Invasion: Alaska

Clark glanced to his left, nodding slightly. Perhaps someone off-screen spoke to him. The President’s hands, which lay on his desk, held a pen. As he turned back to the screen, those hands tightened around the pen and the rugged face took on a pinched look.

Jian had read the psychological profile on Clark. The President was gifted at American politics, a barracuda against his political opponents. He also tended toward what the Americans called isolationism. He’d kept the American military from entering Mexico during its civil war. Many had called him cowardly for that. Others praised his foresight. His greatest achievement had been keeping civil war from erupting in his own country. The Aztlan Movement had been strong in America, and for several years, it looked as if many southwestern states would attempt secession to join a Greater Mexico. Through diplomacy, police force and Federal-level infiltration into the ranks of the Aztlan rebels, Clark had kept the lid on long enough for the hotter-headed to cool down. The President disliked direct confrontation, believing as many leaders did that time solved most problems. New problems took the place of old ones, refocusing the easily distracted populace.

“Mr. Chairman,” Clark now said, “I fear I must inform you that my divers found a White Tiger Commando in the oil rig’s debris.”

“This was never in the news,” the Chairman said.

“Nevertheless, the Commando was among the wreckage. The conclusion seems obvious.”

“I hope, Mr. President, you do not think I would ever order such an underhanded attack against your oil industry. China would never need to stoop to such a thing.”

Clark looked visibly agitated, almost frightened.

For all his physical attributes, Jian thought, the President is a weak man.

“Mr. Chairman,” Clark said, “I assure you that I don’t think you would ever order such an attack. However, there may have been some in your administration with other ideas who worked behind your back.”

Jian held himself very still. Had Deng sent the Americans secret cables concerning Admiral Qiang and him? If so, this was treachery at the highest levels. Clark stabbed at the truth. He couldn’t have done so on his own. The Chairman could now use this moment to defuse everything, if he became so inclined. There had to be a way to derail the conversation.

“Surely, Mr. President,” the Chairman said, “you understand that I hold the reins of power. My ministers would never dare work ‘behind my back.’ May I suggest to you what I think occurred?”

“By all means, Mr. Chairman.”

“The Taiwanese extremists are savages. Too many escaped into the wider world as our lost island returned to the fold of the mainland. These savages are clever little men, who scheme night and day to embroil our country in debilitating wars and entanglements. For decades, these plotters attempted to drag America into a face-to-face confrontation between our two mighty countries. Fortunately, we were both wise enough to avoid their schemes. Now, I fear, they have gone too far. With stolen White Tiger uniforms and equipment, these devils blew up your platform. Mr. President, I have no doubt you found such a corpse, and clothed as you say. Like me, you are an honest man. I would never think to doubt your word.”

Clark’s knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip around the pen. “If it was simply a matter of one floating corpse, Mr. Chairman, I would drop my, ah, inquiry.”

Smiling from his wheelchair, the Chairman asked, “I do hope you are not making inquiries of me, Mr. President? I sit in a wheelchair, not a witness stand.”

“Perhaps I chose the wrong word.”

“You were a fearsome trail lawyer in your younger days. Old habits surely die hard. I can understand. But —”

“Please, Mr. Chairman, I misspoke a moment ago. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“No, no, Mr. President. There is no need to ask of this forgiveness. I simply asked for a clarification. You have given it to me. Thank you.”

Clark nodded, and he seemed relieved.

He is truly a simple, weak man, Jian thought. We should have invaded their country long ago.

“As I was saying—or as I tried to say—Mr. Chairman, there is another incident that adds to my…disquiet concerning the corpse found at the oil rig.”

“Oh?”

“Surely, you’ve watched it on the news. Two carriers in San Francisco Harbor were attacked.”

“That is dreadful, Mr. President. I heard the supercarriers were not only attacked, but destroyed.”

“Yes. Er, no,” said Clark. “They were hit. No one denies that. One was hit twice. Fortunately, American damage control teams prevented either from sinking. As surprising as it may seem, both carriers will soon return to sea in active duty.”

The Chairman nodded slowly.

“He lies, sir,” Jian hissed. “Those carriers will never fight again.”

“Mr. Chairman,” Clark asked. “Did you say something?”

“I merely cleared my throat.” The Chairman nodded as if thinking. Then he smiled again.

Wise, Jian thought. The Americans are a nation of smiling fools. They will believe anyone who can smile well. He watched on a side computer-scroll the Chairman’s image as portrayed to the American.

“This is wonderful news about your carriers,” the Chairman was saying. “I congratulate your Navy personnel on fast work. Few would believe that any carrier could survive such devastating hits.”

“Our Navy damage control teams are the best in the world,” said Clark, “as I’m sure you know.”

“The American Navy is respected throughout the world, yes.”

“It is still more than capable of protecting its shores from any invasion.” Clark smiled in a seemingly false manner. “Our Navy can still hunt down those who harm the nation, in order to inflict punishing damage in retaliation.”

“That is excellent news, excellent,” the Chairman said. “Still, in hunting down these extremist dogs, I would think swift, hunter-killer CIA teams would serve you better than any carriers.”

“For hunting extremists, I suppose that’s true. Unfortunately, sir, I fear I must inform you that Chinese corpses were found in the trawler from which the San Francisco missile attack took place. Please let me finish, sir.”

The Chairman had been about to speak.

“Dragon Claw missiles were used against our carriers,” Clark said. “As you know, these are Chinese missiles.”

“I told you the Taiwanese extremists were ruthless,” the Chairman said. “Ever since they escaped our clutches, they have nefariously been selling small-arms weapons to drug lords and various separatists in order to acquire the funds for truly powerful weapons.”

“Dragon Claws are the latest and most deadly missiles in the Chinese arsenal,” Clark said. “I don’t see how any extremist could acquire them.”

The Chairman frowned. “Mr. President… are you suggesting that someone other than Taiwanese terrorists attacked your carriers?”

President Clark set down the pen and peered intently out of the screen. “Not only were Chinese weapons used to destroy—to hit our carriers—but you are at this time carrying out a giant naval exercise in the North Pacific, well west of the Kamchatka Peninsula. These naval maneuvers are taking place much too near Alaskan waters. Mr. Chairman, your naval exercise troubles many of my highest military people.”

“This exercise was planned months in advance.”

“Mr. Chairman, I would like to speak frankly with you if I may.”

“Please do.”

“First, let me say that is an honor to speak with a man such as you. You have brought together all the ‘lost’ provinces of China’s previous heydays. You have forged your country into a powerhouse. If one includes the satellite states of Central and East Siberia, you have welded together the largest country on Earth. In this day and age, that is an amazing feat. I speak to you therefore with utmost respect.”

“Thank you, Mr. President. I also respect you.”