"What would keep Cheung, or any other detainee, from cutting through the fence and escaping?"
"A guard, or guards — maybe it's an electric fence."
"We'll know soon enough." Scott closed his folder and examined the various ships plying the waters of the South China Sea. "How's the Agusta cramming coming along?"
"No problem."
"Seriously?"
"I mean it. I have everything I need to know memorized. You've flown one, you've flown 'em all."
"Need to know," he said with a smile. "That would be category-one information, right?"
"That's correct. Want to know is category-two information, and who gives a rat's patootie is category-three info."
"Well put, my dear."
Jackie leaned close to him. "Something's bothering you — what is it?"
"I don't know. I just have an uneasy feeling."
"We don't have to do this, you know."
He rubbed his chin. "It's probably just anxiety from sitting around thinking about the unknowns."
"That'll do it every time."
"It'll go away as soon as we get started. It always does, at least for me, when I kick the tires and light the fires."
"Yeah, when you're scarring the hell out of yourself, you don't have time for self-doubt or introspection — just pure survival mode."
"You got it." Scott watched the container vessels and cargo ships rapidly grow larger as the tri-engine Falcon 50 approached Chek Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport and marine terminal.
Located on a 4.82-square-mile island outside the urban corridor, CLK is a key international freight hub for aircraft and cargo ships.
They remained quiet as the Falcon touched down, rolled out to a safe speed, turned off the runway, and taxied to the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre on the south side of the airport. The pilot brought the sleek jet to a smooth stop in front of China's first business-aviation support center.
Jackie and Scott used their bogus credentials and passports to clear customs and immigration, and then they were approached by their contact from the Agency.
The tall American male was dressed in an airline pilot's uniform and introduced himself as Bob Smith. He had been briefed and was shown their photos only three hours before they arrived.
"Let's take a walk," Bob said. The trio headed back to the expansive aircraft parking area.
"This isn't my usual role," Bob admitted. "We've had some unusual… ah, circumstances that weren't factored in."
"Like what?" Jackie asked.
"Everything is okay, but your jet theLearjet — is still at Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport."
"When is it going to be back?" Scott asked.
"We're not exactly sure. They had to change an engine part — I don't know what the hell it was. The replacement parts were shipped to Pudong International, Shanghai's newest airport. It's taken a while to get things sorted out, but the pilot said they should be here by early tomorrow afternoon."
Scott looked at Jackie. "I told you I had an uneasy feeling."
"I have the VIP lounge reserved for you. You can stay in there until your instructor arrives. He'll be back in about fifteen to twenty minutes."
"Sounds good," Jackie said, glancing at the low-lying mountains behind the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre. "Is the helicopter here?"
"Ah, yes — it's in the hangar along with the, ah, supplies you requested. They're inside the helicopter and need to be camouflaged."
"Well, that's certainly good news," she replied. "Scott, let's check with Hartwell and see how this delay is going to affect the operation."
"You eyeball the flying machine and I'll work on camouflaging our supplies," Scott suggested. "I'll get in touch with Hartwell later."
"Whatever."
"Oh, a couple of other things," Bob said. "Since the Learjet and the helicopter are based here, and we have the fix in, you won't have to get landing permits — just the usual paperwork and flight plans."
"Great," Jackie said. "We appreciate it."
"No problem. You have reservations at the Grand Hyatt, and I'll be leaving you at this point. Whatever you're doing, good luck."
"Thanks," Jackie and Scott said, and then shook hands with Bob. The tall stranger walked to a waiting taxi and never looked back.
When Jackie and Scott entered the nearly spotless hangar, they were impressed with the gleaming orange-and-white Agusta A109E Power helicopter. The medevac interior included room for two patients, two medical technicians, and a pilot.
He picked two large canvas bags out of their luggage and loaded the weapons, grenades, body armor, helmets, extra ammo, night vision goggles, and the binoculars into them. Surveying the area for anyone or anything that looked suspicious, Scott locked the bags and concealed them in the back of the helicopter.
From the pages of the Agusta training manuals, Jackie had learned a lot about the powerful twin-engine helicopter with the innovative four-bladed main rotor system. Equipped with 640 shaft horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada free-turbine engines, the EMS helicopter could hover on one engine, cruise at 150–155 knots, and had a range of more than five hundred statute miles, depending on the winds and fuel burn.
An optional SX-5 Starburst searchlight had been mounted on the helicopter. The installation limited the never-exceed speed to 140 knots.
While she was conducting an introductory preflight on the sleek helicopter, Jackie's instructor walked up and introduced himself to her. The retired former U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot would prove to be friendly and very skilled in the art of teaching.
Unable to reach Hartwell Prost, Scott joined Jackie and her instructor while the Agusta was being rolled out of the hangar. After introductions, Scott quietly took Jackie aside.
"Hartwell is in a meeting with the president. I'll try again after I check into the Hyatt, but I have to tell you that I have some reservations about this operation."
"So do I. Why don't you take the rest of our bags and check in to the hotel. When I get there, we'll discuss the overall picture and see if we're comfortable enough to continue."
"Yeah, we need to think through this." He glanced at the brightly painted helicopter. "Be careful."
"Always."
President Liu Fan-ding, enraged over his humiliating experience in Bangkok, had called an urgent meeting of select Communist Party leaders. The men had gathered in secret within the confines of the Zhongnanhai, the sprawling estate that is considered China's contemporary Forbidden City and is located next to the original golden-roofed Forbidden City.
Following Liu Fan-ding's inflammatory remarks, top leaders met in private meetings of xiao zu (small groups) to discuss the dangerous standoff with the United States. The code of secrecy and loyalty among the men and their staffs was so intense that only a few individuals knew about the clandestine meetings.
To preserve the appearance of unity and harmony, the party leaders were accustomed to keeping their personal preferences and opinions well hidden. If there was dissension among them, the men kept it to themselves. They reached their decisions in private, with only cursory consideration of public opinion.
This occasion was no different. Even though China's immediate future was in jeopardy, the hostility between Beijing and Washington had become intractable. The bitterness was aggravated by China's intense lust for reunification with Taiwan and Washington's vow to intervene on behalf of Taipei.
After two hours of strenuous discussions and arguments, the decision was made, and it immediately disappeared behind the mysterious veil of official Beijing secrecy. Disregarding their personal concerns and grave reservations, the individual members of the Politburo reluctantly gave the flawed decision their seal of approval.
Liu Fan-ding had persuaded party leaders that it was time to call President Macklin's bluff — before the United States had time to complete the rebuilding of its downsized military and strengthen Taiwan's forces.