"Yes, Mr. President!" the General answered, "For the B52s don't have the guidance systems for smart bombs."
The President thought a moment. "Then have the B52s carry the bombs," The President remarked, "and have other planes accompany them that DO have the control systems. The B52s can drop the bombs, and the fighters can take them in. I want one hundred such bombs produced. I want them ready in a week. I also want dummies built so the bomber crews and fighters can make some practice runs. I may want to deliver a little surprise to old Do."
"Mr. President," his political aide spoke up, "might I remind you it is against all international agreements to deliberately target the leader of another nation, even in time of war?"
The President smiled. "Who says I'd be targeting anybody in particular?"" he asked. "These are the enemy's command and operation centers, legitimate targets in time of war."
"Mr. President!" his aide sighed, "I wish you would not speak in such a way as to make it apparent that hostilities are inevitable. The public is going to demand an attempt be made to negotiate a solution."
"Oh, we'll make an attempt to negotiate," The President answered, "but do you have any idea what our chances of success will be?"
"No, we're expected to make a counter strike. I just want to make sure we do considerable more than what we thought we would do. Now, carry out your missions, gentlemen! We'll meet here at, say, ten tomorrow? Hopefully by then, these recordings will have been processed, and we can get a much better idea of what has happened. Good evening, gentlemen!"
"Good evening, Mr. President!" everybody responded.
The President joined the festivities in The East Room, much to the delight of the young people gathered there. Soon he was singing with them. Few in the room knew the terrible circumstances on the President's mind. But as the news of the orders that he'd given spread throughout the country, many voices began to speak. Almost immediately his opposition began to scream "No war! No way!" But many knew The President and knew what had happened did not sit well with him, that he was a man who believed in harsh retribution.
Around the world people began to brace themselves for the whirlwind.

Page 4

Go To The Next Page

Return To Links Page