Tiger's Claw

PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS, BEIJING

THAT SAME TIME

Zu slammed the “hot line” receiver back onto its cradle. “Bastards!” he shouted. “I want to blow that island into the next decade! I want to make Guam glow like a lightbulb!”

“It appears as if the Americans are going to push back,” Zu’s deputy, General Sun Ji, said. He looked quizzically at his superior officer. “Sir? Why did you . . . ?”

“I need time to implement Zhen’s plan,” Zu said, thinking furiously.

“What plan?”

“He has a plan to attack the island of Guam,” Zu said. Sun did not disguise his skeptical expression. “The bastard even said he has hacked into the municipal utilities and can disrupt power and telephone on the air force base.”

“I would not believe a word he says, sir.”

“But all his plans have worked so far,” Zu pointed out, “and so far no one has retaliated against us.”

“Except by not trading with us, General!” Sun said. “Exports are down twenty percent, and imports are down fifteen percent. There are already fuel shortages, and the unrest in the country is spreading. No one needs to militarily retaliate against us, sir—it is happening in the marketplace!”

“I am not concerned about that, Sun,” Zu said. “When people tire of paying higher prices for goods, they will come back.” Sun didn’t believe that, but he did not show his disagreement. “But something has to be done about the American arms buildup on Guam.”

“You are not thinking about another nuclear attack on Guam, are you, sir?” Sun asked. “After the Russian attack on the United States, I do not feel they will sit back and allow another attack without massive retaliation.”

Zu thought for a moment, then he said, “Get Gao in here.”

Gao Xudong appeared in Zu’s office in less than an hour. “What now, General?”

“I want you to negotiate a complete demilitarization of the South Sea with the Americans,” Zu said. Sun was shocked but did not change his expression. “Our ships stay within our territorial waters. No armed aircraft overflying the South Sea. This will be between America and China, but we will invite other nations to participate. We will later discuss coordinating exploitation of the natural resources of the South Sea so as to avoid confrontation.”

Gao was openly skeptical. “Why the sudden change of heart, General?” he asked.

“You told me yourself: China is reeling from the lack of trade and domestic unrest,” Zu said. “We cannot stay in martial law indefinitely. We must do something. The Americans say they do not want war—let us see if they are honest. You work out the details.”

Gao’s expression turned from skepticism to hope. “I will open a dialogue right away, General,” he said. “I think the Americans will be happy to cooperate, and they will certainly encourage other nations to as well.” He exited Zu’s office smiling and fairly bouncing from anticipation.

Sun looked at his superior officer in confusion. “Sir? What is the plan here? You wish to demilitarize the South Sea? How is that even possible?”

“I have no idea, Sun,” Zu said. “I just need time to implement Zhen’s plan to attack Guam.”

“Have you studied this plan yet, sir?”

Zu turned to his computer and opened a classified documents folder. “There it is,” he said. “I knew he would have his plan to me instantly. I want you to study it and give me your thoughts.”