Page 137 of Never

They were United Nations sanctions, and there would be no crisis if not for the lousy Communist economic system, Pauline thought, but she did not say it.

Chen continued: ‘In response, China is sending emergency economic aid to North Korea in the form of rice, pork and gasoline.’

So we’re the bad guys and you’re the good guys, Pauline thought; yeah, yeah, yeah. But let’s get down to business. ‘We understand that the Special Operation Force was defeated with no arrests. Doesn’t that tell us that the rebels are in control of nuclear weapons?’

‘I cannot confirm that.’

Which means yes, Pauline thought, and her heart sank. Chen would have denied it if he possibly could. ‘If it turns out to be true, Mr President, what will you do?’

‘I will not interfere in the internal affairs of another country,’ Chen said sternly. ‘This is a cardinal principle of Chinese foreign policy.’

It was cardinal bullshit, Pauline thought, but she put her point more subtly. ‘If a rogue group has nuclear weapons, there is surely a threat to regional stability, which must concern you.’

‘At present there is no threat to regional stability.’

Stone wall.

Pauline tried a shot in the dark. ‘What if the rebellion spreads to other military bases in North Korea? Sangnam-ni is not the only nuclear facility there.’

Chen hesitated for several moments, then said: ‘Supreme Leader Kang has taken firm action to prevent such a development.’

That statement, woodenly formulaic, actually contained a hidden revelation, but Pauline suppressed her excitement. She decided to bring the conversation to a close. Chen had been close-mouthed, but – as often happened – he had inadvertently told her something she needed to know. She said: ‘Thank you for your help, Mr President. As always, a conversation with you is a pleasant duty. Let us stay in close touch.’

‘Thank you, Madam President.’

The screen went dark and Pauline looked at Gus and Chess. Both looked animated. They had drawn the conclusion too.

She said: ‘If the rebellion was confined to one base, he would have said so.’

‘Exactly,’ said Gus. ‘But Kang took firm action, which means that firm action was called for, because the rebellion has spread.’

Chess agreed. ‘He must have sent troops to the base at Yongdok, where nuclear warheads are stored. And rebels there must have fought back. Chen did not say that government forces had prevailed, he said merely that Kang had taken steps. That suggests the situation is unresolved.’

Gus said: ‘Kang is focussed on the most important bases – but those are the places the rebels have targeted too.’

Pauline judged it was time to move on. ‘I’d like more information. Sophia, make sure our signals intelligence people are reading everything we can pick up from North Korea. Gus, check our latest information on North Korea’s nukes – how many, how big, like that. Chess, talk to the foreign minister of South Korea in case she has insights – she may know things we’ve missed. And I need to put out some kind of announcement about this – Jacqueline, get Sandip in here, please.’

They all left. Pauline thought about how best to explain the situation to the American people. Everything she said would be misrepresented and distorted by James Moore and his cheerleaders in the media. She needed to be crystal clear.

Sandip appeared a couple of minutes later, padding into the room in his sneakers. Pauline briefed him on Sangnam-ni.

‘This can’t be kept under wraps,’ he said. ‘The South Korean media are too good. Everything will come out.’

‘I agree. So I need to show Americans that their government is on top of the situation.’

‘Will you say that we are ready for nuclear war?’

‘No, that’s too alarmist.’

‘James Moore will ask the question.’

‘I can say we’re ready for anything.’

‘Much better. But tell me what you’re actually doing.’

‘I spoke to the president of China. He’s concerned, but says there’s no danger of regional destabilization.’

‘What action is he taking?’