Embassy of the Empire Read online

  He finally stopped. “Don’t we have footage?”

  Leroux glanced at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, don’t we have footage of the collision?”

  “I’m sure we do.”

  “Then why the hell aren’t we releasing it? It would prove that the Chinese rammed us, that it was their own damn fault.”

  Sonya Tong, the second most senior in the room, turned in her chair to face Child. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe that’s not what happened?”

  Child’s eyes bugged out. “What do you mean?

  “Well, maybe we rammed them.”

  “You’re only saying that because you’re Chinese.”

  Leroux spun on him, jabbing a finger, spotting Tong’s shocked and betrayed expression, the woman’s feelings genuinely hurt as her loyalty to her country was questioned because of who her ancestors were. “Apologize now, or you’re off my team!”

  Child’s cheeks flushed and tears filled his eyes. He turned to Tong. “I’m so sorry, Sonya. I don’t know why I said that. I guess I’m just scared.” The tears erupted and his shoulders shook. “I don’t know why I said that, I’m so sorry, I don’t know why, I don’t know why I said that!”

  Tong rose, her own eyes welling up with tears, and she stepped over to his station and knelt down, giving him a hug. “It’s okay, I forgive you. We’re all scared.”

  Child clung to her, and they held each other. Leroux glanced at the others in the room, finding too many with glistening eyes. They had all been through a lot together, but their operations were usually limited in scope. This time, their country could be going to war with a nuclear power, and though he had absolutely no doubt America would prevail if it went full-scale, the death toll could be staggering.

  He decided something must be said.

  He walked to the front of the sloping room, standing in front of the massive curved displays that stretched from one end to the other, then turned to face his team. A few short years ago, what he was doing right now would have terrified him more than the potential of war. He was an introvert, painfully so, that had been slowly coaxed out of his shell by his girlfriend, Sherrie White, a CIA operative, and his best friend, Dylan Kane, yet even though he had been pried from the closed world that had been his life for almost 30 years, situations such as this were still not his comfort zone.

  “Okay, everyone, I know we’re all scared, we’re all tense, we’re all on edge, but let’s use all this anxiety to keep us sharp. We need to channel all this extra energy and put it to good use. What’s the one thing we know that’s true the world over?”

  Tong let go of Child and returned to her seat. “That the average person is an idiot?”

  Leroux chuckled. “Compared to the minds in this room, I would wholeheartedly agree, though that wasn’t exactly what I was going for. Think a little bit more real world. Think social media, think Millennials. What’s the average Millennial desperate for when it comes to social media?”

  Child shrugged. “Content?”

  “Exactly. They want to have that one unique moment that no one else has. They want to record anything that could make them famous, even if it’s just for that proverbial fifteen minutes.”

  Child’s eyes widened. “You think somebody recorded the collision?”

  “What are navies the world over filled with? Young sailors. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if somebody out there on either side recorded this and posted it.”

  “But the Chinese ship sank.”

  “Yes, but remember, they didn’t abandon ship, they stayed on until the very last minute, likely under orders. So, if you’re eighteen and scared, and your captain has just announced you’re not allowed to abandon your post, and if you jump in the water you’re going to be shot, what do you do if you’ve got the proof in your hand that the asshole on the bridge is responsible for killing you?”

  “I upload my proof.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Do the Chinese ships even have Internet?”

  “They do, but it’s strictly controlled. However, somebody might have had a contraband satphone or somebody in the comms center of the ship might have decided to upload the video they had taken while on the bridge, or that a buddy had just handed him, as a last ‘screw you’ to his captain that just got him killed. There are a million possibilities. Or it could have been one of our guys. We don’t know. But let’s start looking. Scour everything, see if we can find some footage, and start reviewing satellite footage. See if the cameras got lucky. We need to get the proof that might just stop the war.”

  Tong cleared her throat. “But won’t the Pentagon already be doing this?”

  Leroux eyed her. “Do you really want to leave the fate of our country in their hands?”

  She smiled sheepishly. “No, I suppose not.”

  “Good. This room has the best damn team of analysts anywhere in the world, and there’s no way in hell I’m just going to sit here, hoping someone else saves us.”

  Tong held up a finger. “I’ve got Professor Acton on the phone for you, sir.”

  Leroux grabbed his headset from his console and fit it in place, then nodded to Tong to put the call through. “Professor Acton, this is Chris Leroux.”

  “Good to hear your voice, Chris. Do you have any advice for us beyond kiss our asses goodbye?”

  Leroux chuckled. “All I can say is this time, you’re probably going to have to save your own skins. Dylan’s deep undercover, and there’s no way Bravo Team will be allowed into China.”

  A burst of static came through his headset as Acton sighed. “I had a feeling you were going to say that. Listen, I’ve got two Australian nationals with us, students from the archaeological team. What do you recommend we do?”

  “Where are you now?”

  “We’re in Luoyang. It’s about eight hours southwest of Beijing.”

  “I would tell you to sit tight, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a good idea.”

  “Neither do I. The embassy is advising everyone to stay in the hotels, but when Laura was retrieving our satphone, they raided it.”

