"Good afternoon," he began without expression. "As many of you know, early this morning U.S. forces went ashore in Panama to liberate an American warship being held captive by Chinese military forces in the Panama Canal. This was an intolerable act of blatant aggression by the Red Chinese military and the Communist Party leaders in Beijing."
Macklin's neck muscles began to tighten. "Furthermore, intelligence sources have confirmed that Chinese military forces were responsible for shooting down a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft and damaging a Marine Harrier jet — both of which were over the Panama Canal."
The network crews were riveted on the president. This wasn't the friendly, jovial man they had come to know.
"I have spent my entire adult life dedicated to protecting and preserving the freedom and security of our United States of America. I will not tolerate this aggression against the American people. Under the Panama Canal treaties of 1977, we reserved the right to intervene militarily if the canal and its operation were threatened. I invoked that clause this morning."
Feeling tension creep into his shoulders and neck, Macklin forced himself to relax. "As president of the United States, I am assuming jurisdiction of the Panama Canal as of this date. I will ask Congress to render the treaties null and void."
Macklin's words deeply impacted those who were present. Looks were exchanged in an effort to gauge reactions to what the president had said. There was no doubt President Macklin was showing the same fortitude and courage as president that he'd shown in Congress and in fighter planes during Vietnam. Who was going to tell the president of the United States that he couldn't have the canal back?
"I am sorry to inform you that a number of American lives were lost today in the process of freeing our ship and reclaiming the canal. Our fine men and women in uniform performed their duties in an extraordinary manner. Every American should be proud of them."
Macklin had to slow his breathing. "No president ever wants to put American military men and women in harm's way, but we have been called upon to do so many times in the history of this great country. It is the price we must pay for freedom."
The president's mouth quivered. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends who lost loved ones in Panama."
He tried not to show any emotion, but it was coming to the surface. "Let me make it very clear to our allies, and most importantly to those who choose to be our enemies. While I am president of the United States of America, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies and we will not tolerate any form of aggression."
Macklin stared at the camera for a long moment. "May God bless America — our wonderful country built on freedom. Thank you."
Stone faced, Macklin waited until the lights went out and quietly walked out of his office. No one dared ask him a single question.
Chapter 23
After the president's emotional address, Jackie punched the mute button on the television and turned to Scott. "What we have here is old-fashioned brinkmanship, and that doesn't bode well for the summit in Bangkok."
Scott walked to the window and took in the view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. "For the Chinese, this will be about saving face."
"After today's events, they'll have to tether Liu Fan-ding to the ground."
"Yeah, I'd hate to be one of his personal aides."
She sat her coffee cup on the table. "Do you think he'll cancel his trip to Bangkok?"
"Who, Liu Fan-ding?"
"No, President Macklin, our ride to Bangkok."
"He's the one who called for the summit — I expect he'll attend," Scott said, and glanced at the film footage from Panama. "This clash with China is even more reason for the president to solidify our position with the Southeast Asian nations."
Jackie stared at the television for a few seconds. "We'd better check with Hartwell and get an update on their plans."
"Good idea."
"We may not want to go to Bangkok."
"Having second thoughts?" Scott asked.
"Knowing Liu Fan-ding, he might bomb Bangkok after watching President Macklin take the canal back."
"I wouldn't put anything past him." Scott checked the time and reached for the phone. "I'll call Hartwell."
Jackie had just stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself when Scott finished his conversation with Prost. "What's the current temperature?"
"Warm and getting warmer."
Scott gave her a quick brief about the two battle groups moving closer to the Taiwan Strait, then changed the subject to Bangkok. "The president's plane will be arriving here at one o'clock tomorrow morning."
"When do we leave?"
"As soon as the plane is refueled," he said; "He's using one of the command-post aircraft."
Jackie was surprised. "Wow, things must be getting serious."
"I didn't ask Hartwell why the plane change, but the president is certainly sending a message."
"Yeah, that'll flash around the world — maybe it's too provocative."
"Hey, he means business."
"Any idea yet about our role?" she asked.
"He didn't bring it up and I didn't ask."
"Well, we'll know soon enough."
"Oh, I almost forgot," he said. "The boys in Beijing are now missing three of their laser-weapons ships."
"What happened?"
"One of their ships — the Deng Ju-shan — took out an E-2C from Kitty Hawk, killing the entire crew. A short time later, the Chicoms' laser ship ran into a couple of torpedoes and went to the bottom."
"How coincidental."
"Yes, very unfortunate."
"What was the response from President Macklin?"
"The White House hasn't made a statement yet. For the time being, they're calling the loss of the Hawkeye an operational accident."
"Have the Chinese gone into full threat mode or do they know about their laser ship?"
"Beijing knows what happened to their ship, but they can't prove it. So, as it stands right now, it's a matter of who blinks first."
Jackie reached into the dresser for a pair of shorts and a colorful aloha shirt. "I have a very bad feeling about this brawl with China."
"Same here," he said, watching an update on the Panama Canal skirmish. "Another item of interest Merrick Hamilton is back on active duty and has orders to an F/A-18 squadron."
"Great." She tucked the shirt into her shorts. "What about Zheng Yen-Tsung? Do they have any idea where he is?"
"The FBI thinks he went back to China. The feds are rounding up a large number of alleged Chinese spies who are singing their hearts out."
"I hope they're right about Zheng," she said. "But he could be anywhere — that's what frightens me."
"You're right," Scott said. "We'll have to keep our guard up, but I believe the FBI knows what's going on."
"There are plenty of ways he could track us. And you, of all people, know that's true."
"Okay, it's true. But their military and our military know about the lasers and the bogus holograms, so I don't see why Zheng YenTsung would want to hunt us anymore."
"Well, the media hasn't picked up on it yet."
"After Bangkok I have a feeling it won't be long before the story is on the front page of papers all over world."
"I hope so," she said.
"Hey, we're wasting the day. Let's hit the beach and get a Bloody Mary."
She pointed to the bathroom. "It's all yours. I'm going to check in with Mary Beth and see how everything is going at the office."
"Tell her hello for me."
The world-renowned Palace Hotel was rapidly filling with high-ranking military officers summoned to meet with President Liu Fan-ding before he departed for Bangkok. Located near major diplomatic and governmental offices, the stately hotel had been the gathering place for many pleasant military functions. This occasion would not be one of them.