Life as a New Hire Ch. 45

A reborn Russia, even with the ultra-nationalist Putin at the helm, couldn't stop China's growing domination. Asia was China's for the taking ... until the Khanate rose up like some desert mirage in the Western Steppe, one that turned into the Mother of All Storms. So now, miraculously, the dominion of Asia was up for grabs once more.

Japan could not overcome China; that was a given. The Dragon had more people, more resources and an almost three-fold larger economy. Given a decade, the PRC would grind the Khanate down. Once more it was the tyranny of numbers. Even India, Taiwan and Vietnam could only slow down the inevitable.

India's subpar economic output marginalized the power of their citizenry. Taiwan had the proportional economy, but not nearly enough people. Vietnam had neither and had always had a rough time defending themselves, much less been successful confronting powers beyond her homeland. Putin's Mother Russia had a host of other problems, internal and external, so she had already contributed as much as Putin dared.

Until Thursday morning, Tokyo Time, the undeniable Destiny of Asia remained in the hands of those men in Beijing. The dominoes were falling in a way those rulers had not foreseen and now fumed over. But on Wednesday night, there was no industrial power (with the population to back it up) which could threaten the People's Republic of China.

Europe and the US wouldn't intervene. Much like the leadership in Japan, the Communist Chinese Politburo believed Putin had wagered as much as dared. No other nation on Earth mattered. Japan? That was laughable. Their Constitution bound the hands off their military behind their backs with a pledge of eternal pacifism.

The Chinese weren't blind to the 250,000 men and women of the Japanese Self Defense Force. Without the political will, those troops might have well have been in Brazil. A hostile Brazil was actually a greater worry because Brazil was the powerhouse of South America, a G-8 economy and hungered for a Permanent Seat on the UN Security Council. The PRC was dedicated to denying their desire as it would have diluted the PRC's burgeoning diplomatic power.

Japan? Ha.

Thursday morning, in what was essentially an undetected (by anyone except the Ninja and JIKIT) coup d'état, pacifism was sacrificed on the Altar of Nationalism. Article 96's demise was pre-ordained. A poll taken on July 1st, 42% of Japanese felt positively about the repeal of Article 96 while 46% opposed it.

The same agency took a new poll on August 28th. The economic-political situation of Japan was going through a titanic tidal shift. If Buddhism moved you toward devout pacifist -- the Khanate had liberated Tibet and was clearly withdrawing as the UN troops' boots hit the ground.

If you were a Nationalist of any kind, you were seeing a whole lot more people at your rallies, accessing your websites and signing up to join your formerly fringe parties. If you were a Socialist, you were scared. Why? The PRC was in the process of nationalizing all of Japan's (and South Korea's and Taiwan's) business interests in China -- for the 'Duration of the Emergency', or so they said.

That meant plenty of Japanese workers were losing their jobs and looking to blame someone. You couldn't blame the centrist LDP. The LDP had been working alongside the Japanese Communist Party for months. They had done nothing wrong and had worked tirelessly for a peaceful diplomatic solution. It was their 'comrades' in China -- their Marxist confederates -- who were costing the hard-working Japanese workers their jobs.

If you were in the Establishment, all of the above worried the crap out of you. Japan's economy had been limping along at barely-positive growth for a decade. Your aging population needed more and more from their public services and, worst of all, you had nothing in your political and economic tool box to escape the obvious oncoming national catastrophe.

[...]

The possibility of a Global Recession loomed on the horizon ... if they were lucky. Highly respected economists in Japan and elsewhere were examining all the key indicators over the past three months and were suggesting hording as a viable policy for middle class households to consider. If you were in the Developing World ... worse was heading your way.

The word being bandied about on those esteemed academic internet websites wasn't 'recession', it was DEPRESSION. Global prosperity thrived on nations investing in both their own economy and the economies of other nations. The governments representing a third of the World's population were not investing in their economies.

Unless you were a war profiteer, you could expect fewer consumer goods on the shelves; and what was there would cost more. Your income wasn't going up; your expenses were. If you were an Atheistic homeowner in the Western World with a secured 3.25% fixed rate home loan, you took up religion. The prime interest rate would be racing for the 20% mark and that was only if your economy was stable.

