The Gotland Deception

Chapter Thirty-Two: Network Rising

The holographic display came to life, painting Taiwan’s maritime domain in three dimensions. Jodi Mack watched four hundred seventeen blue icons materialize across the projection — each representing an autonomous weapon now lurking in the strait’s dark waters. The assembled brass fell silent.

“Gentlemen,” Jodi began, her voice carrying across the Joint Operations Center, “welcome to the future of naval warfare. I am proud to report that as of today, we have completed the final delivery and deployment of all manned and unmanned underwater vehicles, naval surface vessels, counterdrone systems, loitering munitions, short-, medium-, and long-range cruise missiles, and last but not least, short- and long-range surface-to-air missile defense systems. If you are ready, I can provide our final update and answer any lingering questions you might have before we hand the system over to you and your forces.”

The Joint Operation Center sat three stories beneath the Ministry of National Defense at the base of the Yangmingshan Mountain range in the Shilin District of Taipei. The JOC hummed with barely contained energy as the leaders of Taiwan’s military met for what might be the final time with all of them present in the same room. At the end of the meeting, the leadership of the country would begin to disperse to different command posts, on the off chance that one or more of them became the subject of a PLA attack.

Present in the room and leading the discussion for the military was Admiral Han Ji-cheng, the Commander of the Navy, and the man who had led Taiwan’s efforts to integrate unmanned and autonomous vehicles into naval strategy. His counterpart, Lieutenant General Wu Jian-tai, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, had also been instrumental in preparing the Marines to counter the anticipated landings for which they knew the PLA Army and Marines had been training vigorously for years. President Ma Ching-te, along with the Air Force Commander, General Tseng Zhaoming, and the Commander of the Army, General Guan Li-jen, sat quietly as they listened to the brief. Not in the room (for security reasons) were the Minister of Defense, the NSB Director, and the Director of Intelligence, who would listen to the meeting from a separate, secured location.

Admiral Han Ji-cheng, Chief of Naval Staff, leaned forward in his command chair. The silver-haired sixty-two-year-old admiral had watched the growth of the PLA Navy from a coastal patrol force to a true blue-water navy across his career. His expression remained carefully neutral as he listened to the TSG representative give them a final update before declaring their program ready.

“Ms. Mack.” Han’s English was precise, academic. “You’re asking us to entrust our nation’s defense to machines that think for themselves. Forgive my skepticism.”

“Skepticism’s healthy, Admiral.” Jodi manipulated the holographic controls. The display zoomed, focusing on the Penghu archipelago. “These aren’t just machines. They’re force multipliers. Let me demonstrate.”

She highlighted a cluster of icons near Magong Naval Base on Penghu’s main island. “Mr. Matsin’s team deployed twelve Seeker-class XLUUVs five days ago. Since then, they’ve logged over eight hundred hours of autonomous patrol time. Colonel Hsu, what has your information warfare section observed?”

Colonel Hsu adjusted his Marine-issued glasses, consulting his tablet briefly before replying. “Three PLA submarines transited the Penghu channel. We identified them as Type 093 attack submarines, running silent. Our diesel boats never would have detected them.”

“But the Seeker did.” Jodi pulled up acoustic traces. “Here, here, and here. Each submarine tracked continuously for twelve hours. The AI identified them by their pump signatures, reactor cooling patterns, even crew movement rhythms. The machines never tired, never lost contact.”

Vice Admiral Lo Hua, Han’s deputy, studied the data intently. “Incredible. What about rules of engagement? What stops these units from attacking?”

“Excellent question.” Jodi expanded the display, showing decision trees. “Four-layer authorization protocol. Layer one: passive monitoring only. Layer two: active tracking with human notification. Layer three: weapons free with human authorization. Layer four: autonomous engagement if Taiwan is under active attack.”

“And who controls these layers?” Lo pressed.

“You do. Specifically, this room does.” Jodi gestured to the command stations. “The entire system operates under your authority, not ours. Think of it as the world’s most sophisticated watch officer — one that never sleeps.”

Lieutenant General Wu Jian-tai of the Marine Corps stood, his bulk imposing even among the seated officers. “I see a lot of graphs and neat videos, Ms. Mack. And while many of my officers speak highly of the equipment TSG has provided, I have ten thousand marines preparing to counter beach landings and protect critical infrastructure. It’s clear how your robot fish helps the Navy, but what about my marines?”

Jodi smiled. This was the question she’d been waiting for. “General, may I show you Tainan scenario seven?”

Without waiting for permission, she activated a tactical simulation. The hologram shifted, showing Taiwan’s western coastline in detail. Red icons appeared — showing a massive simulated amphibious force.

