Executive orders - Tom Clancy [464]
Agreed. Keep me informed, Scott.
Yes, Mr. President. The line went dead.
Jack-no, Mr. President, I just had a big red flashing light go off.
Ryan grimaced. I have to go be political tomorrow, too. I fly out at, uh-he checked his schedule-leave the House at six-fifty, to speak in Nashville at eight-thirty. We need an assessment on this in one big hurry. Shit. Adler's over there, I'm on the road, and Ben Goodley isn't experienced enough for this. I want you there, Rob. If there's operational ramifications to this, that's your bailiwick. The Foleys. Arnie on the political side. We need a good China hand from State
ADLER WAS SETTLING into his bed in the embassy VIP quarters. He went over his notes, trying to figure the angle. People made mistakes at every level. The wide belief that senior officials were canny players was not nearly as true as people thought. They made mistakes. They made slips. They loved to be clever.
Travel is a curse, Zhang had said. His only words. Why then, and why those? It was so obvious that Adler didn't get it then.
BEDFORD FORREST, EH? Diggs said, spreading relish on his hot dog.
Best cavalry commander we've ever had, Eddington said.
You'll pardon me, Professor, if I show diminished enthusiasm for the gentleman, the general observed. The son of a bitch did found the Ku Klux Klan.
I never said the man was politically astute, sir, and I do not defend his personal character, but if we've ever had a better man with a cavalry command, I have not learned his name, Eddington replied.
He's got us there, Hamm had to admit.
Stuart was overrated, sometimes petulant, and very lucky. Nathan had the Fingerspitzengefuhl, knew how to make decisions on the fly, and damned if he made many bad ones. I'm afraid we just have to overlook his other failings.
History discussions among senior Army officers could last for hours, as this one had, and were as learned as those in any university's seminar room. Diggs had come over for a chat with Colonel Hamm, then found himself embroiled in the millionth refighting of the Civil War. Millionth? Diggs wondered. No, a lot more than that.
What about Grierson? Diggs asked.
His deep raid was a thing of beauty, but he didn't actually conceive it, remember. Actually, I think his best work was as commander of the 10th.
Now you're talking, Dr. Eddington.
See how the boss's eyes just lit up. You-
That's right! You had that regiment until a little while ago. Ready and Forward! the colonel of the Carolina Guard added.
You even know our regimental motto? Maybe this guy was a serious historian after all, even if he did admire that racist murderer, Diggs thought.
Grierson built that regiment from the ground up, mainly illiterate troopers. He had to grow his own NCOs, and they drew every shit job in the Southwest, but they're the ones who defeated the Apaches-and only one damned movie ever made about 'em. I've been thinking about a book on the subject after I retire. He was our first real desert fighter, and he figured things out in a hurry. He knew about deep strike, he knew how to pick his fights, and once he got hold, he didn't let go. I was glad to see that regimental standard come back.
Colonel Eddington, I take back what I was thinking. Diggs lifted his beer can in salute. That's what the cav is all about.
* * *
46 - OUTBREAK
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER to come back Monday morning, but it would have meant getting the kids up too early. As it was, Jack Junior and Sally had to study for tests, and for the moment, Katie needed new arrangements of her own. Camp David had been so different it was very much like returning from a vacation, and coming back was something of a shock. As soon as the Executive Mansion appeared in the windows of the descending helicopter, faces and moods changed. Security was vastly increased. The body count around the perimeter was noticeably different, and that, too, was a reminder of how undesirable this place and the life it contained were for them. Ryan stepped off first, saluted