“Hell yes it’s that bad. We shoot down their satellites and drones, and they shoot down ours. Both sides are lucky to get a sneak peek for a few hours before their multi-million-dollar birds get shot out of the sky.”
“Even the little drones? Stealth drones? Micro-satellites?”
“A lot of that stuff is just a bunch of buzzwords. Yes, we have a few reliable tricks. But nothing for this.” He pointed at the dirt. “In a large-scale attack, or battle, you need reliable datalink for targeting, navigation, and communications. Without it, we’re back to Vietnam-era tactics with more expensive weapons.”
Chase put his hand on his brother’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “Relax. It’ll come. You’re the idea guy. The ideas always come.”
David gave a weak grin. “Maybe. Look, I should probably get back.”
Chase gathered his trash and began walking with his brother. “David, one thing I don’t get… what’s the big push to get Lena to work for us? I mean, we’ve got other ways of gathering intel, right?”
David stopped and looked around before answering. “It’s not just about gathering intel.”
“What is it, then?”
David said, “Let me ask you something. Do you think we would have risked Lena escaping if we didn’t have a lot to gain?”
Chase went silent.
David said, “We expected Lena could very well end up back in China. Before you got on that plane, what did I tell you?”
“To make sure she lived, whether I was able to bring her back or not.”
“And you did that.”
Chase said, “Yeah, but I was still supposed to bring her back.”
“If you could, yes. But these operations are a game of chance. We need to plan for multiple outcomes, and a big one is this: Jinshan is sick. One day soon, he’s going to die. And when that occurs, we want his successor to be our ally.”
“And Lena?”
David arched one eyebrow. “We think Lena can help make that happen.”
17
Lena barely recognized Beijing. As she rode from the airport, she witnessed a city transformed by war. Tanks and anti-aircraft weapons were positioned every few blocks throughout the city. Gone were the extravagant stores and glamorous lifestyles of Beijing’s elite. Gone were the vibrant street markets and modern bustle of the business district. Men and women hustled down the streets wearing uniform gray tunics with red patch insignias on every right shoulder.
Propaganda posters hung on the exterior of most buildings. Some reminded citizens to register for government service. Other urged the public to report anyone who looked suspicious to the MSS website. Billboards that once advertised luxury goods were replaced with patriotic artwork. Digital ads on mobile phones all showed different flavors of state-sponsored media, carefully tailored by Chinese psychological operations teams to appeal to different demographic targets.
Lena’s car turned toward the Zhongnanhai government headquarters.
“They are here?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied her escort.
“Not in the mountains anymore?” She was surprised. The mountain fortress had been built in secret, intended for use as a command and control center throughout the war.
The PLA officer in the passenger seat turned to glance at her. “Our leadership has not been in the mountains for some time. The war is going well for us now. There is no need for them to hide. Our leaders are well-protected in Beijing.”
“I see.”
She decided on the plane that she would keep two things to herself: her limited cooperation with the Americans, and the child. Regardless of how fond Jinshan was of her, her friends in the MSS would look at her with suspicion. If they found out she had aided Chase’s CIA team, she would be branded a traitor.
Lena went to see Jinshan first.
Chairman Jinshan was in his private quarters, getting treatment. His room was a palatial chamber overlooking a spectacular private garden. A drip IV fed medicine into his veins. Two aides sat in chairs next to his bed, scribbling notes as they listened to him issue orders. Jinshan stopped speaking when he saw Lena, and a warm smile spread across his face.
“Sir, Miss Chou has arrived,” announced her military escort with a bow.
Jinshan looked at his aides. “Please leave us.”
Lena waited as the room emptied. Even his personal bodyguards moved to the balcony, shutting the French doors behind them. Jinshan gazed out the window overlooking the garden. Bright white sunlight shone over a dark pond. Carefully manicured trees lined a stone path. It looked peaceful.
Jinshan said, “Secretary Ma, you stay, please.”
Lena realized that one of the aides was not an aide at all, but Jinshan’s apprentice. He didn’t look to be too many years older than her.
“Lena, this is Secretary Ma,” Jinshan said. “He will take over for me, when the time comes.”
“A pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Chou. Chairman Jinshan has informed me that you are an irreplaceable asset.”
She bowed her head in thanks, then turned to Jinshan. “Are you all right, Chairman Jinshan?”
His smile broadened. “Only you would return from captivity and ask that. My end is near, I am afraid. But it will not be today.”
He indicated for her to take one of the chairs beside his bed.
“We have made great progress during the time you have been away.”
Lena said, “I am most proud.”
“Minister Dong and your father will be here soon. Have you seen them yet?”
“Not yet.”
A knock at the door, and then the clatter of footsteps as General Chen and his entourage of staff officers marched into view. When he saw Lena, General Chen’s expression flickered to shock, and then feigned pleasure.
“I heard you were coming back to us, daughter. Welcome. Are you well?”
Before she could answer, another group of men rounded the corner, this time led by Minister Dong.
“Hello, Miss Chou,” Dong said. “I read your report earlier today. A miraculous escape.”
Lena said, “The credit belongs to my Ministry of State Security training, sir.”
Dong’s gaze was piercing, as if he was trying to read her thoughts. Lena sensed danger there. It made sense for him to be suspicious. Any high-level prisoner returning to the motherland unharmed would be looked at this way. She realized that her military escort and the driver were probably counter-intelligence. They too would be watching her closely.
Jinshan said, “We should all be grateful for Lena’s return. I look forward to you providing me with the details of your escape. Alas, time is of the essence and we must get to business. Please proceed, gentlemen.”
General Chen began summarizing PLA movements in South America. China’s progress was impressive. Whole divisions of PLA troops and armor had been moved across the Pacific.
“We’re consolidating our forces in Colombia and Venezuela. The rail lines are working well. We expect to be pushing north to Panama by the end of the week.”
“Excellent, General.”
General Chen looked at Dong. “I am concerned that our intelligence support is still lacking, however. My battlefield commanders have repeatedly stated that they need better information before our northward push.”
Dong cleared his throat. “General Chen will remember that our capacity for mass satellite launches is limited, and the timing is crucial to his men’s success. If we launch too soon, the Americans will destroy the satellites.”
Lena watched as the two men verbally jousted, their barbs fiercer than when she had last seen them. As she looked at Jinshan, the reason became evident. He was literally on his deathbed. It would not be long until he was gone. The rivals were not speaking for Jinshan’s benefit, but for Ma’s.