The Genie and the Engineer 3: Ravages of War (19 page)

Capie put her hand to her mouth, to try to stop the giggles
bubbling up from below.

“Godzilla?!” she exclaimed. “You really are wicked, you know
that!”

“Oh, that’s nothing,” Paul asserted. “For North Korea, in
Pyongyang, we will use Deception 18, an army of gwishin, what we call ghosts.
For Tehran, I want to use Deception 3, an army of angels complete with white
robes, wings, and halos. London will get Deception 9, sightings of zombies; and
Washington, D.C. will be treated to Deception 1, an invasion of flying saucers,
straight out of “V” and
Earth vs. The Flying Saucers
.”

Capie punched him lightly on the arm. “I’m so glad you are
on our side!” Then her look sobered. “But it will scare a lot of Normals. There
will be lots of cell camera videos and photos. They’ll freak out, cause markets
to crash, frighten a lot of people.”

Paul casually shrugged. “Yes, it will do that. Temporarily,
that is. But this is a onetime event. And the Scotties and I don’t think we
will have to explain anything to the general public. That will be up to the
governments of Earth. We think that the various governments and yes, even
Errabêlu
themselves, have procedures and methods already in place to prevent, cover up,
and suppress the public disclosure of magical events. They would almost have to
have that in order to keep their existence secret for this long a period of
time. They would have done so to protect their monopoly on their power, so we
think that they will continue to do so now. And when we get started, causing a
lot of magical incidents, the world leaders will panic and put a lot of
pressure on
Errabêlu
to make the magic stop, destroy any evidence
involved and cover it all up. Which works to our good. They will do most of the
work to suppress anything odd that happens. Anything major that they miss, we
can take care of later on after
Errabêlu
is gone. On a long term basis,
in only twenty or thirty years, the so-called experts will chalk up anything
that does get out to the public as mass-hysteria, induced by the economic
crisis, all the wars and rumors of wars and so forth. It really won’t matter
how many videos and pictures are taken. As I said, the governments of Earth
will take care of most of it for us. And the rest will be discounted as
forgeries and hoaxes. From what I’ve seen, most governments won’t let anything
like facts or physical evidence get in their way. They never have before.”

Capie frowned and sighed. “You’re probably right.”

The Saint Elias Mountains, Canada

Mount Logan Facility

Situation Room

Tuesday, 10:02 a.m. PDT

June

“W
e have a
little over eighteen weeks now until the German general election,” Alpha 505 (from
the
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
) explained, gesturing towards the
holographic widescreen television display hanging in mid-air in front of him.
On that screen, a pair of “talking heads” were debating the latest public
opinion polls on the two most likely candidates for the Chancellorship.

Paul felt a sudden intense pang of regret for having agreed
to let Capie leave the day before. By now, she would be in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the poorest nation on Earth, together with I Corp, 1st
Division, 3rd Brigade. She had been itching to get started with her
humanitarian efforts and, in truth, Paul had been dying to go with her. Not
only would he miss her terribly while she was gone, but he had wanted to help
her, Vicki 1, Jocasta 1, and Selma 1 with their dispersal of some of the MBE
drug, as well as with their additional plans for assistance of the peoples
there. Instead, he was stuck here, busy with the war effort, muddling through
the mire of politics and international intrigue. In short, he missed her.

He turned to Daneel 2, floating ten or so feet away. “Do we
know how many wizards are in Berlin?”

“According to Ruggiero’s avatar, there should be one wizard
and at least a hundred Oni. But that information is nearly a month old now.
There are probably a lot more Oni there now, most of them fairly new,” Daneel 2
impassively replied.

Paul looked around the Situation Room, the hectic pace of
operations a sign of the seriousness of their operations.

By corps, division, brigade, and battalion, the Scotties had
been split up, sent to various countries to begin infiltration of the many
capitals of the planet, their purpose to find and seize the wizards of
Errabêlu
wherever and whenever they could be run to ground. Since
Errabêlu
’s only
concern was controlling the various governments of Earth, the Scotties’
strategy was to foment a national emergency of one kind or another that only
the wizards of
Errabêlu
could address.

In Germany, general elections were about to be held and,
among other offices, a new Chancellor about to be elected. Paul’s
recommendation to the Scotties in this case was to upset the apple cart—to
create enough of a ruckus with the election so as to cast doubt on who would
actually win. Furthermore, the Scotties were to throw those election returns in
disarray, to create a scandal involving both of the candidates, to make it
appear that each had engaged in political shenanigans in order to win the
election. Already there were rumors of political high-jinks going on, and the
mass media was finding it increasingly difficult not to report on the juicy
details involved. Paul smiled. With a little help from a few Scotties, those
details would eventually be reported and the resulting publically-known
political emergency should force an
Errabêlu
wizard out of hiding.

