So far Hudson had played right into China’s hands. It was essential to the Chinese operation that Australia put up a strong defence early, so that the Chinese forces could destroy the bulk of the Australian military before taking over the mines and starting the transportation of resources. It was better to lose lives early than to lose valuable resources later. Had Australia waited for China to move down to South Australia and begin the transportation of iron ore and other materials, the Australian military could have proved far more costly, drastically affecting China’s ability to export the resources.
The second thing China needed was for Australia to capitulate early in its defence. Chairman Yun knew that the Australian public could be the greatest threat or greatest asset to his plans. If the public lost enough heart in the war and could see that it was futile to try and defend the mines, the Australian public would ensure China’s victory. However, Yun was very aware that if the initial defence dragged on, the public would become resolute in its belief that the mines had to be defended at all costs. This would have led to a disastrous campaign for China, costing trillions more and delaying the distribution of the valuable resources they needed so badly. As it was, the media played its role perfectly, beaming the bloody warfare into every Australian home. The prime minister, who was even more predictable, also played his role perfectly, putting up a defence without properly thinking it through and then, when it seemed all was lost, capitulating. Xian did marvel at Chairman Yun’s ability to calculate the future.
A call came through from Hudson. ‘Xian, I believe at this time it would be prudent of me to discuss the terms of our surrender.’
‘Of course, Prime Minister,’ replied Xian, wiping all emotion from his voice. Though he did genuinely believe that what China was doing was right for their people, he felt for Hudson.
‘Can we please meet first thing in the morning at my office?’ requested Hudson.
‘Yes, of course. I will be ready and waiting from 7 am,’ replied Xian.
‘Thank you.’ And with that, Hudson hung up.
Xian immediately called his secretary and instructed her to get Chairman Yun on a secure line. Thirty seconds later his secretary called, ‘I have Chairman Yun on line one, sir.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Xian.
Pressing the button to connect, Xian began, ‘Mr Chairman, I have just received a call from Hudson requesting a meeting to discuss the terms of surrender tomorrow morning.’
‘Very good, Xian. The terms stay as they were — China wants only to control the mines of South Australia. As we have discussed, we will also require unobstructed access to Karumba where we will be building a port from which to export the resources back to China. If he is willing to agree to these terms, there will be no need for further bloodshed.’
‘Of course, Mr Chairman. I will advise you of the outcome tomorrow, as soon as the meeting is concluded.’
‘Things are going as planned are they not, Xian?’
‘Sir, you have predicted these events with unfathomable accuracy,’ replied Xian.
‘The mind of a man is easily understood Xian. It is the mind of men that concerns me,’ declared Chairman Yun in a reflective tone, and with that, he hung up.
Xian frowned to himself, thinking about what Chairman Yun had said. Slowly he realised that although everything had gone to plan and the prime minister was playing perfectly into their hands, there was much that could still go wrong. Australia’s allies had not had a chance to help, which could change in the medium term. Australia’s public might wake like a sleeping giant and resolve to purge the Chinese invaders. There were still so many variables. Still, tomorrow would be a historical day. Never before had a western country been so convincingly invaded and brought to its knees so quickly.
Back in the SOF, James Hudson was talking to US President Eric Allen on the Virtucon.
‘Mr President, with all due respect, we appreciate the men you’ve sent over from the Darwin base, but even another 5,000 troops isn’t going to slow the Chinese down. They are too strong and well equipped. If you can add another zero onto that number, plus air and sea support, then we might be talking,’ said Hudson to the president’s holographic image, which loomed large over the darkened room from a wide screen on the wall.
‘I understand James, I wish there was more we could do,’ replied President Allen.
‘Yes, I wish there was too but it seems there is nothing that can be done. So here we are, being invaded for our resources because of the Chinese export quota scheme we established,’ Hudson leaned forward, ensuring his words were not missing their target, ‘based on your lobbying.’
‘James, please, the quota system was suggested as a way to control the growth of the Chinese economy, something the entire western world was, and still is, concerned about,’ replied President Allen. He was responding to Hudson like an indulgent parent reaching the end of his patience. ‘Far be it for a US President to admit wrongdoing.’
‘Well the so-called “western world” sure seems happy to feed us to the dogs,’ said Hudson, who was suddenly tired, realising the futility of his argument but being unable to stop himself.
‘I don’t know what more to say, James. You know we are plugging holes all around the world, not to mention the situation we have in Canada, which could explode into a military nightmare any moment now. Our military is not what it used to be, James.’
‘And what about ANZUS, our alliance? That obviously means nothing now.’
‘Now just hang on a minute there, James. You’ve had it pretty easy with that alliance. What has Australia had to commit for us? A few troops to the Middle East and a cap on how much dirt you can send to China. Alliances work both ways James, and your country over the last fifty-odd years has been asked to do very little.’
‘Well, in times like these you really learn who your true friends are, don’t you Eric? Thanks for nothing,’ snapped Hudson as he reached forward and shut off the Virtucon.
The screen went blank and soft, yellow-toned lights around the perimeter of the ceiling slowly illuminated the darkened room. The few aides that were standing on the periphery of the room looked at one another. No one had ever seen someone hang up on the President of the United States, let alone talk to him the way Hudson just did. Hudson was motionless, staring blankly at the empty space in the centre of the room. Shoulders slumped, he looked decades older than he had only two weeks before.
Moving slowly to the prime minister, one of the young aides leaned in. ‘General Draven is waiting for you in your office, sir.’
Hudson simply nodded, still staring into the centre of the room. Slowly he pushed back his chair and, using his hands on the table to propel himself, stood up. Buttoning his jacket, he breathed deeply into his chest, sucking in his stomach and straightening his back. Composed, he swivelled on his heels and strode out of the Virtucon room, leaving the chair he had been sitting in pushed away from the desk. Behind him at least four people emerged, as if from nowhere, and hurried themselves around the room, prepping it for the next meeting.
As he strode down the hall, he returned to the same thoughts that had been occupying all his waking moments. From the outset of the defensive plans he’d known that their military was doomed. General Stephens was right — of course he was right. Australia could never go head-to-head with China in a military battle. What had he been thinking? He’d been played from the start. He felt like a fool — worse — he felt like the fool who had just handed China the keys to Australia’s back door.