“Very impressive,” Yi mused. “Strange our patrols have not detected it before. Where is it based?”
“Unknown, sir,” the first officer replied. “Perhaps in the Nationalists’ secret underground naval base?”
Yi did not share in the joke. The first officer referenced the current intelligence estimate — if the term “intelligence” could even be loosely applied — that the Nationalists were spending trillions of yuan on constructing huge underground military facilities so they could withstand an expected nuclear attack by the People’s Republic of China’s Liberation Army. Supposedly they had built an underground base large enough to barrack an entire division and store hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles — and had even constructed an underground airfield in the eastern mountains on Formosa big enough to launch and recover two squadrons of F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters. Of course, years of espionage work had uncovered no evidence of any secret underground bases. “What about its aviation fit?”
“Large helicopter hangar, can carry two small helicopters,” the first officer continued. “Typically carries one S-70 helicopter, armed with AS- 30L laser-guided attack missiles, torpedoes, or Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The superstructure is built of composite materials and aluminum covered in radar-absorbent materials. The slanted foredeck, angled superstructure, and folding antenna arrays are supposed to be stealth devices to reduce radar signature.”
“I would say it worked — we did not spot him until he was less than twenty kilometers out,” Yi said. He was not familiar with this class of warship, but he knew that Taiwan, one of the richest and fastest-growing nations in the world, could afford the best military hardware. Well, it may be a modern, high-tech boat, but it was no match for the Mao and its escorts. “Have Communications transmit a Flash priority message to Taiwan Operations headquarters, advising them that we are in contact with a rebel warship. Have the patrol helicopter maintain visual contact and report if—”
Just then, the officer of the deck interrupted: “Captain, message from the Nationalist frigate Kim Men. They are ordering that we not approach Quemoy Island any farther or we will be fired upon! ”
“They what?” Yi exploded, nearly rising out of his seat in total surprise. “They are trying to tell us where we can sail? Are they crazy?” The idea was laughable — the smallest ship in Admiral Yi’s carrier battle group was twice as big and four times more heavily armed than this Nationalist toy boat! This was obviously some kind of publicity stunt. “Put them on the phone. This is ludicrous! What…?” The officer of the deck nodded, and Yi picked up the ship-to-ship radio handset and keyed the mike button: “Nationalist vessel Kim, this is Admiral Yi Kyu-pin, captain of the People s Republic of China Peoples Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Mao Zedong and commander of this task force,” he said in Mandarin Chinese. “Repeat your last message, please.”
“Carrier Mao Zedong, this is Captain Sung Kun-hui, captain of the Republic of China Navy Quemoy Flotilla frigate Kin Men,” a voice responded in Mandarin. “You are approaching territorial waters of the Republic of China, and we demand that you remain clear.”
“We are peaceful vessels in Chinese waters, not Nationalist waters,” Yi responded angrily, “and we will pass through this area as we please. Do not approach this task force. This is your last warning.” Yi turned to his first officer in surprise and muttered, “This is some kind of trap. I want a full long-range sweep of the area, all sensors. Look for any other ships or subs in the area. Maintain formation speed and heading.” He keyed the mike again: “Captain Sung, this is Admiral Yi. We intend to continue on to our destination, which is classified and which I am not permitted to reveal. Do not approach this task force. Over.”
“Admiral Yi, you and your escorts are then hereby ordered to heave- to immediately,” Sung replied. “If it is necessary, we will use deadly force to stop your ships and force you to comply. Heave-to immediately. Maintaining this course towards Quemoy Tao will be seen as a hostile act.” Yi shot out of his chair, nearly dropping the ship-to-ship phone in total shock and surprise. “This bastard… he is threatening us with force? I will blast his puny little toy boat straight to hell. ” He picked up the phone and keyed the mike: “Your request is utterly foolhardy and without cause, rebel captain!” Yi sputtered into the ship-to-ship phone. “I warn you, Captain, that if I see any of your guns traverse in my direction, if I see your helicopters leave your deck or even spin up their rotors, or if you approach my task force any closer, I will order my escorts to attack without further warning. How dare you threaten warships of the People’s Republic of China on the high seas like this?”
“And how dare you, Admiral,” Sung responded, “bring nuclear warheads into our waters?”
Yi looked puzzled, his eyes darting back and forth across his bridge. “What did you say?” he replied. “I am not carrying any such weapons! ” “With all due respect, sir, you are a liar, Admiral Yi,” Sung radioed. “You and your ships are carrying at least six thermonuclear warheads on your M-ll ballistic missiles and SS-N-19 anti-ship missiles. You loaded the warheads while at sea via submarine and commercial traders, in violation of the United Nations Missile Technology Control Regime Treaty. The Republic of China strictly prohibits the transportation of nuclear warheads or nuclear-capable missiles into our waters. You will be detained until the warheads and missiles are confiscated. I now order you to heave-to immediately. This is your last warning. ”
Admiral Yi was virtually beside himself, his eyes spinning — not from anger or confusion this time, but in utter disbelief, because the rebel captain’s information was maddeningly accurate: the Chinese warships were indeed carrying nuclear warheads. Three of the six M-ll land attack missiles and three of the P-500 Granit missiles, what the West called SS- N-19 “Shipwreck,” carried in the forward vertical launch tubes were armed with NK-55 thermonuclear warheads, small selectable-yield warheads powerful enough to destroy an aircraft carrier or a small city. It was impossible to tell how in hell Taiwan had found out. Security and secrecy had been painstakingly maintained throughout the transfers, and the ships never docked at any port after on-loading the warheads, so access to the ship could be carefully controlled. A spy on the ship? Improbable, but it was the only…
“Admiral Yi, this is Captain Sung. You will be considered a hostile target if you do not stop. What is your response?”
Get a hold of yourself, Yi, the captain told himself. This could be part of some elaborate ruse, some sort of propaganda ploy to embarrass the People’s Liberation Army Navy — perhaps they were only guessing about the missiles and warheads. If the media showed pictures of a lone, lightly armed Taiwanese frigate challenging the Chinese carrier battle group, it would be a monumental propaganda coup for Taiwan and its Western partners. Perhaps he only wanted a photo opportunity? Perhaps this was all a big show, some sort of act of bravado. Sung and his crew faced certain death if Yi s escort ships unleashed even one of their missiles, and even the escort Kangs twin-barreled 130-millimeter guns could shred that aluminum-hulled Nationalist toy boat in a few minutes.