Maden Mike - Tom Clancy Firing Point

“Your uncle is an oligarch.”

The young Russian’s mocking smile suddenly flashed daggers.

“An ugly word in some circles, and an unfortunate choice of one, if I may say so, Mr. President. My uncle is a good man who raised me as his own son after the death of my father. Everything I have achieved I owe to him.”

A career bought and paid for, Ryan reminded himself. Paved with stolen riches, on a path that someday might lead this man to the Kremlin itself .

“I have a habit of speaking my mind and putting my cards on the table so that people know where I stand,” Ryan said.

“I was taught by my uncle that diplomacy is the art of leaving some things unsaid.”

It was Ryan’s turn to shrug and smile. “Whoever said I was a diplomat, Maksim?”

“Which is why I admire you all the more. So, please, what is the real purpose of our meeting today?”

“There are two things I’d like to discuss today.”

“Of course. How would you like to begin?”

Ryan needed to ease in, save the big ask for later.

“I’m concerned about Snow Dragon, the upcoming joint naval exercise you and China have scheduled in the Bering Sea next week.”

“Your country need not be concerned. We have no hostile intentions, and we are conducting all operations in our own national waters.”

“It’s not my country I’m concerned about.”

Christyakov smiled. Smug and condescending. “You must forgive me, but I’m rather new at all of this. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“You’re too young to remember Zhenbao Island. Surely you’ve read about it?”

“An unfortunate skirmish that happened fifty years ago.”

“A skirmish launched by the Chinese against your country that nearly started World War Three. The Chinese have a long memory. You guys took Manchuria from them after the war. They wanted Manchuria back then and they want it back now. Hell, they want the entire Russian Far East, which is forty percent of your landmass occupied by only six million Russians. Russia will never be an equal partner with China; Russia will eventually become a colony of China. Your current relationship is a dangerous one, and just one spark can set off an explosion leading to all-out war.”

“Snow Dragon is merely a practical and natural evolution in our growing relationship. It will be the largest joint naval exercise our two countries have ever conducted. Three hundred thousand soldiers and sailors combined, including an amphibious landing of ten thousand Chinese Marines supported by Russian naval and air assets. But it will be no different than the many joint land-based exercises that have been conducted over the last few years—all very fraternal and cooperative.”

“Be that as it may, we’ll be monitoring your exercises closely. Of course, the Chinese government will be collecting data on your military capabilities as well.”

“And we will collect data on them. As I understand it, that is how the game is played. ‘Trust, but verify’ is what Ronald Reagan once said about the Soviet Union as I recall. Yes?”

“It’s a very dangerous game you’re playing with the Chinese.”

“Surely you realize that it has been your punitive sanctions against my government that have driven us into closer ties with Beijing, a decision that President Yermilov came to quite reluctantly.”

Reluctantly? That sounds like an opening, Ryan thought.

“Those sanctions came as a result of Russian incursions on Lithuanian and Ukrainian soil.”

“Russian forces were withdrawn, and no further incursions have resulted.”

Yeah, after NATO forces kicked your asses .

“Agreed. And it’s a sign of progress in his relationship with the West that President Yermilov has limited his territorial ambitions. I hope that progress will continue.”

“I’m sure President Yermilov shares your hope of continued progress in our relationship. I will convey your message. What else concerns you today, Mr. President?”

Ryan glanced over the Russian’s shoulder at the portrait of George Washington over the fireplace mantel. Why the hell didn’t he have to smile?

“Funny you should ask.”

—

“There have been rumors of pirates operating in international waters,” Ryan said. “Have you heard of this?”

“Yes, of course,” Christyakov said. “Off the coast of Africa, and in Asia, I believe.”

“I am referring to pirates operating in the South Pacific.”

“Interesting. This I have not heard.”

Exactly what I would expect you to say if you were lying . . . or telling the truth, Ryan thought.

“The Chinese have made great advances in their submarine technology, thanks to your country.”

“And others.”

“That’s right. Some of it purchased, some of it reverse engineered. Some of it just flat-out stolen.”

“And so you suspect the Chinese are behind these piracy acts?”

“Unless you have a better idea.”

“I’m no military man.”

“But surely you are aware of your nation’s submarine activity in the South Pacific?”

Christyakov was expressionless. “Again, defense issues are not in my bailiwick. My background is in business, not naval affairs. I’m in Washington to improve business and political relationships with your country.”

“War is bad for both.”

The ambassador’s blue eyes narrowed. “What are you suggesting?”

“Wars sometimes happen by accident, unintentionally. Those are the worst kind and easily avoided, wouldn’t you agree?”

“If they were easily avoided, why would such wars happen at all?”

“Well, here we are, back at the trust issue. If you bump into someone you like at a cocktail party, you laugh and say, ‘Excuse me.’ If you bump into your worst enemy, you might start throwing punches over it. Or worse.”

The younger, taller man sat back in his chair, crossing his legs. “May I speak my mind, Mr. President? Lay my cards on the table?”

“Please do.”

“My predecessor briefed me on you. He mentioned that you are a former Marine Corps officer, and that you are a single-minded American patriot, unafraid of violence at either the personal or national level.”

“I take all of that as a compliment.”

“He also said you were subtle as a snake, and just as dangerous, and that I should never do any business with you without a half-dozen senior FSB analysts on my elbow advising me on every word you speak.”

“Okay, now you’re hurting my feelings.”

Christyakov laughed. “Yes, and he said you were funny as hell, too. So let me cut to the chase. What is it that you want exactly, so that I can go back to my superiors and tell them, and then they can tell me what the hell it is I’m supposed to do about it?”

“Frankly, this meeting today was a chance for me to meet with you, to size you up. But the bottom line is this: I’ve dispatched the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group to the South Pacific. You said you’re not a military man, so let me explain the significance of this. I’m sending some of my very best and most powerful weapons to the area, including two Los Angeles –class attack submarines. My intention is to find, capture, and, if necessary, kill the submarine or submarines that are behind the acts of piracy in the region. It would be better for all parties if the perpetrators withdrew before my strike group arrives.”

Christyakov frowned with confusion. “And you’re telling me this because you think my government is somehow involved?”

If the kid is acting, he’s doing a damned good job, Ryan thought. But he wouldn’t be in the job if he wasn’t a good actor, would he?