Knightress.
That photo spread around quickly. Liz just knew she was going to get a lot of heat about it.
The crackdown on the ISI went very quickly and quite well. The revulsion many felt about what almost happened stole what little support they might have had and many soon began to rat out the rest that had been able to hide. The SSG had been able to prevent most of the documents at the ISI headquarters from being destroyed and they proved a treasure trove; detailing just how corrupt and double dealing the ISI had been. Prominent political and financial figures were outed and the damage done to the secret intelligence establishment was immense.
The President had sent General Al Huf out to discuss the details of the nights events. Parliament had demanded a full explanation and he gave it to them.
Some of the ultranationalist types tried to use this to attack the President for the humiliation; but the canny General turned that right back on them for supporting the ISI in the past. He was very forthright in his praise of the US and UK forces for quickly moving. And he pointed out to them that their worry about trusting anyone in the Pakistan Government had been proven very correct.
“Now finally when someone has something of this importance to discuss, they can speak straight to us.”
The President finally made a brief statement that for once the intelligence community had gotten things right far enough ahead of time for them to act on it. And since this had been a Special Operations mission they did not give details.
However the media wanted Colonel Parker to speak. The President simply said that she did not like to speak to the media and therefore she did not have to. Which left them very frustrated. He did throw them a crumb and announce that the 161st SOAR would receive a Presidential Unit Citation.
But the media pressure from all around the world continued to build. The White House was told they would have to give more. Finally it was decided to give the transcript of the radio communications. Which was very frustrating to some but fascinating to others. The DOD briefer was very helpful in translating the jargon. Then it was decided to release the actual tapes; the Super Apache recording all outgoing and incoming radio communications. It was digital and thus very clear. It was soon on You Tube.
Liz sighed again as she looked at her computer screen. There were her conversations during the mission for all to see and hear.
Her voice soon became very familiar. Liz had a quiet contralto that was very distinct. And her coolness and calmness was remarked on by many.
The DOD had informed the public that the informal title of the 161st was the Valkyries. Of course that was because of who their colonel was. Then it was mentioned that her call sign was Doberman. That got a lot of comments. Someone got a picture of her Apache with the artistic rendition of a Doberman with huge fangs and a very vicious look.
It was finally admitted that Liz had blown the door off of the bunker and that the SF discovered the Al Queeda agents inside already dead; the heat from the plasma jet that came from the shaped charge warhead of a Hellfire had heated the relatively small area inside the bunker to the point that it had for all intents and purposes cooked them. It was beginning to be said that she deserved another medal for this. A second DFC was probably coming, according to the Talking Heads. She was already acknowledged as the most decorated military person since 9/11.
Liz knew this was all going on but since she could not do anything about it she just started training her Regiment hard again. The mission had been good since it allowed her to gauge the units; they had all done well. She really did not have much to gripe about. So to make up for that she started doing war games; bringing in the officers and presenting them with different scenarios and then standing back to see what they would do. She started another crew competition to see who could service their chopper the fastest and still do it right.
The call from SOCOM was not exactly a surprise.
“Colonel, the 161st will be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. You will receive your second DFC. The President will be visiting England as part of a European tour in May so that is when they will be presented. The Pakistani government will be awarding you, your unit and the Scots and SF a commendation as well.”
After Liz hung up she sat in her office and thought about things. The medals and the commendations were nice; anyone who claimed they did not like being commended was either nuts or a liar. But she knew the clock was ticking on her days in command. This would be the last time she got to really command a unit; after this it would always be at least one step back; no more combat flying. Frankly not much flying at all. Sitting behind a desk. Her new career manager was an enthusiastic type; she was not yet sure enough to call him a used car salesman; not yet. He had told her that she would be going to Command School. Liz had to snicker at that: she had commanded a Company, Battalion and then a Brigade, twice actually. NOW they were sending her to command school. She knew it was a requirement before she got her first star. And there really was no doubt about that, he had told her.
Liz got up and headed out to home. To see her family. As she walked along, acknowledging the salutes of her people as she passed them, she wondered if she really wanted a star. And almost certainly more would come. Was it worth it? All the BS she would have to put up with that so far she had been incredibly lucky to avoid? She pondered that as she went to her family.