Chapter Three - part five

  They arrived at Kadena AFB Okinawa, Japan with little fanfare. There was already a squadron of F/A-48's there, the Fighting Cocks of the 67th squadron. James and the Gambler's Ghosts of the 77th were arriving to replace the Vampires of the 44th squadron. That squadron was in the process of refitting and retraining to fly the next squadron of F/A-48's. They would be returning, but it would be many months before they did. That seemed to be the biggest problem with the new F/A-48's, getting a pilot familiar with them. They simply weren't the same kind of jet to fly as the older ones. They required the pilot to do far more and be far more aware of not only the battle, but the plane. The very things that had made them a game changer had also made them a real pain for a seasoned pilot to learn to fly. In fact a lot of the most experienced pilots weren't willing to make that transition. The pilots of the 44th would all get a chance, but many would have to be replaced and that took even more time.

   James first duty, once on the ground, was to report to his new commanding officer, Brig. General Samantha Johns. Sarah had been asked to report with James, since she would be assuming a key part in the ongoing negotiations about the expansion. Samantha Johns was a red headed, green-eyed, fireball, according to Colonel Sam Wilson. He had flown with her as a young pilot. He had warned James that she had a temper, but that she wasn't likely to lose it. If she did, you had only two choices, duck and cover, or stand and fight. She didn't accept excuses or apologies at all and if she lost her temper she took heads first and asked questions later. She was an excellent judge of people and had been an outstanding pilot. She was a better manager though, than she was a fighter pilot. In Wilson's opinion her one flaw was that she was too quick to act in the heat of battle. That had James very concerned. Sam Wilson was well known as a risk taker. He acted suddenly and often with little apparent consideration of the consequences of his actions. If he thought she was too quick on the trigger that was a real reason for worry to James.

  When James walked into her office he was surprised at how young she looked. He would have guessed her to be close to his age, but she was years older than him. She was also a stunningly beautiful woman. Sarah had told him that she was, but James had to admit that he still wasn't prepared for her. He snapped a quick salute and remained at attention. Brig. General Johns slowly stood up and walked around her desk to look him over without ever speaking. Sarah had been asked to remain outside, which had been a surprise to both of them. Samantha Johns walked all the way around James before speaking when she was standing directly in front of him again. Once more her words were a shock to James when she did speak. "So, you are the Ironman? Well, I have to say you certainly look the part. You are tall, confident, and good looking. Typical for a fighter pilot, but I sense something else in you too. At ease Cooper. Have a seat and let's talk for a bit." Then she turned and moved back to her desk chair. James took a seat and waited. He was no longer sure of what to expect from his new commander. She just sat smiling slightly and watched him for a long moment before she started to talk again. She seemed totally relaxed and at ease, which was nothing close to how James was feeling.

   "I see that you have very good control of yourself. Most Lt. Colonels would have shown at least a little bit of irritation at the way I greeted you, but you have shown no sign that it bothers you. I know that you are puzzled, but I saw no sign of anger or fear in you. That is a good thing. You see, Lt. Colonel Cooper, I asked for you specifically to be sent here. They were planning on sending Colonel Wilson, since we had worked together and were familiar with each other. I asked for you instead. Command wasn't happy about that, but I convinced them. They thought you were better suited for the spot Sam is now filling. It seems you have earned a reputation for handling tough situations in that region of the world. Well, I need someone who can handle tough situations too. Sam Wilson is a very good pilot, but he has one flaw. He rushes in where angels fear to go." Then she smiled and laughed. "I don't need anyone to help me with that. I have been known to make the devil himself hesitate to follow me. I needed a man who doesn't rush in where angels fear to go, but also one who wasn't afraid to walk into the lion's den if that was where he needed to go. I think you are that man. I am told you have walked with lions before."

   James was now even more troubled. Something was clearly up here, something that he had no clue about. He watched and waited. Once more she just laughed as she watched him. She reached over and paged for Sarah to join them. When Sarah arrived she greeted her and asked her to take a seat. Then Samantha Johns leaned back and studied the pair of them for a long time. Finally she leaned forward again and spoke. "Lt. Colonel James Andrew Cooper, currently the only confirmed ace flying for us, recipient of the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Medal. You have continuously distinguished yourself during your service and I think you will continue to do so." She turned her attention to Susan next. "Major Sarah Marie Cooper his wife, you also have confirmed kills to your record and are a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross in the same action where your husband won his Air Force Cross. While not quite as distinguished as his, your record is worthy of notice and you certainly have a distinguished family to go along with that record.  I have asked you both here today, so that I can explain why you are really here. I suspect that you were led to believe that it was so you could help with the negotiations, Major. That is only a part of it though. In fact, it is the secondary reason. You have once again come in second to your husband. It was him that I wanted and needed here! I do need you here too and I am thrilled to have you, but he is really the reason you are both here."

   She paused to let what she had just said sink in and then continued. "What neither one of you knew, and in fact what very few people do know, is that we are facing what could be a major shift in the balance of power in this immediate region. As you know China has been putting pressure on Japan for a long while now. That has been more of a bluff than real for now though. The world news and many world leaders have bought into that bluff, but the real threat is not to Japan at all, at least not directly. The real issue is in Korea. China had been willing to just remain on the side and watch for decades, but that has changed. They have already moved to take control of North Korea. The world news and most world leaders still see and hear a North Korean dictator. They see little change in North Korea. But our intelligence has recently become aware of major changes and they have become very troubling. China now effectively runs North Korea! They have recently even placed some of their generals in command of the military and are now in the process of replacing much of the military hardware that North Korea had with newer Chinese equipment. That alone is very troubling, but I fear it is just the beginning. I assume you are aware that we haven't yet upgraded to F/A-48's in South Korea?"

      James nodded as his mind began to redirect his thoughts. He suddenly heard Brig. General Johns chuckling as she watched them. That made him grin in spite of his best efforts. She nodded her head at them both and started to speak again. "I see that you both have quick minds. Yes, I and others are deeply concerned that China may have plans for South Korea next. You see we have tried to upgrade, but South Korea has been reluctant to let us do it. They say it would be seen as a provocation in the North. I think they were really looking at China though. In fact, I am almost certain of it now. You see South Korea has asked us to begin withdrawing our troops from along the DMZ. They want to replace them with only South Korean troops. They haven't asked us to leave South Korea completely, not yet, but the withdrawal from doing the very thing we have remained there all these years to do, may be the first step in that direction. I have been tasked with discouraging the Chinese from pushing further. I asked for you James, because you seem to have a talent for diplomacy, as well as being a true warrior."