“Here we see one hundred twenty landing ships approaching the shore as they disembark their force,” she narrated. “We now have six hundred amphibious assault vehicles nearing the beach. A traditional defense would require your marines to meet them at the waterline. The casualties in this scenario would be…”

“Catastrophic,” Wu finished grimly. “We’ve run these scenarios before.”

“Exactly. Now watch this.” Jodi activated the autonomous defense network. Blue icons swarmed from hidden positions. “Thirty-nine Zealot USVs launch from Budai alone. Each carries four Hellfire missiles. That’s over one hundred fifty precision strikes before they close for kamikaze attacks.”

The simulation played out in accelerated time. USVs weaved between landing craft, missiles launching in coordinated volleys. Ships exploded, burned, and sank. The neatly organized invasion formation dissolved into pure chaos and destruction.

“Meanwhile,” Jodi continued, “Sea Guardian smart mines activate beneath the first wave.” More red icons vanished. “Next, the Seeker XLUUVs hunt the escort submarines protecting the amphibious assault ships.” The video simulation showed numerous underwater battles erupting across the display.

General Hsu watched his marines’ beach positions remain untouched as the invasion fleet died at sea. “How many reach the shore?”

“In this simulation? Seventeen percent. Your marines are mopping up survivors, not struggling to survive against wave after wave of landing craft.”

“God in heaven, it’s a slaughter,” someone whispered.

Major Lin from Submarine Squadron 256 raised his hand like an eager student. “The Seekers — they can coordinate with our diesel boats?”

“Yes, but not just coordinate,” Jodi replied. “They enhance them. Your submarines are quiet but limited by crew endurance and battery life. Seekers can scout ahead, maintain contact while your boats position for attack. You become wolfpack leaders, not lone hunters.”

She pulled up real-time footage from a Seeker patrol. The underwater view showed murky darkness pierced by sonar returns. A massive shape materialized — a commercial freighter’s hull passing overhead.

“This is live?” Admiral Han Ji-cheng asked.

“Ten minutes ago. Unit Seven, patrolling the Penghu deep channel.” Jodi enhanced the image. “Watch the AI work.”

Data cascaded across the screen: acoustic analysis, hull configuration, prop cavitation patterns. Within seconds, the AI identified the vessel: “Motor Vessel Changsha, Chinese registry, container ship, normal transit pattern, threat level minimal.”

“It learns, General,” Colonel Hsu observed. “Every contact improves its database.”

“Exactly,” Jodi confirmed. “In five days, our units have cataloged over three thousand vessel signatures. They know what belongs and what doesn’t.”

An alarm chimed, signaling a real-time alert. Jodi’s fingers flew over controls.

“What is it?” Han demanded.

“It’s another cyber probe against our firewall. Let me check its origin… ah, of course, ATP1 — Shanghai,” explained Jodi. Lines of code scrolled across a side screen. “It’s Unit 61398, 2nd Bureau, from the PLA Strategic Support Force. It’s the same hacker teams constantly probing the US Pentagon back home.”

Colonel Hsu’s team scrambled to respond, but Jodi remained calm. “Watch as the AI handles it with Colonel Hsu’s team,” she directed.

The Lattice system visualized the attack — red tendrils probing for vulnerabilities. Blue defensive protocols activated, adapting in real-time. Within seconds, the probe was isolated, analyzed, and rejected.

“Each time they attempt to hack our systems, the attack pattern’s been cataloged,” Jodi explained. “Next time, Lattice will recognize it in nanoseconds. Like antibodies learning diseases.”

Vice Admiral Lo studied the defense. “Impressive. But what about physical attacks? Jamming, EMP?”

“Distributed architecture,” Jodi replied. “Destroy our satellite links, the mesh network continues. Jam radio frequencies, fiber optics take over. EMP a command node, decision-making distributes to surviving units. We’ve built redundancy into redundancy.”

She activated another display. “Let’s run drill alpha-seven. Simulated saturation attack on Taiwan.”

The hologram exploded with threats. Two hundred ballistic missiles arced from mainland launch sites. Cruise missiles hugged wave tops. Aircraft swarmed from multiple vectors.

“Traditional defense would require human controllers to prioritize, assign, and engage,” Jodi narrated. “Reaction time: minutes. Reaction time using the Lattice AI…”

The AI had already begun responding before she finished speaking. Tien Kung III batteries swiveled, tracking priorities. Naval units adjusted positions. Autonomous systems prepared to engage low-altitude threats, while Patriot batteries engaged cruise and ballistic missile threats.

