“Make it fifteen. You’re dismissed.”

The man slid out of the row and went for the warhead, pushing it toward the back of the hangar. Smith watched him go, not wanting to continue until he was out of earshot.

“The prime minister of Japan is currently on his way to a diplomatic meeting in China. According to my sources, he entered Chinese airspace about ten minutes ago. Our mission is simple. We’re going to intercept his plane over an uninhabited area and we’re going to shoot it down. Missiles are strictly off limits. The plane will be taken out using guns only. We’ll then drop the warhead that you just saw, centering it on the wreckage. That’s it. Any questions?”

They all just stared at him in stunned silence. General Baron was the first to break it. “You heard the man. Let’s saddle up.”

The pilots looked at each other and finally stood, slowly gaining momentum as they started for their aircraft. Baron waited for a few moments and then approached, moving alongside Smith and speaking in a hushed tone. “Colonel, I was told in very clear terms that what you say goes. What I wasn’t told is that you were going to use my men to start World War Three.”

“We’re hoping to avoid that.”

“You’re hoping to avoid that,” Baron repeated with understandable incredulity. “Look, Colonel, I understand that all this is classified and you’re some kind of golden boy but there are some questions I need to ask here.”

Smith frowned, but he didn’t want to come down too hard on the man. He had an excellent reputation and in his position Smith would be looking for the same kind of assurances.

“What questions, sir?”

“Is the prime minister on that plane?”

“Yes.”

“Do we have permission to fly over Chinese territory?”

“No.”

The general let out a long breath. “That’s what I was afraid of. I’m sorry, Colonel, but I’m going to need confirmation of these orders.”

“Then I suggest you get on the horn, sir. Because make no mistake. In less than twenty minutes, we will be in the air.”

63

63

Over Eastern China

You have penetrated our air defense zone and are approaching Chinese territory,” a heavily accented voice stated over the speakers in Smith’s helmet. “Reverse course immediately.”

He squinted through the canopy at the F-15s escorting him. The sun was still an hour from setting, creating a blinding glare in the sky to the west. The pilot in front of him was holding the plane steady but it seemed to take a fair amount of effort due to the modifications made back at the base. Below, the East China Sea glittered with tiny whitecaps, reminding him that they hadn’t yet reached the point of no return.

It was close, though. The jutting shoreline of mainland China was visible ahead in the distance.