by David Capps
The General didn’t speak again until the Minister arrived. Within a minute there was a knock on the door and Minister Chen entered.
“We are going to implement the plan you and I discussed about removing the Americans from our country,” the Premier said to Minister Chen. “Do you have the figures on the financial impact this will have on China’s economy?”
“Yes,” Minister Chen replied. “It will cause a recession in our economy. Many of our people will be out of work. If we had some major government project with which to employ our people, the impact would be minimized.”
“That I think we can supply,” the Premier replied.
“We have confirmed that China has been intentionally attacked,” the General said, “We cannot let this go without a military response.”
“But it must be done in a way that the people who ordered the attack on us will understand, but the general public will not be aware of what we have done. We must be very careful about the international perception of this event. The reprisal must be as covert as America’s original attack on us,” the Premier replied.
“Agreed,” the General said. “But what I don’t understand is why America attacked us in the first place.”
“That we may never know,” Premier Li replied.
Minister Chen suddenly had a puzzled look on his face.
The General turned to Guang Xi and Dr. Huang. “Will you help us formulate a plan for the reprisal?”
“Yes,” Guang Xi said firmly.
Dr. Huang reluctantly nodded.
“Then we will secure the necessary authorization from the Central Committee,” the Premier said. “Let the General know when you have a plan.”
“Wait a minute,” Minister Chen said suddenly. “I may know why China was attacked.”
* * *
Dr. Huang brought Guang Xi to the Peking University Earth Sciences Lab along with Dr. Zheng and Junior General Fong.
“General Hu Jiang Xi wants to know exactly how we can duplicate, or better yet, improve on the technology that was used against us,” Fong said. “He knows, in broad concepts, how the technology works, but we need specifics if we are to build our own weapon.”
“Yes, yes,” Dr. Huang replied. “But two terajoules of electromagnetic energy is more power than the United States generates in all of its cities combined. How can that much energy be created in one place?”
“Do you know how much energy is released in one lightning strike?” Dr. Zheng asked.
“No,” Dr. Huang replied.
“On average, 10 million Joules,” Dr. Zheng said. “If you were to generate that kind of power in a machine, you would need a generator capable of generating 10,000 megawatts.”
“And we’re looking at something 200,000 times that size,” Dr. Huang said. “It can’t be done.”
“No, no,” Fong said. “If I get what Dr. Zheng is leading us to, you don’t have to generate that much power, you just have to direct it, right?”
“Exactly,” Dr. Zheng replied. “How much energy was released by the 8.0 Magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province?”
Dr. Huang thought for a moment. “Sixty three petajoules, that’s… 6.3 times ten to the sixteenth power.”
“And what amount of energy triggered that release?” Dr. Zheng asked.
“Two Terajoules.”
“And the ratio between the two?”
“Thirty thousand to one,” Guang Xi answered. “Approximately.”
“And what if you had access to a generator that produced not only thousands, but millions of times that amount of power?” Dr. Zheng asked.
“There’s no such machine on earth that can generate that kind of power,” Dr. Huang said.
“Sure there is,” Dr. Zheng replied. “You’re standing on it.”
Everyone held a blank expression on his face as he stared back at Dr. Zheng. Suddenly Guang Xi smiled. “The earth,” Guang Xi replied. “The planet generates that much power.”
“Precisely,” Dr. Zheng said. “I’ve been involved in China’s High Frequency Active Aural Research Project, which was fashioned after the American HAARP facility in Gakona, Alaska. We actually have the technology to do what the Americans have done, just not on the same scale that they are using.”
“China has built the largest dam in the world,” Fong said. “We can certainly build the largest HAARP facility.”
“Yes, we can,” Dr. Zheng replied. “The technology is based on a phased antenna array. What that means is that if we apply radio frequency energy to a system of antennas all at the same time, the projected energy goes straight up and spreads out as it travels. By sending the radio frequency to the antenna system in a tightly controlled sequence instead of all at once, we can control the direction of the energy. This sequence is referred to as phasing, so the antenna array becomes a phased antenna array, which is capable of generating a radio frequency energy beam in any direction. By using a large antenna array, like the Americans have, in addition to directing the energy beam, the phasing can start at the outside of the array and work its way to the center, which focuses the beam on a specific spot rather than allowing the beam to spread out as it would naturally.
“The process is actually two-fold. First it heats a section of the upper region of the ionosphere to form a concave reflector, then it creates fluctuations in the electrojet, and aims those fluctuations at the reflector, which in turn focuses that power at a specific place on the surface of the planet. The directed and focused energy is the weapon.”
“The electrojet?” Guang Xi asked.
“The electrojet is composed of particles streaming into both the north and south magnetic poles of the earth from outer space. This is the actual source of the power. Our current HAARP facility can form the reflector in the ionosphere, but we need something a thousand times stronger to direct the energy from the electrojet into the reflector and on to a target,” Dr. Zheng said.
“And this is what the Americans have done?” Guang Xi asked.
