Still, major Chinese publishers who had bought Chinese-language rights to my novels when terrorists were the villains suddenly lost interest in my work. Go figure. I try not to make it a habit of shooting myself in my own pocketbook, but I felt I had no other choice in this case.
Ironically, if I had been a Chinese national and had written a popular thriller in Mandarin about corrupt American politicians plotting to do evil to US citizens and the world, American publishers would have been extra eager to translate my book into English.
Say what you will about the ills of America’s political system, but it did allow for public criticism of the government, which had never been louder.
Contrast that with the CCP, who would never tolerate critics inside their country who were too vocal, and too public—at least not for long.
“I watched this morning’s Mark Russell podcast on the way here,” continued Ming, “so I don’t need to tell you about the money and resources China has thrown into investigating UAVs. But these efforts are even more immense than you know. No real surprise when talking about a country of almost one and a half billion people. A country that never takes half measures. China has been convinced for a long time that UAVs are real. And the CCP has never buried its head in the sand the way your government often has.”
I nodded. This tracked with my own assessment.
“You’re also aware of their work on physics-defying propulsion and shield technology,” continued Ming. “You cited the US patents in these areas by name and made it clear that your Navy even told the patent office that China is heavily involved in these technologies. You conjectured that both sides are racing to reverse engineer found UAVs before the other, with profound benefit going to the one who wins the race.”
“Do you believe that China has already won?”
“Not yet, no. But our intel suggests they’re getting close.”
I nodded. Taiwan’s intel had to be excellent, given the threat China posed to them and their ability to infiltrate China in ways not available to countries in the West. I was convinced China hadn’t succeeded in perfecting UFO propulsion tech, but it was nice to have this confirmation.
If the CCP had aircraft that could perform a fraction of the miracles performed by the UFOs I described earlier that morning, they’d have used them. And we’d all be at their mercy.
“Does Taiwan know why these UFOs are here?” I asked. “What the extraterrestrials behind them want? That sort of thing?”
“We don’t. But it’s become the top military and intelligence priority of our nation. We believe that solving this puzzle is our only chance of keeping our independence from China. We’re convinced that these UAVs are real and that extraterrestrials are here. And we’ve mounted a massive investigation and intelligence effort to get to the bottom of it all. A task force with virtually unlimited power and resources.”
I considered this response for several seconds. “What about China?” I said. “They may not have perfected alien tech, but they still might know why the aliens are here.”
“They don’t,” replied Ming. “No more than we do. And no more than your own government does.”
He paused. “Apparently, though,” he added pointedly, gesturing in my direction, “there is one man who has solved the puzzle. Who might even have the answers to the remaining reverse engineering issues the two superpowers are facing. One man.”
Yeah, and I just wish I could find him, I thought.
Ming’s disclosures had been quite enlightening. I now understood Taiwan’s motivation for going to such extreme lengths to come after me. Why these men were so willing to sacrifice their very lives if that’s what it took.
“I get it now,” I said. “You don’t want to shut me up. You want to get me talking. You have to get me talking. Because you fear that your greatest adversary is about to win the race to perfect physics-defying technology. And I’ve convinced you I have the key to unlocking this very same technology. If not directly, than at least indirectly, by giving you insights into the aliens’ motivations.”
Ming nodded. “That’s right. But this isn’t just about Taiwan,” he insisted. “Trust me, if China does perfect this technology, they will rule the world with an iron fist.”
“But I’m an American.” I replied. “If I knew the secret to what drives these UFOs, wouldn’t I have already told my own government?”
“Maybe, but we’re convinced you didn’t. If you had, they’d make sure you were watched around the clock so you couldn’t tell anyone else. And they’d have stopped your podcast appearance this morning.”
Tessa glanced at me and raised her eyebrows. “You can’t fault his logic,” she said.
“Let’s imagine I do hold the key to alien tech,” I said to Ming. “And that I’ve decided to keep it from my own government. In that case, why in the world would I give it to yours?”
“Because we aren’t a superpower,” he replied. “We haven’t grown arrogant. You and China have long since become used to throwing your weight around. And corruption among the political classes in your countries seems greater than it’s ever been.”
He paused to let this sink in. “Which makes Taiwan a great choice to be the keeper of secret extraterrestrial technology and knowledge. A great choice to do what’s best for humanity as a whole. By preventing hostile powers like China from ever crossing the finish line. Or by supplying all nations of the world with an equal number of these craft.”
I studied Ming for several long seconds. “Thanks for answering my questions,” I said finally. “I believe that you’ve been honest with me.”
“I have been.”
“Why?” I said suspiciously.
“What do you mean, why?”
“Why would you be so forthcoming? Why not force me to tell you what I know? Why risk disclosing a task force that has to be your country’s most important state secret?”