As he thought this, the rising sound of jet turbines pulled his attention to the port launching position. A quick glance to port confirmed that an SU-30 was spooling up, preparing to launch. He glanced at his watch. It read 0635 local. He nodded his head almost imperceptibly. This aircraft was due on station at 0640 for the morning Combat Air Patrol (CAP). Another SU-30, behind and to the side of the first one, also began to spool up. Within forty-five seconds, both aircraft had launched right after one another. As they circled to gain alt.i.tude, the Admiral turned and went back inside and made his way through Air Operations towards his cabin.

"Admiral, a moment if you please."

Captain Tuan Hongwen had waited for the commanding officer of Task Force Beijing to come in before addressing him. Having served for several years with the Admiral in other capacities, he knew of the Admiral's love for taking a moment alone while making out to sea and he had not disturbed him while he took those few moments. The matter was not urgent, but the Admiral did need to hear of it. As Admiral Yao stopped and turned towards him, Captain Tuan continued.

"Admiral, all units report under way towards point SUN. Recent intelligence indicates that a ma.s.sive American fleet has put to sea and will be rendezvousing with the USS Kitty Hawk near Okinawa within seven days. They are not taking any great pains to hide their intentions."

The Admiral considered this information for a moment and then replied as he continued towards his cabin.

"Thank you Captain. I would not expect the Americans to do anything other than charge forward at this point, particularly given their deteriorating position in South Korea. Keep me appraised...by the way Tuan, the s.h.i.+p and crew are very fit, my compliments to you and your staff. Until my staff briefing at 0800, I will be in my cabin."

As the Admiral entered his cabin moments later, his eyes were drawn to his locked security safe. He opened it and withdrew his orders. As he took them in hand, he sat down and reviewed them once again.

x.x.xx.x.xx.x.xX// 170003MAR06 x.x.xx.x.xx.x.xX.

FR: COMEAST.

TO: COMBEIJING.

SJ: EXECUTE OP SENTINEL.

SITREP: US, UK and CAN naval forces forming for approach Korean peninsula. US CBG's Stennis, Constellation & Kitty Hawk with many Amphib groups. UK two (2) CHV, one (1) LPH. CAN SAG.

Sub threat high ORDERS: Utilize rendezvous point SUN. Coordinate movement and operations of TFs Gansu, Yunman, Fuijan, Hunan, Jilin and Hennan according to op Sentinel.Warning : Prepare execute op BREATHOFFIRE between 14MAR & 16MAR.

ROE: weapons status white until execution order.

XOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO.

The Admiral reflected on the import of these orders. The moment he, Admiral Li Huang Chin Zhongbaio, General Hunbaio and so many others had worked and planned for so many years was soon to be upon them. The Tactical Attack s.h.i.+ps (TAS) that would be under his command were already under way, with their escorts to their respective operational areas. Others, the first several out of production, were long since under way to their positions off the east and west coasts of America. Those were the most vulnerable; they had no escort and would have to fend for themselves.

If OperationBreath of Fire was ex ecuted, and with these orders it appeared almost a certainty, his life, and the life of all his countrymen would change dramatically. If successful, it would place China and the Coalition of Asian States in the forefront of economic and political development for the entire western Pacific and Asian areas for the foreseeable future. If it failed, they would have a much more difficult time attaining that goal.

But, he did not expect it would fail. The Americans were so predictable, and they felt themselves una.s.sailable. Despite their bruises and losses in the Mid East, they felt that these had occurred princ.i.p.ally in the air and against overwhelming number where they had inflicted severe losses on those numbers.

They simply could not conceive that they could also be a.s.sailed on the open seas-or that a true military strike was possible on their own sh.o.r.es. Well,Breath of Fire would either prove the planning, commitment and strategy of the leaders in the People's Republic to be accurate and successful, or it would prove that the American arrogance was well founded. It was now time to find out which it would be.

He looked again at his watch, 0655. Time to plan his staff meeting for 0800. In that meeting, after his intelligence people spoke, after the commanders of the various s.h.i.+ps in his Task Force had the opportunity to speak, he would brief them all on the true nature and import of their orders.

