by Ted Halstead
But it was an impulse Yang immediately suppressed. Confidence and determination were what he wanted to project.
So he laughed.
And as his laughter grew louder, pointed at the engineer who had spoken and said, "Comrades, I think he's right!"
A wave of relieved laughter washed across the floor as everyone dared to believe the mission had been a success.
The next few minutes crawled by as the laughter died, and many words were spoken by the American news anchor that amounted to just one thing.
He knew nothing besides what he had already reported.
Then his expression suddenly became more serious as he evidently heard more over his earpiece.
"It looks like another disaster for SpaceLink. They've confirmed losing all contact with their rocket's satellite payload, and every attempt to deploy the satellites has failed. This will be the second misfire in a row for the troubled company…"
The rest of what he had to say was rendered inaudible by the cheering that started spontaneously and quickly included everyone across the floor.
Including, Yang was surprised to find, him as well.
And why not, Yang thought to himself.
Today was not just a victory for China's military and space program.
It was also a critical step towards placing China's future safely in the hands of the only people proved competent to lead this great nation.
Its Generals.
Chapter Forty
Zhongnanhai Compound
Beijing, China
President Lin Wang Yong looked up from the papers on his desk as General Yang Mingren was escorted into his office.
The expression on Lin's face could hardly have been more different than on Yang's last visit.
Wreathed in smiles. Not a thundercloud ready to erupt.
"General, welcome! Please, have a seat!" Lin said, beaming.
"Thank you, sir," Yang said. He did his best to keep any trace of resentment from his tone or posture.
But it wasn't easy.
"Congratulations on a great success! First off, let's take care of this matter," Lin said as he lifted one piece of paper from the many on his desk. Then, he showed it to Yang.
It was his resignation letter.
Lin slowly and ceremoniously ripped it first in half and then in quarters.
Next, he tossed the pieces over his shoulder to the floor behind him.
"China needs men like you to protect it from the threats that assail it from all sides. Sadly, though you have dealt one of those threats a crushing blow, it yet lives," Lin said.
"Sir?" was all Yang could think of to ask.
"You told me the last time we met there was a third Spaceship being readied to launch from Florida. Just before you walked in, it was announced that its scheduled launch had been pushed up. I fear you will have barely enough time to return to Jiuquan to oversee its destruction," Lin said.
As though he could do so as easily as ordering another bowl of rice with his dinner, Yang thought furiously.
A thought he was careful to keep off his face.
Aloud, Yang replied with a question.
"Sir, that rocket was due to conduct a test of delivering supplies to the American military who have just returned to Afghanistan. It isn't supposed to even carry real military items, just ballast, and monitoring instruments. Apparently, the American military didn't want to risk any real supplies on a test flight. After two failed launches, I'm sure they consider that a wise decision. Has that changed?"
Lin shook his head. "No. That's still what they're saying publicly. But I don't trust the American billionaire who owns the rocket. He could change what it carries. Maybe without telling his military."
Yang had trouble believing what he was hearing. He was no expert on the Americans. But even he was sure no person, not even a billionaire, could change a rocket cargo on his own that had been contracted to the American government.
"And I'm taking steps to make sure he won't be around to trouble us much longer," Lin said darkly, more to himself than to Yang.
Then Lin looked up as though realizing he'd said his thoughts aloud. And regretted doing so.
What madness was this? Had Lin sent assassins after Eli Wade?
Yang didn't know very many things with absolute certainty.
One of those few things was that China wasn't ready for war with the Americans.
Was Lin about to start one?
Lin hurried on as though hoping to erase Yang's memory of his last words. "The fact is, that rocket could still carry four hundred satellites to beam lies and sedition into our country. That is a risk we can't take."
Yang nodded as though agreeing, while he thought as quickly as he could. He had to convince Lin to change his mind.
Yang had only one missile left, and it would be at least two weeks before more were delivered.
And he knew how much luck had been required for the success of the last missile strike.
"Sir, I suggest we monitor the launch, with our attack at the ready. We will track the rocket's progress. If it is indeed delivering cargo in Afghanistan, this will be clear from its launch profile. If instead it matches the course of the last rocket and attempts to place satellites in orbit, we will destroy it then," Yang said.
Lin cocked his head suspiciously. "Wouldn't it be simpler to destroy the rocket either way?"
Yang shrugged. "We must consider the Americans' reaction to the explosion of three rockets in a row. It might lead to a much closer investigation of their cause. On the other hand, if the third rocket carries out its mission successfully, they may believe the first two disasters were simple accidents."
Lin looked at Yang with surprise. "You mean an American military reaction! Do you believe that's possible?"
Yes, I do, you jackass. Was the thought Yang absolutely had to keep off his face.
He managed it with some difficulty.
Aloud, Yang said, "Sir, the Americans have sometimes acted unpredictably. They certainly have the capability to damage our forces. It seems prudent to attack only if it is necessary."
