The Vaults of Heaven (AU)

[Poohbah]

18 December 2025
"Oval Office"
Presidential Business Suite
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Philadelphia, PA

It wasn't oval, but it was the President's main working office when he wasn't in the Situation Room, the hotel sub-basement PEOC, or evacuating to a Continuity of Government facility.

President Powell asked, "How close did we come to weapons release?"

National Security Advisior Vice Admiral Michael Mantell said, "About 13 degrees of azimuth and 2 minutes on the clock, Mr. President."

Powell grimaced. "Not good."

Army General Ray Teland, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, nodded.

Air Force General Carl Brothers said, "Sir, we generally advise our pilots not to look at nuclear airbursts with their remaining eye."

Teland said, "Damn it, Carl."

All four men in the room laughed.

Powell looked around the room and said, "I like the Victor Alert. It's not obvious, it looks like routine training, but professionals will know the score."

Mantell said, "Assuming Ayala is listening to the professionals, sir. That may or may not be the case. The professionals may not even be speaking up."

Powell said, "That's the problem. We're making logical, reasonable responses to the situation, and the Mexican government . . . isn't."

He fell silent for a moment, and everyone recognized his expression as one of pure concentration, juggling the political and military variables.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Ayala and friends may not be listening to the voices of reason, but we have to act as if he is. And if he isn't, I still can't think of a better move. Set the Victor Alert as briefed. And make sure all TACAIR units with a nuclear mission, even if it's just a collateral assignment, are doing loading drills."

* * *

19 December 2010
Special Weapons Loading Area
Mountain Home Air Force Base

The F-15E had been inspected by two men working together and given a clean bill of health.

Now the loading officer and the loading crew chief were going over the weapon checklist.

Lieutenant Charles Whitby said, "Verify weapon serial number."

Master Sergeant Ihaka looked at the serial number stenciled on the weapon and said, "P904."

Whitby checked the serial number himself, and then looked at the loading checklist. He put a check mark on that item and said, "Weapon serial number has been verified." He then said, "WARNING: If weapon Ready/Safe Switch is in Ready position, notify proper authority, and rotate Ready/Safe Switch to Safe position."

Ihaka said, "Warning noted."

* * *

Guru was watching outside the security perimeter with his wife Goalie, CC of the 366th TFW.

"I thank God we don't have to do that in the 419th."

Goalie sighed. "It's a pain in the ass. I always assume I'm one fuck-up away from relief for cause during these drills."

Kelly Ray asked, "When was the last time you did a nuclear training mission?"

"Back when I was Wing Ops at Seymour Johnson, getting checked out on the Beagle. Long time ago."

* * *

Whitby said, "Strike Enabling Plug Installed?"

Ihaka opened a panel on the side of the weapon, looked inside, and said, "Check." Whitby looked inside, then checked off the item.

They then verified the switch settings on the weapon against the checklist.

* * *

There was a knock on the door of the CO's office. A junior airman entered, placed a folder in the Inbox, and said, "Flash Yankee traffic, ma'am. And the Munitions Squadron says the B-83 loading exercise is complete."

Goalie said, "Thank you, Airman Rogers."

The airman left, shutting the door behind him.

Back in the CO's office, Goalie looked over the message from 12th Air Force. "Great. We owe the Big Kahuna four Victor Alert birds."

Guru sighed. "Lovely. What the hell is Ayala playing at?"

Kelly Ray said, "Nothing based in reality would be my guess."

Goalie nodded, then hit the intercom button for the Ops Officer. "Yo, Soup! You're gonna love this!"

Colonel Ken "Soup" Campbell said, "We just got a deployment to Australia instead of Baja?"

Goalie chuckled. "Nope. The 389th isn't deploying to Baja with us, they're standing Victor Alert, four birds, and they still have the Counter-SOF mission forthe northern Midgetman patrol boxes. Pass the good--or bad--news to Don Van Loan."

"Yes, ma'am."

[Matt Wiser]

Guru hasn't flown a nuclear training mission since his 4th TFW days. Goalie has, as part of the 366th, but for her? Twice a year. And 389th TFS is the Wing's main nuclear strike unit, and that tasking takes up about 60% of their training.

[jemhouston]

Curtis LeMay will be checking the wing. God has mercy, Curtis doesn't.