Hurley turns the lights back up and takes his place at the conference table. “Viktor Grozny’s nuclear deterrent summit was held weeks ago. So why would the leaders of four nations representing thirty eight percent of the nuclear weapons on this planet choose to meet in secrecy at this particular site?”

Secretary of Defense Dick Pryzstas leans back in his chair and brushes back his mop of white hair. “Admiral Gordon, would you share the information you and I spoke about earlier?”

The lanky admiral strikes a key on his laptop. “Our latest satellite surveillance indicates the Iranians have bolstered their military presence along the northern shores of the Persian Gulf. In addition to repositioning their Howitzers and mobile SAM sites, Iran recently purchased an additional forty-six Hudong-class patrol boats from China. Each of these vessels are equipped with C-802 antiship cruise missiles. The Iranians are also in the process of doubling their Chinese Silkworm missile sites along the coastline and, despite UN protests, have continued to fortify their surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile batteries on Qeshm, Abu Musa, and the Sirri islands. In essence, Iran is preparing to effectuate a gauntlet at the narrowest section of the Strait of Hormuz, an area only fifty kilometers wide.”

“The Iranians claim the military buildup is in preparation for Grozny’s military exercise in December,” Secretary of Defense Przystas states. “Of course, should hostilities break out in the Middle East, the Iranian gauntlet would prevent our fleet from accessing the Persian Gulf.”

“Not to add to the paranoia, but what about nukes?” General Costolo pushes back from the table. “The Israelis claim Grozny sold the Iranians sickle missiles with nuclear warheads when he helped negotiate the 2007 Middle East Peace Accord.”

Admiral Gordon turns to face Costolo. “Iran has the strength and geography to carve out a new domain for itself in the Middle East. If war broke out, Russia would be in a position to consolidate the Middle East as a hegemony.”

“Grozny certainly looks like he’s preparing for nuclear war,” Borgia states.

“Pierre, Russia’s been preparing for nuclear war for the last sixty years,” General Fecondo interrupts. “Let’s not forget that it was our own forging ahead to build a Missile Defense Shield that added to their own paranoia.”

“There may be one other hidden variable to consider, General,” the CIA director says. “NSA intercepted a communication between Russian Prime Minister Makashov and the Chinese Defense Minister. The conversation concerned some kind of new high-tech weapon.”

“What sort of weapon?” Pryztas asks.

“Fusion was mentioned, nothing more.”

Sanibel Island, West Coast of Florida.