by Ted Halstead
Again, made with osmanthus. Just as before, it made Chen think of her mother.
And what would her mother think of all this?
Chen resolutely pushed that thought out of her mind and began eating.
Wang's food tasted even better than it looked and smelled. Very quickly, it was gone.
Chen flushed as she looked up at Wang. She had been eating like a villager just returned hungry from the fields. Without a word of thanks to the cook.
Wang smiled and put her right hand on Chen's. "I'm glad you liked it," she said.
Chen trembled at Wang's touch and then heard herself saying, "We need to talk," and gestured towards the sofa.
Wang nodded, and shortly they were back where they had been the previous evening.
Which felt like about a decade ago, Chen thought.
Wang spoke first. "Look, I know you have a girlfriend. If you don't want to see me again, I understand. But I know myself. I'm not going to spend time with someone unless I have real feelings for them. And I don't have a girlfriend and haven't for more than two years. I'd stopped looking and have spent all my time and energy on Forward. If you don't want me, I'll go back to that and ask Director Pan to have someone else work with you. I'm nothing special as a coder and can be easily replaced."
"No, you can't," Chen heard herself saying.
Then her arms were around Wang again.
I guess I've made my decision, Chen thought.
And then Chen stopped thinking about anything but Wang, and how she was happier than she'd ever been.
Chapter Forty-Seven
South Sea Fleet Headquarters
Zhanjiang, China
Admiral Bai was already in a foul mood when his staff car pulled up at his headquarters' entrance. His favorite perk of being an Admiral was that he kept regular hours. That meant for the first time in decades of Navy service, he was home for dinner and got a full night's sleep.
Bai had started to get used to it.
But now Bai was here while the sun was still struggling to get over the horizon. And if the news was as bad as initial reports made it sound, it was going to be a long time before things went back to normal.
Bai's executive officer, Senior Captain Ding, was at the headquarters door waiting for him.
Ding's wooden expression said no good news was waiting inside.
Ding was Bai's third XO after officers at both lower and higher ranks had proved unsatisfactory. So far, Bai thought he'd finally found an officer who knew what he was doing.
Ding had served his last tour as a submarine captain. He was waiting to assume command of a new Type 095 submarine, but unluckily for him, its completion had been delayed.
"Do we have a damage report from Ziyou Island yet?" Bai growled.
Ding nearly had to run to keep up with Bai's urgent stride towards his office.
"Yes, sir. Two helicopters from a Type 075 carrier we have on station in the area were sent as soon as radio communication with the base was cut off," Ding replied, at the same time as he opened the door to the Admiral's office suite and stood aside for Bai's entry.
Bai glanced at his desk as he walked towards it and saw the expected folder.
"Their report?" Bai asked.
"Yes, sir," Ding replied and then stood quietly as Bai read the report.
It didn't take long.
"No survivors?" Bai said, shaking his head. "What sort of attack could do that?"
"Sir, as you'd ordered, a Xi'an KJ-600 was on station in the area. It reports that no flights by aircraft capable of launching an attack passed anywhere near Ziyou Island last night," Ding replied.
Bai grunted. The Xi'an KJ-600's resemblance to the American Hawkeye early warning aircraft was no coincidence. Obtaining classified details on the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye to allow production of a Chinese version was one of the most critical successes to date for Chinese Naval Intelligence.
But the KJ-600 was a brand new aircraft. Had its crew missed something?
"No aircraft capable of launching an attack, you say. So, what was detected?" Bai asked.
"An Australian MQ-4C Triton naval surveillance drone was reported passing within fifty kilometers at seventeen thousand meters altitude on what appeared to be a routine patrol. A Japanese AWACS was reported at the edge of airspace claimed by Japan closest to our waters. Again, on what looked like a routine patrol."
Bai frowned. It was true that neither the Triton nor the AWACS had an offensive capability.
"Let's say there was no attack from the air. We'd have spotted a surface ship. That leaves an attack from a submarine. Only the Americans have both the ability and the will to launch such an attack." Bai said.
Ding nodded but said nothing. Bai was right. An attack from an American submarine was the only explanation that made sense.
"I also ordered a submarine to patrol near that base. Do we have any report from them?" Bai asked.
Ding shook his head. "No, sir. The Changzheng 20 was assigned to the patrol you ordered, but we've heard nothing from them yet."
"A Type 095 submarine, like the one you're going to command, right? And the best we've got. Well, that's good news anyway. Let's get some use out of that new communications facility we built at such expense. Order that submarine to search for a potential attacker, and report its findings."
Ding said, "Yes, sir," and was careful to keep his expression neutral.
But not quite careful enough.
"OK, Ding, out with it. Why don't you think we should do what I just ordered?" Bai asked.
"First, sir, I recognize we will be asked why we did not use the Project WEM facility if we don't contact the Changzheng 20. But I know her captain. If the base were struck by a submarine, Captain Wen would have detected the attack and already be in pursuit. If I'm right about that, then contacting the Changzheng 20 will interrupt its pursuit and likely alert the enemy," Ding replied.