  “If you were anybody else, I would say the best thing for you to do is to let yourself get arrested. The Chinese are just playing a game right now, and they’re using American tourists and businesspeople as pawns in that game. Because of your history, you’re priority targets. I have no doubt once they review who they actually have in the country, they’re going to be specifically looking for you. You interfered in their affairs too many times, including in the Amazon and that coup attempt. You need to find someplace to hole up and ride this out.”

  “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

  “It’s too bad you’re not in Beijing. I would recommend you go to the embassy, but in Luoyang, there’s really nowhere you can go.”

  “Could we get to Beijing?”

  Leroux stared at a map Tong had brought up for him, never ceasing to be amazed at how she could always anticipate his needs. “It’s a possibility. It depends on how much of a lockdown they want to bring in. Right now, our reports are that they’re hitting the hotels. We haven’t heard any reports of roadblocks or checkpoints yet. If you get out of the city, you should have a straight shot to Beijing. Do you have a GPS in your vehicle?”

  “We do.”

  “How are you for gas?

  “We can make it. I just filled up.”

  “Then I suggest you start driving, Professor Acton. Head north, then make sure you take the G5512 and not the G30, otherwise you’re going to hit Zhengzhou. That’s about ten million people. If you take the G5512 then the G4 straight to Beijing, you should be able to avoid any major cities. Keep a low profile and make sure to keep this phone charged if you can.”

  “We can.”

  “Good. Call us every thirty minutes with an update as to your location. We’ll work out a plan on this end. Just get yourselves to Beijing.”

  “Copy that.”

  “Good luck, Professors.”

  “Thanks! We’re going to need it.”

  27 |

  Fort Bragg, North Carolina

  Sergeant Carl “Niner” Sung squeezed off the last round then ejected the spent magazine, slamming home a fresh one in less than half a second, before returning the loaded Glock to its holster. He pressed the button to retrieve his target as Sergeant Leon “Atlas” James emptied his mag in the next stall. Niner grabbed his paper target and grinned as Atlas retrieved his own, holding it up.

  “Beat that, little man,” rumbled the impossibly muscled Atlas. It was a perfect result, all headshots and double-tap chest shots with good groups. More than enough to put him in the 99th percentile, as any member of their unit should. They were 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta, commonly referred to by the public as Delta Force, and the best trained operators the world had ever known.

  But they weren’t simply soldiers—Niner also considered himself an artiste.

  He held his up, a perfect smiley face shot into the target’s chest, and a single ragged hole in the crotch from the remaining shots delivered for good measure.

  Atlas groaned. “Who do you think you are? Martin Riggs?”

  “If I’m Riggs, that makes you Murtaugh, so I guess you’re too old for this shit.”

  “I’m too old to be putting up with your shit, pipsqueak.”

  Niner feigned mock hurt. “One of these days, you’re going to say something that will truly drive me away, and you’ll be sorry.”

  Atlas eyed him. “If you happen to know what that thing might be, let me know.”

  “You know, sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words, you huggable lunk, will always be a dagger to my heart.”

  Atlas groaned and turned to Command Sergeant Major Burt “Big Dog” Dawson. “We really need to find him a new team. I don’t know how much more I can take of him.”

  Niner dropped the target sheet and leaped through the air, wrapping his legs around the massive Atlas’ waist and his arms around his thick neck. “I’ll never let you get rid of me.” He started sport-humping Atlas’ stomach and the big man grabbed him by the chest and hurled him away. Niner skidded across the floor, the other members of Bravo Team pissing themselves laughing.

  Sergeant Will “Spock” Lightman cocked an eyebrow, shaking his head. “Why do I feel that David Attenborough should have been narrating that scene?”

  Sergeant Gerry “Jimmy Olsen” Hudson put on a fake British accent. “And now the Korean-American special operative attempts to mate with the alpha of the group, but the alpha is having none of it.” He laughed too hard to finish.

  Niner picked himself up off the floor, wiping away mock tears. “One of these days, you really are going to break my heart, and you won’t be seeing this anymore.” He slapped his ass with one hand.

  Atlas raised a boot. “The only time I ever want to see that narrow little thing is if my boot is firmly planted in it.”

  Niner rubbed the other ass cheek. “You already did that in Spain. My once perfect ass still has a mark.” He pointed at his target. “But I think I win. You’re buying the beer.”

  “I call it a tie.”

  Spock shook his head. “You two trying to settle things on the firing range is pointless. You’re both too good.”

  Niner and Atlas both bowed. “Why thank you,” they echoed before grinning at each other and exchanging fist bumps.

  Jimmy’s eyes rolled. “Sometimes I think you two were separated at birth.”

  Niner eyed Atlas, easily twice his size. “Why do I think we were just cast in the reboot of Twins?”

  Atlas grinned. “Dibs on Arnold. You’re DeVito.”

  Dawson’s phone rang and he answered it, holding up a finger, silencing the frivolity. “Go ahead.” Words were said on the other end, their team lead’s face growing grim. “Roger that.” He ended the call and returned the phone to his pocket.

