Chapter 10 Chapter 8 Change of Commander

This part of the service at Andrews Air Force Base was extremely brief; emerging from the church the coffin was carried in a hearse, leaving behind a large number of officials scattered along the Legation Road.Air Force One was waiting on the tarmac to fly the Doolings back to California one last time.Another honor procession was paying homage to the flag-draped coffin, this time with a smaller crowd, mostly Air Force personnel and other military personnel who had worked with the president.The actual burial was smaller and limited to relatives at the request of the family.And so Andrew Air Force Base played Boom and Cheers to the Leader one last time.Mark stood at attention, put his hands on his chest, in a pose that could be the cover of any news periodical.A good boy who did his best and was more manly than he could ever understand.An elevator lifted the coffin to the cargo door, where the rest of the journey will be tolerantly kept secret.It's time for the family to walk up the stairs into VC｜Twenty-Five (editor's note: an air force VIP airliner converted from a Boeing 747), ready to fly their last leg.It doesn't even have the Air Force One designation symbol, because that mark is with the president, who wasn't on board this time.Wren watched the plane rumble away from the runway.The camera lens follows it until it becomes a dot in the air, and Lane's eyes follow it too.Simultaneously, a group of F|Sixteens completed their security mission over Washington, landing one after the other.After the incident, Wren and his family boarded a Marine Corps helicopter and returned to the White House.

The White House staff had already started moving their stuff in (they had spent the morning trying to get Dooling's stuff out) and had changed some of the furniture.Tonight, his family will sleep in John.In this room that Adams first used. Since then, things have started to change.At a private family funeral, something comes to life.The grief has passed, the mourners will remember Roger as a great man, and they will talk about new events in their lives, the children's activities at school, and the post-season deals of baseball players.It was a way of bringing things back to normal after a day of sadness and stress.White House photographers were waiting on the South Lawn when the helicopter touched down.The ladder was lowered, and a Marine corporal stood below them.President Lane came out first, and a corporal in a navy blue uniform saluted him, and he mechanically returned the salute, which was learned and etched in his brain more than 20 years ago in Quantico, Virginia. inner.Kathy stepped down after him, and then the children.Secret Service operatives lined up in a loose corridor, which told them which way to go.The news media cameras were all far to the west to their left, but they didn't ask questions in the form of shouting.Ryan quickly took the elevator to the second floor of the White House, where the bedroom was located.Van Damme was waiting there.

Mr President. Have I changed, Arnie?Wren asked, handing the coat to a footman.He's president now, and in some ways he's automatically started to act like one.Somehow, that was more unexpected than the responsibility he had already assumed. no here.The Chief of Staff handed over a list of guests who had arrived in the East Wing downstairs.Ren stood in the middle of the hall and glanced around.These names do not so much refer to different people as they represent various countries. Many are friendly, many are familiar, some are purely unfamiliar, and some are not.Even once serving as national security adviser, he doesn't know everything he should know.While he was looking at the list, Kathy urged the kids to go to the bathroom; an operator from the guard had to help take them there.Ren walked into his room and straightened his appearance in front of the mirror.He did his best to do it himself, without the service of Ms Abbott, who was under Van Damme's supervision.Not even here is safe, the president told himself.

How long will it last, Arnie? Not sure, sir. Ren turned around.When the two of us are alone, my name is still Jack, remember?You are torturing me like this, not admiring me. All right, Jack. The same goes for the kids? Jack, you've been doing well so far. Is my speechwriter upset with me?he asked, checking his tie as he left the bathroom. Your instincts aren't bad, but next time we'll have a script ready. Ren thought for a while and returned the list to Van Damme.You know, just because I'm president doesn't mean I'm not a person anymore. Jack, try to get used to it, okay?You can't just be alone anymore.Well, you still have a few days to get used to it.When you walk down the stairs, you are America, not just a person.It's true for you, it's true for your wife, and it's true for your children to some extent.Regarding Ryan's thoughts, the chief of staff showed an unhappy expression for a second or two.Are you ready, Mr. President?

