“Global positioning system is online, Admiral. Our hypersonic batteries in Venezuela are loading their targeting data now, cross-checking with the updated reconnaissance imagery.”
Admiral Song nodded. “Good. Any changes to the American defensive posture?”
The two officers glanced at each other.
Admiral Song said, “What is it?”
“There is no change to the satellite data, sir, but…”
The other officer said, “Some of our organic drones are now sending back information from the US mainland.”
“Already?”
That was good news. The ships were still more than a day away from reaching the US mainland.
“Why is this a problem?”
“Sir, there was a discrepancy in some of the reconnaissance data.”
“Well what do the satellites show? Those are over us now, providing real-time feed.”
“The satellites show the same images they did during the last mass satellite launch, Admiral.”
Admiral Song was losing his patience. “I don’t see the problem. What the hell are you saying?”
The admiral’s phone rang, and he picked up, annoyed with these stuttering fools. “Go ahead.”
The voice on the other line was the Central Committee Liaison Officer. Similar to the political officers that all Soviet vessels used to embark, this man reported directly to the politburo. “General Chen would like an update, Admiral.”
Admiral Song exhaled, willing himself not to curse. “Tell the general that our ships are now sailing north of Cuba. Air coverage is overhead. And the first wave of hypersonic missiles is about to shoot off the rails. And don’t call me again. That last part was for you.”
He hung up the phone. The two bumbling junior officers were still standing there, looking nervous.
“What?”
“The drone imagery, sir…”
“What about it?”
“Sir, it does not match the satellite imagery. Our organic reconnaissance drones use a different communications channel. It is very reliable.”
Admiral Song narrowed his eyes. “Show me.”
They walked into the intelligence cell, located behind multiple airtight doors and an armed security guard. Once they were inside, an analyst showed a series of images on the large flat screen in the center console. Half a dozen intelligence analysts were in the room, all watching the admiral. An unusual nervousness permeated the room. They weren’t being quiet because he was the highest-ranking officer in the fleet. There was something wrong, and they were waiting for him to see it.
The intelligence officer said, “Admiral, this was the image from the satellites last week. And this is the image coming from the satellites right now. And here… this one we just got from our drone now flying over Norfolk naval base.”
Admiral Song’s face went white as he remembered the intelligence report they’d discounted a few days earlier.
“Sir, the Norfolk ships aren’t damaged… they’re gone…”
“What do you mean, the American carriers have been deployed?” General Chen rose from his seat, the veins in his neck pulsating. Lena watched as his quivering minion reported unexpected movements from the American Atlantic fleet.
“Sir, two carriers and their escorts. Our reconnaissance aircraft spotted them just now. Their location is inconsistent with the satellite data we have received.”
General Chen narrowed his eyes, looking left and right along the row of senior advisors.
“Minister Dong. What does this mean?”
Lena thought it was interesting that her father picked the one man in the group who wasn’t considered a loyalist. Even General Chen was forced to recognize true competence when it mattered.
“It appears that we have been deceived, General. Either the Americans have hacked into our drones, and want us to believe they have a stronger fleet, or…”
“Or what?” General Chen looked worried now.
Minister Dong paused in thought. “Our mass satellite launch occurred less than twelve hours ago. My sources tell me that the Americans have not yet attempted to shoot down our satellites.”
“That is unusual.”
“Yes. It is possible that our attacks on American anti-satellite systems are bearing fruit. Or it is possible the Americans have corrupted the data we are receiving from those satellites.”
“Why would they do this?”
“They may have wanted to appear weaker than they really are…”
Lena looked at the tactical display. The digital image showed the Chinese fleet’s location northwest of Cuba. Dangerously close to America, if the US military was trying to lure them in.
General Chen said, “But… you say it is still possible that our drones have been corrupted? The satellite data could be accurate?”
The hopeful words of a frightened leader.
A PLA admiral approached General Chen. “Sir, our submarines are now tracking several groups of American ships entering the Florida Straits.” He looked uneasy. “I believe the American fleet was not as damaged as previously assessed.”
General Chen’s face grew red. He snapped his gaze toward Lena. “The Russians failed us. Was that on purpose?”
Lena shook her head. “I don’t think so, General. But the Americans have many spies. It is possible that they were made aware of the Russian operation.”
General Chen looked toward his military advisors. “What is the impact?”
The PLA admiral said, “Sir, it is hard to be certain. We are receiving many conflicting reports.”
“What is the worst-case scenario?”
The admiral said, “Worst case is that the Americans have two carrier strike groups headed to meet our fleet in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. They are already within attack range with their aircraft, if they have any on board.”
The general looked confused. Then the confusion turned to fury. “How was I not made aware of this!” He slammed his fists down on the table.
Lena said, “The American air bases. Was that a ploy as well?”
“Both our organic drone recon imagery and the potentially corrupt satellite imagery continue to show significant damage to American air bases. Hundreds of aircraft were destroyed.” The speaker, a PLA general, glanced at Minister Dong.
Minister Dong said, “In light of the naval deception, is it not possible that the Americans are only making it appear as if their aircraft are destroyed?”
“How would they do that?” General Chen said.
“Decoys, sir. We have used similar tactics in training. We would need to examine the aircraft closely to be sure. But our drones can’t get close to those air bases without the risk of getting shot down.”
The PLA admiral said, “That is unlikely. If these images of destroyed aircraft are actually decoys, the Americans would have had to move the real aircraft to another base. Our agents have been monitoring all American military bases. We would have seen this occur.”
General Chen wrung his hands together. “How does this change our attack strategy?”
The PLA admiral said, “We should modify some of our targets. Attack the approaching American strike groups before they reach Admiral Song’s Atlantic fleet.”
“What about our submarine force?”
The PLA admiral said, “Admiral Song has only a handful of attack submarines, and those are protecting his capital ships, the Jiaolongs. Even if they were detached, it would take them more than a day to reach the American fleet. The real threat is of air and missile attacks. And the Jiaolongs are more than capable of defending against these.”