Designated Targets

“The first shots from Operation H.I. will land on the Americans in less than twelve hours. The Eighty-second Marine Expeditionary Unit in Australia will almost certainly be withdrawn to try to reclaim Hawaii. They may be accompanied by other elements of Kolhammer’s Task Force in the Southwest Pacific, but they will have been significantly weakened by the fighting in Australia, and of course, the Australian government may not release any forces to help if they feel they themselves are still threatened.”

The cgi window covering the Pacific theater inflated to twice its previous size. Rising sun flags appeared over the harbor of Rabaul in recently conquered New Guinea, and moved southwest, threatening the long, isolated and almost entirely undefended coast of Western Australia.

More flags designating Japanese air units appeared over New Guinea and sortied south, where animated bomb blasts popped up over the Australian cities of Darwin and Cairns. Cartoon parachutes descended on Darwin as landing barges traversed the gap between New Guinea and northern Australia, and larger forces established themselves around the small coastal town of Broome in Western Australia.

Some red arrows then pushed south toward Perth, while others moved inland, across the desert toward a flashing icon that everyone now recognized as the symbol for radioactive material.

“Significant deposits of easily mined uranium lie here and here,” said Oshima, twirling his laser pointer over the center of the Australian continent.

Before he could speak again, the führer interrupted him. “General,” he said slowly. “I do not believe you have the capacity to carry out a successful invasion of Hawaii and Australia at the same time.”

“No.” The ambassador smiled. “We do not. But if the Allies can be misled into thinking that we will attempt a second, coordinated series of landings in Australia, their response to the attack on Hawaii will be affected, perhaps crippled. General Homma was instructed to use the most severe methods to subdue his conquered subjects in Australia. The government there will be loath to release any of their forces, contemporary or otherwise, to the Americans if they think another such campaign is imminent. The effect will be all the more profound, of course, if the Allies suspect we will make an attempt to seize those uranium deposits in the Australian desert. Even the Americans may balk at just handing those to us. The combination of factors might even be enough to tip the balance against an immediate mission to retake Hawaii, allowing Admiral Yamamoto to consolidate our hold there.

“I believe the Reichsführer has a plan in hand to help with this.”

Oshima bowed slightly in Himmler’s direction. They had worked this out between them weeks before.

Himmler nodded briefly. “The Ausland SD has successfully inserted a small number of agents into the United States.”

An audible gasp sounded from around the table. The führer, who already knew the broad outlines of Himmler’s plan merely gestured for him to continue. Oshima was just as keen to hear the details.

Himmler spoke from a handwritten note in front of him. “Three special agents have been in the U.S. for a month, preparing for their mission. They will receive their orders by secure channels just before the attack on Hawaii. They will bomb a number of targets on the East and West Coasts. Herr Göbbels will receive the transcript of a propaganda broadcast I wish him to make after the bombings. The effect will be to sow fear and uncertainty amongst the American populace, causing them to believe an attack on the mainland is imminent. It will further complicate any response to Hawaii.”

“But how?” asked Göring with considerable bad grace. “You have never had any success at sabotaging their defense facilities before now.”

Himmler smiled. “We won’t be hitting airfields or naval bases. Their bombers have been targeting our civilian populace. Now, in a small way, our bombers will be targeting theirs.”

“Excellent!” said Hitler, smashing his open palm down on the desk. “You are right, of course, Hermann. They are a degenerate race, and they won’t be able to absorb punishment like our own Volk. Or even like the Britishers, I’ll wager.”

The führer chortled. “I shall look forward to hearing more of this when your plan comes to fruition. But now, Mr. Ambassador. Please return to your briefing.”

Oshima bowed and worked the controller in his hand. On the screen behind him, the window displaying the Australian theater collapsed into the background, to be replaced by a display hovering over Hawaii, and another with a wider scan of the western Pacific. The latter contained two icons, one representing the Dessaix by itself, and another for the Combined Fleet, which was located some two hundred miles to the northwest.