IIRC from the original timeline, the commander in question was completely cut off and his communications were being scrambled, so coupled with what looked like a mushroom cloud he assumed a nuclear war was already underway. I think the decision was reasonable, even though it was wrong.
Land of Flatwater: Protect and Survive Middle America
- Thread starter Chipperback
- Start date
IIRC from the original timeline, the commander in question was completely cut off and his communications were being scrambled, so coupled with what looked like a mushroom cloud he assumed a nuclear war was already underway. I think the decision was reasonable, even though it was wrong.
Thanks for the superb AH, Chipperback! Excellent writing 
One question regarding "What Is Where In The Land Of Flatwater" (BTW thanks for this particular post and also to other who posted maps about what is where for all of us who are not so up-to-date on all things Nebraskan)...
Where exactly is Howells (where Jill and her family headed for)? I might have missed where you pointed it's location - was it also in Nebraska, or... somewhere else?
One question regarding "What Is Where In The Land Of Flatwater" (BTW thanks for this particular post and also to other who posted maps about what is where for all of us who are not so up-to-date on all things Nebraskan
)...Where exactly is Howells (where Jill and her family headed for)? I might have missed where you pointed it's location - was it also in Nebraska, or... somewhere else?
Thanks for the superb AH, Chipperback! Excellent writing
One question regarding "What Is Where In The Land Of Flatwater" (BTW thanks for this particular post and also to other who posted maps about what is where for all of us who are not so up-to-date on all things Nebraskan
Where exactly is Howells (where Jill and her family headed for)? I might have missed where you pointed it's location - was it also in Nebraska, or... somewhere else?
Howells is approximately 60 miles NW of Omaha.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howells,_Nebraska
He is not at it, yet...
I think (despite my remarks concerning the Mexican refugees) that you pointed the problems out quite well and in an appropriately dark way.
Already mentioned it in the main P&S thread, but the '10MT' should read '10Kt'.
One should note here the comparison to the German military mindset at the outset of World War One. Germany saw itself in an inferior position - and increasingly so - when confronted with France and Russia combined. From the viewpoint of Fin-de-siecle military planners, this indicated a certainty of a Two-Front-Attack at some point on the future.
Instead of pursuing a policy of de-escalation, the assessment drove them to with hindsight unreasonable conclusions. The first is to rather deliberately risk war as long as conditions seem at least partially favourable - or actually just less unfavourable than in the future. The second is feeling forced by the circumstances to handle the outbreak of the war in a most aggressive way, i.e. DOWing France and the implementation of the Schlieffen-plan.
This WW3 is basically the same game with bigger guns. Like Germany, Sovjet assessment of its own strength had to come to a conclusion that its standing could only worsen and make a NATO-attack under unfavourable circumstances more probable in the future. ITTL the outcome is similar to 1914. If the 1910s had worked out as OTLs 1980s, we would have been spared a lot of a mess (and me).
Kennedy had read Tuchman's "The Guns of August" prior to the Cuba crisis and reportedly drew motivation to avert war from it even when confronted with Sovjet aggressiveness.
Perhaps the Sovjet leaders of this timeline read Fritz Fischer accusing "Griff nach der Weltmacht" (literally German's bid for world power, published in English as Germany's Aims in the First World War) and misused it as a blueprint.
On a more serious note, consider the psychological phenomenon called "groupthink" in the Kremlin and you are on the road to war. Sorry for the excursion, but I just wanted to point out that stupidity on that scale has happened before and the Sovjet path is despite its madness not as implausible as it seems.
---
Another word on Warsaw-Pact war plans. As far as I could get my hands on them, the prime source for them are deliberate Polish leaks post-1989. This is far from an assessment of the full scale of possible Sovjet reactions and plans, IMHO. The difference that this timeline delivers a long-time planned Sovjet provocation with their standard-rhetorics instead of the usual base of Sovjet maneuvres ("evil NATO surprise attack") might make the difference already.
Besides, the massive conventional Warsaw Pact superiority on the European battlefield makes a quick escalation to a nuclear scale which effectively nixes this superiority (and pretty everything else along with it) seem rather stupid, even giving WW3-standards. For the first three days of this timeline's war, the Sovjet leadership will probably try for a push to the Rhine, ergo enforcing their ultimatum, then see (hopefully in their eyes) NATO dissolve and negotiate from a newly-won position of strength. Again, a parallel to the German pre-1914-assessment that driving the later-to-be Entente to the edge of war and making them shy away from it would result in the superior alliance breaking apart quickly.
I should stop now.
Land Of Flatwater: Over Here
Ronald Reagan's Address to the nation -- Friday February 17, 1984 -- 11:15pm Eastern Standard Time.
State of Nebraska C-21A...somewhere over Utah. 9:15pm Mountain Standard Time.
"Damn," JARHEAD said. "Semper Fi."
BARNSTORMER was at the controls of the plane blankly. He could see fighter jets streaking south in the distance. "Things got started fast," he said somberly. "Should we wake her and tell her?"
"No, Clete, let her sleep while she can. I don't think much of America is getting any sleep tonight."
"Unidentified aircraft on heading 0-8-7...This is Hill AFB Control to unidentified aircraft...please acknowledge.
Clete answered, "Hill Control, this is Husker 2-1 Alpha...over.
"Husker 2-1, Alpha...further identification requested....
Clete saw two F-16s flanking him. They came up fast...
"Hill Control,This is Husker 2-1...Nebraska Air National Guard..carrying supplies and personnel over...
"Huskers 2-1, This is Falcon 3-7...You are in restricted airspace. We will escort you to a new heading."
Clete answered, "Since when has this been restricted, Falcon 3-7? I've flown this route many times. Why restricted?"
Hill Control responded, "I guess you Cornhuskers haven't heard the poop yet?
"What poop, Control?"
"NCA has initiated DEFCON 1 as of 0515 ZULU."
Frank got on the radio, "Hill Control. Just heard the President call the ball on our radio. Damn shame."
"Affirmative," the controller said somberly. "Warsaw Pact forces invaded West Germany around 0430 ZULU. The F-16s will escort you out toward Colorado."
"Sirs," Frank asked. "We saw some F-16s scramble south in a damn hurry. Are the Russians trying something here."
"Negative," Hill Control said. "Cubans are encrouching on Mexico in the Gulf."