“Seven milliseconds,” she finished. “Human-like decision-making at machine processing rates.”

The simulation played out. Interceptors launched in perfect sequence. USVs engaged sea-skimming missiles. Electronic warfare systems activated, spoofing and jamming. The massive attack whittled down to manageable numbers.

“Eighty-seven percent interception rate,” Jodi reported. “Compared to sixty-two percent with traditional command and control.”

Admiral Han stood slowly, approaching the hologram. His fingers passed through a glowing icon representing a Seeker patrol. “In my career, I’ve seen warfare evolve from guns to missiles to networks. Now you bring us thinking weapons.”

“Is that acceptance, Admiral?”

Han turned to face her. “My great-grandfather fought the Japanese with bamboo spears. My father faced Communist gunboats with American destroyers. Each generation gets the weapons it needs.” He paused. “Before I sign off on final delivery of this, show me more.”

Jodi suppressed a smile. The hard part was over; he’d accepted the system. “Sure. Let’s discuss integration with your existing systems.”

She pulled up Taiwan’s defense architecture. The Po Sheng C4ISR network appeared as a neural web connecting bases, radars, and command centers.

“Lattice AI doesn’t replace the Po Sheng system you have,” she explained. “It enhances it. Think of Po Sheng as your nervous system, Lattice as reflexes. Conscious thought when you have time, instant reaction when you don’t.”

“And the Americans?” General Hsu asked pointedly. “Does this tie us to their systems?”

A delicate question. Jodi chose her words carefully. “Lattice AI can operate independently or integrate with allied networks. If US Seventh Fleet intervenes, we can share targeting data instantly. If not, you retain full autonomous capability.”

“Convenient flexibility,” Lo observed.

“Realistic flexibility,” Jodi countered. “We’ve learned from Ukraine. Allies help, but self-reliance wins.”

Another alert. This time, Jodi’s expression sharpened. “Admiral, we have acoustic detection. Three contacts, bearing two-seven-zero, range forty kilometers from Penghu.”

The room tensed. Han stepped to the command position. “Classification?”

Data flowed across screens. The AI analyzed patterns, compared signatures. “PLA Navy Type 093 attack submarines. Hull numbers five-zero-seven, five-one-one, unknown third. Depth two hundred meters, speed eight knots, heading one-eight-zero.”

“They’re probing our defenses. Getting in position for tomorrow,” Lo stated.

“Interesting development. What are our options?” Han asked Jodi.

“Currently, twelve Seekers are within intercept range. Your submarines Hai Lung and Hai Hu are sixty kilometers northeast, too far for immediate response. We can maintain passive tracking or…”

“Or?” asked Admiral Han.

Jodi stared at the admiral, debating if she should say what was on her mind. “Or we could demonstrate a capability they don’t believe you have. I could have the Seekers ping them. Ring their bell, and let ’em know we see them — and they’re alive because we let them be.”

Han considered. Around him, staff officers waited. The weight of decision hung in the air.

“Let’s hold off. I don’t want to tip our hand just yet. I want this to be a surprise should it come to that.”

As the final presentation came to an end, Marcus Harrington, who had been listening from the TSG headquarters in Virginia, chimed in.

“Admiral Han,” Harrington began without preamble. “I trust you are happy with the system and capabilities of our products?”

“Mr. Harrington,” replied Han. “Your weapons are as advertised, and you delivered on time.”

“Excellent. Good to hear, Admiral Han. Jodi, are you ready for phase authorization to pass control of the systems to the Armed Forces of the Republic of China?”

She glanced at Han, who nodded. “Yes, sir. They are ready to take final control of the system.”

Harrington’s expression sobered. “OK. Admiral Han, when we give you full activation, that means the AI can engage independently if you authorize it. If Taiwan comes under attack, it will respond according to its programming. There are no take-backs, no abort codes once you set it. The genie stays out of the bottle.”

“We understand, Mr. Harrington,” Han answered. “Tomorrow, Beijing begins their ‘customs inspections.’ We’ll need every advantage if they decide to take this kinetic.”

“Very well.” Harrington entered his authorization code. “May God help us all. Lattice AI, offensive protocols authorized. Authentication codes have been transmitted to your secure email.”

The holographic display shifted. Blue defensive icons turned amber — armed and ready. Status boards showed weapons systems transitioning from safe to standby.

“It’s done,” Jodi announced. “Four hundred seventeen autonomous weapons now stand ready. Admiral, you command the most lethal naval defense network in the Pacific.”

Han studied the display, watching his mechanical fleet patrol. “We’re not just defending anymore,” he said quietly. “We’re hunting.”

