Power and Empire

“Yes, it is, Mr. President,” Carter said, giving a somber nod. “But it is the plan. A better option would be for the Taitung to stand off until morning when a ship with a helicopter could arrive.”

Ryan shook his head. “But Meriwether will be driven into Chinese waters in a matter of hours.”

The Air Force communications officer spoke up. “Incoming message from SSN Seawolf, Admiral Muñoz.”

The chief of naval operations read the printed document and slid it across the table to Ryan.

“Captain Racher has positioned his submarine ten nautical miles west of the Meriwether, Mr. President. Chinese communications would indicate that Kunming does not know she is there.”

“Very well,” Ryan said. “Let’s hope we can keep it that way.”

The Seawolf had been built as a replacement for the Los Angeles—class fast-attack submarine fleet. She was fast and well armed, but she was also expensive — too expensive for a post — Cold War Navy, so only three had been built. In destroyer-versus-fast-attack-sub battle, Ryan’s money would be on the submarine — especially with the surface ship battling heavy seas — but the aftermath would be catastrophic.

Ryan said, “Have Taitung advise the Chinese destroyer a rescue operation is under way and to stand off.”

The Air Force comms officer did so. There were several minutes of tense back-and-forth before he turned to Ryan.

“The Chinese vessel insists on rendering aid,” he said.

“In contested waters?” Ryan asked, cursing President Zhao under his breath.

The communications officer typed another message, and waited for the reply.

“Apparently so, Mr. President,” the comms officer said three minutes later. “Kunming is two nautical miles from the imaginary line and doesn’t appear to be slowing. Their captain says his orders to assist come directly from Admiral Qian, commander of the PLA Navy.”

All eyes looked at Ryan. “Advise Seawolf to stand by, Admiral Muñoz. If the skipper of the Kunming presses me, I swear—”

Captain Lim’s face appeared again on the flat-screen.

“Mr. President,” he said, “the crew of RV Meriwether is all safely aboard our lifeboat. We are rigging for retrieval at this time.”

“And the Meriwether herself?” Ryan asked.

“The aft deck is already awash, Mr. President,” Captain Lim said, his expression somber. No sailor liked to see any ship go down, even if it was necessary.

“Thank you again for your assistance, Captain,” Ryan said. “I’ll be making my gratitude formally known to your superiors.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Lim said, and like the leader he was, rather than basking in accolades, he asked to be excused to see to his duties.

Ryan put both hands flat on the table and heaved a sigh of relief. “Have Seawolf shadow that damned destroyer awhile and keep her honest.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” Admiral Muñoz said, typing in the orders personally with his authentication code.

“Good work, all of you,” Ryan said. “You gentlemen get with the steward and enjoy your favorite beverage on me. Scott, Mary Pat, let’s step back to my office for a bit.”

He didn’t mention it in front of the military men, but both the DNI and the secretary of state knew they were about to dig into a strategy on what to do about President Zhao Chengzhi.

58

Jack Ryan, Jr., bowed his head against the driving rain and ran down the alley with Midas and Yuki, toward the sound of intermittent gunfire. He slowed as he neared the end of the narrow pathway, pulling up behind a broken vending machine to check the cylinder of the .38 revolver he’d taken from one of the bad guys. It was loaded with five, which, he decided, was a hell of a lot better than a sharp stick.

“Chavez, Adara,” he said. “You guys copy?”

“Hold up, Jack,” Adara’s whispered voice came back. “If you’re coming down the alley, Chen and his buds are to the right, just around the corner waiting for you.”

Ryan raised his fist but Midas had already stopped and was relaying the message to Yuki since she had no comms.

“Are you whole?” Ryan asked.

“Affirmative,” Adara said. “We’re pinned down in a bar across the street called the Albatross. A black stone front. Pretty sure Chen thinks we’re armed, because he’s not rushing us.”

“Copy,” Ryan said. “Sit tight a minute. Yuki is armed and I have a little Chief’s Special.”

“Yuki?” Chavez said.

“I’ll explain later,” Ryan said. He turned to Yuki. “You have backup anywhere nearby?”

“My partner is busy with the G20.” She shook her head. “I stopped off here to interview a contact who knows Kim Soo. I did not expect her to be here.”

“Great,” Midas said.

“I did not expect you to be here,” Yuki said. Rain dripped from her nose. “Any of you. In any case, gunfire is extremely rare in Japan. Ammunition is accountable here, not just firearms. Police officers are at this moment getting ready to converge on your friends. It would be best for me if we took care of Chen before the authorities arrive. Less explaining, if you know what I mean.”