Читать книгу Rogue Patriot - Mike Trial Trial - Страница 5

At the secure communications center, Hallam seated himself at the desk inside the Lexan cube. An aide was already seated there. On the widescreen TV was the Secretary of Defense, flanked by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the CIA. “The North Korean missile is still estimated to be launch capable in fourteen hours?” the Secretary of Defense asked.

“We estimate no longer than ten hours from now,” Hallam said calmly.

“Activate OpPlan C immediately,” the Secretary of Defense told Admiral Hallam.

“Yes sir,” Hallam said, nodding to his aide, who communicated the order down the chain of command. Ships, aircraft and Marines were alerted, but OpPlan C was strictly a defense of Japan and stand-by to support South Korea. No ships or planes would alter their normal patrols.

“Sir,” Hallam said equably, “request latitude in rules of engagement. Request authority to fire on my order.”

The Secretary of Defense shook his head. “Sorry, the answer is no. You do not have authority to fire. Only I will give you that authority, is that clear?” The CIA director reviewed the situation, but none of it was new.

The Secretary of Defense rose from his chair and the screen went dark.

Hallam left the communications facility but instead of going back upstairs to the Operations Center, walked around the Headquarters building to the front entrance and went up to his office. The three Japanese secretary-translators stood as he entered.

“I don’t want to be disturbed for a few moments, Mrs. Suzuki. Thank you.”

He closed the door, sat down at his desk, and glanced at the daily situation report. Item three noted that ISO had completed the drone training for his SEAL team. Admiral Hallam set the report aside and leaned back in his chair, looking at the large paper map mounted on the wall. It was an old map, depicting Korea as a single nation.

He opened his desk drawer and took out a small hand written note dated yesterday evening, 1800 hours.

Bill, I need to see you ASAP.

Captain Henry Adams, MD

Chief Medical Officer

He folded the note and put it in his pocket, then went to the display case and took out a framed photograph of him, his wife Mary, and their daughter Monica taken more than thirty years ago. Mary had been dead now for almost ten years. Monica had her own life and it did not include him.

At his secure computer he called up a series of classified Operation Plans, selected one and issued an order putting it into effect immediately. Then he put his hat on and left the office, telling Mrs. Suzuki he would be off base for about an hour, then would return to the Operations Center.