After a moment the colonel said, “Yes, Premier, we will review the plan with her. She wishes to emphasize to Colonel Chiu Yusheng and the two Americans how critical the raid is to Taiwan’s survival.”
Huang felt a ripple of alarm run through him. Americans! A raid critical to Taiwan’s survival.
What was going on? Colonel Chiu Yusheng? He had heard of him. He was some kind of shadowy commando who was reputed to have carried out a number of audacious clandestine operations.
A dozen questions rushed to his mind, but he held them back. The base commander would be alerted if he realized that Huang had no real knowledge of an upcoming commando raid. Anyway, he had other sources.
“Thank you, Colonel. You are performing a valuable service.”
“I am honored, Premier. Should I tell the President you wish to speak with her?”
“No, that isn’t necessary. It’s best not to distract her from her task at Chingchuankang. Our business can wait until she returns.”
“Yes, Premier.”
After he hung up, Huang sat alone in his office pondering this news. What sort of commando operation would merit a personal visit from the President? Why were Americans involved? There were two of them, the colonel said. Who were they? What sort of raid would be critical to Taiwan’s survival?
He called Feng Pao, his aide in the central office of the Yuan. “Get me a brief on an officer based at Chingchuankang. A Colonel named Chiu Yusheng. Everything about him. I need the information immediately.”
“Yes, Premier. Right away.”
Colonel Chiu was in the middle of his briefing, barking instructions to his squad leaders, giving directions to the helicopter pilots, stopping to growl orders to the two Americans and Chen Mai-ling. “Here,” he said, rapping a spot on the model Chouzhou base with his long pointer. “Helicopter One discharges First Platoon, who will secure the forward flight line. Helicopter Two then lands here—” another rap of the pointer, “—with Second Platoon and the pilots who—”
He stopped in mid-sentence and gaped at something behind them. A noisy commotion burst from the back of the briefing room. Every head swiveled to follow Chiu’s gaze.
Someone barked a command in Chinese. All the commandos jumped to their feet. Chiu slammed his heels together, bringing himself to rigid attention.
“What’s going on?” Maxwell asked Bass.
“Something about the President. I think she’s here on the base.”
So she was. Escorted by half a dozen troops in full battle gear, Charlotte Soong and her party swept into the cavernous room.
Maxwell and Bass rose to their feet, and Mai-ling stood with them. The President of the Republic of China went directly to Colonel Chiu. Maxwell watched her shake the colonel’s hand, exchange a few words with him, then gaze around the room. For a minute she studied the model of the Chouzhou base, asking questions of Chiu. Then she looked across the room at the Americans.
Maxwell knew little about her, only that Madame Soong had succeeded President Li after the shoot-down of the Airbus. He had presumed that she was a Chinese dowager, stout and formidable, whose authority was mostly ceremonial.
This was no dowager. Madame Soong was tall, with a slim waist and a long, graceful neck. Her hips swayed like a fashion model’s as she walked toward them, taking strong, purposeful strides. She carried a flowered umbrella over her left arm.
“Holy shit,” said Bass in a low voice. “That’s the President?”
“Try not to be a pig,” whispered Mai-ling.
Colonel Chiu was at the visitor’s side. “Madame President, meet Commander Maxwell, of the United States Navy. And this is Major Bass, from the United States Air Force. They are the pilots who will accompany the mission to Chouzhou.”
Mai-ling made a show of clearing her throat. She glowered at Chiu.
“Oh, yes,” said Chiu. “And this is—”
“Chen Mai-ling.” Mai-ling brought her heels together and bowed her head. “Formerly of the People’s Liberation Army.” She ignored the menacing look from Chiu.
Charlotte Soong shook hands around, bestowing a gracious smile on each. “I came here to personally thank each of you. The Republic of China will forever be in your debt for what you are doing for us.” She turned to Bass. “You are already a hero in Taiwan, Major.”
“I am?”
“You trained many of our excellent young fighter pilots. And then you led them into combat over the Strait.”
“Well, I, uh, I’m not supposed to…”
“Now you have volunteered for the raid on Chouzhou. You are a hero of the greatest magnitude, Major.”
Bass mumbled thanks, his face reddening. Mai-ling was peering at him curiously.
Charlotte Soong turned her attention to Maxwell. “Commander Maxwell, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, of course, Madame President.”
“I know you have a brilliant career in the U.S. Navy. Why have you volunteered for this mission?”
He felt her keen gaze on him, waiting for an answer. “I have some knowledge of the stealth fighter that no one else out here has. That made me the best candidate for the job.”
A lame answer, he knew.
She shook her head. “No, it’s more than that. I know something about you. I know that you were a test pilot and an astronaut, and that you have been decorated for bravery in several conflicts. You are a man who does not retreat from danger.”
Maxwell didn’t know what to say. Flattery embarrassed him, especially from a head of state, and a good-looking one at that. He looked over at Bass, then said, “We will do our best to accomplish the mission, Madame President.”
She regarded him with interest for another moment. “Yes, I am sure you will.”
She then chatted with Mai-ling. They spoke in Chinese, Mai-ling nodding her head, smiling, eagerly answering the President’s questions. Madame Soong said something that gave them both a good laugh. Maxwell watched them, realizing that he had not seen Mai-ling this cheery or animated.
Colonel Chiu stood apart, listening to the two women, wearing a sour expression. He scowled, shuffled his feet, then made a show of studying his watch.
Finally Madame Soong said, “Our time is up. I must return to Taipei.”
She shook hands again, wished them all success, then followed her escorts back to the darkened ramp outside where her helicopter waited.
“Wow,” said Bass. “What did you think?”
“Impressive,” Maxwell said. In his military career he had served under several good leaders and a few bad ones. Charlotte Soong, he had a gut feeling, was a good one.
Mai-ling was still staring at the door where Madame Soong had exited the room. A look of pure enchantment covered her face. “I think she’s fantastic.”
Colonel Chiu broke the spell. “It doesn’t matter what you think. Quit wasting time and get to work.”
CHAPTER 14 — FORTUNE TELLER
He had been in his room only a few minutes.
A rap sounded on the door, and
Colonel Chiu appeared in the doorway. “This came for you on the high-priority net. From the Reagan, I presume.”He handed the message to Maxwell, then didn’t leave. Maxwell unfolded the print-out. While Chiu watched him, he sat on the wooden chair and read the message.
1205 UTC/16 SEP
TO: CDR S. MAXWELL
FROM: COMAIRWINGTHREE
HOPE YOU’RE ENJOYING YOUR HOLIDAY. THE SQUADRON RUNNING SMOOTHLY IN YOUR ABSENCE. BISHOP ADVISES HE AND ALL THE MONKS SEND THEIR BLESSINGS.
KICK SOME ASS FOR THE GIPPER.