Lantis scanned the note, raised an eyebrow, and took a step to place it next to Stuart’s phone.
Stuart picked up the scrap of paper while he responded to Zhu’s explanation of the PLA’s actions. “Yes, I agree, sir. Any loss of life, be it your fishermen or our oil workers, is most unfortunate.”
He scanned Payne’s note and nodded. His voice hardened. “No sir, you know as well as I, the explosions on the drilling platforms were not accidental. Yes, we are tracking the submarine that carried out the attack”.
Payne and Lawson exchanged looks. The President should not have divulged that information. They shook their heads and turned their attention to the one-sided dialog.
“And do I have your complete assurance the men responsible will be held accountable? Yes, that would be a positive development. Yes, Taipei’s actions are ill-advised. Good.”
“May I suggest we include follow-up discussions on the demilitarization of the South China Sea as an integral component of our discussions?”
Stuart paused. He needed to give Zhu something. “Your proposal at the East Asia Summit for multinational input to define the disputed areas could provide the foundation. Yes, we’re in agreement, then? We can build on that to pursue the implementation of a Regional Code of Conduct. There can be no further deployment of armed forces by any party. I would also suggest PetroChina delay its seismic surveys of the Houquang Trough.”
“Yes, I understand an American oil company has agreed to provide a deep-water drilling rig. We will discuss the implications of this collaboration with the American firm. We should explain in our joint announcement our intent to curtail further exploration in the field until the drilling rights are clarified. I agree.
“Elevating our deliberations to Ministerial level would be most productive. Secretary Valardi will be in contact with Vice-President Li later today.
“Yes, sir. It was a pleasure speaking with you again. May I call you later today? Yes, thank you. Goodbye.”
Stuart exhaled before speaking. “Sheldon, your clock has slowed. We have our opening.”
“What happened?” Payne asked.
“Richard had it right. Zhu didn’t go into details, but Xiao and Yanglin attempted a coup. Loyal elements of the military intervened. Bob, your gut feeling on Cheng was right on. Zhu mentioned his role in securing the capital.”
“Thank God.”
“Yes, Sheldon. We should indeed thank God. We were going down a path we didn’t want to travel.”
“So those reports on the internet about troop movements in Beijing were valid,” Lawson said.
“Appears so.”
“Sir?”
“Yes, Bob?”
“Did Zhu say what the PLA’s doing to recall their units?”
Stuart rocked back in his chair. “Oh, hell. I didn’t even think to ask.”
“My greatest concern is they won’t be able to contact all of their subs.”
“The ‘Fail-Safe’ scenario?” Payne asked.
“But haven’t we accounted for all of them?” Stuart said.
“That’s not the problem, sir. If one of their subs presses home an attack, we’d have no choice but to defend ourselves. Washington’s at greatest risk.”
Stuart massaged his temples. “Then my orders stand. Force that Kilo to–– Bob, you’ve got that look.”
“The Strike Group needs to disengage. If Corpus Christi determines the Kilo breaks off, we have a good chance of diffusing the situation.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Payne asked.
“Then, I’m not going to risk any more American lives,” Stuart answered.
“Understood.”
“What about the Wubon? The longer we keep the P-8 on station, the greater risk to the aircrew,” Payne said.
Stuart’s fists tightened. “I don’t want the PLAN to suffer from any delusions their submarine force can stand up to us.”
Payne and Lawson didn’t respond.
“Bob?”
“We’ve made our point with the Wubon. I’m confident everyone on that sub knows their fate if we decided to engage. That, and we don’t want to tip our hand on what we can do.”
“Sheldon?”
“At this point, any action we take must be defensive.”
“Bob, can we get word to Honolulu?”
“Yes, sir.”
Stuart tapped his fingers on his notepad. “Alright. Get them out of there.”
“That’s the right call, sir.”
Stuart stood. “Bob, get hold of Admiral Cortez. Sheldon, you need to stay. Dan, round up Richard. He’s got some work to do. We need to give Zhu something. I want him to work a joint statement with Beijing stating our shared commitment to the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Pact.”
