//------------------------------// // Overlook // Story: Nearing the Edge // by Eagle //------------------------------// September 30th, 2005 11:55 Hours Washington D.C. James continued running the fingers of his hand through his hair. Originally red, he had chosen to start dying it jet black when he started getting into politics, thinking it suited his look better. The color matched the desperate tone in the room as he sat across from his friend from the rival party. “So… Garret… you know about how important arming the Arcaians is for us, right?” The President asked, dropping the formalities and hoping to come off as friendly as he could. “I know that selling all those weapons is going to give us a fair sum of money,” Walsh responded, knowing how rich the land was in terms of resources like gold and gems. “Right, it does help take a lot of stress off the economy,” James concurred, “and you know how important it is to stop them from being overrun, right?” Walsh nodded in silence, knowing the excuse had just been given for whatever action the President had taken in his recent meeting with the Equestrian Princess. “Then you’d at least understand why I’m selling them some of our more advanced weapons?” “What did you give them, David?” Walsh asked in the tone of a disapproving grandfather. “Lancers, a squadron of them; and a few of other things too, but that was the main thing,” James admitted up front. “You sold them a squadron of supersonic bombers?” Walsh questioned rhetorically. “Nuclear-capable supersonic bombers?” “She threatened to cut down the purchases of those weapons to a minimal number, weapons we’re already building for them. If we built all those and didn’t get paid it’d change from an economic savior to near bankruptcy!” The President exclaimed, stern but keeping his temper under control. “She’s not exactly a naïve schoolgirl; she’s at least got an idea of how politics work. We can’t use her as a pawn.” It was now Walsh’s turn to run fingers through his hair, pushing back the old white hairs. He leaned back a bit in his chair across from the desk, his dark suit straining a bit from the stretch. James watched him look around a bit and shut his eyes for a minute, as if trying to think of a response. “You do remember what happened with Iran, don’t you James? With the revolution?” “I remember what happened to those Tomcats.” “Then you’ll know why I don’t want this to happen.” “I figured you wouldn’t be too terribly upset,” James lied, knowing from the start what his reaction would be. “You have been working under the notion that the Equestrians should fight for themselves without our direct help.” “Not when it gives them this kind of capability!” Walsh clarified, leaning back in his chair again. “They’d be more challenging to stop if they did attack and idea of one of those getting through to a city-” “Just trust me, it’s only one squadron and I know I can trust them. We’ll still have the upper edge, the Raptor and Spirit sales are still out of the question, so we’ll still have a significant advantage. Besides, the Equestrians don’t even have nukes.” “I know, it just worries me, knowing the past.” “I understand,” David acknowledge, checking his watch. “We’re going to have to wrap this up; General Gardner was supposed to start briefing me on some new foreign developments. He doesn’t like being kept waiting.” “Of course, of course.” “Would you still like to come over for dinner tonight with your family? We could discuss things more then.” “Of course,” Walsh repeated. “Why wouldn’t I?” “I’m just making sure; you have a good day now.” Walsh got up from his chair, straightening his suit a bit before heading out of the office. All in all James had expected it to be an awkward conversation, but he was used to it by now. Delivering news that went against the aging Democrat’s principals was common, if a bit painful. Yet it never led to any major confrontation, a fair reason to keep him as a friend, among a plethora of others. Still, there were always the few things the President could not tell the Congressman for one reason or another, usually secrecy; considering their nature he was more than happy to keep them secret. “I’d better not tell him about the Blackbirds,” James thought as he watched him exit the room, with the Chairman entering almost immediately after. It was not just a dislike of waiting that the bulky General held, he had a rather notable impatience overall. It was not a good trait to have for his position, but the positives usually overshadowed it. Still, if left unattended and growing, it could expand on some other issues he had. James hoped that these did not surface today, as Gardner was clearly in a bit of a hurry. He wasted no time, as James expected, greeting him with a ‘good morning Mr. President’ and unfolding a blank map of the world on his desk, the bottom half facing James. “This is telling me you’ve got a lot to explain,” he observed, watching the general take a seat. “You said there was some sort of major issue involving the deployment of our forces.” “Yes sir, around the world,” Gardner acknowledged. “We think we’ve run into a major issue, one that we may not be able to fully handle.” “More than Arcaia? Or China?” “More than the Pacific. We’ve gotten our hands on a set of strategic plans from the Chinese, one we think they’re planning and implementing in case of a war, a sort of doctrine.” “That is pretty big,” James agreed, stating the obvious. “What’s it entail?” “After studying it over we’ve named it the ‘Flashpoint Doctrine’, and