Dancing with the Dragon (2002) (48 page)

Jackie was suffering from a severe case of dry mouth. "Graveyard humor, that's exactly what I need right now."

Scott rolled into the groove near the back of the pitching and rolling ship and immediately tried to spot the deck--eyeing the flight deck instead of flying the ball--something an LSO doesn't like to see.

"A little power," CAG Paddles coached. The deck bottomed out of a trough and began moving upward. "Power . . . power."

Dalton was making the adjustment when the left engine began spinning down. "Uh-oh, brace yourself!"

"Power!" the LSO radioed in an effort to salvage the landing. "Power, power, POWER!"

Total silence followed. Scott lowered the Learjet's nose in a desperate attempt to maintain airspeed. The plane-cum-glider was now descending like a manhole cover. Scott knew he would soon be out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas--but he was on centerline and had plenty of forward motion. "This is gonna be ugly!"

Just before he crossed the round down, Dalton heard the famous words that were now meaningless.

"Cut, cut, cut," CAG Paddles yelled over the radio. The deck heaved upward to meet the Learjet.

Reflexively, Scott pulled the useless power lever to idle and planted the Learjet in a bone jarring arrival. The crash landing snapped the nose gear off and drove both main landing gears up through the wings.

The airplane sailed up the flight deck and viciously slammed into the barricade, which brought the heavily damaged Learjet to a quick and safe halt.

Jackie and Scott had been hanging in their shoulder straps from the tremendous G-forces during the rapid deceleration.

The crash crew raced toward the airplane, but there was no fire--the fuel tanks were almost bone dry. The crew could not believe the right engine was missing.

Thankful that they were on deck safely, Scott heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, folks, that was one of my better landings, and we look forward to serving you in the future."

"At least we're in one piece," Jackie said, unbuckling her seat belt and shoulder straps. "Under the circumstances, I give you an A-plus."

Chapter
35.

The E-4B

The flying command post was on the first leg of a round-robin course when the five-minute warning arrived.

President Macklin was on a conference hookup with General Bancroft at NORAD and General Chalmers at the Pentagon. Everyone at the top of the chain of command, both civilian and military, was in agreement. United States forces would counterattack with overwhelming nuclear force if NORAD detected and authenticated a missile launch from China.

Gathered around a long conference table, the president and his men watched the minutes tick away as General Bancroft gave them updates and silently prayed.

With one minute to go, the president rose from his chair. "Well, gentlemen, this is the time when we have to believe in--"

The secretary of state's phone rang, shattering the silence. Brett Shannon snatched it off the cradle, listened intently, and looked at Macklin. "Liu Fan-ding has had a stroke."

"Who's in charge?" the president asked. "What are their intentions--has the deadline been called off?"

Shannon repeated the questions to the caller while the last few seconds to deadline were ticking away.

"Say again," Shannon said in frustration. "Has the deadline been canceled--where do we stand on the deadline?"

"Mr. President," General Chalmers said, "we're about out of time."

Macklin tightly gripped the handset. "Hold on, Les--let's sort through this new information."

"What?" Shannon asked. "Slow down and speak clearly." He listened to the fast-talking spokesman and asked him to repeat his statement.

"What do we have?" the president asked. "I have to make a decision."

Shannon's tense features suddenly relaxed and a smile spread across his ashen face. "The crisis is over--it's over!"

Macklin looked at Shannon. "Give me the details--I need confirmation and details."

The passengers in the cabin were erupting in wild celebration. Backslapping and bear hugs were the order of the day.

Shannon listened for a few more seconds. "That's the Party line--the stroke story is smoke and spin. Our sources closest to Liu have confirmed that he was physically removed from power and is currently under house arrest. The new leadership--a triumvirate of senior Communist Party leaders--have issued a request for a summit with President Macklin at his earliest convenience."

The president sighed and then gave Chalmers and General Bancroft the order to stand down. "Cigars for everyone."

"Mr. President," Hartwell said, "this would be a good time to call the new leadership in Beijing--a very good time."

EPILOGUE:

:

:

After a restless night on Kitty Hawk, Scott and Jackie were flown to Kadena Air Base at Okinawa, Japan. Along with senior officials from the Central Intelligence Agency and ranking members of the U. S. State Department, the commander of U. S. Naval Forces, Japan, greeted them when they arrived. Jackie and Scott turned the Chinese hard drives over to the CIA and then went to one of Scott's favorite restaurants to enjoy Kobe beef and hot sake.

The next morning they were transported, as requested, to the U. S. Virgin Islands on a C-32A VIP jet from the 89th Airlift Wing. En route to their enchanting destination, Scott made arrangements to charter a thirty-six-foot sailing yacht--sans crew.

For the next eleven days, they investigated pristine beaches, sheltered bays, coves, coral reefs, and enjoyed the friendly people they met on each island they visited.

Finally, they returned to the calm bays of Norman Island, their favorite anchorage near the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Refreshed from a leisurely snorkeling session, Jackie emerged from the cabin and accepted her rum surprise. Nicely tanned, she was attired in baggy shorts and one of Scott's colorful, oversized aloha shirts.

Dalton was about to propose a toast when his satellite phone rang. He answered it and smiled when he heard Hartwell's voice. After a pleasant but brief conversation, Scott signed off.

Jackie had instantly known it was Prost. "What's up?"

"Well, the president is going to Beijing next week, and the Chinese have recalled their ships containing the laser weapons, so relations are thawing nicely. The Chinese troops in Panama are on their way home and Beijing has agreed to dismantle their laser production facilities under our observation."

She raised her glass in a toast. "That's some progress." "And," Scott said with a faint grin, "you won't believe this." "I'm listening."

"Merrick Hamilton has been selected by the Blue Angels." "You're kidding."

"Nope--she's slated for jet number three in the left wing spot." "That's great, really great." Jackie eyed Scott. "Did Hartwell have anything to do with her selection?"

"No way." He sipped his rum drink and smiled. "The team selects their own replacements, and Merrick is certainly qualified." "She really is, and I'm happy for her."

"Speaking of Hartwell, he said we can start looking for a flying machine whenever we're ready."

"Well," Jackie said with a radiant smile, "I think it's time to celebrate."

"We're certainly in the right place."

"And the night is young."

The White House

On a cool, crisp morning, President Cord Macklin walked to the Rose Garden to greet his distinguished guests. Among the guests were the wife and family of Dr. Richard Cheung.

While Macklin secretly detested Cheung's traitorous acts against the United States, he knew it was in everyone's best interest to let the story rest as the American media had portrayed it--Cheung had been taken against his will, forced to assist the Chinese with their laser weapon development, and ultimately gave his life for his country. To do so made Dr. Cheung a hero while the Chinese received unfavorable press for their aggressive acts.

Understanding the impact on world opinion, President Macklin had decided to overlook his disdain for the traitor. After several minutes of praise for Dr. Richard Cheung's heroic service to his country, the president presented the Medal of Freedom to Cheung's widow.