March 7, 2006, 04:25 local time 250 nautical miles west of San Diego Rendezvous Point Designated Point Conception Eastern Pacific The orders that the President had issued had been reviewed and the details developed for the support of South Korea. Those detailed orders for troops embarking on air carriers, and for Marines embarking on naval vessels had been pa.s.sed down the line and were now being carried out. As airliners flew over the Pacific from various points in the country, s.h.i.+ps of the U.S. Navy set sail from all along the western coast of the United States.

Now, the many s.h.i.+ps that would be transiting the Pacific to Korea were gathering at their initial rendezvous point, point Conception The gathering force would be the largest task force of U.S. Navy wars.h.i.+ps in the Pacific since the World War II.

The Task Force would use the designated number for the Combined Task Force (CTF) in the Western Pacific, CBT 77, which would be under the overall command of Admiral Reginald Patterson.

To prepare for that transit across the Pacific, large portions of CBT 77 were gathering off the California coast. That transit group would consist of two CTF's, CTF 77.2 and CTF 77.3 CTF 77.2 would be centered on Carrier Group 7 comprised of the USS John Stennis (CVN 74) and its escort and support vessels. CTF 77.2 would also include two augmented Amphibious Squadrons (PHIBRONs). The first would be PHIBRON 3, centered on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) embarking the 11thMEU. The second would be PHIBRON 1, centered on the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) ARG, embarking the 15thMEU.

CTF 77.3 would be centered on Carrier Group 2 comprised of the USS Constellation (CV 64) and its escort and support vessels. CTF 77.3 would also include the augmented PHIBRON 7, centered on the USS Wasp (LHD 1) ARG, embarking the 13thMEU.

Once the transit groups reached the Okinawa area, they would be joined by CBT 77.1, which would include Carrier Group 5, centered on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and its escort and support vessels.

CBT 77.1 would also include PHIBRON 11, centered on the USS Ess.e.x (LHD 2) ARG, embarking the 31stMEU. Carrier Group 5 and PHIBRON 11 were permanently deployed in j.a.pan and at Okinawa respectively.

Altogether, three Carrier Groups and four Amphibious Squadrons would be included in the task force.

Each of the Carrier Groups would be comprised of the following: One (1) Aircraft Carrier (CV or CVN) Two (2) Aegis Cruisers (CG) One (1) Burke Cla.s.s Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) One (1) Spruance Cla.s.s Destroyer (DD) One (1) Oliver Hazard Perry Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) Two (2) Improved Los Angeles Attack Submarines (SSN) One (1) Fast Combat Support s.h.i.+p (AOR) Each augmented Amphibious Squadron would consist of the following: One (1) Amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p (LHD or LHA) Two (2) Amphibious Transport Docks (LPD) Two (2) Dock Landing s.h.i.+ps (LSD) One (1) Burke Cla.s.s Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) One (1) Spruance Cla.s.s Destroyer (DD) One (1) Oliver Hazard Perry Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) One (1) Replenishment Oiler (T-AO) In addition, attached to each of the CTFs in transit, sailing with one of the augmented PHIBRONs, the following s.h.i.+ps were included: One (1) Amphibious Cargo s.h.i.+p (LTKA) One (1) Ammunition s.h.i.+p (T-AE) One (1) Combat Stores s.h.i.+p (T-AFS) One (1) Oliver Hazard Perry Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) This amounted to eighty U.S. Navy wars.h.i.+ps, fully one fifth of the entire U.S. Navy war fleet. Onboard these s.h.i.+ps would be over twenty-five thousand sailors. In addition, there were over twenty thousand U.S. Marines embarked on the s.h.i.+ps of the various PHIBRONs.

Off the southern coast of j.a.pan the plan called for CTF 77 to be joined by two allied Task Forces. One was a British task force centered on two of their Invincible Cla.s.s jump jet carriers (CVH) and two of their newest amphibious s.h.i.+ps, the HMS Ocean (LPH) and the HMS Albion (LPD), along with several escorts and support vessels. The second was a Canadian Task Force consisting of two Iroquois guided missile destroyers (DDG's), two Halifax guided missile frigates (FFG's) and two new Canadian sealift s.h.i.+ps. These two task forces were transporting another three thousand troops to a.s.sist the United States and the Republic of Korea in their fight on the peninsula.

