“I am satisfied, Mikhail Nikolayevich,” the President responded curtly. “Now for the War Cabinet.”

A door at the back of the bridge opened and there, standing around a circular table, stood the other members of the War Cabinet. On the walls were smaller screens showing the same maps and satellite images as in the main War Room. Flanking the screens were the same green curtains as in the President’s office in the Kremlin, also tied back with the same gold ropes. Behind the President’s chair there was only one decoration: the gold double-headed eagle of Russia on a red shield.

There was little need for discussion. The President turned to the Director of the FSB, Merkulov. As a former FSB head and KGB operative himself, the President never made a move without ensuring he was not underestimating his enemy.

“Lavrentiy Pavlovich, I am interested in two things. First, is the ground now prepared in Latvia? Second, can NATO respond?”

Komarov noted with approval how Merkulov came to the point immediately.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich, the answer to your first question is yes. The riots in Riga yesterday were the culmination of a long-running operation. The Latvian economy has been crippled over the past two years by a series of strikes. Our propaganda has sharpened discontent most satisfactorily among the Russian-speaking minority and polarized opinion among the Latvians themselves. The RNZS militia is trained, organized and ready. And, of course, yesterday’s killing of the three girls has led to strident calls by Russian speakers for Russian protection. The integrity of Latvia as a state has been thoroughly undermined. My judgment is that the time is now ripe for the next phase of the operation.”

“And the answer to my second question? What about the brigade the Americans have stationed across Eastern Europe on a rotational basis? I recall being briefed that this year we can expect a second brigade’s worth of vehicles? And, of course, Prime Minister Spencer of the UK surprised us a couple of years ago by committing Britain to two percent of GDP spent on defense. Has that made a difference?”