Razing Beijing: A Thriller by Sidney Elston III

glare.
“The main point is that our stealth technology analysts tell us the development
and manufacturing processes used in stealthifying aircraft are also
applicable to making satellites stealthy.” Burns paused to see that the
president had made the connection.
    President Denis narrowed his eyes. “What would Iran want
with stealth spysattechnology?”
    “We can’t be certain Tehran was ever the intended recipient
of the product, or at least not the exclusive recipient.”
    “You keep saying that.”
    “That’s because we have one intelligence anomaly that might
explain what the Iranians have been up to. We regularly monitor contact between
the Iranian intelligence community and, say for instance, China’s. That goes
doubly for their diplomatic missions.”
    The president exchanged a disturbed look with his security
advisor.
    McBurney explained that along with the SBIRS, Space-Based
Infrared Satellite missile defense information, the data in Ahmadi’s apartment
included similar details pertaining to one of China’s most recent satellites.
    “And French satellites and Japanese satellites,” Herman
pointed out.
    President Denis eyed the CIA men suspiciously.
    Director Burns said to the President, “I’m afraid the
connection that Sam makes here is fairly well established.”
    “How so?”
    “Well, if you’ll excuse my prerogative to be less than specific,
I’ll suffice it to say that we regularly release certain select disinformation.
But this disinformation can only be deciphered through the use of phony
encryption keys passed to foreign spies, who believe them authentic. At first
this is innocuous stuff, like planned personnel changes and such. Then we pull
the noose tight—we announce to several of our overseas missions an impending
event of sufficient gravity to induce a response, say, a throng of police
converge on a junket in the Taiwan Straits at four in the morning. The proof
came not when our delegations in Riyadh and Qatar appeared to be affected—but
our embassy in Beijing.”
    “This is what I mean,” Herman insisted. “Mr. Ahmadi
approached us with an offer to provide the identities of two Holocaust terrorists, for Christ’s sake!”
    McBurney considered reminding Herman that, according to the
FBI, Mohammad Ahmadi also propositioned a U.S. senator for classified missile
defense information. Frankly, he could see why they might be having difficulty
with a single covert operator adept at both terrorist and industrial espionage
operations. The knowledge and tactics, even the mindset, traditionally occupy
opposite ends of the spectrum. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “You and the
FBI bought into his story. Had we come together sooner, perhaps your deal with
Ahmadi would’ve included a more thorough explanation.”
    Herman said to McBurney, “Perhaps if you’d succeeded in
eliminating Nijad Jabara thirty years ago the Holocaust Memorial would never
have been attacked.”
    President Denis breathed a heavy sigh. “Any more back-biting
out of either of you two and I’ll have you escorted out of here.”
    McBurney finished his silent count to ten while thumbing to
the final page of his briefing. “So, the information in Ahmadi’s possession
made reference to this recent Chinese satellite, apparently a large
communications satellite. Beijing also claims that it abruptly malfunctioned before
disintegrating in orbit.”
    President Denis looked to Herman. “These things break apart
and re-enter the atmosphere fairly often, don’t they?”
    “Correct,” Herman agreed.
    “Actually, they typically don’t tumble from a stabilized
low-earth orbit,” McBurney said. “And in this case, ninety minutes after being
launched. That’s one full orbit.”
    Herman scowled. “So just all of a sudden, poof—it was gone?
Here’s the problem with the direction you’ve taken this, Sam. You delve into
matters of urgency to the president, and emerge claiming an Iranian-backed
attack in the