Tiger's Claw: A Novel

about that nuclear depth charge, Ken?”

“Later, after the meeting with the Leadership—they might even leak it first,” Phoenix replied sotto voce. In a normal voice he said, “Until then, tell the press we know about the explosion and we’re investigating. You can tell them we’re not getting any cooperation from the Chinese and they have recalled their ambassador.”

The phone on the president’s desk beeped. “The hot line with Beijing,” Phoenix told everyone in the Oval Office, and he picked it up. His surprised expression immediately got everyone’s attention. He put the call on hold. “This has to be some kind of speed record,” he said. “I don’t think Ambassador Li is even out of the White House yet.” He put the call on speakerphone, which activated the videoconference function. “I’m here with the vice president, the secretary of state, and my national security adviser. Go ahead, Mr. Gao.” Now the others had matching surprised expressions.

“Thank you for taking my call, President Phoenix,” acting president of China Gao Xudong said in excellent English. “I just spoke with Ambassador Li, and I felt it most important to speak with you directly.”

“That’s good, Mr. Gao,” the president said, “because as a result of our meeting with Ambassador Li I have ordered additional defensive weapons systems to be delivered to the Pacific theater of operations; I have ordered every known Chinese antiship ballistic missile pad to be targeted by long-range cruise missiles; and I am seeking a meeting with congressional leadership about approving funding for more ballistic missile defense systems. Everyone in this room fears that war with the People’s Republic of China is imminent. Tell me I’m wrong, Mr. Gao.”

“I called to avert exactly that scenario, Mr. President,” Gao said. “President Zhou ordered the attacks on the Vietnamese and Taiwanese warships, including the use of special weapons.”

“You mean nuclear weapons, Mr. Gao,” Ann said. “We had better be crystal clear about what we’re talking about here, don’t you agree, sir?”

“Quite so, Miss Vice President,” Gao said. “I agree completely. Yes, President Zhou had authorized the use of the long-range antiship cruise missile and the nuclear depth charge. He wanted to prove to the world that China was prepared to use all means necessary to protect and defend China’s sovereignty of the South China Sea.”

“You speak of President Zhou in the past tense, Mr. Gao,” Phoenix observed. “What has happened?”

“The president was forced to undergo medical treatment because of a deteriorating mental health condition that called into question his ability to make rational decisions on behalf of the people of China,” Gao said. “He was obsessed with keeping all foreigners, especially foreign warships, out of the first and second island chains, and he even decided to use nuclear weapons. His orders against the Taiwanese submarine had already been issued, but after I learned of the president’s orders, I notified the Politburo. They took the president away immediately. Unfortunately we were not in time to stop the depth charge attack on the submarine, but I believe we have stopped many more such attacks from happening. General Zu is cooperating completely. The Politburo appointed me president until the National People’s Congress can convene and elect a new president.”

“So you’re saying that Zhou was working alone, without any authority from the Politburo or Secretariat?” Secretary of State Kevich asked. “You are acknowledging that the People’s Liberation Army Navy attacked the Vietnamese warship and Taiwanese submarine, but the orders were given by Zhou without authority of the Politburo or Central Military Committee?”

“Exactly, Secretary Kevich,” Gao replied.

“What about the P-8 Poseidon patrol plane and the Coast Guard helicopters?” Phoenix asked. “Did he give the orders to have them shot down as well?”

“Unfortunately, President Phoenix, he did,” Gao replied without hesitation. “The patrol plane and the first helicopter were downed by an experimental high-power microwave weapon called ‘Silent Thunder’ mounted aboard the aircraft carrier Zhenyuan that temporarily cripples electronic signals. It is similar to weapons employed by the United States and Russia. Zhou was told that the P-8 aircraft had the capability of launching antiship cruise missiles, and he immediately ordered it to be brought down. The second helicopter was shot down by a carrier-based fighter because your helicopter was out of range of Silent Thunder. Zhou is plainly insane, Mr. President.”

“This is extraordinary,” Phoenix said, shaking his head in utter shock. “How in the world can anyone trust China ever again, Mr. Gao?”

