WAR (15 page)

“I’m fine. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

The three sit together watching a new reality show about a family training for a year long space mission. That family lives together in a small room only 10’X15’ for a year; everything, they do and say, is broadcast. The program is interrupted with the news of the attempted invasion in southern Arizona. Gun camera video from the fighters is shown on all of the stations. President Rand released it to demoralize the LSA and Russians. The President goes on television saying the invasion was stopped in its tracks by the quick thinking of the militia and the US Air Force. Leon is cheering every strike the planes make. “Hit em again! Burn those mothers!”

“Leon, this isn’t a sporting event, those people are dying out there.”

“Dad, they tried to invade us. They were going to hurt and most likely kill our people, we should stop them before they cross the border. I’m all in favor of hitting them before they hit us.”

“Leon, just understand this isn’t a movie, it’s the real thing. Those people are being blown apart and burned alive. War isn’t fun; it isn’t pretty, it's not a game. These people aren’t playing at war. They are really dying. They’re not dying like grandma did in her sleep, they are dying a very painful death. Many of them are most likely crying and begging for mercy that they won’t get. They’re begging God for mercy and to be released from their pain.”

“Dad, I understand. They teamed with the Russians and the LSA to attack us. I want them all to pay for what they’re trying to do to us. This war is impacting all of us. We practice taking shelter in school. We’re being given gas masks tomorrow. Dad, gas masks? Everyone is scared which is I guess why the guys jumped me. When is this going to end?”

“Son, I don’t know. I think, and it’s only my guess, that President Rand is going to do something that stops the LSA from ever attacking us or causing us any more problems.”

“Dad, why doesn’t he just force them to rejoin us? As one country, they wouldn’t fight us. We’d all be united again. We’d be one people.”

“Leon, I know you studied the Civil War. Many countries have had internal civil wars. You should know that. The LSA rejoining us won’t stop them from fighting us.”

“Dad, from what I saw on the television program, the families in the LSA don’t want to fight us, they just want to live their lives, like we want to live ours. It’s their leaders who’ve screwed up.”

“Out of the mouths of babes.”

“Huh?”

“Leon, don’t worry about it.”

“Dad, what’s going to happen in Las Vegas? We’re not going to bomb our own city and harm our own people. How are we going to get them out of Vegas?”

“Son, I don’t know. There are experts at war who are trying to figure that out.”

“Experts at war? People get degrees in war? What school gives a degree in war?”

“West Point, the Naval Academy to name two. Each service has their own war colleges too.” 

“Wow, I didn’t know there were really war colleges.”

“Of course, how do you think the military officers learn how to lead troops in battle? How do you think they learn how to win battles?”

“So I guess our experts are going to figure out a way to kick the Russians out of Las Vegas. Do you think we’ll attack one of their cities as a trade for Las Vegas?”

“I would say that could be an option.”

“Dad, you know, one day maybe I’d like to join the military.”

“Leon, that’s something I think we should discuss when your mother gets home. I’m not saying no. If you really want to protect our country, I’d be very proud of you.”

“Really? You wouldn’t try to talk me out of it?”

“No, I just want you to know everything you’ll be getting into. I’ll be proud to have my son defend our family.” Bob hugs his son.

@@@@@

Meanwhile in Beaverton, Oregon, the Smith family is sitting in their living room listening to a battery-powered radio. Their fireplace is burning to keep them warm. The emphasis of the LSA news program is how the inhuman USA attacked the poor Venezuelans in Mexico. The Venezuelans, who were in transit to offer aid and support to the LSA, were attacked by the warmonger USA. Wolf explains to his audience that the LSA doesn’t want a war, the USA grossly overreacted. Tens of thousands of LSA citizens may be injured or killed if the war doesn’t quickly end. Wolf says the Venezuelans were trying to end the war, not, as the USA says, planning on attacking the USA. The LSA edits the video and story to remove all of the images of the Venezuelan’s military equipment and vehicles. Not a single tank is shown. Images of burnt and dying soldiers are shown while the anchor gets excited about the brutal and illegal tactics the USA is using. The LSA posts their version of the video on the internet while their hackers keep taking down the USA’s version of the video.

Wolf says, “This illegal war has cost us millions of lost hours, hours we’ll never be able to get back. We’ve been forced to ration many resources; schools have had to close. Many government departments have had to reduce their hours and reduce staffing needs putting a strain on the worker’s families. The LSA government workers union is demanding every worker be paid their full wages and receive all of their contracted benefits during the current state of emergency. President Bloomberg hasn’t officially responded to the union’s demand saying he’s tied up fighting a war and can’t be distracted by the union’s subversive activity. President Bloomberg has asked all of us to understand the LSA is under a national state of emergency, one that could cause the destruction of the LSA.

Wolf continues, “It’s very clear from the images that the USA is living up to its habit of being the world’s largest international terrorist organization. The USA illegally crossed the border into sovereign Mexico where they killed, in cold blood, the Venezuelan aid workers who were coming to our assistance. It’s up to every one of us to do everything we can to defeat the USA terrorists. Every LSA citizen should keep a sharp eye out for USA interference with our country. It’s everyone’s job to report anything unusual to your local DepLIES office or agent.”

One of the experts sitting with Wolf picks up the conversation, “Wolf, speaking from the National Academy of Education, we disagree with all hostilities, we stand for arbitration and other peaceful means to settle differences of opinion. Life is too sacred to be thrown away in senseless actions like war.”

Wolf looks at him responding, “Doctor Littlemind, that’s an interesting concept, do you really think nations can sit down and talk out major differences of opinion?”

