The Last Phoenix by Richard Herman

Author:Richard Herman [Herman, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2002-12-17T07:00:00+00:00

30 Hill Street, Singapore

Saturday, October 2

For the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Saturday morning was just another workday at the U.S. Embassy. As usual, they were very alone in that endeavor, and a Marine guard escorted Pontowski and Janice Clark to their office on the deserted second floor. “Nice duty if you can get it,” Clark muttered, marveling at the vacant offices.

The lieutenant colonel and two captains who staffed the MAAG were waiting for them and came to attention when they entered. After the introductions were made, the lieutenant colonel cut to the heart of the matter. “As best I can determine, General, our job is to act as a logistics conduit to Camp Alpha. Unfortunately, we don’t have the manpower to manage that type of account.”

Clark had a solution. “I can have my resource manager work out of here and keep a satellite office at Camp Alpha.”

The lieutenant colonel nodded. “We can do that.”

Pontowski listened as they worked out the details and discussed the current logistics situation. While there were problems to solve, there was no doubt it was in good hands. He was about to leave when a civilian burst into the room. “Kuala Lumpur!” he shouted. He collapsed into a chair. “Missiles hit our embassy…we’re out of contact…the city is under attack. I heard on the news.”

“Call the DCM,” Pontowski told him. He handed the man a telephone to call the deputy chief of mission. He grabbed another phone and dialed the command post at Camp Alpha. The controller answered on the first ring. “This is Pontowski. Turn on the radio and listen to the news. Tell Colonel Stuart he’s got the hammer but I’d be generating aircraft. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He broke the connection. “I need to get to SEAC headquarters,” he said. “We have to work out how to employ our Hogs.”

“It’s down the road,” the lieutenant colonel said. Since SEAC was, at heart, a political alliance, it made sense that it was located close to the major embassies. “I’ll take you there.” He hesitated. “You’re not going to like it.”

“Confusion?” Pontowski asked.

“That’s a classic understatement,” the lieutenant colonel replied. “The younger officers understand what’s going on, but the senior generals are…” He stopped before he said something he’d regret. “There’s a group of younger officers—we call them ‘the young Turks.’ Very competent, part of the new breed. I’ll introduce you. They’re the ones you need to work with.”

“Let’s do it,” Pontowski said. “We’re running out of time.”

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