The last blank screen burst into life, the Prime Ministers straining their eyes as they glimpsed the deep red background, the setting from the Saratov bunker now more formal as Dimitri sat behind an ornate desk in a crisp suit, the same painting as before behind. Slowly nodding, he cleared his throat, the Russian accent strong as he nodded to either side of the camera, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen…my apologies for the delay…I have been gathering reports from near St Petersburg. Shall we begin?’
The United States President grimaced, nodding and sighing once more, ‘Very well, thank you all for joining us on the emergency call…I wished to gain a mutual understanding and perhaps agreement for going forward. With the exception of the Germans and Chinese governments, we are all experiencing fighting on our home soil and this seems to be escalating…but we all have coastlines and are therefore still vulnerable to further infiltrations. Due to the destruction of our western seaboard in the United States, we are unable to secure communications with the far east, but I believe our Chinese friends have a full update?’ He smiled as the Chinese general nodded, seeming to smirk as the president continued, ‘We have two enemy ships orbiting our planet, both of which are capable of inflicting devastation unparalleled in human history…in short, we are at the mercy of the enemy’s firepower. Our geologists have advised that one strike to any one of the six super volcanoes across the planet will end human life in a matter of weeks…destroying the planet and making it uninhabitable, probably killing all life forms and potentially causing a new ice age.’ The President hesitated, allowing the information to sink in, ‘I therefore propose we engage the enemy conventionally until another opportunity presents itself…perhaps even a weakness is found…we cannot afford to provoke them with a nuclear response.’ He nodded to the British Prime Minister, ‘Have we any further updates from our Trevakian allies?’
The Englishman smiled briefly, then became more serious, ‘Admiral Karladen has decided to coordinate efforts from his ship in west London…scan the enemy strength further. A high ranking Trevakian envoy is en-route to me now to take his place with any further updates. As yet, there is nothing other than the previous warning…that the enemy may even want us to respond with nuclear weapons, that they could then potentially destroy these missiles and utilise any fallout against us.’ He shook his head dismissively, ‘We would have little control over any such pollution at high levels…the air currents and weather patterns could disperse radiation across vast distances…possibly killing or poisoning millions.’
The German Prime Minister interjected, clearing her throat, ‘We concur…we have no wish for a nuclear response…’ She glanced across her own screens, noting the leaders of Italy and France indicate their agreement, then stare at the Chinese and Russian screens.
The Chinese general cleared his throat, his own accent strong, ‘I cannot make any such guarantee for the People’s Republic of China…if our borders are threatened, then we will consider any appropriate response at that time. We are monitoring fighting in South Korea, Thailand and Japan with American forces responding from Guam. We consider that the enemy has considerable forces and is massing in this area. We are reinforcing our coastlines with the deployment of numerous divisions, anti-aircraft batteries and artillery.’ The general looked up, checking the frantically typed autocue next to the screens, ‘We have opened our borders to refugees from North Korea and will monitor the defence in the south closely, perhaps offering divisions to support our neighbour at their southern border, the 38th Parallel.’
The President of the United States lowered his head, pinching his nose in weariness and frustration, ‘Very well…will you please seek the assurances we request from your commanders and central government?’
The general nodded, ‘I will escalate your concerns Mr President, but cannot guarantee a favourable response…’
The German Prime Minister raised a hand, ‘Please at least consider the implications of your response…by all means protect your borders, but a nuclear reaction that could place us all…and any future in jeopardy should be avoided…’
The Chinese general smiled briefly, ‘I will inform my superiors…they have stated that they will join a future call once we have established the enemy’s intent and even if we are a target.’
The German Prime Minister continued unabated, ‘Are you able to offer any assistance to South Korea?’
The general hesitated, offering more information at the frantic indication of a communist official next to the camera, ‘We are already assisting Japan after a plea for help, but I believe have yet to receive a similar request from Seoul…I understand we are attempting to contact the South Koreans…’
The President nodded, concealing his exasperation before indicating to the Russian screen, ‘Please advise us of the Interior Ministry’s intent, Dimitri…if I may call you Dimitri?’
The Russian nodded, coughing slightly as he read an urgent report held up beside the camera, ‘I am Dimitri Petrov of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, now second in command of the Russian Central Security District. We now have a clearer picture of the dangerous enemy positions in both the north near St Petersburg and in the Ukraine and Belorussia on our borders. We consider our positions vulnerable in the west and the far south east, near Vladivostok…also in the north near Murmansk and across all our extensive coastlines.’
The United States President stiffened uneasily, glancing across
