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Pauline said: ‘Am I the only person who’s worried about what’s happening in Chad?’ No one answered the question, of course. ‘It shows every sign of escalating,’ she went on. ‘Sudan has now asked its ally Egypt to send troops to help combat aggression by Chad.’
It was a formal meeting of the National Security Council, with the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of State, the Chief of Staff, and other key officials, plus their aides. Pauline had called them all in at seven o’clock in the morning. They were in the Cabinet Room, a long, high-ceilinged space with four large round-arched windows looking onto the West Colonnade. There was an oval mahogany conference table with twenty leather-upholstered chairs on a red carpet with gold stars. Up against both long walls were smaller chairs for aides. At the far end was a fireplace that was never used. A window was open, and Pauline could hear faintly the traffic on 15th Street, a soft sound like a wind in distant trees.
Chester Jackson, the Secretary of State, said: ‘The Egyptians haven’t yet agreed. They’re annoyed with the Sudanese for not supporting them over the building of that dam.’
‘They will agree, though,’ Pauline said. ‘The squabble about the dam is minor. Sudan is claiming it was invaded. They explain their defeat by saying it was a sneak attack across the border. It’s not true, but that doesn’t matter.’
Gus Blake, the National Security Advisor, said: ‘The president is right, Chess. Yesterday in Khartoum there were hysterical nationalist demonstrations against Chad.’
‘Demonstrations organized by the government, probably.’
‘True, but it tells us where they’re headed.’
‘Okay,’ said Chess. ‘You’re right.’
Pauline said: ‘And Chad has asked France to double its forces there. Don’t tell me France won’t help them. France is committed to protecting the territorial integrity of Chad and other allies in the Sahel. And there are a billion barrels of oil under the sand in Chad, much of which belongs to the French oil company Total. France doesn’t want to quarrel with Egypt, and may not want to send more troops to Chad, but I think they’ll have to.’
Chess said: ‘I see what you mean about escalation.’
‘Before long we will have French and Egyptian troops nose to nose across the Chad–Sudan border, each daring the other to shoot first.’
‘It looks that way.’
‘And it could get worse. Sudan and Egypt might ask China for reinforcements, and Beijing might comply – the Chinese are very serious about getting a foothold in Africa. Then France and Chad will ask the US for help. France is our ally in NATO, and we already have troops in Chad, so it becomes difficult for us to stay out of the fighting.’
‘That’s a big jump,’ said Chess.
‘But am I wrong?’
‘No, you’re not wrong.’
‘And at that point we’re on the brink of a superpower war.’
The room went quiet for a moment.
The memory of Munchkin Country popped into Pauline’s mind. It was like a nightmare that would not go away even after the dreamer woke up. She saw again the ranks of cots in the barracks, the five-million-gallon water tank, and the Situation Room with its lines of phones and screens. She was haunted by the thought that one day she might find herself living in that underground hideout, the only person who could save the human race. And if the apocalypse happened, it would be her fault. She was the most powerful person in the world. There would be no one else to blame.
And she had to make sure James Moore never became the one with that dreadful duty. Aggression was his default mode, and that was what his supporters liked. He pretended that no one could ever stand against America – forgetting Vietnam, Cuba, Nicaragua. He talked tough and it made his fans feel big. But violent talk led to violent action in the world just as it did in the school playground. A fool was just a fool, but a fool in the White House was the most dangerous person in the world.
She said: ‘Let me see if I can pour oil on the waters before they become too troubled.’ She turned to her Chief of Staff. ‘Jacqueline, schedule a call with the president of France, as soon as he’s available, but in any event before the end of the day.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘I must speak to the president of Egypt, too, but we need to lay some groundwork first. Chess, talk to the Saudi ambassador here – Prince Faisal, isn’t it?’
‘One of several Saudis called Prince Faisal, yes.’
‘Ask him to talk to the Egyptians and encourage them to listen to what I have to say to them. The Saudis are allies of Egypt and should have some influence.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘Maybe we can put a stop to this before they all get too angry.’ Pauline stood up, and everyone else followed suit. She said to Gus: ‘Walk with me as far as the Residence.’
He followed her out.
As they went along the West Colonnade he said: ‘You know, you were the only person in that room who perceived the extent of the danger. Everyone else was still seeing it as a little local fracas.’
Pauline nodded. He was right. That was why she was the boss. She said: ‘Thank you for sending me that eyewitness report of the battle at the refugee camp. It made vivid reading.’
