Dancing with the Dragon

Chapter 20

The morning breeze was gentle and refreshing on this beautiful Hawaiian day, typical of most days in the sun-drenched islands. Jumbo 747s arrived and departed in a continuous stream of activity, while smaller, colorful planes and helicopters flew visitors on sightseeing trips around Oahu and the neighboring islands.

Tired after a stressful, sleepless night, Jackie was waiting at the Air Service Hawaii FBO when Scott's navy SH-60B helicopter landed. The Seahawk helo from the HSL-37 Easy Riders had landed at the Coast Guard air station to turn Dalton's two rolls of film over to special agents from the CIA and two senior navy intelligence officers.

The film would be developed in Hawaii and flown to Washington, along with Scott's sealed after-action report. All of the intelligence information would be made available to President Macklin before he had to leave on his urgent trip to Bangkok.

The emergency meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and its Asian and Pacific partners was scheduled to begin in four days. The association is an international security structure designed to limit China's ability to pursue its national security objectives while putting other countries at risk.

Still wearing his borrowed khaki uniform, Scott thanked the flight crew and hopped out of the helicopter. Near the main entrance to the FBO, Jackie hugged him tightly and then led him to an empty conference room. She explained what had happened to their helicopter and described the harrowing landing on the frigate.

"Tell me about the operation," she said. "How did it go?"

"Well, first of all, there was a laser weapon on board the ship, and our suspicion about a holographic imaging apparatus is confirmed — we have the photos to prove it."

"Outstanding."

Dalton quietly replayed the entire adventure, including the ship blowing up and the attack submarine surfacing underneath him.

"Other than that, it was a fairly routine, boring evening."

"We felt horrible, but the helicopter would never have made it."

"Don't worry about it. How'd you get to Hawaii?"

"They flew us from the frigate to the carrier, then back here on the COD, the same one you jumped from."

"I thought they were going straight to Barbers Point."

"That was their plan. When the pilots contacted center, they were told to return to the carrier. Dave came with me. He's going back to North Island in the COD."

"Well, what's on our agenda?"

"A lot."

"Have you talked to Hartwell?"

"Oh, yes." She laughed. "I've talked to Hartwell."

"And?"

"He and the president send their best to you. They think you did a spectacular, unbelievable job and both extend their heartfelt thanks."

"Jackie, I know that look."

"What look?"

"The fox-asking-if-it's-okay-to-go-count-the-chickens look."

"I haven't committed us to anything. However, the president wants to thank us in person for getting him the evidence he feels he needs to confront the Chinese in Bangkok."

"Are we supposed to head for Washington?"

"No," she said with a faint smile. "The president is going to stop in Honolulu day after tomorrow."

"Great — we can have some old-fashioned R and R while we wait."

"But there's more," she said excitedly.

He paused for a moment. "I'm afraid to ask."

"We've been asked to accompany the president and Hartwell to Bangkok — to the summit meeting."

"Uh, Jackie, we're supposed to remain at arm's length from the government, not even know anyone in power, let alone be on a plane with the president of the United States."

"It's all arranged," she said with an air of confidence. "We're going as Secret Service special agents being temporarily assigned to the Bangkok duty station at the American Embassy. We will board with other agents from the Honolulu office, and then Hartwell will arrange for us to meet privately with the president.

Scott was puzzled. "Ah, let's see — is there something I've missed, something you've left out?"

"Well, there is one teeny-tiny detail that may arouse your curiosity."

"Here we go — I knew it."

"President Macklin wants to talk with us about a plan that he, Prost, and a small group of Hartwell's friends from the Agency have been concocting."

He rolled his eyes upward. "Do you know what it is?"

"No, and Hartwell made it clear that I shouldn't ask."

"I wonder what they're up to this time."

"I really don't know, but whatever it is, I'm sure you'll consider attempting it."

"Don't be so confident," he said with a Cheshire-cat grin. "Scott," she said in an unusually serious tone, "we don't have to agree to anything, you know that."

"I know," he said, and fell quiet for a few moments. "After last night, I wonder how much is too much."

