Julius and the other commandos arrived at the edge of the clearing a few minutes later and prepared for the few minutes more wait until they could escape. Julius though he could just here the sound of helicopter blades in the distance when they found themselves under attack yet again. Julius spotted the US commandos before they attacked this time, and was able to shoot one of them, but it did little good. An instant later the pine forest once again erupted with the sound of gunfire.
Though the Romans ducked back into the forest and tried their best to take cover in the trees, they were still taking most of the punishment. Julius saw several grenades detonate next to one of the other commandos, shredding her before she even knew what was happening.
As he turned back to the enemy Julius felt as though someone had whacked him in the gut with a lump of lead. He doubled over, gasping for breath, just in time to take three more bullets to his chest. He could feel his ribs crack despite his Kevlar body armour, and saw his gun slip from his nerveless fingers. As he looked up he saw one of the US commandos taking aim at his face, but there was nothing he could do. He closed his eyes and waited for the end.
An instant later he heard a shot, and felt it strike him in the face, but to his confusion he was still alive. At the same time he heard a deafening stream of gunfire coming from above. He opened his eyes just in time to see the last American soldier shredded by assault cannon fire from a Roman attack helicopter.
Though ordinarily he would have felt a flood of relief, the only thing on his mind right now was the pain. Though he could tell, dimly, that the bullet had struck him in the cheek before passing out again and was not life threatening, that didnt make it hurt any less. As one the choppers swept down over the clearing to collect the surviving commandos, it was all he could do to pull himself up to the doors before passing out. His last memory of the incident was of being pulled up into the helicopter as it lifted off and headed full speed for the Marcus Aurelis.
* * *
While Julius two commando squads were going through hell trying to escape from American troops, the base that was their target was being reduced to rubble.
The first step had been the detonation of the numerous fuel-air explosives they had left inside the perimeter. They had gone off before the Americans could bring in a bomb squad to remove them, leaving most of the aboveground section of the base in ruins and the thick concrete that protected the underground section cracked and collapsed in several places.
The second step in the destruction was the massive air strike organized by admiral Crassus against what was left. 24 Jupiter-class bombers attacked from Tyrus, escorted by dozens more Roman fighter-bombers.
There was little resistance to the strike. The local airfield had already been taken out of commission and the fighters that the Americans already had in the air were low on fuel and hopelessly outnumbered. In less than an hour, a seemingly endless rain of bombs converted Omega Central into nothing more a rubble-filled crater, and along with it went five years of American nuclear research. As the last Roman aircraft left, one thing was clear.
The United States of America would never forgive Rome for this.
* * *
So, what do we know about the attacks against Omega Central? President Lincoln asked, opening the cabinet meeting. Colonel Hunter, the overall commander of Project Omega, shuffled some papers and then stood.
Mr. President, we have ascertained two things of importance. Firstly, the perpetrators of these terrorist actions are known. It was the Romans. We have corpses from the ground troops who conducted the first assault and the first phase eof the second, and video and radar evidence of Roman aircraft taking off from their military base at Tyrus and an aircraft carrier in violation of our territorial waters. Take them together, and we have compelling evidence that the Romans were responsible.
The second piece of information is less welcome. The base was completely destroyed in the course of the second attack. While we backed up what we could, the majority of the information there was irreplaceable, and we also lost several of our best scientists, who were killed in the initial bombing raid. Fortunately, the rest were able to evacuate to the sealed bunker beneath the base and survived. We were able to get them out within hours.
Lincoln nodded, slowly, thinking this information over. As he did so, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stood and began to speak. Mr. President, I have taken the liberty of consulting with our allied governments in Tenochtitlan, Cuzco and Moscow, and they have all promised their support for us. The Czarina of Russia was the most reluctant, but we did not have to seriously pressure her.
Good. Lincoln replied. What about the UN?
Their bureaucracy will probably oppose us on general principle, being riddled with communists and all, Kissinger replied, but we do have a strong base of support in the General Assembly. Aside from our traditional allies, the Romans havent exactly endeared themselves to the other Europeans either. If we play our cards right, we can portray ourselves as innocent victims of unprovoked Roman aggression which is fairly certain to gain us sympathy.
So who is likely to support us?
The Russians, Aztecs and Inca most definitely, and probably the Spanish, French, English and Carthaginians as well. We may be able to drum up some support amongst the Asians as well, but its doubtful.
So we dont have a majority?
No, Mr. President.
Then who will support Rome?
The Greeks and Egyptians for certain, probably the Germans, and they may be able to wangle a deal with the Asians. The rest will probably be undecided and will support whoever they think makes the best case.
What of Persia and Babylon? Their support, above all, could make or break our efforts here.
Depends. We will have to try and sell our case to them as promoting stability, but that may be difficult, considering that for the immediate future we are aiming for its opposite.
Very well. What do you suggest we tell the UN?
That we are shocked and bewildered by this unprovoked aggression, and that we demand reparations from the Romans and an evacuation of their base Tyrus to protect us from any further attacks. The Romans will, of course, refuse, and then we can ask the UN to place sanctions on them and possibly approve an attack on Tyrus. If the Romans agree, then theyve lost their military base and had to pay for their attack. We can then restart the program without fear of attack.
I agree. But what if we lose the vote?
We will simply have to make sure we wont. It shouldnt be that hard.
Very well. Do it. Macarthur, do we have the capability to take Tyrus from the Romans if necessary?
Hell yes, Mr. President, the Secretary of Defence replied, You give the word and we could have it done by morning.
What would you expect the casualties to be? Kissinger asked.
Pretty high. Macarthur admitted, But there would be no doubt about outcome.
What if the Romans reinforced it? Lincoln wanted to know.
They cant. We would know about it, and even if they tried to fly them in we could shoot them down first. Our air force will easily destroy any escort they sent with the transports.
Kissinger looked doubtful at this, but Lincoln saw the confidence on Macarthurs face and nodded.
Very well. We shall make our demands at the UN in two days time. Macarthur, I want you to have the troops organized to take Tyrus.
Yes, Mr. President. Consider it done.
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