Executive Intent

“Very good,” the president said. “Progress reports regularly, get together with Walter to get your board members cleared and seated. Stacy, you can tell the Chinese that the vice president himself will chair the policy review board. Ask that it be kept confidential for now-that’ll guarantee it’ll be leaked right away.”

OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

DAYS LATER

“Welcome, welcome, General,” Chinese National Defense Minister Zung Chunxian said as General Hua Zhilun entered his office and bowed respectfully. The minister of defense extended his hand, and Hua shook it. “You’ve had a most impressive week I see. Come in and tell me about the test.”

“Xie-xie, Minister,” Hua said. Zung showed him to a seat as an assistant brought tea and served it for both of them. “I am very proud of my operations staff and the crew of Submarine 483. They executed the test perfectly. I wish to nominate Captain Han and his crew for a distinguished service award. The submarine’s position had to be precise and the launch perfectly timed, and the crew performed well.”

“It shall be done, General,” Zung said. “The submarine was under way when the missile was launched, I understand?”

“Yes, sir, at about ten knots. For optimal results, the submarine had to launch when inside a five-kilometer area at a certain time-almost no margin for error was permitted. In operational use, the timing is not as critical, but we wanted the best possible conditions for this demonstration.”

“The Central Military Commission and the president are pleased, General,” Zung went on. “Foreign Affairs Minister Tang tells me that he has received word that the Americans were so surprised-and intimidated, I should think-by the test that they are forming a panel to review their space policy, including a global reduction or ban on antisatellite weapons. What do you think of that?”

Hua looked a little surprised and disappointed. “Ban all antisatellite weapons? That would put us even further behind the Americans in research and development. Is the president considering it?”

“Of course not, General,” Zung said, waving a hand dismissively. “But if the Americans want to do it, we would not discourage them. If we did sign such a treaty, we would continue research and development and prepare to deploy the weapons in the case of any hostilities.” Hua looked relieved. “No, General, the commission was very pleased with the test, and they are taking a very hard look at expanding space and counter-space-weapon technology. Nothing China has done in recent years has riveted the attention of the Americans as much as that launch.”

“That is good to hear, sir.”

“In fact, the president advises me that our other proposal has been approved by the commission,” Zung said. “They want risk-reduction operations to be accelerated so they can request additional funds to expand the antisatellite program before negotiations begin to shut them down. Did you bring the data I requested?”

“Yes, sir,” Hua said, opening his briefcase and extracting a single piece of paper. “The Americans have thirteen Kingfisher weapon satellites in orbit-about half to a fourth of the proposed constellation, we do not know precisely. All but four are fully operational, based on data transmissions we intercept. One satellite makes almost no transmissions, although it appears to be responding to positioning commands. We believe this one’s weapon functions have malfunctioned and were shut down. The Americans will probably send an astronaut from the Armstrong Space Station to attempt repairs soon.”

“That sounds like a good candidate, General,” Zung said. “Will it be in position soon?”

“The timing could not be better, sir,” Hua said. “In five days the American satellite will be within range of our newest DF-21 installation in Taunggyi, Myanmar. That base has the most up-to-date version of the tracking and guidance software, and an improved missile and rocket motor. The launch window will be open for three hours once a day for approximately three days, and then will close for several days again before reopening, so we have a little leeway in case of other unforeseen complications.”

“Excellent,” Zung said. “Operation Shan-dian begins in six days. We will coordinate your operation to coincide with it. Hopefully the Americans will be too distracted by Shan-dian to pay attention to your test.”

“We will be ready, sir,” Hua said.

“Will the Americans detect the launch from Myanmar?”