Lin scowled but finally nodded. "Very well. But understand this, General. You are personally responsible for ensuring that no satellites are launched by that rocket. Based on your past success, I'm sure that you are up to the task."
Yang stood and saluted. "I appreciate your confidence, sir. You won't be disappointed."
A few minutes after Yang's departure, the door to Lin's office opened again.
Ministry of State Security Song carefully closed the door behind him.
Good, Lin thought. This is certainly a conversation I don't want overheard.
"Welcome, Minister," Lin said. "Congratulations on the success of the first action promised by the Russians. I have seen nothing that suggests the Americans believe we were responsible."
Song nodded, though Lin's words alarmed him. Did he think the Americans didn't suspect a connection between the satellites destroyed by the laser weapon and the destruction of the rocket in Florida carrying more satellites?
Since both the satellites they'd destroyed in space and the ones carried by the rocket that exploded beamed an Internet signal that could be received in China?
Song considered pointing this out to Lin but instantly discarded the idea. Lin didn't like being told bad news.
He liked being told he was wrong even less.
So, Song just said, "Thank you, sir."
"Now that the Russians have delivered on the first action they promised, it's time for them to carry out the second. I understand their team is in place, correct?" Lin asked.
"Yes, sir. But I understand the next American rocket launch won't carry satellites. Also, the American media reports SpaceLink hasn't yet been able to produce enough satellites to fill the Spaceship's capacity of at least four hundred. Since they lost a total of eight hundred satellites in the last two rocket explosions, that certainly seems credible," Song replied.
"So, you believe w
e should wait?" Lin asked.
"Yes, sir. Our reports say that even if rushed, the next Spaceship after this one won't be ready for at least another month. We have already found many of these so-called Gateways with our new detection drone and expect to find many more. Why take the risk of assassinating Eli Wade if we can avoid it?" Song replied.
If Lin hadn't just dealt with pushback from Yang, Song might have had a chance.
As it was, he had none.
"No, Minister, my mind is made up. Eli Wade is an enemy of the Chinese people and must die. Communicate with the Russians that the assassination should happen as soon as possible. And of course, to be certain nothing can be traced back to us," Lin said.
Song nodded and said, "I will do so immediately."
Then Song smiled. "Ordinarily, I would tell you I will report as soon as it is done, but I think we can count on the American media to do that more quickly than I possibly could."
Lin smiled back and said, "I look forward to it."
Once Song had left Lin's office, though, the smile quickly left his face.
When he had proposed the Russian's involvement, Song knew about the Air Force's antisatellite laser weapon.
But he had known nothing about the antisatellite missile until it had been used against the second Spaceship launch.
This meant three separate attacks against American satellites China objected to would be followed by assassination of the man behind their manufacture and launch.
Taken together, it was simply too much. The Americans would react. The only question was how.
Just as troubling as that prospect was the fact that Yang had somehow concealed his antisatellite missile project from State Security.
What else was Yang hiding?
Chapter Forty-One
USS Oregon
Under the South China Sea
Captain Jim Cartwright frowned as he looked over all of the reports Lieutenant Commander Fischer had just given him. As Fischer had said, they all showed the USS Oregon was ready to launch the modified Tomahawk.
"Have we confirmed that the JSDF's AWACS is on station to monitor Chinese activities in the area and the success of our attack?" Cartwright asked.
"Yes, sir," Fischer replied. He knew as well as Cartwright did that the cooperation of the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) would be critical for this operation. The JSDF had been keeping one of their Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) on station in the area for over a year, as China had kept pushing its military activities towards Japanese-claimed islands.
This meant the JSDF could be their eyes for the attack without raising Chinese alert levels. And since they would only observe and report, the JSDF had decided their AWACS could participate without violating the "self defense only" provisions of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
This was fortunate since JSDF AWACS were the only ones in the world to use the newer Boeing 767 airframe. Japan had placed its AWACS order after the old Boeing 707 airframe used by AWACS in all other countries had ceased production. So, JDSF AWACS were capable of additional mission time aloft and included extra room for AWACS crew and equipment.
"Very well, Commander. Launch modified Tomahawk at the designated target."
"Yes, sir," Fischer replied as he relayed the order. There was a barely perceptible tremor as the Tomahawk left the Oregon.
After a few moments, Fischer said, "Launch successful, Captain. Missile is on course to target."
Cartwright nodded. "Now, I've read the reports on this weapon, but you've seen it tested. Is it really the game-changer for the Tomahawk that's being claimed?"
Fischer shrugged. "I saw it tested under nearly ideal conditions. The biggest drawback for the weapon is that its effectiveness drops if there's substantial wind over the target."
"Well, that makes sense. The missile is dispersing a cloud of highly volatile gas over the target and then igniting it with a laser. If wind blows some of the gas off the target, it would have to be less effective," Cartwright said.