Falcon 3-7 chimed in, "After I'm done playing prom date to you I head there, too,"
"What about civilian air traffic?" Clete asked.
"Not sure," the controller replied. "They haven't said anything about that yet.."
Rick's Farm -- outside Schuyler, Nebraska -- 11:00pm Central Standard Time
The rapid Soviet mechanized advance has Allied forces retreating to pre-arranged points of defense in West Germany. "
Soviet troops have landed on the coast of Denmark..
There are unconfirmed reports that anti-government forces in Estonia have exploded a truck bomb near the offices of the Estonia SSR politburo in Tallinn.
Early this morning, we have reports that the evacuation of Moscow has been ordered.
A daring pre-down raid by the Israeli Air Forces in retaliation for Syrian incursion into the Golan Heights.
U.S. and Soviet naval vessels at this hour are in heavy fighting in the Persion Gulf. Warplanes from the USS Kitty Hawk have destroyed a Soviet battleship...
The news bulletins continued to come. CNN was a televised ticker tape of the war. Chip was glued to the TV set numbly. He was hoping to hear any information about Tony. He was afraid..He was watching alone.
Denny, Mark, Ira and Cricket, being a little older, grouped together. Brett was with them. The younger kid hanging out with the big boys.
Rhonda's neice Lyndsey was the older girl. She was with her little cousin Kate and her younger sister Jennie in their loft.
The adults were in the kitchen. Rick and Ed discussing what would they do next. Rhonda was with her sister Meg and Meg's husband Kevin. Gail was apart from them and not happy.
"Why do we need to mess with my car?" Gail asked. She was pissed.
"Honey we've been through this," Ed said. "We we came here we said we have to share and share the big things alike."
Rick agreed, "Gail, we have to make modifications on the cars so that they can run on corn gas. There may not be a lot of straight gasoline left if things get bad. My buddy Dana is the best fabricator around and he makes corn gas."
"Well fine, MESS WITH YOUR CAR," Gail hissed. "But that is MY car. Ed you need to talk to your friend."
Rhonda rolled her eyes. Meg just verbalized the feeling, "Told you, Rick. Whenever you bring those people into anything. They have to fuss."
Gail didn't appreciate Meg's tone, nor her words. "Excuse me?"
Meg looked at Gail hard, "I didn't stutter."
Gail walked near Meg. That look was in her eye. Ed knew it. Ed moved in quickly to hold his wife from taking a good swing at Meg.
"Gail...NO!" Ed said standing in between the two."
"My wife has a point, Rick," Kevin said. "Stick to your tribe."
Rick looked at Kevin like her was from Mars. "Big as a damn house and completely owned by that snot," Rick thought. Needless to say, Rick doesn't really like his wife's sister.
Ed tried to calm down his wife, and then turned to both Kevin and Meg. "Okay," he said calmly. "You know ever seen you got here. You've seemed to have a problem with me and my wife. I'd like to know what the problem is."
Meg answered back, "Because your wife complains all the damn time. What did I expect its what you people do. I just don't like your kind of people."
Ed smiled. "You mean you don't like people from Arkansas? WOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!," he joked.
Gail got more agitated. She never understood how her husband laughs at people's bias and bigotry. For Ed, who spent a lot of summers in his early years of his life in rural Arkansas, nothing Meg could say could compare to living in the Jim Crow south.
"Meg," Rick said with irritation. "Just when I think you couldn't get dumber.."
"Cool down, brother," Ed told Rick. "Let me take care of this."
Ed look at Meg and Kevin hard. Kevin objected immediately as he sized Ed up. Kevin figured his size could intimidate the smaller man before him. "I don't like you looking at my wife in that tone of voice," Kevin said.
Ed was calm, "I don't appreciate the tone of voice your wife has taken with anybody since you've arrived."
"I ask you both again," Ed continued. "What's the issue here? Whatever your problem with me or my family is, lets get to the bottom of this. Because we don't have time for any bullshit."
Rhonda looked at Meg with the expression, "Drop It."
But Meg wouldn't. "This isn't worth a Federal Case here,"
"I'll disagree," Ed said. "So I ask again. What is the issue here?"
Kevin wanted to say something smart, but he remember what Rick said. 'If you have a problem with my friend and his family, let it be known if it comes down to you or him...I'll pick Ed every time.'
"I understand what's going on," Ed said. "I just would like you to have the guts to articulate it for yourself. How you feel about me means very little. I have at least eight priorities a helluva lot greater than your personal problem.
Ed looked hard at them both, "Those priorities are Chip....Ira, Mark, Cricket, Denny, Brett, Kate...and Lyndsey and Jennie. Those kids are the people I must protect. And I know Rick feels that way...and I'd hope Kevin you would as well. If you are a man, I'd expect you to."
"So I ask again," Ed said curtly, "What is your problem."
Meg was beet red. Embarrassed. "I just don't...," she sputtered. "I don't care much for black people.."
Ed smiled. "I appreciate your honesty, Meg. Now from here forward, I suggest you keep that opinion to yourself and perhaps maybe ask the Lord to help heal your heart. The things we may have to deal with in the times ahead will force you consider doing both."
BASE FOXTROT -- Midnight Central Standard Time Saturday February 18, 1984
"The Air National Guard crew secured the weapons. The Stingers and RPGs would help defend some key real estate. Frank and Clete where still in their flightsuits, as was the "co-pilot", who was also toting an M-16 to add to the disguise. No one raised an eyebrow. No one noticed. It was nothing more than a weapons run.
They drove away in an unmarked car. A short ride on Highway 81 South to an unmapped dirt road. The winding round took them to the forward gate, where National Guard was waiting.
The guard checked the IDs, including the ones made for THESPIAN.
"Day word" The guard asked.
JARHEAD answered, "Magenta."
"Action word"
"Scarlet Goodspeed."
"Welcome back, gentlemen." The guard said as he waved them through.
BASE ALPHA/Main briefing room -- same time
Good Morning Nebraska...It is 12:30am Saturday February 18, 1984. This is Nebraska Public Radio. All overnight programming will be preempted to give you continued coverage of events in Europe. At this hour NATO allied forces are retreating to "fixed defensive positions" In the wake of a sharp Soviet offensive which started shortly after the Soviet deadline passed..Rapid mechanized and advance of Soviet troops was coupled with an attempting landed of Soviet forces on the North German coast and a simultaneous landing off the coast of Denmark.
