MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 75

Chapter 75 -- VNGVNNCYPVRAZGZBKEVX

"Mr. President" Ishmael said "Let me describe the situation in which you now find yourself. Discard any illusions you may have about ending this in a manner favorable to yourselves. Even it that should eventually happen, none you you, not a one of you, will leave this room alive. Take a few moments to consider that." The group sat silently, Anthony watching them carefully. Once or twice it seemed that one or another was about to speak, but nothing was said. Ishmael then continued. "First, their is your personal situation. This area is occupied by our forces. The members of your security force that survived the assault are in our custody and will remain there until an their disposition is convenient. How soon that happens depends on you. As I said, you will not leave here until a resolution is accomplished, and if that cannot be done, you will not leave here at all "Now, the situation outside. As we speak, the already hopeless situation there continues to worsen. We have temporarily curtailed, but not ceased, our attack. It will continue until we have an agreement. Further, our operations account for less than half of the attacks that have occurred. The majority are being carried out by other organizations. Deliberately encouraged by us to be sure, in many cases, but not under our control.

"The destruction in the metropolitan areas continues to increase. The damage to transportation, communications, and energy distribution will take months, perhaps year, to repair even if there is no further damage. And believe me, as if your lives depend on it - and they do - it will continue.

"In fact, it is possible that what we have started can not be stopped. That is a possibility we are prepared for. If you act now, however, the situation may be salvageable. Now, Mr. President, what do you have to say?."

Anthony, in a position to watch the president without having to move his head, watched him. The others were less subtle, turning to him, almost as if in supplication. They who had hours earlier been telling him what to say and how to say it. For a few moments it seemed as if he would not, or could not speak. Finally he did.

"You cannot succeed in this insane scheme" he said at last. "You cannot overcome the entire armed forces. You cannot hide, once we are able to hunt you down and bring you to justice. You should use this opportunity to end this without adding to your crimes. Possibly some measure of leniency might be extended to those who surrender now. If not, you can expect no mercy when you are brought to account."

Ishmael laughed. It was a genuine laugh, not for effect but as if at a good joke. Anthony thought it was not a pleasant sound, almost if Ishmael wished his offer would be refused. He wondered what the capabilities of the PLA were - if Ishmael's assertion that they had not yet exerted themselves was true, they might could be considerable. Not that they had tanks and aircraft, or even divisions of troops. But they didn't need them. Guerilla warfare, against an enemy constantly replenished with supplies and new troops, was not winnable. He had spent time in Afghanistan, and studied the lessons of Vietnam.

"Mr. President" Ishmael said "and believe me I use your title only for convenience, as my contempt for you and the people at this table is boundless, with the possible exception of the general here. Do any of your people have any military experience?"

They looked around at each other.

"I do" Jordan said.

"Only one." Ishmael said. "Not a career man, I suppose."

"No." said Jordan.

"An ancient historian, who knew a thing or two about war" Ishmael said, "said that a nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. Do you know who that was?"