Ren nodded, not knowing whether Ani was right or wrong, and why his words angered him so much.You can't talk to Arnie about this, he's a teacher and going on. Don.Russell appears in the hallway holding Katie, who suddenly lets go and runs to her mother, with a red ribbon on her hair.Look at Uncle Tang tied this for me!At least one member of the Guard has become part of the family. You should probably send them to the bathroom, Mrs Wren.There is no restroom on the floor where state ceremonies are held. Not even one? Russell shook his head.No, ma'am, they seem to have overlooked that when they built the place.

Caroline.Ryan left with the two little ones, and came back a few minutes later. Shall I help you carry her downstairs, ma'am?Russell asked with a grandfatherly smile.It's not easy to walk up the stairs in high heels. OKEveryone goes to the stairs, Andrea.Price turned on her microphone. The swordsman and his entourage are walking from the residence to the ceremony hall. clear.Another operator replied from downstairs. Human voices were heard as they turned the last turn on the marble stairs.Russell put Katie on the ground and snuggled up to her mother.The operators retreated silently.The first family walked into the East Wing.

Ladies and gentlemen, a staff member announced, President of the United States Dr. Wren and family.All heads were turned.There was a brief burst of applause, but it died away.Still, people continue to watch.They were friendly enough, Rain thought, knowing that not all were as they seemed.He and Kathy moved slightly to the left and stood in the welcoming procession. They basically came one by one, although some visiting heads of state brought their wives with them.A protocol officer to Wren's left whispered everyone's name in his ear.Ren was curious about how she did it, how she could know everyone's name as soon as they met.The queue to him was not quite random, as it appeared; ambassadors representing various countries were gathering in small groups over drinks and, not hiding their professional curiosity, were scrutinizing the place. The new president and the way he greets his guests.

Belgian Prime Minister Arnard.the protocol officer whispered.The official photographer began to faithfully record every official social interaction, and the two television cameras, although quieter, were doing the same thing. Thank you very much for your telegram, Mr Prime Minister, it is well timed at this sensitive time.Wren said it was not known whether that fact was conveyed adequately, whether Anard actually read it, which he certainly did, although he may not have drafted it. What you said to the children was very touching, and I'm sure everyone here feels the same way.The Prime Minister replied, shaking Wren's hand, looking deeply into his eyes, and taking pleasure in his own skillful diplomatic rhetoric.He had read the telegram and thought it was all right, and Wren's reaction now made him even more satisfied.Belgium was an ally, and Anard was well briefed by his head of State Military Intelligence, who had worked with Wren at several NATO meetings, often admiring the Americans for the Soviets (now called the Russians).The gist of the briefing was that Wren's political leadership was unknown, but he was a brilliant and capable analyst.Anard himself was reading Ryan's handshakes, gazes, and years of experience.Then he walked forward.

Dr. Lane has long known his name.He kisses her hand in a very continental way.No one had yet told him how attractive the new First Lady was, or how beautiful her hands were. Thank you, Prime Minister Anad.Kathy replied that her own protocol officer (who was standing right behind her) had told her who the gentleman was.It was not bad, she thought, that these matters of etiquette were theatrical. Your children are angels. I'm so glad you said that.The Prime Minister of Belgium moved on and was replaced by the President of Mexico.The camera pans around the lobby, followed by fifteen reporters.The piano in the northeast corner of the hall plays classical light music, which is not the same as the relaxing music played on the radio, but it is similar.

How long have you known this president?That was the question posed by the Prime Minister of Kenya, who was delighted to spot a black naval officer in the hall. We have known each other for a long time, sir.Robert.Jackson replied. Robert!I'm sorry, Major General Jackson.the Prince of Wales corrected himself. Colonel.Jackson shook his hand warmly.Haven't seen you for a while, sir. You two know each other, ah!Yes!The Kenyan got it.He then saw the Prime Minister of Tanzania and went over to discuss business, leaving the two men where they were. How is he doing now, I mean how is he actually doing.asked the prince, vaguely making Jackson feel a little sad.But this man was on a mission, and Robert knew it was a political decision to send a friend, and when he got back to Her Majesty's embassy he would dictate a contact report, it was business.

