Blacksnow Zero by Lee Gimenez

Author:Lee Gimenez [Gimenez, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578691596
Publisher: River Ridge Press
Published: 2020-06-15T22:00:00+00:00

10 Days to Zero Hour

Beijing, China

General Chang sipped whiskey as he reviewed reports in his office. It was mid-day and his stomach was growling with hunger. But lunch would have to wait. With everything going on with the Americans, he had been neglecting his other military duties. Reviewing the status reports on Chinese tank readiness along the Russian-Chinese border was important and he vowed to finish it today.

The intercom on his desk buzzed and he heard Captain Lin’s voice. “Sir, the President of the United States is calling on the video link. Should I put him through?”

Chang’s heart began to race. He’d been calling the man for weeks and had yet to hear back. But now he was calling back. A good sign. Maybe things could get back to the ‘old normal’.

He swept the reports to one side of his desk. “Yes, Lin, put him through.” He glanced down at his crisply starched uniform and adjusted the military ribbons on his jacket. Then he turned on the secure line monitor.

The monitor came to life and seconds later President Taylor’s face filled the screen. Although he had seen the U.S. leader in many news clips, it was never in such a tight close-up. The man’s heavy jowls hung from his corpulent face.

“Mr. President,” the general said, “I am glad you called.”

“General Chang,” the president replied, his voice warm and soothing. “I have to apologize for not getting back to you sooner. As you can imagine, things here in Washington have been hectic, to say the least.”

“Understandable, Mr. President.” Chang wanted to scream at the man, but knew diplomacy was a much better approach.

“General, now that I’ve been in office a few weeks, I’ve had a chance to review the records of your discussions with President Wilson.”

“I see.” Chang didn’t know what was coming next. He was expecting the worst.

“Although Wilson and I didn’t always agree on everything, I have to admit the transactions you two negotiated were beneficial to the United States.”

The general breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe there was hope yet for his own future in Chinese politics. “That is good to hear, Mr. President.”

Taylor smiled broadly. “My first name is Matt. Why don’t you call me that from now on in private? As a sign of our special relationship.”

“That would be excellent, Mr. President, I mean Matt. Please call me Wu.”

“Very good, Wu.” The American paused, glanced down at his desk as if reading something, then looked at Chang again. “Before you bring it up, I’d like to address the issue of the assassination. I know that must be a sore spot with you and your people.”

Chang hands formed into fists and he took a deep breath to release his anger. “Yes. I wanted to talk about that.”

A contrite look crossed the president’s face. “Wu, I want to extend the Chinese government a sincere apology. Right after the assassination, a rushed investigation was conducted and a horrific mistake was made. Things in Washington were chaotic then and a lot of misinformation was flying around.

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