“We’ll need to put something together for the press to explain why the hell we increased our alert status,” Payne said.
“That and putting something out about what happened on Nanshan Island,” Lawson added.
“Not yet,” Stuart said.
“What about that reporter in Manila? Lynne,” Lantis countered.
“Lynne?”
“Yes, we got some good reports from the guys at the embassy. She should be able to spin it.”
Stuart jotted down her name. “Okay, fill her in.”
“On it.”
“I’ll get my Public Affairs office to work something up,” Payne said. “They can craft the release to fit what we already said about the planned exercise to surge our Strike Groups.”
“Have I missed anything?”
“What about bringing Rohrbaugh in?” Payne said. “I’ve got a spot open on the NSC. Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs.”
“Let me think on it,” Stuart said while drawing a clockwise spiral on his notepad.
“I’ll get you some background.”
“Are we good, then?”
“You’ve got it covered,” Payne responded.
Stuart allowed himself to smile. “Then gentlemen, we’re in a whole lot better shape than we were about thirty minutes ago.”
“Sir?”
“What’s on your mind, Bob?”
“I wonder if anyone but us will ever know just how close we came.”
Acknowledgments
I was most fortunate to benefit from the support and assistance of many individuals while writing Flashpoint. Foremost was my wife, Christine, who stood by my side during the entire process and would stave off my moments of panic and retrieve entire sections of manuscript that would seemingly disappear from my computer.
I still smile at my oldest daughter, Jennifer’s red-penned edits of my first draft highlighted by “The Dreaded Awk” inscribed in the margin next to a particularly awkward paragraph. A special note of thanks is due my youngest daughter, Michelle, for her advice on developing the persona of my primary characters and her husband, pilot and warrior Major Brian Spillane, USMC. Brian provided the force of realistic dialog in crafting the Marine aircraft sequences.
In the small world category, I contacted my old command’s Public Affairs Officer and Outreach Department at Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Honolulu, Captain John (Marvin) Gay, USN. In an incredible coincidence, we both served together on the USS Blue Ridge many years ago. He, in turn, linked me with the Fleet’s Director of Operations, Captain John T. Pitta, USN.
A special note of thanks is due Captain Pitta, an F/A-18 pilot, who ‘ran a sanity check’ of my air-combat chapters and dragged me into the 21st Century. In his review of my air-combat chapters, Captain Pitta noted the ‘excessive cockpit chatter’ which I’d taken liberties. The chatter is excessive and a realistic portrayal of the communications of the air-combat chapters is, yup, secret. A prior commander of VFA-143, flying off the USS Eisenhower CVN-69, he has over 3,500 flight hours and 954 carrier arrests. It is to such men and the women of the United States armed forces that I dedicate this book. I am truly privileged to be flying in such rarified air.
Mr. Rick Ludwig was my primary reader for my
manuscript suggesting many ways to tighten up my narrative and provide depth to my characters. I am indebted to Savannah Thorne who edited my final manuscript providing valuable insights, especially as they pertained to the character, Marie Lynne and to Ms. Alice Bernhardt for her formatting skills. And, finally, because one can really “tell a book by its cover,” I am indebted to Maria Novillo Sararia, BEAUTeBOOK, for her outstanding cover design that captures the essence of Flashpoint.
Finally, I must acknowledge my publisher Mr. William Bernhardt, best-selling author, teacher, and mentor. Without him, the release of this novel would not have been possible.
About the Author
Kenneth Andrus is a native of Columbus, Ohio. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Marietta College and his doctor of medicine from the Ohio State University College of Medicine. Following his internship, he joined the Navy and retired after twenty-four years of service with the rank of Captain.
His operational tours while on active duty included: Battalion Surgeon, Third Battalion Fourth Marines; Brigade Surgeon, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, Operation Frequent Wind; Medical Officer, USS Truxtun CGN-35; Fleet Surgeon, Commander Seventh Fleet; Command Surgeon, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
He now resides with his wife in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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