Dale Brown - Sky Masters

“Why was a plan not developed to secure the airport at Cotabato?” Yin asked angrily. “It was a major part of our invasion operation. You had several days and plenty of support, Captain-why am I now being told it is not safe to use this airport?”

“Sir, as I mentioned before to you, we depleted the reserve forces of Group Two to dangerous levels during the assault on Cotabato, ” Sun replied. “As you know, we had to abandon our patrols of most of the Sulu Archipelago and create the hundred-kilometer safe zone around Zamboanga to form the invasion fleet for the Cotabato operation. It was barely enough for the job. We have taken the airport at Cotabato, but the staff and I agree that it is not wise to count on using it for the Davao operation. It is suitable as a landing base, and our aircraft recovering there can be refueled, but. . “Can we not rearm our fighters and attack planes there as well?” Sun shook his head reluctantly. “We deemed it too danger ous to ship massive amounts of rockets, bombs, and missiles to Cotabato, sir, ” he replied. “Fuel trucks and bladders make poor targets for guerrillas with mortars or RPGs, but bomb dumps or parked cargo aircraft make convenient and inviting targets. Guerrilla attacks are too frequent “Curse you, I should have been advised of all this sooner!” Yin exploded. He waved his hand irritably at Sun. “Continue, Captain. What other difficulties do you envision?” Sun swallowed hard before continuing: he had previously briefed Admiral Yin on the problems with air cover if Cotabato was not secured, and now he was being blamed for not telling him; he had also briefed Yin on the next topic, and it appeared likely that Yin was going to forget about being advised of this as well. “Sir, with the destroyers moving to the north Davao Gulf and their escorts taking their positions to support the landing, we have decreased our air coverage of the eastern Celebes Sea to a dangerous level, ” Sun said. “What air attacks are you concerned about, Captain?” Yin asked. “The American aircraft carrier is out of position, it cannot launch its strike aircraft, and no other carriers are within range… “The land-based bombers are our biggest threat, sir, ” Sun replied. “The American Air Battle Force has been on the island of Guam ready to strike…”

“The Americans will not use the heavy bombers against us, ” Yin said. “Our intelligence reports stated that the American President did not even want those bombers there. Besides, you reported that the Americans had only a handful of bombers there, less than thirty-is that not so . . ?”

“The count is accurate, sir, ” Sun acknowledged, “but each can carry a number of Harpoon antiship missiles and bombs…”

“They have to get close enough to use them first, ” Yin snapped. “Even one of our small patrol boats can destroy a Harpoon missile in flight. And the closer those bombers come to Davao during the invasion, the more effective our antiaircraft guns become.” Sun paused momentarily. Yin seemed to have an answer for everything. Sun did not dispute his commander’s thoughts, but he was being extraordinarily confident of his own fleet’s power and recklessly unconcerned about the American Air Force’s power. I agree with you, sir, ” Sun said slowly, “but I think it would be wise to augment our air-defense preparations by moving the Hong Lung and some of its antiair-equipped escorts to the eastern Celebes Sea area. That would give us four ships with surface-to-air missiles and four more ships with large-caliber radar-guided antiaircraft guns. Zamboanga is secure-our presence is not needed here.” Yin thought about the suggestion, and he liked it-Sun would make a fine fleet commander one day. The Hong Lung was one of the most powerful ships in the world, well suited for both antiair as well as antiship operations. It was also a very potent weapon for simple show-of-force, but since Yin liked to keep his warships mostly out of sight of the local population, it wasn’t doing much good as a weapon of intimidation in Zamboanga. His shore setups here were in place and operating well-it was time the Hong Lung, the Red Dragon, got back into the fight. “An excellent suggestion, Captain, ” Yin said. “I want one vessel to remain here, positioned so residents of the city can see it clearly; the rest of the Fleet Master will accompany the ong Lung to the battle area. Choose your escorts and alert the fleet: we sail immediately for the eastern Celebes Sea.” Sun looked much more pleased-it was obvious he disagreed with Yin’s estimation of the American air threat-and he owed to acknowledge the order. “If there is nothing else, ublish the orders and proceed.” His flag staff stood, bowed, nd exited the office. Yin was alone in his office for several minutes when his xecutive officer knocked. “Sir, you have a visitor: Philippine resident Daniel Teguina. He is requesting a short meeting with you in private.” Yin had to struggle to maintain his composure. What in hell oes Teguina want with me… ? Since the coup, Teguina had ealt exclusively with the People’s Liberation Army Supreme ommander, High General Chin Po Zihong, on any military atters; otherwise he dealt with Dong Sen Kim, the ambassa dor to the Philippines, or to the Foreign Minister directly. Just a few weeks earlier, Teguina would have gladly kissed Yin’s feet if he had helped him with his coup-now that the coup was completed, Teguina was actually starting to believe the myth about China just assisting Teguina to defeat the “rebels” and save his country. “Tell him I’m too… never mind. I’ll meet him. Have this room cleaned and coffee and pastries served. . . and put his flags back, too, his stupid Aguinaldo flag and the Sulu flag. And make sure our conversation is recorded and the video cameras ar derision if the coup fails. Accompanied by a heavily armed Marine guard, Admiral Yin made his way to the quarterdeck and onto the receiving area. He was kept waiting as several escort vessels made their way toward the Chinese destroyer, under the careful scrutiny of deck-gun crews. An honor guard was quickly assembled, and several crewmen were positioned on the port rail, standing at parade rest, as Teguina’s liaison craft approached. Teguina’s boat was stopped several times and inspected before being allowed to dock at the Hong Lung’s boarding platform, and the new Philippine President started up the stairs. The honor guard snapped to attention, and a broadcast was made on the public address system announcing the arrival of the Philippine President. Yin forced himself to raise a hand to the brim of his cap in salute. Teguina ignored the Chinese colors and Yin’s salute. “I must speak with you immediately, Admiral, ” Teguina said without preamble. “By all means, Mr. President, ” Yin’s interpreter replied. He quickly translated both Teguina’s words and his own hasty reply for the Admiral, and Yin scowled darkly as he followed Teguina through the quarterdeck doors. A few moments later they were in Yin’s flag briefing room. “The Admiral wishes to extend his warmest greeting to the President of the Democratic Federation of Aguinaldo, ” Yin’s interpreter said in English. “The Admiral considers it a great honor that you have come for a visit and wishes to offer you… Teguina started talking, a long, completely unintelligible diatribe. The interpreter tried to tell Yin what the man was saying but was stopped by a sudden outburst of anger as Teguina angrily spit out his words. “He said he wants an explanation of why the Chinese government has made an alliance with Vietnam for the Spratly Islands, ” the interpreter finally said. “He is angry that his country has lost all rights to the Spratly Islands to the Vietnamese.”

“What is he talking about?” Yin asked angrily. “We did not make a deal with Vietnam for anything!”