“The heart of the matter here, sir, is countries who claim they have the right to explore for resources in the South Sea, and the militarization of the South Sea,” Gao said. “The issue of which country is permitted to explore for oil, gas, and other minerals in the South Sea is important for China. It is not fair for one or more countries deciding on its own to explore for oil and gas without consulting the other nations who claim that right. Similarly, countries who place armed troops on disputed islands in the South Sea without consulting others, or who used armed aircraft and warships to patrol within a nation’s territory, are not right and such actions lead to distrust, hostility, and conflict. If the practice is not stopped, we could see an arms race in the South Sea on a massive scale.”

“What is China’s position, Mr. Gao?” Phoenix asked.

“Our position, sir, is that all the waters and islands within the first island chain belong to China,” Gao said matter-of-factly. He correctly interpreted Phoenix’s and Page’s exasperated expressions. “However, unlike Zhou Qiang, there are those of us who understand that many other nations claim this territory as well under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Our claim is based on historical and legal fact, which no one seems to care about or wants to discuss. But notwithstanding Zhou’s actions, there are many leaders in China who are patient and confident that a solution will be found. All must understand that hostile aircraft and vessels inside the two-hundred-kilometer economic exclusion zone represent a serious threat to all nations and must be kept away.”

“The UNCLOS treaty allows for unrestricted passage of any ship or aircraft outside of a country’s territorial waters—that’s twelve nautical miles,” Ann Page said. “China is a signatory to that treaty, sir.”

“I believe the twelve-mile limit was instituted because at the time that was the maximum range of shore bombardment guns aboard most warships,” Gao said. “In this age of cruise missiles and supersonic flight, twelve miles is a pittance, a matter of just a few seconds. Surely you understand that any military activity that might be considered hostile must take place outside the two-hundred-nautical-mile limit. This would include submerged submarines, armed aircraft, spy planes, and warships that are configured for battle, such as aircraft carriers with ready flight decks.”

President Phoenix looked at the vice president in surprise. “You seem very well prepared to discuss such a wide-sweeping policy, Mr. Gao,” he said.

“It is a matter of great importance to my people, sir,” Gao said. “Think of this, Mr. President: our Zheng He carrier battle group steams in toward New York, Washington, San Francisco, or New Orleans. We have forty supersonic stealth strike aircraft, dozens of nuclear cruise missiles, and guns that can fire a shell twenty miles with great precision. Eleven nautical miles off the coast it is considered hostile and is prohibited, but at thirteen miles it is not? I think the populations of all our coastal cities would be thankful if carrier battle groups stayed at least two hundred nautical miles away, not just twelve. Would you not agree, sir?”

President Phoenix nodded to the vice president. “Yes, I would,” he admitted.

“That is most excellent, sir,” Gao said. “I realize it will take many weeks or months—hopefully not longer—to get an international treaty signed, but I think it should be possible for our two nations to agree to this as a signal to all nations to work toward peace. Hostile aircraft and ships should stay at least two hundred nautical miles from our respective shores.”

“I’d like to discuss it with my entire national security staff, sir,” Phoenix said, “but if we are in agreement, I think such a restriction can be put in place while we consult with the Senate on a formal treaty.”

“Thank you, sir,” Gao said. “This has been a most unfortunate and, frankly, terrifying episode, Mr. President. I felt as if events were threatening to spin completely out of control. I hope we can plan a way forward that increases communication and cooperation between our countries so this never happens again.”

“I feel the same way, Mr. Gao,” Phoenix said. “Zaijian, Mr. Gao.”

“Good-bye to you too, sir,” Gao said. “Xiexie.” And the connection was terminated.

Phoenix replaced the receiver on its cradle, then looked up at the others. “What do you make of that?” he asked.

“It makes me even more distrustful of the Chinese, sir,” Ann Page said. “They set off a nuke in the South China Sea, then expect us to just sign a piece of paper and back away? Why should the United States back away? We haven’t been attacking anyone in international waters!”