Brown, Dale - Patrick McLanahan 06 (37 page)

 
          
Finegold
saw the hint of relief in Balboas face—she had guessed wrong. “All four subs
shadowing the Chinese fleet are safe,” Balboa said.

 
          
“Thank
God,” she replied. Time to take a chance, roll the dice, Barbara Finegold told
herself. She leaned toward Balboa, turning him away from Joe Crane so it felt
as if they were talking alone and confidentially, and asked, “What about the
stealth bombers? Did they make it out? Hopefully they were far enough away when
the nukes went off.”

 
          
Balboa
looked into Finegold’s eyes, searching to see whether or not she knew or was
just guessing. In response, Finegold gave him her sternest, most confident
expression, not breaking lock with his eyes even for a moment. Balboa asked
himself the question,
Does she know about
the bombers?
and his tortured mind answered,
Obviously so.

 
          
“They’re
safe,” Balboa said. “They weren’t involved in the nuclear explosions—in fact,
they probably shot down other Chinese missiles and may have even intercepted
the missile that exploded over Quemoy, resulting in only a partial yield.
They’re safely on their way back.”

 
          
“Good
... that’s damned good news, Admiral,” Finegold said. Outside, she appeared
relieved, but inside, her brain and her guts were leaping. The President sent
stealth bombers over the Formosa Strait— bombers that could apparently fire
anti-missile weapons? In the face of harsh congressional investigations that he
might have illegally used stealth warplanes to bomb Iran, the President
actually dared to use them
again,
just
a few weeks later, in the middle of a China-Taiwan conflict? It was absolutely
amazing, incredible, unbelievable! And now the “skirmish” was blowing up into
possibly a full-scale nuclear war, one in which the United States was obviously
going to get involved—and the President’s hands were in deep, deep, deep shit,
up to his armpits. The new President of the
United States
was possibly illegally involved in
precipitating a
nuclear war.
“This
information will go no farther than this room.” “Wait a minute, wait a minute,”
Crane gasped, finally getting up to speed with the others. “You’re saying that.
. . ?”

           
“Let’s drop it, Joe—we’re not here
to pump the admiral for information,” Barbara Finegold said, although she
wanted nothing more than to do just that. “This conversation didn’t take place.
It
did not
take place. All we needed
to know was that the evacuation was precautionary, and that no American forces
have been mobilized.”

 
          
“Yes,
completely precautionary—definitely not a prelude to war, and no American
forces are on alert,” Balboa verified. “Our guys may have fired some weapons in
self-defense ...”

 
          
“The
bombers?”

 
          
Balboa
nodded as he continued, “... but no attack orders were ever issued by the
President. None.”

 
          
“We
can support self-defense,” Finegold said. “Even helping to protect innocent
lives and property, especially if we knew the Chinese might use nuclear
weapons. That action is acceptable.”

 
          
“That’s
all that was used,” Balboa added, looking as if a huge weight had been lifted
from his chest. As long as he believed this conversation was off the record,
Finegold thought, he felt confident in saying just a little bit more. Of
course, she never
said
it was off the
record, just that it never took place—which, of course, it obviously did. She
took one more flyer: “You should be proud of your guys out there, Admiral.”

 
          
His
relieved expression hardened into a dark scowl, and Finegold was afraid she had
said too much—or maybe she had hit the nerve that had been jangling in Balboa’s
brain all this time. He said fervently, as if pleading with her, “Don’t look at
the Navy, Senator. Not our ballgame.”

           
“Jesus,” Finegold gasped with as
much sympathetic horror as she could summon. “You mean, the President shut your
boys out again in favor of some other secret no-name sandlot pickup team?”

           
“You got it,” Balboa responded
bitterly, now convinced that the Senate Majority Leader really did know the
entire score. “You got it.”

 
          
That
was all he had to say—but Barbara Finegold’s heart was leaping in pure, abject
joy. He had already said quite enough—and it might be enough to bring down a
president.

 
          
“When men have minds set on victory, all
they see is the enemy. When men have minds filled with fear, all they see is
their fear.”

—from
The Methods of the Minister of War
; Fourth-century-B.c. Chinese
military textbook

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, BEIJING,
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 1997, 0809 HOURS LOCAL (TUESDAY, 3
JUNE, 1909 HOURS ET)

 
          
“You
have thirty seconds to explain,” Chief of Staff General Chin Po Zi- hong
thundered, “why you ordered this insane, monstrous attack. I have already
ordered that you be dismissed as my chief deputy. Your response will determine
whether or not you spend the rest of your
life
in prison for what you have done—or if you are executed as a traitor! ” The
Minister of National Defense, Chi Haotian, waited for the response as well,
hands on the armrests of his chair, watching Chins deputy—rather,
exdeputy
—Admiral Sun Ji Guoming, with a
sagging, tired grimace.

 
          
“Our
carrier and its escort ships were under attack by rebel Nationalist naval forces,
assisted by an unknown force launching anti-radar and anti-ship missiles, sir,”
Admiral Sun responded, his voice loud, steady, and assertive. “I suspected a
stealth aircraft attack, based on the same type of reports during the recent
United States-Iran conflict, and I immediately ordered a full-scale
counterattack.”