“Yes,” Fong replied. “Here is the infra-red satellite image showing the heat generated in the new Alaska facility during the time immediately preceding the Sichuan earthquake.”
“Oh my,” Dr. Huang said, “this is a very large operation.”
“Yes, it is,” Fong replied. “The original project had only 180 phased array antennas. As you can see, the new facility is profoundly larger.”
“This is what burned me?” Guang Xi asked. “And destroyed my life?”
“Yes,” Dr. Zheng replied.
“Then I say we build a bigger one, and use it against America,” Guang Xi said.
“We can do that,” Fong replied, “with the consent of the Central Committee. But the real question is how do we punish America for what they have done without being blamed for doing so?”
“We could use the new technology to create a giant storm over America,” Guang Xi suggested.
“It took the Americans years of practice to understand exactly how the atmosphere reacted to each nuance of what they did to the Ionosphere and the electrojet,” Fong said. “We can’t go into this blindly.”
“Fong is right,” Dr. Zheng replied. “We are a long away from being able to create something on that scale with the weather. Planetary weather is a dynamic and constantly changing system. If you change one thing, something else is modified to restore balance. By creating a large storm in one place, we may cause a drought in another place as the planetary weather system rebalances itself.”
“So, we create a drought,” Guang Xi said. “We still accomplish our goal of punishing our enemy.”
“And if the drought happens here in China, and we starve our own people?” Dr. Huang replied. “Then what?”
Guang Xi exhaled strongly and looked down at the floor. “This isn’t so simple, is it?”
“Nor is it an easy thing to do,” Fong said.
“Could we create a moderately strong storm without risking a major backlash in the weather?” Guang Xi asked.<
br />
“Theoretically, yes,” Dr. Zheng admitted. “But the length of time we modify the ionosphere is also a significant factor in the rebalancing of the weather system.”
“So how long could we theoretically create a storm without a major backlash in the weather?” Dr. Huang asked.
“Five to seven days,” Fong replied. “That is what we have learned from monitoring what the Americans have been doing.”
“And how long does it take to create, say, a Category 5 storm?” Guang Xi asked.
“Again, from our monitoring of the Americans, 14 to 15 days.” Fong replied.
“So creating a large storm is out,” Dr. Huang replied.
“Not necessarily,” Fong answered. “It can still be used in conjunction with something else. We can get to a Category 3 storm in five to seven days if that is part of another plan.”
“So what else can we do?” Guang Xi asked.
“Can this new technology be used to trigger a volcanic eruption?” Dr. Huang asked.
“Theoretically, yes,” Dr. Zheng replied. “But again, we – ”
“I know, I know,” Guang Xi interjected. “We need more experience with the technology to use it at that level.”
“It seems our best option is to focus on what we know best,” Dr. Huang said.
“Earthquakes,” Guang Xi said softly. “But we don’t have the experience with the new technology to do that effectively, do we?”
“No,” Dr. Zheng replied.
“Right now, the only way we could trigger a large earthquake would be to plant explosives along a fault line and detonate them in a specific sequence,” Guang Xi said. “There’s nowhere in America we could do that and not be seen. We couldn’t do it.”
“There is a major fault line close to America where we wouldn’t be seen,” Dr. Huang said. “And with the right explosives and the right timing it would look entirely natural.”
“And the results would be deadly?” Fong asked.
“Very much so,” Guang Xi replied picking up on where Dr. Huang was going with the discussion. “The Cascadia Subduction Zone is physically almost identical to the Sumatra-Andaman Subduction Zone. The same depth under the water, the same distance from land, but it’s only about two thirds the length.”
Fong yanked his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed. He moved away from the small group and spoke quietly for a few minutes and then hung up. “The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and tsunami triggered something in my memory. I’m having some research done. We should have results here momentarily.
“The northwest coast of America isn’t heavily populated like Sumatra and Indonesia, and the coastal configuration is different. The effect of the tsunami wouldn’t be as significant.”
“But it would still – ”
Fong’s cell phone rang. He answered and listened. “That’s what I thought. Thank you.” He put his phone back in his pocket.
“There’s something else you need to know,” Fong said. “The United States Secretary of Defense personally visited Sumatra and several other places where the earthquake and tsunami damage was at its maximum.”
“Okay,” Dr. Huang replied. “So he personally visited the site of the disaster, so what?”
“It was the only disaster site he personally visited.” Fong replied. “Ever.”
“It was a weapon test,” Dr. Huang said suddenly. “That’s why he went to the site – to see the effectiveness of the weapon.”
“You can’t be serious,” Dr. Zheng replied.
“They killed 230,000 people for a weapon test?” Guang Xi said.
Dr. Huang was visibly shaken. “So many people. So much death and destruction. Isn’t there some other way of doing this?”
Fong reached out and put his hand on Dr. Huang’s shoulder. “I know the doubts you have. I’ve had them too. I keep wondering if there is another way.”
“Yes,” Dr. Huang replied. “A diplomatic way – an agreement not to use a weapon like this against our people.”
