in front of the Americans, and Captain was pleased.
The executive officer, a bluff, hearty man Chang had met before, was standing at the edge of the flight deck, waiting to welcome him. Chang would not have expected the captain himself, no, not under the circumstances. That he’d chosen to send his XO was intended to convey his respect for his Taiwanese allies.
Captain Chang let his translator lead the way across the flight deck and out from under the helo’s rotors. For now, they would maintain the pretense that Chang spoke little English. The XO immediately popped into a sharp salute, then led him away from the rotor blast of the helo.
“Welcome aboard, sir. We’re pleased to have you.” The XO gestured to a younger officer standing next him. “Lieutenant Jones would be pleased to have your pilot and copilot accompany him to the wardroom for a cup of coffee and perhaps a meal while we talk to the captain. If that meets with your approval?”
Chang listened as the translator conveyed the XO’s words, matching the translation to the tone of voice and expression of the man standing in front him. “Tell him my flight crew would be pleased to accept the honor,” Chang replied. “I believe they have developed quite a fondness for ice cream during their visits here.”
The XO chuckled. “Ice cream it is.”
The XO led the way off the flight deck and through the central passageway of the ship. The bulkheads were spotless, the fittings polished and shining. Fire hoses, communications gear, and emergency equipment were all apparently brand-new.
The XO took him directly to the captain’s cabin, knocked on the door, and opened it without waiting for a reply. “Captain? I’ve brought Captain Chang.” The XO stepped aside to allow Captain Chang to go first, and then followed and closed the door behind him.
The captain stood as they entered, crossed the room and extended his hand. Chang stood at attention as they shook hands warmly, because that was what was expected in this culture. After the handshake, he bowed slightly, as he would to an equal.
“Well, then, we don’t have much time, I know,” Captain Norfolk said. He motioned to the table in the middle of his room. “You’ll forgive my abruptness, I hope, but perhaps we should get to work.”
Their directness was one of the things Chang liked about the Americans, although he had to admit he still found it jarring. “That would be agreeable,” he said to his translator, and waited for Norfolk to seat himself at the table before taking the chair across from him.
Norfolk shoved a chart across the table at him, and then a short message. “I’m hoping you can shed some light on this,” he said. “We’ve seen a number of deployments by the Chinese forces in the past, but never quite this composition. The long-range missile shooters, the destroyers, the amphibs — but I have to say, it’s the mine-laying capabilities that worry me as much as anything else. We’ve had some recent experience with those, as you know.”
Chang nodded politely, but did not comment. The American’s experience in the Gulf and the serious damage to USS
“And here’s the worst of it. We’ve got information that they’re planning another spate of missile tests. And not normal missile tests,” Norfolk said. He locked eyes with Chang, his expression deeply concerned. “Even with the carrier in the area, this could be the start of a major offensive. While I don’t want to alarm you unnecessarily, that’s what I’m hearing from my sources.”
Chang studied the chart for a moment, then the composition of the ships headed his way. They would be here in about ten hours. Not much time — not much at all. And that was just for weapons-release range — to come closer within visual range would take another six hours, even moving at top speed. Still not much time to prepare.
“But of course, we are already prepared,” Chang said finally. “I agree with you, and I am afraid I can shed no additional light on the matter. Your sources are perhaps more… forthcoming… that mine are.” He saw his translator struggle to get exactly the right nuances in his choice of words to accurately convey Chang’s tone of voice.
Norfolk sighed. “I was afraid of that. If the weather holds, we may see the carrier tomorrow. Her escorts will be another week behind her, so it’s up to you and me to provide cover for her.” He saw Chang grimace, and nodded in agreement. “Right, it’s not the way we like to work. But under the circumstances…”
Norfolk then confirmed Chang’s reasoning by saying, “If it meets with your approval, I’ll concentrate on the air problem while you handle the subsurface and surface issues. I’ll chop my two helos over to your operational control to use as you see fit. Once the carrier gets within range, it will be a different ballgame, but for now, that looks like the best use of our capabilities. Any comments or suggestions?”
Chang shook his head. “No. And I think it is an excellent plan.”
“Well, then. Perhaps you could join us for lunch before returning to your ship?”
Chang shook his head, suddenly anxious to be back on board
An odd expression crossed Norfolk’s face for a moment, and he looked at the translator. But then he said, “I understand. Perhaps another time?” He gestured to his mess cook. “I was afraid this might indeed be the case, but I have been eager to show off my mess cook’s talent. Perhaps you would accept this package for you and your senior officers on our behalf. And, I am afraid I must admit, that I have taken the liberty of providing several gallons of ice cream to your helicopter crew. I hope that your officers and men will enjoy them as a token of our friendship.”
“Thank you. And I hope we’ll see you onboard
THIRTEEN
Despite the occasional cry of wolf from the intelligence community, life remained relatively normal during the carrier’s transit to Taiwan. Wexler and T’ing repaired a few frays in their friendship and soon resumed their easy conversations over dinner. Although Wexler found the presence of Little Insect in her office troublesome, she spent the time putting the final touches on her plan for uncovering the source.
China’s opening diplomatic salvo came as a surprise to both Wexler and her allies. None of the Asian nations even saw it coming, and it came from a most unexpected quarter.
Brad came into her office after the morning session, his face serious. He handed her a petition addressed to the United Nations, signed by the ambassador from China. It protested in the strongest possible terms the presence or intended presence, or potential presence, of radioactive materials in her territorial waters. China lodged her objection in general, and then specifically noted the aircraft carrier USS
Wexler scanned the petition hastily, picking out the pertinent points. China was making much of the fact that the aircraft carrier had not even completed sea trials before being deployed. The petition claimed that under the circumstances, her safety precautions could hardly be considered adequate. China requested — no, demanded — that the United Nations take measures to ensure that the aircraft carrier not enter Chinese territorial waters — which, according to the Chinese, extended one thousand miles out past the coastline.
“Complete and utter nonsense,” Wexler said, tossing the petition on her desk. “There’s no way they’ll get any
