matters when we approach a final solution.”
Bien executed a tiny bow, one that almost verged on insolent. Pig.
The Chinese Commander stared after him as he left. Scum.
CHAPTER 14
Sunday, 30 June
1900 local (Zulu +5)
Swedish Ambassador’s Reception
New York, New York
Amidst the noise and the lights of the Swedish ambassador’s reception,
the delegates to the United Nations still found time to conduct business.
“And again,” T’ing said, barely raising his voice above an icy whisper,
“once was not enough.”
“Sir, the United States had no part in the attack on your–on Mischief
Reef Island,” Ambassador Wexler said, catching herself just in time. She was
under instructions to avoid any positive acknowledgment of China’s ownership
of the South China Sea rocks. She saw Ngyugen, the ambassador from Vietnam,
nod ever so slightly at her correction.
T’ing sighed. “No other military forces were in the area, madam. As it
was last time–an American jet circles an isolated Chinese oceanographic
research station, and then the island mysteriously explodes. Perhaps a
fishing boat attacked the scientific camp?”
“An oceanographic research station? With tanks and fighter aircraft?
And Stingers and submarines on patrol? Forgive me, but I doubt that the
ambassador from China is being entirely candid.”
“With unprovoked attacks by the United States on our land, what nation
would not make some self-defense preparations?” T’ing replied. He knew it
would be impossible to hide the presence of military forces on the islands
from the circling satellites.
“The United States has attacked no one, the ambassador insisted,
struggling to keep her temper under control. “It was China who attacked us!
Your submarine, sir, fired on one of our aircraft operating in international
airspace.”
“Following,” T’ing said, “the American destruction of an undefended
research station, an attempt to provide a radar lock-up on one of our patrol
aircraft for firing an Aegis cruiser missile, and the continued presence of
American forces in a legally declared exclusion zone. Only the United States
could have the audacity to claim status as a victim while simultaneously
attacking our forces herself!”
“We are prepared to make our tactical logs and crews available to an
impartial investigating committee. Whatever is causing these incidents in the
South China Sea, I believe that the ambassador from China knows more about it
than we do.”
“A very generous offer,” T’ing broke in. “Very generous indeed–if the
United States had not had sufficient time already to completely fabricate
records pertaining to that time. The gentle art of manipulating
electrons–who better than the Americans at it?” T’ing shrugged.
“Fortunately, we will not need to rely on electronic memories and
fabrications. We have something far more reliable.”
“What, a confession?” Sarah Wexler asked sarcastically, immediately
regretting her words.
T’ing locked her with a cold stare and let the seconds tick by while all
eyes in the room turned to him.
“Something better than that, I believe. And far more reliable. Late
this morning, a Chinese naval vessel initiated a search for survivors. Three
members of the Spratly base camp survived. One, Shih Tan, was standing
outside when the attack occurred and observed the overflight of an American
military aircraft, followed minutes later by the explosion. The force of the
blast tossed him off the island and into the sea. Shih Tan almost drowned
trying to avoid the rain of fiery debris. Only his will to live and superb
training, plus his determination to tell of American perfidy, enabled him to
survive.”
“And a very interesting story it will be, I’m sure,” she said tartly.
“Excuse me, but I believe I need to greet our hostess.”
Battle-ax! How well that suits you, madam, T’ing thought. But no matter
how skilled you are in this arena, too many preparations have already been
made in other theaters for your words to make the slightest bit of difference
in the outcome. You’ve missed the battle, and the war is almost over. For
without the cooperation of the sniveling mongrels’ countries that yap at your
heels, you have no future in our seas–and you lack the will to make it
otherwise!
“She seems quite annoyed,” Ngyugen said, slipping smoothly into the gap
in the conversation. “Defensive, almost. They are behind these