The politburo meeting room in the Great Hall of the People was unusually quiet, save for the faint hum from the air conditioning and the occasional shuffling of papers. A long, lacquered table stretched imperiously across the room, its polished surface reflecting the dim light of the overhead chandeliers. Heavy crimson curtains hung over tall windows, their ornate embroidery adding a sense of solemnity to the chamber. Flanking the table were a dozen officials, their expressions a mix of unease and forced composure.
At the head sat President Xiang, his figure imposing despite his diminutive frame and seated posture. His crisp suit was perfectly tailored, his tie a deep red, matching the emblem of the Chinese flag on his lapel. Xiang’s expression as always looked to be carved from stone, unreadable yet heavy with authority. His piercing eyes fixed on Defence Minister Liang, who sat to his right, shoulders slightly hunched under the weight of the President’s gaze.
"Explain to me how this happened," Xiang finally asked, his voice cold and measured. The words hung in the air like a winter frost. "How does another one of New Zealand’s ships sink with our fingerprints all over it? I want answers immediately. What went wrong?"
Liang, a man of middling height with thinning hair slicked back, visibly tensed. He cleared his throat, his voice betraying a hint of trepidation. "Comrade President, the official report has been prepared. As directed, we will state that the incident was caused by a failure in protocol. The captain of the frigate Haiyuan 102, acting under extreme stress, misinterpreted the New Zealand vessel's movements as hostile. He initiated the missile launch without authorization. This narrative positions the event as an isolated mistake."
President Xiang’s eyes narrowed, his gaze unrelenting. "You mean to say, we will lie."
Liang hesitated, glancing briefly at Foreign Minister Zhang, seated across from him. Zhang, ever composed with his neatly trimmed beard and sharp suit, gave a subtle nod of encouragement.
Liang continued, "Yes, Comrade President. But it is a lie we must tell to preserve our strategic position—not only in the region but also on the world stage. The truth—that our presence in the Solomon Islands caused ‘unintended’ disruptions, leading to heightened tensions and ultimately this reactor malfunction—would be catastrophic if revealed. That is why we enforced the no-fly zone and authorized captains to intercept naval vessels near the shoreline. The international community must believe this was a mistake by a single officer, not a failure of command or policy."
The President leaned back, steepling his fingers. The slight creak of his chair was the only sound in the room. "That explains the missile, what about the torpedo?”
Liang shifted in his seat, uncomfortably. “Our submarine remains undiscovered thus far, and with no ship to shadow, it has already left the area. It seems pointless to add it to the narrative, the captain and the missile should suffice.”
Zhang cleared his throat and spoke for the first time. “Comrade President, our official statement has already been relayed to the new Zealand government by our Ambassador in Wellington.”
“Very well, what of the Solomons incident? Reports suggest our efforts in the region caused this earthquake." Xiang’s expression hardened. "Was it our doing?"
Liang shifted uncomfortably again, his chair scraping slightly against the floor. "Yes, Comrade President. The seismic event was triggered by the experimental power supply we were testing for our energy-directed weapons program. Against all predictions, the system was unable to bear the required load, resulting in a catastrophic failure. The pressure buildup caused a violent explosion and shockwave, which was felt across the island as this ’earthquake’."
“The experiment was a failure then?”
“Yes Comrade President the entire subterranean portion of the facility collapsed during the incident, we were lucky that this collapse contained most of the fallout from the ruptured containment vessel, though several hundred of our scientists were killed in the incident.”
“Can anything be recovered?”
Liang took particular note that the President had said any ‘thing’, not any ‘one’, clearly demonstrating the importance the man put on human life.
At this, the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Wen, a diminutive woman with sharp eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses, leaned forward. Her voice was steady but laced with suppressed emotion.
"Comrade President, the loss of our scientists is devastating. These were some of our brightest minds, invaluable to our research efforts. Their families—"
Xiang cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. His expression remained devoid of sympathy. "Their families will understand their sacrifice. What matters now is whether their work can be salvaged."
Dr. Wen’s face flushed, her knuckles tightening around the edge of the table. She opened her mouth to speak again but caught herself, retreating into silence.
Liang took the cue to step in, his voice quick and precise. "No, Comrade President. The site is unrecoverable. The aftershocks caused by stress redistribution in the Earth's crust from the explosion has apparently altered the subterranean landscape at the site, and the contamination from the reactor leak makes entry impossible for the foreseeable future."
"Hmph." Xiang dismissed the matter with a curt grunt, as though it were no more than a trivial inconvenience. "About this incident with the ship—do you think the New Zealanders will accept our version of events?"
Zhang shrugged slightly, his fingers interlocked on the table. "Perhaps, perhaps not, but it matters little, the global stage is our true audience. By positioning ourselves as responsible actors willing to investigate and take corrective action, we weaken any narrative they may try of Chinese aggression. We will offer condolences, promise a court-martial for the captain, and propose compensation to the families of the deceased. Privately, we will assure New Zealand’s leadership of our commitment to peace."
President Xiang stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. The ministers stiffened at the sound. "And if New Zealand rejects this olive branch? Their Prime Minister is a stubborn one and their allies are mobilizing, the world is looking at us to blame!"
Zhang spoke carefully, his tone polished and diplomatic. "We will classify these two events as simply an unfortunate coincidence completely unrelated to each other. Our presence in the region had nothing to do with what can only be described as a natural disaster. And the ship was a simple accident caused by a deranged man. We are not to blame for either of these things and any suggestion otherwise will be dismissed as conjecture by nations eager to paint us as aggressors. The rogue captain narrative will overshadow everything."
