[War] US/UK: Gut check

[John Penta]

United States/United Kingdom
Pres. John Williams, USA
PM Patricia Young, UK
"Gut check"
16th June 2014
------------------------------

The odd journalist watched as the Prime Ministerial Jaguar rolled along
Downing Street, stopping just short of number ten. The BBC had attended
outside as well, possibly to cover an evening story on the British
deployment to the Middle East. None the less, the PM stepped out of her car
graciously, smartly dressed in her usual black skirt and suit jacket with a
blue blouse. She smiled and waved at the photographers, carrying a few files
under her left arm. She had left the commons select committee early to take
an important call.

As the PM approached the door of number ten, she smiled at the police
officer outside. "Good Afternoon," she politely whispered as she walked
past. The officer replied with a nod and a smile.

Ms Young walked into the lobby to be greeted by a number of her aides
standing by the antique grandfather clock near the fireplace. A mob of aides
soon swamped her, as the 'group' walked along the corridor and toward the
offices at the back of the house, the PM's high heels the only noise
managing to out perform the busy noises of the offices that they walked
past.

"Your two o'clock with the work and pensions minister has been moved as
requested," one aide rang out as he advised the PM on a revised schedule for
the day. The middle aged, balding aide looked down at the schedule. "I took
the liberty of moving the DWP minister to 4."

Patricia smiled. "Thank you Gordon," she took the piece of paper from him as
the 'mob' shrunk after receiving their orders from the PM.

"How was the commons select committee?" The only remaining aide asked, as
they walked along the corridor.

"Very encouraging," Patricia replied as the pair approached her office. "We
look set to get our way over the proposals for welfare reform." She opened
the door and walked toward her desk, placing the papers she had been
carrying down. "Mr Wilkins, the committee chairman is drawing up final
proposals to be sent the department for Work and Pensions this afternoon,"
she picked up the phone from her desk holding it in her hand while remaining
stood behind her desk. "We expect to be releasing a statement to the house
on our revised plans later in the week."

The PM was referring to a Tory proposed scheme to help curb the number of
unemployed benefit claimants, and in the process re invest the money on
getting them back into work.

"Actually, Gordon, could you ask the DWP to get me a copy of them when they
receive it, I will need it for the press conference," Gordon nodded at the
request as he left the office, shutting the door firmly

The PM simply smiled as she lifted the phone to her ear, waiting to be
put through.

In Washington, the President wasn't multitasking so much - at the moment.

On his desk was a laptop, where he was reading the latest intel on
Iran. London was going to be on speakerphone, and Luke was napping
quietly a few feet away.

"Mr. President, London calling." announced the WHCA tech.

"Connect secure, Sergeant."

A chitter could be heard on both ends as the connection was encrypted.

"Madam Prime Minister," Williams greeted, "thanks for taking the time
for this." Pause. "Pardon if I'm talking a bit softly. Luke is 10 feet
from me, and I just put him down for a nap." As a concession to the
sleeping baby (guarded by Gizmo, who was gnawing on a bone), Dad had a
headset on to hear the PM.

"Now...Iran."

"I understand Mr President," the PM replied, slightly perplexed that the US
President was 'babysitting'. "They're a lot easier to wake up at that age
than at 16," she said, referring to her two teenage twins that still lived
with her in number ten, the closest she would get to a joke.

"Indeed, Iran," Young sat down at her desk. "I fully support the actions
taken by your government against Iran," she paused. "A regime such as theirs
cannot be allowed to set such a dangerous precedent, it would be to our
embarrassment if we failed to stop Iran's gamble from paying off."

The PM crossed her legs, leaning back in her chair and swivelling to face
the window. "Forgive me for being blunt, but I feel we ought to be open from
the beginning. If military action is necessary to remove Iran from
Azerbaijan, I will not be found wanting," she said getting to the point,
over looking the horse guard parade ground at the rear of number ten as she
spoke. Young knew that any threat's toward Iran would have to be followed
through, but determined as she was, her heart did sink at the thought of
another conflict involving British troops in the Middle East. Nonetheless,
she would do what she thought necessary and what she thought was right.

"They're only this young once," Williams noted in explanation.
"Besides, he only occasionally tries to gnaw on the Resolute desk when
he comes by the West Wing."

A pause, as Young spoke on Iran. "That's the thought over here; I'm
the reluctant one, probably because I've actually faced Iranian
bullets.

"Nonetheless, good to hear it reaffirmed. I'm going to do what I can
to exhaust the diplomatic options; I don't see it working out, but I'm
not going to make the mistake Bush did, and go directly to the
shooting.

"Still, your comments on the resolution we put forward? And, any
expansion on the press reports of your deployment of the Queen
Elizabeth battlegroup?"

"I would always hope that before a shot is fired all diplomatic efforts are
exhausted, and you have my full support in that respect," Young picked up a
pen off her desk, twirling it in her hand as she spoke. "The British
ambassador to the UN will signal our support for the resolution this
afternoon."