"In West Berlin, the Allied garrisons are battling East German and Soviet army units to what an American Commander called, "the worst urban stalemate since World War II."
The Chief of staff pointed to the slides on the wall. "We have states of high readiness in North Platte, Hastings and Kearney. Grand Island and Norfolk say they can be ready by noon tomorrow. Food, fuel and medical supplies are arriving hourly to those main areas. We've also set up field centers and shelters near BASE HOTEL. All the hospital space in those area are prepared to take in casualties.
The Governor grimaced, "Columbus still wont budge. I spent two hours on the phone with the bastard. He wants to cordon off the city."
"Sir," the National Guard Commander said through the phone, "We have enough troops between the group outside the city and our platoon in Norfolk to take him down."
"Only as a last resort, commander," The Governor said. "We already have a war on. We don't need another here at home. What about Fremont?"
"Same situation," the Commander said. "We're massed just outside of the city with the Dodge County deputies. One thing we did occupy is the Hormel Plant. Fremont doesn't like it, but there's nothing they can do about it. If nothing else we can distribute some fine meat products."
"Men, I have a line on some additional intel on that problem," the State Patrol Superintendent joined in. "We've been getting messages from BASE HOTEL today. The FBI agent who was a part of the raid up there a few days ago is at HOTEL. He's been a real pain in the ass about talking to the Governor.
The weary Governor perked up, "If he's being a pain in the ass, he must have a message to send. Anyway to get this person here?"
"You say the word, sir. I'll work it out," the Commander said.
"Find this guy and tell him to bring every scrap of information he has."
The Governor looked at his Chief of Staff, "What's on the docket for tomorrow?"
"Sir," the Chief of Staff began, "Nebraska Public Radio and KFAB Omaha both want some time. I think it would be a good move, as would you going to one or two of the towns tomorrow.
"
"Absolutely NOT," the Governor said. "The last thing we need is to risk a succession crisis. I'm bunkered in here, and I'm not coming out unless we have peace in Europe or well after the missiles come. Doing some radio interviews? Fine, but we are not leaving here right now."
"The way I'm leaving if there is peace in Europe or well after those missiles come," the Governor said.
"If there is peace in Europe it could be one imposed by the Russians," the Commander said unhappily.
The Governor changed the subject, "I hear Mayor Boyle is considering the evacuation of Omaha."
"According to one of the television stations there, he may call for it, and then leave the "BASE GOLF" for BASE HOTEL," the Lieutenant Governor said.
"In some good news," the Lieutenant Governor continued. "We managed to get a 'Voice' you wanted. She only asked that she could take her fiance with her. And we could make sure some orphans got out."
The Commander chimed in, "Civil Air Patrol in Omaha he helping with that apparently. They dubbed it 'Operation Wednesday'. They are moving the kids out to Hastings apparently."
"You can bet JIMINY helped out with that," the Chief of Staff said.
I wish I had a JIMINY in every town that was part of the main government circle," the Governor lamented. "It would make things easier."
BASE ALPHA/The "Emergency Mansion" -- same time.
"Thanks for getting me here, boys," the Actress said to both Clete and Frank.
"Don't mention it," Frank said. "It's what PEGLEG wanted."
"PEGLEG?" She quizzed.
"Yep," Clete said. "The Governor's codename. Military discipline. No names on the network, and all that.
"Besides, I told him we should have done this a week ago," Frank said.
"You are sweet, both of you," the Actress said. "You must care about Bob a lot."
"The man is taking charge and making decisions," Frank answered. "Right now we need that, with all that's gone on,"
"What else happened?" the Actress said.
"While you were catching Z's in the jet, the Soviets were invading West Germany. We're at war," Clete said.
"War??" the Actress shrieked softly. "Not...nuclear..right?"
"No," Frank said. "Right now its conventional. I hope our boys can end this before it goes nuclear."
Frank smiled again, "But you don't worry about that. Get settled in...and maybe ma'am...look cute for the Governor if you feel like it. The man has been running on fear and work for more than 24 hours. All he's thought about today is us getting to you."
"I think I can complete this mission," the Actress said. "Goodnight, boys and thanks."
"Hey," Frank winked, "Don't be too naughty with our boy. He still has a job to do."
The Actress closed the door and looked around, "Deb," she thought. "You traded Rodeo Drive for...a bunker in the plains."
She felt she needed a shower, and she found it on the far end. Enclosed in soft glass, it didn't seem to fit. The opulent shower forced into the utilitarian sparseness of the emergency base.
She stripped down and entered the water. The hot water felt so good beating down on her body. It had been a long day. Securing her home in Malibu. Meeting Clete and Frank. Navigating L.A. traffic worsened by people trying to flee the city, and then finally getting on the plane back here.
She became lost in the good feeling of the shower. She never noticed that the main door of the quarters creaked open.
The Governor was in a shirt and khakis. He long since ditched the tie. It had been a long day among a string of long days. It had also been a shocking day. The country was at war abroad, and he hoped the war wouldn't be brought home.
His ears perked up as he heard the shower. He looked and glanced at the black lace negligee on his bed. He closed his eyes imagined her. He began to smile. "Thanks BARNSTORMER. Thanks JARHEAD," he thought.
She didn't notice him walking toward the shower. He noticed the silhouette obscured by the foggy glass of the shower.
She reached for the towel, not realizing that it was handed to her.
She opened the door of the shower.."YIPE!!!!!! BOB!!!!!!"
The Governor chuckled.."Sorry, honey."
"You scared the shit out of me, PEGLEG."
"How did you...."
"JARHEAD AND BARNSTORMER said that we have to play spies on the network, so we all have code names." She said. "By the way, who thought of mine?"
The Governor blushed, "I did"
"You could have thought of something a bit more sexy than 'THESPIAN'."
The Governor caressed her soft face. "You are sexy with any name."
As she felt his strong touch, she began to slyly unbutton his shirt.
"I think I missed a spot," she beckoned. "Care to join me?"
Saturday Morning February 18, 1984. Dana's Garage and Speedworks/Leigh, Nebraska
A Chevy, an Oldsmobile and three guys at a small garage. If there wasn't a war on, this would be a fun morning of big boys playing some high horsepower toys.
"Rick and Ed where helping the host take out an engine. Dana is a wiry man with a serious brunette mullet. His gait and his style say two things. "Redneck" and "Racer".
"You got a lot of racing parts around here man," Ed said.
