The Kaiser’s Navigator *** BY NUMBER ONE AUTHOR *** (Peter Sparke) by Scott Chapman

Author:Scott Chapman [Chapman, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishNation
Published: 2014-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

"The two things I think Mr Sparke really wants to understand, sir, are the level of advanced warning which we might have should any foreign power make any potential acts of aggression in the region, and what our initial responses might be, short of the use of force." She turned to Sparke. "Is that about right?"

"Perfect," answered Sparke.

The Brigadier, Officer Commanding, British Forces, Falkland Islands, sipped his terrible coffee. The three sat around a low coffee table seated in the kind of comfortless wooden-framed armchair normally found in school staff rooms.

“There are a number of contingencies to deal with any threat to the Falklands," he said calmly, "and they are currently being reviewed." He smiled. “But that is quite normal. Commanders like to be two steps ahead rather than two steps behind.”

He paused, then continued, "To be frank, Mr. Sparke, the Argentinians are not in the position to invade these islands again, whereas we are very much able to defend them. Their armed forces are much weaker and less capable than they were in 1982, but that is not to say that they could not find ways of causing considerable disruption if they wanted to."

"My focus is really to understand what sort of advance notice we would have if something like that were to happen," replied Sparke. "We need to be able to understand the threat level and see when it might change."

"London has asked us to fully cooperate with you in your task, Mr. Sparke, so we will be showing you pretty much everything right up the point where we would change posture and move into a situation of armed response."

He walked over to his desk and spoke softly into the receiver for a few seconds. "Our Situation people will show you how we go about keeping tabs on things. Then I understand that Captain McCafferty will be showing you some of our Forward Posture resources."

The language the military used was always a delight to Sparke. Like the clues to a crossword puzzle, they always contained a meaning without specifically telling you what it was. The door to the office opened and a middle-aged woman walked in. Like all of the military he had seen since he arrived, Major Christie wore combat camouflage uniform and boots. There was no mistaking that this was an active service base.

Christie greeted Sparke and McCafferty and the three left the Brigadier's office, crossed a gravel car park and entered a low, windowless building. Once inside, Sparke signed yet another release form and followed Christie into a darkened room filled with rows of computer screens, most empty, but several having personnel in front of them. Some were soldiers, some sailors, and some air force.

Christie stood behind one of the servicemen and looked at his screen. "Daniels, could you explain to our guests what we see here?"

Daniels looked up from his screen, smiled at Sparke, then stood to salute McCafferty. "Sorry, ma'am, I didn't notice you there.”

"What we are looking at is the digital signature of various assets in the region which we like to keep an eye on.

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