Brilliant New Light (Chance Lyon military adventure series Book 3)

by Van Torrey

  To Ambassador Jung’s great relief and General Rhee’s firm expectations, the meeting with the Chinese Premier was scheduled for two days hence. When General Rhee and Ambassador Jung arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing where the meeting was to be held, they were met by a Third Vice-Premier, not an auspicious sign, as she was the fourth in command in the Chinese political hierarchy, well below even the Foreign Minister. She explained she was to initially meet with the North Korean representatives to brief them on the ground rules for the meeting with the Premier and the Foreign Minister.

  After perfunctory greetings were exchanged, the brash General Rhee, eager to assert his will against a lowly woman diplomat, explained he had expected to be greeted by the Foreign Minister himself and that Ambassador Jung would not be included in the meeting for security reasons. The female diplomat sipped her tea in hidden amusement as she patiently listened to Rhee present his demands like a deluded conquering warrior.

  “The Premier is extremely busy with affairs of state and only has a limited amount of time to spend with you,” she stated evenly. “Please organize your thoughts carefully as the conference today will be limited to matters concerning the criminals from your country who have caused us so much difficulty of late by killing a sitting U.S. President. This event has caused the Chinese people much loss of face in the international community.”

  The use of the word “criminals” came as a great shock to General Rhee. The use of such a pejorative term in diplomatic circles was a sign the other party to the conversation was going to take a hard line indeed. Rhee was momentarily at a loss for words as he digested the Vice-Premier’s edgy tone.

  The final insult came from the Third Vice-Premier when she continued with the protocols for the meeting. “I’m afraid Mr. Jung must be included in the meeting for the sake of continuity,” she said. “After all, he is your ambassador and must be fully aware of the content as well as the spirit of the proceedings in order to continue in his role.”

  General Rhee knew it necessary for Jung to continue as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China for there to be any legitimate diplomatic connection between the two governments at this crucial time. While it was true the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was diplomatically isolated from much of the world, she depended so much on trade and aid from China that the idea of not having reliable diplomatic relations was unthinkable. Rhee might have been number two to General Fhang, but if it came time for changing ambassadors, Fhang himself would make such an important decision.

  “Very well, Madam. We understand your conditions. We agree to these terms and look forward to meeting with the Premier at his pleasure,” replied Rhee in a spirit of conciliation.

  Satisfied that General Rhee had been suitably humbled by this preparation, the Third Vice-Premier told the Koreans the meeting would begin within thirty minutes and left the room.

  Forty-five minutes later a protocol officer greeted the Korean delegation and led them into a sparsely decorated conference room where they were seated on one side of a long, plain conference table. This was obviously not the main conference room where important diplomatic business of the People’s Republic was conducted, yet another sign that General Rhee was to receive a chilly reception from the Chinese Premier. After sitting nervously for ten minutes, the Chinese delegation swept into the room, followed in two minutes by the imposing Premier of the People’s Republic of China and his Foreign Minister.

  General Rhee and Ambassador Jung rose in respect to the Premier but he simply took his seat without shaking hands with the North Korean General. “Good morning, Gentlemen,” he stated through an interpreter and continued, “I assume you come here with greetings from General Fhang, your new President. Please extend my greetings to him as well.” There was no mention of, “warm greetings,” “congratulations,” or “looking forward to meeting the General in person” from the Premier. Today he was all business from the People’s Republic of China’s perspective only.

  “Yes, sir,” responded Rhee nervously as he glanced at the Premier and his unsmiling entourage. “I bring greetings from the Brilliant New Light soon to be seen from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that will illuminate the northern half of the Korean peninsula and bring us into alignment philosophically with our brothers in Asia and beyond.”

  “Yes, General, a lofty premise indeed, yet one off to such an inauspicious beginning,” responded the Chinese Premier. “To us, it is obvious General Fhang is not yet in control of all aspects of your government. This is extremely troubling to us as a geographical neighbor and frequent trading partner. Such instability has given us cause to substantially reevaluate our entire relationship with the DPRK.”

