He displayed a final map — global trade routes, populations, and critical infrastructure. “A conflict over Taiwan doesn’t remain local. NATO responds, India and Pakistan destabilize, Korea moves opportunistically. The system unravels.”
“Huh. Yeah, no pressure or anything,” Shen remarked quietly.
Deng smiled faintly. “Command is always pressure. Either we direct it, or it directs us.”
As Shen prepared to leave. Deng escorted him to the door, handing him an umbrella — an empty gesture amid the storm’s fury.
“Tao, in the coming days, expect the unpredictable,” Deng warned.
Shen nodded, then stepped into the chaos of the storm, rain pelting sideways, nature asserting its dominance. He hesitated at the threshold. “Admiral, if escalation spirals—”
“Then we’ll answer the defining question of our time,” Deng responded solemnly. “Does humanity control its tools, or do they control us?”
Lightning split the heavens, illuminating a landscape of fury. Shen saw with stark clarity the perilous brink they stood upon.
He hurried to his car, rain drenching him instantly. Inside, he clutched Deng’s envelope tightly, a lifeline against potential catastrophe. The sound of thunder rolled ominously across Yulin Naval Base. In thirty days, their meticulously planned trap would be sprung. God help them all when it was.
When the secure video from NATO headquarters in Mons, Belgium, disconnected, General Michael Claesson, Chief of Defense, turned to face the heads of the Army, Major General Johan Hallberg; Air Force, Major General Bengt Wilkson; and Navy, Rear Admiral Patrik Nilsson. His aide brought up an interactive map of the island of Gotland for them to discuss. Highlighted on the map was the main city of Visby along with the port and airfield. To the south lay Tofta Barracks and the accompanying Tofta Range, home of the Gotland Regiment P18 and the 32nd Home Guard Battalion, the Gotland Grönt Centrum in Roma, and key road networks that connected the island.
General Claesson cleared his throat. “Generals, I hope this talk with Secretary-General Stubb and SACEUR General Calder helps to assure you that Sweden, along with Finland and our Baltic cousins, will not be left alone in the face of this enormous exercise occurring in Belarus and throughout the Leningrad Oblast — especially in light of recent developments.”
Claesson paused, his voice growing more measured. “As we were on the call, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qiao Wenli, formally announced from Kaliningrad the commissioning of a new military facility. They’re calling it the ‘Northern Hawk Airfield’ — it’s that old Soviet base, Chernyakhovsk. This new facility is now jointly operated by the PLA Air Force and the Russian Federation. Hours later, Minister Qiao traveled to Baltiysk to officially commission what they’re calling the ‘Kaliningrad Special Logistics Zone.’”
Rear Admiral Nilsson leaned forward. “A logistics zone? That’s their cover story?”
Claesson nodded grimly. “Precisely. But it’s what’s behind that facade that concerns us. The PLA Navy announced the establishment of Task Group Changfeng-21, officially designated as the PLA Baltic Fleet Detachment. Their stated purpose is to ensure safe passage for Chinese and EDEP vessels through the Baltic Sea. This fleet is formidable, Admiral. We are talking about guided-missile destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, and even an amphibious assault capability. More alarming, they’ve openly stated this move is designed to prevent what they call ‘future disasters like the Gotland incident,’ a clear reference to the confrontation we had off our own coast.”
Hallberg shifted uneasily. “What about ground forces?”
“Minister Qiao also confirmed that ground units participating in their EDEP-Defender exercise will remain permanently stationed in Kaliningrad. We’re talking heavy armor, mechanized infantry, attack helicopters, and significant air-defense capabilities.”
Major General Wilkson exhaled, shaking his head. “This changes the security equation in the Baltic region completely. With their most advanced fighter and ISR aircraft based less than three hundred kilometers from our shores…”
“Exactly,” Claesson affirmed sharply. “We must calibrate our responses carefully, bolstering Gotland’s defenses without handing Moscow or Beijing a pretext for escalation. NATO has committed the American 2-503rd Infantry Regiment and enhanced anti-aircraft and missile defense assets to Gotland precisely for this reason. I expect each of you to ensure your branches are prepared, vigilant, but disciplined. We will maintain readiness without provoking unnecessary tensions.”
He surveyed each officer deliberately. “The strategic balance is shifting beneath our feet. Our job now is to make certain Sweden remains firmly anchored. Coordinate closely, plan carefully, and keep me apprised.”
