High Alert

CHAPTER 30

China had many ears in North Korea. Word of Yun's plan to attack America had reached Beijing. There were unhappy senior officers in Yun's country, men who feared the next purge would remove them from their privileged positions of power. The execution of Admiral Hwan had sent shockwaves through the top ranks of the North Korean military. Hwan had been a respected and trusted officer. If the Chairman could turn on him, who would be next? One of those officers had made sure their Chinese ally knew of Yun's folly.

A decision had to be made. President Zhang Jei sipped tea while General Liu and Minister Deng waited for him to speak. Zhang set his cup down and dabbed at his lips with a linen cloth.

"It is tempting to allow the destruction of our enemy," Zhang said, "but 'Temptation wrings integrity, even as the thumbscrew twists a man's fingers.'"

"'It is on the path you do not fear, that the wild beast catches you'," Deng said. "It is certainly tempting. But if we allow Yun to destroy the American homeland, they will retaliate. They've based their nuclear weapons around the world, preparing for just such a contingency. They will be angry and turn North Korea into a wasteland. Angry people make mistakes. It will mean war, a war we cannot hope to win."

"I fear that Chairman Yun has reached the end of his usefulness as an ally," Zhang said. "More tea, General?"

Without waiting for a response, Zhang filled General Liu's cup.

"We cannot allow him to launch," Liu said.

"I agree. How do you think we should proceed?"

"I can place a South Blade unit on site. They will destroy his rocket before he can put it in the air."

Deng nodded. "A sensible solution. Afterward, we can deal with Yun."

"Are there any rules of engagement?" Liu asked.

"No one must know we were there," Zhang said. "Take any action necessary. If there is opposition, eliminate it."

"Prisoners might provide useful intelligence," Deng said.

"There is no provision for prisoners on an operation like this," Liu said.

"It doesn't have to be complicated," Deng said. "If you take prisoners, interrogate them and then kill them."

Liu grunted assent.

"How much time do you need for preparation, General?" Zhang asked.

"It requires some thought, but two days should be adequate. We need to study the target, brief the mission, and arrange logistics."

"We must make sure the weapon is destroyed," Deng said. "It's not enough to eliminate the launch facility. The bomb would not have been manufactured at the launch site. Yun will have to move it from wherever it is, install it on the launch vehicle, and make final adjustments."

"Establish twenty-four hour surveillance. General Liu, once we are certain the bomb has been moved to Musudan-Ri, send in your team."

"What about afterward?"

"What do you mean, General? Extraction of our forces? Surely, you can handle that."

"Not extraction, Mister President. I meant Yun. What are we going to do about him?"

"Chairman Yun will be very angry," Zhang said. "He will probably have one of his fits. Alas, such things are unpredictable. I have heard that the effects on one's health can be quite serious, even fatal."