March 7, 2006, same time 250 nautical miles west of San Diego Task Force Commander's Cabin, USS Lake Chaplain (CG 57) Eastern Pacific JT Samson was enjoying himself immensely, despite the gravity of the situation. The very fact that he was a part of a very limited press pool on this mission to South Korea had to be one of the high points of his career as a journalist-an admittedly "conservative" journalist.

As the owner and Chief Editor of SierraLines, JT's reputation for ferreting out stories and then reporting on them from avery pro-American standpoint ("pro" in the sense that JTalways insisted on coming at his reporting and editorials from a Const.i.tutional perspective) preceded him. That reputation had first caught the administration's eye when JT had reported so positively on the then candidate Weisskopf's challenge to the husband of his challenger during the presidential campaign. It had done so again when he had so thoroughly derailed a press conference by Li Peng, the head of the Chinese Parliament, in Damascus back in January. The pointed question he had asked, had gotten him an invite to the White House. There, the President's chief of staff, at the direction of the President, had personally briefed him on the situation and indicated how the President "hoped" at least some in the media would handle that particular story once they had all of the "facts." The President had even given his permission to use the Chief of Staff specifically as the source.

The ensuing story had vaulted JT's SierraLines into the spotlight and finally established once and for all that an Internet News outlet could compete head-to-head with the major networks. It had also earned JT a "point" position as an embedded reporter for any story a.s.sociated with the war just by requesting it. He had selected to be "point" on this operation to Korea. Tens of millions of Americans were anxiously awaiting his daily reports, subject to military screening, regarding the progress of the largest U.S. naval combat operation since World War II.

JT was now waiting to board a Sea Hawk helicopter to return to the USS Bonhomme Richard, the s.h.i.+p on which he was embarked. The USS Lake Chaplain, an Aegis guided missile cruiser, was Admiral Patterson's flags.h.i.+p for the entire combined task force.

JT had just completed his initial interview with the Admiral. Calling it an interview was really a stretch.

Actually the Admiral had invited JT over to introduce himself and to make sure that he was being treated according to the guidelines that had been established for all embedded reporters. It was clear that the Admiral was very interested in getting a clear, concise, accurate and positive report back to the American people regarding this operation. JT was committed to all of those things, but would allow the "positive" portion of it to be decided by the people, and he made sure that the Admiral understood it.

The Admiral had understood, and indicated he was convinced that if the report were simply clear, concise and accurate, that the positive portion would take care of itself. He had ended their time together with a hearty handshake, sincere thanks, and a statement to his Chief of Staff, Commander Lewis, to see to JT's needs and schedule a more thorough interview within the next few days.

JT would include the results of this meeting, in his next "update."

March 11, 2006, 16:42 Marine Recruit Training Depot San Diego, California Alan could not believe how strong his brother had gotten. He had just given him a hug, and had squeezed as hard as he could to try and impress Leon. But the squeeze back had nearly cracked Alan's ribs! Leon must have known it, because he lightened up at about the moment Alan thought he couldn't take any more. Neither brother had said anything, they had just looked at one another with that "knowing" look.

Alan was so proud of Leon. He looked so good in his Marine uniform. It was clear that Leon could not be any prouder than he had been when he showed Alan and their mother the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps that he had earned. The emblem had been given to him by his DI after he had completed the Crucible, two weeks ago. The Crucible was the supreme test for Marine Corps recruits. It was where they either made it or broke it. A 54 hour physical, mental and moral test which included food and sleep deprivation while marching over forty miles to obstacles ranging from the long march, to combat a.s.sault courses, to problem solving and reaction course, to the team building stations spread out along the way. Once a recruit successfully completes that test, from thereafter they are one of the few and the proud. Leon had completed it, and he was proud. He was proud of himself, proud of Billy, proud of his new friends, and proud of his country for giving him the opportunity.

Alan moved out of the way for his Mom to get a hug. As Leon hugged his Mom, and held on tight for several seconds, Geneva Campbell said, "Boy, I am so proud of you! Just look at yourself. I wish your daddy could see you now."

Leon considered this for a moment, and then, bowing his head so no one would notice the tears, he said, "Mom, I believe he does see it. I really believe he knows."

Right then, Billy Simmons walked up, with his Mom, Cindy.

"Leon, bro! How does it feel? We actually did it man, can you believe it, we are now officially U.S.

