Orchid in Desert (Chapter 7)

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Content

Chapter 1: The New Minister of National Defense

Chapter 2: Secrets in the Basement

Chapter 3: Orchid in Desert

Chapter 4: Standoff at the Old Arm Factory

Chapter 5: Mastery of War

Chapter 6: The New Operations Coordinator

Chapter 7: Hunting the Kodiak

Chapter 8: Good News and Bad News

Chapter 9: Place of Sorrow

Chapter 10: Alicante Oceanographic

Chapter 11: The Andorra Talks

Chapter 7: Hunting the Kodiak

The Russians hadn’t pressed their offensive, nor retreated, in recent days. They actively participated in diplomatic negotiations, yet responded with frustrating passivity. China was preparing for a military counterstrike. The CMC, Central Military Commission, convened a meeting of the Ministry of National Defense, all Headquarters, and commanders from each Theater Command, to discuss potential military action plans and to establish a General Front Committee to oversee implementation. Several plans were presented, but no one volunteered to lead the Committee, nor to serve as overall commander on the front lines. Everyone felt confident in conventional warfare, but the prospect of escalation to nuclear war left them paralyzed. No one was eager to shoulder the immense responsibility, unsure how to fight, and even more importantly, how to end it.

Upon learning of this, the Russians secretly communicated with Mongolia, who announced an invitation for Russian forces to enter the country to assist in protecting Mongolian security. Russia deployed troops to Mongolia, positioning them along the Sino-Mongolian border. Meanwhile, warships and aircraft from the United States and other Western nations repeatedly harassed and provoked Chinese forces in the East and South China Seas. Simultaneously, Russia colluded with Western powers to incite separatism and unrest in China’s northwestern provinces and regions populated by minority groups.

The CMC convened another meeting. The Chairman of the CMC was appointed Director of the General Front Committee, with the Minister of National Defense as Deputy Director. The Commander of the Northern Theater Command was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Self-Defense Counterattack against Russia, retaining his position as Commander of the Northern Theater Command. The Political Commissar of the Northern Theater Command was appointed Chief Political Officer, also retaining his existing role. Forces under the Northern Theater Command would execute the counterattack, maintaining control over the intensity and scope of the conflict. The objective was to eliminate the Russian forces invading China and restore the original Sino-Russian border. The Central Theater Command would assume responsibility for the defensive gap previously held by the Northern Theater Command, with the CMC direct-affiliated combined heavy arms brigade deployed around Beijing to reinforce capital defense.

Russia immediately announced the deployment of its only two hypersonic intercontinental strategic nuclear missile systems, codenamed “Kodiak Bear,” to the Far East. They stated they would, “at the appropriate time, conduct preemptive, precision nuclear strikes against strategic targets.”

Five days later, at a war preparation conference, Commander-in-Chief Wu Dunlei stated that the PLA would not consider initiating the use of nuclear weapons, but would retaliate with nuclear force if attacked. To minimize losses in the event of a nuclear strike and to facilitate a swift counterattack, General Wu demanded Department Two to update intelligence on Russian nuclear weapon deployments. He also directed them to infiltrate Russia to locate and pinpoint the current deployment positions of the hypersonic strategic nuclear missiles – the “Kodiak Bears” – so that the PLA Rocket Force could prioritize and deliver timely strikes upon the commencement of hostilities.

Intelligence indicated that Russia’s “Kodiak Bear” hypersonic intercontinental strategic nuclear missile system consisted of only two missiles, for which there were currently no known interception methods. The missiles were mounted on a mobile launch platform, with the deployment location highly secured and constantly changing. No intelligence agency in any country had yet been able to locate or pinpoint the mobile launch system, nor was it known whether the two missiles were deployed separately or together.

According to existing intelligence, the system’s carrier was a train – chosen due to the weight of the missiles. This train could be disguised as a passenger or freight train and travel to any location with rail access. While restricted to existing railway lines, the system possessed considerable mobility and speed, earning the carrier train the moniker “Hell Train.”

