Tiger's Claw

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF, BEIJING, CHINA

THAT SAME TIME

“Do you think he believed me, General?” Gao asked. He was in General Zu’s office on the computer that served as the videoconference hotline terminal to several capitals around the world. “He did not seem angry or confrontational at all.”

“I told you, Gao, the Americans do not want a fight in Asia,” Zu said, lighting a cigarette. “Since World War Two, the Americans have failed to win an Asian war, even with a powerful army and nuclear weapons and against vastly inferior forces.” He nodded his head to Gao. “But I have to admit: you were right, Gao,” he said. “Talking with the Americans and even admitting attacking their aircraft seems to have mollified them—you even had that spineless drone Phoenix speaking Mandarin! I thought he would take an hour cursing and swearing at us, and instead he was speaking Mandarin—awful Mandarin, but still Mandarin!”

Zu thought for a moment. “This should give us an opportunity to build our naval forces without fear of an American mobilization and blockade,” he said. “We should be completing the purchase of the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau shortly, and we can begin assembling its battle group and air wing. Then we will have three aircraft carrier battle groups within the first island chain, and the Americans will be lucky to sail just one. Our domination will be complete!”