Marines!" After Billy and Leon exchanged congratulatory bear hugs, Geneva embraced Billy, giving him a big kiss and asked "What's next for you boys?" Billy replied: "Now, Mrs. Campbell we're off to Camp Lejeune over in North Carolina to get into our Infantry training and then some specific Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) that we're both going after."

As Leon and Billy were talking, Geneva noticed Cindy holding on to her son's arm so tightly. She didn't see Billy's Dad, Jess.

"Cindy, where's Jess?"

Cindy turned to Geneva, and smiling, responded, "Oh, Geneva, he's off doing what these boys are learning. He got his orders several weeks ago, and off he went. He's over in the Mid East somewhere. I got a letter from him just last week. He's involved with something all hush, hush because he can't say a thing about where he is. But, I've gotten use to it. The good Lord will take care of Jess and me too, until we are reunited."

"Well, why don't we all go and get us some dinner? I'll tell you what, I'll treat the whole bunch of you!"

March 12, 2006, 19:55 Situation Room, White House Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have to warn you, what you are about to see is.e.xtremely disturbing and extremely graphic. We have all heard rumors and talk about the atrocities being committed by North Korean forces in the South, and particularly in Seoul. What you are about to witness is doc.u.mented proof of that. Anyone who either does not want to witness the following, or who feels their stomach may rebel, please step out into the waiting area and we will invite you back in after the film."

Despite the warning from the President's Chief of Staff, no one left. They were all leaders of their nation.

None of them got any pleasure or approved of graphic violence or s.e.x, but they would not step back from the reality of the situation in Korea either. They knew that if such a culture and society were allowed free reign in America the same thing would happen. They knew that if they did not stand up to it while it was afflicting their friends and allies, they opened the door to the possibility that it could come to these sh.o.r.es. So, despite the Chief of Staff's warning they all watched with misgivings as the film was started.

As the film was played, on a number of occasion exclamations of "My G.o.d," "Dear G.o.d, no," "Sweet Jesus," "Those sorry b.a.s.t.a.r.ds," and other such comments were made by those in attendance.

What the film showed was the literal rape of Seoul. A U.S. Army cameraman, who had gotten separated from his unit, had been trapped behind lines in Seoul and had been able to record scenes of abject horror. In one particularly graphic incident, lines of North Korean soldiers could be seen coming down either side of a main thoroughfare, with armored vehicles, tanks and IFV's advancing down the center of the street. Smoke was rising from several modern buildings in the background, and rubble from the collapse of buildings could be seen everywhere. There were bodies strewn in the street with the smoking hulks of cars and South Korean APCs.

As this group advanced, they came to the entrance to a building. Apparently, one of the soldiers heard something. He lifted his hand and the line stopped on that side of the street. Crouching down, the lead soldier and seven others rushed into the building. Seconds later, they exited the building, leading a group of four American GI's and a family of six Koreans. The GI's were not armed, had their hands raised, and were forced to lay down spread eagled on the street with two North Korean soldiers holding each down, one with his boot on the neck of each GI. The Korean family consisted of a man in his forties, his wife, what looked to be two teenage daughters and a son about ten years old. They were all being handled roughly by the soldiers.

An officer was called to the front. When he got there he separated the three women. As he was doing so, the father rushed after his wife and daughters and the officer ruthlessly and coldly shot him in the face with his service pistol. He then walked to the ten year old boy, who was standing there sobbing over his father, wetting his pants and the officer shot him in the head. All of the American soldiers began struggling to rise. The officer barked out an order and all four of the Americans were also executed.

All three women were separated. The entire column was now halted, and other soldiers, drivers and vehicle commanders were milling around. The officer barked out several orders in Korean and many of the men began lining up around each of the three women. Then, to the horror of those watching, those poor women were literally raped to death. The cameraman could be heard reciting Mother Mary's and quietly sobbing as he filmed. Long after the women had either lost consciousness or died, the horror continued. Finally, their limp bodies were dragged out into the street and the same officer delivered a final shot to the head of each. Then, the soldiers got back into their vehicles, reformed their lines and continued down the street.

After it was over, the President himself spoke to those gathered.

"Let's spend a moment in silent prayer for those poor souls who were so brutally killed."

After another moment's pause, the President continued on soberly.