As if in response to his words, another alert sounded. This time, they were being notified of a priority intelligence report from Chao Ming-hsien, the head of their intelligence agency.

Chao’s face appeared on one of the monitors. “Admiral, we are receiving a flash message from the American INDOPACOM liaison in Hawaii. They are reporting an increase in ships from the PLA Eastern Theater Fleet, preparing to depart the Ningbo Naval Base. They estimate a force of around thirty-six surface combatants, and an unknown number of submarines are preparing to head south, toward us.”

“Thank you for that, Director Chao. Colonel Hsu, how long until they reach the strait?” Han asked.

“Forty-eight hours at standard cruise,” Hsu replied. “Twenty-four if they push hard to join the existing ships already on station.”

“Then we have one day to prepare.” Han turned to Jodi. “Can your machines handle a full fleet?”

She met his gaze steadily. “Admiral, during the Russo-Ukraine war, a single well-trained, well-equipped drone unit would routinely blunt entire battalion and brigade-sized attacks. In contrast, you have four hundred and seventeen SMEs working alongside your sailors and marines with the most advanced AI-controlled naval platforms ever built. Yes, I think we can handle them.”

“We’d better, for all of our sakes,” replied Admiral Han before adding. “Ms. Mack, I’d like you to remain here as my liaison. I want to make sure I can call upon your TSG expertise, should this go kinetic.”

“When, not if?”

Han’s smile held no humor. “April fifteenth is tomorrow. Beijing set this deadline. They’ll keep it.” He addressed his staff. “Alert all commands. Set condition two throughout the fleet. Inform the President — the autonomous guard is active.”

As officers scrambled to implement orders, Jodi found herself alone with the holographic display. Four hundred seventeen icons pulsed with patient menace. Each represented an angel of death, held in check by silicon synapses and the human wisdom of when to unleash them.

Elena’s voice crackled through her earpiece. “Aquarium, this is Shark Two. Coastal wolves report unusual activity. Multiple fast boats departing Xiamen harbor.”

Jodi brought up the video feeds from a trio of maritime sentry towers on Kinmen Island, giving her a view of the harbors around Xiamen used by the PLA Navy. Sure enough, they showed multiple Houbei-class missile boats and a pair of corvettes putting to sea. “That’s a good copy, Shark Two. Aquarium is tracking the situation. Maintain position.”

Mick joined the channel from Penghu Station. “Aquarium, Shark One is detecting an increase in submarine activity around Dongsha Atoll and the approaches to the Penghu Islands. Seekers-5 and 7 have identified five Yuan-class conventional submarines, two heading toward Dongsha, the other three toward Penghu,” Mick reported.

He paused a second before he continued. “Aquarium, Seekers-4 and 6 also detected four Yuan-class submarines and two Shang III-class nuclear-powered attack subs en route to the Luzon Strait. Be advised, these are likely trying to break out into the Pacific or get around to Taiwan’s east coast. How copy?”

“Good copy, Shark One,” Jodi murmured. “I guess tomorrow we’ll find out if they plan to enforce this new inspection by force.”

Jodi watched as the tactical picture unfolded around Taiwan. She thought of Sun Tzu’s ancient wisdom: “All warfare is deception.” In terms of deception, she felt they had delivered masterfully in this regard. They’d hidden their unmanned autonomous killer ships, disguised among fishing boats and oyster farms. They’d mined the paths approaching the shores of Taiwan with thousands of smart mines anchored to the ocean floor, all connected via an undersea mesh net that would allow the AI to coordinate their surface and subsurface attacks faster than any human could.

When Jodi expanded the tactical picture from Taiwan to the strategic view of the Pacific, however, it didn’t make sense. The deployments of PLA Navy ships from the East and South Sea Fleets were commensurate with the actions leading up to tomorrow. What puzzled her was everything else. In theory, the PLA Navy should have been deploying all its vessels to support this new customs regime, especially in the East and South China Seas, where it was likely to encounter resistance. Instead, this past week, they’d watched as large swaths of the North Sea Fleet sortied out of the Yellow Sea, past South Korea and into the Sea of Japan.

A few days later, this force of PLA warships had linked up with the Russian Pacific Fleet at the Vladivostok Naval Base, supposedly part of the Pacific EDEP exercise scheduled to start in May. Then, to everyone’s surprise, a dozen PLA Navy conventional and nuclear-powered submarines had made an unannounced port call at the Russian Kamchatka Submarine Base in Rybachiy. Jodi knew the TSG contract was specific to Taiwan. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Taiwan wasn’t the main event. Something else was up… something big. She just didn’t know what it was yet.