"None of that sounds good. But you're going to have to explain further, Captain. Are you telling me that all the money we spent on Project WEM was wasted?" Bai asked.
The Wireless Electromagnetic Method (WEM) Project had taken over a decade to build before completion in 2018. Its Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) antenna array covered an area of central China greater than New York City. Officially its purpose was to map underground mineral resources and provide early warning of earthquakes. Which were both scientifically valid explanations.
And had nothing to do with the money spent on it. Its real purpose was communicating with submarines since ELF radio waves could penetrate seawater.
The Russians and Americans had both built ELF facilities during the Cold War, and India had built one in 2014. The Americans, though, had abandoned ELF technology in favor of Very Low Frequency (VLF) in 2004.
China had considered copying the American approach but decided on ELF because it preferred a single central facility. To make VLF communication with submarines practical, the Americans had to build a network of ground transmission facilities and deploy a fleet of sixteen E-6B Mercury strategic communications aircraft.
Ding's entire career had been in submarines, and he knew all this. He also knew Admiral Bai, who had spent his career commanding surface vessels, did not.
This would not be the best time to tell him so.
"Sir, Project WEM gives us the ability to notify a submarine anywhere in the world that headquarters has new orders for it to execute. That is a precious capability. However, its ELF technology only allows limited communication. In practice, we can only use it to order them to approach the surface to receive new orders through its regular communications antenna," Ding said.
Bai nodded slowly. "So, if they are already pursuing an enemy submarine, that would make them vulnerable."
Ding relaxed a fraction. Bai might not be a submariner, but he wasn't stupid.
His hopes were dashed almost immediately.
"But you're assuming this Captain Wen heard the attack. We don't know what new technology an American
submarine might be using. Maybe he didn't hear anything," Bai said.
As he could see Ding getting ready to object, Bai held up his hand.
"And let's suppose he did. How would Captain Wen know about the results of the American attack? And if he didn't know, what would his orders say he should do? Would they allow him to attack the American submarine?" Bai asked.
That made Ding stop and think. Finally, he nodded reluctantly.
"You are right, sir. Captain Wen will have no way to know our base was destroyed unless we tell him. Unless the Americans fire on him, his orders will not allow him to do more than pursue them until they have left our waters."
Bai smiled. "Good, then we agree. And don't think I'm ignoring the risk to our first deployed Type 095 submarine. Find out which attack submarines we have closest to the Changzheng 20 and send them an ELF message as well. Order them to assist in finding and destroying the American submarine that carried out the attack."
Ding saluted and hurried off to carry out his orders.
Then he was struck by a new thought. The damage assessment report had said there was no evidence of what had caused the base's destruction.
How was that possible?
Ding mentally added one more order to the list. Having whoever had been in charge of the damage assessment team report to him in person as quickly as possible.
If they were going to war with the Americans, Ding wanted to know everything he could about how it had started.
Chapter Forty-Eight
USS Oregon
Under the South China Sea
Captain Jim Cartwright had sailed on many missions with Lieutenant Commander Fischer and thought he'd seen every expression that could be on his face.
But not this one. Fischer's face showed nothing at all.
In fact, Cartwright thought with a frown, Fischer looked close to shock.
"What's wrong, Fischer?" Cartwright asked in a voice he hoped was too quiet for anyone else on the bridge to hear.
"Captain, we have the report on our attack from that JSDF AWACS," Fischer replied and handed a printout to Cartwright.
Cartwright didn't need long to read it. He understood immediately why Fischer looked so upset.
Cartwright had the same reaction but firmly pushed the feeling away. Time for regrets later.
First, he needed to understand what had happened.
"There's not much solid detail in this report. To get it, the JSDF says we're going to need to request follow up from the Australians. Do you have that request drafted via PACOM?" Cartwright asked.
"Yes, sir. I have it right here," Fischer replied.
The unified combatant command for all US forces in the Indo-Pacific region was officially renamed USINDOPACOM in 2018 to recognize South Asia's growing importance. That included annual naval exercises with India and Japan that were sometimes expanded to include Australia and other countries, to China's vocal annoyance.
But in the privacy of a submarine deployed thousands of miles from USINDOPACOM headquarters in Hawaii, "PACOM" was still good enough.
"Good," Cartwright said, barely glancing at the message before scrawling his approval. Fischer knew his business, and this needed to go out fast.
"The JSDF thinks just about all the damage done outside the runway was caused by secondary explosions. In short, that the Chinese left enough fuel and explosives improperly stored to let our weapon detonate the lot. Does that make sense to you?" Cartwright asked.
To Cartwright's relief, Fischer's shocked expression slowly became more thoughtful.
"That's a good question, sir. The Chinese military has become more competent and professional over the last decade or so, not less. There has to be a reason…" Fischer's voice trailed off, and his eyes lost focus for a moment as he thought.
Then Fischer's head snapped back up, and he said disbelievingly, "Sir, could they have been ordered to get the base ready for operations by a fixed date, no matter what? I can't imagine what else could account for what the JSDF is saying happened."
