Page 132 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest
“The Americans?”
Nobody saw a thing.
“They both must be on transmission silence as well,” the comms tech offered. “Invisible on the electromagnetic spectrum, just like us.”
“Put the Mandarin back on.”
“Sir.”
Stokes began to speak, but Fierro shut him down with the flip of his hand.
“What do you want us to do about the Americans, since we can’t move?” Fierro asked.
“We’ll bloody fight them,” Stokes said.
“Your ship is worthless to me if the AGI is harmed,” Peng said. “Do not fight the Americans. Do not move. Instead, stall them.”
“How?” Fierro asked.
“With a bluff. A promise. A ruse. You are expert in such things, Amador. I should know.”
“I never lied to you, Peng.”
“Withholding the truth is the same as a lie. You have no doubt spent billions building out your AGI because you know exactly what it can do. And yet you said nothing about it to me. I must assume your intentions are hostile.”
“I will only use it against the Americans, I assure you.”
“You will use it against anyone you consider a threat, including us.”
“Your nation has always befriended us. We’ve worked together for years against the Americans. I would never deploy it against you.”
“Since we’re friends, you should be happy to share it with us, yes?”
“Of course. We’ll discuss it when you arrive.”
“Until we do, maintain electromagnetic silence. With any luck, the Americans have miscalculated your position. But if they do appear, as I suspect they will, stall them.”
“And then?”
“The mightyFuzhouwill sweep theOregonoff the face of the sea.”
?
Aboard theFuzhou
Peng turned to Captain Zhao. She and the rest of the bridge crew had heard the entire exchange with Fierro.
Zhao’s reputation as an iron-willed and duty-bound commander had been further cemented in Peng’s mind ever since he boarded her ship. Her outstanding leadership and superlative command presence had inspired fanatical loyalty in the sailors under her authority.
But Peng noted with delight that the flinty-eyed captain allowed herself the slightest smile when he told Fierro, “TheFuzhouwill sweep the Americans off the face of the sea.” The officers and enlisted crew around the bridge stiffened with pride as well, each face eager for the promise of combat against the hated Americans.
“Captain Zhao, I’ve committed this ship to battle. Are you surprised?”
“No, sir. Admiral Qian suggested the possibility in his briefing before your arrival.”
“Once we are closer to theBaktun, I give you permission to drive the Americans from the area—or blow them apart.”
Zhao nodded curtly, barely able to contain her excitement at the prospect of tangling with an American warship.