If you lived in a country in the Developing World, your trade goods didn't compete with those created in the G-20. Your competition was with other Developing World businesses and the prize was the pocketbooks of those consumers in the G-20 ... which was a shrinking purse.

It wasn't like you were being paid all that much to begin with; and now those once poor-paying, but at least plentiful, jobs were drying up. You needed your government to help you out. It wasn't like those governments could raise money by taxing the unemployed and under-employed. They didn't have money. And the rich in most of those same nations had a long and successful legacy of avoiding paying.

Those growing economies had a few tried and tested 'solutions' for getting their countries through these rough stretches.

The IMF? 'We are out to make 'positive' capital investments and your economic outlook doesn't look promising. We suggest 'austerity'.'

The BRICS? Since India and China were basically in an undeclared state of war: 'we won't be loaning anyone anything for a while.'

The BIS? 'As soon as the People' Bank of China, the Reserve Bank of India, the Central Bank of Ireland, the Bank of Israel and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey get back to us about their sudden, serious lack of transparency, we'll call you back.'

World Bank? Holy Shit! 'The world's going down the toilet -- we will do what we can.'

[...]

{FYI -- I (as in Cáel) had been wrong. The 6 Elders of the Ninja families didn't talk to Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, back in Chapter 37. They talked with another, far more immediately important man. So sue me (Cáel) for not knowing the inner workings of various world governments ... and creatively interpreting events surrounding all those people I (Cáel) didn't. I'm a freaking Liberal Arts major with a fertile imagination, not a superspy, or even a competent Intelligence Analyst!}

The Japanese government had appealed to the US, UN, PRC, ASEAN, India and (through back channels aka JIKIT) the Khanate for an end to this madness; all with typical results:

The USA -- We are working on it (without letting them know what precisely they were working on)

Japan -- Well, do something fast. Our Government Bonds are about to be more useful as wallpaper.

[...]

The UN -- We are working on it (with their long-established tradition of not doing anything until the crisis had passed)

Japan -- You are preparing to pass a Resolution to move this matter from the First Committee to the Fourth Committee ... gee, thanks guys. Will they be meeting sometime before Christmas?

[...]

The PRC -- We are too busy right now, so shut up, keep the trade lanes open ... and was that your submarine we detected sneaking into our territorial waters?

Japan -- What? What do you mean you are 'too busy?' You are one of our biggest trading partners, your economy is going down the toilet, and -- NO! That was not our submarine in your territorial waters. That accusation is absurd.

[Note from Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, to Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, head of the JMSDF {the de facto Japanese Navy}] -- The PRC has made this outrageous claim that one of our submarines has been sneaking around their territorial waters. There is no truth to that rumor ... right?

[Note from KK to PM] -- Which time?

[Note from PM to the KK] -- Oh My God! What have you people been doing and why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?

[Note from KK to PM] -- Sir, if you are just now getting around to asking us, you don't want to know.

[Note from PM to KK] -- What do you mean 'I don't want to know?' I'm the head of the damn government and ... you are right. Fine. There is no way I'm going back to the Chinese Ambassador and apologizing for any this. Is there any way this can come back to screw us over?

[Note from KK to PM] -- With all these US and British submarines helping us out ... not very likely, Prime Minister.

[Note from PM to KK] -- Oh ... very good. You are correct -- I don't want to know what you 'haven't' been doing. I am ordering you to destroy all transcripts and recordings of this conversation.

[Note from KK to PM] -- It has been my distinct honor not having this conversation with you, Prime Minister. Sayōnara.

[...]

ASEAN -- What do you expect us to do about this? Have you seen the unimpressive combined sizes of our members' air forces and navies? Did you see the smack-down the Khanate has inflicted on the PLAN's South China Sea Fleet?

Besides, the PRC is claiming that the Khanate launched covert attacks against the Parcels and Spratly islands which originated from Indonesian and Filipino waters. We are investigating the issue. If you are asking us for help, you are truly screwed. Don't call us. We will call you.

Japan -- {muttering} Investigating the attacks that came from your territory -- bullshit! You are covering your own asses, damn it!

[Note from Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, to Shotaro Yachi, Japanese National Security Advisor] -- I've heard an ugly rumor that the Khanate has forces secreted in the Philippines and Indonesia. Do you happen to know anything about it?

