“I’m sure you understand how this will appear in the press, Mr. Ambassador,” Danahall said. “They’ll jump all over this. They’ll see it as a prelude to a major conflict, perhaps war.”
“No one wants war, Mr. Secretary,” Hao said. “We only seek peace, security, and stability for all nations. But China has also been asked for assistance, and in a region of the globe so important to us — and less important to you, I feel — it is vital that we respond. My government feels it is important that interference in our affairs be minimized until the extent of the disruption in the Philippines can be properly assessed.”
The President glared at Hao. “I hope your government understands our side of this matter and responds quickly to our requests,” he said to Hao. “In the meantime you know what we will be doing.”
The President rose to his feet and Hao followed suit. “Joyous wishes to you and to your family, Mr. President,” Hao said. The two men shook hands, Hao bowing deeply from the waist, and he exchanged greetings with the rest of the President’s Cabinet members and departed, escorted out of the Oval Office by Paul Cesare.
When Hao was gone, the Secretary of State turned to the President. “I can schedule teleconferences with the British Foreign Minister immediately, sir…”
“Do it,” the President replied. “Get the ‘leadership’ together for a luncheon meeting if you can; if not, schedule a few hours this afternoon for briefings.” Danahall departed, leaving the President with his brother-in-law and Secretary of Defense Preston.
“What do you think, Thomas?” the President asked. “What’s Cheung up to?”
“I think it is fairly obvious, Mr. President, that he intends to use this episode to fortify his position in the Philippines and fill the void created by our departure,” Preston replied. “He’s created a substantial resupply line from China to the Philippines that we might find impossible to break, and he’s found a way to get the government to offer him basing facilities and local support. We may never be able to shake him loose if he manages to consolidate all his gains.”
“So we have no military options?”
“We have many military options, sir,” Preston replied, “but it’ll mean a serious escalation of our military commitment. Cheung has both the military power and at least the appearance of legitimacy — that’s an unbeatable combination no matter how you look at it. If we want to counteract the advantage he has, we have to risk stepping up to the brink of a superpower war.”
“We’ll wait to hear what the ASEAN has to say,” the President said finally. “If they vote to condemn the Chinese, world opinion will start to turn away from them — we can add our evidence of the Chinese firing that nuclear missile if we can get someone to confirm that Sky Masters data. Cheung won’t have any choice but to back down then.” To the Defense Secretary the President asked, “But in case they won’t back down, Thomas, what can we do then?”
“Mr. President, this may be more of a political decision to make with Dennis Danahall and the Congressional leadership, but I see the Chinese as a serious military threat to our national interests in the region,” Preston replied. “If they take the Philippines, they can militarily and economically threaten every other Pacific Rim nation. We’ll have no choice but to build up our own military forces in the region to counterbalance them. We
“So what do we do?” the President asked. “Are you considering sending in the Marines or this Air Battle Force thing?”
Preston considered the question for a moment, then replied. “Yes, sir — in limited numbers and in total secrecy. General Curtis mentioned the equipment installed on Brad Elliott’s experimental planes — that may be a good place to start. Sending the entire Air Battle Force would be difficult to keep secret, but sending three or four aircraft would be a simple matter. I recommend approving the STRATFOR’s plan to deploy the PACER SKY-equipped combat aircraft as soon as possible.”
The President’s eyes glanced over to his brother-in-law, Benson, who was enthusiastically nodding his agreement; Secretary of State Danahall looked grim and undecided, but eventually gave a slight nod.
“Approved, Thomas,” the President said. “Keep it quiet. I want those planes kept under wrap until I decide to tell the world they’re there.” He paused, rubbing his eyes wearily, then added, “And I hope to hell we get some good news from Ambassador O’Day in Singapore.”