"As to the British maritime contribution to the operation, the Queen
Elizabeth and Ocean has been dispatched alongside the surface combatants
Daring, Dauntless, Richmond, Westminster and the submarines Astute, Splendid
and
Ambush, with the various RFA vessels. The Admiralty will be diverting a
second wave of ships to the region that will leave Portsmouth tomorrow,"
Young remembered perfectly. "The MoD will contact the
pentagon immediately to inform you the full extent of the British
deployment."

"There is though another issue I wish to speak to you about," Young paused.

"British intelligence is adamant in it's claim that Iran does not have a
nuclear capability, however, I want to seek assurances that any information
that comes to light and that is relevant to the situation is shared, in
full. I can give assurances that MI6 is already doing so," the PM chose her
words carefully.

"Forgive me for being blunt, but I have to have these assurances.
Young had been somewhat upfront in her asking,
but no rudeness was intended or imparted. It was merely her
way - straight to the point.

Williams actually chuckled. "You hardly need to - I'm clubbing the
intel community on that daily, just to make sure they get it. You'll
have the Station Chief in London briefing MI6 twice daily, above and
beyond their usual meetings.

"For the record, our analysis is similar - a possibility, but not a
likely nuclear capability. However:

"Expect this campaign to be bloody. I need you to prepare the UK
populace for that - there *will* be flag-draped caskets. I remember
how nobody seemed to do that in Afghanistan. Think casualty counts in
the thousands, then tell me if you can get the country to stay with
you if things are that bad.

"We know the Iranians at one point had chemical weapons. We're going
to be posing a direct threat to the current government if we go in.
Which is part of the point, really. So we have to be prepared the
Iranians will -use- that CW capability.

"You know what happens if they do?" His voice was soft and serious, as
if explaining terminal cancer to the PM.

Patricia drew a deep breath. "I fully understand the consequences." She
thought for a moment. "Britain has a very proud population, a population
outraged by the actions of Iran and one not easily intimidated. The
international community has an obligation to act, and while I am painfully
aware that the deployment of British troops to the Middle East evokes...
hurtful memories for some, we go into this with no smoke screen. No
propaganda."

Young paused to take a breath. "I am no General, but if war breaks
out with Iran we will have to use our superior power to effectively
'cut their head' off, disorganise their government and target all known
locations for weapon depots and eliminate any potential chemical weapon
ability."

"We have to be prepared to act swiftly and with force to reduce casualties,
both military and civilian," the PM continued to look out of her window,
painfully aware of the consequences if military action turned sour. "I'm not
going to pretend it will be easy, I'm not going to lie to the public."

"There is no doubt though that the world will be a far safer place if we are
successful. Of course, I have to remain committed to diplomatic solutions
first and foremost, but..." she searched for the right words. "It is
becoming increasingly obvious to me that we may have exhausted
all diplomatic options open to us."

"Not me you need to convince, but the guy in the street. They,
unfortunately, have every reason to be wary of this being a rerun,"
Williams noted.

"One of the, uh...things we hate to mention is just what happens if the
other guy uses chemical weapons," Williams mentioned, then paused.

"A gas is a germ is a nuke, in short. NATO doctrine, precisely because
we do -not- use chemical or biological weapons, is to authorize
nuclear weapons release. It's something the briefers leave out unless
you prod, because it's terrifying, even to those used to thinking in
terms of megadeaths.

"Moving on: Do you plan on contributing any land forces?"

"Yes," Young thought for a moment. "Eight thousand have been dispatched,
along with significant air power from the RAF. Your defence staff will have
a full battle order of British forces as soon as the MoD has issued full
deployment orders today."

"My foreign secretary will be doing the rounds in the EU attempting to shore
up increased pressure against Iran aswell - I will personally meet
with the German
Chancellor in an attempt to get the Germans to contribute forces if
necessary. I also hope to meet with the French President soon."

"But Mr Williams," the PM paused for thought. "I hope that we are
agreed that the consideration of nuclear weapons has to be an option
only in case of nuclear threat from Iran. The repercussions of using
nuclear weapons, even in retaliation for chemical weapons, would be...
disastrous." Patricia's quaint English accent shone through in her voice.

"Believe me, you hardly need to mention that. I keep a guesstimate of
casualty totals with every plan in the football, just so its not
theoretical. We are agreed. Screw the politics, I have enough blood on
my conscience. Baku ain't really worth megadeaths."

Young drew a deep breath. "Quite, quite indeed. May history be kind to us
both." She said as she wrapped up the conversation, taking in her
surroundings. Her office had been used by many Prime Ministers before her,
and surely many would use it after. Nonetheless, there was an overwhelming
sense that history had been made in this room, not realising she was making
history her very self.
====
Actions:
1. UK commits forces alongside the US (more details to follow...)
2. UK supports US resolution on Iran.
3. UK/US increase cooperation on Intel
4. ... chit chat!