  “What’s up?” asked Niner, all business.

  “We might be going to war.”

  28 |

  Imperial Palace Luoyang, Han Empire 166 AD

  Lucius lay in bed, Jieyou beside him, her head resting on his chest, an arm and leg draped over his naked body as they both caught their breath. Everything about this relationship was wrong, everything was dangerous, and everything was perfect. Their love was pure, and talk had turned to how they might have a future together. And one thought had occurred to him in the throes of passion that he decided must be discussed now, before he became distracted again and forgot it. He turned over onto his side and stared into her piercing eyes. He brushed the hair from her face. “I had a thought.”

  “And just what was this thought, my love?”

  “I may have figured out a way for us to be together.”

  Her eyes flared with hope. “Really? How?”

  “I was speaking with my father, and he said we would be sending a mission back to Rome to deliver messages to the Emperor along with the finalized treaty. He said I could command the mission.”

  Her eyes widened and she pulled away. “You mean you’re leaving me?”

  He reached out for her. “No, not at all. The mission would be under my command if I went, which means the men wouldn’t question anything.”

  “Question what?”

  “Why you were with me.”

  She eyed him in disbelief. “But that’s impossible! As much as I’d love to go with you and live in Rome, my father would never allow it.”

  “No, he never would. Nor would mine. But if you were to sneak out of the palace, then meet me along our route, no one would know. And once we’re clear of your empire, no one would stop us. We could return to Rome, be married, and live the rest of our lives together.”

  Her face brightened. “Do you really think it’s possible?”

  “If you’re willing, absolutely.”

  She grabbed him and held him tight. “I could think of nothing I would rather do.”

  “Then we must begin to plan, and no one can know.”

  “It will be our secret.”

  29 |

  Milton Residence St. Paul, Maryland Present Day

  Milton sat on his couch, glued to the television set. His daughter was playing on the floor, quietly humming as Sandra busied herself making breakfast in the kitchen. He reached behind his back and rubbed at the pain, his body still not fully recovered from the beating he had received a few months before.

  His phone beeped, indicating a message. He retrieved it off the end table and his eyes shot wide at the text.

  Chinese authorities looking specifically for Acton and Palmer. Do not respond.

  He checked the number but didn’t recognize it. He pulled up his email software then entered the number in the search bar and hit Enter. An email chain was displayed a moment later. The number was a backup for Professor Cao. Milton desperately wanted to respond to ask for more information, yet the message had been clear.

  Do not respond.

  “What’s wrong, dear?”

  He glanced over his shoulder at Sandra, who had stopped chopping the vegetables for their omelets. “I just got a message from Professor Cao.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “He’s in charge of the dig in China that Jim and Laura went to.”

  “Oh, why would he be contacting you?”

  His chest ached and his voice cracked. “He says the Chinese are after Jim and Laura.”

  Sandra’s jaw dropped and the knife clattered onto the cutting board. She grabbed her tea towel and dried her hands as she rushed from the kitchen. “What does that mean? Why would they be after them?”

  He gestured at the television screen. “You would think it has something to do with what’s going on right now, but the wording of his message makes me think it’s something more.”

  Sandra dropped into a chair next to him. “But she’s British, and they aren’t involved in this yet. Why would they be after her?”

  “I don’t know. All the reports are that only Americans are being confined to their hotels. Other foreign nationals have just been advised to be ready to leave if notified, but only Americans are now being advised to leave the country immediately if it’s safe to do so.”

  “We need to let somebody know, don’t we?”

  “According to Tommy, they’ve already notified Dylan, so if he’s able to help, I’m sure he’s already doing so.”

  “Yes, but he might not know about this.”

  Milton frowned. “That’s true.”

  “Didn’t Tommy say he’s got a contact at the CIA that he reached out to?”

  “Yes, that’s right!” Milton dialed Tommy’s number and put it on speaker.

  “Hello, Dean Milton,” answered a groggy Tommy.

  “Hi, Tommy, sorry to wake you, but I just received a message from Professor Cao. He’s the man in charge of the dig in China. It reads, and I quote: Chinese authorities looking specifically for Acton and Palmer. Do not respond.”

  “Why would they specifically be looking for them?”

  “Any number of reasons. They’ve pissed off the Chinese at least a couple of times that I can think of. Can you pass that message on to your CIA contacts, and I’ll try to pass it on to Dylan?”

  “Don’t bother with Dylan, sir, he’s deep undercover and won’t be able to help. I’ll pass this on to my CIA contact right away.”

  “Okay, you do that. Keep me posted.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The call ended and Milton collapsed in his chair, his back aching as every muscle in his body had tensed with the message. Sandra rose and stood behind him, beginning to deliver a massage. He groaned.

  “Why don’t we go to the bedroom and I’ll give you a proper massage?”

  He shook his head. “No, I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.”

  “Okay, but the offer’s there.” She continued expertly working on his back, his wife having taken lessons after he’d been shot, and as the stress in his muscles eased, his mind continued to race with worry over his best friends.