“It learns, General,” Colonel Hsu observed. “Every contact improves its database.”
“Exactly,” Jodi confirmed. “In five days, our units have cataloged over three thousand vessel signatures. They know what belongs and what doesn’t.”
An alarm chimed, signaling a real-time alert. Jodi’s fingers flew over controls.
“What is it?” Han demanded.
“It’s another cyber probe against our firewall. Let me check its origin… ah, of course, ATP1 — Shanghai,” explained Jodi. Lines of code scrolled across a side screen. “It’s Unit 61398, 2nd Bureau, from the PLA Strategic Support Force. It’s the same hacker teams constantly probing the US Pentagon back home.”
Colonel Hsu’s team scrambled to respond, but Jodi remained calm. “Watch as the AI handles it with Colonel Hsu’s team,” she directed.
The Lattice system visualized the attack — red tendrils probing for vulnerabilities. Blue defensive protocols activated, adapting in real-time. Within seconds, the probe was isolated, analyzed, and rejected.
“Each time they attempt to hack our systems, the attack pattern’s been cataloged,” Jodi explained. “Next time, Lattice will recognize it in nanoseconds. Like antibodies learning diseases.”
Vice Admiral Lo studied the defense. “Impressive. But what about physical attacks? Jamming, EMP?”
“Distributed architecture,” Jodi replied. “Destroy our satellite links, the mesh network continues. Jam radio frequencies, fiber optics take over. EMP a command node, decision-making distributes to surviving units. We’ve built redundancy into redundancy.”
She activated another display. “Let’s run drill alpha-seven. Simulated saturation attack on Taiwan.”
The hologram exploded with threats. Two hundred ballistic missiles arced from mainland launch sites. Cruise missiles hugged wave tops. Aircraft swarmed from multiple vectors.
“Traditional defense would require human controllers to prioritize, assign, and engage,” Jodi narrated. “Reaction time: minutes. Reaction time using the Lattice AI…”
The AI had already begun responding before she finished speaking. Tien Kung III batteries swiveled, tracking priorities. Naval units adjusted positions. Autonomous systems prepared to engage low-altitude threats, while Patriot batteries engaged cruise and ballistic missile threats.
“Seven milliseconds,” she finished. “Human-like decision-making at machine processing rates.”
The simulation played out. Interceptors launched in perfect sequence. USVs engaged sea-skimming missiles. Electronic warfare systems activated, spoofing and jamming. The massive attack whittled down to manageable numbers.
“Eighty-seven percent interception rate,” Jodi reported. “Compared to sixty-two percent with traditional command and control.”
Admiral Han stood slowly, approaching the hologram. His fingers passed through a glowing icon representing a Seeker patrol. “In my career, I’ve seen warfare evolve from guns to missiles to networks. Now you bring us thinking weapons.”
“Is that acceptance, Admiral?”
Han turned to face her. “My great-grandfather fought the Japanese with bamboo spears. My father faced Communist gunboats with American destroyers. Each generation gets the weapons it needs.” He paused. “Before I sign off on final delivery of this, show me more.”
Jodi suppressed a smile. The hard part was over; he’d accepted the system. “Sure. Let’s discuss integration with your existing systems.”
She pulled up Taiwan’s defense architecture. The Po Sheng C4ISR network appeared as a neural web connecting bases, radars, and command centers.
“Lattice AI doesn’t replace the Po Sheng system you have,” she explained. “It enhances it. Think of Po Sheng as your nervous system, Lattice as reflexes. Conscious thought when you have time, instant reaction when you don’t.”
“And the Americans?” General Hsu asked pointedly. “Does this tie us to their systems?”
A delicate question. Jodi chose her words carefully. “Lattice AI can operate independently or integrate with allied networks. If US Seventh Fleet intervenes, we can share targeting data instantly. If not, you retain full autonomous capability.”
“Convenient flexibility,” Lo observed.
“Realistic flexibility,” Jodi countered. “We’ve learned from Ukraine. Allies help, but self-reliance wins.”
Another alert. This time, Jodi’s expression sharpened. “Admiral, we have acoustic detection. Three contacts, bearing two-seven-zero, range forty kilometers from Penghu.”
The room tensed. Han stepped to the command position. “Classification?”
Data flowed across screens. The AI analyzed patterns, compared signatures. “PLA Navy Type 093 attack submarines. Hull numbers five-zero-seven, five-one-one, unknown third. Depth two hundred meters, speed eight knots, heading one-eight-zero.”
“They’re probing our defenses. Getting in position for tomorrow,” Lo stated.
“Interesting development. What are our options?” Han asked Jodi.
“Currently, twelve Seekers are within intercept range. Your submarines Hai Lung and Hai Hu are sixty kilometers northeast, too far for immediate response. We can maintain passive tracking or…”
“Or?” asked Admiral Han.
Jodi stared at the admiral, debating if she should say what was on her mind. “Or we could demonstrate a capability they don’t believe you have. I could have the Seekers ping them. Ring their bell, and let ’em know we see them — and they’re alive because we let them be.”
Han considered. Around him, staff officers waited. The weight of decision hung in the air.
“Let’s hold off. I don’t want to tip our hand just yet. I want this to be a surprise should it come to that.”
As the final presentation came to an end, Marcus Harrington, who had been listening from the TSG headquarters in Virginia, chimed in.
“Admiral Han,” Harrington began without preamble. “I trust you are happy with the system and capabilities of our products?”
“Mr. Harrington,” replied Han. “Your weapons are as advertised, and you delivered on time.”
“Excellent. Good to hear, Admiral Han. Jodi, are you ready for phase authorization to pass control of the systems to the Armed Forces of the Republic of China?”
She glanced at Han, who nodded. “Yes, sir. They are ready to take final control of the system.”
Harrington’s expression sobered. “OK. Admiral Han, when we give you full activation, that means the AI can engage independently if you authorize it. If Taiwan comes under attack, it will respond according to its programming. There are no take-backs, no abort codes once you set it. The genie stays out of the bottle.”
“We understand, Mr. Harrington,” Han answered. “Tomorrow, Beijing begins their ‘customs inspections.’ We’ll need every advantage if they decide to take this kinetic.”
“Very well.” Harrington entered his authorization code. “May God help us all. Lattice AI, offensive protocols authorized. Authentication codes have been transmitted to your secure email.”
The holographic display shifted. Blue defensive icons turned amber — armed and ready. Status boards showed weapons systems transitioning from safe to standby.
“It’s done,” Jodi announced. “Four hundred seventeen autonomous weapons now stand ready. Admiral, you command the most lethal naval defense network in the Pacific.”
Han studied the display, watching his mechanical fleet patrol. “We’re not just defending anymore,” he said quietly. “We’re hunting.”
As if in response to his words, another alert sounded. This time, they were being notified of a priority intelligence report from Chao Ming-hsien, the head of their intelligence agency.
Chao’s face appeared on one of the monitors. “Admiral, we are receiving a flash message from the American INDOPACOM liaison in Hawaii. They are reporting an increase in ships from the PLA Eastern Theater Fleet, preparing to depart the Ningbo Naval Base. They estimate a force of around thirty-six surface combatants, and an unknown number of submarines are preparing to head south, toward us.”