"Yes, sir," Fischer said, nodding. "Especially since the Tomahawk has to fly far enough past the target to ignite the vapor cloud with its laser and still survive. The whole point of the weapon is deniability. With no weapon shrapnel on-site, there's no evidence to point to an attacker."
Cartwright frowned. "But what about the missile itself? If there's no deep water available within the Tomahawk's remaining range after it attacks, then it would be the proverbial 'smoking gun' wouldn't it?"
"That's right, sir. It's programmed to self-destruct once it travels as far as possible from the attack site. But deniability is based on the idea that those Tomahawk fragments will be scattered on a seabed and impossible to recover. That should work out fine for this attack on a tiny island, but wouldn't for many inland targets," Fischer said.
"But a Tomahawk's not that big. Can it carry enough 'volatile vapor' to do much damage, even if it's highly pressurized? In short, can it really knock out the airfield on that base?"
Fischer shrugged. "The missile did a lot more damage than I thought it would when I saw it tested. But I've seen the satellite pictures of the base just like you have, sir. Weather reports say winds will be calm, sure. But even under ideal conditions, the new weapon will just cause some damage to a base that size that will probably be repaired pretty quickly. I'd also be surprised if there were many casualties."
Cartwright nodded and then frowned even more deeply. "Well, launching that missile was like ringing a dinner bell to any subs the Chinese have out here. Any hint so far that we have company?"
Fischer shook his head. "No, sir. Sonar knows what to look for, including the new Sui class. They also know to inform me immediately if there's so much as a peep."
"Very well. Let me know as soon as we hear from that AWACS. In the meantime, set course back to base, best possible speed," Cartwright said.
"Yes, sir," Fischer replied.
Cartwright and Fischer had already discussed the course and speed the Oregon would use to exit the launch area based on one central guess. That any submarine the Chinese had in the area would be between them and the Chinese base they had just attacked.
They both thought it likely at least one Chinese submarine would have detected the Tomahawk launch. But Fischer figured it would wait for confirmation that the launch had been an attack rather than a test before engaging in pursuit.
Cartwright was sure they would pursue either way. He agreed, though, that any Chinese submarine captain would probably wait to fire on the Oregon until the attack had been confirmed.
Even then, if the attack caused few casualties, Cartwright thought the Chinese might hesitate to respond. After all, they had launched only a single missile.
And the Oregon wouldn't be so easy to find. The Virginia class was the first to incorporate an advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system. The latest sound-absorbing coating applied to the Oregon worked without peeling off, as it had on earlier Virginia class submarines.
Most important, its pump-jet propulsors created a high-pressure flow of water to move the Oregon forward. This method was far quieter than a traditional propeller.
As a propeller turns, it creates an area of low pressure at the trailing edge of each blade. And engineers had discovered decades ago that water could boil due to low pressure just as it could be boiled with high temperature and produce bubbles.
These bubbles are called cavitation, a deadly source of noise for most submarines.
The bubbles are cavities of vapor inside a liquid. Since propeller blades keep moving, they take the low pressure with them and leave the cavitation bubbles in the high pressure of the deep ocean. Where the bubbles pop and create noise.
Cartwright looked at a map of the area and frowned.
China had been pushing America and its Pacific allies in the South China Sea for years. Forcing down an American military aircraft flying in what everyone but China called international airspace. Building artificial islands in what everyone
but China called international waters. Or waters that were claimed by American allies.
So far, there had been no response. From anyone.
Maybe it was only natural that China had kept right on pushing.
Cartwright wasn't surprised that America was finally responding.
He was amazed it had taken this long.
Chapter Forty-Two
Changzheng 20
Under the South China Sea
Captain Wen was annoyed every time he thought about the name of the submarine under his command. It was not that he objected to the name itself. Changzheng or "Long March" was a perfectly appropriate reference to a critically important event in Chinese Communist Party history.
If the Long March had not succeeded, China would not now be ruled by the Communist Party.
So maybe it was no surprise that the most remarkable feats of Chinese technology, both rockets and submarines, were named "Changzheng."
But every single operational Chinese nuclear submarine, regardless of class?
There were still three old Type 091s operating that the Americans called the Han class. Plus nine from the newer Type 093 class, called Shang by the Americans.
They were all named "Changzheng," followed by a number. Just like his submarine.
Giving his Type 095 command the same name as a Type 091 submarine commissioned in 1984, before most of his sailors had been born, was like giving the same name to both a Ferrari and a donkey cart.
Wen's musings were interrupted by his Executive Officer, Commander Duan.
Wen had a very high opinion of his abilities, which would have surprised nobody in China's Navy. Modest men did not reach the rank of Captain.
Wen respected few officers of lower rank. Duan was one of the rare exceptions. He was the only officer who Wen believed knew as much as he did about the real capabilities of the new Type 095. Both good and bad.
Maybe more than Wen did, though he had trouble admitting that even to himself.
Duan had just one failing. He sometimes questioned both orders and established regulations.