Dana was studying Ed, "It what I do. I built dirt track cars. I was looking forward to a big season, before all this shit happened."
Ed was impressed, "You have some good iron here."
"Thank you," Dana said. "Glad you approve."
"Now where did you learn how to make some ethanol?" Ed said.
"Actually, you can thank my wife for that," Dana said. "She's the chemist. I'm the mechanical engineer."
Ed was taken aback a little. He didn't quite expect a small town gear head with a degree in mechanical sciences.
"Yeah," Dana smiled. "Small town gearhead boy like me in college with the eggheads. I did my time in Southeast Asia, came back and went to school. Butler University in Indiana. Studied mechanical engineering, after that I knocked around. I got into racing up there. Had a dream of being in the Indy 500."
"I didn't know that Dana," Rick said. "What happened."
"What happens to a lot of good drivers. Lack of money. If you don't have money it doesn't matter if you are Mario Andretti, you walk," Dana said.
"I did some mechanic work with some teams, and that is where I met my wife."
"DANN-ER," say said in a harsh accent not native to Nebraska, "The next batch is just about ready heah."
She walked into the garage. She wore glasses and had an elfin figure. She was pretty in an efficient sort of way.
"Oh good, more pistonheads," she said. "Hello guys, I'm Madeline. You can call me Maddie fah shahrt."
"I can tell by that accent you are not from around here," Ed said.
"I could say the same thing about you, sir," Maddie said.
"I'm from Arkansas."
"My Gahd," Maddie said. "You are a bigger hick than Dana, but again I shouldn't talk too loudly. Fitchburg, Massachusetts isn't exactly Boston.
"Massachusetts?" Ed blanched. "You are a long way from home, ma'am."
"Yeah I am," She nuzzled against Dana, "But I loved this guy since I met him, and I'm happy."
"So what an East Coast girl doing with a dirt tracker anyway," Rick said. "I've always wanted to know."
"I may have gone to Boston U," Maddie said. "But I'm a dirt tracker myself. Ever hear of Ronnie Bouchard?"
"My son probably does," Ed said. "My son's into car racing."
"He was NASCAR rookie of the year a couple of years back. Hell, I grew up next door to him, saw him race and I got hooked."
Dana was taken aback a little too, "You said your son is into car racing?"
"Yeah," Ed said. "And I did a little racing myself. Drag racing."
Dana looked at the engine from Ed's Chevy. "Yeah, I can see that drag experience. You bored out these pistons a little more. Get some more bang, eh?"
"Just a little bit,"
"Problem is I have to do a little more to get the car ready for corn gas is all," Dana said. "I'm going to add some things that can better stave off the corrosive things corn gas does to hoses and intakes. That's a down side. But corn gas burns cleaner, high specific output and it'll stretch our gasoline supplies a little bit. Of course the mileage isn't be great, but that the trade-off."
"It the paradox of the end of the world," Maddie said. "All the little fuel efficient cars? We have to do so much work to get them ready for what roads could look like after the bombs. Big ol' redneck iron like these big cars. They are already built to take punishment."
Ed studied another car...It had a geiger counter in it.
"I've been dabbling with an idea to hook up a radiation monitor to the wiring system of the car. Let the battery of the car power the geiger counter. It would save on batteries for sure, but I can't get it work without spiking the whole eletrical system."
"Hmm," Ed looked at it.
"You know anything about that?" Maddie asked.
Ed was deep in thought. He mapping out where the possible problem is.
"Do you have a voltmeter and wire cutter and a solder gun?" Ed asked. "I see the problem. I can fix this and cut the power drain by a fourth."
Dana smiled, "The Sheriff was right about you."
"Oh," Ed said.
"Talk to him yesterday. You know this is a small county, brother. People talk.
"Oh what do they say?" Ed said.
"Well people are worried about refugees and such," Dana said. "But the way I see it, if good people are willing pitch in I say lets find as many places for 'em as we can. I'm going to be sure to have that known at the meeting tonight."
"Meeting?" Rick asked.
"Yeah, the meeting," Maddie said. "The Sheriff called for a meeting at the high school in Schuyler as many people as can show up. I hear that there's a Civil Defense person from Omaha over in Howells. He will be at the meeting tonight. Sheriff says he has some information.
"That's the guy bringing his car in today, right Mads,"
"I think so," Maddie said.
Just then a car approaches the garage. A car that seemed out of place with the Detroit steel parked around it.
"I think that's the guy," Maddie said. "He said he had an Audi."
Dana looked at the car and whistled. "How the hell did he get that car here? German spec Audi quattro? You can't buy those in America.
Ed recognized the guy. "I know that man," he said.
The stranger walked in. "I'm looking for Dana."
"That's me, sir," Dana said. "That's nice car, son. How did you get a European-spec Coupe Quattro over here."
"Good buddy of mine at Omaha Imports," the stranger said. He then turned his head, and he immediately recognized Chip's dad.
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?" the stranger said.
All eyes turned to Ed. "Good to see you too, coach," Ed said.
Walt smiled wide. "Good to see a familiar face! How are you and the wife...and how is Chip?"
"We're all just scared, coach."
"So am i," Walt said. "Didn't get much sleep last night. "Neither did my wife or the kids."
"Have you heard anything new?" Dana said.
Walt frowned, "Damn Soviets are still pushing us back in West Germany."
"But there is some good news," Walt said. "A whole Cuban naval force got sunk trying to mess with Mexico and Texas. The Russians are running out of the Persian Gulf and Israeli troops are marching into Syria."
The're running out?" Maddie said.
"Yes," Walt said. "The newspeople say the Navy task force in the Persian Gulf is working the Reds over right now. The Navy is keeping us in the fight."
"Dear Lord I hope we can make them quit," Dana prayed.
The group of people talked some more as they got to work. For Walt, seeing Ed was a good tonic for his spirit, especially with the dire projections he'd have to give a worried room full of strangers later.
In the back of the minds of both these men, both fathers, was one thing:
"I know at least two little people who are going to be very happy at some point today."
to be continued.
Ronald Reagan's Address to the nation -- Friday February 17, 1984 -- 11:15pm Eastern Standard Time.
State of Nebraska C-21A...somewhere over Utah. 9:15pm Mountain Standard Time.
"Damn," JARHEAD said. "Semper Fi."
BARNSTORMER was at the controls of the plane blankly. He could see fighter jets streaking south in the distance. "Things got started fast," he said somberly. "Should we wake her and tell her?"
