Excerpt from Executive Order XIII-5150: "…FOX THREE is a Special Missions Unit authorized by the President of the United States to execute covert operations in regions where American forces are neither welcome nor warranted. They specialize in deep penetration and reconnaissance missions inside denied areas. They can also execute counter-terrorism, direct action, rendition, and sabotage missions as ordered by the National Command Authority…"
Hong Kong (CNN)-Unconfirmed reports are streaming in from various sources that units of the People's Liberation Army, Air Force, and Navy are engaged in fierce combat with an unidentified enemy. Google Earth has received numerous satellite photos from a slicer claiming to be the infamous 'Bad Nano'. It depicts huge explosions erupting on and around Hainan Island. The devastated areas include the Lingshui PLAAF Base, the Haikou and Sanya naval yards, and Tse Tung Military Reserve. While Prime Minister Zhao Tsing and the Central Military Commission were unavailable for comment, President T.J. Davis issued a statement from Camp David. 'While the United States understands that the People's Republic of China is experiencing technical difficulties with its communication infrastructure, there is an expectation that the illegally detained crew of the USS Marathon and the frigate itself will be protected from harm.'
Tse Tung Military Reserve
One hour ago…
BLACK FOX silently watched the roof's lone sentry walk back towards a sand-bagged machine gun position. The sentry placed his QBZ-95 assault rifle against a blue ice bucket and took out a pack of smokes. BLACK FOX crept towards the sentry, keeping out of the moonlight. His digicamo module adjusted to the shadows around him. Enveloped in darkness, he became a living wraith stalking his oblivious prey. BLACK FOX flicked open his Microtech Tachyon balisong fighting knife.
The sentry, an eighteen-year old conscript, took a drag off his Marlboro Red cigarette. His eyes widened in surprise when BLACK FOX cupped his mouth then plunged the knife into the younger soldier's heart. To ensure that the sentry wasn't a threat, BLACK FOX slashed open the boy's throat. He gently laid the corpse to rest against the sandbags. He looked around once to see if there were any more guards, the activated his CVI and tuned it to frequency 185.40. It was time to get this party started.
Inside The Lair
FOX THREE H.Q.
Colonel Natalia Barak finished keying in commands to the diverse elements of Operation SPLASHDOWN. Very soon, SPLASHDOWN would morph into TSUNAMI. Colonel Sean Falco and his 'Wolfhounds' would enter the restricted airspace of the People's Republic of China in less than ten minutes. After reading the latest intelligence updates, both members of Team One would need the massive firepower of the ready reaction force. She checked the main HDTV display of the South China Sea area. This was going to get hairy real fast.
The glass doors of the situation room whooshed open as General Roy Campbell entered. Attired in the Army Combat Uniform, the general sent a message to the Operations staff: We're going to war, people, and it's not going to be easy for anyone. Standing in his gray, tan, and sage green digital patterned fatigues General Campbell looked everyone in the face from the youngest analyst to his XO, Colonel Barak. They also noted that he was wearing his .45 M15 General Officer's Pistol. His staff knew that when he did, the men and women under his command in the field were in harm's way.
"General Campbell," called out a technician, "Priority call on frequency 185.40 from BLACK FOX."
"Go ahead, Saunders, patch it through."
There was a brief hiss of static, and then BLACK FOX's voice could be heard over the room's speakers.
"BLACK FOX to FOX ACTUAL. Team One is ready to party. Ready to rock 'n roll in five mikes."
General Campbell looked over the various multi-function displays and the main display. His eyes misted for a second as he remembered the missed opportunity in Son Tay and later in Desert One. Not on my watch, Roy thought to himself. Not while I'm in command and can rescue those boys. Not on my goddamned watch!
"Understood, BLACK FOX. SPLASHDOWN terminated. TUSNAMI is on-line and initiated at 0300 HRS."
"Roger that, general. Keep those Krispy Kremes toasty for us to enjoy when we get back. BLACK FOX, out."
Colonel Barak finished transmitting the latest updates to BLACK FOX and ACID SNAKE. It included troop movements, rendezvous coordinates, rally points, and alternate avenues of escape. The packet also included the pass codes to link with the MQ-9 Reapers overflying the Tse Tung Military Reserve. The UAVs would be their sole means of reinforcement until the Wolfhounds deployed. She was working on a disinformation/disruption program to release into the PRC's network to further destabilize the situation. She was still leaning over her workstation when General Campbell approached her.
"So is ARCHANGEL powered up and dialed in to the proper coordinates?"
"The system is at 100 percent; maximum output. The target list is being uploaded as we speak."
Roy nodded his head. He continued to examine the screens until he was satisfied everything was in order.
"Ok, Natalia. Unleash Tsunami."
In orbit over the Pacific Ocean…
The satellite unfolded its solar panels and brought its systems on-line. It compared the landmasses below and found the one that matched its photo in the database. A hatch irised open and a cannon extended itself from the main body. It glowed with an iridescent emerald lightning that danced along the cannon's muzzle then shot forth towards the earth impacting on Hainan Island. It paused for twenty minutes and fired again. It would continue to rain down destruction for the next hour or two then stop. Operation TSUNAMI had commenced.
