“Do we?” Deng answered as he moved to the window, staring into the storm. “Or are we simply pretending to control the forces beyond human grasp?”
A flash of lightning illuminated the garden outside the window as Deng’s voice grew softer. “Once first blood spills, Tao, control becomes an illusion. Follow your orders. Ensure your squadron does its job and brings us a swift victory before this plan has a chance to spiral out of control into something we’ll regret.”
Shen nodded soberly. “The rules of engagement practically guarantee—”
“Do not open this unless the situation demands it,” Deng interrupted, handing Shen a sealed envelope from his desk safe. “It carries my personal authority. I trust you, Tao. Use your judgment over Beijing’s. If you receive orders that endanger your survival, your crew’s, perhaps the world’s — don’t hesitate to use this letter. I’m giving you the freedom to act wisely in a time of chaos.”
Shen accepted the envelope; the weight of it felt beyond its paper and wax. “Of course. If I may, what does this letter say?”
“It says whatever you need it to say to cover and authorize whatever action you deemed necessary to take to ensure the survival of yourself, your crew, and our world, if necessary.” Deng’s eyes met Shen’s with profound trust.
The sound of thunder crashed once more, close and violent as the windows shook.
“We’re manipulating forces we barely understand,” Deng continued softly. “Beijing sees opportunity. Moscow sees necessity. Washington sees threat. But no one sees the full picture.”
He displayed a final map — global trade routes, populations, and critical infrastructure. “A conflict over Taiwan doesn’t remain local. NATO responds, India and Pakistan destabilize, Korea moves opportunistically. The system unravels.”
“Huh. Yeah, no pressure or anything,” Shen remarked quietly.
Deng smiled faintly. “Command is always pressure. Either we direct it, or it directs us.”
As Shen prepared to leave. Deng escorted him to the door, handing him an umbrella — an empty gesture amid the storm’s fury.
“Tao, in the coming days, expect the unpredictable,” Deng warned.
Shen nodded, then stepped into the chaos of the storm, rain pelting sideways, nature asserting its dominance. He hesitated at the threshold. “Admiral, if escalation spirals—”
“Then we’ll answer the defining question of our time,” Deng responded solemnly. “Does humanity control its tools, or do they control us?”
Lightning split the heavens, illuminating a landscape of fury. Shen saw with stark clarity the perilous brink they stood upon.
He hurried to his car, rain drenching him instantly. Inside, he clutched Deng’s envelope tightly, a lifeline against potential catastrophe. The sound of thunder rolled ominously across Yulin Naval Base. In thirty days, their meticulously planned trap would be sprung. God help them all when it was.
Chapter Nineteen:
Yanks Are Coming
When the secure video from NATO headquarters in Mons, Belgium, disconnected, General Michael Claesson, Chief of Defense, turned to face the heads of the Army, Major General Johan Hallberg; Air Force, Major General Bengt Wilkson; and Navy, Rear Admiral Patrik Nilsson. His aide brought up an interactive map of the island of Gotland for them to discuss. Highlighted on the map was the main city of Visby along with the port and airfield. To the south lay Tofta Barracks and the accompanying Tofta Range, home of the Gotland Regiment P18 and the 32nd Home Guard Battalion, the Gotland Grönt Centrum in Roma, and key road networks that connected the island.
General Claesson cleared his throat. “Generals, I hope this talk with Secretary-General Stubb and SACEUR General Calder helps to assure you that Sweden, along with Finland and our Baltic cousins, will not be left alone in the face of this enormous exercise occurring in Belarus and throughout the Leningrad Oblast — especially in light of recent developments.”
Claesson paused, his voice growing more measured. “As we were on the call, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qiao Wenli, formally announced from Kaliningrad the commissioning of a new military facility. They’re calling it the ‘Northern Hawk Airfield’ — it’s that old Soviet base, Chernyakhovsk. This new facility is now jointly operated by the PLA Air Force and the Russian Federation. Hours later, Minister Qiao traveled to Baltiysk to officially commission what they’re calling the ‘Kaliningrad Special Logistics Zone.’”
Rear Admiral Nilsson leaned forward. “A logistics zone? That’s their cover story?”
Claesson nodded grimly. “Precisely. But it’s what’s behind that facade that concerns us. The PLA Navy announced the establishment of Task Group Changfeng-21, officially designated as the PLA Baltic Fleet Detachment. Their stated purpose is to ensure safe passage for Chinese and EDEP vessels through the Baltic Sea. This fleet is formidable, Admiral. We are talking about guided-missile destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, and even an amphibious assault capability. More alarming, they’ve openly stated this move is designed to prevent what they call ‘future disasters like the Gotland incident,’ a clear reference to the confrontation we had off our own coast.”
Hallberg shifted uneasily. “What about ground forces?”
“Minister Qiao also confirmed that ground units participating in their EDEP-Defender exercise will remain permanently stationed in Kaliningrad. We’re talking heavy armor, mechanized infantry, attack helicopters, and significant air-defense capabilities.”
Major General Wilkson exhaled, shaking his head. “This changes the security equation in the Baltic region completely. With their most advanced fighter and ISR aircraft based less than three hundred kilometers from our shores…”
“Exactly,” Claesson affirmed sharply. “We must calibrate our responses carefully, bolstering Gotland’s defenses without handing Moscow or Beijing a pretext for escalation. NATO has committed the American 2-503rd Infantry Regiment and enhanced anti-aircraft and missile defense assets to Gotland precisely for this reason. I expect each of you to ensure your branches are prepared, vigilant, but disciplined. We will maintain readiness without provoking unnecessary tensions.”
He surveyed each officer deliberately. “The strategic balance is shifting beneath our feet. Our job now is to make certain Sweden remains firmly anchored. Coordinate closely, plan carefully, and keep me apprised.”
General Claesson then turned directly toward Colonel Anders Lindqvist, commander of the Gotland Regiment.
“Colonel Lindqvist, the Americans are already on the island with their advance party, but as you know, they’ve deployed only Bravo Company of the 2-503rd Infantry Regiment to Gotland. Alpha and Charlie Companies are currently slated for basing at the naval facility near Stockholm, with Delta Company near the submarine base at Muskö. Given Minister Qiao’s latest announcement and the sheer scale of the Chinese deployment in Kaliningrad, what’s your assessment?”
Lindqvist straightened, his expression serious. “General, frankly speaking, one American company — regardless of its capabilities — will barely be enough to protect the Patriot and HIMARS batteries. With the Chinese now openly basing a significant force just across the sea, I strongly recommend you press NATO to deploy the entire battalion here, or at the very least, one or two additional companies. If we’re to credibly cover island-wide security, countersabotage patrols, and rapid responses to potential infiltration, I’ll need more soldiers and more equipment than we currently have.”