Force is better than theirs, Leader,” Wu said. “Unfortunately, the Great Plains is a vast region. At times, the Americans gain local air superiority and inflict unprecedented damage to our soldiers. Our tac-lasers and mobile SAMs are priority targets for the enemy. We have fewer than needed. With the northern movement of our MC ABMs we could create tighter air-defense umbrellas.”
“Why haven’t you already moved them then?” Hong asked querulously.
Marshal Wu appeared surprised, but recovered quickly, bowing his head. “The Army has followed your directive, Leader: Number 17. We have heavily defended our rear areas where the excess munitions and fuel await shipment to the front. I believe the time may have arrived to move our air-defense net closer to the front. Because of the directive, I need your personal permission to move them.”
Chairman Hong snapped his fingers. “These… ABMs protect the supply bases from nuclear assault?”
“That is correct, Leader,” Wu said.
“I know it is correct. I just said so. Do not presume on your advanced age, Marshal.”
Once again, Wu bowed his head.
“Hmm,” Hong said, staring at the Marshal, “we should move a portion of the air-shield north. Very well, you may move twenty percent of the mobile ABMs north.”
Marshal Wu hesitated.
“You are beginning to annoy me, Army Minister. Do you think that an insufficient number?”
“By no means, Leader,” Wu said. “Twenty percent is an ideal amount. My surprise shows my ignorance. I wondered how you had arrived at the perfect percentage without examining any notes. I’d forgotten for a moment who I dealt with. You are, after all, Leader, the man who taught Marshal Nung his trade during the Arctic campaign. When it comes to military strategy, you have no peer.”
“My predecessor was also a military genius,” Hong said, sounding mollified. “I’ve begun to think it is a prerequisite for the exalted post.”
“Twenty percent of the MC ABMs,” Marshal Wu muttered. He wrote on a notepad.
“Leader,” Xiao Yang said. “One of my Guardian Inspectors has uncovered what may be the Americans’ most devious military surprise to date.”
“Indeed,” Hong said. “This sounds interesting. Tell us.”
“I wonder if perhaps you would prefer to hear it from the inspector herself.”
Hong look up at Shun Li. “Do you mean your twitcher?”
“What she lacks in decorum she makes up for in her agile mind,” Xiao Yang said.
Hong frowned at Shun Li. “I find this difficult to believe. She has a broad face like a peasant and lacks manners. Still…Sometimes a peasant proves to be cunning. Very well, old friend, let your twitching Guardian Inspector make her report.”
The Police Minister beckoned Shun Li to approach the golden conference table.
Fear curdled in her stomach. The Chairman was already predisposed against her. Worse, she’d heavily altered the report. She could only imagine what would happen if Chairman Hong learned the truth. She would die, likely in a hideous manner. If she could have repented of the report, she would have. Yet she could also imagine that admitting to forgery would end in heinous death. She had no alternative but to stick to her story and hope for the best.
“We don’t have all day,” Hong said. “If you take too long, Marshal Wu will fall asleep.”
There were polite chuckles from the ministers, including the old Marshal.
Shun Li wished she’d seen other aides give reports. She had no idea how to stand, speak—anything.
She reached the edge of the table, bowed her head to Chairman Hong and then stood at the same ramrod attention as she’d practiced in the Police Minister’s chamber.
“Illustrious Chairman Hong,” she began, staring into an unseen point in space, “I have read various reports indicating the Americans hid a secret in Denver, Colorado.”
“The mountain city?” Hong asked.
“Yes, Chairman Hong,” Shun Li said. “The Americans refer to it as the Mile High City. I read reports that made me suspicious, and I began to hunt down this secret, working from the slenderest of threads.”
“Do not puff yourself up in my presence,” Hong said.
Shun Li’s knees almost gave way so the fabric of her pants moved, but she didn’t sway. She found it difficult to speak.
“Continue,” Hong said. “Quit wasting our time.”
“Yes, Chairman Hong. I’m sorry.”
“Enough!” Hong complained to Xiao Yang. “Why doesn’t she get to the point?”
“Guardian Inspector,” Xiao Yang said in a stern voice. “You are embarrassing East Lightning by this crude performance and you waste the Leader’s valuable time. That is not permitted.”
Shun Li held herself rigid. It felt as if she was floating, a specimen before these dangerous old men. She needed to speak