Two days ago we had a short meeting with various acting heads of state, and we will have a working meeting tomorrow.Ryan is fine.The deputy director of the Operations Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided that he should say so.He had to say that Wren was now the highest commanding authority in the country, and Jackson's loyalty to him was a matter of law and honor, not just personal friendship. How is your wife?He looked at Xue Xi.Jackson and Sally.Ren asked where he was talking. He is still the second pianist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Who is the chief? Miklos.Dimi District, he is a master.Jackson explained that he felt it was inappropriate to ask anything about his own family at this point. You did a good job in the Pacific. Yes, but thankfully, we don't have to kill that many people.Jackson looked this near-friend in the eye, but that did stop the mess, you know? Can he handle the job, Robert!You know him better than I do. Colonel, he has to deal with the job.Jackson replied, looking over to his friend the Commander-in-Chief, who knew how much Wren loathed formal occasions.As he watched the new president enduring the endless queues, he couldn't help thinking back.It's been a long way since teaching history at a business school, Your Highness.whispered the Rear Admiral. For Casey.For Ryan, practicing protecting her hands is more important than anything else.Oddly enough, she knows more about the formalities of formal occasions than her husband.As John.A senior doctor at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, she has had to deal with numerous formal fundraisers over the years, which are essentially advanced forms of begging.She was often unhappy on such occasions, in which Ryan was mostly absent. Prime Minister of India.her protocol officer said quietly. Hello.The first lady greeted her with a smile, thankful that the other party's hand was so light. You must be very proud of your husband. I've always been proud of Jack.They are about the same height.Casey noticed that the prime minister had dark skin and eyes squinted behind glasses. And such lovely children.she added. That's great to hear from you.Kathy returned the mechanical smile again.The look in the man's eyes from up close told Kathy that there was something she didn't like.She's thinking she's better than me, but why?Because she is a politician and Caroline.Is Lane just a surgeon?Would it have been different if she had been a lawyer instead of a doctor?No, I'm afraid not, her mind went on, the way it does when a surgical procedure goes unexpectedly bad.No, not at all.Kathy let go of her hand when the next big shot came. The prime minister left the queue, walked up to the pacing waiter, and took a glass of juice.Now she is looking at the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China who has the same status as her.She raised her glass slightly and nodded without smiling.Her eyes send the necessary message without needing to smile. Do they really call you a swordsman?Prince Ali asked, his eyes shining. Yes, that's because of what you gave me.Ryan told him, thank you for flying here. My dear friend, you are being too outspoken in saying that.His Highness is not really the head of state, but Ali has taken over more and more of the kingdom since his monarch has been sick.He is now in charge of external relations and intelligence affairs, although there is a lot of work to do, but Ali is quite capable. You haven't met Kathy, have you? The prince averted his gaze and didn't see it.But I have seen your colleague Dr. Katz, who trained my ophthalmologist, and what a lucky man your husband is, Dr. Lane. Aren't Arabs considered callous, humorless, and disrespectful to women?Not this guy, Kathy asked himself.Prince Ali took her hand gracefully. Oh, then you must have seen Bernie, he was there in 1994.The Wilmer Center helped set up an eye institute in Riyadh, and Bernie spent five months there