Glushko laughed. “You have a suspicious mind, Sergei Sergeivich. I am
proposing that we stop working at cross-purposes. The Americans are our
enemies, and to defeat them we should learn to work together, no?”
“If you say so, Comrade Captain,” Terekhov responded reluctantly. “But
just what do you have in mind, beyond not making any accusations in our
reports on the action?”
Leaning back in his chair, Glushko smiled broadly. He hadn’t been sure
if Terekhov would be willing to sacrifice his self-righteous ideals for the
benefits of practical politics, but it had certainly been worth trying. And
it seemed the man wasn’t quite the idealist he appeared on the surface after
all.
“We can be an effective team, Terekhov, if we try. Hard though it is to
admit it, I recognize that you have a talent that the Rodina needs. A talent
that I frankly lack. My skill is in … effective human interaction. But I
have influence. Several of the political officers in the fleet are well
disposed toward me, and that gives me a measure of power that your talent
cannot alter. Work with me, Sergei Sergeivich, and together the two of us
will go far. Soyuz and his air wing hold the keys to the success of this
campaign, and with those keys we will unlock the door to power in the new
Union.”
He smiled again, hoping Terekhov would accept it as a sincere expression
of warmth. The younger officer would be a useful asset once he was put in
harness, and Glushko intended to exploit that asset for all he was worth.
They would defeat the Americans and finish the Norwegian campaign, and Glushko
would attract the notice of the Kremlin.
As for Terekhov … well, ambitious young fighter pilots were always at
risk. If Terekhov didn’t survive the campaign, there would be many solemn
mourners at his funeral. But Captain First Rank Glushko would not be one of
them.
1715 hours Zulu (1915 hours Zone)
The Kremlin
Moscow, RSFSR
Vladimir Nikolaivich Vorobyev studied the summary of Admiral Khenkin’s
report with a smile of cold satisfaction. Thanks to the initiative of Soviet
Naval Aviation, it seemed that the American carrier’s air wing had suffered a
major defeat while entering the Norwegian Sea. Coupled with the success at
Keflavik, that opened a window of opportunity in Norway. For the next few
days Western intervention would be next to impossible. Now was the time to
act.
Korotich!” he said, pressing a key on the intercom box on his crowded
desk. “My office. Now.”
Colonel Boris Ilyavich Korotich was Vorobyev’s senior aide, an
unimaginative but loyal officer who excelled at carrying out his master’s
wishes. He appeared at the door promptly, wearing the characteristic frown
that suggested he was afraid he had forgotten some crucial detail but at the
same time refused to accept any suggestion that he had failed. Korotich set
far harder standards for himself than any of his superiors. It was one reason
he made such an efficient aide.
“Yes, Comrade General?”
“Korotich, what is the current situation in Norway? The Bergen offensive
specifically.” Vorobyev knew it well enough, but he wanted to hear the words
aloud. It helped him focus on the strategic problem to hear someone else
present the data.
The aide’s frown deepened as he summoned the information from his
excellent, orderly memory. “Very little progress so far, sir. The 45th is
stalled in the mountains. A comparatively small force of partisans can delay
the advance significantly.”
“And there has been no further progress in suppressing their SAM
defenses?”
“The diversion of aerial resources to North Star has slowed the
operation, sir. However, the most recent report indicates that the air base
at Orland has been cleared and can be put back into operation. This will
allow the deployment of additional tactical air support, which in turn should
speed up the hunt for the enemy SAM emplacements.”
The Norwegians had been clever in their use of surface-to-air missiles.
A nearly impenetrable curtain of SAM fire had derailed the air strikes that
should have opened the way for the occupation of Bergen. Finding the SAM
batteries was a job on the same order as the American “Scud hunts” during
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