"No, Clete, let her sleep while she can. I don't think much of America is getting any sleep tonight."
"Unidentified aircraft on heading 0-8-7...This is Hill AFB Control to unidentified aircraft...please acknowledge.
Clete answered, "Hill Control, this is Husker 2-1 Alpha...over.
"Husker 2-1, Alpha...further identification requested....
Clete saw two F-16s flanking him. They came up fast...
"Hill Control,This is Husker 2-1...Nebraska Air National Guard..carrying supplies and personnel over...
"Huskers 2-1, This is Falcon 3-7...You are in restricted airspace. We will escort you to a new heading."
Clete answered, "Since when has this been restricted, Falcon 3-7? I've flown this route many times. Why restricted?"
Hill Control responded, "I guess you Cornhuskers haven't heard the poop yet?
"What poop, Control?"
"NCA has initiated DEFCON 1 as of 0515 ZULU."
Frank got on the radio, "Hill Control. Just heard the President call the ball on our radio. Damn shame."
"Affirmative," the controller said somberly. "Warsaw Pact forces invaded West Germany around 0430 ZULU. The F-16s will escort you out toward Colorado."
"Sirs," Frank asked. "We saw some F-16s scramble south in a damn hurry. Are the Russians trying something here."
"Negative," Hill Control said. "Cubans are encrouching on Mexico in the Gulf."
Falcon 3-7 chimed in, "After I'm done playing prom date to you I head there, too,"
"What about civilian air traffic?" Clete asked.
"Not sure," the controller replied. "They haven't said anything about that yet.."
Rick's Farm -- outside Schuyler, Nebraska -- 11:00pm Central Standard Time
The rapid Soviet mechanized advance has Allied forces retreating to pre-arranged points of defense in West Germany. "
Soviet troops have landed on the coast of Denmark..
There are unconfirmed reports that anti-government forces in Estonia have exploded a truck bomb near the offices of the Estonia SSR politburo in Tallinn.
Early this morning, we have reports that the evacuation of Moscow has been ordered.
A daring pre-down raid by the Israeli Air Forces in retaliation for Syrian incursion into the Golan Heights.
U.S. and Soviet naval vessels at this hour are in heavy fighting in the Persion Gulf. Warplanes from the USS Kitty Hawk have destroyed a Soviet battleship...
The news bulletins continued to come. CNN was a televised ticker tape of the war. Chip was glued to the TV set numbly. He was hoping to hear any information about Tony. He was afraid..He was watching alone.
Denny, Mark, Ira and Cricket, being a little older, grouped together. Brett was with them. The younger kid hanging out with the big boys.
Rhonda's neice Lyndsey was the older girl. She was with her little cousin Kate and her younger sister Jennie in their loft.
The adults were in the kitchen. Rick and Ed discussing what would they do next. Rhonda was with her sister Meg and Meg's husband Kevin. Gail was apart from them and not happy.
"Why do we need to mess with my car?" Gail asked. She was pissed.
"Honey we've been through this," Ed said. "We we came here we said we have to share and share the big things alike."
Rick agreed, "Gail, we have to make modifications on the cars so that they can run on corn gas. There may not be a lot of straight gasoline left if things get bad. My buddy Dana is the best fabricator around and he makes corn gas."
"Well fine, MESS WITH YOUR CAR," Gail hissed. "But that is MY car. Ed you need to talk to your friend."
Rhonda rolled her eyes. Meg just verbalized the feeling, "Told you, Rick. Whenever you bring those people into anything. They have to fuss."
Gail didn't appreciate Meg's tone, nor her words. "Excuse me?"
Meg looked at Gail hard, "I didn't stutter."
Gail walked near Meg. That look was in her eye. Ed knew it. Ed moved in quickly to hold his wife from taking a good swing at Meg.
"Gail...NO!" Ed said standing in between the two."
"My wife has a point, Rick," Kevin said. "Stick to your tribe."
Rick looked at Kevin like her was from Mars. "Big as a damn house and completely owned by that snot," Rick thought. Needless to say, Rick doesn't really like his wife's sister.
Ed tried to calm down his wife, and then turned to both Kevin and Meg. "Okay," he said calmly. "You know ever seen you got here. You've seemed to have a problem with me and my wife. I'd like to know what the problem is."
Meg answered back, "Because your wife complains all the damn time. What did I expect its what you people do. I just don't like your kind of people."
Ed smiled. "You mean you don't like people from Arkansas? WOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!," he joked.
Gail got more agitated. She never understood how her husband laughs at people's bias and bigotry. For Ed, who spent a lot of summers in his early years of his life in rural Arkansas, nothing Meg could say could compare to living in the Jim Crow south.
"Meg," Rick said with irritation. "Just when I think you couldn't get dumber.."
"Cool down, brother," Ed told Rick. "Let me take care of this."
Ed look at Meg and Kevin hard. Kevin objected immediately as he sized Ed up. Kevin figured his size could intimidate the smaller man before him. "I don't like you looking at my wife in that tone of voice," Kevin said.
Ed was calm, "I don't appreciate the tone of voice your wife has taken with anybody since you've arrived."
"I ask you both again," Ed continued. "What's the issue here? Whatever your problem with me or my family is, lets get to the bottom of this. Because we don't have time for any bullshit."
Rhonda looked at Meg with the expression, "Drop It."
But Meg wouldn't. "This isn't worth a Federal Case here,"
"I'll disagree," Ed said. "So I ask again. What is the issue here?"
Kevin wanted to say something smart, but he remember what Rick said. 'If you have a problem with my friend and his family, let it be known if it comes down to you or him...I'll pick Ed every time.'
"I understand what's going on," Ed said. "I just would like you to have the guts to articulate it for yourself. How you feel about me means very little. I have at least eight priorities a helluva lot greater than your personal problem.
Ed looked hard at them both, "Those priorities are Chip....Ira, Mark, Cricket, Denny, Brett, Kate...and Lyndsey and Jennie. Those kids are the people I must protect. And I know Rick feels that way...and I'd hope Kevin you would as well. If you are a man, I'd expect you to."
"So I ask again," Ed said curtly, "What is your problem."
Meg was beet red. Embarrassed. "I just don't...," she sputtered. "I don't care much for black people.."
