We were all intrigued. “And…” I said.
“He has a supply of neodymium lined up but it is expensive for him. Your offer reduces his cost to a fraction of what it would be. As soon as you made your offer on the neodymium he told his associate to cancel the other order because this would be a quarter of the cost. Eric Chang is more than the Premier of this region of China. My guess is that he is well connected to the new power structure in China. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him as one of the top six people in the new government.”
“So he knew he was going to need neodymium before we got here with the new generator?” Ed asked.
“He certainly did,” Saltzman replied. “He probably has a number of his people in the States reporting back to him. After your success in recovering the nuclear reactor in Phoenix, I’m willing to bet it didn’t take more than a few hours and Eric Chang knew what had happened. The repairs to the super magnet factory didn’t happen by accident. He knew he had to be ready to make super magnets on a large scale. The location of the magnet factory and the nuclear power plant can’t be a coincidence. This site was selected well before John got a request for help.”
“This sounds very well planned out,” Tia said.
“With China, it always is,” Saltzman replied. “The leadership of China doesn’t do anything unless it fits within their hundred year plan.”
“Hundred year plan?” I commented. “I thought long range planning was five years.”
“Totally different mindset,” Saltzman replied. “Whenever you deal with China, look at how what they want would fit into the future of China in a hundred years. That will give you a better perspective.”
When we arrived back in Denver we met with John. We brought him up to date on the developments in China and what Eric Chang knew.
“However you cut it,” Saltzman said, “China is going to be a very powerful driving force in the new world. You’ve done well in starting a friendship with Eric Chang. Just be aware of how you fit into China’s plans for the future.”
“Thank you,” John said, “and what about this three month delivery date for the neodymium?”
Saltzman smiled. “The Navy will assist in hauling cargo until you can get freighters rebuilt and functioning with your new generators. We have spoken with the submarine captains from Great Britain and Russia and are currently speaking with the navy of China. The navies of the world are cooperating and have formed an alliance. We will provide security to all nations and will use our combined military power to prevent aggression on the part of any nation in the world. What we ask in return is that you grant us control of all of our naval bases in this country and treat them as diplomatic property belonging to another world power. We also require that no army be formed except as a police force to keep the peace inside the country. We will not allow any nation to gather a military force large enough to be used against another nation. In exchange for our protection and shipping services, we also ask that you provide us with supplies and generators and allow sailors from the United States to have leave in cities where we have naval bases. We will work out currency issues as we go along. In principle, is this kind of arrangement agreeable to you?”
“It is,” John said.
“Good,” Saltzman said, “I will let my commanders know. I will be acting as your liaison with the World Navy and will require a building here in Denver controlled by us for use as an embassy. Is that also agreeable?”
“Yes,” John said.
“Excellent,” Saltzman replied. “I just have one question. How did you know about the communications with the submarine fleet when you sent out your radio message to us?”
John smiled. “Would you also share your encrypting system with us?”
Saltzman smiled in return. “Of course not.”
“Then I believe it is proper that we each retain some information as secret,” John replied.
“We can accept that,” Saltzman said.
“Now that we’re this far along in our relationship,” John said, “can we provide transportation for your support team presently up on Snyder’s Ridge? I wouldn’t want them to have to walk back home.”
Saltzman seemed ruffled but recovered quickly. “We take care of our own,” he said. “How did you know about them?”
“Same way we knew about the ELF transmissions to your submarines,” John replied. “I just want to make sure we are starting out on an equal footing here.”
“Of course,” Saltzman said. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Of course you wouldn’t,” John replied. “Neither would we.”
We all stood and shook hands and Saltzman left.
“So what do you think?” I asked John.
“It’s a new world alright,” he replied. “And the players are starting to claim their territory. We now have a world navy in control of the oceans and seas. They will probably want to regulate shipping and fishing. We’ll have to see how that shakes out in the future.”
“And for now?” I asked.
“For now we are recognized as the de facto government of America.”
“And we have deliveries to make to other countries, and hopefully to new allies,” I said.
“Better get to it,” he said.
CHAPTER 32
For the last month General Strom and the DIA had been surfacing in my mind. I had a feeling I had to check in with the robot’s head privately, so after dinner I made my excuses and entered the robot’s communications room alone.
“Andy, I’m alone, you have something for me?”
Yes guardian. We have detected encrypted burst transmissions that appear to involve you and your safety.
“It sounds like you were able to break the encryption. What’s going on?”
There is a covert team not far from your location with orders to capture you and bring you out of the country.
“Any idea who is behind this operation?”
Yes, guardian. The person commanding this covert team is a General Strom. We also believe he was responsible for an armed unit that tried to locate the cave here in Tibet.
“And you believe he will use me to locate the cave?”
Yes, guardian. We have a suggestion…
I explained to Ed what I needed to do. I didn’t really want to do this, but the risk to Tia and John was just too great.
“Are you sure this is how you want to handle it?” Ed asked. “I could go with you.”
“They would kill you before you had a chance to do anything. This is the only way I know of to keep you, John and Tia safe. This is my fight. It’s something I need to do by myself.”
Ed thought briefly. “Okay,” he said, “remember this; your life may depend on it. Fight from inner peace, not anger or fear. Emotions will blind you. Stay calm and you will see what you need to do.”
I stepped outside the residence building where John’s key people were housed. The armed guard looked at me and smiled in recognition.
“Just need some fresh air,” I said.
“Don’t go too far, sir,” he replied. I gave him a mock salute and walked away. A light drizzle was falling as night quietly settled in. I didn’t want anyone to get killed on my account. Because of the medallion and the abilities awakened within me I knew they were coming tonight. I was also reasonably certain where they would be. As I walked in that direction my heart was pounding in my chest and all of the feelings of insecurity were flooding back into my mind. This was insane. I should be running to hide instead of walking into the hands of the people who sent me to prison and the hell I endured there. What they didn’t know was that I had grown and become stronger than they might imagine, and that I had a friend where they were taking me. This is what I had to do to finally end the nightmare that had been my life under their control. That’s when I felt the sting in my back.