by Andrew Watts
“Is that really a big deal?”
David said, “Yes, it is. It means they won’t be able to plan the trucks or tell how many packages to fill. Everything is digital now. Some warehouses will have surpluses while others go barren. The end result is that people won’t be able to get food and water, or soap and toothpaste, within a few days. Although with the panic and riots, that will probably be a matter of hours.”
General Schwartz said, “What do you see on the Chinese ground forces in the US?”
The communications specialist said, “Eight bases were attacked. All were Air Force heavy bases—aerial refueling aircraft appear to have been the targets. Most attackers were killed or captured, but not all. There are reports of some larger numbers of Chinese ground forces in the northern plains states. But those are unconfirmed. Lots of people are calling into the police stations on landlines and saying they saw Chinese people after the emergency broadcast. A lot of stuff like that. We don’t know how true any of it is, but local authorities have been told to keep an eye out. Problem is the normal means of communication are shot for the most part.”
Susan said, “Any diplomatic communications between China and POTUS?”
David heard the squeal of the bus’s brakes as it came to a halt. The highway was now a sea of red brake lights, the traffic on I-95 south having come to a complete stop.
“The State Department has been directed to start an open dialogue with the People’s Republic of China and an immediate deescalation of hostilities.”
David said, “Not sure how that’s going to go over, I don’t—”
The rapid-fire siren of the lead security vehicle came on and then off as their convoy of two buses and two security vehicles moved over to the shoulder lane and began traveling forward at a slow pace.
“Hold on—just got this—both the UN and China have just put out a statement via official channels. They are calling for an immediate cease-fire of all hostilities between the PRC and the United Sates.”
“Are you effing kidding me?”
David said, “What else is in the Chinese statement?”
The communications specialist scanned the message with his finger. “China denies any wrongdoing. They deny accusations of instigating hostilities. They are calling the cyberattacks and blackouts the US has experienced another religiously motivated terrorist attack. They condemn the US for their nuclear response—”
“Nuclear? What the hell are they talking about?”
“—and demand the rest of the world condemn those actions as well. Something about American radical religious antagonism. I don’t know what that is…some sort of propaganda speak, I guess. They’re calling for a one-week cease-fire to remove civilians from each other’s territory and are encouraged that the United Nations is willing to manage the truce.”
David said, “They just put that out?”
“Yup.”
“And they’re already citing the UN’s statement.”
Susan said, “Seems scripted, doesn’t it?”
General Schwartz said, “Agreed.”
David said, “What the hell are they talking about with the nuclear response?”
Susan shot the general a look. He nodded. Susan whispered, “The US fired a small number of strategic nuclear weapons on Chinese nuclear missile sites, as well as one military installation in northern China.”
David sat back in his seat, his hand over his mouth. “Son of a bitch…”
Susan glanced around the bus. They were out of earshot of any of the other passengers. “Keep that to yourself.”
The trip lasted another twenty-two hours. They made a few stops, and a boxed lunch was handed out about halfway through. After that, it was water-only until their destination. The convoy gained a more substantial military escort in North Carolina. Three Humvees and an MRAP. By then, the left lane of all major highways had been cleared, designated for military and official government vehicles only. Every highway ramp had either a police or military vehicle posted.
David was called up to the front of the bus several times to hear updates and provide his opinion on global developments. The more he understood about the scope of the Chinese attack, the more worried he was about his sister, brother, and father. His sister Victoria’s ship had been involved in a sea and air battle near Guam. His brother Chase had been in Korea when the attacks had begun, but David learned that he was unharmed and now in Japan. David didn’t know the status of his father, who was on board the USS Ford near Hawaii, but he assumed that Admiral Manning was safe for now.
By the time they arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, they were all ready for the trip to be over. The families on the bus needed space, and more than a single bathroom.
There was a woman in an Air Force uniform waiting for them as they got off the bus. She wrote down all of their names on a notepad and began directing them to temporary housing. David and his family ended up in the bachelor officers’ quarters. It was basically a two-room hotel suite, with a queen bed and a pull-out couch. Lindsay changed their youngest while Maddie sat coloring on the couch.
“I need to get over to the office. Susan said we have an orientation briefing at eleven. Are you okay?”
Lindsay nodded. She had bags under her eyes. “We’ll be fine. I’ll see you later.”
David left the BOQ and walked down the road towards the building he would be working in. A convoy of troop transports and Humvees drove by, and in the distance he could hear the roar of jet engines.
It was early morning the day after the war began. David wasn’t so sure things would ever get back to normal.
9
Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning
Philippine Sea
Day 3
Admiral Song stood behind the expansive plexiglass windows of his personal bridge, looking out over his fleet. The carrier steamed west into the wind as she recovered another replacement squadron of attack aircraft.
