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Authors: Glenn Cooper
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existed!
For Yi, the Horizon was a burr under his saddle, a constant annoyance. He counted himself in the skeptics’ corner, not that he didn’t acknowledge that the Groom Lake database was unfailingly accurate. He simply asserted that it was a bridge too far to believe that the last book in the Library equated to the earth’s last day. It was his strongly held position that the most populous and complex nation in the world should orient its planning functions for a long and glorious future far beyond the Horizon, which was precisely why he was incensed that Wen Yun had delayed his ascension.
He looked out his office windows over the skyscrapers of smog-blanketed Beijing. He was high up, on the top floor of the August 1 Building, the vast headquarters of the Central Military Commission. It was early and the sun was just rising. He waved hishand at his screen and asked for his secretary. She immediately entered from the anteroom.
Yi noticed a cat hair on his suit jacket and irritably plucked it off. He didn’t like his wife’s cats but he had to live with them. “When General Bo arrives, send him in and make sure his visit isn’t logged into my official diary.”
General Bo Jinping arrived precisely on time, sat across from Yi and accepted a cup of tea. He had been Yi’s handpicked choice to head the Ministry of State Security though it was a choice that hadn’t been without controversy as the position traditionally went to a civilian. But Yi wanted a military man heading up the spy services. He’d always found PLA officers more straightforward than civilians, less Machiavellian, more apt to accept orders without push-back. And Bo was an appreciative acolyte.
“You’re looking well, General.”
“Thank you, Vice Chairman.”
“I understand your son was promoted to captain.”
“Yes, we are very proud of his accomplishments.”
Yi put down his teacup, signaling that the small talk was over. “General, I would like an update on the postcard affair in the United States.”
Bo was in command of the facts and didn’t require notes. “As of yesterday, thirty-six postcards were received. The most recent six were in San Francisco.”
“No other cities?”
“Not yet.”
“And the American response?”
“There are extensive resources being allocated to the problem involving the FBI, CIA, Department of Defense, and the internal security service at Groom Lake.”
“And what do they think they are dealing with?”
“There is dissension among the various departments. However, the Groom Lake security group has cast suspicion upon one of their analysts who is Chinese and has family in Taiwan.”
Yi smiled broadly. “Excellent news. And tell me how they are reacting to our protestations.”
“There is a high level of concern, Vice Chairman. In general, they believe we are overreacting and being opportunistic, but they cannot deny that it is a legitimate issue for us. They continue to insist that we should not see this as a provocation against Chinese people or the PRP, and they are further taking the position that there is no evidence of any US government involvement in these mailings. They wish to send over a delegation of FBI and CIA officials to reassure us of their innocence.”
“Ha!” Yi exclaimed. “A waste of a meeting if ever there was one.”
“Shall I accept their offer?”
“Go ahead. Why not? What I’m more interested in, General, is where this affair is heading. When do you think we will see the next wave of postcards?”
Bo smiled. “I think it could be soon, Vice Chairman.”
“Very well,” Yi said. “Keep me informed so I can keep the General Secretary informed. You know my views on this. Wen Yun is a little old and a little stubborn.” Yi leaned forward and raised his voice to match his rising emotions. “He fails to appreciate that the time has come to declare ourselves as the one great superpower in the world. He fails to recognize that the Horizon is a distraction
For Yi, the Horizon was a burr under his saddle, a constant annoyance. He counted himself in the skeptics’ corner, not that he didn’t acknowledge that the Groom Lake database was unfailingly accurate. He simply asserted that it was a bridge too far to believe that the last book in the Library equated to the earth’s last day. It was his strongly held position that the most populous and complex nation in the world should orient its planning functions for a long and glorious future far beyond the Horizon, which was precisely why he was incensed that Wen Yun had delayed his ascension.
He looked out his office windows over the skyscrapers of smog-blanketed Beijing. He was high up, on the top floor of the August 1 Building, the vast headquarters of the Central Military Commission. It was early and the sun was just rising. He waved hishand at his screen and asked for his secretary. She immediately entered from the anteroom.
Yi noticed a cat hair on his suit jacket and irritably plucked it off. He didn’t like his wife’s cats but he had to live with them. “When General Bo arrives, send him in and make sure his visit isn’t logged into my official diary.”
General Bo Jinping arrived precisely on time, sat across from Yi and accepted a cup of tea. He had been Yi’s handpicked choice to head the Ministry of State Security though it was a choice that hadn’t been without controversy as the position traditionally went to a civilian. But Yi wanted a military man heading up the spy services. He’d always found PLA officers more straightforward than civilians, less Machiavellian, more apt to accept orders without push-back. And Bo was an appreciative acolyte.
“You’re looking well, General.”
“Thank you, Vice Chairman.”
“I understand your son was promoted to captain.”
“Yes, we are very proud of his accomplishments.”
Yi put down his teacup, signaling that the small talk was over. “General, I would like an update on the postcard affair in the United States.”
Bo was in command of the facts and didn’t require notes. “As of yesterday, thirty-six postcards were received. The most recent six were in San Francisco.”
“No other cities?”
“Not yet.”
“And the American response?”
“There are extensive resources being allocated to the problem involving the FBI, CIA, Department of Defense, and the internal security service at Groom Lake.”
“And what do they think they are dealing with?”
“There is dissension among the various departments. However, the Groom Lake security group has cast suspicion upon one of their analysts who is Chinese and has family in Taiwan.”
Yi smiled broadly. “Excellent news. And tell me how they are reacting to our protestations.”
“There is a high level of concern, Vice Chairman. In general, they believe we are overreacting and being opportunistic, but they cannot deny that it is a legitimate issue for us. They continue to insist that we should not see this as a provocation against Chinese people or the PRP, and they are further taking the position that there is no evidence of any US government involvement in these mailings. They wish to send over a delegation of FBI and CIA officials to reassure us of their innocence.”
“Ha!” Yi exclaimed. “A waste of a meeting if ever there was one.”
“Shall I accept their offer?”
“Go ahead. Why not? What I’m more interested in, General, is where this affair is heading. When do you think we will see the next wave of postcards?”
Bo smiled. “I think it could be soon, Vice Chairman.”
“Very well,” Yi said. “Keep me informed so I can keep the General Secretary informed. You know my views on this. Wen Yun is a little old and a little stubborn.” Yi leaned forward and raised his voice to match his rising emotions. “He fails to appreciate that the time has come to declare ourselves as the one great superpower in the world. He fails to recognize that the Horizon is a distraction
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