doing some clinical mentoring. He once operated on a cousin of mine who was injured in a plane crash.Are those your children? Yes, Your Highness.Caroline ranks this guy among the good ones. You don't mind if I go and talk to them? please.The prince nodded and left. Caroline.Ren, he thought, making notes in his own mind, possessed a high degree of wisdom, a high degree of insight and arrogance.If Ryan knew how to use her well, she would be a great asset to her husband.What a pity, he thought, that in his own culture women's abilities have not been effectively exploited, and that even if he were king, there would be so little change he could make under the best circumstances, his country still has a long way to go. way to go.Even so, he and Ryan still had a close friendship, so the relationship between the United States and the kingdom was extremely good.He went to the Lane family, and before he even got there, he saw what he needed.The children were a little overwhelmed by what was going on around them; the youngest daughter was the most relaxed, sipping a drink under the careful watchful eye of a Secret Service agent, and several wives of diplomats were trying to get along with her Talking like a kid her age, she's used to being patted on the head and stuff like that.The older son was the most disorientated, but that was normal for a lad his age, as he was just at the stage where he was no longer a kid, but not a man.Ryan's oldest child, Olivia, according to the briefing, but Sally, whom his father called her, was coping well for her preteen adolescence.What touched Prince Ali the most was that they were not used to these things, and their parents tried their best to protect them from the influence of Rennes' official life.They were spoiled to some extent, no doubt, but without the bored and haughty look of other children of this class.By watching children you can learn about their parents.After a while, he bent over Katie.At first she was taken aback by his unusual clothes (just two hours earlier Ali was terrified of frostbite), but after a while his gentle smile made her reach up to touch his beard.At this time, Don.Russell was standing a meter away, guarding like a big clumsy bear.He caught the operator's gaze first, and the two quickly looked at each other; he knew Casey.Ryan was also watching.What could be easier to get close to people than to show their children that you care?But it was more than that, in a written report to his ministers he warned them not to judge Wren from some of his clumsy speeches at the funeral, he was not the type to lead a country by convention, And that doesn't mean he's unfit for the job. But there are some who think so. Many in the hall thought so. Jane.Sister Baptiste tried her best to ignore it, tried her best not to think that the discomfort had become a real pain, hoping that it would fade away, like ailments.In fact, she fell down with malaria the first week she came to the country, and the disease has never really gone away.At first, she thought it was still malaria, but it wasn't.This terrified her; she often treated and comforted other patients, but never really understood their fears.This time, for the first time, she began to understand, because she knew what it was.She'd seen them before, but not often, and most of them never reached this level of severity.But Benedict.Mkosa has reached this level, there is no cure for this disease, and he will definitely not survive today.Had it been three days earlier, she would have sighed and consoled herself with the thought that another angel would appear in heaven.This time was different, and now she feared that there would be two angels in heaven.Jane.Sister Baptiste leaned against the door frame and thought: What has she done wrong?She is a caring nurse and she makes no mistakes. She had to leave the ward and walk down the hallway directly into the laboratory.As usual, Dr. Moody was so absorbed in his work that he didn't