Invasion: China (Invasion America) (Volume 5) by Vaughn Heppner Page A

pointed out.
    “As we should!” he said.
    “Yes, yes, I completely agree.”
    “ No. You say that out of fear.”
    She hesitated before nodding. “You are always right, Leader. I do fear nuclear weapons. I am afraid I lack your strength of will.”
    He sighed. “That is why I must rule China. Only I have the resolve to take the steps needed. In terms of my breadth of vision, I am a giant. I see far over everyone else’s head. Believe me when I say that the Americans will storm through the breach in Oklahoma. At that critical point, I will unleash the nuclear warheads and obliterate their carefully gathered armor. I will seal the breach by inflicting a massive defeat against American arms.”
    “Won’t the Americans retaliate with nuclear weapons?”
    “Let them. We have the ability to absorb staggering losses. They do not. Thus, they will wilt before us.”
    Strength oozed from Shun Li so it felt as if her head became too heavy to hold up. This was terrible news. So far, neither side had used nuclear weapons on the land battlefields, although the Americans did destroy one of their own ports as the Chinese invaded there. The Chairman had already referred to it: Santa Cruz in northern California in the first days of the war. The attack nearly drove Hong mad with a desire for revenge. This latest idea—was it a delayed reaction to Santa Cruz? Each time someone used nuclear weapons, she feared it brought the world that much closer to the dreaded holocaust. Yet she couldn’t dwell on that now.
    Another thing bothered her about this. “There’s something I don’t understand. If we’re going to use nuclear missiles in Oklahoma, why don’t we strike first? Let us smash enemy concentrations and advance against them.”
    “You surprise me with such a simple question.”
    “Forgive me, but I am no military strategist, merely a simple policewoman. I’m thinking of our soldiers, Leader. Don’t we need as many of them as possible?”
    “My plan entails several facets. First, the Americans have tac-lasers just as we do. For our rockets to hit en masse , the enemy must move beyond their antimissile belts. My experts inform me that American commanders believe in exploitation drives deep into enemy territory. Once they break through, American armor will lunge ahead of their antimissile defenses. That is the moment we can annihilate them with nuclear warheads.”
    “Ah.”
    “Second, the nuclear attack used at my discretion and timing, will help to destroy Chao Pin’s credibility. With the American breakthrough, he will have failed China and the invasion army. I will save everyone from his blunder in such a way that everyone will understand my wisdom and his foolishness.”
    “Yes, that makes sense ,” Shun Li forced herself to say.
    “ Afterward, Chao Pin will die in order to pay for his insolence.”
    Shun Li almost frowned in disbelief. If Hong thought unleashing nuclear war in Oklahoma and Texas would turn the military against Chao Pin…
    “I see your doubts,” Hong said. “ Firstly, I must admit that the marshal is wise to keep my guardsmen away from the Ruling Committee meetings. His officers flank my Lion Guardsmen man for man in Mao Square during the sessions. In other words, we have a standoff. During the meetings is the only time he’s truly vulnerable. Therefore, that is the place to strike. Secondly, you must realize that people act like sheep.”
    “Yes, Leader.”
    “They need someone to follow. Once I unleash the nuclear holocaust on the American military, you will perform your task for China. Shock in the meeting chamber will allow you the opportunity.”
    “I do not understand.”
    “You carry a service pistol with you at all times, do you not?”
    “I do,” she whispered.
    “Yes. The day the others on the Ruling Committee realize Chao Pin has failed China is the day you will draw your gun and shoot him down like a mad dog.”
    Disbelief caused Shun Li’s mouth to drop open.
    “ China