Goliath

Over the last twenty-four hours, things have gotten progressively worse. While the Air Force has had little trouble tracking the Goliath from above, the stealthy sub has been nearly impossible to follow underwater. A rare opportunity to sink the ship had been missed when Covah had somehow eluded a gauntlet positioned outside the English Channel. Now the death sub is heading into Arctic waters, beneath sheets of ice that would make things even more difficult for the fleet to engage her in battle.

A second converted jumbo jet has joined the hunt. Refueling in midair, the YAL airbuses and their crews remain in constant vigil, forty thousand feet above Gunnar’s homing signal.

The general is physically and emotionally wiped out.

Stop bellyaching and find a way to rescue your daughter …

Jackson takes a swig of Pepto-Bismol and refocuses on the U.N. Security Council meeting.

U.N. Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast is speaking. “The Chair recognizes Mr. Gyalo Thondup, who is here today representing the interests of the Dalai Lama.”

A frail Tibetan man steps to the podium. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Esteemed members of the Security Council, since my first visit to Beijing in February of 1979, I, along with other officials of the Tibetan government-inexile, have tried in vain to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Tibet with members of the Chinese government. On numerous occasions, the Dalai Lama himself has proposed peace plans to China, both directly and through public speeches. With each step forward we have taken, the Chinese government has pushed us two steps back.

“The Dalai Lama wants to make it very clear that he has no ties with Simon Covah, the terrorist whose brazen acts have forced us to meet here at this negotiating table. What has been made quite clear are the acceptable terms of Tibet’s independence, which will pave the way for the Dalai Lama’s return. The stall tactics now being practiced by members of the Chinese government serve no one and change nothing. The Dalai Lama refuses to travel to Beijing to discuss China’s claim of ownership of Tibet; nor is he interested in negotiating for the continued existence of Chinese nuclear weapons facilities in Lhasa. The Dalai Lama wants Tibet returned to Tibetans, and nothing short of our independence will be open for discussion.

“Esteemed members, the behavior of the Chinese government over these last sixty years has made it painfully obvious that the Communists have no interest in returning Tibet to the Tibetan people, not now, nor by this week’s imposed deadline. Therefore, I have been instructed by the Dalai Lama to leave these proceedings and not return until the Chinese government is ready and willing to sign off on Tibet’s independence, withdraw all military personnel from the region, and turn over all political prisoners. Should they fail to comply, as it appears is their intent, then whatever should happen within the next few days will be the consequence of their actions, not ours.”

Jackson mutes the sound as President Edwards nods to his Secretary of State. “Nick, inform General Jackson what’s happening behind the scenes.”

Nunziata removes his wire-framed glasses. “General, Beijing has decided to dig in their heels. President Li Peng and several hard-line Communist generals believe that giving in to Simon Covah’s demands now will only lead to future demands, such as the plight of Taiwan, or greater human rights for its own citizens. The Communists have decided to take a stand, knowing their whole regime may eventually fall.”

“Covah’s deadline is the day after tomorrow. What will Li Peng do?”

“The Chinese president has scheduled a public speech in Tiananmen Square for tomorrow morning. He’ll probably announce that the Chinese government has agreed in principle to Tibet’s independence, but the PLA will not withdraw until the Dalai Lama comes forward and personally negotiates the final terms of the agreement.”

“General, in your opinion, how will Covah respond?”

“He’ll launch another nuke, Mr. President,” Jackson says. “My guess is he’ll take out a major military installation, perhaps even China’s Northern Fleet.”

“But not Beijing?”

“It’s not Covah’s style,” CIA Director Pertic answers. “All negotiations still have to go through Beijing, and Covah doesn’t want to do anything to tarnish his image as a so-called Champion of the People.”

“We’ve pushed the Chinese as far as they’ll be pushed,” Nunziata adds. “It was difficult enough getting all parties to sign off on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Our insurgence in Cuba is being tolerated, but just barely. I think we need to back off on this one.”

“What about the attack on the Enterprise?” the vice president asks. “Will there be another reprisal on Covah’s part?”

“The bastard nearly sank the carrier,” Ayers states. “Isn’t that reprisal enough?”