“Wolf, I do. I don’t know why any two people or nations, which are nothing more than groups of people, can’t sit at the same table and discuss their differences. Life is too sacred to be thrown away and wasted in war. I’d rather see a country surrender than lose the lives of their people.”

“Doctor Littlemind are you suggesting that it’s better for a nation to surrender and give up their roots and culture versus entering in a war to defend their way of life?”

“Wolf, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“Doctor, I’m not sure the people of any country would be willing to give up their roots and culture to another country. Those that surrendered, will hold animosity towards the victors; they will view the victors as a conquering nation. The two groups will hate each other. There will always be a divide between the two people.”

“Wolf, human nature can be changed; people can be taught to love and not hate, it’s illogical to hate others because their beliefs are different. This is one of the reasons the LSA has banned all religious demonstrations and the wearing of all religious clothing. The LSA was formed based the belief that people are equal. As equals, none of us are better than another; as equals, we could survive under the rules of the USA if we had to. We have enough people that we’ll be able to elect people who will change the USA making it more like the LSA. If we surrendered today, in time, we’d still win. We have enough numbers that we can make a difference and force change. We’ll end up converting the USA to be very close to our current state. A very small percent of those in the USA vote, while most of our people vote, we’ll vote our people in and theirs out. A merger of the USA and LSA will be similar to what was called a reverse merger, the smaller company absorbed the larger one, in thirty days the smaller company changed the board of directors and usually the name of the company. I strongly suggest we surrender and agree to merge back with the USA. In the end, I’m telling you we’ll win without the loss of life. We’ll be a stronger and happier people without a war.”

“Doctor, that’s a very interesting line of thought. I’m not sure if I agree with your line of reasoning. Let’s open our phones to hear what our viewers say.”

@@@@@

General Leninkov split his forces into six battalions that are taking different routes from Montreal to the border of Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Most of the equipment is being transported on normal heavy-duty trucks and trailers. The USA hunters, who reported seeing a large group of troops and armor traveling south, were able to get enough people in D.C.’s attention so the NSA and CIA look for the approaching army. The CIA spread agents along Interstate 95 and 81 to locate the troops. After two days, they don’t see any evidence of the LSA troops traveling south. The agents report back to Washington, D.C., they haven’t been able to locate the LSA troops, nor have any heavy lift aircraft overflow them. General Leninkov is surprised they’ve made it as far as they have without having been seen and attacked. He knows the USA has agents and collaborators waiting along both major routes south. He reports to President Grameniko that his forces are within 300 miles of Washington and haven’t been seen. The hunters were delayed two days reporting what they’ve seen because they were in the woods without cellular coverage. This delay caused the NSA/CIA agents to be deployed after the Russians had already passed the agent's locations. The CIA re-tasks satellites to get a look at the north east part of the LSA.

              Russian Federation President Grameniko says, “General, excellent news. Hopefully, your force will be able to remain hidden until you unmask at the border. Surround Washington, D.C., and then attack across every bridge at the same time, don’t give President Rand and his administration a chance to escape. When you capture them, this war will be able to come to a quick end.”

              “Yes sir, I’ll contact you again when we’re in position.”

              Grameniko tells his aide to get President Bloomberg on the secure phone. His phone blinks notifying the President that Bloomberg is on the line. “President Bloomberg, how are things going in the LSA? How are your people accepting to the war?”

              “I’m very proud of them. They’re accepting the sacrifices in good order. I don’t expect any issues.”

              “The FSB showed a recording of one of your famous educators, a certain doctor Littlemind; he was on your nightly news program tonight with Wolf. He said the LSA should surrender versus fighting a war where lives could be lost. Are you aware of his statements?”

              “I know of the good doctor, in fact, I arranged to have him appointed to the Academy of Educators. I’ll speak with him.”

              “I’m very concerned that his words will sway your people into giving up. If you lose the people’s support, it will make it impossible for the LSA to win the war, your people will abandon you. I’ve seen it many times before. I suggest you crush any opposition before it grows and swells into something unmanageable. I know you like to toss around the word freedom and right to assemble; however, in a war, while operating under a state of emergency, you can’t allow this. Once the people start protesting the war, they won’t stop unless force is used, and once force is used your people will never forgive you. I urge you to arrest the leaders of your antiwar groups now before they grow in numbers. You must stop any protest before it grows in support to take to the streets. Once it takes over your streets, you’ve lost the battle against the protestors.”

              “President Grameniko do you really think the protests are going to get that bad?”

              “It’s already started. Watch and listen to your late evening new programs, I bet you will see the reporters start talking about what doctor Littlemind said. Reporters as a rule will take the far left side of any argument. They’ll never support a war; they will support people like your Littlemind. Your radio stations are already supporting Littlemind’s position. The only reason why more of your people don't know what he said, is the blackout. This is the first time the blackout helped you. Michael, this is very serious, you can’t play with these people, they will be your downfall if you aren’t strong.”

“Demetri I assure you, I’ll take care of him. He’ll be singing a different tune very soon. I’ll have him back on the air explaining he was misunderstood. I’d estimate less than 5% of our people have any idea what’s going on.”

              “Make sure you do, I’ve invested too much to have you lose your people’s support. Remember, once you lose your people’s support, you’ve, we’ve lost the war.”

              “Demetri, speaking of the war, how is the war going? I seem to be having issues receiving your updates.”

              “Really? I’d better speak with my staff about that. I’ll make sure you get timely updates.”