Paul flung out a spent magazine. This butchery made him sick. It felt wrong. Yet he rammed another magazine in and continued to do his duty. He was here to kill, to try to end the conflict by eliminating the mastermind behind the relentless orgy of destruction that the Chinese committed upon America.
-14-
Conference
Jian Hong paced restlessly in his study. The room was on the third floor of his palace in the middle of Mao Square.
He could not believe the news. Marshal Shin Nung was dead, slaughtered in his headquarters like a pig. American commandos had burst into the bunker during a particularly savage cruise missile assault. If the reports were true, Nung had burned to death beyond easy recognition. A dentist had identified the marshal through his dental records.
It was this burning to death that troubled Jian.
A knock sounded, and the door swung open. A secretary poked her head in. “Leader, Police Minister Xiao is here to see you.”
“Yes, yes, let him enter.”
The secretary retreated and Xiao entered. It was very late and behind his thick glasses, Xiao’s eyes were puffy. The Police Minister must have already been asleep.
“Have you heard the news?” Jian asked.
Xiao nodded even as he swayed slightly.
“Sit, sit,” Jian said. “You look like you’re about to tumble over.”
Xiao pulled out a chair and sat down.
“The Americans have apparently slain Marshal Nung.”
“It is startling,” Xiao said.
Jian laughed mirthlessly. “It is more than startling. I find it impossible.”
“Leader?”
“These so-called commandos burned Nung to death beyond recognition.”
Xiao blinked several times and nodded hesitantly.
“It is obvious,” Jian said. “This is a staged event.”
“By whom, Leader?”
“That is why I have summoned you. This piece of treachery will not stand. I want to know how such an attack against my chosen marshal could succeed in the center of a heavily guarded headquarters.”
Xiao seemed awake now, and he appeared to choose his words with care. “Are we certain someone among us did this? Perhaps the Americans really—”
Jian laughed harshly. “Do not be naive, Xiao. Treacherous and cunning enemies surround us. I suspect Deng Fong. Yet if that is true, it means his hooks have sunk into those in the Army. Marshal Kao would have to be complicit in this. Normally, I would not believe it, but I know that he loathes Marshal Nung.”
“I’m sure you are right, Leader,” Xiao hastened to say. “But it seems incredible Kao would help slaughter Marshal Gang.”
“Ah! That was the second piece of evidence that showed me the truth of the matter. Marshal Gang survived the so-called commando raid.”
“How?”
“He wasn’t in the bunker, but in his quarters. He sustained injuries from the cruise missile assault, but they were minor and he is otherwise fit. And listen to this. Kao has already contacted me and suggested that Marshal Gang assume responsibility for the First Front. He was too eager, too ready in this.”
The Police Minister squinted and soon began to nod. “I’m beginning to think you are right, Leader. There are too many coincidences. And you say Nung was burned to death? Why do you believe that is important?”
“We know the depth of Kao’s hatred for him. The burning shows spite. It is Kao’s fingerprint on the assassination.”
Xiao stood and straightened his uniform. “Leader, this is a grave matter.”
“Yes, yes, finally you’re awake. My enemies—
“It is diabolical.”
“I have learned a valuable lesson concerning these matters,” Jian said. “One must strike first. Well, our enemies have secretly struck against us by chopping at one of the roots of our military high command. Perhaps they believed this blow would frighten me into inaction. Or maybe they thought I was too dull to see this for what it was. No! I’m neither dull-witted nor frightened. Instead, they have roused me to swift action. Tell me, Xiao. Are your flying squads ready?”
“Once you give me the code word, Leader, I can have them knocking on doors in fifteen minutes.”
Clasping his hands behind him, intertwining his fingers so he could feel his knuckles, Jian began to pace. “It is a bold thing we plan. It frightens me, this step. But we cannot wait for our enemies to finish their strike against us.” He whirled on Xiao. “Arrest Marshal Kao and arrest Foreign Minister Deng Fong before dawn.”
“The Foreign Minister has powerful bodyguards,” Xiao said.
“If you cannot do this, tell me.”
The Police Minister straightened. “I can do it, Leader. May I ask one thing?”
“Speak!”
“Arresting Deng Fong might bring repercussions with the German Dominion. They trust him. This could also cause division in our Pan-Asian Alliance.”
Jian laughed grimly. “So be it. I cannot wait for Deng to strike at me. Because he has political power, do I let him plot and execute his assassinations with impunity? No! They made their play. Now, I am about to make mine. Take Marshal Kao into police custody and shoot him in the deepest basement you can find.”
“Yes, Leader,” Xiao said.
“Once you have Deng Fong…use your best doctor. Inject the Foreign Minister with something to bring about a heart attack. We will say you learned of a death plot and hurried to his quarters to warn him. Alas, you were too late and found him beyond recovery.”
“I doubt anyone will believe our story.”
“Perhaps not,” Jian said, “but it will give them a way to save face. People believe Marshal Kao is my man. I thought he was too, until this commando raid left his protegee in control of the First Front. The Japanese leaders and our Southeast Asian allies will not link these two deaths together. Who knows what Germans think? They are a mystery to me.”
“Leader, these… deaths will damage our war effort at a critical time.”
“Not necessarily,” Jian said. “These undercurrents have no doubt sapped Army morale all along and we weren’t even aware of it. Unity of effort is a critical component of successfully waged war. With Deng gone and Kao out of the way, we can prosecute the rest of the North American conquest with singleness of purpose.”
Xiao nodded, albeit with seeming reluctance.
“You have your orders, Police Minister. Now go, eliminate these saboteurs for the good of Greater China.”
“I need the code word, Leader.”
Jian Hong gave it to him.
Xiao turned smartly and marched out of the study.
As the door closed, Jian felt the restlessness surge in him. Yet he sat down, as he was weary. This was a grave risk, and it could cause unforeseen political turmoil. But he had to strike. Otherwise, he would be a fool, waiting for his enemies to finish him. Once in the highest office, one was never completely secure. The death of the Old Chairman proved that.
Jian flexed his hands. He had shot the old man himself while visiting him in the deepest bunker. It had been