Ed smiled. "I appreciate your honesty, Meg. Now from here forward, I suggest you keep that opinion to yourself and perhaps maybe ask the Lord to help heal your heart. The things we may have to deal with in the times ahead will force you consider doing both."
BASE FOXTROT -- Midnight Central Standard Time Saturday February 18, 1984
"The Air National Guard crew secured the weapons. The Stingers and RPGs would help defend some key real estate. Frank and Clete where still in their flightsuits, as was the "co-pilot", who was also toting an M-16 to add to the disguise. No one raised an eyebrow. No one noticed. It was nothing more than a weapons run.
They drove away in an unmarked car. A short ride on Highway 81 South to an unmapped dirt road. The winding round took them to the forward gate, where National Guard was waiting.
The guard checked the IDs, including the ones made for THESPIAN.
"Day word" The guard asked.
JARHEAD answered, "Magenta."
"Action word"
"Scarlet Goodspeed."
"Welcome back, gentlemen." The guard said as he waved them through.
BASE ALPHA/Main briefing room -- same time
Good Morning Nebraska...It is 12:30am Saturday February 18, 1984. This is Nebraska Public Radio. All overnight programming will be preempted to give you continued coverage of events in Europe. At this hour NATO allied forces are retreating to "fixed defensive positions" In the wake of a sharp Soviet offensive which started shortly after the Soviet deadline passed..Rapid mechanized and advance of Soviet troops was coupled with an attempting landed of Soviet forces on the North German coast and a simultaneous landing off the coast of Denmark.
"In West Berlin, the Allied garrisons are battling East German and Soviet army units to what an American Commander called, "the worst urban stalemate since World War II."
The Chief of staff pointed to the slides on the wall. "We have states of high readiness in North Platte, Hastings and Kearney. Grand Island and Norfolk say they can be ready by noon tomorrow. Food, fuel and medical supplies are arriving hourly to those main areas. We've also set up field centers and shelters near BASE HOTEL. All the hospital space in those area are prepared to take in casualties.
The Governor grimaced, "Columbus still wont budge. I spent two hours on the phone with the bastard. He wants to cordon off the city."
"Sir," the National Guard Commander said through the phone, "We have enough troops between the group outside the city and our platoon in Norfolk to take him down."
"Only as a last resort, commander," The Governor said. "We already have a war on. We don't need another here at home. What about Fremont?"
"Same situation," the Commander said. "We're massed just outside of the city with the Dodge County deputies. One thing we did occupy is the Hormel Plant. Fremont doesn't like it, but there's nothing they can do about it. If nothing else we can distribute some fine meat products."
"Men, I have a line on some additional intel on that problem," the State Patrol Superintendent joined in. "We've been getting messages from BASE HOTEL today. The FBI agent who was a part of the raid up there a few days ago is at HOTEL. He's been a real pain in the ass about talking to the Governor.
The weary Governor perked up, "If he's being a pain in the ass, he must have a message to send. Anyway to get this person here?"
"You say the word, sir. I'll work it out," the Commander said.
"Find this guy and tell him to bring every scrap of information he has."
The Governor looked at his Chief of Staff, "What's on the docket for tomorrow?"
"Sir," the Chief of Staff began, "Nebraska Public Radio and KFAB Omaha both want some time. I think it would be a good move, as would you going to one or two of the towns tomorrow.
"
"Absolutely NOT," the Governor said. "The last thing we need is to risk a succession crisis. I'm bunkered in here, and I'm not coming out unless we have peace in Europe or well after the missiles come. Doing some radio interviews? Fine, but we are not leaving here right now."
"The way I'm leaving if there is peace in Europe or well after those missiles come," the Governor said.
"If there is peace in Europe it could be one imposed by the Russians," the Commander said unhappily.
The Governor changed the subject, "I hear Mayor Boyle is considering the evacuation of Omaha."
"According to one of the television stations there, he may call for it, and then leave the "BASE GOLF" for BASE HOTEL," the Lieutenant Governor said.
"In some good news," the Lieutenant Governor continued. "We managed to get a 'Voice' you wanted. She only asked that she could take her fiance with her. And we could make sure some orphans got out."
The Commander chimed in, "Civil Air Patrol in Omaha he helping with that apparently. They dubbed it 'Operation Wednesday'. They are moving the kids out to Hastings apparently."
"You can bet JIMINY helped out with that," the Chief of Staff said.
I wish I had a JIMINY in every town that was part of the main government circle," the Governor lamented. "It would make things easier."
BASE ALPHA/The "Emergency Mansion" -- same time.
"Thanks for getting me here, boys," the Actress said to both Clete and Frank.
"Don't mention it," Frank said. "It's what PEGLEG wanted."
"PEGLEG?" She quizzed.
"Yep," Clete said. "The Governor's codename. Military discipline. No names on the network, and all that.
"Besides, I told him we should have done this a week ago," Frank said.
"You are sweet, both of you," the Actress said. "You must care about Bob a lot."
"The man is taking charge and making decisions," Frank answered. "Right now we need that, with all that's gone on,"
"What else happened?" the Actress said.
"While you were catching Z's in the jet, the Soviets were invading West Germany. We're at war," Clete said.
"War??" the Actress shrieked softly. "Not...nuclear..right?"
"No," Frank said. "Right now its conventional. I hope our boys can end this before it goes nuclear."
Frank smiled again, "But you don't worry about that. Get settled in...and maybe ma'am...look cute for the Governor if you feel like it. The man has been running on fear and work for more than 24 hours. All he's thought about today is us getting to you."
"I think I can complete this mission," the Actress said. "Goodnight, boys and thanks."
"Hey," Frank winked, "Don't be too naughty with our boy. He still has a job to do."
The Actress closed the door and looked around, "Deb," she thought. "You traded Rodeo Drive for...a bunker in the plains."
She felt she needed a shower, and she found it on the far end. Enclosed in soft glass, it didn't seem to fit. The opulent shower forced into the utilitarian sparseness of the emergency base.
She stripped down and entered the water. The hot water felt so good beating down on her body. It had been a long day. Securing her home in Malibu. Meeting Clete and Frank. Navigating L.A. traffic worsened by people trying to flee the city, and then finally getting on the plane back here.
She became lost in the good feeling of the shower. She never noticed that the main door of the quarters creaked open.
The Governor was in a shirt and khakis. He long since ditched the tie. It had been a long day among a string of long days. It had also been a shocking day. The country was at war abroad, and he hoped the war wouldn't be brought home.
