by Tom Hart
‘I admire your initiative Colonel, now what about the SAS regiment and their base?’ There was only one thing Zhang was scared of. Australian special forces. He'd seen them in action while posted as a UN observer in the Middle East early in his career.
‘They put up a hell of a fight despite only a small number being on base at the time. We cut them off from their ammunition and heavy weapons so they didn't cause too much trouble. They did manage to damage two tanks but they can be repaired.’
‘How long to lock it down?’
‘Twenty-four hours maximum sir. There is an SAS sniper team active on the edge of the base but our helicopters are dealing with that now.’
‘Good, let me know when the second wave of transports dock.’
‘Will do sir.’
Zhang returned to the Cabinet room precisely one hour later, a cup of steaming green tea in his hand. The room fell silent as he took a seat. Taking a long delicate sip he sighed as he noticed the still unsigned papers. He placing his cup down and looked slowly around the room. An even mixture of defiance, fear and contempt. He'd expected as much, Australians were too proud. They probably thought the Americans were on their way to save them. That wasn't happening. This was not WW2 and he was not the Japanese.
Zhang screwed up his face at the thought of the Japanese. A dreadful people. The doormat of America having traded their identity for false security from their American masters. His people would never stoop to such lows. Zhang's smile returned. The Japanese people's time would come.
Zhang's Adjutant collected the unsigned papers and passed them to a Sergeant who took them from the room. The Sergeant returned with a long roll of plastic. Two additional soldiers entered and began to help the Sergeant to unroll the plastic across the long wooden table. The Ministers looked on confused. When the soldiers started laying the plastic on the carpet the Minister for Transport could no longer hold back. ‘What the hell are you doing?’
Zhang ignored him. ‘Don't you ignore me, what are you doing with the plastic, this is the Cabinet Room.’ The Minister grew red in the face.
‘Finished sir,’ the Sergeant said to Zhang in perfect English.
‘Thank you Sergeant,’ said Zhang as he waved a hand to his Adjutant who drew his pistol, levelled it at the Transport Minister's chest and fired twice. The Transport Minister collapsed onto the plastic. A thick pool of blood began to ooze from his belly.
‘I trust that answers your question,’ Zhang said coldly.
The Ministers stared wide eyed at the body. The Education Minister screamed while the Environment Minister sprang to his feet and charged the Adjutant. ‘You murderer.’
The Adjutant calmly shot the man in the chest. The Minister fell forward as if tripping over an invisible object and struck the floor hard. A squad of soldiers entered with stretchers. They placed black sheets over the dead men and took them away.
The Australians started crying and shrieking Only the Deputy Prime Minister stood calmly. He stared at Zhang with unbridled hatred. ‘I will kill you,’ he mouthed softly to Zhang before launching himself at the nearest Chinese soldier, striking the man in the throat and grabbing his machine pistol. He fired at Zhang but struck the two quick thinking Chinese soldiers who stepped in front of their General. They allowed the bullets to glance harmlessly off their body armour before one returned fire with a Taser. It took another two Tasers to knock the Australian out. Zhang raised an eyebrow. The Deputy Prime Minister was not a large man.
Chinese Intelligence briefings had said the man had guts. He'd certainly earned Zhang's respect with this display. Maybe he wouldn't kill him straight away.
The Sergeant returned with the roll of plastic and replaced the three blood stained sections of the carpet with fresh sheets. The surrender instrument was again placed in the centre of the table.
‘You have five minutes to sign the surrender and its terms on behalf of your people. If it is not signed when I return I imagine my Sergeant will need more plastic.’
As Zhang spoke the Deputy Prime Minister began stirring on the floor. His eyes locked onto Zhang. A trace of bright red painted the edge of the man's mouth giving him an other-worldly appearance. If only the Australian military had put up a fight like this man.
