“And another thing,” continued the President, “I judge that one more hard, knockout blow will force our adversaries back into their corner and leave us master of the battlefield. So, whether it is against America or another NATO nation, if the opportunity presents itself, you are to seize it. A few western deaths now will save many deaths in the future.” He turned to Gareyev, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, as he said this.

The general sat formally to attention, arms rigid by his sides, before responding. “Yes, Vladimir Vladimirovich. This is a sound military doctrine. We must seize our opportunity when we are presented with it.”

At that moment a staff officer came in, spoke quietly to Gareyev and placed a piece of paper in front of him. He read it and gave a small smile.

The President raised his eyebrows. “Tell us, Mikhail Nikolayevich . . .”

“Vladimir Vladimirovich, the new British super carrier, Queen Elizabeth, is preparing to leave Portsmouth. She will sail east up the English Channel with an amphibious task force. Our information is that she will be heading for the Baltic Sea. The task force is unsupported by maritime patrol aircraft and has woefully inadequate anti-submarine protection.”

The President grinned wolfishly and stood up.

“Watch them carefully and keep me updated. This may be our opportunity.”

2200 hours, Monday, May 22, 2017

Comprehensive Crisis Operations Management Center (CCOMC) SHAPE headquarters, Mons, Belgium

“I SEE THERE are no objections,” concluded NATO Secretary General Kostilek, looking round the North Atlantic Council table as he concluded yet another session called to consider the declaration of Article 5 in support of the Baltic states, the third meeting that day.

“The communiqué we have agreed activating Article Five in defense of the Baltic states will be released shortly. This has been a difficult process and I congratulate all members on the considered and statesmanlike way you have finally reached agreement, but in the face of the outrageous aggression against our Baltic states members, together with the direct attacks on the US Air Force in Latvia and the sinking of Eckernförde and Padstow, I would have expected no less. The Alliance now faces the test of conflict. While we have reached agreement on the fundamental principle of collective defense, that unity is now about to be tested as it has never been tested before. In the dark days which will no doubt lie ahead, I ask you all to remember that Alliance cohesion is the source of our strength and therefore critical to the successful resolution of this crisis. Not only will the survival of NATO depend on it, but peace in Europe will never be achieved without a strong alliance. Only if we remain resolutely united, will we liberate those member states whose sovereignty has been so brutally abused by the aggression of Russia. Our purpose is clear: the expulsion of Russia from the Baltic states.”