In other company, Admiral Song wouldn’t dare suggest his men were anything less than invincible. But the two senior officers had known each other for decades. The carrier captain had been a junior officer when the admiral was himself a ship captain. Now he was one of the admiral’s few confidants.
The captain said, “We will be finished recovering our new air wing by evening’s end.”
The admiral kept his eyes on the jet that was coming in on its final approach. Its tailhook sent sparks flying as it skimmed the surface of the carrier’s flight deck and clutched one of the arresting gear wires, which slowed it to a full stop. The admiral could see the pilot’s head jerk forward at the rapid deceleration. Then the aircraft taxied forward, directed by the flight deck crew to its parking spot on the bow.
Admiral Song said, “We will travel north this evening.”
“The American submarine presence is stronger there.”
“The Americans have accepted our cease-fire agreement. We have a reprieve.”
“Do you think it is wise for us to trust such an agreement?”
Admiral Song shrugged. “We have our orders. We shall head north and meet up with the Jiaolong. The first of its class.”
The captain arched his brow. “The Jiaolong-class ships are ready for sea?”
“Only one. But it will be underway tomorrow.”
“Has it been tested?”
“I have been assured that they will meet our operational requirements.”
The two old colleagues exchanged knowing glances. Usually new technology didn’t work so well at first. This was especially true for complex new military equipment. “If this is true, it is excellent news.”
The admiral turned back to the flight deck, extending his hands on the rail. The jet that had just landed was being taken towards the elevator. Its wings had been folded up, and a trolley cart was pulling it along the starboard side of the flight deck. It would be taken below into the hangar deck, alongside dozens of other new arrivals. Maintenance crews were turning wrenches and checking oil levels. Ordnance men were filling ammunition pods and attaching missiles.
“We cannot have another loss like we suffered at the war’s opening. We will join up with the Jiaolong and several troop carriers. Then we will head back to Guam.”
“General Chen’s daily message indicated that that his priority was Hawaii. He directed us to draw up plans to accomplish this. Are we not going to follow his orders?”
Admiral Song felt strongly that General Chen was an imbecile. He should have never been promoted past major, let alone become the highest-ranking military member in all of China. Admiral Song had an immense level of respect for Cheng Jinshan, but he failed to see the wisdom of Chen’s appointment to his current position.
“We do not work for General Chen.”
“He is the highest-ranking—”
“We work for Admiral Zhang.”
“Who works for Chen.”
“And they both report to Chairman Jinshan.”
The captain waited patiently for an explanation. Admiral Song watched the next jet land and then turned back to the captain. “I received counsel from Chairman Jinshan himself. Admiral Zhang was present. General Chen was not. We do not require General Chen’s approval to reattack Guam.”
Admiral Song could see the surprise on the face of his subordinate.
“General Chen will be displeased that he was cut out of the process. He strikes me as the type of man that may take retributive action against those who are not in a position to avoid it.”
“I believe that you are correct in your assessment of the general’s response. I fear for the day when China’s fate rests on the judgment of such a man.”
“Why do men like that play such games?”
Admiral Song smiled. “That you would ask such a question tells me you are not such a man. And that is a good thing. It is why I have chosen you for this position.”
A series of bells and a voice on the ship’s overhead speaker announced that it was time for evening meal.
They ate in the admiral’s wardroom. Real silverware and ornate china plates. The admiral announced their orders to the eight senior-most officers in the battle group. These were loyal and capable men. He had handpicked them and trained them himself. Their faces held the eagerness and intensity of a warrior headed into battle.
“The Jiaolong-class ship will give us a definitive tactical advantage. We must do everything in our power to protect them and keep their capability a secret for as long as possible.”
The aircraft carrier captain said, “This means that any American submarines or aircraft that come into range will need to be engaged.”
One of the officers said, “Sir, we have a cease-fire. What will our rules of engagement be if we come across an American asset while we have the Jiaolong in company?”
Admiral Song said, “Then we must engage them. Peace treaty or not.”
When the dinner was over, Admiral Song and the aircraft carrier captain were left alone at the table. They sipped tea and discussed their plans in detail.
A sailor from the communications department entered the room and handed the admiral a folder. He put on his glasses and read the message, then handed the folder back to the sailor, who left them.
Admiral Song said, “General Chen has given his approval for the change in plans that was discussed with Chairman Jinshan.”
The captain looked puzzled. “Did you ask his permission?”
The admiral smiled. “I did not. The man is posturing.”
The captain smirked.
Admiral Song shook his head. “If General Chen had half of his daughter’s ability, this war would be over in a week.”
“I do not know of his daughter.”
“Probably safer for you that way.”
10
Lena Chou had arrived in Tokyo on the day the war began. Her plane had landed just as the first wave of Chinese missiles had begun striking American and Japanese military targets on the mainland.
She had been sent to kill Natesh Chaudrey. Natesh had aided the Chinese espionage operation to extract war plans from two dozen Americans experts. But he had become a liability. Now Lena was lying low, trying to stay hidden from the Americans in Japan until they all left. She expected that American agents were still looking for her.
One in particular.
She felt mixed emotions when she thought of Chase Manning. She admired him for what he was. A water walker like her. Someone who had the mental fortitude and physical gifts to do anything in life. But their stars were crossed. He would never see the world the way she did. She had been enlightened by Jinshan’s teachings, and lucky enough to be selected for her special assignment at a young age.
A part of her wished that she never had been thrust into this life of espionage and violence. Especially when she thought about the things she had to do. The flash of that young girl’s face entered her mind. But as quickly as it came, she forced it out.
Lena had killed many in the name of her country. Especially lately, as her cover had been blown and her talents had been used in a different way. But nothing had been like killing the former president of China and his wife and daughter.
That experienced had changed her.
A knock at the door.
“Enter.”
One of the Ministry of State Security (MSS) operatives came in and left a tray of food on the room’s lone table. The table was only a foot off the floor, as was customary in traditional Japanese homes. On the tray lay a simple meal and a glass of water. The MSS was China’s equivalent of the CIA. It was the organization Lena had worked for, in one way or another, since she was a teenager.