"I showed this to you today so there would be no doubt in your minds what types of horror we are up against over in Korea. Our suspicions of similar things going on in the Mid East, were recently confirmed by a young Lieutenant who escaped after being held prisoner after the taking of Incirlik air base. He provided detailed accounts of summary execution of our soldiers by GIR forces. Please listen to his statement"

Turning to his Chief of Staff, he indicated that the audiotape of the Lieutenant's statement should be played. What it recounted, in grim, brutal detail, was the execution of the wounded, and those not deemed having any useful information after the battle at the Adana International Airport. Sixty-three Americans had been captured, of these forty-eight had been executed, by their captors. The young Lieutenant broke down as he recounted the sudden violent death of his friends and comrades. He then told of the brutal death and torture of others as a means of extracting information from those whom the GIR retained. He had escaped several days later and had ultimately made it to friendly lines.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the nature of those whom we fight. According to this Lieutenant, and we have no reason to doubt him, even senior officers partic.i.p.ated in the atrocities he experienced. Regarding the film out of Korea, our a.n.a.lysts have enhanced parts of that film and found that the North Korean officer during the one scene is a full Colonel.

"Let the reality of these atrocities burn into your memories. One day we will have justice and there will be a reckoning and a lasting retribution. As you can see, these incidents were not isolated, or committed by a single unit. They are widespread. Wherever the cameraman went he filmed similar atrocities. We must never forget this."

"This film and the audio tape will be made available to our commanders and to our allies so they can understand the abject brutality and inhumanity of these attackers. We expect in South Korea, it will spur the people as a whole to resist with every thing they have, and they need to. I will spend some time deciding how we can best present the knowledge of this to our own people."

"Now, General Stone, please proceed with the briefing."

General Stone gave a thorough briefing. The military situation was not good. After brief success with a counter attack by the 82ndAirborne Division in the center of the defensive line in Turkey, the GIR funneled more troops and aircraft into the area. Within three days all of the ground made up had been lost. Now, the GIR was closing in on the Turkish capital.

In Saudi Arabia, the situation was similar. GIR forces there had reached the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and had expanded their coastal operations towards the Saudi capital of Riyadh. American armor in all areas was still terribly outnumbered and was falling back. Though they were being forced back, they were exacting a heavy toll on the GIR forces arrayed against them. It was generally taken for granted that once sufficient forces were built up in staging areas along the Red Sea and on the Mediterranean, U.S., NATO and other allied forces would push the GIR back from all of their gains.

In Egypt, the General reported that the Libyans and the Sudanese had begun their offensive. Egyptian and U.K. defensive lines were set up well to the east and north of these attacks. Allied forces were doing little more than hara.s.sing the advance, hoping that the advancing GIR columns would break themselves on allied defenses and on allied air power, which in that portion of the theater were well established.

As the film had indicated, the situation in Korea continued to be very grim. Seoul had been lost along with Inchon. The remainder of the 2ndInfantry Division and the 6thCavalry brigade had narrowly avoided encirclement. They were barely able to maintain an orderly fighting withdrawal back along the western side of the peninsula to defenses that were being set up along a line running from Ulchin on the east coast, through Ch'ongju, to P'yongt'aek on the west coast.

U.S. soldiers were arriving by airlift in Pusan and being moved towards the front as rapidly as possible.

Even though there were plenty of small arms and ammunition, the heavy armor and artillery available was not sufficient to guarantee that the defensive line could hold. The Marines and their equipment were needed there desperately. They were expected to arrive at Pusan within the next three to four days.

March 14, 2006, 16:20 local time Israeli Defense Force (IDF) positions Golan Heights Colonel Abraham Eshkol warmly shook the hand of the American Major who would be working with them for the next few months.

"Major Simmons, it is a real pleasure to meet you, and I don't mind saying, it is even a greater pleasure to meet your aircraft!"

Jess Simmons returned the vigorous handshake.

"Colonel, the feeling is mutual. You sure have a wonderful view up here, and I might add an extremely defensible one."

The Colonel turned and gazed in the direction the Major was looking, the direction from which any attack out of Syria would come.

"Any military person who comes here immediately grasps the import of this position. It is why we refuse to give it up. We would be foolish to do so.

