Word of the meeting in Beijing had spread as rapidly as the news about the deadly military clash with the United States and the voided Panama Canal treaty. From personal observations by aides to the Chinese president, information about his ire had traveled across China like a lightning bolt. It was reported that President Liu Fan-ding was consumed with rage. Other accounts indicated that everyone around him was feeling his wrath.
Quoted in the military newspaper People's Liberation Army Daily, President Liu Fan-ding threatened to "use China's neutron bombs on America and Taiwan if the Panama Canal was not returned to Panamanian control immediately." He went on to say that "Americans are standing at a critical historical juncture and they should not act on impulse."
Liu Fan-ding also accused President Macklin of "using every possible means of treachery to undermine China." He went on to say, "Macklin is playing with fire, and he will die by fire if he doesn't return the canal to Panama."
Liu Fan-ding's closest aides admitted that his doctor was concerned he might have a stroke or a heart attack. One thing was certain: The highly agitated president couldn't wait to confront the American president in Bangkok.
Enjoying the tropical breeze, Scott and Jackie glanced at the golden moon and the star-studded sky while they waited for President Macklin and his entourage to arrive. Along with a large crowd, Jackie and Scott were standing on a wide parking ramp set aside for Air Force One.
Dressed in conservative gray business suits, white shirts, and black shoes, Scott and Jackie looked like the two special agents from the Secret Service office in Honolulu. All four had ear receivers and a wire running down their collar. They were also armed.
"I think they just turned final," Jackie said, watching the flurry of activity in the group of VIPs waiting to greet the president. "You're right."
The portable lighting system bathed the ramp with enough brilliance to light a football field.
Four Hawaiian Air National Guard F-15 Eagles had just broken away from the president's plane and were preparing to land at Hickam Air Force Base. The quartet of fighters, along with two KC-135 aerial tankers, had rendezvoused with the airborne command post midway between California and Hawaii to provide additional security for the president.
Jackie and Scott quietly watched the giant E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post "Night Watch" land and slow to a crawl before turning off the runway. Automatically designated Air Force One because the president of the United States was on board, the Air Combat Command E-4B was a modified Boeing 747–200 airliner.
Used by the National Command Authority as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in all levels of conflict, including nuclear war, the aircraft could remain aloft for seventy-two hours with airborne refueling. At least one E-4B was always on alert at selected bases, including overseas military installations.
The four-airplane fleet also provided VIP transportation and supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency during times of natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.
Scott and Jackie waited until the mobile stairway was in place and then joined the other Secret Service agents being escorted to the plane. Hartwell Prost met Dalton and Sullivan at the entrance to the big Boeing and directed them to a vacant conference/briefing room. The three of them would meet with the president after he spoke to the sizable crowd gathered to show their support for his actions.
The president's command presence during the confrontations with the Chinese had sparked a renewal of strength and support for President Macklin personally and for the office of the president. The headlines were calling the movement a tremendous rally, a common and just cause for the citizens of the last superpower.
When the E-4B was almost completely fueled, the president was discreetly prompted to return to the airplane. He made his closing remarks to the enthusiastic audience and listened to the spontaneous cheers and loud applause as he reboarded the aircraft.
Dressed casually in brown slacks and a cream-colored sport coat, Macklin entered the conference/briefing room. He gave Scott and Jackie a warm smile and firmly shook hands with them.
"Have a seat," the president said, motioning toward the conference table. He and Prost sat down across from Jackie and Scott.
"First, I want to extend my sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to both of you — what a job you did."
"Thank you, sir," Jackie and Scott said in unison.
"The two of you have demonstrated remarkable courage and ingenuity. I appreciate it, and someday a grateful nation will thank you."
"And," Hartwell said, "I want to add my thanks."
"Now I'll get down to current business," the president said. "I have another matter of urgency I want to discuss with you — a problem that is extremely important to our country and our future."
Under the table Jackie nervously squeezed Scott's hand.
"If the two of you find the risk factor greater than the reward, I will understand — it's up to you."
"We'll be honest, Mr. President," Scott said, and then couldn't stop a crooked smile from spreading across his face. "But, sir, we draw the line at bungee jumping."
Caught off guard, Macklin and Prost laughed while Jackie pinched Scott and wished she could kick him in the ankle.
"No bungee jumping." The president chuckled. "What I want you to do is rescue Dr. Richard Cheung from the Mianyang R and D production complex in China — deep in the heart of China."
"We're familiar with it," Jackie said.
"Good. We want Cheung back for more than one reason, but most importantly, we want to know with certitude what capacity the Chinese have to inflict damage on their enemies. It's imperative that we know exactly how far they've advanced with the development of the laser weapon, and what type of platforms they plan to use in deploying it."
"We want to offer Cheung a deal," Hartwell said. "If he'll work on a way to defeat the Chinese lasers, he can avoid the very unpleasant consequence of being tried for treason. Either way, we need to get him out of China. If he won't help us, we sure as hell don't want him helping the Chinese. That's what we hope the two of you can accomplish."
"And if he won't cooperate?" Scott asked.
"I'll leave the details up to your imagination," Prost said clearly, "but dragging him home to face charges of treason would be at the bottom of my list — the very bottom."
The president acknowledged his national security adviser's blunt remark with a slight nod.
There was a clumsy moment of silence as the lumbering command post began taxiing for takeoff.
Scott fastened his seat belt. "Let's go over the details of your plan and then we'll be able to make an informed decision."
"We can start on it right now," Prost suggested. "That is, if you're not too tired."
"Not at all," Jackie said.
"Please stay seated," the president said, rising from his chair. "Hartwell has all the details from our discussions with his friends from the Agency. I'm going to turn in and try to get some sleep on the way to Bangkok. Good night, and thanks again."
"Good night, sir," Scott said.
Macklin faltered in midstride and turned to face Dalton. "By the way, how did you get that Chinese sailor with the exaggerated smile to pose for the pictures?"
Not having known what was in the photos, Jackie was more than surprised by the revelation.
Scott searched for the right words. "We, ah, stumbled into each other and after the initial shock wore off, I told him I was a security inspector hired by Beijing and that he could lose his job if he didn't follow orders."