President Griffin died when Air Force One was shot down by Chinese special forces. The assassination sewed chaos in the US chain of command during a brutal first strike. In the fog of that opening salvo, EMP weapons detonated across the US and over American naval fleets. Thousands of Chinese missiles were launched at American aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific. Simultaneously, North Korea invaded South Korea, using poison gas to devastate civilian and military targets alike. And a Chinese cyber-attack, using deep fake technology to simulate a US Presidential national TV announcement, deceived most Americans into thinking that nuclear ballistic missiles were hurtling toward the US.
That was the moment when President Roberts was sworn in.
During the opening hours of his presidency, President Roberts learned that his predecessor had ordered a limited nuclear strike on Chinese targets, and that missiles were already airborne. The order had been issued under the false belief that Chinese missiles were headed toward the United States. What he didn’t know was that China was trying to get the US to launch a limited number of nukes.
And they succeeded.
American ICBMs hit dozens of Chinese targets, eliminating their land-based nuclear capability, while American fast-attack submarines simultaneously sank the majority of Chinese nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Chinese nuclear offensive capability was severely depleted.
But the political fallout America suffered after using weapons of mass destruction was severe. The unthinkable infliction of self-harm on his own country had turned out to be one of Chinese President Jinshan’s best strategic moves.
The week after America used nuclear weapons, Russia announced the infamous “Russian Ultimatum.” Any further use of nuclear weapons by the United States would henceforth trigger Russia to enter the war, fighting on behalf of China. The Russians then led a multi-nation coalition calling for an economic embargo on all US goods. America, already struggling to recover from the Chinese’s devastating attacks, watched as much of the international community turned their backs on them right when it mattered the most.
Several nations continued to provide support. But with the Russian ultimatum, even the staunchest American allies had to hide their assistance, lest Russia have more of an excuse to spread its wings.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” said the president.
“Good morning, Mr. President,” came the scattered replies from around the table.
David had only met the president a few times, but he approved of him. A veteran himself, the president had spent five years as an Army JAG after law school, deploying to Iraq twice. He was analytical and decisive. And as far as David could tell, he did things for the right reasons.
The Director of National Intelligence motioned to the screen at the far end of the room. It displayed reconnaissance imagery that David had reviewed the previous day.
The DNI said, “Mr. President, these are self-landing rockets. Approximately twenty-four hours ago, the US Air Force detected a mass-launch of Chinese satellites from their Wenchang Space Launch Facility. We had intelligence that they were trying something new with this launch and had a reconnaissance team waiting.”
“A reconnaissance team?” the president asked.
“Yes, sir. Task Force Bruiser. A SEAL team operating from one of our stealth Navy ships, the USS Michael Monsoor, forward deployed to the South Pacific. Shortly after the US Air Force detected the Chinese satellite launch, the SEAL team observed two dozen rockets landing on platforms in the center of this uninhabited atoll.” The DNI motioned to the screen, where a thin, circular sandbar surrounded several platform barges floating in the water. “The Chinese had a ship-based team collecting the rockets after they landed. We estimate it will take them two weeks to transit back to the Wenchang Space Launch Facility. Maybe another week to load up for their next round.”
The president rubbed his chin. “What’s the significance?”
“Two things, Mr. President. One, this is a new space warfare capability. And a distinct Chinese advantage for the moment. With these reusable rockets, the Chinese can greatly reduce the cost and cycle time of launching new satellites into space. As you know, sir, after the war began, maintaining space-based systems has been a major challenge for all countries. The US has attempted to replenish our satellite reconnaissance, communications, and navigation systems, but the Chinese are launching attacks on every new satellite we send up. Usually within a matter of hours.”
“Their anti-satellite capability has really improved, Mr. President,” the National Security Advisor chimed in.
The president sighed. “I recall you saying that our anti-satellite capability is on par with theirs.”
“That’s correct, sir. We shoot down theirs about as quick as they shoot down ours. But right now, we’re only able to launch one or two satellites at a time. And without a reusable rocket system like this, it takes us much longer and costs a lot more money.”
The president frowned. “You said this new data meant two things. What’s the second?”
General Schwartz leaned forward. “Mr. President, the Chinese have executed a mass satellite launch from their Pacific space launch facility. We estimate their new mass-launch capability has a three- to four-week reload time. These mass satellite launches may cost less per rocket, but when they’re launching twenty of them, each carrying dozens of mini-satellites… well, sir, it turns into a big bet. One they can only make every so often.”
President Roberts said, “The implication being…”
General Schwartz placed his hands flat on the table. “That they would only do it for an important reason. They’ll likely be timing these mass satellite launches with something else. Think of it like a war drum.”
“How big was this launch?”
General Schwartz turned to one of the Air Force officers sitting in the outer row of seats. “Approximately one thousand mini-satellites in the constellation, sir,” the officer replied. “Oriented north-south in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific. As per our standing orders, we’re engaging them with our anti-satellite weapons. But…”
General Schwartz turned to face the president. “That’s a lot of targets, Mr. President. It’s going to take a few days, at best.”
The president looked around the room. “Let’s hear it. What do we think they’re up to?”
The CIA director glanced in their direction. “Sir, Susan Collinsworth and David Manning are here from the TF Silversmith team. Would you two like to add something?”
Susan nodded for David to speak.
David wiped his sweaty palms on his pant legs under the table. “Good morning, Mr. President. Sir, as stated, the Chinese would know that those satellites will get shot down. China wouldn’t have launched that many unless they were planning something very big, and very soon. This provides them with a robust ISR picture of the Pacific theater, but it gets less accurate after the first day or two. So, I would expect the Chinese to take action within the next few hours or days. The USS Michael Monsoor, the destroyer that deployed the SEAL recon team, observed a very large number of surface contacts in their vicinity. They were forced to shoot down a Chinese surveillance helicopter to avoid detection.”
The president nodded. “I’ve been briefed. What’s your point, Mr. Manning?”
“Sir, based on the position, heading, and speed of those unknown surface tracks, we think the Chinese may be mobilizing a large-scale transit of the Pacific. This correlates with HUMINT we’ve received from inside China.”