“Unfortunately, there is an agreement already in place,” Fong replied. “And the Americans violate that agreement with impunity. Each year the coast of China is pummeled by typhoons, some of which we now know have been created and controlled by this military facility in Alaska – a facility that is under the complete control of the United States Government. The question I keep coming back to is what will it take to stop these attacks against us and our people? If we don’t reply in this harsh method, what motivation will the American government and military have to stop what they are doing?”
“If we do not draw American blood, they will continue to attack us secretly, won’t they?” Dr. Huang asked.
“I have come to no other conclusion,” Fong replied. “Neither has the Premier nor the General. What we propose to do here, is done out of necessity, not revenge.”
Dr. Huang went reluctantly to his computer and started typing. Within two minutes the printer began spitting out sheets of seismic recordings. “Here, look at this.” Dr. Huang placed the first set of seismic recordings in front of the group. “Guang Xi, what do you see?”
“It’s a typical subduction zone rupture pattern.”
“Yes, it is,” Dr. Huang replied. “This is the seismic recording that was released from various countries, specifically from America first. Then other countries released the same recording.” He placed another seismic recording on the table.
“This one’s different,” Guang Xi commented. “Look, there are two spikes that shouldn’t be there.”
“This recording is of the same event, but from our own equipment,” Dr. Huang replied. ”What does this recording tell you?”
Guang Xi looked up at Dr. Huang. “Those two spikes are high velocity explosive signatures.”
“Yes,” Dr. Huang confirmed.
“It was a weapon test,” Dr. Zheng said. “And by releasing the seismic recordings and pushing other countries to release the same data, they covered up what they had done. No one would dare to challenge them.”
“So General Hu Jiang Xi was right in his suspicions, America is waging a secret war on other countries that don’t bend to its wishes,” Fong said.
“With impunity,” Dr. Zheng added.
“Yes,” Fong replied. “So far.”
“Guang Xi, what size do you estimate those two explosions to be?” Dr. Huang asked.
“The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake was what, a 9.2? That would make the explosive devices something in the range of… 100 kilotons each.”
“That places them in the nuclear range,” Dr. Zheng said. “Could that be a size launched from a submarine as a torpedo or a mine?”
“Yes,” Fong replied. “And it probably was.”
“Guang Xi, could you calculate what size explosives and how many would be needed to trigger the Cascadia Subduction Zone and not leave an explosive signature like this one did?”
Guang Xi thought for a moment. “Yes, I can.”
“Fong, inform General Hu Jiang Xi that we have a plan.”
“All we need now is the agreement of the Central Committee tomorrow,” Fong replied. “And America’s secret war against China will come to an end.”
CHAPTER 10
State Department, Washington D.C.
“What the hell is going on?” Senator Elizabeth Bechtel from Oregon demanded. She was 49, five-five in height, trim and fit, with dark brown hair, which she kept dyed on a regular schedule. She was attractive, but her sternness and relentless focus showed through her face.
“Senator, with all due respect, I can’t get into this with you right now. We’re in a state of crisis and I don’t have the time,” Secretary of State Sam Forrester replied.
“You’re going to make the time,” she insisted. I’ve known him for years, she thought. Either he talks tough or he acts. As long as he’s talking back, I can keep pushing. “I’m on the Senate Intelligence Committee. I know we have a freighter loaded with earthquake relief supplies that was just refused entry into Shanghai
Harbor. All other relief ships are being let in and are unloading. I thought China was our friend. Why are they turning our ship away?”
“Look, I really don’t have the time, so can I get back to you?” he asked.
“No,” she replied firmly. “What’s wrong with our ship?” What is he hiding?
“Nothing,” he said. “Now please get out of my office. I’ll get back to you. I promise.”
She studied his face and recognized the panic he was trying to hide. “It’s more than just our relief ship, isn’t it? Have they turned any of our commercial ships away?”
“No, senator, they haven’t. Now get out of my office.” He stood defiantly for a moment. When she didn’t move he added, “Do I have to call security?”
She slowly walked around him, examining his features more closely. “Sam, you and I have been friends for a long time,” she said quietly. “We stood together in the Senate and fought for the same things, believed in the same things. Just because you’re Secretary of State now doesn’t change that. You look terrified. Nothing has ever affected you like this. If it’s not just our ship, what is it?”
He took a long breath and sighed. “It’s going to hit the news media in a matter of hours anyway. China just cancelled the visas for every American citizen in their country. Our people have 48 hours to leave the country.”
“Or what?” she asked, stunned by the revelation. “Or they will be arrested?”
“They didn’t say, but yes, the implication is that our people will be arrested.”
She raised her left hand to her mouth, paused and lowered it. “Certainly there must be some sort of diplomatic solution to this crisis? What is our ambassador in Beijing doing?”
“He’s trying to get in to see the Chinese President. So far he isn’t getting an answer from anyone. They’re ignoring him.”
If they’re stonewalling our people, this is serious. “Then the 48 hours doesn’t apply to our embassy?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know.”
