“All this is beside the point,” Deng said. “We still have our food shortage. How will you fix this?”
Jian forced himself to smile indulgently. “That shall be our long-term strategy: gaining political alliances with the grain-growing countries or threatening them with Chinese proxies. This little lesson in Alaska and our growing fleet will give weight to our threats.”
“Provided we do not suffer a defeat in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula,” Admiral Qiang said. “Sir, I still respectfully suggest we send reinforcements to Alaska. We can win this war. It is too early to admit ourselves beaten.”
The Chairman scowled. “The Army wasn’t beaten, but these naval infantry of yours….” The old man shook his head. “Now is the time to use our experiences to build an improved military. I shall speak to the President. Yes, I shall maneuver him into asking for peace talks. Then you, Jian, shall go to the conference and use Dead Horse and the Prudhoe Bay oilfields as hostage for his good behavior concerning our naval infantry. Afterward, we shall begin teaching these Americans what it means making China your enemy.”
Deng Fong shifted uneasily, looking as if he wanted to speak.
The Police Minister spoke up first. “That is a splendid plan, sir. I heartily agree.”
The marshal of the Army nodded.
“Admiral Qiang?” the Chairman asked.
“With more fuel, sir—”
“No,” the Chairman said, as his eyes bulged. “I’ve had enough of your cries. This entire mess is of your doing. You destroyed the American oil well and you pushed for this attack.” He pressed a button on his wheelchair.
The double doors opened and three armed Lion Guards stepped in.
“Take him,” the Chairman said, indicating Admiral Qiang.”
“Sir,” Qiang said, standing. “I ask your permission to speak.”
“Shoot him,” the Chairman said coldly, “and incinerate his body.”
The admiral’s mouth opened as shock marked his features.
“Your naval infantry stained Chinese honor,” the Chairman said.
“Sir, I beg you,” Qiang pleaded.
A Lion Guard clutched an arm. The second one did likewise to the other arm as the third man aimed his gun at the admiral.
“Take him outside and shoot him,” the Chairman said, “for he has failed me, which means he has failed Greater China.”
The guards hustled a protesting Admiral Qiang from the chamber.
“He wronged all of us,” the Chairman said, his dark eyes shining. “Later, we shall list his deficiencies to the people, letting them understand why our naval personnel failed to achieve their objective.”
The other ministers sat in silence, each wrapped in his own stark thoughts.
Paul Kavanagh was on the phone in a small hut atop a mountain. The long-distance line to California was finally coming through. Red Cloud was outside, waiting near the Marine helicopter.
Someone on the other end of the line picked up the phone. “Hello?” a woman asked.
“Cheri?” Paul said, his heart racing and his face flushed.
“Paul?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.”
“Paul, you’re alive. I-I thought….”
“I’m coming home, baby.” By all that was holy, he loved her voice. It was beautiful. It was life.
“What do you mean ‘coming home?’”
“I mean that I’m sorry for all the ways I treated you badly. It means I want to start over. I love you, baby. I want to be with you more than anything in the world. What do you say, Cheri? Do you think there’s a chance?”
A sob came over the crackling line.
“Cheri?” Paul said, worried he’d lost the connection as he had before outside Platform P-53.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Cheri whispered. “When I thought you were dead…. Please, Paul, hurry home. I love you so much. I know that now.”
Paul grinned so hard it hurt his cheeks. “I love you too, baby. I’ll be home in a few weeks.”
“Oh, Paul, it’s so good to hear your voice. I’m so terribly glad you’re alive. This is wonderful.”
“Yeah, I’m done fighting. It’s out of my system. All I want is to love you and raise my boy right. I can hardly wait to hold you in my arms again.”
This was great! This was why he was alive. He’d paid his vow to Murphy. Now it was time to live again.
(Reuters) As the last Chinese troops withdrew from the Kenai Peninsula today, the American negotiating team stormed out of the Carlos Diego Building in downtown Buenos Aires.
“The Chinese have bargained in bad faith,” the American Sectary of State declared.
The Americans claim the Chinese have garrisoned “stolen” Arctic Ocean oil rigs and positioned several battalions of hovertanks as a quick reaction force. It is clear, they said, that the Chinese wouldn’t budge on the issue of the oil wells.
When told of this, the Chinese pointed out that any nation willing to ignite nuclear weapons in the pristine Arctic environment cannot be trusted to monitor against oil seepages or spills.
“The truth is that we are better guardians,” Minister Jian Hong said. “The Chinese have long experience guarding civilization against barbaric peoples such as the American oilmen.”
The war begun five months ago has ended. But the Americans are still bitter about the invasion, while the Chinese are unapologetic for taking preventive measures against what they call “mercenary Anglo exploiters.”
“We will remember this,” the Secretary of State said.
“For their sake, I hope they do,” Minister Jian Hong said.
When pressed for further comments, both men remained silent.
Analysts believe that one clue to the Secretary of State’s final comment is that the Grain Union has begun admitting new member nations, widening the food embargo against Greater China. The Chinese demand an end to the embargo as Jian Hong hinted of new Chinese responses.
The war is over in Alaska, but animosity between the two superpowers is still strong. The world looks on, hoping for peace as the two countries continue what some are now calling “the new Cold War.”
To the Reader: I hope you’ve enjoyed Invasion: Alaska. If you would like to read more about the Great War between China and the United States, I encourage you to write a review. Let me know how you feel and let others know what to expect.
If you enjoyed Invasion: Alaska, you might also enjoy Accelerated. Read on for an exciting excerpt.
Novels by Vaughn Heppner
The Ark Chronicles:
People of the Ark
People of the Flood
People of Babel
People of the Tower
Lost Civilizations:
Giants
Leviathan
The Tree of Life
Gog
Behemoth
The Lod Saga
The Oracle of Gog
The Doom Star Series:
Star Soldier
Bio-Weapon
Battle Pod
Cyborg Assault
Planet Wrecker
Star Fortress