“Because your patrol plane intercepted, overflew with menace at supersonic speed and low altitude, and then proceeded to perform mock missile attacks on a solo, unarmed naval support vessel,” Phoenix replied. “The crew of the USS
“You refer to the B-1 bombers!”
“The bombers are refurbished surplus B-1 bombers, configured by a private contractor for long-range reconnaissance,” Phoenix responded, not revealing by agreement with the national security staff that the XB-1 Excaliburs were armed with air-to-air missiles. “They are used for long-range reconnaissance in support of small groups of surface vessels.”
“But they locked onto our patrol plane and fighters with antiaircraft radar, disrupted radio communications, and shut down our navigation radars . . .”
“You mean, your fire control radars, the radars used to direct guns, bombs, and missiles—it appeared as if your patrol planes and fighters were getting ready to attack,” Phoenix said. “General, I thought both sides were going to stay away from each other’s ships and shorelines. Why was that patrol plane harassing our support ship?”
“We agreed that we would stay two hundred nautical miles from each other’s shores, including the disputed islands in the South Sea,” Zu replied. “Your warship was well within that distance. You violated the agreement!”
“We agreed to keep warships away,” Phoenix said. “The
“So that is the way you wish to have it, is it?” Zu responded. “You are quick to make agreements, then parse your words and stretch reality when it suits you.”
“General Zu, we have made repeated requests for a formal meeting between President Gao and myself to draft a formal agreement on the status of military forces in and around the South China Sea,” Phoenix said. “We’ve heard nothing from you. In the meantime you have deployed millions of ground troops throughout your country, attacked civilians, and used nuclear weapons on foreign navies. Now we’re seeing more long-range bombers being readied, your aircraft carriers deployed outside your largest port cities along with two Russian carrier battle groups, and we’ve detected Chinese submarines heading east. The situation is getting grave, General. The last thing the United States wants is war, but all we see in China is preparation for war.”
“And China sees more and more bombers and fighters deployed to Guam and Saipan, more nuclear ballistic missile submarines launched, and warships that were laid up being made ready to sail,” Zu said. “It is the United States that is looking for war, Phoenix!”
“All that preparation was in response to your nuclear depth charge attack and your antiship cruise missile attack,” Phoenix said. “General, I don’t want war, but I will respond to mobilization for war. Now I strongly suggest that you turn those submarines around and stand those H-6 bombers down.”
“I am not going to take orders, suggestions, or anything else from you, Phoenix,” Zu said. Zu’s voice in the background sounded as if he was going to explode. “Those bombers you have on Guam are aimed right for our ports and cities, and China will not tolerate their presence. Remove them at once! When China sees some evidence that the United States is searching for peace, China will reciprocate. Otherwise we will take all necessary steps to protect our country. Be forewarned.”
“Do not try to threaten us, General Zu,” Phoenix said. “I want peace, but I will respond to all direct threats against my country.” But the call had already been terminated.
PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS, BEIJING
THAT SAME TIME
Zu slammed the “hot line” receiver back onto its cradle. “
“It appears as if the Americans are going to push back,” Zu’s deputy, General Sun Ji, said. He looked quizzically at his superior officer. “Sir? Why did you . . . ?”
“I need time to implement Zhen’s plan,” Zu said, thinking furiously.
“What plan?”
“He has a plan to attack the island of Guam,” Zu said. Sun did not disguise his skeptical expression. “The bastard even said he has hacked into the municipal utilities and can disrupt power and telephone on the air force base.”
“I would not believe a word he says, sir.”
“But all his plans have worked so far,” Zu pointed out, “and so far no one has retaliated against us.”
“Except by not trading with us, General!” Sun said. “Exports are down twenty percent, and imports are down fifteen percent. There are already fuel shortages, and the unrest in the country is spreading. No one needs to militarily retaliate against us, sir—it is happening in the marketplace!”
“I am not concerned about that, Sun,” Zu said. “When people tire of paying higher prices for goods, they will come back.” Sun didn’t believe that, but he did not show his disagreement. “But something has to be done about the American arms buildup on Guam.”
“You are not thinking about another nuclear attack on Guam, are you, sir?” Sun asked. “After the Russian attack on the United States, I do not feel they will sit back and allow another attack without massive retaliation.”
Zu thought for a moment, then he said, “Get Gao in here.”
Gao Xudong appeared in Zu’s office in less than an hour. “What now, General?”
“I want you to negotiate a complete demilitarization of the South Sea with the Americans,” Zu said. Sun was shocked but did not change his expression. “Our ships stay within our territorial waters. No armed aircraft overflying the South Sea. This will be between America and China, but we will invite other nations to participate. We will later discuss coordinating exploitation of the natural resources of the South Sea so as to avoid confrontation.”
Gao was openly skeptical. “Why the sudden change of heart, General?” he asked.
“You told me yourself: China is reeling from the lack of trade and domestic unrest,” Zu said. “We cannot stay in martial law indefinitely. We must do something. The Americans say they do not want war—let us see if they are honest. You work out the details.”
Gao’s expression turned from skepticism to hope. “I will open a dialogue right away, General,” he said. “I think the Americans will be happy to cooperate, and they will certainly encourage other nations to as well.” He exited Zu’s office smiling and fairly bouncing from anticipation.
Sun looked at his superior officer in confusion. “Sir? What is the plan here? You wish to demilitarize the South Sea? How is that even possible?”
“I have no idea, Sun,” Zu said. “I just need time to implement Zhen’s plan to attack Guam.”
“Have you studied this plan yet, sir?”
Zu turned to his computer and opened a classified documents folder. “There it is,” he said. “I knew he would have his plan to me instantly. I want you to study it and give me your thoughts.”
TWELVE
FIRST EXPEDITIONARY BOMB WING, ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM
A FEW HOURS LATER
Patrick McLanahan climbed down the boarding ladder of his XB-1 Excalibur bomber into the warm, tropical air, instantly feeling sweat pop out underneath his international orange flight suit. His copilot, Colonel Warner “Cutlass” Cuthbert, was waiting for him on the ramp. “What a flight, Patrick!” he exclaimed when Patrick joined him a few moments later. He handed Patrick a bottle of cold water. “And we got to see JN-15s and JN-20s up close!