Chapter 56
Beijing
How can we lose contact with our own ship?” asked a disbelieving Zhang.
“The communications people don’t know what’s happened,” Wu admitted. “Captain Yong sent one message after they arrived on scene. He said there had been an incident. But he also gave assurances that he was personally leading a shore party to recover Chen and Sky Fire.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Nearly an hour. We’ve tried three different satellite channels, but none are able to connect.”
“An incident,” Zhang mused aloud. “Perhaps the Russians are interfering, or even the CIA.” Then he was struck by a more disturbing thought. “Could this be Chen? Might he be using Sky Fire to interrupt our communication links?”
Wu gave a speculative nod. “It is the kind of thing Sky Fire is capable of… so in theory, yes.”
“Then Yong will take possession of the device, and the interruption will end.”
“Not necessarily. We have provided Yong no instructions on how to operate the system. We simply told him to find the case and secure it on board. If Chen initiated an attack on our communications, it could be ongoing.” Wu hesitated, then added, “But I don’t think that is the case.”
“Why not?”
“Because we see a ping every time Chen activates Sky Fire. He can’t stop that, and we haven’t seen one in over an hour, which is roughly the time Snow Dragon 2 arrived on scene.”
Zhang slammed his fist on the table. The red handset rattled in its cradle.
He would not have any satellite imagery for another six hours, until the next Chinese satellite was overhead.
He was running blind, with no way to know if his nightmare was near an end.
Satellites, electronic pings, imagery. This new way of fighting, this digital warfare, was changing so fast he could barely keep up.
He longed for the days when state security had been simpler.
Neighbors ratting out neighbors. A few thugs at your side.
A midnight knock on the right door. How simple it had been then.
“Where are the Ice Wolves?” he demanded, forcing himself back on track.
Wu referenced a computer. “Their jet is still five hours away.”
Five hours, Zhang thought miserably. Until then, he had but one source to keep him abreast of what was happening in the high Arctic: Snow Dragon 2 and her worthless captain.
So where are they?