Tiger's Claw

THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C.

ABOUT AN HOUR LATER

“This is President Phoenix,” the president said, speaking slowly for the benefit of the Chinese translator. “Who is calling, please?”

“How dare you, Phoenix?” Zu exclaimed—actually the translator’s voice was professionally calm and even toned, while Zu’s voice in the background was loud and shrill. In the Oval Office listening on dead extensions were Vice President Ann Page, National Security Adviser Glenbrook, Secretary of State Kevich, Secretary of Defense Hayes, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Timothy Spellings, all who had been summoned to the Oval Office after the message was received that Zu wanted to speak directly with the president. The president and his advisers had just been briefed on the confrontation over the South China Sea. “Your B-1 bombers swarmed and threatened a patrol aircraft belonging to China! I demand an explanation!”

“First of all, General Zu, you will address me as ‘President Phoenix’ or ‘Mister President,’ ” Phoenix said. “Second, why am I talking to you? I should be speaking with Acting President Gao or Defense Minister Cao, not the chief of the general staff.”

“First of all, Phoenix, I will address you any way I please,” Zu shouted. “Second, under martial law I speak for the Chinese government. The government and the Politburo have subordinated themselves to me during this emergency—an emergency that your bombers have taken to the brink of general war! Now explain yourself! Why are my patrol planes being harassed like this?”

“Because your patrol plane intercepted, overflew with menace at supersonic speed and low altitude, and then proceeded to perform mock missile attacks on a solo, unarmed naval support vessel,” Phoenix replied. “The crew of the USS Laramie requested help, and the Excalibur reconnaissance aircraft were the closest available.”

“You refer to the B-1 bombers!”

“The bombers are refurbished surplus B-1 bombers, configured by a private contractor for long-range reconnaissance,” Phoenix responded, not revealing by agreement with the national security staff that the XB-1 Excaliburs were armed with air-to-air missiles. “They are used for long-range reconnaissance in support of small groups of surface vessels.”

“But they locked onto our patrol plane and fighters with antiaircraft radar, disrupted radio communications, and shut down our navigation radars . . .”

“You mean, your fire control radars, the radars used to direct guns, bombs, and missiles—it appeared as if your patrol planes and fighters were getting ready to attack,” Phoenix said. “General, I thought both sides were going to stay away from each other’s ships and shorelines. Why was that patrol plane harassing our support ship?”

“We agreed that we would stay two hundred nautical miles from each other’s shores, including the disputed islands in the South Sea,” Zu replied. “Your warship was well within that distance. You violated the agreement!”

“We agreed to keep warships away,” Phoenix said. “The Laramie was not a warship, but a naval support vessel, carrying nothing but food, cargo, and fuel—not even ammunition,” the president said. “It was unarmed, by itself, and heading away from the Paracel Islands. It was no threat to China in the least.”

“So that is the way you wish to have it, is it?” Zu responded. “You are quick to make agreements, then parse your words and stretch reality when it suits you.”

“General Zu, we have made repeated requests for a formal meeting between President Gao and myself to draft a formal agreement on the status of military forces in and around the South China Sea,” Phoenix said. “We’ve heard nothing from you. In the meantime you have deployed millions of ground troops throughout your country, attacked civilians, and used nuclear weapons on foreign navies. Now we’re seeing more long-range bombers being readied, your aircraft carriers deployed outside your largest port cities along with two Russian carrier battle groups, and we’ve detected Chinese submarines heading east. The situation is getting grave, General. The last thing the United States wants is war, but all we see in China is preparation for war.”

“And China sees more and more bombers and fighters deployed to Guam and Saipan, more nuclear ballistic missile submarines launched, and warships that were laid up being made ready to sail,” Zu said. “It is the United States that is looking for war, Phoenix!”

“All that preparation was in response to your nuclear depth charge attack and your antiship cruise missile attack,” Phoenix said. “General, I don’t want war, but I will respond to mobilization for war. Now I strongly suggest that you turn those submarines around and stand those H-6 bombers down.”

“I am not going to take orders, suggestions, or anything else from you, Phoenix,” Zu said. Zu’s voice in the background sounded as if he was going to explode. “Those bombers you have on Guam are aimed right for our ports and cities, and China will not tolerate their presence. Remove them at once! When China sees some evidence that the United States is searching for peace, China will reciprocate. Otherwise we will take all necessary steps to protect our country. Be forewarned.”

“Do not try to threaten us, General Zu,” Phoenix said. “I want peace, but I will respond to all direct threats against my country.” But the call had already been terminated.