by James Rosone
Interrupting her, Aaron asked, “What do you mean radical transformation? Please be specific.”
Tara nodded. “Six years ago, around the same time the Chinese helped the Cubans explore oil in the Straits of Florida, a Chinese geology team discovered a cobalt deposit on the island. Cobalt, as you know, is an extremely valuable resource and one that’s hard to come by. The infrastructure on the island, however, was practically nonexistent. To be frank, infrastructure in Cuba as a whole is very bad. I think Amber or Dotty can probably fill you in more on the details of the deal the Cubans struck with the Chinese, but suffice it to say, the Chinese have been investing heavily in modernizing the Cuban infrastructure so they can extract these cobalt resources more easily. From my understanding, the Chinese obtained exclusive mining rights on Isla de la Juventud in exchange for improving the infrastructure. For the last several years, they created a port on the island and expanded and modernized the ports of Mariel and Havana.”
Aaron turned to Amber. “Tell me about this deal the Chinese made.”
“The Chinese signed a twenty-five-year mining contract on the Isla de la Juventud. In exchange for exclusive mineral rights, they had to build a functional port on the island, a power plant, and a series of roads to service both the mine and the island. It’s only been in the last two years that the Chinese have really accelerated their plans.
“When it came to oil, the Cubans leased the area to several Chinese firms in exchange for twenty percent of all oil produced from the wells. This would not only meet the Cuban petrol needs, it’d provide a surplus they could in turn sell abroad to raise additional capital. For the Chinese, it allows them to secure a large supply of crude oil that doesn’t originate from the Middle East or Africa,” Amber explained.
Tara then added, “When the oil platforms started producing, the Chinese learned these would be extremely productive wells. The oil refinery near Mariel was old and inefficient. Normally, they’d ship the oil to Venezuela to be refined and then on to China or back to Cuba. However, given the political situation in Venezuela, that’s not feasible. Instead, the Chinese modernized the Mariel refinery. Still, despite the modernization, the refinery wasn’t big enough to keep up with the supply or the demand.”
Amber then interjected, as the two of them continued playing off each other. “Eighteen months ago, the Chinese began construction on an oil refinery facility on the Isla de la Juventud. This new refinery would be able to handle the excess load the Mariel facility couldn’t. The entire deal provides an economic boon to both the Cubans and the Chinese. China’s able to secure between twelve and sixteen percent of their petrol needs from outside the Middle East. And it’s effectively quadrupled the Cubans’ GDP and provided them with more petrol than they’ll ever need.”
Aaron rubbed the stubble on his chin as he replied, “Then this explains it—why the Cubans are asking for the two Chinese spies and not just their own. The Cubans are joined at the hip to the Chinese because of these deals.”
Speaking for the first time, Joel from DIA commented, “There’s a bit more to the story than just economics. While this is important to the Cubans, our task force has been exploring another angle.”
All eyes turned to look at Joel. Aaron spoke for them all when he asked, “OK. What else is there that we aren’t considering?”
Joel brought a zippered pouch up to the table in front of him. He unlocked the classified bag and brought out two folders. One had a number of high-resolution photos that he proceeded to pass out; the other contained a detailed report, which he held on to.
“What I’m passing around are aerial photographs of a Chengdu J-10 fighter being brought to Cuba. The first image is a series of shipping containers being offloaded from a ship in the Port of Mariel. The second image is of a fighter being unpacked from the shipping container at the San Antonio de los Baños airfield. The third image is a row of twelve of these aircraft parked at the brand-new Fidel airfield on the Isla de la Juventud,” Joel explained.
“Whoa, hold up there, Joel. That airfield isn’t operational yet. That was the whole reason we sent a man down there, to get some human eyes on the place and figure out how far along it was. Now you’re telling us it’s not only finished, it’s operational?” Jim blurted out in frustration.
Joel nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Our joint task force has been monitoring what’s going on in Cuba and Venezuela since October of last year. Several of our international partners in the JTF have assets on the ground in both countries, providing us with some real-time intelligence. In the past six months, from monitoring Latin America, we’ve learned that the Chinese brought fifteen thousand workers into Cuba. In Venezuela, that number is closer to sixty thousand.
“What we observed is that, within days of these new workers arriving, massive road, rail, bridge, port, and airport projects began across both countries. In Cuba alone, they started construction of a new six-lane highway cutting across the entire island from east to west, and then another extending from Havana down to the Bay of Pigs. In Venezuela, it’s the same—massive infrastructure projects leading from the mines in the central part of the country to the ports along the coast.”
Joel continued, “In Cuba, on the Isla de la Juventud, the Chinese finished the new airfield a couple of weeks ago. They are calling it Fidel Air Force Base. In Havana, they’re hailing it as a new military aviation school and joint army, navy, and air force training center. It’s a massive facility that’s still being expanded and fortified.”
Pausing for a moment, Joel pulled out another set of images. “The JTF acquired these images from our French liaison from one of their satellites. These are images of at least a dozen Shenyang J-11 multirole fighters. The aircraft appear to be getting ready to fly. Our Air Force liaison told us the Cubans carry out four hours of daytime training in the Caribbean Sea between Cuba and Grand Cayman. They conduct anywhere between four and six hours of night training as well.