Cartwright nodded slowly. "I think that's a good guess. Include it in our request for further analysis of the Australian data."
"Yes, sir. One other matter. We still don't have a confirmed sonar return on any other submarines out here. But sonar does report intermittent noise that doesn't fit any known acoustic profile. Sonar also doesn't consider the noise significant enough to indicate a submarine and says it's not consistent enough to generate a bearing," Fischer said.
Cartwright nodded. "But you still think it's worth telling me about it."
"Yes, sir. Whatever the noise is, it's moving closer," Fischer said.
"Battle stations," Cartwright said immediately and smiled at Fischer's startled reaction.
"I know other things could account for the noise, and the sound's movement towards us could be a coincidence. But if I were a Chinese submarine captain, I know what I'd do when I heard us fire a Tomahawk. Move towards us on battery, and wait for our reaction. Designate the noise as Sierra One," Cartwright said.
"Yes, sir," Fischer replied and pulled the yellow oval handle that set off the general alarm, a series of fourteen gongs. At the same time, he said into his microphone, "Man battle stations torpedo."
Cartwright nodded to himself. If his guess was right and a Chinese submarine was approaching, they should know now that the Oregon had noticed.
That left two questions.
Did the Chinese submarine captain know that the island base they had been protecting was now a smoking ruin?
And if so, did his orders allow an immediate attack on the Oregon?
Changzheng 20
Under the South China Sea
Captain Wen looked up at Commander Duan's approach. Duan didn't look happy.
"Sir, we have received an ELF message from headquarters to establish contact to receive new orders," Duan said.
Wen knew better than to ask if the ELF message contained any further details. Due to the limitations of the technology, he knew an ELF message would never say more than "establish contact to receive new orders."
But he could see Duan had something else to say.
"Something else, Commander?" Wen asked gently.
"Yes, sir," Duan said glumly. "Sonar reports an increase in noise from within the target submarine consistent with their assuming battle stations. But our fix on the American's position is not yet close enough to fire on them with confidence of a hit."
Wen nodded thoughtfully. Well, he could see why Duan was unhappy. If they obeyed orders and headed towards the surface, they would lose what little tactical advantage they possessed.
"So, Duan, do you think the Americans know for sure we are here?" Wen asked.
Duan immediately shook his head. "No, sir. We have been quiet enough on battery that I see no way they could have a torpedo lock or anything close to it. No, I think their sonar has heard something, and their Captain is making an educated guess."
"Yes," Wen said. "He knew firing that Tomahawk would draw the attention of any submarine nearby and that our new base would have a submarine nearby on patrol."
"So, Captain, do we obey orders and turn the American's guess into certainty?" Duan asked.
Wen frowned. "Commander, I have already made my decision. But tell me, if you were in my chair, what would you do?"
Duan was silent for a moment. Good, Wen thought approvingly. The decision merited some thought.
Finally, Duan made a face that reminded Wen of the last time he'd tasted spoiled fish.
"Sir, we have no choice. Not only must we obey this ELF notice from headquarters, but they might also be sending us orders to attack the Americans. If we don't receive such orders, we can only pursue the enemy submarine until it leaves our waters. Unless it decides to fire first."
"Excellent, Duan. I knew I'd picked the right man to be my XO. I'm glad to have that confirmed once again. Order us to rise slowly to the depth needed to extend our communications antenna. Maintain all precautions against
noise generation," Wen said.
"Yes, sir," Duan said gamely.
Of course, Duan knew as well as Wen did that their precautions would do little good. In rising, the Changzheng 20 would pass through multiple thermal layers and changes in water pressure. Doing so would cause noise. The only question was how much.
No effort had been spared to make the lifting of their antenna as silent as possible. But, it was still a mechanism moving through seawater. It could never do so in total silence.
So, until now, the Americans might have been guessing that the Changzheng 20 was keeping it company.
Very soon, they would know for sure.
In minutes, Wen had received his new orders.
Duan had, of course, read them before passing the orders to his Captain. So, at first, he was surprised by Wen's next directive.
"Resume pursuit on battery. Maintain all noise precautions. Keep me advised of any change in the target's course and speed," Wen said.
Duan slowly nodded. "Yes, Captain," he said automatically.
Then he smiled.
"You want to keep their Captain guessing about the orders we've received," Duan said.
Wen nodded. "Correct, Duan. I think sonar is right, and the Americans are at battle stations. Let them stay that way for a while, with their nerves stretched to the breaking point. As we resume battery operation at a constant depth, their fix on our location will again become less and less precise."
"And when the moment is right, we will launch our attack," Duan said softly.
"Yes," Wen said just as quietly. "And avenge the deaths of all those killed at our base by the Americans."
Chapter Forty-Nine
USS Oregon
Under the South China Sea
Captain Jim Cartwright could guess what news Lieutenant Commander Fischer was bringing from his excited expression.
"Sonar has a fix on the enemy submarine," Cartwright said flatly.
The fact that it had taken this long suggested the new Sui class's ability to avoid detection had significantly improved over the previous Shang class of nuclear attack submarines.