His ears perked up as he heard the shower. He looked and glanced at the black lace negligee on his bed. He closed his eyes imagined her. He began to smile. "Thanks BARNSTORMER. Thanks JARHEAD," he thought.
She didn't notice him walking toward the shower. He noticed the silhouette obscured by the foggy glass of the shower.
She reached for the towel, not realizing that it was handed to her.
She opened the door of the shower.."YIPE!!!!!! BOB!!!!!!"
The Governor chuckled.."Sorry, honey."
"You scared the shit out of me, PEGLEG."
"How did you...."
"JARHEAD AND BARNSTORMER said that we have to play spies on the network, so we all have code names." She said. "By the way, who thought of mine?"
The Governor blushed, "I did"
"You could have thought of something a bit more sexy than 'THESPIAN'."
The Governor caressed her soft face. "You are sexy with any name."
As she felt his strong touch, she began to slyly unbutton his shirt.
"I think I missed a spot," she beckoned. "Care to join me?"
Saturday Morning February 18, 1984. Dana's Garage and Speedworks/Leigh, Nebraska
A Chevy, an Oldsmobile and three guys at a small garage. If there wasn't a war on, this would be a fun morning of big boys playing some high horsepower toys.
"Rick and Ed where helping the host take out an engine. Dana is a wiry man with a serious brunette mullet. His gait and his style say two things. "Redneck" and "Racer".
"You got a lot of racing parts around here man," Ed said.
Dana was studying Ed, "It what I do. I built dirt track cars. I was looking forward to a big season, before all this shit happened."
Ed was impressed, "You have some good iron here."
"Thank you," Dana said. "Glad you approve."
"Now where did you learn how to make some ethanol?" Ed said.
"Actually, you can thank my wife for that," Dana said. "She's the chemist. I'm the mechanical engineer."
Ed was taken aback a little. He didn't quite expect a small town gear head with a degree in mechanical sciences.
"Yeah," Dana smiled. "Small town gearhead boy like me in college with the eggheads. I did my time in Southeast Asia, came back and went to school. Butler University in Indiana. Studied mechanical engineering, after that I knocked around. I got into racing up there. Had a dream of being in the Indy 500."
"I didn't know that Dana," Rick said. "What happened."
"What happens to a lot of good drivers. Lack of money. If you don't have money it doesn't matter if you are Mario Andretti, you walk," Dana said.
"I did some mechanic work with some teams, and that is where I met my wife."
"DANN-ER," say said in a harsh accent not native to Nebraska, "The next batch is just about ready heah."
She walked into the garage. She wore glasses and had an elfin figure. She was pretty in an efficient sort of way.
"Oh good, more pistonheads," she said. "Hello guys, I'm Madeline. You can call me Maddie fah shahrt."
"I can tell by that accent you are not from around here," Ed said.
"I could say the same thing about you, sir," Maddie said.
"I'm from Arkansas."
"My Gahd," Maddie said. "You are a bigger hick than Dana, but again I shouldn't talk too loudly. Fitchburg, Massachusetts isn't exactly Boston.
"Massachusetts?" Ed blanched. "You are a long way from home, ma'am."
"Yeah I am," She nuzzled against Dana, "But I loved this guy since I met him, and I'm happy."
"So what an East Coast girl doing with a dirt tracker anyway," Rick said. "I've always wanted to know."
"I may have gone to Boston U," Maddie said. "But I'm a dirt tracker myself. Ever hear of Ronnie Bouchard?"
"My son probably does," Ed said. "My son's into car racing."
"He was NASCAR rookie of the year a couple of years back. Hell, I grew up next door to him, saw him race and I got hooked."
Dana was taken aback a little too, "You said your son is into car racing?"
"Yeah," Ed said. "And I did a little racing myself. Drag racing."
Dana looked at the engine from Ed's Chevy. "Yeah, I can see that drag experience. You bored out these pistons a little more. Get some more bang, eh?"
"Just a little bit,"
"Problem is I have to do a little more to get the car ready for corn gas is all," Dana said. "I'm going to add some things that can better stave off the corrosive things corn gas does to hoses and intakes. That's a down side. But corn gas burns cleaner, high specific output and it'll stretch our gasoline supplies a little bit. Of course the mileage isn't be great, but that the trade-off."
"It the paradox of the end of the world," Maddie said. "All the little fuel efficient cars? We have to do so much work to get them ready for what roads could look like after the bombs. Big ol' redneck iron like these big cars. They are already built to take punishment."
Ed studied another car...It had a geiger counter in it.
"I've been dabbling with an idea to hook up a radiation monitor to the wiring system of the car. Let the battery of the car power the geiger counter. It would save on batteries for sure, but I can't get it work without spiking the whole eletrical system."
"Hmm," Ed looked at it.
"You know anything about that?" Maddie asked.
Ed was deep in thought. He mapping out where the possible problem is.
"Do you have a voltmeter and wire cutter and a solder gun?" Ed asked. "I see the problem. I can fix this and cut the power drain by a fourth."
Dana smiled, "The Sheriff was right about you."
"Oh," Ed said.
"Talk to him yesterday. You know this is a small county, brother. People talk.
"Oh what do they say?" Ed said.
"Well people are worried about refugees and such," Dana said. "But the way I see it, if good people are willing pitch in I say lets find as many places for 'em as we can. I'm going to be sure to have that known at the meeting tonight."
"Meeting?" Rick asked.
"Yeah, the meeting," Maddie said. "The Sheriff called for a meeting at the high school in Schuyler as many people as can show up. I hear that there's a Civil Defense person from Omaha over in Howells. He will be at the meeting tonight. Sheriff says he has some information.
"That's the guy bringing his car in today, right Mads,"
"I think so," Maddie said.
Just then a car approaches the garage. A car that seemed out of place with the Detroit steel parked around it.
"I think that's the guy," Maddie said. "He said he had an Audi."
Dana looked at the car and whistled. "How the hell did he get that car here? German spec Audi quattro? You can't buy those in America.
Ed recognized the guy. "I know that man," he said.
The stranger walked in. "I'm looking for Dana."
"That's me, sir," Dana said. "That's nice car, son. How did you get a European-spec Coupe Quattro over here."
"Good buddy of mine at Omaha Imports," the stranger said. He then turned his head, and he immediately recognized Chip's dad.
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?" the stranger said.
