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have been eliminated, but their capability for intercepting our own satellites
with space-launched missiles is still intact. Since it looks as if we might
not be able to rely on further J-strikes, I suggest we alert our conventional
defenses to prepare for independent action."
"Very well," Sherman agreed. "From now on we treat this as a conventional
operation. You now have sole command of all forces. Act as you see fit."
Carlohm issued a brief list of instructions to his staff, who dispersed to
translate them into orders for the commanders of the Western defenses.
Within minutes, salvos of missiles were discharged by the surviving enemy
satellites; ground launchings were detected from Siberia to South Africa,
which proved to be not ICBMs but interceptor missiles streaking upward to join
in the assault on the unscathed Western satellite array. As the attacking
waves closed in upon their targets, orbiting lasers and defensive missiles
were brought into action to counter them.
During the next fifteen minutes the pattern of attrition unfolded: The enemy
missiles were not getting through. All the calculations and simulations had
shown that even with all the most favorable assumptions, the Western defensive
system could never achieve the kill-rate that was being indicated on the
screens. Something else was at work. That something could only be the J-
weapon, which made it all the more strange for the two scientists to seal
themselves in.
Then a new and inexplicable trend became apparent in the reports: a terrible
toll was being taken of the friendly ORBS and laser satellites. The enemy
missiles were not getting through to their targets, and yet the targets were
being destroyed. Suddenly Carlohm realized what was happening.
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"It's those two crazy bastards up there!" he yelled, turning purple.
"They're wiping out our own satellites!"
At the end of an hour the situation was clear. Neither side was left with the
means of delivering a strategic attack from orbit, both having lost their ORBS
systems entirely. However, since the East had suffered the loss of its system
in the first swift blow, it had been obliged to attempt to redress the balance
by sending its anti-satellite missiles against the ORBS system of the West,
which at that time had been still intact. This had forced the West to respond
by firing off much of its stock of antimissile missiles.
The result was that the East was left with ample stocks of antimissile
missiles, having had no attacking waves to contend with, while the West was
not...at least, until the West had had time to redeploy its defenses. The
implications of the situation slowly dawned on the military staffs present. A
worried Carlohm explained to Sherman:
"Until we've had time to reorganize our defenses, we're wide open. Our
antimissile systems have been depleted, and for the time being we've got
nothing that would effectively stop a classical attack from subs and ICBMs.
The problem is that the other side hasn't had any reason to fire off their
antimissile systems, so the chances of success for a counterstrike by us
wouldn't be too good. Those guys over there aren't stupid; the message must be
obvious to them, too. If I were in their position, I'd hit now and hit hard."
His concern was soon proved to be well-founded. Reports began pouring in all
over the Command Floor:
"Salvo of sixteen missiles launched from underwater, three hundred miles south
of Nova Scotia. Climbing and turning due west."
"Launchings reported from four positions in the eastern Pacific. First course
indications point to western U.S.A."
"Mass launch profiles in northern Siberia, heading north over the Pole.
Launches in central Siberia directed west toward Europe."
"Missiles climbing over inshore regions of Algeria and Tunisia, heading north
toward Mediterranean."
A peppering of red traces started to appear across the enormous map of the
world that was framed by the largest of the mural displays. The apprehension
of the watchers rose to a point bordering on panic. The calm and composure
that Sherman had exhibited throughout at last broke down. He stared aghast at
the thin red lines that were beginning to elongate on the map, his mind
refusing to accept what was demanded of him now. The lines began consolidating
into irregular arcs that covered the North American continent from three
sides, Europe from the south and east, and Australia from the north. The arcs
were converging, agonizingly slowly, but relentlessly.
"Initial computations of trajectories put first missile on target in
four-point-five minutes," a voice announced. "Origin, west Atlantic. Impact
point, New York area. Impacts in Spain predicted at four-point-nine minutes,
Italy, five minutes, British Isles, five-point-three minutes. Further data
coming in now."
Carlohm and Foreshaw faced the President expectantly, but Sherman just stood
immobilized, his eyes glazed and his head shaking weakly from side to side.
"It's an all-out attack," Carlohm said after a few seconds. "You have to order
full retaliation...now." Sherman slowly sank into a chair. The color had
drained from his face; perspiration glistened on his brow.
"What will that achieve now?" he whispered in a strangled voice. "It can
change nothing. Sheer, futile savagery...for no purpose..."
"You have to," Foreshaw said grimly. "It's the price."
Sherman brought his hands up to cover his face. He shook his head mutely and
became paralyzed. Suddenly Reyes stepped forward and proclaimed in a firm and
decisive voice:
"I declare the President temporarily incapacitated and unable to carry out his
duties. I therefore assume Presidential authority and accept full
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responsibility for my decisions. General Carlohm, order a full retaliatory
offensive to be launched immediately."
Carlohm hesitated for a second, then nodded to his staff officers.
Within thirty seconds the whole strategic missile arsenal of the Western world [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]