“In addition to the fighters at this new base, we also spotted at least a battalion’s worth of HQ-9 portable launchers being deployed to protect the airfield. For those who don’t know, these are the Russian equivalent of their newest version of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems.”
Aaron held up a hand to stop Joel and to calm some of the chatter. “So you’re saying that somehow, someway, the Chinese have managed to move and set up at least two squadrons of advanced fighter aircraft on Cuba and at least one battalion worth of advanced surface-to-air missile systems and God knows what else in Venezuela?”
Joel nodded. “It’s a bit more than that, Aaron. In Cuba, the Chinese have sold them five squadrons of their J-10 and J-11 fighters. They also modernized an entire mechanized armored division. Cuba is now three years into a five-year modernization program of their entire armed forces. We’re a little less sure of what all they sold to the Venezuelans, but I could get you that information later if you like.”
Dotty interjected to add, “Aaron, our asset in Cuba has been reporting similar information as well. Our Defense Attaché Officer at the embassy also confirmed most of this through his informal meetings with the Cuban military. From what he reported along with what my office identified, the Chinese are pursuing their own version of our foreign military sales program. Kind of like how we provide Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid so that they can then use that money to purchase military equipment from our defense companies. The Chinese are now copying us with a few select nations they’re building closer military ties with. Our assessment is this is all part of their Belt and Road Initiative.”
For a moment, no one commented on what Dotty or Joel had just explained. They all seemed to be waiting to see what Aaron would say next.
Aaron stood but motioned for everyone else to stay seated. He walked behind their chairs for a moment as he thought. Finally, he announced, “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll recommend to the director and to Mr. Wilson that we go ahead with the trade. Let’s get our guy back before
anything further happens to him or this entire situation blows up.
“Second, we’ve allowed ourselves to become so wrapped up with what’s going on in the Middle East and defeating ISIS that we apparently haven’t paid attention to what’s going on ninety miles from our border. It’s our duty to start playing catch-up and figure this out.” Aaron paused for a second and took a deep breath before continuing. “As you know, this new COVID virus is now global. It’s apparently twice as fatal as the last one, so we have that to contend with now as well. What’s worse, according to this British asset they have, it would appear this virus has been genetically engineered by some sort of super-AI as a means of culling the Chinese population of the weak and infirmed while at the same time crippling the economies of the West. Clearly, the Chinese are up to something, and something big. It’s our job to uncover what that may be and get that information to the decision makers and the President.”
Aaron stopped pacing and placed both hands on the table in front of him. He leaned forward a bit as he looked down on everyone. “I don’t believe in coincidences. All these events around the world are taking place at the same time. Something bigger is going on and I believe we’re being intentionally distracted from seeing what that is.
“To that effect, it seems like this JTF down in Florida is a bit more on the ball than we are. Increase our participation in this group, and let me know what the heck the Chinese are up to. Amber, have your analysis group ferret this Chinese FMS program out. Make it a top priority for your group. Find out what countries they’re doing this in and what they’re selling. Maybe there’s a pattern here we’re not seeing yet.”
“If I may, Aaron,” Dotty interrupted before he could continue, “I know Jessica Parker is assigned to the JTF Joel is part of, but I think we should get a branch or division chief involved as well. We need someone with a bit more pull and leverage than Jessica and the DDI group.”
Aaron nodded as he stuck his lower lip out a bit. “You’re right. Joel, who’s in charge of the JTF again and what other nations are part of it?”
Joel turned to Aaron and Dotty as he replied, “It’s being run by Major General Gary Bridges. He’s the Special Operations Command–South commanding general. As to partner nations, he brought in military and intel reps from Canada, Australia, Japan, France, the UK, and Germany.”
Aaron pulled his chair back out and sat down. He looked at Dotty. “I will assign you to be the lead Agency LNO on the JTF. Bring as many people as you want or have them support you from here, but find out what the Chinese are doing in Latin America and what their endgame is. If it’s economic, fine, that’s something we can deal with. If it’s something more, then we need to know what else it may be.”
As the meeting began to break up, Aaron asked Dotty to stay behind for a moment. When everyone had left, he asked her to walk with him back to his office. Once it was just the two of them, Aaron pulled a document out of his safe and placed it on his desk between the two of them. It was labeled Eyes Only, TS/CI/ORCON. He had just handed her a very trusted secret to read.
“Am I allowed to see what’s in here?” Dotty asked with a raised eyebrow as he eyed her.
“No.”
Canting her head to the side, she said, “But you’re giving it to me anyway?”
“I need a favor. One that I can’t broadcast to the others. But before I ask for your assistance, I need you to understand why I’m asking for it,” Aaron said in a rather cryptic manner.
Lifting her chin up, Dotty took in what he’d just said. He wanted her to break protocol, but what protocol?
“I’m going to turn around and look at the parking lot for a few minutes. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.” Aaron stood and walked over to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. He looked outside at the cherry blossoms that were starting to come into bloom.