[Note from SY to SA] -- Yes Sir. We had advance notice of the organization, composition and destination of those forces.

[Note from SA to SY (while muttering 'no one tells me anything anymore')] -- What the! Would you please tell me what is going on.

[Note from SY to SA] -- We have made critical steps toward future alliances which will guarantee Japanese security for decades to come.

[Note from SA to SY] -- What does that mean ... and since when have you been creating and implementing foreign policy? We have a Minister for that, in case you somehow over-looked him at the last cabinet meeting. Wait! Does he know about this too?

[Note from SY to SA] -- No Sir, Foreign Minister Kishida is currently unaware of the Kinkyū tokushu sakusen tasukufōsu (Emergency Special Operations Task Force). Admiral Katsutoshi knows the basics of our operational policy, since we need to borrow some of his assets from time to time. Director-General Kitada (of the Public Security Intelligence Agency) and key personnel from the Foreign Ministry's Intelligence & Analysis Service and Security Bureau make up the majority of the task force's operatives.

[Note from SA to SY] -- What have you been doing?

[Note from SY to SA] -- You don't want to know, Mr. Prime Minister. It would make things ... awkward.

[Note from SA to SY] -- 'You don't want to know' ... of course, I don't. I'm only the elected head of this government. Why would I possibly want to know what acts of espionage and war my deputies are executing?

[Note from SY to SA] -- I am glad we are on the same page, Sir. Will there be anything else?

[Note from SA to SY] -- No -- wait. Do you have any intelligence on what the Khanate is up to?

[Note from SY to SA] -- Yes Sir. Is there anything in particular you want to know?

[Note from AS to SY] -- Can you contact someone in their leadership willing to discuss regional affairs?

[Note from SY to SA] -- I can put you in touch with the Great Khan himself if necessary.

[Note from AS to SY] -- WHAT!

[Note from SY to AS] -- Sir, I would hardly be acting in our nation's best interests if I couldn't divine the intentions of the key players on the stage. Shall I initiate the necessary communications to facilitate that level of clandestine diplomatic contact?

[Note from AS to SY] -- No. Yes. No, I need to think about this. Hmmm ... have you been conducting any domestic espionage missions?

[Note from SY to SA] -- You don't want me to answer that, Sir.

[Note from SA to SY] -- of course I don't, I'm only the damn Prime Minister. Shotaro, I'm still Prime Minister, aren't I?

[Note from SY to AS] -- Yes Sir. We have been working overtime to ensure that. We've foiled two enemy assassination attempts and one attempted kidnapping so far. We remain vigilant.

[Note from AS to SY] -- How come this is the first I'm hearing about it? Is the head of my security in on this conspiracy of yours too?

[Note from SY to SA] -- No Sir. These particular guardians wish to avoid notoriety at all costs.

[Note from SA to SY] -- Okay. Good to know. Ah ... keep up the good work and destroy any trace of this conversation.

[Note from SY to AS] -- Way ahead of you, Sir. Have a good night.

[...]

India -- Yes, we are more than willing to work with you toward regional stability. Care to acknowledge the Khanate's legitimacy first? We'd really appreciate it. Sure, get back to us when you've done that. Until then -- the South China Sea Awaits! Yes, we plan to keep what we've earned. Later now. We think there is going to be further instability in Southeast Asia.

Japan -- Ya think? It is your damn warships sailing around the freaking South China Sea enforcing your utterly un-secret alliance with the Khanate. Why are you doing this to us? What have we ever done to you?

[...]

The Khanate -- We are not out to damage your national interests. We apologize, but there is now way we will call off this war with the Communist Chinese. It is them, or us, to the death. We have already received and agreed to your request to allow all Japanese flagged ships safe transit through the South China Sea. We really wish to be your friends this time ... to make up for those two invasion attempts seven hundred years ago.

[Note from PM to Self] Great. The only reasonable people who aren't out to kick me in the nuts are also the ones I can't acknowledge talking to. I've got to do something about this ... right after I delete this message.

{BACK TO THE FICTIONAL WORLD STUFF}

"Is Japan really going to ally with the Khanate?" I looked at Rikki. She was our East Asian expert.

