Sky Masters

by Dale Brown

  notes in a small notebook. "I will deliver your query to my government,

  the ambassador said, "along with your earlier statements and concerns.

  'Tang then closed his notebook, as if signaling an end to their meeting;

  it had lasted only a few minutes. "Have you any messages from your

  government, Mr. Ambassador?" Secretary Danahall asked. "Does your

  government simply request that the world allow you to occupy the

  Philippines with large military forces? Or do you want nothing more than

  to be a willing mercenary for Daniel Teguina's first coup?"

  "We are not seeking conquest, only stability for my coun try, " Tang

  said. "We see the unrest in the Philippines as extremely injurious to

  Chinese trade, foreign relations, and social and political stability in

  our own country. As you know, gentlemen, the Philippines has many

  ethnic Chinese in its population, as well as loyal supporters of the

  world socialist movement, all of whom have suffered in past years. If

  we fail to support Communist leaders overseas and allow those with

  common beliefs and heritage to be slain and dominated by others, how

  would my government appear in the eyes of its own people?" Danahall,

  Cesare, and Kellogg refrained from replying or voicing their outrage at

  Tang's flamboyant, rhetorical remarks. Finally, after all these weeks

  of waiting, all these days of threats of military conflict, the Chinese

  were going to get around to their demands-it would not be useful at this

  point to interrupt, no matter how offbeat or disagreeable his words

  were. "We are also very concerned about other problems in the South

  China Sea region, namely the dispute over the Spratly Islands and

  Palawan. China has claimed possession of those islands for hundreds of

  years; we feel we have the right to develop those islands, all of those

  islands, as we see fit. The current inequitable division of the Spratly

  Islands will no doubt cause much bloodshed in the future. "The

  Philippine island of Palawan also once belonged to China, as evidenced

  by the large number of ethnic Chinese living there." Tang paused

  knowingly, making eye contact with the Americans before him, and said,

  "If Chinese claims to the Spratly Islands and Palawan could be resolved

  in a way favorable to all concerned, perhaps a way might be found to

  avert disaster and bloodshed." So that was it, Danahall thought: China

  wanted the Spratly Islands and Palawan. Danahall and his staff had had

  to do some serious cramming in recent days to reacquaint themselves with

  those two island chains that China seemed ready to go to war over. And,

  historically, Tang was right-several hundred years ago, before European

  explorers ventured to the Orient in large numbers, Chinese merchantmen,

  fishermen, and refugees did populate most of the islands in the South

  China Sea, including the Spratlys and most of the Philippines. Like the

  Spratlys, Palawan had been occupied and claimed by many Asian,

  Polynesian, and European nations over the centuries. At least a dozen

  countries had claims for these rugged, dangerous islands. But all that

  was rather ancient history. China might have a fairly solid claim to

  the Spratly Islands-which they had already reportedly traded to Vietnam,

  at least for the time being-but whether they had any modern claim to

  Palawan was another thing entirely. What possible use China had for

  Palawan was a mystery to Danahall. The island was mountainous, sparsely

  populated, and useless as a shipping or trading port because of its

  proximity to the "Dangerous Ground, " the shallow waters of the South

  China Sea, so hazardous to commercial freighters. It might make a

  strategic air-base location from which to threaten islands and waters

  belonging to other ASEAN countries, but even that was doubtful. Was

  this some sort of new manifest destiny for China-or a cover for

  something else. . .? "I think negotiations over these two areas of

  concern are important and can be implemented immediately, Mr.

  Ambassador, " Secretary Danahall said. "Of course, other affected

  nations will have to participate-and an immediate cessation of all

  hostilities must be declared "If that can include Samar and his Moslem

  rebel militia, I agree wholeheartedly, Mr. Secretary, " Tang replied.

  "I think we can be helpful in securing Vice President Samar's

  cooperation, " Frank Kellogg said, "but it would be a waste of time to

  try to begin negotiations without first calling for an immediate

  cease-fire and a pullback of all forces . . "If we can receive

  assurances that your naval and air forces will not try to fortify or

  assist the Samar rebels, and promise not to attack any Chinese forces at

  any time, a cease-fire might be possible. But it would be supercilious

  for us to abandon our agreement with President Teguina and simply leave

  him alone and unprotected without first guaranteeing that his government

  will remain intact during our negotiations. Now, if Samar's rebel

  forces would give up their hold on the city of Davao and the Samar

  International Airport, perhaps my government would be more amenable to

  encouraging a dialogue with the Philippine government." This time all

  the Americans paused. They were afraid this might happen. Promising

  not to attack Chinese forces was no problem-the President didn't want to

  do it in any case-but they knew that Davao was the last pin keeping the

  Philippines from falling apart. If Samar's people abandoned the city,

  the Philippines would fall forever-if not to the Chinese, then to

  Teguina's Communists. Samar might be a Moslem, but he also believed in

  a unified Philippines. It was obvious that Teguina believed in nothing

  but himself and his power. Tang was asking assistance from the U.S.

