Red Tide: The Chinese Invasion of Seattle (Occupied Seattle Book 1)

by Christopher Kennedy

  The only way that China can control Taiwan for the long-term is to successfully invade and occupy it. To do so, it must not only have the means to transport its soldiers, it must have control of the sea in order to get its forces to Taiwan’s shores. Having recently upgraded all of its transport capabilities, China now has enough sealift available to get its soldiers quickly to the island. With control of the air, Chinese aircraft can patrol forward, sinking United States’ shipping with advanced anti-ship missiles, while Chinese Kilo-class submarines conduct coordinated attacks on U.S. aircraft carriers with SS-N-27 Sizzler missiles that cruise at an altitude of 30 feet at three times the speed of sound…

  - 2017 U.S. Department of Defense Classified Analysis

  August 19, 2018 – Red Tide

  Beijing and Guangzhou China, 0500 China Standard Time (0200 PDT)

  The two China Air flights to the United States, China Air 779 and China Air 780, were ready to taxi for takeoff when a number of armed soldiers came onto the flights. The passengers were told that someone had just called in a bomb threat and that, as a precaution, there were to be no transmissions of any kind—a cell phone call could set it off. The soldiers quickly hurried the passengers off of the plane, but instead of going back up the ramp to the terminal, they went down a staircase and into a holding room where their cell phones were taken from them.

  As they filed down the stairs, an even larger group of soldiers were walking up the steps and into the plane. “That’s strange,” said one passenger to another, “that’s a lot of armed men to look for a bomb.”

  One of the soldiers passing by smiled at them and said, “There are a lot of places we have to look, and it is imperative that we find it as quickly as possible.” This made good sense to the passengers, who proceeded on down to the holding room, while the soldiers continued onto the two planes.

  Fifteen minutes later, the airplanes took off on their non-stop flights, their destination: Seattle-Tacoma Airfield.

  The Port of Seattle, WA, 0600 Pacific Daylight Time

  The Assistant Port Operations Officer looked at the schedule for the day’s activity at the port. “Geez,” he said. “It’s a regular stinkin’ Chinese invasion.”

  The Port Operations Officer looked out the window of the Port of Seattle Headquarters building, located at Pier 69 on the waterfront in the center of Seattle. From the window, he could see the majority of the port, from the cruise ship terminal located two miles to the north to the cargo terminals located two miles to the south. As befit his position, his office was tastefully decorated with a variety of nautical pictures and paintings. “What do you mean?” asked the Port Operations Officer, who hadn’t seen the schedule yet.

  “Well, in addition to all of the Chinese naval vessels that pulled in yesterday at the naval bases, we’ve got four Chinese commercial vessels coming into port today and another car carrier going into Tacoma. No wonder we’re losing the balance of trade with China; we’re doing all we can to import the entire nation of China right here into the Pacific Northwest.”

  “I think what you really mean,” said the Port Operations Officer, “is that, unlike the rest of the country, we’ve got job security. What ships are coming in here today?”

  “It’s going to be busy at Pier 91. Not only do we have the Holland Cruise Lines’ M.V. Oosterdam leaving this afternoon, we also have the China Shipping Container Lines’ M.V. Xin Qing Dao car carrier coming into port, as well as the China Navigation Company’s M.V. Erawan bulk freighter.”

  “Couldn’t one or the other of those have gone to one of the other terminals?” asked the Port Operations Officer.