hear her enter.He turned, rubbed his eyes for twenty minutes into the microscope, and was amazed to see the holy nun with her left sleeve rolled up, a rubber band bound her upper arm, and a vein in the front elbow. needles. what happened? Doc, I feel the need for an immediate experiment, please put on a new pair of gloves. Moody walked over, standing a meter away from her as she pulled out the needle.He could see it in her eyes, even more than the obvious symptoms, he saw what she already knew. Please sit down, nun. no i have to. Sister, the doctor said in a more determined tone, you are now a patient, please do as I ask, will you? Doctor, me. His voice softened, there was no need for a stern tone, the woman did not deserve such treatment before God.Sister, please allow me, a humble outsider, to give back to you for your sacrifices for the patients in the hospital. Jane.Baptiste complied.Dr. Moody put on a new pair of gloves and checked her pulse. Eighty-eight; blood pressure 138/90; Because of the third high, but also because of the reason she thought of.It could have been of various causes, from mild to fatal, but she had treated the boy Mkosa, who was on the verge of death.He left her where he picked up the test tubes carefully and placed them on his lab table. A few minutes later, he walked to the isolation ward.Moody knew it was an omen of death.Perhaps the vision that appeared before him was some kind of imagination, but it was not.When the nun brought in a blood sample, he immediately split it in two: one tube was carefully packaged and airfreighted to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, a global center for analysis of abnormal and dangerous pathogens the other was kept in a freezer for observation.The Centers for Disease Control was quite efficient, and the telegram came a few hours earlier: it was definitely Sai's Ebola virus, accompanied by a series of unnecessary warnings and instructions. The boy's parents sat on the edge of the bed, wearing hazmat suits, watching their child die.The boy was in pain, and it was truly horrific excruciating pain.Parts of his body were dead and rotting, but his heart was beating hard and his mind was still thinking.The boy was too weak to vomit, but blood was coming from the other side of his gastrointestinal system.Only the eyes were somehow close to normal, although they were also bleeding.Those dark, youthful eyes were sad, and he looked at his parents for solace, as he had done for eight years.The ward was filled with the stench of blood, sweat, and other bodily fluids, and the expression on the boy's face became more bewildered.Even just lying still looks like it's really getting away.Dr. Moody closed his eyes and whispered a prayer for the boy, who was still a boy anyway, a religious boy if not a Mohammedan, though his Bible denied Muhammad.Allah is Merciful above all and He will surely be merciful to this boy and guide him safely to Paradise. If there was one omen that was certain, it was that death had surrounded the young patient, and was approaching little by little.The painful breathing became shallow and slow, his eyes turned to his parents, he stopped moving, and the excruciating twitching of his limbs had also spread to the end, only his fingers were still shaking slightly, and finally even this movement stopped. Maria.Sister Magdalena stood behind the boy's parents and put her hands on their shoulders. Dr. Moody stepped forward and placed his stethoscope on the patient's chest.There were murmurs and gurgling and tearing of tissue damaged by necrosis, a horrible cardiac function and nothing else.Almost certain, he removed the ancient instrument and looked up. I am very sorry that he is gone.He might have said a few more words, as the book and the article say, that dying like this with Ebola is pretty merciful.It was his first exposure to the virus, but it was scary enough. The child's parents silently accepted the fact that they knew