"You need some rest, then we'll talk about it."

"I'd go for that."

Jackie felt as if she was getting her second wind. "I brought your things from the carrier."

"Thanks."

She leaned back and gave him the once-over. "The first thing we need to do is go shopping and buy you some clothes."

"Yeah, I could use some aloha shirts and baggy shorts."

"I know just the ticket. First we'll find a place to have breakfast, then we'll go to Hilo Hattie's for the very latest in Hawaiian apparel — you can't beat it."

"That sounds good, but I think we need to find a place to stay."

"I've already booked a suite at the Halekulani."

"Music to my ears." Scott chuckled. "A suite on Waikiki sure sounds better than where I spent last night."

"By the way, if we undertake the plan Hartwell mentioned, he said the terms would be the same as the Chen Ziyang operation."

"That part appeals to me. I wouldn't mind being able to retire and travel around the world in our own jet."

"Oh, another thing before I forget. We need to call Greg and let him know that he can have his Lear back. You can get the personal gear you left on the plane when we return."

"Yeah, you're right. I also need to give our SEALs back to the navy and check in with Mary Beth. She must think we've left the planet."

"We'll call her after breakfast."

"That's what I'm waiting for."

"Follow me."

They left the conference room and walked toward the entrance to the FBO, then stopped when they heard voices.

Jackie and Scott were surprised to see a group of people huddled around a television set. They could see the bright red "Breaking News" banner beneath the CNN logo.

"We have additional news just in," the man said. "The name of the ship in question is the Samuel B. Roberts, and CNN has just been informed that it is a United States navy frigate."

The anchor was handed new information. "According to a Pentagon spokesman, the ship has been stranded in the Panama Canal for approximately five hours. A senior White House aide has told CNN that an unconfirmed report from Panamanian officials has it that a canal lock malfunctioned, causing the American warship to be trapped in the waterway."

The newsman glanced away for a second and then stared into the television camera. "Tensions between China and the U.S. will likely escalate after the recent clashes in Panama and the sinking of two Chinese cargo ships, one of which we're told went down only hours ago."

He reached for a sheet of paper being slipped onto his counter. "Beijing claims the U.S. is responsible for destroying both ships. Pentagon officials have admitted that military relations between the U.S. and China are extremely strained at this time. We have more from Christine DeSano at the Pentagon. Christine."

"John, senior officers here believe this incident is in retaliation for the attack on a Chinese antiaircraft artillery site in Panama and the alleged sinking of a Chinese cargo vessel by the U.S. Navy. Many worry that Beijing is going to force the issue and cause a significant confrontation between China and the U.S. There was a flurry of activity here about ten minutes ago, and we were told that the canal crisis is about to escalate."

Surprised by the events, Scott and Jackie looked at each other and then focused their attention on the television. When CNN finally broke for a commercial, they left the FBO.

"You're part of the headlines," she said, walking toward her nearby rental car.

"I can think of easier ways to make the news," he said with a frown. "This Panamanian situation could turn into a train wreck, especially after all the bitterness over the treaty."

"Do you know the story behind the story?" Jackie asked. "I've heard two different versions of what happened."

"It depends on which side of the fence you're on."

"What account do you believe is the truth?"

"My version."

"And what version would that be?"

Scott opened the passenger door and got in. "Well, there was a great deal of underhandedness involved in the Panama Canal debacle, including the undeniable fact that Panama never ratified its treaty as required by the Panamanian Constitution."

Jackie started the car, and then lowered the convertible top to drink in the sunshine and fragrant air. She placed the car in gear and headed for the nearby Honolulu Airport Hotel to have breakfast and coffee.

"Furthermore, the treaty was not submitted to the Panamanian people for a plebiscite vote, as required by law. It was illegally pushed through the process — a fraudulent treaty pursued to a successful conclusion by the virtual dictator of Panama."

Scott glanced upward toward the Likelike (lick-e, lick-e) Highway and took in the breathtakingly lush mountains that make up Oahu's Koolau Range.

"At any rate, the Panamanians and the U.S. are now paying a very steep price for our surrender of one of the most important geostrategic maritime choke points in the world."