The aircraft carrier’s captain watched with him. “These pilots will be less experienced.”
The admiral said, “And what are we? Veterans of a three-day-old war? At least they are alive. The same cannot be said for the men whom they replace.”
In other company, Admiral Song wouldn’t dare suggest his men were anything less than invincible. But the two senior officers had known each other for decades. The carrier captain had been a junior officer when the admiral was himself a ship captain. Now he was one of the admiral’s few confidants.
The captain said, “We will be finished recovering our new air wing by evening’s end.”
The admiral kept his eyes on the jet that was coming in on its final approach. Its tailhook sent sparks flying as it skimmed the surface of the carrier’s flight deck and clutched one of the arresting gear wires, which slowed it to a full stop. The admiral could see the pilot’s head jerk forward at the rapid deceleration. Then the aircraft taxied forward, directed by the flight deck crew to its parking spot on the bow.
Admiral Song said, “We will travel north this evening.”
“The American submarine presence is stronger there.”
“The Americans have accepted our cease-fire agreement. We have a reprieve.”
“Do you think it is wise for us to trust such an agreement?”
Admiral Song shrugged. “We have our orders. We shall head north and meet up with the Jiaolong. The first of its class.”
The captain arched his brow. “The Jiaolong-class ships are ready for sea?”
“Only one. But it will be underway tomorrow.”
“Has it been tested?”
“I have been assured that they will meet our operational requirements.”
The two old colleagues exchanged knowing glances. Usually new technology didn’t work so well at first. This was especially true for complex new military equipment. “If this is true, it is excellent news.”
The admiral turned back to the flight deck, extending his hands on the rail. The jet that had just landed was being taken t
owards the elevator. Its wings had been folded up, and a trolley cart was pulling it along the starboard side of the flight deck. It would be taken below into the hangar deck, alongside dozens of other new arrivals. Maintenance crews were turning wrenches and checking oil levels. Ordnance men were filling ammunition pods and attaching missiles.
“We cannot have another loss like we suffered at the war’s opening. We will join up with the Jiaolong and several troop carriers. Then we will head back to Guam.”
“General Chen’s daily message indicated that that his priority was Hawaii. He directed us to draw up plans to accomplish this. Are we not going to follow his orders?”
Admiral Song felt strongly that General Chen was an imbecile. He should have never been promoted past major, let alone become the highest-ranking military member in all of China. Admiral Song had an immense level of respect for Cheng Jinshan, but he failed to see the wisdom of Chen’s appointment to his current position.
“We do not work for General Chen.”
“He is the highest-ranking—”
“We work for Admiral Zhang.”
“Who works for Chen.”
“And they both report to Chairman Jinshan.”
The captain waited patiently for an explanation. Admiral Song watched the next jet land and then turned back to the captain. “I received counsel from Chairman Jinshan himself. Admiral Zhang was present. General Chen was not. We do not require General Chen’s approval to reattack Guam.”
Admiral Song could see the surprise on the face of his subordinate.
“General Chen will be displeased that he was cut out of the process. He strikes me as the type of man that may take retributive action against those who are not in a position to avoid it.”
“I believe that you are correct in your assessment of the general’s response. I fear for the day when China’s fate rests on the judgment of such a man.”
“Why do men like that play such games?”
Admiral Song smiled. “That you would ask such a question tells me you are not such a man. And that is a good thing. It is why I have chosen you for this position.”
A series of bells and a voice on the ship’s overhead speaker announced that it was time for evening meal.
They ate in the admiral’s wardroom. Real silverware and ornate china plates. The admiral announced their orders to the eight senior-most officers in the battle group. These were loyal and capable men. He had handpicked them and trained them himself. Their faces held the eagerness and intensity of a warrior headed into battle.
“The Jiaolong-class ship will give us a definitive tactical advantage. We must do everything in our power to protect them and keep their capability a secret for as long as possible.”
The aircraft carrier captain said, “This means that any American submarines or aircraft that come into range will need to be engaged.”
One of the officers said, “Sir, we have a cease-fire. What will our rules of engagement be if we come across an American asset while we have the Jiaolong in company?”
Admiral Song said, “Then we must engage them. Peace treaty or not.”
When the dinner was over, Admiral Song and the aircraft carrier captain were left alone at the table. They sipped tea and discussed their plans in detail.
A sailor from the communications department entered the room and handed the admiral a folder. He put on his glasses and read the message, then handed the folder back to the sailor, who left them.
Admiral Song said, “General Chen has given his approval for the change in plans that was discussed with Chairman Jinshan.”
The captain looked puzzled. “Did you ask his permission?”
The admiral smiled. “I did not. The man is posturing.”
The captain smirked.
Admiral Song shook his head. “If General Chen had half of his daughter’s ability, this war would be over in a week.”