the illness had lasted more than a day, long enough for them to accept it, but short enough to still be shocked. Benedict.Mkosa's body will be cremated, along with the virus.The telegram from Atlanta made that clear.that's too regretful. When the queue was finally gone, Ryan moved his hand.He turned to look at his wife, rubbed her hands, and took a deep breath.Feel better?Ryan asked. not bad.There are two more diplomatic ceremonies tomorrow morning.They still haven't figured out an appropriate way to get Kathy to work.How much more of this do we have to do?his wife asked. I have no idea.The president admitted, though he knew the schedule had been scheduled months in advance.As the days went by, it made him more and more amazed why people were still pursuing this job, which had so many frivolous responsibilities that simply couldn't be fulfilled.Drinks were brought to them by a staff member who had been summoned by another man who had overheard Kathy.The tissue was printed with a graphic of the White House and the words "Presidential Residence"; the couple noticed it at the same time, and their eyes met. Remember the first time we took Sally to Disneyland?Kathy asked. Ryan understood what she was referring to.It was shortly after their daughter's third birthday, and shortly before their trip to England, the beginning of a journey that seemed to never end.Sally had her eye on the castle in the middle of the Magic Kingdom, and no matter where they were, they always saw it.She called it Mickey Mouse's home.Well, they now have their own castle, but at a pretty high price.Kathy walked to Robert and Xue Xi.The Jacksons are talking to the Prince of Wales.Ryan saw his chief of staff. How are your hands?asked Van Damme. Nothing to complain about. Good thing you're not running a campaign.A lot of people think that a handshake is knuckle-bombing and a man-to-man thing; at least these guys understand that better.Van Damme drank his Perria and looked at the hall.The reception went well, with various heads of state, ambassadors and others chatting in a friendly manner, with a few guarded laughs when it was funny.The mood today has changed. How many times have I passed and how many times have I failed?Ren asked quietly. to be honest?Hard to say.They are all looking for something different.Some of them really don't care because they're here for their own domestic politics, but in this case it's also inappropriate to say so. I've figured it out a bit myself, Arnie.Now I should be walking around, right? Meeting the Prime Minister of India, Van Damme suggested, which Adler thought was important. OKAt least he remembered what she looked like.Many of the faces in the queue were quickly blurred, as at any very large gala, and it made Lane feel like a liar.Politicians should have a camera-like memory for names and faces, and he doesn't.Wren handed his glass to the waiter, wiped his hands on a specially made tissue, and walked towards the Indian, but the Russian stopped him first. Mr. Ambassador.Ren greeted.Lemonsoff was also in line to be interviewed, but there was no time to say what he wanted to say.Lemonsoff was a career diplomat, popular among his peers' social circles.It is said that he had spent several years in the National Security Council, but it is difficult for Rennes to be biased against him because of this. My Government would like to know whether you will accept the invitation to visit Moscow. I have no objection, but we have only been there a few months ago, Mr. Ambassador, and I have a lot of work ahead of me. I do, but my administration would like to discuss matters of mutual interest with you.This suggestive sentence caused Wren to turn around to face the Russian. oh? I'm concerned about your itinerary, Mr. President.So can you speak privately with a personal representative? There is only one candidate, and Ren knows it.Saji.Nikolaevich.Gloverke? Would you like to meet him?The ambassador insisted. For a moment, Ryan