"Yeah, that treaty was a real soup-sandwich. Inept politicians and corrupt tinhorn dictators — they're mostly interchangeable."

"I can't argue that point," Scott said. "From a national-security interest, turning over control of the canal will prove to be one of the worst mistakes in U.S. history."

Scott glanced at a Falcon 900 corporate jet as it climbed steeply away from Honolulu International. "La Prensa says more than sixty percent of Panamanians favor some form of U.S. military presence."

"I can believe it. They've finally figured out how vulnerable they are to outside factions — the ones who would like to take complete control of Panama."

"Someday," he said with a smile, "Panama may invite the Yankees back to stabilize the economy and the environment — same with the Philippines."

"Yeah, they're singing a different tune now," Jackie said. "Two of the Philippine senators who voted to kick the U.S. military out in '92 later reversed themselves — that must have been a humbling experience. Now they want us back to protect their vital interests."

"Another fine example of brilliant decision making by totally incompetent politicians. One of those senators is now the president of the country — a really scary thought — and the other is the secretary of national defense. Think about it."

"I know," Jackie said with a fleeting look. "Unbelievable, but true — the wizards who oversee the Philippines."

He surveyed the lush tropical plants and exotic flowers along the road. "After the Filipinos kicked us out of Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base, the Chinese moved rapidly to fill the power vacuum in the South China Sea. They claimed part of the Spratly Archipelago that parallels Asia's most important air and shipping lanes."

Jackie slowed and turned into the parking lot at the hotel.

Scott unbuckled his seat belt. "Beijing is becoming more and more belligerent to the Filipinos — to everyone in Southeast Asia — and it wouldn't take much for the entire region to erupt in open warfare."

"Hey, give it a rest," Jackie said. "Aloha, mai tai — and all of that island lingo. You're in Hawaii — safely — and we're going to enjoy every minute we have together."

He broke into a wide grin. "You're damn right — can the problems. Let's get this party under way."

Also known as the Formosa ("Beautiful") Strait, the Taiwan Strait is about a hundred miles wide at its narrowest point and lies between the coast of China's Fujian Province and the island of Taiwan. Located in a notorious and deadly typhoon zone, the strait extends from the South China Sea northeast to the East China Sea. It reaches a maximum depth of approximately 230 feet and encompasses the Pescadores ("Fishermen") Islands, which are considered a hsien (county) under the jurisdiction of the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

The drama and tension being played out on and over the strait was rapidly increasing. The sporadic air-traffic-control system over the Taiwan Strait was having an adverse effect on everyone. Foreign pilots and U.S. pilots, both civilian and military, were in agreement about the lack of an ATC capability. It was the proverbial accident waiting to happen. The problem was made even more difficult by the growing number of fighter planes, aerial tankers, helicopters, and surveillance aircraft in the confined area.

Even the notices on the aeronautical Operational Navigation Charts covering the strait were ominous:

Mainland Chinese jets had buzzed the Ma-kung Naval Base, located on the Taiwanese island of Penghu. Chinese torpedo patrol boats and the destroyer Luhai were loitering near the Taiwanese-controlled islands of Matsu and Quemoy.

In addition to the strained relations in the strait, Beijing and Taipei officials had ordered their combat pilots to fly closer to each other's shoreline than had been allowed in the past.

In response to the Chinese pilots' extremely aggressive moves toward a Taiwan C-130H transport, including a head-on pass from a frontline Sukhoi Su-27 fighter-interceptor, the Taiwanese F-5s and F-16s were flying almost over the shoreline of the Chinese province of Fujian.

The USS Kitty Hawk and her battle group were northeast of the Taiwan Strait at a point halfway between Taipei, Taiwan, and Naha, Okinawa. Flanked by her escorts Cowpens, Rodney M. Davis, Fife, Curts, and the hunter/killer attack submarine USS Greeneville, the carrier had four BARCAP (barrier combat air patrol) F-18 Hornets between the flattop and the coast of China.