the name implies the plan,” the General answered, beginning the explanation. “Basically China is using our de facto role as the world’s policeman, and our need for certain areas. It’s using what connections it has to launch surgical invasions on areas we can’t afford to lose, meaning we’ll have to send forces to help wherever they hit. This would spread us out pretty thin, and draw forces away from the main show in Arcaia.” “Guess the best way to counter that would be to have enough troops, or to make sure those areas can defend themselves,” James theorized. “What places are they looking at?” “Saudi Arabia, for one,” Gardner said, pointing to the old pain that was the Middle East. “China’s got good allies in Iran and Pakistan, the first of which despises the Saudis. Has to do with the different sects of Islam, and that’s an issue. It’s not just the resources there, if Iran were to come across the Persian Gulf and attack Saudi Arabia, we wouldn’t just lost a source of oil. The fall of their major rival and the seizure of their resources and land would jumpstart another Islamic Revolution, spreading it out just like the Iranians wanted to do during the Revolution in Seventy-Nine.” “I remember the Iran-Iraq War, a decade of non-stop slaughter was what took the fire out of it last time,” the President recalled. “If they won, there’d be a growing Mid East powerhouse, one that would be on bad terms with us.” “That’s the main issue in that region. Other than that we’ve got Syria making some angry eyes at Israel again, more than usual anyways, but that’s on a lower level,” Gardner explained, shifting a hand over to Africa. “We’re starting to worry about Africa too, especially the Sub-Saharan part, around Central Africa.” “Really? I thought most of that area was part of the Non-Aligned Movement. What’s going on down there?” “Yea, that’s what they keep saying, but reality says otherwise,” the General replied bluntly. “Neutrals always lean some ways, and that’s especially true here.” “Guess they won’t be neutral for long then.” “The Chinese have also been getting cozy with a few countries here; Tanzania, Zimbabwe, The Congo; they’re dotted all over, here and there. There’s no critical resource or direct need of us there, but if the Chinese build up it’d be a bad spot to deal with. We think they’re already making a small naval station in Angola, which would provide them with a naval base to raid around the Atlantic, and that could cause major problems.” “They’re not neutral then,” James emphasized again. “That’s not something we can allow, this is looking like another fight.” “It’s more competition. We need to prevent the Chinese from expanding influence here and creating a safe haven in the continent. We’ll have to do what’s necessary to get other African nations on our side. Additionally, if we go in and make our presence known, and knock out the Chinese and their allies that are there, it’ll dissuade the other nations from jumping in on their side.” “Use allied nations? Guess it’s better than having to send anything more than necessary.” “Especially considering the doctrine. We’ll be spread thin already; we’ll need to make space where we can.” “That’s a cold way of looking at it General, selling out our wars to local rivalries.” “I’m sorry, Sir, I don’t mean to come off like that,” Gardner replied honestly. “There’s just not much we can do here.” “Don’t be sorry, I’m just… thinking a little,” James said, bringing a hand up to the side of his face as he looked down on the map. “It’s us or them, and this is what they’ve given us.” “Before you make any decisions, Mr. President-” “I’m not yet; I need to think more on this.” “I have to stress that I’m not done yet,” Gardner continued as if he had not been interrupted. “In fact I need to tell you about the most worrying region.” “Other than the Pacific?” “Yes Sir, other than the Pacific. Of the others we’re going over, this one seems to look the bleakest. South America, right next door.” James looked over the southern continent with curiosity. South America could always have been described as turbulent but not volatile. In spite of constant issues they had never descended to levels of violence that had been seen in other places. To the contrary, it looked as if they were improving as of late, considering the increase in cooperation, trade, and work they had with America in the past few years. “What’s the matter with South America? They haven’t shown many signs of aggressive activity.” “Do you remember what started World War One? The huge number of alliances that dragged power after power into the war? I need you to remember that.” The President nodded his head as the general continued. “The most immediate ally China has in the region is Cuba. Now that alone isn’t a threat but we know they’ve buddied up with Nicaragua a bit as of late, so they don’t need to pass through the Panama Canal to get supplies to Cuba, they can just bring it overland through Nicaragua. If war breaks out we can expect some minor issues, mainly Cuban harassment and Nicaragua possibly pushing on the canal.” “Another move we can’t allow to happen.” “But this is where the alliances come in. Cuba has its own ally in Venezuela, and it’s safe to say that if Cuba goes to war, Venezuela will follow,” Gardner added, not stopping once the explanation had started. “Now that’s only half the problem. The other one is farther south, with Argentina.” “We haven’t had any negative relations with the Argentinians,” James retorted, as if he wanted to debate the point. “I know