Eagle Station

The Chinese leader smiled dryly again. “Not all space launches succeed. There was a possibility the Delta IV rocket would either explode on liftoff or fail to place its payload in a stable orbit. So it seemed… unnecessary… to pass this information to you before now.” Left unspoken was his natural aversion to revealing anything that might compromise the Ministry of State Security’s espionage networks inside the United States. Or elsewhere, for that matter. China’s current alliance with Russia was based on shared strategic goals. But it did not necessarily reflect a permanent alignment with Moscow. From the sour look on Leonov’s face, he knew the other man clearly understood both his reasoning and his motivations.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, the Russian evidently decided to let the issue drop. They now faced a more immediate threat. If there were any silver lining to this black cloud, it was the fact that Korolev Base’s primary weapon was already operational. “Based on its current trajectory, this American spy satellite will reach orbit around the moon in just fifty-six hours.”

“Yes, that matches General Chen’s assessment of the data,” Li said.

“And once that happens, the Americans will learn that we’ve established a permanent lunar base. More important still, they will know exactly what we are doing there.” Leonov’s gaze hardened. “Now we know why Washington was in such a hurry to deploy its own secure communications relay to the L2 point. Unless we act to prevent it, every radar image obtained by that Topaz satellite’s sensors could be in President Farrell’s hands within minutes.”

Li looked back at him. “That would be unfortunate.” His own eyes were cold. “I suggest that you send the necessary orders to your own satellite at the Lagrange point. And to Colonels Tian and Lavrentyev at Korolev Base.”

Leonov nodded. He lifted a secure phone and then paused. “You understand that our actions will inevitably escalate the situation? No matter how the Americans first interpret the results?”

“Do you fear an uncontrollable escalation?” the Chinese leader asked calmly. For his part, he doubted the Americans would overreact. They were squeamish about suffering large-scale casualties.

After more thought, Leonov shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.” He pondered the possibilities for another moment. “However, we do have two more space missions scheduled to launch shortly.”

Li frowned. One of those missions was another combined Federation-Chang’e flight intended to land two more crewmen at Korolev Base. The other would send a fourth Mă Luó automated cargo lander to the moon with additional supplies and equipment. “Are you afraid the Americans will attack them?”

“Not really,” Leonov assured him. “In the short term, President Farrell’s retaliatory options are extremely limited.” He spread his hands. “Over time, though, it becomes somewhat more difficult to anticipate how he might react, either using his own forces or those of his mercenaries.”

“Scion and Sky Masters,” Li said tightly.

“Just so,” Leonov agreed. “Even now, the Americans appear to be trying to assemble a manned lunar mission in orbit, using one of their Orion crew vehicles. In the circumstances, we should not assume this will be a peaceful, unarmed flight.”

Li nodded. China’s own ground-based telescopes and satellites were closely monitoring the recent surge of space activity around America’s Eagle Station. At first, Chen Haifeng’s Strategic Support Force analysts had pegged the arrival of an Orion crew vehicle at the space station as a routine test flight. Now, with a European-built support module and Falcon second-stage booster also circling the earth near Eagle, the intended American plan was clearer.

“That’s why I think it would be wise to modify the payload planned for our next cargo lander mission. Merely as a precaution, of course,” Leonov continued.

Li stared at him in confusion. “Modify the payload? In what way?”

“My best scientists and engineers have been working very hard to adapt some of our most advanced weapons systems for use on the lunar surface,” Leonov said coolly. “They have succeeded. And just in time to reinforce Korolev’s defenses — against any possible attack.”

As the Russian explained more fully what he meant, Li felt his eyes widen. He’d surprised the other man earlier by suddenly revealing the intelligence about America’s Topaz radar satellite. Now it was Leonov’s turn to remind him that Russia could play the same game.

Thirty-Three

Kondor-L Satellite, in Halo Orbit Around the Earth-Moon Lagrange Point 2

A Short Time Later