The Hornets were flying a racetrack pattern outside the Asian Coastal Buffer Zone east of Songcheng and Fuzhou. They would be refueled twice before being relieved on station and returning to the carrier. F-14 Tomcats would take their place as the BARCAP continued around the clock.

Two other Alert Five Hornets were manned and ready for launch. High above the Hawk, an E-2C Hawkeye was airborne and keeping a watchful eye on the Chinese and Taiwanese fighter pilots.

Shortly after 3:00 A. M. a Taiwanese Air Force captain and his wingman flew their F-16s low over Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province. Enraged by the aggressive act, the senior PLA officer in charge of eight antiaircraft artillery sites scattered around the perimeter of Fuzhou ordered them to open fire on the encroaching jets.

The wingman's F-16 was hit and went out of control, trailing fire and black smoke. He attempted to eject, but his parachute hadn't fully deployed when he slammed into the Min Chiang River alongside his blazing fighter. The flight leader escaped by flying at rooftop level over the neighboring town of Luozhou and safely returned to his base.

Space-based assets, reconnaissance aircraft, and the E-2C Hawk-eye witnessed the episode. The information was immediately sent to the Pentagon, State Department, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and the White House.

Less than an hour later DengJu-shan, a Chinese military ship disguised as a modern freighter, got a radar lock on the Hawkeye. A bright bluish-white object slashed past the E-2C a number of times, made a sweeping turn, and went straight over the Hawkeye a split second before a bright flash startled the pilots.

The starboard engine of the E-2C burst into flames and the wing failed between the engine and the fuselage. The flight crew, pinned into their seats by excessive G-forces, never had a chance to bail out. The aircraft tightly spun into the strait fifty-five miles due west of Taipei, Taiwan.

With both reconnaissance aircraft and spacecraft observing, there was no doubt about the cause of the crash. The laser beam that lasted 1.7 seconds came from the deck of Deng ju-shan. The evidence was undeniable. Beijing would be held responsible for destroying the Hawkeye and killing the entire flight crew.

Situated on five acres of prime beachfront, the famous resort is a luxurious oasis of tranquility in the heart of Waikiki. With its expansive courtyards and lush tropical gardens the "House Befitting Heaven" embodies the true spirit of Hawaiian hospitality.

An attractive and gracious young lady of Samoan heritage escorted Jackie and Scott to their suite, where registration was completed in privacy. They were impressed with the bowl of fresh fruits and the assorted Halekulani chocolates arranged on a table.

Once the administrative details were completed, they went to the lanai and soaked in the panoramic view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Many visitors considered the monolith of hardened lava to be the most recognizable symbol of Hawaii. The clear emerald waters along Waikiki were dotted with surfers and outrigger canoes. In the distance a stately cruise ship was barely visible on the horizon.

"This is fantastic — incredible," Scott said, turning to Jackie. "Especially being here with you."

"My sentiments exactly." She looked down at the oceanside swimming pool and the open-air restaurant. "How about a dip in the pool — then a nice quiet lunch?"

He smiled and shook his head. "After last night, I don't know if I'm ready to go back in the water."

"I promise, there are no submarines in the swimming pool."

After a refreshing swim, they toweled themselves and went into the covered open-air restaurant. They ordered seafood and had an unhurried lunch while watching a light rain shower pass.

When he was finished with his meal, Scott leaned back and folded his napkin. "One of the things I like most about Hawaii is the rainbow that accompanies every shower."

"That and the smell of the flowers," Jackie said, pausing as the waitress removed their plates.

They sat quietly for a few minutes, drinking in the scene along the world-famous beach.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Jackie asked.

"Sorry," Scott said, and reached for his iced tea. "I just can't get this situation with the Chinese off my mind."

"What do you think is going to happen with the China and Taiwan standoff — more rhetoric or some military action?"

"Well, this ongoing game is about more than Taiwan moving toward independence. It's about Beijing's belief — and they're firmly convinced by their obsessive distrust of others — that there's a conspiracy among the U.S., Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to destroy China and force them into a mold that suits the U.S."

"Like bringing the gunboat diplomacy from Kosovo to China. The U.S. will change the cognitive and psychological profiles of the people in China to match our model of what's right and perfect in the world."