As Zhang walked along the corridor to his office, formerly the office of the Prime Minister, he encountered the Transport and Environment Ministers having the explosive blood packs removed from their chests. Two Chinese soldiers helped the Ministers wipe the fake blood from their arms and faces.
‘An Oscar winning performance,’ Zhang said to the Environment Minister.
‘Thank you General,’ the Minister replied.
‘Your families are on-board and awaiting your arrival at the Canberra airport. As pre-agreed the crew are under orders to take you and your family wherever you wish. Your new Swiss passports are with them.’
‘And the money?’ the Minister asked.
Zhang smiled outwardly. This man was despicable. To betray his country and its people for a measly ten million US dollars.
‘It has been transferred,’ Zhang said while making a concerted effort to hide his contempt for the man.
The Minister nodded.
‘This is where I leave you gentlemen, enjoy your new lives, may you thrive in your newfound anonymity.’ Zhang walked away, his Adjutant in tow.
While Zhang despised the two men he had to admit the intelligence they provided on the Australian military, together with the addresses of all Australian parliamentarians and their families, was invaluable. If they had not passed on the location of the secret US Patriot batteries around Darwin the occupation of the port could have been costly.
Zhang sat at the Prime Minister's desk and frowned at the hideous plant in the corner of the office. He moved the large green lamp from the centre to the corner of the desk. The Feng Shui of the office was terrible. No wonder the Prime Minister performed so poorly at the last election, the flow of energy in the room was horrendous. He made a mental note to get his Engineers to make renovations.
A young female Captain entered the office and saluted.
‘Ah Captain Jia, more good news I hope.’
‘Yes general, the network is ready. We have patched in all Australian television, radio and streaming channels. The communications team is ready for you.’
‘Thank you Captain, good work. Tell them I will be ready in ten minutes.’
The Captain saluted again. ‘Yes sir.’
The General was normally not so polite to subordinates, but Captain Jia was a special case. She was a member of the Central Committee Army liaison unit, a highly prestigious unit responsible for ensuring the Army correctly upheld the values of the Party by executing its orders to the letter. She was also the daughter of the Chinese President so Zhang made an effort to be nice to her.
‘They signed the instrument of surrender,’ his Adjutant, Major Rau said, walking into the office without ceremony, not even a salute. Major Rau was another special case. He never saluted Zhang and spoke particularly freely to the General for such a low ranking Officer. But Major Rau was Zhang's eldest son so he could get away with it.
‘Good I will leave the arrangements for transferring the Ministers to the detention facility to you.’
A friendly voice called out from behind. ‘Fen,’ Zhang said with genuine warmth. Fen stood awkwardly, resting heavily on his cane. The Australian heat was playing havoc with his bowels. Zhang was surprised the 87 year old had asked to participate in the invasion in person. No doubt the old Chinese spymaster had his reasons, and Zhang was happy to have him here. He'd been a powerful ally in Zhang's rise.
‘I am indebted to you and your network of informers Fen,’ Zhang said with respect. Without Fen's network of Chinese university students and bribed Australian public servants the invasion would not have been as easy.
‘Thank you young Zhang, It is enough to know an old dog can still be useful.’
‘Nonsense, you are most valuable. Will you
dine with me tonight?’
‘Of course old friend,’ Fen said smiling. The ambitious young General had turned out well and with Fen's support could end up as the next Chinese President. Fen found Zhang painful at times but his only daughter was married to the man and he was determined to ensure his beloved grandchildren did well in the new world order.
Zhang glanced at his watch. Another hour and the total Chinese forces in Australia would be close to two million.
The Army personnel waiting in the Press Room stood to attention as Zhang entered. The soldiers wore headphones and carried small tablets which controlled lighting and microphones. The Lieutenant in charge explained the two holes in the wall. The existing system was sub-standard, comprised of 1990s technology and cabling. The speakers belonged in a museum. The technicians replaced what they could but were waiting for new equipment to be flown in from China overnight.