  government to destroy the last obstruction to total domination by the

  Communists. "I think that discussion can wait for more detailed

  negotiations between our representatives, " Danahall said-he didn't want

  to encourage him with even a veiled "maybe, " but he didn't want to

  indicate that it was out of the question, either. "We're getting ahead

  of ourselves here. Let's get our respective governments to agree on an

  immediate cease-fire first..." But Tang recognized Danahall's hesitation

  and had obviously concluded that the Americans would agree to nothing

  here. "Why do you support this Moslem Samar?" Tang asked. "He is

  nothing but a rabble-rouser. He is a definite hindrance to peace, Mr.

  Secretary. He is not deserving of your country's support."

  "We support a peaceful solution to this crisis, Mr. Ambassador..."

  "I truly hope so, Mr. Secretary, " Tang said. "It appears to my

  government, however, that the United States wishes to regain its lost

  military dominance in the Philippines. You are aligning yourself with a

  traitor and criminal, blinding your citizens to Samar's violent and

  revolutionary past, in an obvious attempt to gain some sort of

  legitimacy for a military invasion of your own. That is not the way to

  solve this crisis, sir."

  "There are those who feel that China is trying to exert its influence in

  the region by the use of force, " Kellogg s
aid, "and that you will stop

  at nothing to achieve it. They fear China may use another nuclear

  weapon to obliterate Samar's militia. Tang bristled at the mention of

  the word "nuclear, " and the Americans knew that the meeting was at an

  end. He rose to his feet, his hands still folded before him; his face

  was just as impassive and expressionless as ever. "I believe we have

  discussed all pertinent topics. With your permission, we will deliver

  your messages to my government with all speed."

  "Include this message, Mr. Ambassador, " Danahall said coldly. "If the

  United States detects any further activity in the Davao Gulf or on

  Mindanao to suggest that Chinese troops are moving to take the city of

  Davao, its airport, or the towns around the northern part of the Davao

  Gulf or delta, the United States will consider that a hostile act

  against an ally and will respond appropriately." Danahall and the

  others rose. "Good day, Mr. Ambassador." Danahall kept his fingertips

  on the table, without extending a hand. Tang gave a short bow, as did

  his interpreter and assistant, and they departed. "God, I must be

  getting old, " Danahall said. He dropped into a chair, letting Kellogg

  take his desk back. "I can't sell it like I used to." Kellogg's outer

  office phone buzzed. "Yes?"

  "Staff meeting in five minutes, sir, " his secretary said. Kellogg

  acknowledged the call and hung up. The message was a simple code to let

  them all know that the Secret Service wanted to come in to sweep the

  office, hallways, and anterooms for newly planted listening devices

  before the men began talking about anything of substance. "I wanted to

  avoid giving the man a damned ultimatum, and that's exactly what I ended

  up giving him, " Danahall said. "Dumb..."

  "I'm sorry I mentioned the 'N' word, " Kellogg said. "I guess I'll

  never make much of a diplomat."

  "We're all thinking about it, and he knew it. It had to come out sooner

  or later." Danahall paused, then said, "But I think he did leave us a

  few cracks we can explore-not very big cracks, but at least it's

  something to work on. "I hope something happens in the next twenty-four

  hours, " Kellogg said grimly as they stood to allow the Secret Service

  to begin their work, "because otherwise I think the diplomatic side has

  just run its course." SANTA CRUZ CHANNEL, NEAR THE CITY OF ZAMBOANGA THE

  PHILIPPINES SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1994, 0715 HOURS LOCAL aboard the Chinese

  Liberation Army Navy destroyer ong Lung for the day watch and flag staff

  began at five A.M. with reveille shortly before sunrise, prayers for

  those who were so inclined (Admiral Yin Po L'un, and therefore most of

  his flag staff, were not), a thirty-minute exercise period, cleanup, and

  breakfast, which usually consisted of chicken or fish soup, rice, tea,

  and hard candy or caramel squares for the enlisted men. Morning

  inspection began at six-fifteen, and the reports from each section

  aboard ship were received by the captain by ten minutes to seven. By

  seven A.M. the executive officers of each ship of the fleet escorting

  the Hong Lung reported to the Admiral's chief of operations, as did the

  group commanders from the three other naval battle groups in the

  southern Philippines; Yin's chief of operations then compiled the

  morning report for the Admiral for presentation precisely at

  seven-fifteen. The Admiral first received a synopsis of

  incoming-messagetraffic from Beijing or South China Sea fleet

  headquarters in Zhanjiang (important messages would of course have

  received his immediate attention), then a theater situation briefing and

  intelligence briefing. Yin's chief of operations, Captain Sun Ji

  Guoming, bowed deeply as he began: "Sir, I am pleased to provide you

  with the following theater briefing summary at this time, updated as of

  five A.M. local time: "The primary threat to People's Liberation Army

  Navy's forces involved in the Philippines conflict currently is the

  United States Navy's aircraft carrier Independence battle group from

  Japan operating in the Luzon Strait, the U.S. Army Twenty-fifth Infantry

  Division deployed to Guam, elements of the U.S. Marine Corps Third

  Marine Amphibious Force mobilized on Okinawa and deployed with the

  Independence carrier battle group, and the deployment of the Air Force

  First Air Battle Wing to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. It is