The most recent and reliable intelligence suggested that, in an attempt to deter China, the system had been moved from the Volga region six days prior and secretly deployed within a remote, primeval forest somewhere in Siberia.

Qiu Tian received orders to deploy to a location in Siberia for reconnaissance. The target area was a frigid, uninhabited zone. Qiu Tian’s supplies and ammunition were limited, restricting her ability to conduct a prolonged, large-scale search. Fortunately, Department Two had narrowed the reconnaissance area to just thirty square kilometers.

The uninhabited zone was both safe and dangerous. Safe because it was unpopulated, making exposure less likely. Dangerous because of the potential for unexpected geological hazards, wild animals, or hunters. There was also the possibility of encountering enemy forces – stationed personnel or temporary patrols not yet identified by Chinese intelligence – and, crucially, no possibility of rescue should she run into trouble.

After reviewing the intelligence, the operation plan, and the extraction protocol, Liu Botao and Qiu Tian began inspecting the equipment.

Liu Botao had prepared a full set of Russian military standard cold-weather gear for Qiu Tian. Though Qiu Tian didn’t drink, Liu Botao had also included a metal flask filled with strong liquor. Qiu Tian uncapped it and sniffed. “This isn’t vodka, it’s rum.”

Liu Botao quickly grabbed her wrist. “Careful, careful! Just smell it, don’t even think about drinking it. You don’t drink alcohol at all, and besides, it’s not for you.”

“Then who is it for?” Qiu Tian asked, curious.

“For our Russian friends. I figured you might need it, just in case. It tastes like rum, but it’s been laced with a potent poison. The rum masks the taste somewhat.” Liu Botao explained. “It takes effect within five minutes. The cold weather might slow it down by a minute or two, but not significantly.”

Qiu Tian’s face lit up. “Lao Liu, I like people who are prepared! Thoughtful of you to bring a gift.” She tucked the flask away and asked Liu Botao, “Where’s the antidote?”

Lao Liu laughed helplessly. “Antidote? You think this is a Wuxia novel? There is no antidote.”

Qiu Tian slapped Liu Botao on the back. “Lao Liu, you’re ruthless! I’m starting to like you!”

“How do I compare to Lao Li?” Liu Botao asked with a smile.

Qiu Tian’s expression immediately turned serious. “Lao Liu, Liu Botao! Don’t compare yourself to Li Changchun, and don’t compare me to your other partners. You are you, I am me, we are us. Don’t drag irrelevant people into this.” She tossed the flask to Liu Botao and continued, “If you can’t handle it, just drink it yourself. There’s no antidote for either of us, anyway.”

Liu Botao caught the flask. “You’re right. I completely agree. My apologies. I overthink things, always afraid of failing. I confess, ‘Ms. Qiu’ has quite a reputation. Working with you puts a lot of pressure on me.”

Qiu Tian’s demeanor softened. “We’re both dance partners with Death. Just listen to the music, focus on the steps, and don’t overthink it.” She pointed at the flask in Liu Botao’s hand. “Hand it over!”

Liu Botao tossed her the flask, and Qiu Tian snatched it, stowing it away once again. All of Qiu Tian’s necessary equipment would be secretly transported into Russian territory by Liu Botao, to be collected and used upon her arrival.

Once inside Russia, Qiu Tian collected her equipment and a snowmobile, and set off towards her destination. She stopped two kilometers from the designated search area, using a spare fuel canister to top off the snowmobile’s tank. She carefully concealed the vehicle, marking its location before continuing on foot.

Night fell early in the depths of Siberia, or perhaps it was the overcast skies, but the light was fading by just after 3:00 PM, and a light snow began to fall.

Qiu Tian donned her skis, securing her gear, and began to glide towards the target zone. The snow intensified, quickly covering her tracks.

