Red Tide, стр. 30

Lieutenant James Atworthy was unmoved. The orders he gave were identical to the ones Ryson would have given. “Activate ECM, fire flares, blow chaff and take evasive action.”

Ryson was standing rather than sitting. He felt the deck tilt under his feet as the wheel went over, and the helmsman began a series of random course changes, which might or might not be effective against the Chinese guidance systems.

There was no way to assess which defensive measures, or combination of measures, prevented the missiles from striking the Armindale. But one missile missed and the other exploded.

Meanwhile both of the Eucia’s diesels were producing maximum power as Atworthy hurried to close the distance with the enemy patrol boat. And Ryson knew why. Once the Armindale was within two or three miles of the C 14 its missiles would be ineffective.

And more than that, it was highly likely that the Chinese boat’s secondary armament consisted of little more than a machine gun. If so, the Eucia’s 25mm cannon would win the day.

But what if the C 14 was armed with torpedoes? They would be even more effective at close range. Atworthy was placing a very important bet. And one which he won since the catamaran wasn’t armed with torpedoes.

As the combatants came within range of each other’s guns it became clear that the Chinese skipper was no push over. He was, it seemed, keenly aware of the fact that his catamaran could literally run circles around the Armindale and proceeded to do so.

Muzzle flashes were visible as the heavy machine gun on the C 14’s bow began to chug. And only seconds passed before the slugs were striking the Eucia’s port side and stern. Ryson battled the desire to duck as shells hammered the port side of the Armindale’s superstructure but failed to penetrate the boat’s armor.

In the meantime, the Armindale’s 25mm cannon had nothing to shoot at, since it couldn’t be brought to bear. Maybe we could mount fifty caliber machine guns just aft of the superstructure, Ryson mused. Where they could defend our flanks and the stern.

Though less than perfect Atworthy had a solution for the problem. And that was to order the helmsman to put the wheel all the way over, and put one engine into reverse, causing the Eucia to rotate. That brought the bow cannon on target. And with some judicious help from the boat’s helmsman, the 25mm proceeded to pump shells into the C 14 at a rate of 100 rounds per minute.

There was a bright flash as the Chinese boat exploded, followed by a blast wave that caused the Eucia to shudder, and cheers from the CIC. “Well done,” Ryson said over the intercom. “The first round of beers will be on me.”

The announcement triggered even more cheers. But Ryson’s thoughts were elsewhere. The Armindale’s crew was first rate. But their boat was badly outgunned. And God help any Armindale that made contact with a frigate or a destroyer—never mind the Sea Dragon. Something would have to be done.

***

The Chaoyang Park neighborhood, Beijing, China

The 18^th century Spring Palace was located in what was considered to be the wealthiest section of the capital, on the periphery of the sprawling green area for which it was known. Chaoyang Park residents were typically rich. And President Enlai was no exception. He was a billionaire who, in spite of the war, had assets hidden within some of the countries China was at war with.

The Chinese government seized the Spring Palace immediately after the American owner left the country at the beginning of the war. Enlai purchased it shortly thereafter for the token price of 100,000.00 USD. And, as the morning sun inched higher in the sky, the president was standing at the exact center of the beautifully appointed central courtyard preparing for his morning workout.

After bowing to each direction of the compass, Enlai began the highly ritualized series of moves taught to him by a Jian (Sword) master during his youth. Some said that practicing with such an outdated weapon was silly. But they missed the point. Sword fighting was about focus, harmony, and strength. Glints of sunlight reflected off the narrow double-edged sword as it rose, fell, and cut the air.

In fact, Enlai was so engrossed with his workout that he was oblivious to the real-world battle occurring all around him. Premier Lau and his loyalists had spent years infiltrating the ranks of Enlai’s household retainers and security detail with members of the PAP (The People’s Armed Police). And that effort was paying off.

Even though Lau’s agents represented only a small fraction of the president’s staff, they had the advantage of surprise. Enlai’s wife and children were the first to die, immediately followed by the members of his security detail who happened to be on duty.

It wasn’t until Enlai completed his highly stylized series of moves, and returned the sword to the resting position, that he sensed something was wrong. But what?

Enlai turned a slow 360. His bodyguards, all four of them, had been replaced by men wearing black hoods. They were armed with suppressed weapons and stood like statues.

Enlai felt a terrible sickness enter his stomach as Li Lau appeared from the shadows. The Premier made a show of looking around. “No matter how splendid this is, it represents only a tiny fraction of your wealth, much of which is hidden abroad.

“The Chinese people will be treated to a video tour later today, along with photos of your other homes, and documents listing your foreign investments. Some of which are making large sums of money manufacturing weapons used to kill our soldiers.”

In seconds everything Enlai had worked so hard for, and hoped for, had come crashing down. “And my family?”

“All dead. Slaughtered by you before you committed suicide.”

“But I didn’t …”

Enlai dropped the sword as a bullet hit his head. His body fell on top of it.