  General Rhee, although an entrenched ideologue of separatist North Korean philosophy, was no stranger to subtle diplomatic language and was immediately stung by the nuances of contempt for General Fhang’s recent coup d’état being heaped on him by an angry Chinese Premier.

  Rhee, careful to choose his words respectfully, responded to the Premier cautiously. “I’m sure the Premier will understand the recent political changes in the DPRK were born out of necessity for the well-being of the Korean people and the political and economic realities of Asia as a whole, as we emerge into the twenty-first Century. There is now a Brilliant New Light in North Korea specifically and, hopefully in time, the entire Korean peninsula.”

  “Words! Meaningless words!” growled Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Lu Tho, in response to a nod from the Premier. “We are used to hearing these words of art from the Russians and the Americans during our negotiations, but at least they are spoken from a position of strength that we grudgingly respect. By contrast the North Koreans are like a pack of misbehaving, bastard children at a garden party!”

  General Rhee was now reeling from the tsunami of diplomatic vitriol being delivered by the angry Chinese and was at a loss how he would report this to General Fhang accurately without being mistreated as an unwelcome messenger by the volatile Fhang. The Chinese Foreign Minister continued, albeit in a more subdued vein.

  “General Rhee, there can be no mistake about you promptly reporting back to your General Fhang the mighty indignation that the Chinese government feels about the crimes your agents committed against the Americans here on our sovereign soil. Such an act is, in itself, beyond the pale, but for it to occur in our diplomatic venue during international negotiations that we ourselves sponsored and were engaged in is completely unacceptable and unpardonable. You have caused us exceptional embarrassment and loss of face in the eyes of our international partners as well as the Chinese citizens we are pledged to serve and protect. Please make it clear to General Fhang there will be repercussions, some of which we cannot predict or protect you from. The most famous and true Chinese philosopher, Confucius, is known to have said, “Recompense injury with justice, and kindness with kindness.” I predict the former for your recent actions against the American President.”

  The final insult for General Rhee and Ambassador Jung came when the Chinese Premier abruptly rose from his seat and said to the First Vice-Premier who was seated on his right, “I have duties elsewhere. If you wish to continue a dialogue with these savages, feel free to do so.”

  With that the Premier took his leave, followed closely by his entire retinue, leaving a shell-shocked Rhee and Jung in an empty conference room contemplating their uncertain future with trepidation.

  *

  “SAVAGES!...savages!” ranted General Fhang. “That is beyond insulting,” Fhang seethed as he paced about his office barely taking notice of General Rhee’s presence. “I send you on the most important diplomatic mission of the Brilliant New Light, to explain how some rogue functionaries acted on their own, without supervision, and contrary to the vision of the Brilliant New Light, and all you come back with are gross insults from our most important ally. I cannot abide this, General Rhee. Leave me now so I may take stock of our position and with more robust counsel than I can apparent
ly expect from you.”

  Seven days later Colonel Kim Dong-sun, the Commander of the North Korean Nuclear Advisor Group in Pakistan received a call from General Rhee requesting his immediate presence in Pyongyang to meet with General Fhang. Rhee did not suspect that in making this call he was signing his own death warrant.

  CHAPTER 15

  DOCTOR’S ORDERS

  “My doctor tells me I should start slowing it down - but there are more old drunks than there are old doctors so let’s all have another round.”

  Willie Nelson

  *

  Several days later Bernie Lyon made one of his regular drives to the Washington, D.C. area. He would catch up with old military cronies, some of whom were still on active duty in the Pentagon, and visit his father, Doctor Mack Lyon. Mack was still an emeritus practicing partner in Essential Esthetics, LTD, the cosmetic surgery clinic he founded in Georgetown many years ago.

  After a few obligatory moments of small talk, Bernie and Mack settled into Doctor Mack’s private booth at his club.

