Executive orders - Tom Clancy [416]
Move the carrier up, Adler said.
Why, Scott?
Mr. President, it gives me a face card to lay on the table. It shows that we're taking this seriously. As Admiral Jackson just told us, we do take the loss of life seriously, and they will just have to accept the fact that we don't want and might not allow this to go any further.
What if they press anyway-what if there's another 'accident' that might involve us?
Mr. President, that's operations, and that's my business. We'd park Ike on the east side of the island. They can't get to her by accident then. They'd have to come through three defense belts to do so, the ROC one over the strait, then Taiwan itself, and then the wall the battle-group commander puts up. I could also spot an Aegis at the bottom end of the strait to give us full RADAR coverage of the entire passage. If, that is, you order us to move Ike. The advantage for Taiwan, well, four squadrons of fighters, plus airborne RADAR coverage. That should make them feel more secure.
Which will allow me to play a better game if I shuttle back and forth, the Secretary concluded.
But that still leaves the IO uncovered. It's been a long time since we did that. Robby kept coming back to that, the other two noticed.
Nothing else there? Jack asked. He realized that he should have found out before.
A cruiser, Anzio, two destroyers, plus two frigates guarding an under way-replenishment group based at Diego Garcia. We never leave Diego uncovered by warships, not with the Pre-Positioning Ships there. We have a 688-class sub in the area, too. It's enough to matter, but not enough to project power. Mr. Adler, you understand what a carrier means.
SecState nodded. People take them seriously. That's why I think we need it off China.
He makes a good case, Rob. Where is Ike now?
Between Australia and Sumatra, should be approaching the Sunda Strait. Exercise SOUTHERN CUP is supposed to simulate an Indian attack on their northwest coast. If we move her now, she can get to Formosa in four days plus a couple hours.
Get her moving that way, Rob, all possible speed.
Aye aye, sir, Jackson acknowledged, his doubts still visible on his face. He gestured to the phone and, getting a nod, he called the National Military Command Center. This is Admiral Jackson with orders from National Command Authority. Execute GREYHOUND BLUE, Acknowledge that, Colonel. Robby listened and nodded. Very well, thank you. Then he turned to his President. Okay, Ike will turn north in about ten minutes and make a speed run to Taiwan.
That fast? Adler allowed himself to be impressed.
The miracle of modern communications, and we already had alert orders to Admiral Dubro. This won't be a covert move. The battle group will head through several narrows, and people will notice, he warned.
Press release won't hurt, Adler said. We've done it before.
Well, there's your card to play in Beijing and Taipei, Ryan said, having exercised yet another executive order, but distantly concerned that Robby was unhappy about it. The really difficult matter was fuel. A fleet-replenishment group would have to move as well, to refill the bunkers of Eisenhower's non-nuclear escort ships.
Will you let on that we know about the shoot-down?
Adler shook his head. No, definitely not. It will be more unsettling to them if they think we don't know.
Oh? This came from a somewhat surprised President.
Then I can decide when we 'find out,' Boss, and when that happens, I have another card to play-that way I can make it a big card. He turned. Admiral, don't overestimate the intelligence of your enemy. Diplomats like me aren't all that savvy on the technical aspects of what you do. That applies to people in foreign countries, too. A lot of our capabilities are unknown to them.
They have spooks to keep them informed, Jackson objected.
You think they always listen? Do we? The J-3 blinked at that lesson and filed it away for future use.
IT HAPPENED IN a large shopping mall, an American invention that seemed designed for covert operations, with its many entrances, bustling people, and near-perfect