Jinshan watched General Chen as his eyes moved rapidly back and forth over the table, taking in information that he should have already known, had he studied all of the documents that had been provided to him.
The colonel picked up a ringing phone and began speaking into it. He nodded and hung up, then turned to the table of senior leaders. “We have lost communications with our strategic missile force along the Russian boarder. We believe that the American ICBMs have struck their targets.”
One of the other generals at the table said, “Please provide a damage assessment as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jinshan remained calm and turned to the admiral sitting at the table. “We need to discuss our naval plans. Those will be the most essential element of the next few weeks. Provide me with an update on the Jiaolong-class ships.”
The admiral said, “Due to the shortened timeline of our attack plans, we were only able to outfit one ship with all the new weapon systems. It was slow progress, due to the need to keep the work covert.”
Jinshan nodded. “I understand. This was a prudent decision to keep the ships hidden in port. Tell me, do we think the Americans are still unaware of the technology?”
The minister of state security said, “This is our belief, Chairman Jinshan. The Americans know we have ramped up construction on our new naval warships at this location, but we have been providing them false information as to the details of this particular weapon system. They believe that these ships are two new Type 055 guided-missile destroyers.”
Jinshan nodded. “When will they be able to get to sea?”
The admiral said, “We expect the first to get underway within the week, sir. We have had to skip many of the maintenance tests new ships normally go through. But we have conducted simulations in port that should mitigate much of that risk. The second ship will take longer.”
“Very well.”
General Chen frowned. “If these ships are so important, why have we not used them in the opening attacks?”
The admiral said, “General, with respect, the essential nature of these weapons is precisely why we wanted to keep them out of harm’s way. The Jiaolong weapons systems are the first of their kind. If their technology works, they could make any battle group impenetrable to enemy forces.”
Jinshan felt a shudder and could see commotion in the pit of computer terminals below. The phone rang, and once again the colonel who was standing next to their table answered it. Keeping the phone to his ear, he said, “We have lost communications with Bunkers Four, Five, and Six.”
General Chen said, “Bunker Four was located one hundred kilometers from here. If they were hit…”
The colonel said, “All American missiles have hit their targets. There are no more ICBMs inbound. The base safety officer reports tunnels between all bunkers have been sealed and ventilation systems are operational. He recommends that we transfer via the tunnel train to Bunker Two at your earliest convenience, sir. Given the prevailing winds, this will minimize any radiation risk during future air transports.”
General Chen let out a sigh, shoulders slumped, wiping sweat off his brow.
Jinshan nodded. “Very well. Give us the next two hours and then make the arrangements.” He turned back to the admiral, unfazed by their new lease on life. “How does Admiral Song intend to use the Jiaolong?”
“He agrees with me, sir. He wants to finish off Guam.”
General Chen was shaking his head, looking at the other men around the table. “What is the status of our strategic nuclear forces?”
The military officer standing near the computer terminal had a phone to his ear. He nodded to acknowledge the question and relayed it into the phone.
“We do not have full confirmation, General, but it appears that the Americans have struck direct hits on our missile fields and nuclear weapons storage depots.”
General Chen cursed. “And the ballistic missile submarines?”
Admiral Zhang frowned. “We have not heard from them in the past hour. They may have been hit.”
“Hit?”
“Sunk, General.”
General Chen slammed his fist on the table. “This is exactly why we should have fired our nuclear weapons first.” He looked between Jinshan and Admiral Zhang. “You should not send Song’s fleet to Guam. Guam’s base was hit. They will be nursing their wounds. We should send Admiral Song’s carrier group with the others, towards Hawaii. If we conquer Hawaii, there shall be nothing else in our way.”
Admiral Zhang said, “Respectfully, General, I recommend that we—”
General Chen said, “The Jiaolong is an unproven technology. You should have faith in your men, Admiral. We should sail east and land our forces on Hawaii while the Americans are in disarray.”
The two flag officers began arguing, but Jinshan silenced them.
“You have sufficiently registered your disapproval, General.” Jinshan stood, his leathery face wrinkling into a frown. The room went quiet, and General Chen lowered his eyes. “Now, if anyone has further questions on our strategy, you may take them up with me in private.”
Jinshan left the room, coughing into his fist.
8
David and Lindsay had gone back and forth as to whether they should get in their one working car and get the hell away from D.C., or whether they should stay put. With no electricity or cellular connectivity, there simply wasn’t any way to get information about what was happening out there. A few of the neighbors had come outside and David had spoken with them briefly. At least two families on their street had packed up and left. One father had a holstered pistol on his hip as he got into his minivan. He didn’t say where they were headed.
David and Lindsay decided to stay put. They were at war now, and he felt the call of duty. David was needed at his work. A part of him wondered if he should try to go to Langley right now, in the middle of the night. But without direction, he decided against it. He would be more capable after a few hours of rest.
Lindsay put their youngest back down. Their older child — a toddler — had, as David had always expected, slept through World War Three. Lindsay and he had lain back in bed but hadn’t been able to sleep.
“It feels wrong, going to bed right now,” David said. “But I mean, what the hell are we supposed to do?”
“There are a lot of sirens out there,” said Lindsay.
“Yeah.” David was happy that law enforcement and emergency services were functional, at least. There was a debate among men like him on how bad an EMP attack would really be, with worst-case predictions that no vehicles whatsoever would work after the strike.
“We should try to go to the grocery store first thing in the morning.”
David sighed. “I’ll need to work.”
“I know.”
“Don’t go to the store alone. People will be scared.”
“You’re probably right.” Lindsay lay on his shoulder. “Should we go somewhere… I don’t know… more rural? I feel like it would maybe be safer there. My mother can go to her sister’s place out in Purceville. Do you think there’s enough room for us all there?”
“I’m not sure that the apocalypse is enough to get me to live with your mother.”
Lindsay didn’t laugh. Nothing seemed funny right now. They stayed that way in bed for a while. Unable to sleep. Minutes of silence interrupted by bits of worried conversation. David didn’t know how long it went on. Nothing that told time was still functional.