  Bernie Lyon swirled the Scotch in his glass and came directly to the point with his father. “Dad, Anne and I are not handling this transition very well. At first, we were both putting our best foot forward and really giving the other the benefit of the doubt. We knew how unusual the circumstances were and how difficult the reconciliation was going to be. But we’ve hit a rough spot and it’s not getting better.”

  Doctor Mack listened thoughtfully and when Bernie was at a pause point he said, “Bernie, as a practicing physician, I always ask a patient to tell me about the symptoms before I examine and reach a diagnosis. What’s going on?”

  “Dad, we sleep in the same bed, but live in different worlds. When I was on active duty, I was home infrequently and for short periods. We were thrilled to see each other and...well, the companionship and the sex were great. The intensity was as if we were trying to conquer each other physically while living for the moment, and the results were unbelievably great.”

  “And now?” asked Doctor Mack.

  “We haven’t had sex in a couple of months. Sometimes it’s as if we are barely tolerating each other.”

  Doctor Mack Lyon gazed at his son, pursed his lips and remarked, “My guess is there is more to this than you’re telling me, Bernie.”

  “Yes, of course. Last week with all the news about Braxton’s assassination, things kind of came to a head. Anne tried to hide it, but she was hit pretty hard by his death and was seriously grieving. We talked about it. She as much as admitted that she still was carrying a torch for the guy in some remote part of her mind. That made me mad and I told her I wasn’t happy about this continuing to be a factor in our life.”

  Doctor Mack sipped at his single-malt scotch and pondered what his response should be to his son’s genuinely-felt concerns.

  “Bernie, God knows I’m no marriage counselor. I couldn’t keep one together myself...”

  “Dad, that wasn’t your fault,” interrupted Bernie Lyon.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, son, but you were very young and didn’t know everything. These things are seldom the fault of only one party. As the old saying goes, “it takes two to tangle”. Neither your mother nor I were victims.”

  Doctor Mack continued, “During the time you were away, I got to know Anne pretty well. I developed a great deal of admiration and respect for the way she handled herself during that difficult period. When she asked my advice about whether she should accept President Braxton’s invitation to be social, I encouraged her to accept. I knew your mind about her moving on with her life under what were then the known circumstances. Therefore, I may even be partially to blame for some of this.”

  “By saying that, you’re not making this any easier, Dad,” countered Bernie.

  “It’s not my job to make your life easier. In fact outside of your adjustment problems with your wife, you’ve got it made son. You’re set for life financially, and you’ve got your freedom and your health. I know you’re having relationship problems right now, but that’s not the same as cancer for God’s sake. Take a few minutes to count your blessings and make a plan.”

  A moment passed and Bernie replied lightly and with a small grin, “With that attitude you would have made a good Navy SEAL, old man.”

  Doctor Mack smiled at his son’s compliment and offered, “Speaking of that, why don’t you take a few weeks and go out to the West coast and spend some time with Chance? I know he’s busy with his security business and his partner, Olyphant, can only be there on and off while he tends his ranch over in Arizona. Maybe he’d like some help.”

  “I don’t know Dad. I’m way out of practice for the rough and tumble.”

  “You can still answer the phone and help them plan jobs. Besides, you and Anne need time away from each other. Part of the problem is you’re living on top of each other while you’re trying to sort things out,” countered Doctor Mack.

  “I wouldn’t mind that, Dad, but I’d feel like I was just about abandoning Anne in a difficult moment.”

  “I have the perfect solution, son,” responded Mack Lyon. “Send her on one of those extended Caribbean cruises with her sister. Maybe you two could meet up later in Mexico and have another honeymoon. Sounds like it would be good for what ails you both. Think about it!”

  At that moment Bernie Lyon felt he was in unknown territory and had very few options. Maybe Mack Lyon’s prescription was exactly what the doctor ordered.

  CHAPTER 16

  CALCULATED RESPONSE

  “Eye for Eye, tooth for tooth...”