"The ground was taken from an aggressor nation, the same one that sits out there below us now. I believe should another war come, and it is looking more and more likely, that we will simply annex the area and officially call it a part of Israel and be done with it. That is of course presuming that we are victorious-and that is the only presumption I will allow on these heights."

Jess could tell that he was going to like this Colonel.

"Colonel, I'll you what, in as much as I am sitting up here with you, that's the only presumption I will make as well. We are absolutely united on that point. Back home in Texas we would say "we're closer than two peas in a pod on that." I hope you understand my meaning.

"Now, let me show you and your people you a thing or two about these twelve birds your country has purchased from mine. After that, either late today, or early tomorrow, we'll take them up and show you a thing or two about what they can do in the air and you can see for yourself on your equipment how difficult they are to acquire and track"

The Colonel enjoyed this Texas Major's manner of speech, and the way he thought. Beyond that, he was looking forward to having the Comanche helicopters here. Their specifications and reputation preceded them. In addition, despite it being relatively quiet here now, and despite that no Arab country had yet attacked Israel in Hasan Sayeed's war, there was no doubt in the Colonel's mind that they would desperately need these helicopters in the future. In Colonel Eshkol's estimation, that eventuality would be all too soon in coming. He planned, with the U.S. Major's help, to be as prepared as humanly possible when it did.

March 14, 2006, 22:45 North Side of Little Havana Miami, FL Isabelle Rodriguez read through the letter from her son, for the sixth time. Her husband Oscar had read it earlier in the afternoon, and had already written a reply and gotten it to the post office that afternoon.

But Isabelle needed more time to gather her feelings, to formulate her thoughts and then to respond to her son as only a mother could.

Dear Mom and Dad, Basic training is very hard. I mean, I have never worked so hard in all my life! I have never been so sore in my life. I have never been so tired in my life. And I thought I was in pretty good shape.

Dad, the drill instructors are tough, mean and on us all the time. But you know what? I'm grateful for it.

After a while you get used to it, and if you respond and don't fight it, you can almost hear in their next insults and demands...well, a respect, like they can see you're getting it. Anyway, I know we're going to have to react quickly and be mentally alert and tough to handle what we are being trained for and that's what their job is: to get us there.

Everyone here talks about it all the time at night when we are in the barracks before bed. We read the letters from our loved ones. We hear the news. It's pretty plain that our country needs more of us, a lot more. Most here are anxious to get out there and help stop what's going on, particularly before it can ever get to our sh.o.r.es.

Anyway, I emailed Maria today. You guys should really get a computer and getting set up so you can get email. It makes the communication quicker, cheaper and, well just more effective. She seems to be doing very well, and guess what? We're going to be parents! You and Dad are going to be grandparents! Maybe Maria already told you, but if she hasn't, let her.

Well, I have to go now, pretty soon it's lights out, and I am dead anyway. I'll write more when I can.

Only eight weeks to go!

Your son, Hernando Isabelle had to wipe the tears away, again.

She was so proud of her son. So happy for him and Maria and the coming baby-and so scared for him. It was becoming obvious, with the President's remarks, the restrictions on air travel and gasoline; this was a serious, serious situation and would probably last a long time to come.

As she began to write a reply to her son, she voiced a silent prayer.

"Dear G.o.d, please bless Hernando. Help him to be brave, help him to do well. Help him to learn and please, please, keep him safe."

March 15, 2006, 01:12 local time 220 Kilometers east of Norfolk, VA Bridge of PLAN 2004 Guizhou TAS Atlantic Ocean Captain Bin Lin had his crew navigate their container vessel turned Tactical Attack s.h.i.+p into the a.s.signed position he had amongst other cargo and container vessels awaiting transit into U.S. territorial waters. Based on past experience, he calculated that he had about a twenty-four hour wait. That was fine. He expected his execute order to come in the next twelve to eighteen hours, and if it was longer, he was prepared to execute his orders from wherever he stood at the time.

To anyone looking, the s.h.i.+p appeared to be a standard COSCO container vessel. Only by boarding and actually opening the crates that surrounded the LRASD box launchers, or moving the pallets covering the tactical missile hatches, could anyone determine that his vessel was anything more that what it appeared.

Captain Bin had at first wished that he had been a.s.signed to the forces that would be confronting the U.S. Navy directly in the western Pacific. He wanted to pit his skills against his American counterparts.