felt a little uneasy, if not panicked.Saji.Glovoko is chairman of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, a nascent, streamlined, but still formidable KGB.He is also one of the few think tanks and trusted figures in the Russian government for President Glushev, who himself is one of the few presidents in the world who has faced more problems than Wren.Not only that, but just as Stalin approached Beria, Glushev maintained a close relationship with Golovko because he needed an advisor with brains, experience, and strength.The comparison isn't strictly fair, but Glovercott isn't here just to offer a recipe for bisque.Issues of bilateral interest usually refer to major affairs, and the direct notification to the president without going through the State Department shows that the matter is not trivial, and Lemonsov's repeated insistence also makes the matter look more important. Saji was an old friend, and Lane said with a friendly smile that it all goes back to the past when he pointed a pistol at me and my door was always open for him.Can you let Ani know about this arrangement? Leave it to me, Mr. President. Ren nodded and walked away.The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister of India are waiting for Ryan to appear. Prime Minister, Your Highness.Ren nodded in greeting. We think it is necessary to clarify some things. What's the matter?the president asked. It was an unfortunate incident in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Prime Minister said, and it was a misunderstanding. I'm glad to hear that from you. Both blue and opposition forces had a day off on the day of the president's funeral, including commanders.General Diggs' house sat on top of a hill overlooking an unusually bare valley, and the wind from Mexico had warmed the desert that day and allowed him to come in the walled and hedged backyard. Outdoor BBQ. Have you met President Wren?Bondarenko asked while drinking his beer. Diggs shook his head as he flipped through the burger and reached for the special sauce: Never.Although he had been deployed in Israel with the 10th Armored Cavalry Regiment for a while, he had not been seen.I know Robert.Jackson, who now serves in the Chiefs of Staff's operations branch.Robert spoke very well of him. Is this an American custom?said the Russian, pointing to the charcoal oven. Diggs looked up.Got it from my dad; can you pass me the beer, Genardi, please?The Russian held the cup to his master.I really hate missing training days, though.But he loves a day off as much as the guy next to him. You have a wonderful place, Marion.Bondarenko turned to survey the valley.The area around the base is quintessentially American, with a network of roads and buildings, and what Americans call dulbuta bushes, which look like some kind of plant from a faraway planet.The land here is brown, and even the mountains look lifeless.But there was something spectacular about the desert that reminded him of a mountaintop in Tajikistan. How on earth did you get those medals, General?Diggs didn't know the whole story; his guest shrugged. The Mujahiddin (an Afghan tribe) decided to invade my country.There used to be a secret research facility there, but as you know, it's now an independent country. Diggs nodded.I'm a trooper, not a high-energy physicist, so you don't have to tell me the secret parts. I secured an apartment complex where scientists and their families lived.I have a platoon of National Security Council border guards, and the Mujiaheding attacked us with a company of troops under the cover of night and heavy snow.It was quite exciting for an hour or so at the time.Genardi admitted. Diggs had seen some of the scars because he had met his client in the shower the day before yesterday.How much endurance do they have? Afghans you say?Bondarenko murmured that you wouldn't want to be taken prisoner by them.They're absolutely fearless, but sometimes that works against them; you can tell