A few men laughed politely.

Scott Lansdale asked, “Why two lists?”

Wolffer explained, “There are two possible retaliatory responses under the Wild Fire plan. The A-list is always included, and the B-list is added, depending on the level and type of terrorist attack on America. For instance, if the attack is biological or chemical, then only the A-list targets will be destroyed. If the attack is nuclear, and it destroys one or more American cities, then the B-list is added to the retaliatory response-without debate.”

Madox said, “Well, we know the attack on America will be nuclear, because we’re the ones setting off the bombs.”

There was silence in the room, then Paul Dunn said, “Bain, you don’t have to sound so enthusiastic about it.”

“Sorry, Paul. But this isn’t a polite meeting of the National Security Council. Here, we can actually say what we’re thinking.”

Paul Dunn didn’t reply, and Wolffer continued, “There has always been some concern about the level of radioactive fallout as well as climatic changes… thus, the existence of a primary list and a supplementary list. Plus, of course, not all Islamic countries are harboring terrorists, or are unfriendly to the U.S. But Wild Fire removes much of that debate by calibrating the response to the nature of the attack on the U.S. So, if a chemical or biological weapon killed only, say, twenty thousand people in New York or Washington, then our response would be to take out only the sixty-two targets on the A-list.” He added, “We don’t want to appear to have overreacted.”

Landsdale laughed at the absurdity of that statement, but no one else seemed to see the humor.

Wolffer went on, “As of today, both lists together total one hundred twenty-two targets. We would expect initial casualties of about two hundred million people, and probably another hundred million dead within six months as the radiation takes its toll.” He added in a matter-of-fact tone, “After that, it’s hard to gauge the effects of disease, exposure, starvation, suicide, civil strife, and so forth.”

No one commented.

Ed Wolffer said, “The people who created Wild Fire understood that it was necessary to ensure that any future president, and his administration, did not have to make any strategic or moral choices. If X happens, we respond with List A. If Y happens, we add List B. Simple.”

Harry Muller turned away from the illuminated map and looked at the four men on either side of the table. In the reflected light from the monitor, these four guys, who had seemed a little nervous a half hour ago, now seemed pretty calm. It was like, Okay, it’s here. Pay attention and get on with it.

He glanced at Madox, who was staring at the TV monitor, and saw that Madox had this weird grin on his face, like he was watching a skin flick. Madox caught Harry’s eye and winked at him.

Harry turned around in his seat and stared at the screen. Jesus Christ Almighty. This is real. God help us.

Wolffer continued, “Wild Fire is simply a version of MAD. Actually, Wild Fire was proposed, developed, and put in place by a group of old Cold War warriors during the Reagan administration.”

He stayed silent a moment, then said in a reverential tone, “These were men with balls. They stood eyeball to eyeball with the Soviets, and the other guys blinked first. They have passed on to us a great lesson and a great legacy. To be worthy of these men who have given us a world free of Soviet terror, we need to do to Islamic terrorists what these Cold War warriors were prepared to do to the Soviet Union.”

Again, there was silence in the room, then General Hawkins noted, “The Russians, at least, had some honor and a healthy fear of death, and it would have been a shame to destroy their cities and their people. These other bastards-the Islamics-deserve everything they’re going to get.”

Madox said to Edward Wolffer, “Tell us what they’re going to get.”

Wolffer cleared his throat and said, “What they’re going to get is one hundred twenty-two nuclear warheads of varying kilotons, delivered primarily from Ohio-class nuclear submarines stationed in the Indian Ocean-plus, some ICBMs fired from North America.” He added, “The Russians will be notified, as a courtesy and a precaution, about a minute before launch.”

General Hawkins informed everyone, “These warheads represent a very small percentage of our arsenal. There will be thousands of warheads left, if we need them for a second strike on Islam, or if the Russians or Chinese get any stupid ideas.”

Wolffer nodded, then continued, “Included on the A-list are almost all the capital cities of the Mideast-Cairo, Damascus, Amman, Baghdad, Tehran, Islamabad, Riyadh, and so forth-plus other major cities, known terrorist training camps, and all military installations.”

He glanced at his notes and said, “Originally, Mogadishu in Somalia was on the B-list, but since Black Hawk Down, it’s moved to the A-list to avenge that shameful debacle. Same with the port city of Aden in Yemen-the USS Cole will also be avenged.”

Madox commented, “I’m glad this list has kept up with the changing times. We have a lot of payback to accomplish.”

Wolffer replied, “Indeed, we do. But as much as we’d like to avenge the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, that capital city is not on the list. Half the population is Christian, and Beirut will become a bridgehead for us into the new, improved Middle East. Note, too, that Israel will no longer be surrounded by enemies-it will be surrounded by wasteland.”

Landsdale asked, “Do the Israelis know about Wild Fire?”

Wolffer replied, “They know what our enemies know. It was presented to them as a possibility. They’re not too thrilled with the thought of being covered with radioactive dust, but they have good civil defense programs in place, and they can ride it out until the air clears.”

Scott Landsdale inquired with a smile, “Ed, do you think I should book an Easter trip to the Holy Land?”

Wolffer responded, “We’re talking about a whole New World, Scott. A world where airport security will return to the level of the 1960s. A world where your family and friends can once again see you off at the gate, and where luggage lockers are not a thing of the past. A world where every airline passenger is not treated as a potential terrorist, and where aircraft safety has to do with mechanical issues, not terrorists on board or shoe bombs. A world in which every American tourist or businessperson is not a potential terrorist target. In this New World, gentlemen, every American will be treated with courtesy, respect, and a little awe-the way our fathers and grandfathers were who liberated Europe and Asia from evil. So, yes, Scott, plan on going to the Holy Land for Easter. You’ll be treated well, and you won’t have to worry about suicide bombers in crowded cafés.”

The room was quiet as Wolffer continued his briefing on the subject of holy sites. “The primary targets also include Muslim holy sites, such as Medina, Fallujah, Qum, and so forth. This alone will take the heart out of Islam. Their holiest site, Mecca, is to be spared-not out of any sensitivity to that religion but as a hostage city that will be destroyed if any surviving terrorists threaten or carry out a retaliation.” He concluded, “The governments in the Middle East know this and asked us to also spare Medina if the worst happens. Our answer was no.”

“Good answer,” said Madox. He added, “I’ve had a lot of unpleasant dealings with the Saudi royal family. Next week, they’re history, and the only good thing about that place-the oil under the sand-will be waiting for us.”

Edward Wolffer ignored that and continued, “The other Muslim holy site that will not be destroyed is, of course, Jerusalem, which we as Christians and also the Jews revere as our holiest site. We expect that, post-Wild Fire, the Israelis will kick the Muslims out of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and other Christian holy sites under their control. If they don’t, we will.”