  “Unfortunately, no,” said the Assistant. “Both of them have things for the Chinese car factory at Interbay; the car carrier is loaded with cars for the showroom and the Erawan has some heavy machinery for the plant. It’s better to have them come into 91, where they can easily get it to the factory, without having to drag it all the way through downtown Seattle.” He continued, “In addition to those two, the China Shipping Container Lines M.V. Xin Beijing freighter is coming into Terminal 30, where they normally offload. This is one of their big ones, over 1,100 feet long and carrying 7,450 containers. Finally, China Ocean Shipping Company’s M.V. Hanjin Kingston, a big container ship, will also be docking at Terminal 46 today. ”

  He paused. “You know what? I almost forgot, that Chinese cruise ship, the Henna, is also still at Pier 57. It was supposed to leave last night, but broke down. They hope to have it repaired and out of here by this evening. I spoke with the captain of the ship and, apparently, they have some high ranking people on board, and there is a lot of pressure for him to get underway as quickly as possible and get back on schedule. He’s doing everything possible to get it fixed ASAP. Regardless, between here and Tacoma, that makes six Chinese ships in port this afternoon, assuming the Henna doesn’t get underway earlier.”

  “Yes, my boy,” said the Port Operations Officer, who could see the Henna from his window, a short distance away, “that is truly what I call job security.”

  “I still think it looks like a red tide is coming in,” grumbled the assistant.

  Guangzhou Interbay Assembly Plant, Seattle, WA, 0700 Pacific Daylight Time

  Having donned his uniform, Zhang was once again ‘Colonel Zhang’ as he watched the distribution operation proceeding as planned. The plant was still closed, and his regiment had formed up inside it by companies, except for the people detailed to act as sentries at the doors. The third shift operators the night before had pulled containers 2150 and 2151 into the plant and had emptied them. Their contents, Chinese army uniforms, were now laid out on tables that ran halfway down one side of the plant, and the companies were taking turns getting their uniforms and then going down to the firing range to get their ammunition. They were a little shorter than he’d hoped they would be on some things at the start of operations, but the rest of what he needed would be unloaded from the M.V. Xin Beijing in the Port of Seattle later that day. They had plenty of ammunition for their QBZ-95 rifles and QSZ-92 pistols; what they lacked was more rocket propelled grenades and other explosives. As long as they didn’t get into too many firefights, though, they would be OK.

  As the squads walked by him, he saw that they were excited and ready to go. They should be, since many of them had been in the United States, waiting, for years. Each of the squads had 10 men in it: a Type 69 RPG gunner (the Chinese version of the venerable Russian RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher), as well as seven infantrymen equipped with 5.8mm QBZ-95 assault rifles, one soldier with a 5.8mm QBZ-95 light support rifle and one armed with a 5.8mm QBU-88 sniper rifle.

  All in all, he thought, his men and women represented a very proficient combat force, all the more so since they were unexpected, especially the women. Unlike other nations, the United States included, China had started allowing women into its Special Forces units a long time ago, a fact that he was looking forward to exploiting later in the day.

  Zhang watched as the men and women who were not already in uniform began driving J-Vans into the plant, where they were quickly loaded with the supplies his troops would need in the hours to come.

  Approaching the M.V. Oosterdam, Seattle, WA, 1200 Pacific Daylight Time

  Senator Jack Turner and his family drove south on 15th Avenue West toward the northern piers of Seattle’s harbor where the Holland America cruise ship M.V. Oosterdam waited. Jack was looking forward to their cruise and spending some time with his wife and children. The junior senator from Oregon knew he should probably have stayed in D.C. to continue working on the latest budget impasse, but this trip had been planned for months, and he didn’t want to lose the money he had invested in it. The trip was scheduled to be a week-long trip to Alaska and back, with stops in both Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia. He was looking forward to seeing Alaska, although he knew the cruise would be a success in his children’s minds as long as they got to see whales along the way.

  “What’s going on there?�
�� asked his 14-year-old son Joey as they passed a massive building covered in streamers. The sign read ‘Guangzhou Interbay Assembly Plant.’

  “I think that’s the new Chinese auto plant,” Jack replied. “Guang-hoo, or something like that. I remember when they built the plant. Everyone was happy to have the plant and the jobs, but I think they built it on a golf course, which annoyed some of the locals.”

  “Why is it decorated like that? Is that what a car plant normally looks like?”

  “No,” said Jack, who had seen his share of automobile facilities while working on the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development, “I think it must be because the Chinese fleet is visiting here this week.”