Two cameramen made minor adjustments to their gear as the Lieutenant counted Zhang in. The decision had been made to broadcast live rather than via a pre-recorded message to improve authenticity.
Zhang wore a suit and stood alongside the Australian Prime Minister. Around the nation as people sat down to watch the news their normal viewing was interrupted by a live cross to Parliament House.
Zhang stood behind a lectern normally reserved for the Prime Minister or senior Government Ministers. He smiled warmly. ‘Good afternoon, my name is Tau Zhang from the Chinese embassy here in Canberra. This morning at 8:30am the Australian Government signed a treaty of friendship and exclusive trade with the People's Republic of China. This treaty has been the product of months of tireless effort by your Prime Minister and the Chinese Minister for Trade, both of who will be speaking to you shortly. This treaty heralds an age of tremendous prosperity for all Australians. A key element of the treaty is an immediate payment of one-hundred thousand Australian dollars to every Australian aged eighteen years and over. For Australian's under the age of eighteen this amount will be payable to you on your eighteenth birthday. The amount should be visible in your existing bank accounts as I speak.’
Zhang paused to let that sink in for the viewers.
‘In addition, each adult Australian shall receive a unique lifetime discount code for eighty percent off any product ordered online from any Chinese internet domain, free shipping and free lifetime warranty. Your discount code has been mailed to you by your Australian taxation department.’
Zhang turned and smiled at the Australian Prime Minister. ‘What has China received in return, you might ask? Well as friends of Australia, China has been granted exclusivity to Australian exports. Now for any business in any industry that exports to a country other than China, my Government will pay you one-hundred and twenty five percent of the value of any contract with a foreign buyer.’ Zhang paused. He was speaking slowly as Chinese intelligence had briefed him Australians spoke twenty-five percent slower than Chinese. ‘We will also guarantee the same volume of supply indefinitely. Furthermore, your industry will benefit from the construction of three new car manufacturing super centres in Adelaide, Geelong and Perth to build the latest range of Chinese passenger vehicles. This will create thousands of jobs. Production is estimated at four-hundred thousand vehicles per year.’
Zhang's expression turned from friendly to sincere. ‘I congratulate the Australian Prime Minister and the Australian Government for its vision and the friendship it has shown to China over many decades. A new age of prosperity awaits us as partners in the Asia-Pacific.’
Zhang stepped back from the platform smiling broadly.
The Prime Minister stepped forward smiling. He was a good actor. He was only smiling because his family were in the room next door with guns held to their heads. Zhang's soldiers were under orders to execute them if the Australian Prime Minister departed from the script or delivered a less than compelling performance.
‘I share Mr Zhang's enthusiasm and wish to thank our Chinese friends for this exceptional opportunity to make Australia prosperous for all citizens.’ The Prime Minister gripped the lectern and took a sip of water from a glass on the nearby table. The cameramen zoomed in on the Prime Minister’s face as the man’s hands began to shake.
‘The treaty of friendship and exclusive trade is a transformational agreement. It will revolutionize the way Australia does business and secure wealth and opportunities for our children. My Government has kept the agreement secret until today because we wanted to announce it on this special Australia Day as a symbol of the wonderful opportunities now available to every Australian.’
The Prime Minister turned and extended his hand to Zhang. Zhang beamed, this man was a fine performer. The Prime Minister turned back to the camera smiling. A full list of the benefits of the treaty for all Australians has been placed on Australia.gov.au. The most significant, and one which I am immensely proud, is the immediate reduction in company and personal tax to a flat 10% and a reduction in GST from 10% to 5%. Our Chinese friends have also purchased every toll road in Australia as a goodwill gift for Australia Day. You can now drive anywhere in Australia for work or holidays without ever having to pay a road toll.’
The Prime Minister's smile grew wider.
‘Now as you know Australia is a proud sporting nation. I told our Chinese friends when it came to sport we would love to help them develop grass roots Cricket and Rugby. I took Mr Zhang to his first rugby game only last week and he agreed there is much Australia can teach China about being world class in sports.’
