Dong was clearly annoyed. “And what about your organic drones?”
General Chen said, “We do not want to use them before we need them. You know this.”
Secretary Ma said, “I’m sorry, General, but could you remind me why that is?”
Lena hid her amusement. She was sure the question irked her father.
General Chen said, “Of course, Secretary Ma. You see, we can’t send our drones deep over enemy territory. American cyber and electronic attacks make drones very high-risk assets unless they are close to the control station, and sending them to do longer-range reconnaissance means they could be destroyed. The longer-range surveillance was something we thought Minister Dong’s satellites would be taking care of by now.”
Dong rolled his eyes. “Well, you could at least have your submarines near the American coast provide you with signals intelligence. But you’ve wasted them on a spontaneous attack. Poor judgment, I think.”
Lena registered the comment. So, her father had ordered the attack. Had he known she was there?
General Chen said, “We have more submarines en route…”
Jinshan frowned, holding up a shaky hand. “I’ve heard enough for today, gentlemen. General, continue to be aggressive in your push to the north. Consult with me the moment you reach the American front lines.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Jinshan said, “Now, Minister Dong is correct. We do have a capability gap. Our strategic missile force is depleted. And only a few of our nuclear ballistic missile submarines are in position. Much of this was by design, but we must make improvements. We need the help of an ally.”
Dong said, “Russia?”
Jinshan nodded, then turned to Lena. “Lena, you will meet with the Russian ambassador tomorrow. We need to further our military alliance. It is not good enough to have them standing by as a nuclear deterrent anymore. Our bargaining position with Russia has improved. We must change our terms.”
Lena bowed. “As you wish, Chairman.”
Jinshan dismissed them, and the group left his chambers.
After they left, General Chen cornered her in the hallway. “Will you join me for tea, daughter?”
Daughter? He wants something, Lena thought.
“Of course, General.”
A few moments later they sat in his private office. One of the general’s cooks brought them a tray with tea and left.
“Minister Dong doesn’t seem to trust you,” her father said.
Lena was surprised that he had noticed. Or would state such a thing. She remained quiet.
“It’s no secret that we are both vying for the same position. Whenever the chairman succumbs to his cancer, Ma will need a vice president. It will be Dong or me. Everyone knows it.”
Lena sipped her tea. “I see.”
“My surgeon tells me it could be a matter of weeks. It’s a miracle that Jinshan has made it this long.” Lena thought her father looked giddy while saying this.
Her father placed his cup on his desk and leaned back in his chair. “I am very impressed with your accomplishments… Lena.” She noticed that he called her Lena, the name she had gone by since she became an MSS operative. Not her childhood name, Li, as he always had. He must really want something.
“Thank you, General.”
“Jinshan certainly favors you, giving you such an important assignment as soon as you are back. Special envoy to the Russian Federation, perhaps?”
“Whatever I can do to serve.”
“I believe the Russian contributions will be minimal. We should be focusing on other areas of strategic importance. Not a simple military alliance with Russia. I am not suggesting that you should disobey Jinshan. By all means, meet with the Russians. Ask for what he wants. But in the end, it is not going to be the difference maker, I suspect.”
“And what will make the difference, may I ask?”
“Weapons innovation.”
Lena’s face betrayed nothing.
General Chen said, “When we break through the American lines, they will be faced with a decision. They will either use their arsenal of nuclear weapons to regain the tactical advantage on the battlefield, or face defeat. Jinshan gambled away our own nuclear ability during the first days of the war.”
“But the Russians’ ultimatum already took care of…”
General Chen scoffed, waving away her comment. “What do you think will happen when we really tip the scales in our favor? When we’re rolling our tanks north through Mexico and into United States territory? Do you think the Russians will still be cheering us on then?”
Lena realized he was right. The Russians were enamored with the idea of the United States being torn down. But they would be horrified at the thought of such a powerful China, owning all of Asia and the Americas. She was surprised her father had thought of this all by himself.
Lena said, “The chairman instructed me to convince the Russians to assist us during the coming military assault on the US mainland.”
“And you will do that.” The general nodded. “But China also has another requirement. Jinshan himself has said that we need an organic means of nuclear deterrence.”
Lena waited for him to continue.
General Chen said, “I want you to ask the Russians to share certain weapons research. Jinshan’s strategy created a severe depletion of our nuclear capability. I have been working on a solution. An unrestricted warfare program that shows much promise. My scientists tell me the Russians have made a breakthrough in this area. I want the Russians to share some of their information with our scientists. If China is able to develop a new deterrent to American nuclear weapons, we will no longer be reliant upon the Russians. Only then will we achieve true power.”
Lena said, “This is very interesting, General.” Unrestricted warfare. He was talking about biological or chemical weapons.
“It is the type of progress that Secretary Ma would be impressed by, is it not?”
Lena nodded. “Yes, it is. May I ask why the Russians would agree to share this information?”
General Chen said, “When I am in power, I will ensure the Russians get better trade agreements. This is what you should offer.”
“When you are in power?”
General Chen raised his chin. “If I can show my value to Jinshan and Secretary Ma, then it is only logical that I will be chosen as Ma’s future vice president and chief advisor. Minister Dong’s contributions pale in comparison to my own. Establishing this new unconventional weapons program will further cement my advantage.”
“This is well thought out, General.”
General Chen frowned. “This request for weapons research information is something we can only ask of the Russians now, when they do not sense its importance. When our military advantage over the Americans is not so great that they feel threatened by us.”
“I will lay the seeds during my conversation. Such a request will need to be put delicately, and to the right Russian officials. There may be alternative channels we would need to take.”
“Good.”
The general shifted in his seat, wringing his hands.
“Is there something else?”
He lowered his voice. “Yes. There is. You are an officer of the Ministry of State Security.”
“I am.”
He stood and walked close to her, whispering, “Minister Dong, the Minister of State Security, does not trust you.”
Lena looked up at him. “Is that so?”
He gripped her shoulder, and she forced herself to remain still. “We are blood. I suggest we act to our mutual benefit. Dong has his allies in the politburo. I have mine. I can ensure that Dong does not move to reduce your influence with Ma.”
“Could he really do that?”
General Chen released his grip from Lena’s shoulder and walked back to the other side of his desk. He placed his hands down on the desk and leaning forward, towering over her. “It is the time after Jinshan passes that we both must focus on. When that time comes, I will need something to use against Dong. Otherwise, neither of us will remain standing. Can I count on your loyalty?”