All eyes turned to Ed. "Good to see you too, coach," Ed said.
Walt smiled wide. "Good to see a familiar face! How are you and the wife...and how is Chip?"
"We're all just scared, coach."
"So am i," Walt said. "Didn't get much sleep last night. "Neither did my wife or the kids."
"Have you heard anything new?" Dana said.
Walt frowned, "Damn Soviets are still pushing us back in West Germany."
"But there is some good news," Walt said. "A whole Cuban naval force got sunk trying to mess with Mexico and Texas. The Russians are running out of the Persian Gulf and Israeli troops are marching into Syria."
The're running out?" Maddie said.
"Yes," Walt said. "The newspeople say the Navy task force in the Persian Gulf is working the Reds over right now. The Navy is keeping us in the fight."
"Dear Lord I hope we can make them quit," Dana prayed.
The group of people talked some more as they got to work. For Walt, seeing Ed was a good tonic for his spirit, especially with the dire projections he'd have to give a worried room full of strangers later.
In the back of the minds of both these men, both fathers, was one thing:
"I know at least two little people who are going to be very happy at some point today."
to be continued.
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It looks like the Soviets are being smart, evacuating Moscow (does that also mean Lenningrad and Stalingrad ahem Vogolgrad?). I wonder how far they will get before the bombs hit...
I love this. Chuch Norris couldn't have put it better.
Chipperback, either you are obsessed with the topic or someone pays you for writnig this TL! It is hard to follow you in time and I only have to read....
Orville_third
Banned
I'm about to head to work so I can't send more CAP stuff now, but I hope to this afternoon. This is a great story and I'm happy to help even if it's in a small way.
Another excellent and well written installment Chipperback!
There is one small detail that I've noticed is absent from your story (or maybe I've just missed it) and that is how cold, icey and snowy it can be in the midwest during January & February and the weather's impact on transportation and human interaction. I guess I'm just looking for some seasonal context. I hope that this feedback is helpful.
There is one small detail that I've noticed is absent from your story (or maybe I've just missed it) and that is how cold, icey and snowy it can be in the midwest during January & February and the weather's impact on transportation and human interaction. I guess I'm just looking for some seasonal context. I hope that this feedback is helpful.
Not sure reading this while listening to parliamentary debate on the Fukashima disaster is a sane plan lol.
1. It's fun to do and a great stress reliever from work
2. I'm trying to catch up to the other timelines. I started from behind, so I'm playing catch up.
Most years this would be a factor, but February 1984 was a bit different. After a rough, cold December and January. We had periods of near spring- like weather in East Central Nebraska. Thus a lot of tundra of January was gone in a lot of areas by the middle of February. I remember being able to get track practice going by the middle of that month.
Of course, a lot of that is going to change in a few days time.
Coming up next -- We're going to look in on Tony and his mates. Jack Bauer-style
I know what you mean. Still- impressive.
However, WW3 as a stress reliever. I am happy we have come to this.
The guys in Germany are going to be exhausted. Constant combat on a 24/7 basis, with the only pieces of respite torn to bits by artillery barrages or having to maneuver to contain a breach.
Going from Protect and Survive, it seems the Soviet Front* commander released his Operational Maneuver Group (OMG) following the breakthrough against the French south of Stuttgart. This is a reserve maneuver formation made explicitly to exploit gaps such as those in the TL, and once the OMG starts moving, the only thing stopping the Warsaw Pact is the nuclear option.
In all likely hood, the OMG would move as three mutually supporting spearheads: one to cut off the Americans in Stuttgart, one to thrust north to the channel and cut off the British, Dutch, and West German formations on the North German Plain (not to mention capturing NATO's main supply ports), and the last would make for the Rhine to secure a bridgehead for further offensives.
Of course, NATO's usage of nukes would FUBAR that move.
*On that note, the Soviet war plans envisioned that, upon the outbreak of war, the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany would split into two Western Fronts (one in the north and one in the south), with the GSFG's headquarters taking over the southern front. Both of these fronts would have their own OMGs. Despite what Red Storm Rising says, the commanders of these fronts do not need the STAVKAs permission to commit their OMGs outside of the original plan. As the Operational Commanders on the spot, they are the ones with all the information needed to make the decision. The Southern Front commander would likely need STAVKA's permission to send his second spearhead (the one aimed at the channel) all the up there, as that move would require crossing previously established Front boundries, but as STAVKA is unlikely to deny that request he would likely order that spearhead in that direction then make the STAVKA request.
Going from Protect and Survive, it seems the Soviet Front* commander released his Operational Maneuver Group (OMG) following the breakthrough against the French south of Stuttgart. This is a reserve maneuver formation made explicitly to exploit gaps such as those in the TL, and once the OMG starts moving, the only thing stopping the Warsaw Pact is the nuclear option.
In all likely hood, the OMG would move as three mutually supporting spearheads: one to cut off the Americans in Stuttgart, one to thrust north to the channel and cut off the British, Dutch, and West German formations on the North German Plain (not to mention capturing NATO's main supply ports), and the last would make for the Rhine to secure a bridgehead for further offensives.
Of course, NATO's usage of nukes would FUBAR that move.
*On that note, the Soviet war plans envisioned that, upon the outbreak of war, the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany would split into two Western Fronts (one in the north and one in the south), with the GSFG's headquarters taking over the southern front. Both of these fronts would have their own OMGs. Despite what Red Storm Rising says, the commanders of these fronts do not need the STAVKAs permission to commit their OMGs outside of the original plan. As the Operational Commanders on the spot, they are the ones with all the information needed to make the decision. The Southern Front commander would likely need STAVKA's permission to send his second spearhead (the one aimed at the channel) all the up there, as that move would require crossing previously established Front boundries, but as STAVKA is unlikely to deny that request he would likely order that spearhead in that direction then make the STAVKA request.
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I've read a lot of nuclear war books in the early 1980s, and a lot of them had the Soviets as evil occupiers who occupy America after they win the nuclear war.
That is...b*******, given how many ICBMs both sides had. In addition, in the Protect and Survive universe, things seemed to spiral out of control (on both ends) in the events leading to war, which is more believable, IMO.
Can't wait for the next update.
That is...b*******, given how many ICBMs both sides had. In addition, in the Protect and Survive universe, things seemed to spiral out of control (on both ends) in the events leading to war, which is more believable, IMO.
Can't wait for the next update.