The TV image froze briefly and then a new image snapped on,
that of a woman behind a news desk, speaking earnestly. With a flick of the
wrist, Paul raised the volume level and cast a spell to translate her words
into English.

“…at this time,” she said. “I repeat: we have received
unconfirmed reports that the Russian military is currently mobilizing all
military forces around the Moscow general area, including Russian nuclear
forces at this time. We are working to confirm these reports. Our preliminary
information is that the 4th Guards Independent Tank and 5th and 27th Guards
Independent Motor Rifle Brigades in the Moscow Military district are being
mobilized. It is assumed that other units in the district have also received
orders. We have no reports regarding any of the other Russian districts, but
please stay tuned to this channel for further information as it is received. We
will return you to our regularly scheduled program at this time.”

Paul tuned out the audio. A flare of light above them
announced the formation of a portal. Paul glanced upward to see the light from
a microportal ten feet over their heads.

“Dad,” Daneel 2 announced. “I am receiving feeds from multiple
locations. Sonny 69,” (the 2004 movie
I, Robot
) “in Koroshevskiy, Russia
reports that several military units in the Moscow Military District are
definitely mobilizing,” he reported. “He reports that he has tapped military
communications there. Apparently
Errabêlu
is mobilizing a defense of
Moscow. I am also getting a report from Viral 243,” (from
Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles
) “that military forces around both Warsaw and Kiev are also
mobilizing. Sir, I’m wondering…”

Paul nodded. “It’s one of the possible responses we
anticipated that
Errabêlu
might make. To fight back using the Normal
armies. The mobilization of Russian, Polish, and Ukrainian armies and only
around their capital cities suggests that this is their strategy. If true, we
could well see the mobilization of other armies in the days to come. Perhaps
here around Berlin too.”

“You did predict it as a possibility,” Daneel 2 pointed out.
“Since they don’t care all that much about Normals, they don’t mind using them
against us.”

Paul rubbed his chin. “And they will likely know by now that
we have pledged not to hurt the Normals. Therefore, they believe that we won’t
fight the Normal armies, that we will be hamstrung by fighting them without
actually killing them.”

“Sir, some of our teams are already in several capital
cities,” Daneel 2 pointed out. “If those armies of Normals begin hostilities
inside the city limits, a lot of innocent people could get killed.”

Paul nodded in understanding. “Has Sonny 69 entered Moscow
yet?”

“He reports no, that they are only in the suburbs.”

Paul nodded. “Please transmit a general message. If
threatened, all Scottie forces should withdraw from their assigned capital
cities rather than allow any civilians to be killed. Tell them they should
withdraw to any open rural areas nearby. Also, I would like to have a general
meeting with all Corps and Division commanders, here, in one half hour. Notify
Daneel 1 that his presence is requested as well.” Paul sighed. “We should make
sure everyone is on the same page before we proceed.”

Ω

Both of the Scottie Corps Commanders and the four division
commanders met with Paul in the Mount Logan Situation Room.

“It’s confirmed,” Daneel 2 announced. “Mobilization orders
have been issued in Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Argentina, Venezuela,
Cuba, Myanmar, and Angola.”

“So far,” Harlie 37 commented.

“The list will probably grow longer in the next couple of
days,” predicted Daneel 1.

Paul stared at the mid-air display of the world map. “So far
the troops are mobilizing only to protect the capital cities.”

“Protecting the wizards’ control of the governments
involved, obviously,” Daneel 1 concluded.

“How do we approach this, Dad?” Daneel 2 asked, curious.

Paul thought for a moment. There were several options
available. “For right now, I should think our units in those countries that are
mobilizing should withdraw from the capital cities. The Scotties can continue
to harass the governments involved but don’t endanger the civilian
populations.”

With a flick of one finger, Paul zoomed the map in on
Russia.

“I believe we can start our counter operation with Russia,” he
said. “If we can successfully deal with that army then the lesson will not be
lost on all the other countries. If Russia’s army cannot stand against us, then
no other army can either.”

“Dad, most of the Russian brigades are not yet in defensive
positions,” Harlie 37 pointed out. “If we could scramble their communications,
we could confuse them, slow them down somewhat.”

“They likely already have the most important part of their
orders,” Daneel 2 argued. “I doubt we would slow down the Russians all that
much. However, that tactic might work elsewhere, in countries where the
mobilization is only getting started.”

Paul turned to Irona 222 (from the cartoon
Richie Rich
)
assigned as the commander of 2nd Division, II Corps. “Irona 222, tactical
report on the Russian mobilization, please,” he requested.