The further she skied, the denser the forest became, almost obscuring the sky above. The trees and branches blocked the snowfall, creating the illusion that it was lighter within the dense woods, though the snow on the ground remained deep.

Qiu Tian’s primary objective was to locate the railway line, then follow it while searching for the missiles and their carrier. She had pre-divided the thirty square kilometer area into six sub-sectors and intended to use her two specially designed miniature drones to scan for targets, utilizing their infrared cameras to increase search efficiency. Time was critical; the front lines needed her information to determine the timing of a potential counterattack. Even discovering the target one minute earlier could contribute to reducing casualties among military personnel and civilians of China.

Complete darkness had fallen. The primeval forest was devoid of light and sound, even Qiu Tian’s own breathing sounded labored. Carefully concealed, she operated the drone, simultaneously listening intently to her surroundings. This was the second drone she’d deployed. Although the design had accounted for the weather, the extreme cold had clearly been underestimated. The second drone’s battery had already failed. She had only scanned two-thirds of the area, one-third less than planned. The remaining section would have to be searched manually.

To reduce weight, Qiu Tian disassembled the drone’s remote control, burying the components in different locations beneath the snow. She reorganized her gear and began to move forward, searching through the darkness.

Railway! The railway! Finally! Qiu Tian stopped and checked her compass, continuing east-northeast along the tracks. Soon, the line forked. One branch continued east-northeast, while the other curved north after a short distance.

She used her gloved hand to clear the snow covering the rails, carefully examining the surfaces. The east-northeast line was noticeably smoother than the northern line, indicating higher usage. A disused railway in this remote area likely served a specific purpose. Qiu Tian decided to follow the northern track first.

Her intuition proved correct. Through her infrared night vision goggles, she observed the single track split at a set of points, branching into four tracks within a relatively flat and open area. This formed a rudimentary, end-of-line station, covered by camouflage netting creating a canopy, concealing the area from aerial observation.

Qiu Tian halted and scanned the area with her infrared telescope. Six enclosed freight cars sat on the first track. The middle two tracks held identical trains, each consisting of a locomotive and five enclosed freight cars. The fourth track was occupied by a passenger train, a locomotive pulling eight cars. In addition to forklifts, cranes, and stacks of containers, the station yard also contained four military trucks and two military jeeps. Three shipping containers had been converted into buildings on the east side of the station, their windows and doors tightly sealed, offering no glimpse of light within. The entire station was dimly lit, almost pitch black. Without the night vision goggles, it would have been impossible to make out any details.

The two sentries were bundled up so tightly that only their eyes were visible, casually strolling the open space. They chatted intermittently, exhibiting none of the vigilance expected of guards – they seemed merely to be marking time until relieved. It appeared this location had been secure for a long time, leaving the sentries with a diminished sense of alert.

Qiu Tian stealthily approached the station. The two sentries had just stopped walking and were leaning in to converse.

Rounding the corner of a freight car, Qiu Tian held up the metal flask, approaching the men from five or six meters away. “It’s cold, isn’t it?” She shook the flask, tossing it towards them, but didn’t stop walking, continuing toward the sentries.

The sentry who caught the flask uncapped it and sniffed. “What kind of liquor is this? Not vodka?”

“Rum, from Saint Vincent. Hard to come by.” Qiu Tian replied.

“Saint Vincent? Where’s that?” The sentry pulled down his insulated hood and took a large swig, finding it agreeable. He took a couple more sips, replaced the hood, and handed the flask to his companion. He did the same, taking several sips, while Qiu Tian drew closer. The sentry with the flask extended it to her. “This rum is pretty good. Want some?”

Qiu Tian, her face still covered by the hood, shook her head. “I don’t like it, that’s why I gave it to you!”

The three of them exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

“Anyone got vodka? I’ll take a shot.” Qiu Tian capped her own flask, offered it to one of the men, and asked.

