Executive Intent

“Armstrong has been monitoring a number of known or suspected missile launch points in Pakistan, India, and several other countries, and we came across these three in Pakistan, sir,” Raydon said. “It could be an exercise or a training session, but we’re not seeing the usual deployments of security personnel around the area-anytime they take one of those things out of the garage, even for an exercise, they normally set up a lot of security. We’ve been looking, and we don’t see any. That’s why we issued the alert.”

“We tried calling Islamabad -they said they’re aware of the situation and are working on it.”

“That doesn’t sound good, sir. We’re standing by.”

“This is President Gardner, General Raydon,” Gardner interjected. “What exactly do you propose to do?”

“The Shaheen-2 ballistic missile flies to an altitude of between sixty and one hundred fifty miles, sir,” Raydon said. “That’s well within the Trinity’s engagement envelope. The problem is, we don’t have a complete constellation of OMVs to-”

“OMVs? What the hell is that?”

“Orbital Maneuvering Vehicles-interceptors, sir,” Raydon said.

“Then just say ‘interceptor’ and let’s cut the crap,” Gardner said hotly. “So can you take those things out, yes or no?”

“If we have a Kingfisher-a weapon platform-within range at the time the missiles reach apogee, we can nail them. Our constellation is incomplete, so there’s just a fifty percent chance we’ll have a platform in range. Am I authorized to engage, sir?”

“Stand by, General,” Gardner said. He hit the “HOLD” button on the phone. “Get Mazar on the phone again, and this time I want to talk with him directly.”

“All embassies and consulates have acknowledged our warning message and are standing by,” Kordus said.

Gardner nodded, scanning the map, thinking hard. “Can the Decatur launch cruise missiles and take those things out?” he asked finally.

Bain measured the distances with his eyes. “About three hundred miles…it would take the TLAMs over a half hour to hit their targets after launch,” he replied.

“Half an hour…?”

“The Paks would certainly see or detect the launch,” Vice President Phoenix said, “and they might respond against the Decatur or against India.”

“ India would certainly retaliate,” Bain added, “probably with WMDs.”

“Mr. President, President Mazar’s office says he will call you immediately when the current situation has terminated,” the communications officer said.

“Dammit,” Gardner swore. He looked at his advisers around the huge electronic map. “All right, folks, let me hear options.”

“No choice, Mr. President-we have to take those missiles out,” Secretary of Defense Turner said. “Mazar won’t say if he ordered those missiles to deploy or not, or if he’s planning on launching them, or if some Taliban gang got hold of them. A cruise-missile attack is the only way.”

“I agree, sir,” National Security Adviser Carlyle said. “We should launch immediately.”

“General?”

“Agreed,” Bain said.

“Ken?”

“Notify New Delhi and Islamabad first,” the vice president said.

“But I think we might have another option. General Raydon?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You and Undersecretary Page briefed the National Security Council last year on these weapon platforms of yours,” Phoenix said. “You said they were being armed with self-defense and antiballistic-missile weapons, but you also mentioned as a footnote the space attack weapon. I seem to remember you had a successful test of that weapon back then, so I assume you are still testing it.”

“Yes, sir. It’s called ‘Mjollnir’-‘Thor’s Hammer.’” Several of the president’s advisers raised their eyebrows, just now remembering; President Gardner still looked confused.

“What’s its status?”

“Still in research and development, sir,” Raydon said.

“Undersecretary Page and Secretary Banderas seemed to indicate it was well beyond that stage, General,” Phoenix said. “What’s the real status?”

There was a slight, uncomfortable pause; then: “Mjollnir has been deployed on all of the weapon platforms for mate, stability, and connectivity tests, sir.”

“What’s this all about, Ken?” the president asked.

“There’s a weapon on those orbiting garages that can take out those missiles…in seconds, not minutes.”

“What?”

“If a garage is in position, it can fire a precision-guided penetrator that can take out those missiles,” Phoenix said. “General Raydon, when do you have a garage in position?”

“Stand by, sir.” A moment later: “One Trinity vehicle carrying a Mjollnir reentry weapon with three penetrator sabots will be over the target’s horizon in about two minutes, and will be in optimum launch position for about ninety seconds. The next one won’t be in position for twenty-seven minutes.”

“Whoa, whoa, wait a damn minute,” Gardner said. “What are these penetrators? Are they nuclear?”