Hello! Welcome to my first story! Hope you enjoy!
**I do not own any characters of The West Wing, it's probably good that I don't, but that's a whole other story for another time.**
SUMMARY:
Jed Bartlet, President of the United States, is having a calm day when Leo walks in. When he arrives at the Situation Room, he finds that two powerful Asian neighbors are gearing up for war with each other. As the Americans delve deeper into the situation, they find themselves in far deeper than they expected. Will the Americans be able to solve the conflict peacefully, or will the conflict forever be known as Bartlet's War?
Chapter 1: China and India?
In the Oval Office…
"Mr. President, you're needed in the Situation Room."
For what started out as a quiet day, Jed Bartlet groaned. He was hoping that he was going to be able to enjoy a relaxing day in the Oval Office, it didn't seem as though any new crises were going to start today. He looks up at his Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry.
"Did they say why?"
"China, sir. We really need to get moving."
In the Situation Room…
"Ten Hut!"
The personnel in the room all stand as President Bartlet enter.
"For the love of God, sit down, everyone!" Bartlet shouts, frustrated. Leo just sighs and looks at National Security Advisor Nancy McNally, with the silent warning that the meeting probably wasn't going to end well.
"Sir, at approximately 1345 hours, that is approximately 75 minutes ago, satellites detected the positioning of well over 400,000 Chinese troops along the Chinese border with India. We are completely unsure as to why they have done so. The Indians do have minor units in that area, but nothing compared to the scale of the Chinese," Nancy informs Bartlet.
Bartlet just leans back in his chair, acknowledging the information that Nancy has given him.
"Do we have any theories as to why the Chinese are poised to attack India?" he asks.
"Two theories, sir," Commander Kate Harper chimes in. "There are rumors that the Indians have killed a high-ranking Chinese military official in Beijing in a high-level assassination; however, we have not had any proof that the assassination has occurred. Beijing has denied any claims that there has even been any sort of assassination attempt at all, nothing in the media, either."
Bartlet pauses for a moment before nodding his head.
"Okay, I mean, that would make sense. What's your other theory?"
Nancy and Kate both look at each other.
Bartlet looks between the both of them. "Is there something going on I need to know about?"
Nancy turns to Bartlet, a grimace on her face.
"The second theory is.. and we can not confirm it independently, but there was a report from Pakistan suggesting that the Indians have conducted an underground test of a nuclear device. We have had absolutely no indication in the last few days that would indicate that the Indians have done so, no radiation spikes, no signs of large amounts of damage to soil, nothing."
Bartlet nods his head. "Okay, is there anything you guys are suggesting that I do, then? I mean, 400,000 Chinese troops on the border between two countries whose combined populations are totaling over two billion people. That's not a war I'm particularly interested in, in regards to any military situations that you may have, but I am still concerned about the potential for a large ground war between the two."
Kate looks at the President.
"We had a meeting with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation set for later this afternoon to see if they would be interested in helping. We would like to be able to meditate any sort of negotiations between China and India, but at the same time, we cannot be forced to join either side in an Asian ground war," she says to Bartlet.
Bartlet nods. "Kate, Leo, I want you both in that meeting. Figure out what Russia can do to help. Nancy, I want updates every hour on the situation, if something significant comes up, I want informed immediately. In the meantime, put all units in that region on DEFCON 4. All other units can remain at DEFCON 5. If there's confusion as to what level a certain unit should be, just put them at 4. I also want to know by the end of the day approximately what military levels we have at our disposal and what the Chinese and Indians have at theirs," he orders.
Bartlet stands, and the rest of the room does as well.
"Now, if you excuse me, I've been having a calm day so far and this just made this a whole lot more hectic. I fully intend on attempting to enjoy the rest of my day, but please keep me updated," Bartlet tells the room before leaving.
Walking back to the Oval Office, Bartlet just couldn't help but feel like something even more bigger than he was expecting was happening.
"Something is obviously up with India," he tells Leo as they walk up the staircase. "But what is it?"
"I don't know, sir," Leo responds. "But we'll figure it out, and if necessary, put a stop to it."
And that concludes the first chapter! Be sure to like and review, and I'll see you on the next one!