 
          
“You
ordered? You are just a deputy,
Sun, not a commander!” Chin thundered. “You have no authority to launch a
strike mission or countermand my orders!”

 
          
“I
beg your understanding, Comrade General,” Sun said, with as much sincerity as
he could muster, keeping his eyes averted, “but there was no time. Our forces
were being decimated by the rebel warships and the American B-52 bomber. If I
had gone through proper channels, the American aircraft would have wiped out
our battle group.”

 
          
“A
B-52 bomber!” Minister of Defense Chi exclaimed. Chi knew well the power of the
American B-52s—he had been in power during the abortive attack on the
Philippines. “This is incredible! Are you sure, Sun?”

 
          
“The
Nationalists used an American stealth aircraft to support an illegal intercept
on the high seas against our warships, sir,” Sun retorted. “The fighter pilots
from the carrier
Mao
confirmed the
sighting before they were shot down—another act of war. I used my judgment and
ordered our battle group to commence their attack against Quemoy from long
range—”

 
          
“With
nuclear weapons?”
Chin retorted. “You
ordered Yi to launch a thermonuclear attack against the Nationalists?”

 
          
“I
ordered Admiral Yi to do everything in his power to defend his battle group and
carry out his attack orders,” Sun replied. “I did not order him to launch a
nuclear attack—but I support his decision to do so. His battle group is intact
with only minor losses, the rebels have been severely wounded, and the world is
paralyzed with fear. The mission was successful.”

 
          
“You
are absolutely
insane,
Sun! ” Chin
said, unable to believe what his subordinate was saying. “You actually think
this action was proper? Do you think nuclear weapons are just another bullet to
take from your belt and load into your pistol? Did you stop to think for one
second about the consequences?”

 
          
“I
have thought of little else, sir! ” Sun responded. “Sun-tzu says that if an
incendiary attack can be launched from outside without relying on inside
assistance, it should be initiated.”

 
          
“So
now I suppose you think we should invade?”

 
          
“No,
sir,” Sun said. “We should desist.”

 
          
“What?
You approved a nuclear attack on
Quemoy—don’t try to deny it, Sun, you gave the order without specifically
mentioning nuclear devices—then say we should not continue the invasion?” Chin
shook his head in stunned disbelief. “I do not understand you, Sun! You
orchestrated a nuclear attack against the Nationalists, an attack that may well
isolate China for decades in the eyes of the world, and now you advise us to
abandon the mission? Why? Explain yourself! ”

 
          
“Because
we initiated an incendiary attack against the Nationalist army on Quemoy, and
they are quiet,” Sun replied. “Sun-tzu teaches us that if the enemy is quiet
after such an attack, wait and do not attack, for it means that the fires did
not substantially weaken them.”

 
          
“Explain
in words other than this ancient drivel, Admiral! ”

 
          
“The
blast was not directly over Quemoy, and it appears it was not a full yield,”
Sun replied. “I think the rebel forces on Quemoy are mostly still intact,
protected in underground command centers, garrisons, and marshaling areas.
Besides, our fleet was substantially damaged, morale among the naval forces is
low because of the ferocity of the stealth bomber attacks, our ground forces
are not ready, and the Americans are on the alert. No, we cannot press the
attack now. We have no choice but to withdraw.”

 
          
Chin
shook his head, totally confused. Minister Chi asked, “So what happens now,
Admiral? We do not fight, we do not attack. The Paramount Leader’s directive is
no more. What are we left with, comrade?”

           
“Sir, we have proven that the
United States
committed an act of war upon the People’s
Republic of
China
by firing anti-ship missiles at our ships—this may be our most potent
weapon against the influence of the Americans in our region,” Sun said. “We
have shown that the Americans are terrorists, that they will stop at nothing,
break any law, to advance their agenda. This undeclared war, this illegal
attack against our battle group, combined with their illegal overflight of our
airspace without permission by an armed combat aircraft during the Iranian
conflict, deserves immediate world condemnation! China has long been
criticized, even ostracized, in the eyes of the world for our perceived human
rights record—tell me, sir, how do you think the United States will be regarded
in the eyes of the world when they are proven to be the greatest terrorist nation
ever to exist in the history of the planet?”

 
          
To
General Chin’s surprise, Minister Chi was quiet—which was in effect an
endorsement of Sun’s actions. The tide was turning here, Chin thought—it might
be best not to complain too loudly. But Sun Ji Guoming had clearly overstepped
his authority and usurped the rank and office of the Chief of Staff of the
Liberation Army, and he had to be removed from office as soon as possible. “You
claim that a B-52 bomber shot down
three
Su-33 fighters, the best combat aircraft in our air army?” Chin asked
derisively. “Impossible.”

 
          
“That
is the pilot’s report, sir,” Sun said excitedly. “The third pilot radioed
details of the attacks just before he began his counterattack. The Sukhoi
pilots are the best pilots in the air army; I believe their statement. It is
too implausible to be anything but the truth.”