  “That’s cool,” said Joey. “Will we get to see them?”

  “I don’t think so,” said Jack.

  “Bummer,” replied Joey.

  Pier D, Naval Base Kitsap, WA, 1215 Pacific Daylight Time

  LT Weathersby and his driver, Petty Officer First Class Tim Smith, met the group of five uniformed Chinese sailors as they walked down the gangway from the PLAN Long, led by LCDR Lin. After quickly introducing everyone, the group began walking toward the parking lot across the street. As they reached the end of the pier, they saw two Asian-looking women waiting, who ran forward and jumped into the arms of two of the men as they approached. “I guess they’re happy to see them,” Weathersby said to LCDR Lin.

  “I expect so,” said LCDR Lin. “With our work-up schedule and their need to be here to work at the plant, they haven’t seen each other in almost two years. Even for the families of sailors, who are used to separation, that is still a really long time. I know the men are looking forward to seeing their kids again, too, after the tour.” He winked. “After some quality time with their wives, first, I am sure.”

  LT Weathersby laughed. “No doubt!” he said. Looking up, he saw that the women were leading them toward two black vans parked in the “Z” Parking Lot across Wyckoff Street from the pier. “Do you have enough transportation? I have a driver and a bus set up.”

  “Actually, the two women have enough room for all of us,” LCDR Lin said. “That is one of the benefits of working for an auto maker; access to cheap transportation. I think these are two of the new vans that GAC just started producing.”

  “Do you know where you are going?” asked LT Weathersby.

  LCDR Lin chuckled, “Google Maps and Mapquest are wonderful things. Not only do the women already have directions, I’ll bet they printed out satellite imagery of the building’s parking lot, so they know where to park. I’ve already talked with our point of contact at the facility and confirmed our time there, so we’re all set.”

  “So you don’t need any transportation or for me to go along?” LT Weathersby asked.

  “No,” said LCDR Lin, “I think we are all set. If you’re interested in seeing the ATC facility, you’re certainly welcome to come along with us, but please don’t feel like you need to babysit us. The two wives have been here two years and are very familiar with the area.” He paused, considering, then smiled. “Of course, if your admiral has detailed you to come along with us, to make sure that we don’t plant listening bugs at the facility or do something spy-related while we’re there, you are welcome to come along.” He chuckled and looked around furtively, “I am, of course, a most untrustworthy individual!”

  “No,” LT Weathersby said, “I wasn’t along to keep you from spying, but to make sure you had transportation and got there safely. If you don’t need me, I’ll go get ready for the dinner tonight.”

  “We are good,” said LCDR Lin, shooing him off. “I am not expecting any problems.” He paused and said cheerfully, “Have fun at the dinner; I know they spent a lot of time planning and preparing for you!” They all started to get into the two vans.

  “All right then, have a good tour!” said LT Weathersby, who walked off with Petty Officer Smith.

  Once they were out of earshot, LT Weathersby looked at Petty Officer Smith. “OK, I’m not spying, much, but the Admiral wanted to know. What did they say when the women joined them?”

  “Typical stuff you’d say to your spouse after a cruise, sir,” said Petty Officer Smith. “I missed you, it’s so good to see you, can’t wait to be alone, blah, blah, blah.”

  “Thanks,” said LT Weathersby, “Maybe they were on the up-and-up, after all.”

  “If they’re not,” Smith replied, “they’re good actors. They sure sounded like people that were getting lucky tonight.”

  359 Nautical Miles Northwest of Vancouver, Canada, 1252 Pacific Daylight Time

  “Vancouver Control,” radioed the pilot, “this is Air China 306.”

  “Air China 306, go ahead,” replied Vancouver Air Traffic Control (ATC). The controller looked at his readout and saw that Air China 306 Heavy was a 747-400 aircraft. The Extended Range model of the venerable 747, it had a range of 7,670 nautical miles with a full load, which was plenty more than was needed for the 5,838 nautical mile flight from Beijing to Seattle. He didn’t think fuel would be an issue, but he knew that some of the Air China aircraft were old and not always well maintained. He hoped that 306 wouldn’t be a problem that would ruin his day.

