Pauline did not need a lesson in diplomacy from him. ‘Mr Hare, I think we can let you go and get some sleep.’
‘Yeah, sure.’ Hare slouched to the door and went out.
Sophia said: ‘I apologize for his manners. No one likes him, but he’s too smart to fire.’
Pauline had no interest in discussing Hare. She said: ‘We need to make a decision about putting the US military on alert.’
Gus said: ‘Yes, ma’am. Right now everything is on DEFCON 5, normal readiness.’
‘We should raise that to DEFCON 4.’
‘Heightened intelligence watch and strengthened security measures.’
‘I don’t like doing this, because the media overreact, but in this instance it’s inevitable.’
‘I agree. And we may need to move South Korea up to DEFCON 3. Last time it was used in the US was on 9/11.’
‘Remind me, what’s the difference between four and three?’
‘Crucially, in DEFCON 3, the air force must be ready to mobilize in fifteen minutes.’
Jacqueline came back in. ‘The translators are in place, and we’re getting Chen on video.’
Pauline looked at her computer screen. ‘That’s quick.’
‘I guess he was expecting your call.’
Pauline scribbled notes on a pad: Sangnam-ni, nuclear, Special Operation Force, no arrests, regional stability, international stability, then there was a chime and Chen appeared. He was in his office, seated at a vast desk, with China’s red-and-yellow flag over his shoulder and a painting of the Great Wall behind him.
Pauline said: ‘Good day to you, Mr President, and thank you for taking my call.’
Through the interpreter he replied: ‘I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk to you.’
In informal situations Chen had chatted to Pauline in English quite comfortably, but in a conversation such as this they had to be absolutely sure they were not misunderstood.
Pauline said: ‘What’s going on in Sangnam-ni?’
‘I’m afraid an economic crisis has been caused by the American sanctions.’
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.’