 
          
“That
is your criterion for judging the
validity of this report—that it is too unbelievable to be a false or inaccurate
report?” Chin exploded. “Have you gone insane, Sun?”

 
          
“Sir,
Comrade Minister, we have seen intelligence reports on this aircraft from
Russian sources,” Sun said. “It was supposedly used in the conflict between
Lithuania and Belarus. Our own analysts claim that these modified planes may
have been used against us in our conflict in the Philippines—the planes we
assumed to be standard B-52G or -H bombers could have been these planes—”

 
          
“Enough,”
Chin shouted. “You are too incompetent to wear those stars, Sun. You are a
disgrace to the uniform and to your entire lineage.”

           
“Wait, Comrade General,” Minister
of Defense Chi interjected in a low, gravelly voice. “I wish to hear more.”
Then, to Chin himself, he added, “And I wish to hear more from you about what
you intend to offer as a response to the Central Military Commission.”

           
“Very well, sir,” Chin said. “Sun,
you are dismissed—”

 
          
“I
said, Sun shall stay!” Chi shouted.

 
          
Chin
stood at attention and lowered his eyes as a sign of respect and obedience, but
he was obviously seething over the fact that Chi Haotian was not giving him
free rein in disciplining his subordinates. “Comrade Minister, there should be
no discussion here over the fate of this insolent pup,” General Chin said,
keeping his voice respectful although he was fighting mad. “Sir, we could very
well be facing nuclear war with the West because of this one unauthorized,
ill-conceived, suicidal mission. It is only proper that Admiral Sun should not
just be stripped of his position and rank and removed from the People’s
Liberation Army, but possibly imprisoned for life, for what he has done—”

 
          
“You
seem to prefer doing battle with your subordinates rather than doing battle
with the enemy, Comrade General,” a voice said behind Chin. The chief of staff
turned—and saw President Jiang Zemin himself enter the minister of defense’s
office, flanked by his bodyguards. General Chin shot to his feet in surprise;
Chi and Sun snapped to attention and bowed respectfully. Chin Po Zihong was
staring dumbfounded into the Paramount Leader’s eyes. “So. Do you now wish to
do battle with me, Comrade General?”

 
          
Chin
quickly snapped out of his shock, realized what he was doing, and bowed deeply,
keeping his eyes averted. “Forgive me, Comrade President,” the general said.
“I... I was not informed that you would be attending this meeting.”

 
          
“No
one appears to be informing you of anything these days, Comrade General,” Jiang
said with uncharacteristic sarcasm. He took a seat at Chi’s desk and sat
stiffly, regarding General Chin for several long moments. “The People’s
Liberation Army has suffered one of its most embarrassing, one of its most
humiliating moments in its history today, General Chin Po Zihong. Wire services
around the world are already reporting it; the presidents of most of the
world’s industrial nations have called me, demanding an explanation. Speak.”

 
          
“Comrade
President,” Chin began, “my staff has just now informed me that there is
evidence that an American stealth warplane was assisting the rebel craft, and
that it was the Americans who attacked one of our destroyers and then shot down
three of our fighter jets sent to monitor the—”

 
          
“Admiral
Sun has already given me the details,” Jiang said. Chin could not help but
shoot a deadly glare at Sun for going over his head and reporting directly to
the minister of defense and the president. “And do not think,” Jiang added,
“that Comrade Sun violated the chain of command—because I ordered him to take
the initiative in case the Americans should try to interfere with our plans to
occupy Quemoy Dao.”

 
          
“You
... you ordered him to act on his own, without my permission and without an
approved plan from the General Staff?” Chin stammered.

 
          
“General,
as Admiral Sun has so accurately pointed out, it has become apparent that the
Americans are waging a war of terrorism against us,” President Jiang said by
way of response. “The Americans are choosing to use their stealth aircraft and
guided standoff missiles to destroy our forces and keep our government off
balance. They could have destroyed our ships and killed thousands of People’s
Liberation Army Navy soldiers and sailors, just as they did in their skirmish
with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

           
“It is now obvious that the
Americans hold the
Mao Zedong
carrier
battle group at risk with their stealth bombers,” Jiang went on. “This
situation has become intolerable, and drastic action must be taken immediately.
In keeping with my wishes and those of the people to rid our waters and our
legacy of illegal and harmful foreign influences, Admiral Sun has developed a
plan to do just that—first isolate, then cripple, then destroy the American air
and naval forces operating off our shores.”

 
          
General
Chin’s mind was spinning with confusion. Was he being replaced? Was his career
in jeopardy from this young idealistic philosopherquoting upstart? “Comrade
President, I agree with everything you say,” Chin said. “It is indeed the time
to act. But are you proposing to place the forces of the world’s largest
military power in the hands of Admiral Sun Ji Guoming? He does not have the
experience or the training. He possesses only rudimentary knowledge on how to
deploy and command large naval forces, and very little knowledge or experience
in commanding large ground and air forces.”