seawasp | FENRIR: Chapter 17

Building the ship was not even half the real problem...

Chapter 17: A Point of Agreement

Time to Launch: 665 Days

Jeanne Sacco sipped at the glass of water absently. She didn't really want to drink much right now – add nervousness to too much water and suddenly you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of important discussions. But this was a touchy meeting.

Xi Deng was the current paramount leader of China – which meant that he was the most powerful person in the country, even though another person currently held the title of President. Unlike some prior holders of the title, Xi Deng was more self-effacing, letting others stay in the public spotlight while he did his work more quietly.

That made it even more unusual that he was personally meeting with President Sacco; such a meeting was an acknowledgement that any negotiations between the countries really was a negotiation with Xi. And this particular discussion was perhaps the single most important make-or-break decision of the century.

The door opened, and President Sacco stood as Xi Deng, dressed in a well-cut but otherwise unobtrusive suit, entered, accompanied by his security detail. The latter examined the room carefully, then bowed and departed, to wait outside with the President's Secret Service people.

Jeanne Sacco matched Xi Deng's bow, and he then extended his hand and gave a quick, cordial handshake. "President Sacco," he said, with only a moderate accent to his English, "it is good of you to take the time to see me."

"I always have time for the General Secretary," Sacco answered. "Would you care for some tea? Any refreshments before we begin anything of import?"

Xi smiled faintly, surveying the wood-paneled walls of the Camp David meeting room in Laurel Lodge. "A lovely room, though rather large for two people," he observed. "Tea would be excellent."

She had expected that answer, and a quick signal to the staff soon sent a cart rolling through the door. "How was your journey, Mr. Secretary?"

"As pleasant as long flights may be, Madame President." He took a sip of tea. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"I wish we could have given you a day or two to recover from the change; this must be the middle of the night for you."

"Ahh, indeed, Madame President," Xi Deng said, with a surprisingly bright smile. "But I am more of a, um, night owl myself, so I am quite awake and eager to resolve the issues before us."

Quickly to business. Don’t know if that's good or bad. "Which issues would you like to discuss first?"

The smile became a laugh. "Madame President, let us be entirely honest with each other. Carpathia is the only business of note, and we – we two – are the only two who actually matter in that business."

"I am not entirely sure I agree," she said carefully, "but I could not argue that our two countries are the two most vital to the success of Carpathia."

"Exactly so. If either of us breaks from the rest, the entire project will be thrown into doubt, perhaps made impossible. This is not true of any of our other worthy allies; we could weather the loss of any one of them." Xi Deng looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

All right, if that's the tone we're taking. "Very well. Yes, China and the United States are the two keystone states to the project. Most people know it. I will agree that you're correct; we can't do this without you, and I do not think you can do this without us."

"Absolutely!" The General Secretary looked pleased. "And my advisors tell me that there are some decisions that have become very much… time-critical. Most importantly the location for assembly and launch of Carpathia. Yes?"

Jeanne nodded her head. Not as if I haven't had Stephanie reminding me of that every other day. "Probably the most important, yes."

"And you and your people, you must have discussed all the possibilities, yes? Did you reach any conclusions?"

"We did. But I presume your people have done so as well, Mr. Secretary, so why don't you tell me how you see it?"

He nodded. "Well. All are agreed that the launch must be done somewhere that a little nuclear fallout will not bother, where large explosions can be unleashed and do no damage. And also, that there must be excellent transportation access, to bring in the men, materials, support resources for the construction of this immense vessel. Yes?"

"Yes."

"This," Xi Deng went on, "points to prior nuclear test sites, as locations already previously subjected to such indignities. More, I think we can agree that the Russians have neither the resources to support the needed work, nor the facilities in place in any area they still control." A dismissive smile. "So that leaves appropriate facilities in China and the United States."

"Are you considering reactivating the Lop Nur base?"

"It has been considered, as have a few other locations very remote from major population centers," Xi Deng said, but then he looked narrowly at Jeanne. "But you have already gone beyond 'considering' at your Nevada Test Site, have you not?"

Hard to hide anything from satellites these days. "We anticipated the possible selection of that site and have begun the modernization and extension of infrastructure, especially rail lines to likely construction areas, yes."

"So." He looked at her expressionlessly for a moment, then abruptly gave that brilliant smile. "China will approve of the use of the American site for the construction and launch of Carpathia."

There was a double jolt in her chest at that simple announcement – relief, at the idea they would have a finalized construction site and that it would be where she could reasonably aid in oversight… and sudden concern at the cost. "That is most gratifying, General Secretary," she said after a moment, "I wonder if there is anything I might do to express our gratitude?"

"Oh, it is a fine opportunity for China to show how forward-looking we are," Xi said. "And our conservation and safety concerns – the Lop Nur site is, after all, the location of a very endangered species of camel, and we must also be concerned with the health of our citizens."

Well, there's a way to spin it – Americans are willing to irradiate their people, we'd rather not.

"But," he went on, "the People's Republic of China would certainly appreciate having some position to give us the same, how is it said… high profile publicity as time goes on."

"The United States is always interested in showing appreciation to our friends," President Sacco said carefully. "How might we give you this opportunity?"

"My advisors and I have an idea," admitted Xi. "First, of all, allow us to make this announcement. It will show China's cooperative spirit."

And you've outlined the jab you get to make, and I can live with it. We have plenty of spin experts here, too. "That is something we can agree to. Done."

"In a more… enduring vein, America will have the construction of the ship itself, but when it launches, the ship must have a commander, a captain, who will be very much in the public eye. If the captain of the Carpathia were a Chinese officer, that would be a very fine thing, would you agree?"

Jeanne considered the offer; it was one of those that she and Roger had actually discussed more than once. "Obviously any commander of the Carpathia would have to meet a number of very stringent criteria," she said, "but I am sure that China has some excellent candidates for that position that would meet these requirements, and the United States would be willing to give preference to any such."

"Excellent. Excellent. Then, Madame President, I believe we can consider we have reached an agreement on this." His controlled, considered persona suddenly shifted, and she saw an absolutely boyish smile flash out. "I want to see us meet the aliens too, you know!"

She laughed. "General Secretary, I think we can all agree on that!"

He leaned back. "Then there are other details to be worked out… but I believe we can now find agreement there, as well." His voice took on a more serious tone as he finished, "After all… there are now two civilizations depending on us."

More than you know, Mr. Secretary.