  The Holy Bible (The Book of Exodus)

  *

  If anything, Rachel Hunter was not a reactionary. In her tenure as Director of Central Intelligence and, later, as Director of National Intelligence, she had displayed the kind of thoughtful and analytical thinking about raw intelligence data that had frequently resulted in conclusions turning out to be not only counterintuitive, but correct when all the subtle and incidental facts relating to the initial raw intelligence burst were finally known.

  Early in her tenure as a senior analyst at the CIA, she had attended a seminar delivered by the Director of Central Intelligence, Admiral(Ret.) James Morgan, one of the giants of the American Intelligence Community, the subject of which was, “Counter-Intuitive Analysis of Raw Intelligence Data: Why The Obvious is Frequently False, and the Consequences of Flawed Conclusions.” The Admiral’s message was, thoughtful and outside-the-box analysis and subsequent counsel to previous American Presidents by the intelligence community could have ameliorated or prevented the outcomes of such events as the Korean War prosecuted by President Harry Truman in the early 1950’s, the Cuban Bay of Pigs misadventure approved by President Kennedy in 1961, and the escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. “Finally,” he cautioned, “if the U.S. had been more accurate in our evaluation of the flawed intelligence, or lack thereof, regarding weapons of mass destruction thought to have been possessed by Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, President George W. Bush might have made a more measured response that would have saved many American lives and our future military involvement in Iraq. In the end, intelligence gathered by the multiple resources of the United States is nothing more than a tool to be used in making policy decisions by an American President and his administration.” Of all her recent predecessors, President Rachel Hunter was most acutely aware of this fact since she had operated the clearing house for raw intelligence for most of President Braxton’s two terms in office.

  Now, just days after her informal inauguration in the East Room of the White House after the assassination of President Braxton, President Hunter found herself relying on this same high level of competence from her intelligence staff, DNI Raymond Rollins and DCI Marilyn Mitchell. I mentored Marilyn while I was at CIA and encouraged President Braxton to promote Ray Rollins to DNI when I left, so I guess their performance is basically on me, thought Rachel Hunter as she was assembling her cabinet and close adv
isors.

  The list of priorities for the newly inaugurated President was long, and Hunter was beginning to feel the full burden of Harry Truman’s famous desk sign that reflected the truism of, “The Buck Stops Here”. And back in Harry’s day, he was dealing with a more docile and malleable press corps that wasn’t pressured by today’s 24-hour news cycle, thought Hunter. Now that the mourning period for Jonathan Braxton was over, the heat was on for some response to what was a unique phenomenon in American history, the assassination of an American President by a presumed operative of an enemy state. Since there was no possibility of a criminal trial in the U.S. to bring closure to this hostile act, Hunter felt that she was responsible for breaking new ground in response, and assembling her National Security Team in the Situation Room of the White House as the initial step. More intel was needed to determine if Minister Lee was operating for the State of North Korea, or on his own. Present were Philip Johnson, who had agreed to stay on as her Chief of Staff, the DNI, Directors of CIA and FBI, her Secretary of State, Alexander Randolph, who had also agreed to remain in his post, and the Secretary of Defense, Justin Roberts. Conspicuously absent was, of course, a Vice-President. In a tie for first place with the need for some response to the attack on President Braxton was, of course, the nomination of a V.P. to make good this looming Constitutional imperative. To provide some continuity, President Hunter had invited Admiral (Ret.) Taft Ralston, the Secretary of Homeland Security, who was now in charge of recommending a new chief of the Secret Service to replace the departed Christopher Worthy.

  “Ms. Mitchell, gentlemen, thank you for joining me here,” began President Hunter. “We have a full plate, with the first item on the agenda being something unprecedented in American history. We must come to grips with the death in Beijing of President Braxton at the hand of a so-called diplomat of a country with which the United States has been at odds, at least from a philosophical and political standpoint, for many years. I’d like to start with Raymond Rollins and, of course, Marilyn Mitchell, to fill us in with we know based on the intelligence we have, augmented by their analysis.”