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“Very well, Mr. President,” he says. “Colonel Yankins, please prepare the communications system.”
The colonel takes one of the black satchel-like carriers, unzips it open, and folds it out. There is a keyboard and switches and a small display screen in a rectangular instrument, nestled in grayfoam, on the right side. She touches a switch and the keyboard and screen light up. In the other side of the satchel is an accordion-type folder.
This is a cousin of the famous “football,” the communications system that can launch a nuclear strike. That nuclear football is a few yards away, in a hallway outside of this office, in possession of a Marine major. Little known to the news media and elsewhere, a second football was secretly developed two years ago, to address cybersecurity and cyberattacks.
Barrett intends to use that lack of knowledge to his benefit, and that of the country.
General Peterson says, “Case Shanghai, correct, Mr. President?”
“That’s correct.”
“Colonel?”
She opens up the folder, pulls out a letter-sized plastic-protected sheet. It has the logo of the United States Cybercommand at the top, with borders marked in red and black. Various stamps and signatures are at the bottom, along with the bold red wordsTOP SECRET / SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION.
General Peterson takes the sheet. “Mr. President, per protocol, I need to confirm that you are cognizant of the cyberattack profile contained in Case Shanghai.”
“Proceed,” Barrett says.
General Peterson clears his throat. “Once we receive the appropriate activation code, Mr. President, our offensive capabilities will commence crippling the command-and-control systems of the People’s Liberation Army, including its five service branches: the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and the Strategic Support Force. Soon after their communications systems are offline, the next wave of offensive operations will attack their military’s infrastructure from electricity to logistical support up to and including POL facilities. Any questions so far, Mr. President?” POL is petroleum, oil, lubricant.
“No,” Barrett says, the excitement and knowledge of what he’s about to unleash practically making his hands nearly quiver in anticipation.
“Following those actions, the third wave will go against the twenty-one government ministries, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The fourth wave will target the largest banks and financial institutions in China—including all overseas branches—and lastly, all foreign embassies and overseas consulates. Any questions, sir?”
“No,” Barrett says.
Barrett looks over. Carlton Pope stands silently in the corner of the tiny office, arms folded, a pleased smile on his face.
“Sir … for my own confidence level, I just want to ensure that you realize the scope of this attack,” the general says. “By this time tomorrow, the world’s financial systems will be in free fall, there will be widespread panic and disturbances in Chinese urban centers, and the Chinese military and their cyber capabilities will be coming for our throat.”
“I understand, General Peterson,” Barrett says. “Considering we spend about $750 billion on defense each year, including $2.6 billion for cyber defensive and offensive capabilities, I know we will hold our own. As to our adversaries, they are going to learn a quick lesson when they grow too fast, push too much, against us and the standard world order.”
Silence for a few heavy seconds.
Barrett says, “What now?”
From the inside of his uniform jacket, General Peterson removes a piece of blue plastic, about twice the size of a credit card. “Sir, you’re going to need your authorization card. Once the codes are matched and verified, then your orders will be enacted at twelve hundred hours today.”
Barrett also pulls out his blue plastic card, known for some reason as “the biscuit.”
“Any questions now, Mr. President?”
Barrett smiles in triumph. “No. Proceed.”
CHAPTER 121
LIAM GREY IS sitting on a chair in the living room of the safe house, as Chin Lin sits next to Benjamin Lucas on the couch and tries again to reach her contact at Walter Reed Hospital.
Two earlier calls went to voicemail and as she makes the third call, Liam says, “You have a backup plan if you can’t get through?”
Lin says, “Yeah, calling in a film crew from SABC and make a live broadcast from this place’s dirt driveway. Shut up, will you?”
Benjamin says, “Please, Liam, let her work.”
Work?Liam thinks.Damn Chinese intelligence officer is playing dial-a-spy and for all we know, it’s still part of a ploy, a setup.
The phone starts to ring and Liam says, “And how did you happen to get in possession of this vital information, Lin?”