“Part of his strategy? What the hell does that mean?”
Susan said, “We’re told that Jinshan wants to shift our focus away from China to a more belligerent North Korea.”
Director Buckingham said, “Well, it’s working! The president is demanding response options from the Pentagon tonight. He wants immediate action. They crossed the line this time.”
“Sir, if we escalate, we would be doing exactly what Jinshan wants us to do.”
“I understand the game, Susan. The question is, what is our best next step?”
“If Jinshan was hoping that this would take pressure off China, maybe we need to do the opposite.”
“I don’t want to tip our hand that we knew this was going to happen. That needs to stay in this room, for now. We can’t afford to expose Chaudry. He may be our best new source of information.”
“Yes, sir. I’m not suggesting that we need to risk compromising our source. Just that it may be in our best interests to… well, I assume that the president will make a statement on this? In response to North Korea’s missile test? What if he were to announce demands on China at the same time? Linking the two nations’ recent hostile actions together?”
The director frowned. “I like it, but in my experience, the White House communications office doesn’t take it well when we suggest what comes out of their mouth.” He rubbed his chin. “But hell, I’ll offer it anyway. It’s not a bad idea.”
General Schwartz said, “Please tell the director what else Natesh said.”
Susan said, “Jinshan was — as we suspected — actively engaged, even from prison. Natesh says that there was a power struggle going on in the Chinese Politburo, with Jinshan on one side and Secretary Zhang on the other. But now Jinshan has imprisoned Zhang — or worse — we don’t have confirmation. It’s meant to send a message to anyone looking to oppose him.”
Director Buckingham said, “Does Natesh know if Jinshan intends to attack the United States?”
“He says that preparations are still in the works, yes.”
“Can we trust him?”
“Like you said, sir, his information on the ICBM was accurate. Tetsuo’s gut is that Natesh is being open and honest with us now. He wants out.”
The director said, “The president’s advisors are urging him not to escalate. Some are calling our warnings about war overblown. A lot of intel supports that assessment.”
General Schwartz nodded. “Their military activity on the coast has died down. And the most recent military communications intercepts show a drawdown of PLA activity. Recruitment is up, though. And some of their inland units — their strategic bomber units and several army divisions in particular — have continued to drill like crazy.”
Susan said, “Without more reconnaissance satellites, it’s been harder to get good data. Air Force reconnaissance assets are stretched thin right now.”
“When are we supposed to have more satellites up?”
“The National Reconnaissance Office has fast-tracked its launches. They’re saying another week and they’ll have two more up that we’ll be able to use in that area.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to the president. Susan, I think you’re right. I think that he needs to lay down the law to China. Any new information on Chase Manning and his team?”
“They’re on Guam. Chase and the Delta team have been training for their assignment there. He says they’re ready to go, if needed. Also, we heard from GIANT.”
“And?”
“GIANT had a conversation with Secretary Zhang before he disappeared and got approval to go inspect the Liaoning camp. Apparently, Zhang confided in GIANT that whatever Jinshan was working on there, it was the key to his strategy in attacking the West.”
“How would Zhang know something like that?”
“We don’t know, sir. Zhang is close with several Politburo members and military leaders that are in Jinshan’s circle. Perhaps he saw or overheard something…”
“What could be at this camp that would be so important? General, any thoughts?”
General Schwartz said, “Perhaps they have a weapon there? It could be chemical or biological. I honestly don’t know. But with recent events in North Korea, and Jinshan’s rise to power, I think it’s pretty crucial that we find out.”
19
David watched from his hotel room. He was doing pushups with the news on in the background. The news commentators were chatting about how the president was under a lot of political pressure to push China harder after the recent revelations of hostile acts against the United States.
“Can’t say I disagree with that,” he said to an empty room. He turned over and began doing sit-ups.
The newscaster said, “In the White House’s prereleased remarks, it looks like the president is going to address this criticism directly. He is not only going to address the missile test in North Korea, but he will also say that ‘America will not be challenged by rogue persons or rogue nations.’ To me, this is reminiscent of George W. Bush’s comments on the ‘Axis of Evil’ after September eleventh.”
The talking heads went on for several minutes, agreeing with each other ad nauseam.
The newscaster said, “Okay, here he comes. He’s walking out along the red carpet in the East Room. This is very symbolic. Typically, presidents only do this when they have something of monumental importance to say. A big national security policy change, for example. Okay, I’ll be quiet now as we hear the president speak.”
The American president walked up to the podium, gripping it firmly with both hands. “My fellow Americans, I come to you tonight in the shadows of great sadness, but with the hope of a stronger and more secure future. Recent events have left us feeling anger and despair. I have been to several funerals in the past month. None of them were easy. I told the families that their sons and daughters did not die in vain. And now, I want to speak with you about how we must honor that pledge.”
He took a sip of water. “Rogue actors and rogue nations have for too long been allowed to dictate their own destiny. But no more. We as a country saw what happens when irrational actors — such as China’s Cheng Jinshan — get hold of military capability. While rogue members of the Chinese government were responsible for these recent tragedies, there are still elements around the world that pose a threat to America’s interests and security. So, I say to these rogue actors and rogue nations tonight — be warned. To North Korea, know that America will no longer turn a blind eye to you. Be warned. If China will not act to quell the hostilities of its neighbors, then we will. And when our enemies test us, we must strike. We will not callously put our country in unnecessary danger. We will strike, before our enemies are able to act.
“If China wants to avoid further military conflict, they must do three things. One — in response to recent Chinese aggression, the United States demands that China implement a downsizing of military forces, to be agreed to in a treaty, and that they consent to inspection by international inspectors. Two — China must immediately begin its withdrawal from the Spratley Islands and end its land grabs of non-Chinese territory around the world. Three — and this is most important — China must fully support the nuclear disarmament of North Korea.”
The president paused and took a breath, taking stock of his surroundings. “America will be a safer place. It will be a more secure country, because of our improved relationship with China. But we will enforce peace through the strength of our great military. God bless America.”