The first sentry glanced slyly at his companion, then back at Qiu Tian. He pulled a flask from his pocket and handed it to her. Qiu Tian took it, uncapped it, and pulled down her insulated hood, exposing her nose, raising the flask to her nostrils. “Hmm, that’s the scent I was looking for.”

As she spoke, the two men simultaneously collapsed to the ground, convulsing briefly before falling still. Qiu Tian muttered to herself, “What did that Liu Botao slip me? He said five minutes, maybe a couple more in the cold. How did they go down so quickly? Unreliable as hell. I didn’t even get to taste the vodka.”

Qiu Tian pocketed the flask of vodka, ignoring the bodies on the ground, and took advantage of the quiet to inspect the trains. Several of the passenger cars were empty, lacking even seats, but three contained electronic equipment – likely the launch control units for the missiles. The freight car doors were all locked, and several were conspicuously marked with radiation hazard symbols. She surmised that these freight cars held the “Kodiak Bears,” and the cars bearing the radiation warnings likely contained the warheads.

Unable to ascertain the contents of the freight cars for certain, and already committed, Qiu Tian decided to eliminate the personnel inside the converted shipping containers first, then take the time to investigate the trains. She moved towards the containers. Just then, two soldiers emerged from the first container, closing and locking the door behind them. Both men shivered involuntarily, and slowly began to walk towards the guard post. Qiu Tian, concealed behind a passenger car, quietly mirrored their movement, preparing for combat.

The two soldiers discovered the sentries lying on the ground and rushed over to check on them, noticing one still clutched a flask. Assuming they had simply gotten drunk, the shorter of the two newly arrived guards took the flask and sniffed it, then took a sip, passing it to the taller soldier. The taller man shook his head and refused it. They kicked the motionless bodies on the ground, realizing something was amiss. Before either could raise an alarm, the taller soldier collapsed, his blood staining the snow crimson. The shorter man froze for a moment before slumping to the ground, the flask rolling away. A small patch of snow melted around them.

Qiu Tian nudged the larger of the bodies with her suppressed assault rifle, then turned and moved low to the ground towards the container. Reaching the door, she drew her pistol, attaching a suppressor. Adjusting her infrared night vision goggles for optimal clarity, she braced the assault rifle against her right shoulder and, with her pistol-wielding left hand, pulled the door open. She stormed inside, employing both her pistol and rifle in quick succession, eliminating the sleeping soldiers within.

She replaced her magazine, quietly exiting the first container, and repeated the process, neutralizing everyone inside the second. The third container was a living area – empty. Qiu Tian swiftly searched the entire station, finding it deserted.

Qiu Tian found a set of keys and, testing them, opened the door of a freight car bearing the radiation hazard symbol. Inside, the missile launch tubes lay dormant, yet emanated a silent, oppressive presence. She opened the other car doors, discovering the missile’s power unit, warhead, guidance system, and various accessories. The second freight car contained matching components, completing two full “Kodiak Bear” missile systems. They appeared consistent with the limited publicly available Russian data and matched the intelligence reports.

“Now that I’ve found them, and there’s no one around to stop me, I might as well take a closer look at the Kodiak Bears and disable them,” Qiu Tian thought, heading towards the passenger cars. She wanted to examine the equipment inside and determine if it was indeed the launch control system for the two intercontinental missiles. If so, she intended to sabotage it.

The truth was, Qiu Tian wasn’t entirely confident. She had trained and interned with all branches of the military, and could expertly operate, or quickly learn, any equipment in the PLA arsenal. Her only shortcoming was a lack of experience with the Rocket Force; missile control and launch were outside her area of expertise. She could only rely on her limited knowledge, but the isolated location provided ample time to explore, as long as she could withdraw before dawn.

The entire station lacked even a single nuclear radiation suit. Any accidental leak could have catastrophic consequences, forcing Qiu Tian to proceed with extreme caution.

