The startled translator was trying to water down the rhetoric, but the message was clearly registering with the irate Chinese president.
"The other side of the coin is a treacherousjourney of placating the communist hard-liners who are becoming dinosaurs in the postideological era. At some point Beijing must become a welcome and responsible member of the world community — as Taiwan is — or China will return to the past."
The growing sense of uneasiness was pervasive.
"If China remains closed to the world, her economy will slowly crumble and evaporate her aspirations of ever becoming a great power. It's the autocrats' choice, but time is running out on the decomposing remains of the communist system. Communism is a failed experiment on our planet, a sad relic of yesteryear."
Liu Fan-ding was livid when he rose to address the American secretary of state. "I am warning you," the translator said with a startled look, "that any more harping on China or Taiwan or how we run our country will lead to an armed conflict!"
The piercing vocal threat to the United States caused a loud buzz throughout the meeting room. Before Shannon had a chance to respond, President Macklin rose and walked to the podium.
"I'll take it from here," the president said as he gently patted Shannon on the shoulder.
"President Fan-ding, we're already in an armed conflict with your country. As for Taiwan, the United States stands firm in our resolve to defend a valued ally. You and the other leaders in Communist China are on notice that any attempt to take over Taiwan by force will be met with overwhelming resistance. You and your colleagues should come to your senses before bombs and missiles take the place of diplomacy and statesmanship."
The antagonistic Chinese leader bristled and said something under his breath to an aide.
Macklin cast a glance at two staff members who were prepared to show the visual aids he had brought with him.
The American president looked unusually relaxed and calm. "I'm going to show our friends in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations why we're concerned about China's goals and ambitions. Let's have exhibit number one."
On a large easel, they placed a huge reproduction of a photograph taken by a U.S. space-based asset.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you're looking at a laser beam emitting from a civilian Chinese cargo ship, the Chen Ziyang, which was retrofitted to carry the laser weapon. We also have video of the laser beam when it was fired at a U.S. plane flying near the coast of California."
"This is American hoax," Liu said bluntly. "Nothing but trick to make China look bad!"
Silence filled the cavernous room.
"Gentlemen, let's skip number two and three and move on to number four," Macklin instructed in an even voice.
The enlarged photos were placed on the easel.
"Here we have a set of four photos taken on board the Chen Ziyang, the civilian ship in question."
Liu Fan-ding turned ashen-faced. He started mumbling something unintelligible to a staff member.
In a steady, calm voice, President Macklin continued. "We know from the Chinese writing on the laser weapon and in the control room, plus the Chinese sailor smiling in the pictures, that the photos are real."
Macklin paused and stared straight at the Chinese leader. "President Liu Fan-ding knows it too."
"Lies — all lies! American trickery and lies!" Liu said acidly. He rose and turned on his heel to leave. "These are all lies to diminish China's sovereignty in the eyes of world leaders!" he said to the American president as he left the room.
Stunned silent at first, many of the ASEAN members turned to each other. After the Chinese delegation stormed out of the conference room, the concerned ASEAN members began talking.
Macklin raised his arms to quiet the shocked leaders and their assorted entourages. "Ladies and gentlemen, please be calm. Those who are standing, please take your seats."
Hartwell Prost leaned close to Brett Shannon. "Well, that was certainly handled smoothly."
"Short and to the point was what the president wanted." Shannon calmly gathered his papers. "At least the world will get to see what Beijing has been up to."
"Yes, and we better go to a higher alert status."
"We're already there."
Dark wood paneling, elegant silk upholstered furnishings, and authentic Thai art pieces and paintings by local artists decorated the plush suite. The lavish bar was fully stocked with top-of-the-line spirits, and fresh fruit and colorful flowers adorned the sitting room.
The ASEAN summit had been salvaged, for the most part, when President Macklin presented all the facts and information about China's secret laser weapons and what Beijing had been doing with them.
He had also explained to the delegation about the Panama Canal and its current status under U.S. control. The Chinese military forces had been completely disarmed by elements of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps while air force, navy, and Marine fighter planes orbited overhead. The Chinese officers and their troops were now incarcerated in seven holding pens awaiting transportation home.
The vast majority of leaders from the ASEAN countries agreed to join together in trying to diplomatically persuade President Liu Fan-ding to stand down from military operations in or near the Strait of Taiwan. They secretly prayed that President Macklin would temper his approach to China, but no one wanted to antagonize the most powerful nation in the world. No ASEAN leader openly wanted to voice the suggestion.
After a formal but subdued dinner and a short play by a Taiwanese touring company, Macklin and his closest confidants gathered in the president's suite.
Drinks were poured and cigars lighted when a senior military aide to Macklin was hurriedly ushered into the elegant room. The officer conferred with the president for about five minutes, answered a few questions from Macklin, and then quietly left the suite.
Continuing his conversation with his aides and advisers, the president patiently waited until nearly everyone had finished his or her drink to rise and suggest that it was time to call it an evening.
"Folks, we'll be leaving for Washington at a very early hour, so I'm going to have to retire. Thank you for your support and hard work. You've done a superb job under stressful circumstances, and I greatly appreciate it."
Macklin tossed back the rest of his Chivas and soda. "I'll see you folks in the morning."
Within a matter of thirty seconds, they had all finished the last of their drinks, placed the empty glasses on the bar, and said goodnight to Macklin.
"Hartwell," the president said, "I'd like to have a word with you, if you don't mind."
"Yes, sir." Prost gently shut the door when the last person left. "You need a fresh one?" Hartwell asked as he headed for the bar. "Sure, thanks."
The president sat down on the sofa, removed his shoes, and wearily propped his feet on a stack of briefing folders. "The Roosevelt group just had another run-in with the Chinese."
"What's the situation?" Hartwell handed Macklin his Scotch and soda and sat down in a chair facing the president.
"Another round of missiles from three different locations in China heavily damaged our frigate Kauffman and the Australian guided missile destroyer Brisbane."
"What about our Aegis ships? How did the missiles get through?"
"The Aegis system worked well, but two missiles managed to evade the protective cover — don't know the technicalities of the situation."