Flipping open the folder, Dotty began to read. The more she read, the bigger her eyes got and the more her stomach tightened.
“Is this for real?”
Still looking at the trees, Aaron answered, “It appears so. It’s why I need you to get in contact with Goldfinger. He needs to acquire a sample of the vaccine so we can study it and get it into production. This virus is about to spin out of control across the world, and that vaccine could mean the difference between a few hundred thousand people dying and tens of millions.”
“You know I can’t reach out to Goldfinger directly. It doesn’t work like that with an NOC. We could blow his cover if it’s not done right,” she countered defensively. She’d worked hard to get her asset into position. He was proving to be the most effective agent they had in Cuba.
“I get it, Dotty. Trust me, I do. But this is more important than that. Our SIS source says the virus has a couple-week incubation period before the host will show symptoms. That’s why it’s been hard to detect and stop. It’s also been genetically modified to specifically target certain members of society. If we can get a sample of the vaccine, we can recreate it in a lab here.”
“What about acquiring it from some other country? El Salvador or Venezuela?”
“We’re working those angles right now as well. But your guy in Cuba is probably the best positioned to get it and get it quickly. Can he do it?” Aaron asked, almost pleading with her to say yes.
Dotty looked at his desk. She saw a photo of Aaron’s wife and their five kids and suddenly remembered his daughter had Type I diabetes. According to the SIS’s source, diabetes was one of the comorbidities the virus specifically targeted. When Dotty turned to look at Aaron, she saw him staring at her, eyes fighting back emotions. He was scared—scared of what this virus might do to his family and his little girl.
Dotty nodded. “I’ll make contact with him. I can’t guarantee he’ll be able to acquire it, Aaron, or how long it will take. I know he’ll try, though. That’s all I can give you.”
Smiling briefly, Aaron thanked her. He took the file back from her and placed it in his safe.
Chapter Sixteen
Big Reveal
Undisclosed Location
Beijing, China
Captain Lee Jian Ho was accustomed to the secrecy and subterfuge of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, especially being a part of its silent service. But this was on a different level, even for the Ministry of State Security.
The blacked-out SUV exited onto Hanhe Road and then continued in the direction of the nearby national forest. Next, it drove through a few upscale neighborhoods before entering the campus of a community college. The buildings that constituted the college appeared scattered at different elevations within the national park.
Community college of Jinwangfu…never heard of this place, Lee thought as the driver steered them toward the parking lot. School was in session, so students scurried about with their books and bags.
“We are almost there, Captain Lee,” announced the driver who had picked him up at the airport. If Lee guessed right, the man probably worked for the MSS.
Instead of driving toward some of the obvious parking lots connected to the college, they turned down a side access road. The vehicle moved deeper into the forest as it snaked around a couple of tight turns.
Is that a machine gun position in the woods? Lee wondered. He swore he saw a partially camouflaged cement bunker fifteen meters from the road. Eventually, they came out of the tall trees and headed toward a large drab-looking two-story building. The outside of this place looked like it had been abandoned many years ago.
The driver pulled the vehicle into a neglected garage attached to the building. Once the vehicle was parked, the driver walked around and opened his door. “If you’ll follow me, sir, I’ll get you to where you need to go,” the man offered, though Lee could tell it was more of an order than a request.
They approached a pair of run-down double doors that suddenly hissed slightly as they parted at the center, retracting into the walls. Lee’s eyes opened wide in astonishment as he gazed into the interior. The inner foyer was the polar op
posite of the exterior of the building. It was not only new and clean, it was tricked out with all sorts of technological wizardry.
There were flat-panel displays that covered entire walls and interactive art displays that responded to the individual as they passed by. Lee assumed it used facial recognition AI and tailored its presentation to the person who was viewing it and how they were reacting to what they saw.
This is clearly not a part of Fleet Headquarters or anything to do with the Navy, Lee concluded. Whatever they had summoned him for must be big.
When Captain Lee and his driver approached the receptionist desk, a muscular man with an earpiece on said, “ID, please.”
Lee handed the man his naval credentials and waited. A moment later, the man’s expression softened a bit. He handed Lee a blue security badge with the number six on it.
“Keep this badge attached to the front of your uniform at all times. It has an RFID code that’s been programmed with the levels and rooms you are authorized to enter. It shouldn’t need to be said, but no tailgating. You badge in individually, every time. No exceptions. I also need you to sign this nondisclosure agreement saying you will not talk about this facility or where it is located. If you will follow me, I’ll lead you to the elevator bank,” the receptionist instructed.
Lee’s driver started walking back to the vehicle.
When Lee and the receptionist rounded a corner, there was another security desk manned by four heavily armed men. Nice, they kept the soldiers just out of view, Lee thought to himself.
The receptionist walked up to the desk and pulled something out of the drawer. He handed Lee a briefing packet and directed him to a room on his right. “Please leave all your electronic devices in the locker with your name on it. When you’re done, you can use your ID badge to access the elevator bank over there,” the receptionist instructed him as he pointed to where the elevators were.