which guys have great leadership and which don't.These guys did, they leveled half the facility, and on my side he shrugged and said, we're so lucky.We ended up meeting and fighting on the first floor of that building, the enemy commander bravely leading his men, but I proved to be the better. Hero of the Soviet Union.Diggs remarked, taking another look at his burger.Colonel Ham listened quietly, which was how people in the circle judged each other, not by what they did but by the way he told his story. The Russian smiled.Marion, I have no choice.There was nowhere to run, and I knew how they treated captured Russian officers.Just like that, they gave me medals and raised my rank, and my country, what do you say?disappear?Of course, there's more to it.Bondarenko was in Moscow during the coup and faced the first moral decision of his life, which he did right and caught the attention of those who are now in the fledgling country Ranked high. What kind of new country is this?Colonel Ham suggested, can we be friends now? Yes, you are right, Colonel.Your command ability is also good. Thank you, sir.The main thing is that I don't act and let the regiment run its course.It was a lie, but any trained officer would understand it as a special kind of truth. Use Su, use Russia's tactical thinking!To the Russian general, that was really rude. Works, right?Ham finished his beer. That would work, Bondarenko assured himself.That would work for his troops, as it had worked for the Americans, and as soon as he got back and had political support, he would rebuild the Russian Army like never before, but he also knew the part luck played.The former Soviet Union once had the best tank in the world, the T｜34 tank, which was equipped with a French design, a diesel engine used to drive the spaceship, and a suspension system designed by the Americans, as well as many tanks designed by young Russians. Superior and innovative design invented by engineers.在蘇維埃社會主義共和國的歷史中，這是少數由自己國人推出世界級產品的例子之一。沒有這些產品的適時出現，他的國家早就滅亡了。但是，依靠運氣和人海戰術的時代已經過去了。八○年代初期，美國人提出過一個正確的準則：精銳專業部隊必須經過精挑細選、高度訓練並擁有精良裝備。漢姆上校的對抗部隊，這個第十一騎兵團的戰鬥力是前所未見的。他的行前簡報告訴他他將會看到什麼，但預期與結果是不同的，必須要眼見為憑。在合適的地域，這個團可以在數小時內摧毀一個師，藍軍幾乎是無力招架。 從這裡學到太多了，但其中最為重要的一課就是，美國人是如何汲取教訓的。高級軍官在這裡也不斷遭到羞辱，在模擬戰鬥中如此，在隨後的戰後報告活動中亦如此。在那些場合，觀察管制人員要分析發生過的每一件事，就像醫院的病理學家那樣，審讀著由各式檔案卡片做成的筆記。 我告訴你，沉思了幾秒鐘後，邦達連科說道，在我的軍隊裡，人們會打起來，當。 啊，起初我們也有過類似的情形，迪格斯肯定地對他說，當他們創建這個地方時，指揮官們曾因擺脫戰鬥而感到寬慰，直到他們明瞭到這個地方的嚴酷程度之後，才不那麼想。Peter.泰勒這傢伙將國家訓練中心指揮權管得很好。指揮官們不得不學習與人打交道，而藍軍必須明白他們是來這裡學習的。但是我告訴你，在這個世界上沒有別的部隊像我們這樣，讓指揮官們承受羞辱。 這是事實，先生。幾天前我和尚恩．康諾利談過，他是奈及夫沙漠中第十裝甲騎兵團的指揮官，漢姆向這位俄國人解釋道，以色列人始終都沒弄懂，他們還在抱怨指揮官們告訴他們的事情。 我們會不停地在那裡裝更多的攝影機，迪格斯把漢堡鏟到盤子裡笑著說，而且以色列人有時候會不太相信所發生的事，即使給他們看了錄影帶也不相信。 他們真是太大驚小怪了，漢姆同意道，嘿，我是來這裡當騎兵營營長的，但我卻不止一次地讓自己出洋相。 傑納迪，波斯灣戰爭以後，第三裝甲騎兵團來到這裡進行定期輪換，現在他們率領巴瑞．麥卡菲的第二十四機械化。 四天之內他們所向無敵地推進了二百二十哩。漢姆肯定地說。邦達連科點點頭，他詳細地研究過那個戰役。 當他們在兩、三個月後來到這裡時，就沒有那麼好的狗屎運了。這就是關鍵，將軍。這裡的訓練比戰鬥還要猛烈；世界上沒有哪一個部隊像美國陸軍的黑馬騎兵部隊那樣機敏、快捷和堅強。 不過你的老野牛士兵除外，將軍。漢姆插入道。 迪格斯因提及到第十裝甲騎兵團而泛起微笑，反正他已習慣了漢姆的插話。That's true.不管怎麼說，只要你能和對抗部隊打成平手，那你就隨時可以在一比三的劣勢下與世界上的任何人較量，並把他們那些笨蛋攆到下一個時區去。 邦達連科點點頭，微笑起來。他正在快速學習；與他一起來的參謀人員仍在這個基地到處遊走，與同等級的軍官們談話，在學習、學習、學習。處於一比三的劣勢並不是俄羅斯軍隊的傳統，但情形也許很快就會改變。對他的國家有威脅的是中國，如果那場仗一打起來，俄軍將面臨龐大的應徵部隊，而補給線卻在遙遠的一端。對於這種威脅的唯一回應就是，按照美國人的做法去做，而邦達連科的任務就是改變他的國家的整個軍事政策。好啦，他對自己說，他是來對了地方。 鬼扯，總統在他了然於心的微笑下這樣想。對他來說，喜歡印度是很難的。他們自稱是世界上最大的民主國家，但顯然不是真的；他們談論著最高尚的原則，但一有可能就向鄰國動武，發展核子武器，還要求美國離開印度洋（一位前任總理曾告訴過一位前任美國大使：畢竟，它叫作印度洋）；而且，為了有切實的把握，他們還打算對斯里蘭卡採取行動，直到現在這一行動未能得逞，才又說從來沒有計劃過這類行動。 雷恩耐心地聽，一邊喝著礦泉水。斯里蘭卡的局勢複雜，而這情形不幸促成了此番誤解，印度為之感到遺憾，並且對斯里蘭卡毫無惡意。如果雙方都能停止對抗不是更好嗎？印度艦隊正在撤回到它的基地，訓練結束了，有幾艘船艦因美國人的示威行動而受損，對此這位總理沒有說多少話，只說這行為有欠公允，是欺凌弱小的表現。 那麼斯里蘭卡又會怎麼看待你們呢？雷恩可以這樣問，但他沒有。 要是您能更清楚地對威廉斯大使傳遞這個訊息就好了。雷恩帶點憂傷地評論說。 事出突然，總理回答道，坦白地說，戴維雖然是個和藹的人，但我擔心這種情勢對於像他這種年紀的人來說會太過激烈了。這幾乎就是在暗示雷恩該炒他魷魚了。雷恩盡力做到神色自若，但沒成功。他現在非常需要史考特．艾德勒，但此刻這位代理國務卿正在其他的什麼地方。 我希望您能意識到這一事實，此刻的我還無法對政府做出什麼重大的改變。到此為止吧。 對不起，我不是指那個。我完全了解您所處的情況，我只希望能至少緩解一下可能存在的問題，讓您的任務更輕鬆些。否則我會使你更為難。 謝謝您，總理。或許你們的大使能與史考特討論這件事情？ 我會與他講這件事的。她再次握了握雷恩的手之後走開了。在轉向親王之前，雷恩停了幾秒鐘。 殿下，當一位高層人物在你的面前扯謊時你該怎麼稱呼它？總統面帶苦笑地問道。 外交辭令。