they canceled the Gringo-Gaucho Exercise but that’s no reason to be suspicious.” “No but China and the Bloc have been getting close to them, as well. We think they’ve been making some noises about supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falklands; their claim is backed by most of South America usually, but… well, Argentina’s government seems to be getting a little power hungry. It looks like there’s some land in Chile they still want to get at, mainly in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Back in Eighty-Four, the two signed a treaty that was supposed to put this to rest, but I can’t say it’ll hold.” “The century-old Beagle Conflict… some people just can’t put the past behind them.” “Bolivia’s another one of them; they’re still clamoring for their window to the Pacific through Chile, which is something Argentina always backed. That puts them in Argentina’s pocket.” “That’s bad… very bad,” the exasperated President stated, knowing the obviousness of it. “If they do take Chile, they can cut the Magellan Strait… and with Panama under attack our ships would have to take the long way to the Pacific.” “Yes Sir, but I still don’t think you’re grasping the full danger of the situation,” Gardner stressed. “If all these break out, we’re looking at more than just a bunch of new fronts. There are a lot of other nations that would like to take the opportunity to settle old scores, and with all the fighting breaking out and forces spread; they’ll use this as a chance to do that.” “What? Who else is going to go to war?” “India and Pakistan, North Korea, take your pick of any of the global hotspots. We’re already seeing the worst of that in South America. We don’t know for sure what’ll happen, who will jump in or how likely it is. We do know that this Flashpoint Doctrine could start a chain reaction, and I don’t think China knows it, or maybe they don’t care,” the General went on, becoming more stressed the further he went. “Sir, this has the potential to break out into a new world war.” James was unsure of just how to react to this. He knew when he was elected there was a high chance of war breaking out, and him having to lead America through it, but he did not think it would spread this far. No matter what he did, a world war would cause devastation on levels that towered above any war that was fought in Arcaia and the Pacific. This would encompass anyone from any corner of the world. It would no longer be about obtaining victory for peace, the final objective would be to sail his country through the storm and minimizing the damage to it while reaching total victory to end its involvement on the champion’s terms. They would not be able to deter in other areas; they could send help, they had to, but there was not stopping it. Everyone would be cast out into the storm. “What about Europe?” James continued blankly. “NATO will still hold up. We’d have to be attacked directly at home for them to join, but they won’t abandon us completely. The common defense should keep things in check there, though we’ve heard of some peculiar movements inside Belarus and Ukraine.” “Russia’s not going to attack, is it? They’ve got so little reason to now and even less ability with how much equipment they sold to the Bloc.” “I can’t tell you what Russia will do, Mr. President. I figured the same thing but there has been an increase in military activity, land, air, and sea. Nothing to indicate an invasion of Europe, but they’re not normal either.” “But not exactly on our side at the same time?” the President asked, getting a shake of the head from his acquaintance. “Who is on our side then?” “Brazil, for one. They’re usually on the same page with other South American nations, but when there’s a warmongering alliance that’s surrounding them between Venezuela, Argentina, and Bolivia… needless to say that ruffles their feathers. Our own history helps; first to see them as their own state goes a long way. Chile will join us if attacked, needless to say. Colombia would probably love the opportunity to go after Venezuela, considering their border issues.” “Worldwide, I mean.” “Biggest in Africa would be South Africa, most of the Arabian Peninsula is with us in the Middle East. NATO will lean towards us easily but don’t count on them sending troops to Arcaia,” Gardner warned. “Except the UK, they’re kind enough to jump into the fray with us. Same with the rest of the Commonwealth; Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have a stake in the Pacific, so we’ve got military forces from them.” “I guess it’s a powerful thing, having friends,” James remarked off-handedly. “That’s putting it lightly.” “Heh, you haven’t had to spend a couple hours talking with that princess. Still, even with all this, I’d like some kind of deterrent to try and stop a war from breaking out. At least in Arcaia, since that’s the tip of the fuse.” “I’d think that our forces there would act as that, wouldn’t it?” the General asked. “I would too, but something tells me it’s not enough. We need to show our power… something a little more.” “Other than an orbital weapon hanging over the Bloc nations?” “We’re not bringing that up, we need something… conventional, General,” the President clarified. “We need to show our superiority on that front, show them they can’t win a war. That they will be facing our full might, not just part of it.” “Our naval forces are still superior, and they’re still growing. Especially in terms of carriers.” “A big carrier exercise? I think that’s something we could try.”