"Precisely." Scott glanced at a darkly tanned woman in the smallest bikini he'd ever seen.

"Heell-oh!" Jackie waved her hand in front of Scott's face. "We're having a conversation here, remember?"

"Sorry." Scott chuckled. "The Chinese leaders have always relied on high diplomatic theater, lots of theatrics and huffing and puffing to get their way. They've always expected other nations to send emissaries to the Chinese capital to present tribute, bow a lot, and kowtow to the emperor."

Jackie nodded. "And Liu Fan-ding sees that tradition changing with the rapidly expanding Westernization of China."

"Of course. Reality is setting in and it scares the hell out of him.

The U.S. is a powerful country. He knows we move fairly rapidly. Fan-ding's country is very large, twenty percent of the world's population, but at the present time it's a middle power at best — and they move at glacial speed."

Scott leaned back to avoid a collision with one of the many birds scavenging for crumbs. "We, on the other hand, are making the U.S.-China gap grow larger by our quantum leaps in technology, both in the civilian sector and the military. We have long-range sea power and air power, space superiority, and a helluva lot more nukes."

"That could change if we continue to let the Chinese steal us blind, undermine the foundations of our financial markets, and build a military power along the Panama Canal."

"True, but Beijing really had a meltdown when we agreed to cooperate with Japan on research and development for a theater ballistic missile defense program."

Jackie frowned. "What really rankled them was when we announced that the missile defense shield would protect not only Japan but much larger areas of the Asia-Pacific region."

"That's right. The operative word is Taiwan."

"I'm sure they had the same reaction in Pyongyang."

"Yeah, I'll bet that caused some tirades."

"I can just hear the North Koreans," she said. -Japan and the U.S. are going to jack-slap us into the dirt if we don't stop screwing around.'"

"I think you have accurately captured the essence of their reaction." He looked down the beach at the surfers and the colorful outrigger canoes. "Economically, China is way, way overrated, and they have a petroleum deficit of over six hundred thousand barrels a day. Militarily, it's a second-rate regional menace with hopes to evolve into a powerful blue-water navy using the technologies they have purchased or stolen."

"With Taiwan under their control."

"Taiwan, the Spratly Islands, through the Ryuku Islands, across the Philippines, and then sweeping around the South China Sea — a dangerous neighborhood where trust is a foreign word."

"It seems to me, if Beijing had a large enough blue-water navy, the dragon could swim out to Japan, down through the Western Pacific, on to Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam."

"True," Scott said. "But we're back to China's problems. At the present time they're not a major power and their economy is relatively weak. Politically, Beijing's influence is feeble, and the country is basically backward, isolated from the rest of the world and the technology revolution."

"Not totally isolated from the technology gains."

"Okay, but we're diametrically opposite." Scott caught her eye. "The U.S. is a nuclear superpower that can checkmate Beijing at any given moment."

"I agree with what you've said, but I still believe China is a wild card that could do a lot of damage if they go berserk in Beijing."

He nodded. "I'd have to agree with that assessment. They do have some long-range nukes that are capable of hitting our West Coast."

"And, thanks to you, the White House has confirmation that the Chinese possess some very powerful laser-based weapons cruising the oceans of the world — they could be everywhere."

"That's the problem with China — their tendency to employ military force in all directions."

"And now they have their sights set on reclaiming Taiwan," Jackie said with a trace of scorn.

Scott glanced at a distant yacht. "Let's lighten the conversation and take a nice barefoot stroll down the beach — all the way to Diamond Head."

"Sounds good," Jackie said, gathering her things. "It's time to relax and have some fun."

"Roger that," Scott said, slipping into a colorful Hawaiian shirt that matched his swimming trunks. "Besides, we need to walk this meal off so we'll be ready for the luau."

"Hey, speak for yourself." She laughed. "I didn't eat like some crazed glutton at breakfast."

He smiled as he buttoned his shirt. "Floating around at night in a sea full of sharks, and then getting lifted out of the water by a submarine — well, it tends to increase my appetite for a few days."