Zhang had rehearsed this part. He chuckled and gave the Prime Minister a friendly pat on the back as old friends might do.
The Prime Minister patted him back. ‘So to kick start our new sporting collaboration we are hosting a friendship games, a mini-Olympics style rugby, cricket, tennis, rowing and wrestling competition. Tickets are free and I signed five new public holidays into law today so everyone can attend. We will hold the games every January. We Australians work and play hard so the Chinese better be on their toes.’
Zhang chuckled again.
‘Many of our Chinese friends have arrived in Australia for the games. You will see many big white buses full of them all around the country. Wave and make them feel welcome. If they look lost give them a hand with directions. They are not as good as driving as we are.’ The Prime Minister added with a laugh.
‘Mr Zhang and I will be back in an hour to answer questions, right now we are off to welcome the Chinese Men's National Basketball Team, which include as you know the famous Jack Li, point guard to the Chicago Bulls. I'm going to see if I can get an autograph. I might even bring him back to the next press conference if you are lucky.’
The Prime Minister waved to the cameras and shook Zhang's hand. As the feed was cut two Chinese soldiers shoved the Prime Minister off the stage and escorted him back to the office serving as his temporary prison. The Prime Minister stared daggers at Zhang.
‘Well done Prime Minister. Remember to repeat your performance again later, your family's lives depend on it.’
The press conference held an hour later went well. Jack Li did make an appearance and even presented the Prime Minister with an autographed ball. ‘Go the bulls,’ the Prime Minister said.
The press in attendance were all journalists paid off by Chinese intelligence. They asked scripted questions and got scripted answers. The journalists would author articles carefully crafted by the Chinese Ministry of Information for just this purpose. The major metropolitan newspapers and radio stations had been infiltrated by Chinese agents decades ago and those agents would ensure the Australian media kept a positive view of the new Chinese friendship.
A pimpled face man in his twenties approached the General and saluted awkwardly. ‘Colonel, what news do you have for me?’
The Colonel fidgeted with his belt. His uniform did not fit well. The insignia of the 7th cyber assault regiment were too large for his shoulders and the rushed week of military induction showed. A true Army officer would not slouch. To Zhang the off
icers of the 7th were glorified nerds and gamers in uniform but he needed their hacking abilities for now.
‘We have control over the Jindalee radar network and the remaining batteries around Brisbane and Adelaide sir.’
Zhang smiled and gave the young man a pat on the shoulder. With no networked air defence system the remainder of the Australian Air Force would be easily eliminated. More importantly the large runways of their bases could be used by the waves of Chinese transports loaded with tanks waiting in Singapore.
CHAPTER TWELVE
RANGER
Captain Tony Ranger, Special Air Service, was finishing his last beer with his men at their local, just on the outskirts of suburban Perth. He and his men started the morning with a game of golf followed by a schnitzel and chips at the local RSL. Now on their fifth round Tony knew he'd probably had too much to drink but intended to walk back to the base anyway. It was only three kilometres down the road.
Tony took the insults sent his way and left in good humour. It was a tradition of the SAS for the enlisted men to heap insults on their Officers at every available non-official occasion. The insults were actually a measure of how much the men of the regiment respected their commanders. Tony was highly respected, having worked his way up from an enlisted trooper to an Officer, so he copped an enormous amount of flak.
As Tony walked along the deserted road back to the base he saw yet another VIP helicopter overhead. There were more civilian helicopters in the area than he'd seen before. They must be here for the high rollers poker tournament. The waves of Chinese businessmen and their entourages had been causing major traffic disruption in the city for the last week. They were not used to following road rules. Another helicopter flew directly overhead. Strange thought Tony, this helicopter had a FLIR pod for night operations, something usually reserved for military and police helicopters. He rolled his eyes. Probably added as a toy by some Chinese dot.com billionaire.