Catalyst (Breakthrough Book 3)(31)

Carr stared intently at his Naval Chief. “Okay, let’s assume it is. Tell me, Admiral, how exactly does your recommended response differ now that it’s the Chinese and not the Russians?”

The question was like a dagger through Collier’s argument. There was no difference, and everyone at the table knew it.

“I hope I’m not the only one at the table that remembers our foreign policy with China is different than with Russia.”

Collier took a deep breath. “Mr. President, may I point out that the relationship between Russia and China continues to grow stronger by the day? It won’t be long before there is no difference in our policies.”

“Except being twice as big,” Miller smirked.

Collier slapped the table. “Which only underscores the need to respond now.”

Johnston nodded his head. “Agreed. The last thing we need is this turning into another mess.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?!” responded Miller in a raised voice. “One counter response after another, until we’re on the brink of war. Where do you think this leads if this time we start with a counterattack?!”

“Please,” Collier scoffed, “this is different. The Chinese have screwed up and they know it. They’ll back down when everyone else knows it too.”

“And what if they don’t?” asked Carr. “What if they raise the stakes instead? The Russians didn’t back down and we had all of Europe behind us. What if the Chinese don’t admit responsibility or back down? Are you suggesting we fight two wars?”

“I’m suggesting we won’t have to.”

Listening from the giant screen at the other end of the table, the Air Force Chief shook his head. “Trying to predict the actions of the Chinese is damn dangerous. We’ve been wrong before, and more than once.”

Collier looked up at the screen. “There’s a big difference between predicting monetary policy and military strategy, General.”

“Is there?” Langford asked.

“You’re kidding, right?”

Langford stared back at Collier. “I don’t think we’re in a position to predict anything the Chinese might do.” He turned toward Carr. “With all due respect, Mr. President, I think we’re losing sight here.”

“Explain.”

“We’re thinking almost exclusively in terms of retaliation. But I think we would be better served to think more about their intent. Remember, their Corvette ship was trying to leave port and we were about to ram the damn thing. But it’s likely the Corvette couldn’t have done anything even if it wanted to. Their hidden sub fired on the Bowditch defensively. If it were an offensive attack, they could have done it sooner, not at the last second. But they were there to make sure the Corvette warship made it out in one piece because of what it was carrying.”

Langford paused, making eye contact with everyone. “In fact, I’m not convinced they intended to attack the Bowditch until they had no choice. And if that’s true, this posturing is going to get us nowhere. It’s a sideshow with our only options being more dangerous escalations.”

Langford continued. “What this is really about is that cargo. We already know what was in those plants. So unless the Chinese intended to attack all along, it was simply the value of their cargo that left them no choice but to fight their way out. The fact that their sub hadn’t moved means they were prepared for more than one scenario.”

“What are you suggesting, Admiral?” asked Collier. “To ignore the fact they destroyed our ship and killed a fifth of its crew?”

“What I’m suggesting is we may very well find our counterattack provokes them into an ever-increasing escalation that they never had any interest in pursuing. And in the meantime, while we prepare to burn our resources to show the world who’s mightier, they are quietly sending over a dozen vessels into the Atlantic to search for anything left of those plants. In other words, our sabre rattling may simply end up providing them the opportunity they need to keep us busy. While they recover what was clearly important enough to start a fight over in the first place.”

Carr looked at him pensively. “You’re suggesting we go after it ourselves.”

“Correct.”

“Even though we’re still not sure why they sank their own ship only hours after escaping from Georgetown.”

“I’m not sure it matters, Mr. President.”

The President raised an eyebrow.

“Cleary something went wrong. Whether it’s a coup within their government or just a catastrophic mistake, it’s crystal clear what they really care about.”