“The commodore says he’s been unable to get an explanation of the reasons for this, much less your navy’s cooperation.”
She nodded toward Simonis’s image, and the commodore added, “I’ve promised to put a P-8 Poseidon in its place, the most capable aircraft we have, with far better sensors than the SH-5 or Y-8s you’ve been putting out there.”
“It may be more capable,” the general responded, “but is it true that the Indian Navy is also operating P-8 aircraft from your base in Guam?”
“Yes,” Simonis replied. “They’ve provided four aircraft so far, all they have operational, and promise more within twenty-four hours.”
“And they will be patrolling throughout the area?” Shi asked.
“Yes, all along Chakra’s possible transit routes, as part of the overall search plan.” Simonis answered carefully, but Patterson could hear a question in his tone. Where was Shi going with this?
“Will there be American observers aboard the Indian planes, people other than the crews?”
Simonis’s expression on the monitor showed his confusion. “No, why would there be?”
“To ensure that if they detect the criminal submarine, they actually report it.” Patterson and Simonis both started to answer at the same time, and when they both paused, giving each other a chance to speak, Shi added, “We are amazed that the same country that owns the rogue submarine is sending aircraft to ‘help’ find it.”
Patterson countered, “We have no reason to doubt the dedication of the Indian crews. Their government is doing its best to arrest the conspirators, and has actually sent a liaison officer to provide information on Chakra’s specifications and tactics.”
“Very comforting. The Chinese government will be very surprised if an Indian aircraft reports the location of the Indian submarine, much less attacks and sinks it.”
On her laptop computer, a text message from Simonis appeared. “I can put a parallel barrier just behind the Chinese zone. It’s a waste of resources, but we can’t make them trust the Indians.” Shi couldn’t see it, and she typed a quick “OK, thanks.”
“Let’s table that issue for a moment, General. Commodore Simonis is also concerned about receiving the hydrographic information near the target ports, and along the coast. He’s requested the information several times, and the only answer he’s received is that the information is being updated and isn’t ready yet.”
Simonis started to speak, but Shi cut him off. “I understand the importance of such information to antisubmarine searches,” he said sharply. “Salinity, temperature gradients, ambient noise, and so on.
“Another important feature marked on the charts are wrecked ships. Patrol planes searching for submarines use magnetic detectors to look for the submarine’s metal hull. A sunken ship could easily be mistaken for a submerged submarine, so even if the wreck is not a hazard to navigation, the location must still be marked on the chart.”
By now, Patterson was texting Simonis offscreen. She typed a “???” to which the commodore responded, “Their ASW charts must be worse than ours.”
Shi was still talking. “About six months ago, a large number of wrecks were added to those already present. If your pilots use the existing charts, they’ll discover that China’s coastal waters are full of submarines.”
Patterson was still trying to think of what to text Simonis when a message appeared from him: “WAPOBS.” She hadn’t seen that acronym before. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but it probably wasn’t polite.
It turned out Shi was just getting started. “It is also vital that Commodore Simonis inform us of the flight plans and positions of all aircraft as they enter the South China Sea aircraft identification zone…”
Patterson had to stop herself from groaning out loud. Ever since the end of the war, the Chinese had “reestablished” the “air defense zone” to help support their territorial claim to the entire South China Sea. It was pure posturing, and accomplished nothing.
She cut Shi off in midsentence. “General Shi, is it possible that you do not understand the threat posed by this submarine to your country?”
“Do you mean the threat by the Indians to send nuclear torpedoes into five of our largest coastal cities, incinerating millions of Chinese citizens? That threat?”
Shi paused, then declared, “We have no intention of letting you turn the South China Sea into an American lake, or letting Littoral Alliance and American vessels operate freely in our waters. One reason why I’m meeting with you at this late hour is that the Central Military Commission just finished holding an emergency meeting. We are putting our nuclear forces on wartime alert. A message has been sent to the Indian government stating that if a nuclear weapon destroys a Chinese city, India will lose a city of the same size. Ports first, of course, but…”
“This is insane!” Patterson shouted. “The submarine has gone rogue. The Indians have been broadcasting recall messages nonstop.”
“Maybe they haven’t been trying hard enough,” Shi replied in a condescending tone. “I know you’re convinced it’s gone rogue, and you’re trying to stop it. But aren’t you also taking advantage of a crisis created by the Indians to extend your influence in the region?
“Think about it, Dr. Patterson. The Littoral Alliance’s goal in the recent war was to wreck our economy. They couldn’t manage it then, so the Indians concocted this plot to finish the job. Because this will indeed wreck my nation, and if only millions died I’d think we were fortunate. But if millions of Chinese do die, then India will suffer just as dearly.”
“But they have no control over it!” Patterson insisted.
“That remains to be seen. A demarche was sent to the Indian government about an hour ago. Many of use believe the ‘rogue’ submarine will have a change of heart. They may even put the captain through some sort of show trial along with the rest of the ‘conspirators.’ Certainly a failed plan of this magnitude will require some housecleaning.”
“And if Chakra doesn’t turn around?”
“China will defend herself. If your ships and planes find and sink the Indian, that is good news and we will be genuinely grateful. But our navy commander has assured us that they are concentrating their defenses to protect our ports. Since those operations are happening inside our own territorial waters, there is no need to coordinate with your forces. As long as your ships and planes stay outside our territorial waters, you may do as you please.”
“The navigation aid on Wenwei Zhou Island bears green zero nine one degrees, ten kilometers. We are on track, recommend turning to zero five five degrees in thirty seconds. That will take us between the two marked channels.” Although Lieutenant Commander Kumar Rakash had taken over Jain’s duties as first officer, before that he’d been Chakra’s navigator, and Jain had insisted that he take over his old job for the actual approach to the firing position.
“What’s the distance to the wreck ahead of us?” Jain asked.
“Eight thousand, two hundred meters, bearing red zero two five,” Rakash responded instantly. “After the turn we will be opening the range. Mark the turn.”
“Starboard fifteen, steer new course zero five five degrees.” Now it began. Jain was nervous, and fought to keep his voice calm. Although they’d been warned to watch for signs of hostile activity, it appeared the Chinese were not expecting them. All he had to do was focus on the navigation. That was the only thing that could get him into trouble, but that was enough.