political theorists always seem to think that bigger governments or organizations are better. I disagree completely, by the way. Smaller countries are often better for the average citizen. China is now Greater China. That in turn has become the Pan Asian Alliance. But what if China was still divided into many small competing states? They would not have the unity to attack us as they’re doing. Big countries field big armies. And eventually, those in power like to use their big armies to go conquering. Therefore, my belief is this: with greater unity there is a greater ability to harm.”
“And to do good,” Levin said. “America is big. If we weren’t, the Chinese could sweep us aside.”
“That’s the problem. When one group gets big, the other side feels forced to do the same thing. In the end, it’s seldom good for the regular people and their freedom.”
Levin sipped his coffee. “I think I understand. You feel the racial hostility, the tribalism, as you like to put it. I suppose I would find such a situation embittering, too.”
Anna shook her head. Couldn’t he see what she was trying to say? “I’m a student of the human condition, sir. I try to study what is there, instead of what we would like to think is there. No one benefits from too much authority over others. Eventually, power works its insidious spell over the heart of the one who wields it.”
“I hope you’re not referring to the President,” Levin said frostily.
Anna noticed his tone. Before she could correct him concerning her point, the waiter brought their meals. Dr. Levin had lobster. Anna had an eight-ounce piece of prime rib. The waiter set a small cup of horseradish beside her. Prime rib wasn’t the same without it.
Levin bowed his head, praying silently before picking up his knife.
“I was speaking theoretically,” Anna told him. “I support the President, but he is only human. I would not want him to possess unlimited power, no.”
Levin nodded, popping a piece of lobster into his mouth. He closed his eyes as he chewed. After he swallowed, he said, “Please don’t say such things to anyone else. I’ve come to appreciate your insights during the meetings. If you become too outspoken about the President having too much power, you’ll find yourself in a Detention Center. And yes, I’ve begun noticing the stares directed toward you. If these people here are like this, I can only imagine what they’ll be like in a Detention Center.”
Thinking about that almost stole Anna’s appetite. She so seldom ate out anymore that she refused to let this dampen her enjoyment. The Director’s bodyguards waited in the lobby. At the snap of the old man’s fingers, they would come running with guns drawn. With such protection, Anna had accepted his invitation to dine at Upscale. She never went out to eat alone these days, and she didn’t trust the latest, commercial bodyguard services—not since what had happened the last time they had sent someone.
“Anna, the reason I’ve asked you to eat with me is that I have something I would like to share with you.”
She looked up, startled and worried.
Levin glanced both ways before he said quietly, “I’m afraid the military has run out of ideas on how to save the situation in California.”
His words surprised her.
“There’s an invasion armada out there in the Pacific, waiting for something,” Levin said. “The Chinese are annihilating Army Group SoCal and there doesn’t seem to be anything General Alan can do about it.”
“We are entraining reinforcements from other fronts,” Anna said. “We’ve also shipped trainloads of munitions to LA to make sure they don’t run out.”
“It will all be too little, too late. General Alan knows that.”
“Then why is he doing it?”
“If you’re fighting a stronger person who is trying to kill you, does that mean you simply give up and let them do that?”
“I wouldn’t think so,” Anna said.
“There’s your answer. That’s what we’re doing. We’re fighting.”
“The Behemoths have changed the equation,” she said.
“Yes, for the moment that’s true. But you’ve seen the data. Some of the enemy tanks that would have poured through to Palm Springs have now turned back on the eastern part of the embattled Army Group. I think whoever is making the decisions over there has decided to accelerate the destruction of our trapped soldiers. It’s an inferno.”
“I agreed with that,” Anna said.
“Once the Army Group is gone, the Chinese will swamp the rest of the defenders in LA. There won’t be enough reinforcements to save the state. We’ll have lost, and that rather quickly, too.”
“I suppose I do read the situation the same way, sir.”
“Well that’s just won’t do!” Levin said, striking the table with a fist.
The dining area grew quiet. Anna could feel the stares even more than before.
Levin waited and took several more bites of lobster. He must not have prepared it well enough because Anna heard his teeth chewing and crushing shell. After people had stopped staring, Levin told her, “There’s a way out of this impasse.”
“Oh?”
Levin’s eyes seemed to shine. “I’m going to suggest to the President that he use nuclear weapons to rebalance the situation.”
A hollow feeling worked through Anna’s chest.
“You don’t agree with that?” Levin asked.
Anna didn’t know what to say and barely managed to shake her head no.
“I see,” Levin said. “Then you won’t support me when the time comes?”
“Sir… Are you certain there’s no other option? I mean, nuclear weapons will be a disaster. They may have helped us a little in Alaska, but we paid a terrible price using them.”
“Give me another solution and I’ll listen. The problem is that I don’t see any other way to save the situation.”
Anna bowed her head in thought. This was a challenge, wasn’t it? Was there another way to save the situation? There had to be. Nuclear weapons might bring the end of the civilized world. It was a terrible risk. There had to be something she could do, some fact or other that would give them a chance. Who knew the Chinese better than she did? No one. Therefore, it was her responsibility to find the answer that might save the country.
She looked up at Levin. “Do you mean that, sir?”
“Eh?” he asked. He was cutting his lobster.
“Will you back me if I find you another way?”
Levin set down his fork and knife, leaning back, studying her. “I said I will listen. What do you hope to find?”
“I don’t know.”
“The prospect of nuclear war terrifies you, I can see.”
“Sir, I think it should terrify everyone.”
“Hmm,” he said. Picking up his fork and knife, he went back to cutting his meal. As he forked a succulent piece of lobster, he eyed Anna again. “A nuclear explosive is just a bigger weapon.”
“That’s one way of looking at it, sir. Another might be as a civilization ending event.”
“You think that one nuclear weapon will lead to another?”
“Yes I do. I also believe that radiation poisoning is a terrible way for the world to die.”
Levin gave her a chilling smile. Who was this little old man?
“Then find another way, my dear, because I don’t plan on letting anyone defeat my country. I’d rather destroy it than let Jian Hong’s hordes have his way with it. I’d rather annihilate his armies with nuclear fire than surrender. We cannot let the Pan Asian Alliance smash through California with such ease. It will be the beginning of the end if that happens and I will not stand by and watch that occur. I’m certain I can convince the President of that.”
Anna’s appetite left for good. She would have to ask for a doggy bag, even though she had no dogs, but a Persian cat.
