This somber reminder cooled the enthusiasm that the faultless briefing by Kawalchek had generated and put the G-4 planner on the spot. His plan would be the toughest to sell, for in it were some demands that Scott was sure would bring howls of protest from his fellow division commanders across the United States. “As the G-3 has already pointed out,” the logistics planner stated as he opened his briefing, “getting there is going to be the trick. We not only need to marshal the necessary men and machines, we also have to establish a logistics base that is both secure and accessible by land and air. Right now, we’re looking at Wendover, on the Nevada and Utah border.”

“How far will it be,” Poulengy asked, “from your division rear to Boise?”

The G-4 planner looked back at the map, then over to the Chief of Staff. “Just over five hundred kilometers by road, sir.”

“That’s quite a haul.”

“Yes, sir, ten hours one way for planning purposes. But everything about this operation,” the G-4 planner continued as he spread his arms out as if to encompass the entire map, “except the number of actual combat troops on the ground, is massive.”

“That seems to include,” Poulengy interrupted again as he glanced over the top of his glasses at a paper copy of the slides he had before him, “your requirement for heavy equipment transports.” He looked back up at the G-4 planner. “Do you really expect me to gut the rest of the Army of its entire inventory of HETTs to support this operation?”

Sensing this was time for him to intervene, Scott took up the question. “We have no choice. Given the political climate in several of the states and communities that we will be traversing, I am constrained by the need to move entire units as entities. While rail would be cheaper, especially for the movement of the tanks and Bradleys, one act of sabotage anywhere along the unguarded route could very well bring an end to my deployment. I’d have a gaggle of dismounted tankers and mech infantrymen standing on the border of Idaho armed with nothing but strong language and menacing glares. By putting troops on buses and their combat vehicles on HETTs I can move them along the same route together. If, God forbid, someone along the way decides to join the mayhem we’re suppose to be bringing to an end I will have the ability of fighting my way through.”

The ease with which that last statement rolled off Scott’s tongue and the look in his eyes sent a chill down Poulengy’s spine. Scott understood perfectly well what was going on and what could happen. Unlike the idiots in Washington who had let things get out of hand, Scott and his staff were prepared to take anything head on.