After activating the generator in the last car, she returned to the control panel, flipping the main power switch. Instruments, gauges, and screens gradually illuminated, displaying the golden characters “Kodiak Bear.” Qiu Tian attempted to navigate the menu, but discovered the system was merely a demo program, lacking any functional capability.

She returned to the freight cars, carefully inspecting the components. To her astonishment, every part of the two missiles turned out to be a mock-up – not weapons at all. She removed the protective cover from a launch tube and, shining her flashlight inside, found it empty. She checked several of the cars on the first track, finding the launch pads and other equipment to be genuine articles.

It was then that Qiu Tian understood the mystery. Such an important missile facility was guarded by only twenty personnel – a woefully inadequate force. And there were no technicians or operators present. The “Kodiak Bears” were nothing more than scarecrows, a bluff. The Russians’ claims of high-yield warheads, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, small size, long range, and hypersonic speed were merely wishful thinking, a way to bolster their own morale.

After photographing the evidence, she transmitted the “Kodiak Bear” coordinates and images to Department Two via a secure satellite communication channel. She replenished her energy by eating and drinking in one of the converted containers – used as living quarters – before driving a Jeep from the station yard to retrieve her snowmobile.

Intelligence agencies and major media outlets in numerous countries, beyond Russia, received anonymous tips. The fake “Kodiak Bears” went viral globally within a day, garnering far more attention than when Russia had initially announced the successful test launch.

Naturally, Chinese media cited reports from foreign sources, and the Russians saw the detailed, illustrated report on Western media outlets. The head of Russian military intelligence was furious. He felt as if his wife had been unfaithful – everyone knew about the affair except him.

According to Liu Botao’s plan, Qiu Tian was supposed to be detained at the Suifenhe border crossing for possessing a forged passport and attempting to illegally cross the border, while snacking on dried bear meat. But she never showed.

Instead, Qiu Tian had looped around and ended up in Kazakhstan. She found the taxi driver who had previously taken her to the border crossing. He had even learned a few words of Chinese – “Hello” and “Thank you.” The driver was overjoyed, profusely thanking Qiu Tian and explaining that his daughter had graduated from a Chinese university and, thanks to the money Qiu Tian had given him, had started a successful e-commerce business and livestreaming channel, with a growing fanbase in both China and Kazakhstan. Apparently, she had a larger following among young men, and he wondered if she might one day have a Chinese son-in-law.

The driver had retired from taxi driving but insisted on giving Qiu Tian a free ride to the border crossing in his private car, explaining that helping his daughter’s business had allowed him to become well-acquainted with the border officials. Qiu Tian happily agreed, and the two chatted all the way, the driver endlessly talking about his daughter. At the border crossing, he made a phone call to the station supervisor, who merely glanced at Qiu Tian’s passport and waved her through. Just before she crossed the border, the driver gave Qiu Tian his hat. It wasn’t new, but it smelled significantly less pungent than the last one she’d received.

Qiu Tian was detained again, this time by Chinese border control, and soon transported to a military camp by local troops. It was the first time she’d worked with Liu Botao on a mission, and he came to the camp personally to meet her. Though she wasn’t chewing on dried bear meat, Qiu Tian was still clutching a flask.

“A gift for you!” Qiu Tian handed the flask to Liu Botao.

Liu Botao recognized it immediately as a souvenir from the mission, a valuable prize. He shook the flask, discovering it was still half-full. He opened the cap, took a sip, and said to Qiu Tian, “Wow, this is genuinely good stuff!”

Qiu Tian looked at Liu Botao with distaste. “Lao Liu, maintaining hygiene is a good habit. You didn’t even ask how many mouths have been on this flask!”

Liu Botao wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and suddenly wondered if the taste wasn’t quite as authentic as he’d thought. Perhaps it was just bulk-bought vodka.

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Truth drips slowly in the places light cannot reach.

§ The Alphabet Series §

§ Miss Qiu Series §

§ Stand Alone §