She floated closer to the display. “The Kremlin Guard
mobilized in record time. They are here, here and here,” she said, as small
blinking red lights appeared on the map. “They have full control of all sectors
of central Moscow, including the Kremlin, Red Square, and Manege Square. The
5th Guard Motor Rifle Brigade in Kalininets is in transit and is here,” she
reported, highlighting another spot on the map near the southwestern corner of
the huge capital city, on the M1 highway. “The 4th Guards Tank Brigade in
Naro-Fominsk is moving a little slower, no doubt due to all the tanks involved.
They are here,” a red light began blinking southwest of Moscow, on the M3
highway. “The 27th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is in Vidnoye. Their advance
companies are already controlling the M2 and M4 highways into Moscow on the
south side of the city, as well as the Kashira and Lyublinskaya highways. By
this time tomorrow, they will have that part of the city completely sealed
off.”

Paul nodded. “Please continue.”

“The 6th Guards Tank Brigade in Mulino and the 9th Guards
Motor Rifle Brigades in Nizhny Novgorod are mobilizing 400 miles east of Moscow
on the M7 highway. It will take them two, maybe three days to reach eastern
Moscow. The 16th Spetsnaz Brigade in Tambov is moving as well, up the M6
highway, 450 miles away. They should arrive in Moscow the day after tomorrow.”

Paul studied the map for a few moments. “What about the
Missile and Artillery Brigades?”

Irona 222 again created flashing red lights on the display.
“The 79th Guards MLRS Missile Brigade in Tver, the 45th Heavy Artillery Brigade
in Tambov, the 288th Artillery Brigade in Mulino, the 112th Guards Missile
Brigade in Shuya and the 448th Missile Brigade in Kursk, have received no
orders to move. And that makes sense, in a way. They really aren’t equipped to
wage war against our kind of threat.”

Paul knew what the Scottie was saying. The Scotties were not
infantry. They spent too much time in the air and their outer plates, made of
graphene, were much tougher than human flesh. Therefore, anti-personnel weapons
would be…somewhat less than effective against them. By the same token, the
Scotties were not aircraft. They spent too much time only five or six feet off
the ground and they were far more agile than any fighter jet. And much faster
than any helicopter. In addition, the Scotties possessed a very low radar cross
section and emitted less heat than a human body. Therefore, anti-aircraft
weaponry wouldn’t be very effective either. Indeed, the types of weapons the
Russians might try to use against the Scotties were limited. Heavy artillery
and large missile batteries would be no more effective than bows and arrows for
this type of conflict.

Irona 222 seemed to be reading Paul’s thoughts. “Infrared
and radar-guided Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) such as the SA-17
Grizzly
or the SA-19
Grison
would be ineffective against us. Even the
man-portable SA-18
Grouse
and SA-24
Grinch
could not be
successful employed against a Scottie. About the only type of SAMs that might
be of use against us are optically-guided or laser-guided man-portable SAMS
such as the British
Javelin
or Sweden’s
RBS-70
. However, the
Russians don’t have a comparable weapon in their inventory. The next most
useful type of weapon they could use would be anti-tank missiles such as the
AT-13
Saxhorn
, the AT-14
Spriggan
, the AT-6
Spiral
, and
the AT-16
Scallion
. The
Scallion
is particularly dangerous, being
air-launched by Su-25 ground attack jets and the newest attack helicopters, the
Ka-50
Black Shark
, and the Ka-52
Alligator
. However, perhaps our
biggest worry will be the rocket propelled grenade launchers, such as their
latest RPG-32
Hashim
.”

“I think we should use tactics that minimize the
possibilities of a shooting war,” Paul mused, studying the map closely, deep in
thought. “What about the air units?”

“It’s a lot less clear,” Irona 222 replied. “They are
pulling in Mil-24PN, Ka-50, and Ka-52 attack helicopters from air units
scattered all over western Russia. They are doing the same thing with the
Su-25SM
Frogfoot
close air-support attack jets and the newest Su-34
Fullback
fighter bombers. The helicopters are moving into positions where they can
escort the 4th and 6th Guards Tank Brigades and the 5th and 9th Guards Motor
Rifle Brigades on their way to Moscow.”

“We should hit the Russians before they are fully in
position,” Paul recommended. “A Corps should be sufficient. At the moment, the
closest Russian units are south, southwest, and west of the city. Nothing yet
on the east or north sides. I think we can take advantage of that.”

“And the Kremlin Guard?” Dorian 223 (from the TV series
Almost
Human
) asked.

“I don’t want to attack them yet, not in downtown Moscow,”
Paul admitted. “Too great a chance of those Russian soldiers killing innocent
people. No point in needlessly provoking them into doing something stupid. I
want to put off that attack until later. In the meantime, let’s talk about a
battle plan. I think we should pull the II Corps, 2nd Division under Irona 222
back to this undeveloped area here, southeast of Kubinka. Then we can pull the
II Corps, 1st Division out of the Middle and Far East. In the morning, we can
split the II Corps, 2nd Division here, and send the 1st Brigade just west of
the M3 highway…”