“I do not know of his daughter.”
“Probably safer for you that way.”
10
Japan
Lena Chou had arrived in Tokyo on the day the war began. Her plane had landed just as the first wave of Chinese missiles had begun striking American and Japanese military targets on the mainland.
She had been sent to kill Natesh Chaudrey. Natesh had aided the Chinese espionage operation to extract war plans from two dozen Americans experts. But he had become a liability. Now Lena was lying low, trying to stay hidden from the Americans in Japan until they all left. She expected that American agents were still looking for her.
One in particular.
She felt mixed emotions when she thought of Chase Manning. She admired him for what he was. A water walker like her. Someone who had the mental fortitude and physical gifts to do anything in life. But their stars were crossed. He would never see the world the way she did. She had been enlightened by Jinshan’s teachings, and lucky enough to be selected for her special assignment at a young age.
A part of her wished that she never had been thrust into this life of espionage and violence. Especially when she thought about the things she had to do. The flash of that young girl’s face entered her mind. But as quickly as it came, she forced it out.
Lena had killed many in the name of her country. Especially lately, as her cover had been blown and her talents had been used in a different way. But nothing had been like killing the former president of China and his wife and daughter.
That experienced had changed her.
A knock at the door.
“Enter.”
One of the Ministry of State Security (MSS) operatives came in and left a tray of food on the room’s lone table. The table was only a foot off the floor, as was customary in traditional Japanese homes. On the tray lay a simple meal and a glass of water. The MSS was China’s equivalent of the CIA. It was the organization Lena had worked for, in one way or another, since she was a teenager.
“Do you require anything else?”
“No.”
The young man bowed and then exited the way he had come.
Lena sipped from the cup of hot soup, staring out through the sliding glass door. A small garden lay on the other side of the glass. High stone walls and a single leafless tree. Lena finished the soup, its broth warm and soothing. Then she used chopsticks to finish off the rest of the food, a bowl of sticky rice and raw fish.
She finished eating and stepped outside. Her breath was visible in the cool air, and she held her arms close to her chest. The booming explosions in the distance had ceased. Finally. She was beginning to worry that things had not gone according to plan.
When her hands began to numb, she opened the sliding door and reentered her room. She did some calisthenics and yoga but felt sluggish. With all the travel and the medical rest after suffering serious burns, she hadn’t been able to keep up her usual vigorous exercise routine. She frowned as she looked in the mirror, not liking the extra pound or two she saw.
She flipped on a small TV and kept the volume on low. There were only two stations still broadcasting. One was the national news, which was Lena knew was being heavily influenced by Chinese psychological warfare specialists. The other was Skynews, which had also been infiltrated by Jinshan’s network, but not as thoroughly. The Chinese Ministry of State Security had been laying the groundwork for years, inserting their agents into global news networks as production executives, directors, and video editors. Each one of them was carefully trained as to how to influence the minds of the masses to be receptive to Chinese political goals.
During Lena’s time as an agent living in America, she had always been amused when the news would report shifts in public opinion. A change in consumer confidence in the economy, or in support for a given policy. Public perception was driven directly by the information people received, which was in turn shaped by a select few gatekeepers. In each news room, producers and executives chose which stories to run, and how they would be portrayed. People didn’t have their own opinions. Not really. They were told wha
t to think, and how to think it. Jinshan saw this phenomenon as the single greatest structural flaw within democratic nations. The leaders of nations should know better than to allow media conglomerate owners and executives to shape opinions that would affect them. For progress to be made, Jinshan himself had to shape those opinions.
On the TV screen, the newscaster was giving a summary of the UN summit that had taken place yesterday in Geneva.
They kept showing the same footage. The person at the head of the podium was a Russian diplomat. Lena watched the man’s lips move and heard a British-accented English translation being broadcast with a few seconds’ delay.
“The Russian Federation is appalled and dismayed at the recent aggression the United States has shown on the world stage. The United States has violated international humanitarian law by using nuclear weapons in a first strike against North Korea and the People’s Republic of China. In light of these transgressions, the Russian Federation has chosen to issue the following ultimatum. If the United States uses any additional weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, then the Russian Federation will have no choice but to enter the war in defense of China. However, we demand that all other UN member-nations also remain neutral. We also demand that the United Nations immediately ratify international economic sanctions against the United States, including the embargo of foreign petroleum products and any supplies that may be used to make war.”
The newscaster came back on the screen. “In the aftermath of the Russian ultimatum, several members of NATO have disavowed any allegiance to the United States and left the organization. Japan has agreed to a peaceful settlement with the People’s Republic of China and has called for the expedited departure of all American troops currently stationed there. This brings us to the most important development of the day, which is the Chinese-US cease-fire agreement. The US president has agreed to the Chinese terms, which surprised many.”