CROSSFIRE - Atlantis DSV - New Cape Quest

Rhodes turned to Ainsley with a nod. “Admiral, I believe you would be in the most
suitable position to explain.”
Ainsley nodded up at her grimly before looking back at the gathered officers. He was
blunt, and brutally direct. “In the event that the navy is unable to destroy the Atlas missile
battery by a deadline no later than August 1 st , Secretary-General Cathgate has signed an
order authorizing the unrestricted use of nuclear weapons against the Hawaiian Islands, and
every Alliance-occupied command base in the eastern Pacific.”
There was utter silence.
James Banick looked down at first, quickly swallowing a bulge that had suddenly
choked his throat. Adamson and his staff gave no outward reaction, although they all shared
a glimmer of grave consequence in their eyes. For the other UEO officers, save Lauren
Hornsby, there was only unapologetic shock.
“That‟s... an incredible claim, Vice Admiral,” Adamson said after a moment.
“Cathgate wouldn‟t,” Banick seconded, although the hoarse rasp in his voice
immediately betrayed the doubt of his own words.
Ainsley stared past both of them to lock eyes first on Hornsby, and then Stiles. Both
of them hadn‟t reacted to the suggestion in the slightest, which still managed to make the
hairs on Ainsley‟s neck stand uncomfortably on-end. Hornsby closed her eyes and nodded in
admission. "It's true."
Banick stood sharply, beginning to circle the desk towards Ainsley. "For what
possible reason?"
"Because on August 2 nd , that battery goes online," Ainsley continued. "And Bourne
will have the capacity to hit any base or city from Tokyo to San Francisco."
"Irrespective of the outcome, the Nycarian Empire would view such an attack as
unwarranted," Rhodes said with masterful understatement. "As a matter of policy, we hold
that the ends do not justify the means."
"This is an affair internal to the UEO," Banick snapped, turning his head sharply. "I
will not have you dictate policy on this ship. Irrespective of Cathgate's eventual goals, my
orders in this situation are abundantly clear."
"Bullshit," Ainsley returned. "You swore to uphold the same oath as I did. Cathgate's
issued an illegal order, and you know damn well not to follow it."
"And what do you suggest we do, then?"
"If I may, Admiral," Hornsby cut in quietly in the intervening silence. "Captain Banick...
You've assumed this entire time that Aquarius and her crew - myself included - have been
somehow acting outside the chain of command. That's not entirely true."
"ONI?" Banick asked immediately, his eyes widening.
Hornsby shook her head. "ONI is aware of it, but we are outside their command, just
as the navy always has been."
"We answer to the Security Council, and the office of the Secretary-General," Stiles
finally said, breaking his silence.
This time, the look of shock on Banick's face perfectly mirrored Ainsley's beside him.
The other UEO officers' eyes had glazed over long before, with only Richards and Callaghan
maintaining any keen interest in the discussion. "Cathgate?" Ainsley asked incredulously.
Stiles shook his head. "As part of the NSC's agreement to enter this war, there were
conditions set out for the formation of a joint task force, composed equally of UEO and NSC
officers, whose primary objective was the prosecution of the rogue Counter-Intelligence arm
known as Section Seven."
Schrader, Ainsley thought, closing his eyes as the final pieces began to fall together.
"That order was signed by Secretary-General Nathan Hale Bridger, and it is to his
office that we answer to."
"Nathan Bridger is no longer the Secretary-General of the UEO, Captain Stiles,"
Banick pointed out needlessly. "It was Section Seven that shot him."
"And after what I just told you, you're actually surprised?"
- 190 -