"We are making things contingent on the South Koreans being mollified. They have their own bad history with Japan. A war-like Japan will have them on edge. Do you think your 'Brother' can offer up something the South Koreans would appreciate?" she tossed the grenade back in my lap.

That was my cue to contact Iskender. We agreed to meet someplace innocuous. On the way to the meeting, I received a cryptic call from Katrina. She needed me back at Havenstone ASAP. No details -- well, no surprise there.

I dumped everything we had in Iskender's lap. He was smiling like a monkey who had just discovered a banana plantation.

"What's up?" I cautiously inquired.

"Nothing. Xanzada (Prince ~ he only called me 'Ulı Khaan süyikti ağası' during formal occasions) Cáel, my life has never been more purposeful. Working with you has been one notable deed after the next. The Great Khan knows my name. My family is already profiting from our relationship. By the simple act of you reaching out to me at your father's funeral, my life has been transformed."

"So ... you've basically lost your mind," I commented.

"I agree. I will deliver your communications at once and convey any response if necessary. I haven't heard of the Great Khan rejecting your advice once. I am having the time of my life," he declared.

"One of your brothers is marrying up, isn't he?" I pierced through the murk.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Call it a hunch. How much?"

"My youngest brother, currently in service, is marrying a daughter of the Ögedei-line. This is a huge honor and was clearly made as a rewarding gesture to our personal relationship."

"Congrats. Can I send the happy couple a gift? When is the wedding?"

"Anything from you would be treasured," Iskender kept grinning. "They will be married in January -- no specific date yet. My brother needs to return to his unit before the war resumes."

"I'll check my madcap schedule and see if I can wrangle for me and Hana attending," I offered. My loyal Iskender's eyes glowed. I owed him big. I owed a good number of people and I was happy getting around to paying some of them back. Good news in hand, I raced back to JIKIT. They were readying the information, (plus my positive vibes), for distribution to our supporting agencies and societies.

Javiera was in the room Rikki, Beatrice and Yum-Yum had vacated, already briefing Senator Collins on the latest developments. The US's NSA (Mehmet), Britain's MI-6 (Delilah) and the Stiúrthóireacht na Faisnéise [Irish Directorate of Military Intelligence aka G-2] (because of me and the Illuminati) were getting a more in-depth analysis of current events.

To brighten up what was already turning out to be a stressful day, Lady Yum-Yum reminded me the little-appreciated and highly under-funded G-2 had micro-orgasms every time we sent them these 'For Your Eyes Only' data packets.

Now they could look all those 'high and mighty' NATO intelligence agencies with their half-billion € budgets straight in the eyes and think 'we know something you don't know ... but we can't tell you because ... oh yeah, something you are always bludgeoning us with -- compelling national interests you smug Bastards'.

{THE CONVERSATION FROM THE IRISH POINT OF VIEW}

[Snicker] "Sorry you 'pompous-as-fuck' Head of the DGSE (France's General Directorate for External Security), what was that you wanted?

"Every bit of information we have about the goings-on in Asia?

"You mean all that super-secret, nearly impossible-to-obtain intelligence?

"Of course we have it. We have one of our 'elite' intelligence officers inside JIKIT. Don't you? Pity.

"Sure we trust you ... just as much as you have trusted us over the past fifty years.

"No, we are not holding on to a petty grudge. We are sure when you called us 'a bunch of drunken imbeciles on tricycles with training wheels' you meant it in the best possible way. Besides, you called us that way back when ... oh yeah, last Bastille Day ... months and months ago."

"Absolutely -- if the Khanate is about to drop a Tunguska-size dump on your 'National Interests' we'll let you know ... right after it has been handed to us by the most meticulously accurate sources imaginable ... which we will clarify and verify by accessing our up-to-the-second updates ... and then have finished analyzing it after we tricycle our drunken asses back from the pub where we will be tossing back a few Guinness thanking the Almighty for loving us and hating you." [Snicker]

[THE LAST ELEVEN]

{11:50 am, Wednesday, September 3rd ~ 5 Days to go}

"So Katrina, what is so important ..." I bit down on my yawn. Before me stood eight people; four of those frightful chicks from SD plus Elsa and Katrina, who was being guarded by a woman I didn't know. None of that mattered. Who mattered was ...