Page 136 of Never
‘Ask him what he plans to do about it.’
‘What are his options?’
‘He could propose a joint Chinese and North Korean attack force to re-take the Sangnam-ni base for the Pyongyang government in a lightning raid.’
Hare spoke again, uninvited. ‘Kang won’t go for that,’ he said dismissively.
Unfortunately, Pauline thought, he’s right. She said: ‘All right, Mr Hare, what can the Chinese president do, in your opinion?’
‘Nothing.’
‘And what makes you think that?’
‘I don’t think it, I know it. Anything the Chinese do will escalate the situation.’
‘Regardless of that, I’m going to ask him if there’s anything the United States or the international community can do that he would find helpful.’
Hare said: ‘So long as you first say: “I do not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of another country, but –” The Chinese are obsessive about that.’
Pauline did not need a lesson in diplomacy from him. ‘Mr Hare, I think we can let you go and get some sleep.’
‘Yeah, sure.’ Hare slouched to the door and went out.
Sophia said: ‘I apologize for his manners. No one likes him, but he’s too smart to fire.’
Pauline had no interest in discussing Hare. She said: ‘We need to make a decision about putting the US military on alert.’
Gus said: ‘Yes, ma’am. Right now everything is on DEFCON 5, normal readiness.’
‘We should raise that to DEFCON 4.’
‘Heightened intelligence watch and strengthened security measures.’
‘I don’t like doing this, because the media overreact, but in this instance it’s inevitable.’
‘I agree. And we may need to move South Korea up to DEFCON 3. Last time it was used in the US was on 9/11.’
‘Remind me, what’s the difference between four and three?’
‘Crucially, in DEFCON 3, the air force must be ready to mobilize in fifteen minutes.’
Jacqueline came back in. ‘The translators are in place, and we’re getting Chen on video.’
Pauline looked at her computer screen. ‘That’s quick.’
‘I guess he was expecting your call.’
Pauline scribbled notes on a pad:Sangnam-ni, nuclear, Special Operation Force, no arrests, regional stability, international stability, then there was a chime and Chen appeared. He was in his office, seated at a vast desk, with China’s red-and-yellow flag over his shoulder and a painting of the Great Wall behind him.
Pauline said: ‘Good day to you, Mr President, and thank you for taking my call.’
Through the interpreter he replied: ‘I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk to you.’
In informal situations Chen had chatted to Pauline in English quite comfortably, but in a conversation such as this they had to be absolutely sure they were not misunderstood.
Pauline said: ‘What’s going on in Sangnam-ni?’
‘I’m afraid an economic crisis has been caused by the American sanctions.’
