well?"
"No, he is old and sick. He says that the attack on the West is madness. The ramblings of an old man, perhaps, but his war record is distinguished, and because of that I want your evaluation of our chances. I will not inform on you, General. Too many people are fearful of telling us--we of the Politburo--the truth. But this is a time for that truth. I need your professional opinion. If I can trust you to give it to me, you can trust me not to harm you for it." The entreaty ended as a harsh command.
Alekseyev looked his guest hard in the eyes. The charm was gone now. The blue was the color of ice. There was danger here, danger even for a general officer, but what the man had said was true.
"Comrade, we plan on a rapid campaign. The projections are that we can reach the Rhein in two weeks. Those are actually more conservative than our plans of only five years ago. NATO has improved its readiness, particularly its antitank capabilities. I would say three weeks is more realistic, depending on the degree of tactical surprise and the many imponderables present in war."
"So the key is surprise?"
"The key is always surprise," Alekseyev answered at once. He quoted Soviet doctrine exactly. "Surprise is the greatest factor in war. There are two kinds, tactical and strategic. Tactical surprise is an operational art. A skilled unit commander can generally achieve it. Strategic surprise is attained on the political level. That is your mission, not mine, and it is far more important than anything we in the Army can do. With true strategic surprise, if our maskirovka works, yes, we will almost certainly win on the battlefield."
"And if not?"
Then we have murdered eight children for nothing, Alekseyev thought. And what part did this charming fellow have in that? "Then we might fail. Can you answer me a question? Can we split NATO politically?"
Sergetov shrugged, annoyed at being caught in one of his own traps. "As you said, Pavel Leonidovich, there are many imponderables. If it fails, then what?"
"Then the war will become a test of will and a test of reserves. We should win. It is far easier for us to reinforce our troops. We have more trained troops, more tanks, more aircraft close to the zone of action than do the NATO powers."
"And America?"
"America is on the far side of the Atlantic Ocean. We have a plan for closing the Atlantic. They can fly troops to Europe--but only troops, not their weapons, not their fuel. Those require ships, and ships are easier to sink than it is to destroy a fighting division. If full surprise is not achieved, that operational area will become quite important."
"And what of NATO surprises?"
The General leaned back. "By definition you cannot predict surprises, Comrade. That is why we have the intelligence organs, to reduce or even eliminate them. That is why our plans allow for a number of contingencies. For example, what if surprise is totally lost and NATO attacks first?" He shrugged. "They would not go far, but they would upset things. What still concerns me are nuclear responses. Again, more of a political question."
"Yes." Sergetov's worry was for his elder son. When the reserves were mobilized, Ivan would climb back into his tank, and he didn't need to be a Politburo member to know where that tank would be sent. Alekseyev had only daughters. Lucky man, Sergetov thought. "So, this unit goes to Germany?"
"The end of the week."
"And you?"
"During the initial phase we are tasked to be the strategic reserve for CINC-West's operations, plus to defend the Motherland against possible incursions from the southern flank. That does not concern us greatly. To threaten us, Greece and Turkey must cooperate. They will not, unless our intelligence information is completely false. My commander and I will later execute Phase 2 of the plan, and seize the Persian Gulf. Again, this will not be a problem. The Arabs are armed to the teeth, but there are not so many of them. What is your son doing now?"
"The elder? He's ending his first year of graduate school in languages. Top of his class--Middle Eastern languages." Sergetov was surprised at himself for not thinking of this.
"I could use a few more of those. Most of our Arabic language people are Muslims themselves, and for this task I would prefer people more reliable."
"And you do not trust the followers of Allah?"
"In war I trust no one. If
<<Previous page Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 1 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 2 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 3 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 4 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 5 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 6 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 7 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 8 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 9 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 10 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 11 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 12 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 13 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 14 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 15 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 16 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 17 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 18 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 19 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 20 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 21 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 22 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 23 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 24 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 25 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 26 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 27 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 28 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 29 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 30 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 31 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 32 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 33 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 34 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 35 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 36 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 37 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 38 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 39 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 40 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 41 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 42 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 43 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 44 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 45 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 46 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 47 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 48 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 49 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 50 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 51 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 52 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 53 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 54 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 55 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 56 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 57 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 58 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 59 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 60 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 61 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 62 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 63 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 64 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 65 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 66 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 67 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 68 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 69 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 70 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 71 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 72 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 73 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 74 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 75 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 76 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 77 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 78 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 79 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 80 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 81 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 82 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 83 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 84 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 85 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 86 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 87 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 88 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 89 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 90 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 91 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 92 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 93 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 94 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 95 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 96 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 97 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 98 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 99 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 100 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 101 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 102 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 103 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 104 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 105 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 106 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 107 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 108 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 109 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 110 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 111 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 112 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 113 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 114 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 115 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 116 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 117 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 118 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 119 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 120 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 121 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 122 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 123 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 124 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 125 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 126 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 127 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 128 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 129 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 130 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 131 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 132 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 133 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 134 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 135 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 136 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 137 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 138 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 139 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 140 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 141 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 142 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 143 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 144 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 145 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 146 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 147 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 148 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 149 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 150 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 151 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 152 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 153 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 154 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 155 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 156 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 157 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 158 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 159 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 160 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 161 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 162 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 163 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 164 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 165 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 166 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 167 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 168 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 169 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 170 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 171 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 172 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 173 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 174 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 175 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 176 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 177 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 178 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 179 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 180 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 181 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 182 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 183 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 184 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 185 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 186 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 187 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 188 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 189 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 190 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 191 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 192 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 193 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 194 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 195 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 196 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 197 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 198 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 199 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 200 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 201 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 202 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 203 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 204 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 205 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 206 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 207 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 208 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 209 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 210 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 211 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 212 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 213 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 214 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 215 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 216 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 217 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 218 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 219 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 220 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 221 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 222 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 223 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 224 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 225 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 226 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 227 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 228 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 229 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 230 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 231 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 232 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 233 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 234 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 235 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 236 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 237 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 238 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 239 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 240 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 241 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 242 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 243 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 244 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 245 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 246 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 247 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 248 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 249 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 250 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 251 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 252 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 253 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 254 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 255 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 256 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 257 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 258 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 259 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 260 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 261 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 262 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 263 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 264 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 265 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 266 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 267 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 268 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 269 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 270 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 271 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 272 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 273 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 274 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 275 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 276 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 277 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 278 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 279 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 280 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 281 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 282 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 283 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 284 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 285 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 286 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 287 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 288 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 289 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 290 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 291 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 292 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 293 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 294 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 295 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 296 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 297 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 298 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 299 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 300 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 301 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 302 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 303 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 304 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 305 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 306 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 307 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 308 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 309 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 310 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 311 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 312 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 313 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 314 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 315 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 316 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 317 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 318 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 319 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 320 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 321 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 322 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 323 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 324 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 325 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 326 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 327 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 328 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 329 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 330 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 331 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 332 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 333 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 334 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 335 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 336 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 337 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 338 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 339 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 340 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 341 Red storm rising - By Tom Clancy - Page 342
Next page>>