  “This is Air China 306. We are currently at the DUGGS intersection and are having some problems with our navigation equipment. It’s a beautiful day up here today, though, and we can make it the rest of the way to Seattle visually. We’d like to follow J502 to HARDY and then J590 to Vancouver and then J5 to Seattle. Our instruments still seem to be functioning, but we would like to follow the coastline, just in case.”

  “Roger that, 306, you are approved as requested,” replied the Vancouver ATC controller. He breathed a sigh of relief. Although 306 might have an instrument problem, they already had a solution that seemed workable. There weren’t that many other airplanes in the area at the moment, so he wasn’t worried about re-routing the aircraft as they had requested. He might have been worried if he had known that, while “Air China 306” did take off from Beijing China, it had taken off from the military side of the airfield.

  “Thank you, Vancouver Control, Air China 306, out.”

  The pilot of Air China 306 smiled at his co-pilot. “See? No problem. I told you it would work. Tell them you have a problem, but don’t ask them for any assistance, and they’re happy to let you do whatever you want, as long as they don’t have to do any extra work.”

  Over their other radio, the co-pilot transmitted “We are a ‘go.’” In reply he heard rapid transmissions of “Two,” “Three,” “Four,” “Five,” and “Six,” as the other five aircraft acknowledged that they had heard his call.

  Looking at his instruments, all of which were functioning perfectly, the pilot saw they were running a little ahead of schedule. He pulled the throttles back slightly, and the Y-20 Kunpeng heavy lift aircraft slowed slightly to compensate. Looking over, he saw that his wingman was slowing down to match him. His wingman was close by and not radiating any of his electronics; he doubted Vancouver Control had any idea that the second plane was even there. Nor were they supposed to.

  Downtown Seattle, WA, 1300 Pacific Daylight Time

  Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 states that ‘No person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under [the Communications] Act or operated by the United States Government.’ Because of this law, cell phone jammers cannot be marketed or operated in the United States, except in the (very limited) context of official use by the federal government.

  What Private Lau Jie and Senior Sergeant Cheng Yong, two former passengers of the cruise liner Henna, were doing on top of the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, therefore, was illegal. Both could have been subjected to a fine of $112,500 for each of the three acts of jamming they had already committed, as well as to additional criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

  Private Lau Jie looked at his partner, Senior Sergean
t Cheng Yong, as he set up the communications jammer. “How long do you think these will last?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” replied his partner, “but they will probably be found before too long.”

  “What is the point, then?” Private Lau Jie wanted to know. “Surely Colonel Zhang had to know the communications jammers would be found fairly quickly?”

  “I’m sure he does,” replied Senior Sergeant Cheng Yong, “and I’m sure that is part of the plan. I heard that when he was planning the invasion, the Colonel decided it would be useful for the American phone service to be cut off for a while, to create confusion and help keep everyone guessing about what was really going on in the area. It will also be good for operations security,” he added.

  “Why is that?” asked the private.

  “Because, if the Americans do not have cell phone service, it won’t be as easy for them to upload photos of our tanks or troops to the internet and prove that we are in Seattle,” answered Senior Sergeant Cheng Yong. “If we keep the photos out of the news media, the American government will not have as much information on our movements or order of battle, which will hamper them if they try to send in soldiers to stop us.” He paused while he started the motor on the jammer, then continued. “There’s no way that we could do away with all phone communications from the area, and even stopping cell phone coverage over the long term would be hard. Seattle just has too many cell phone towers and other antennae that support the cell phone industry to make it possible. I think that Seattle has something like 900 registered antenna towers in the metropolitan area, and most of these carry cell phone traffic. If you add in all of the towers that would have to be destroyed in Tacoma, as well, it just isn’t possible to take out cell phone service long-term. However, if you only want to shut it off for, say, 10 hours or so, that is possible, which is why we’re up here today.”