“Armstrong is a pretty powerful presence, sir—it’s like an aircraft carrier sitting off someone’s coast,” Glenbrook added. “If we lost it, that could paint a very ominous picture around the world. We wouldn’t be totally defeated, but definitely taken down a few notches.”
Ann could see the absolute agony in the president’s face as he struggled with the decision. “Sir, the main thing we’d lose is the high ground,” she said. “Gryzlov wants it, and he’s hoping we’ll just hand it over to him. I believe Armstrong has the weaponry to fight off a Russian attack. I don’t want to knuckle under to Gryzlov’s bullying. Starfire is not a space weapon and it doesn’t threaten Russia. Gryzlov can’t dictate what we do with our forces. What’s he going to demand next—we do away with all of our nuclear subs and aircraft carriers because they might threaten Russia? My suggestion: Tell the bastard to go pound sand.”
“Shit,” Phoenix muttered. This was the moment he had feared all of his presidential life: the future of the republic, dependent on the words he might utter moments from now. Yes or no, go or no go, attack or not attack. If he ordered his forces to stand down, they might survive to fight another day. If he ordered his forces to escalate and prepare to fight, that’s probably exactly what they’d have to do very soon.
“I hate to knuckle under to Gryzlov, guys,” he said after a long moment’s consideration, “but I feel I have no choice. I want the Skybolt laser deactivated and the module detached from Armstrong Space Station.” Glenbrook and Hayes looked relieved; Ann looked dejected. “What are we left with on the station after Skybolt is deactivated, Ann?”
“The Skybolt laser module has a few targeting sensors and lasers that will be off-line when the module is detached,” Ann replied, “but station will still have the Hydra short-range laser, the Trinity modules that are stored on station’s truss, and the weapon garages of the Kingfisher constellation already in orbit.”
“All defensive weapons?”
“The Trinity modules each contain three land-attack reentry vehicles and three antisatellite vehicles,” Ann said. “Those could be considered offensive weapons. Sir, I wish you’d reconsider your decision,” she added. “We can’t deactivate every military system Gryzlov wants.”
“Unfortunately, I made the decision to allow a military weapon system to be used for that college experiment,” the president said. “A lot of people are making up stories, expressing outrage and horror, and threatening war, but the fact remains that I decided to turn a college experiment into a weapon. I have to live with the consequences. Shut it down and detach it, Fred.”
“Yes, sir,” Secretary of Defense Hayes said.
“Mr. President, I would like to go to station to help deactivate Skybolt,” Vice President Page said.
“What?” Phoenix’s eyes bugged out in absolute shock. “That request is denied, Miss Vice President! That station is already in Russia’s crosshairs, and it could come under attack at any moment!”
“Sir, no one knows more about that module than I do. I spent three years designing it and two years building it. I know every circuit and rivet, because I personally drew them by hand on a real drawing board and did everything but operate the soldering iron and riveter myself.” The president didn’t look convinced one bit. “One more ride in space for the old lady. If John Glenn can do it, I sure as hell can. What do you say, sir?”
The president hesitated, studying Ann’s smiling face carefully. “I’d rather have you close to the White House or out campaigning for our reelection, Ann,” he said, “but I know Skybolt is your baby.” He shook his head woefully, then nodded. “I might be crazy for doing this, but your request is approved. The first president, first Secret Service agent, first teenagers, first paraplegic, and now the first vice president in space, all in one year. My head is spinning. God help us.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ann said.
“I’ll head back to Washington right away,” the president said. “I’ll plan on going on television to explain that Starfire was not a space weapon and that the United States will deactivate and detach the laser module right away.”
“Very good, sir,” Ann said. “I’ll see you from station. Wish me luck.” And the video teleconference was terminated.
“We’re all going to need some luck,” the president said half aloud, then reached for the phone to call Air Force One’s flight crew. In moments, the president’s plane was heading east toward Washington.
Next, the president called Moscow. “What did you decide, Phoenix?” Gryzlov asked through the interpreter without any pleasantries or preamble.
“The United States agrees to undock the Skybolt module from Armstrong Space Station,” Phoenix said, “and at an appropriate time deorbit it and allow it to reenter the atmosphere. Any parts that survive reentry will splash down in the ocean.”
“Then Russia agrees not to restrict its airspace above twenty kilometers,” Gryzlov said, “to all spacecraft . . . except your S-series spaceplanes and your Kingfisher weapon garages.”