  important to point out that these all represent partial deployments of

  each unit, with approximately thirty to forty percent held in reserve at

  their home bases. "Major elements of the U.S. Army's Twenty-fifth

  Infantry Division were recently relocated to Andersen Air Force Base

  from Hawaii, with approximately eight thousand troops. It is designed

  to be a light, quickly deployable force. Our intelligence estimates

  state, however, that insufficient air or sealift capability exists to

  move this force from Guam to the Philippines with any speed. However,

  if they did move this force, we would oppose them with twice the number

  of infantry troops already in place on Mindanao and four times the

  number on Luzon and other areas of the Philippines. Elements of the

  Second Infantry Division in South Korea and Japan have also been

  mobilized, but we estimate they are still several days from being called

  into action and at least a week after that to see action in the

  Philippines. "The Third Marine Division and elements of the First Marine

  Aircraft Wing have been deployed with the Independence carrier battle

  group, which is now stationed offshore approximately sixty kilometers

  northeast of Y'ami Island in the Luzon Strait; this is approximately

  three hundred and fifty kilometers north of the Philippines. In our

  estimation, the carrier battle group is not in position to strike into

  Luzon at this time, al though they can be in position to strike with

  their aircraft within twenty-four hours and in position to begin ground

  operations on Luzon within forty-eight to seventy-two hours; this is

  what is currently driving our threat condition status throughout the

  People's Liberation Army. The total American naval force includes

  approximately sixteen warships, ten support ships, four to six

  submarines-perhaps more, the exact number is uncertain-twenty fighter

  aircraft, and fifty fixedwing strike aircraft. "The Fifth Marine

  Pre-positioning Force from Hawaii has been activated and is deployed in

  the Philippine Sea with approximately five thousand Marines and forty

  helicopters, including the MV-22 tilt-rotor transport aircraft that was

  apparently used in the rescue of Samar and the American pilot on

  Mindanao. This force can strike in the central Philippines within

  twenty-four to forty-eight hours' notice as well. This force includes

  two landing-ship carriers, four tank-landing carriers, and four support

  vessels. "The greatest naval threat to our forces in the southern

  Philippines was the Ranger carrier battle group, " Sun continued. "The

  carrier itself is still heavily damaged and considered out of

  commission; it is being towed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and except for

  vertical takeoff and landi
ng aircraft is unable to conduct any flight

  operations." A rustle of approving voices filled the conference room.

  "However, the latest report has shown that a destroyer and a

  guided-missile cruiser from the Ranger group are en route to the Celebes

  from Indonesia and will be within missile range of some of our ships

  within the next four to five hours. They are being joined by a six-ship

  surface action group led by the battleship Wisconsin, en route from

  Hawaii, which our estimates say will be in position to attack in three

  to five days; these groups carry land-attack Tomahawk cruise missiles.

  Our embassy has received word that the Ranger's support ships intend to

  conduct search and rescue operations for their downed crew members lost

  in the air battle last week-"

  "They will not be permitted to enter the Celebes Sea, " Admiral Yin said

  solemnly. "That I can promise. When Davao has been taken, Group One

  and Group Two will form to oppose these task forces until additional

  forces arrive from the mainland."

  "Yes, sir, " Sun continued. "This leaves the greatest threat to the

  southern Philippines task force, in the estimation of our intelligence

  section: the American Air Force. The First Air Battle Wing currently

  deployed on Guam reportedly has two dozen B-52 heavy bombers, perhaps

  eight long-range supersonic B-1 and F-1 11 bombers, nearly a dozen

  medium-range F-15 supersonic bombers, two dozen F-15 and F-16 fighter

  escorts, and various support aircraft, including reconnaissance, early

  warning, intelligence, and aerial refueling aircraft. Unverified

  reports from our patrols in the Philippine Sea say that the Americans

  might have sent B-2s as well. "This force can strike within three hours

  with enough standoff weaponry to devastate large sections of our

  deployed battle groups. They have been flying reconnaissance flights as

  far west as Talaud Island, within radar range of our warships outside

  Davao Gulf. One U-2 spy plane was shot down last night by the destroyer

  Zhangyhum. we estimate the U-2 was able to get pictures of our vessels

  in Davao Gulf itself."

  "It does not sound like much of a threat to me, Captain, " Admiral Yin