Bird Dog glanced around at the carefully-turned-away faces on the bridge. “Could we continue this discussion in your conference room, sir?”
“What for? As far as I can see, there’s nothing to discuss.”
“Beg to differ. In fact, we ought to convene the whole group, plus one.”
“And who might that be?”
“Dr. Alonzo George.”
“Matthew,” McIntyre said. His face was pale. Then it grew serene, and he leaned back in his chair. The room was a study of some kind, furnished like an old English den in dark paneling and ornate furniture. Lots of books. A computer console on the desk.
Without even looking at the rifle, he shook his head and smiled. “Good work. You truly are your father’s son.”
“And my uncle’s nephew.” Tombstone moved farther into the room. “Speaking of my uncle, I don’t think he’d approve of what you’re doing.”
“So you’ve figured it out, have you?”
“Enough of it. You’re behind this whole thing; the attacks on both Chinese and Americans, all of it. You’re trying to push America and China into war.”
“What exactly gave me away?”
“I spotted the UAVs parked in your little hangar. Then I remembered that McIntyre Engineering components figured heavily in the UAV that attacked me back in Maryland. I can do simple arithmetic — like two-plus-two. Combine that with the fact that you’re still alive, and it’s pretty clear you must be up to something no good.”
“I’m sorry about that incident in Maryland, Matthew. I truly am.”
“Because you tried to kill me, or because you didn’t succeed?”
“In point of fact, I didn’t try to kill you. One of my associates did.”
“Meaning you weren’t actually there. But you ordered the hit.”
“It was a necessary part of a larger plan. If it matters to you, I was elated when I heard you’d survived… even though I was hoping to lure your uncle here to investigate your death.”
“Uncle Thomas was going to be your hostage?”
“No offense, but his rank is higher than yours.”
Tombstone shook his head. “How many people have you got in your pocket?”
“Thousands. Politicians and military personnel on both sides, at all levels of rank and experience. Ordinary citizens. Businesspeople.”
“Anyone on Jefferson?”
“Naturally. More than one, in fact.”
“My God.”
“You probably won’t believe this,” McIntyre said, “but I’m doing all this for my country. The same as you.”
“For your country,” Tombstone said. “You had dozens of Americans massacred at sea. Shot others out of the sky in cold blood. Tried to start a war that will cost hundreds of thousands of lives if it gets rolling. You’re right. I don’t believe you.”
“That’s because you’re taking the short-term view. That’s a common Western failing, in both business and politics, and it’s the one that’s getting us beaten. It’s necessary to think long-term, to plan carefully far into the future.”
“I still don’t understand how you think starting a war with China is going to benefit the United States.”
McIntyre made a face. “You’re deliberately missing the point. It’s not about all-out war. It’s about fighting, and winning, a localized war, with a specific goaclass="underline" The liberation of Hong Kong.”
“Hong Kong is part of China, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“But it doesn’t have to be. Wasn’t for most of the past century and a half. And during all that time, no matter what was happening to mainland China, Hong Kong always prospered.”
“And still is.”
“But it’s faltering. The PRC is taking advantage of capitalism in Hong Kong, but that won’t last. In the end, they won’t be able to keep their hands off. In fact, that’s already starting. Bit by bit, the PRC will kill the financial engine of Hong Kong, to the detriment of the rest of the world — including America.”
“So what are you saying? You want the United States to conquer Hong Kong and claim it as a possession, the way the British did?”
“Exactly.”
“Why not push the British to do it, then?”
“Please. China isn’t Argentina. We’re talking about the largest military the world has ever known — and it’s getting stronger all the time. Hong Kong is a big contributor to that growth, because the PRC uses Hong Kong business to generate billions of dollars, and to get access to otherwise forbidden technology.”
“Like UAVs.”
“That’s another reason I did all this, Matthew. What better way to draw attention to the utility and inevitability of combat UAVs than to spring them on the Pentagon in actual battle? How would you like for the Chinese to acquire that technology instead of us?”
“The fact that McIntyre Engineering International happens to be able to build most of the components in a UAV has nothing to do with it?”
“Obviously my company would benefit, monetarily, from American UAV construction. But America would benefit, too, and isn’t that what it’s all about? Democracy and capitalism working together, hand in hand?”
“Not when it comes to manipulating politics through terrorism, no.”
For the first time, McIntyre’s face lost its composure. “How can you not understand? We’re talking about an initial sacrifice of a few thousand people in order to preserve millions!”
“Of dollars, or people?”
“Both! My god, Matt, even the PRC realizes the two are connected! If the Chinese aren’t stopped now, they’ll soon have not only the biggest military in the world, but the best. The best weapons, the best delivery systems, the best aircraft and ships and radar and sonar. Who will stop them then?”
“So let me get this straight: You’re starting a war in order to prevent a war. Is that it?”
“That’s exactly it. When it comes right down to it, the PRC will allow America to take control of Hong Kong. They won’t dare fight over it too hard, for fear of destroying the very thing they need most.”
“That’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard,” Coyote said. There was a bandage on his forehead where he’d been cut by flying glass.
Before Bird Dog could respond, Batman turned to his right and said, “Dr. George? Do you agree?”
“That the idea is crazy? Depends on your ship. Looks like she took some damage, so…”
“Jefferson can be made ready.”
“Well, then you’ll be fine. Might get some kids in the infirmary with bad seasickness before it’s over, but other than that you should be fine.”
Batman nodded and turned to Lab Rat. “Your thoughts, Commander?”
“I think it’s just harebrained enough to work.”
“Then let’s get started. COS, notify the fighters in the air what to do. I’m going to address the crew.”
“Unbelievable,” came the mutter over ICS. “They want us to fly through the hurricane?”
“People do it all the time,” Hot Rock said, watching his radar, carefully maintaining the interval with the other fighters of the air wing. Nineteen had survived the Chinese assault — better than half. Considering the original odds, that was remarkably fine. So far, all but two had even managed to get a drink from the Texaco. “Stormchasers, they’re called. The trick is to fly with the wind, like we’re doing now. It’s a little rocky, but nothing we can’t handle. And this is a typhoon, by the way. Not a hurricane.”