Liang his voice measured, interjected smoothly. "If New Zealand presses further, we have contingency plans. We can accuse them of provocations in the South Pacific, suggesting their ship violated protocol and approached one of our vessels dangerously, their aircraft did breach the ‘no-fly zone’ after all. Such counterclaims will muddy the waters, enough to buy us time to strengthen our position."
“Very well, we will await their next move, that will be all.” Xiang said icily, and the ministers stood to leave. “Liang, Zhang, stay back a moment.”
Both ministers looked to each other for guidance, it was not unprecedented for the President to wish to speak to either of them privately, but with the way this day had gone, both men were feeling a little anxiety at the prospect. Once they were alone President Xiang approached them and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Proceed with both strategies. Liang, make the rogue captain story airtight. Arrest him immediately and prepare a public court-martial. Ensure the trial shows accountability without exposing our broader operations.”
“For following orders Comrade President? He was just doing his duty, surely we could use someone else to…” Liang tried to reason, before being swiftly cut off.
“No! He knew the risks, and this must look realistic, if we are to succeed.” Xiang replied coldly, before fixing his gaze on the foreign minister. “Zhang, draft an official apology and deliver it personally. Use conciliatory language but offer no admission of guilt. Frame compensation as goodwill, not obligation. Am I understood?”
Liang and Zhang nodded. "Understood, Comrade President."
Xiang turned to the expansive map of the Pacific adorning the wall. His gaze lingered on the Solomon Islands, his expression darkening. “Are our other plans proceeding?”
“Yes Comrade President, assets are in place and awaiting the go order, you just need to give it.”
"Good… Oh, and one more thing," he said without turning. "Increase our presence in the Solomans—quietly. We cannot appear weak not now, but we must not provoke. Every move must be carefully calculated."
"Yes, Comrade President," came the unified reply.
As the ministers departed, Xiang remained, his hands clasped behind his back. He stared at the map, his thoughts unspoken. He traced an imaginary line between the Solomans to another small chain of Islands in the south pacific.
"You are a small country New Zealand," he murmured, "but you may well have forced our hand. We must ensure your defiance does not ignite a fire we cannot control."
***
At exactly four pm, an emergency news bulletin superseded all other programming on the nation’s television screens. It was also being simulcast on social media platforms. Newscasters, having been told to expect it, had enough time for a brief introduction before the feed shifted live to the empty dais of the beehive press room. Just on the outside of that room Miriama and Kevin waited.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please by upstanding.”
Moments later Prime Minister Miriama Kahu and Defence minister Kevin MacNielty took their places on the stage.
"Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Good afternoon, fellow New Zealanders, and members of the international community. I address you this afternoon in a time of great gravity and national concern. It is with a heavy heart that I must confirm that earlier today, the HMNZS Canterbury, while performing her duty as a peacekeeping vessel and as she was preparing to offer humanitarian aid to the people of the Soloman Islands, was attacked and sunk in waters off of the coast of Guadalcanal.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Tragically, this unprovoked assault on our nation’s sovereignty has resulted in the loss of lives, including brave service members who were protecting not only our nation’s interests, but the interests of peace and stability in the region. Our thoughts are with their families who have already been contacted by myself and other appropriate members of the defence community. Our thoughts are equally with their friends, and colleagues in this devastating time.
Although many of the details cannot be released at this time, what I can tell you is that based on irrefutable evidence collected from radar tracking, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts, we can confirm that this attack was carried out by military forces of the People’s Republic of China.
This act of aggression violates international law, undermines the principles of sovereignty and peace, and constitutes a direct threat to New Zealand’s national security and the stability of the Pacific region.
New Zealand does not take such actions lightly, and our response will be measured, deliberate, and firm. Effective immediately, the following steps are being taken. We are imposing comprehensive economic sanctions against China. These include the suspension of all government trade agreements and cooperative ventures. Restricting exports of key goods, including oil, dairy and agricultural products. And the immediate halt to the import of Chinese goods.
We are recalling our ambassador to Beijing for consultations and expelling Chinese diplomatic staff in Wellington.
We are also engaging with the United Nations, our allies, and regional partners to address this act of aggression collectively.
As of now, the New Zealand Defence Force has been placed on a high alert readiness status, and our carrier strike group has been ordered to the coral sea to protect our interests along those trade routes, additional vessels have been tasked with patrolling our economic exclusion zone. As of yet the decision has not been made to recall reserve personnel to active service, but that may change at a moment’s notice in the coming days.
At this time, we are working closely with our allies, particularly Australia, but also the members of our many alliances, to coordinate our response.
New Zealand is a peaceful nation, committed to diplomacy and the rule of law. However, we will not tolerate an attack on our sovereignty, nor the targeting of our men and women in uniform. If China continues to escalate, New Zealand will not hesitate to take additional actions, including the possibility of invoking our right to self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
I urge ALL New Zealanders to put aside their differences and stand united with this government in this moment of crisis. Our nation has faced challenges before, and we have always emerged stronger through resilience and solidarity. We will do so again!
I also call on the international community to join us in condemning this attack and ensuring that such actions are met with collective resolve.
To the leadership of the People’s Republic of China: Your actions today are a stain on the principles of international peace and cooperation. We call upon you to acknowledge your actions, provide accountability, and cease all hostilities immediately. New Zealand remains open to dialogue, but we will not compromise on our sovereignty or the safety of our people.
An emergency session of parliament has been scheduled for tomorrow so that we can discuss the matter fully, this will for the time being, be a closed session. However, in the coming days, I will continue to update the nation on our next steps. We will navigate this challenge with strength, wisdom, and the support of our allies. To the people of New Zealand, I ask for your vigilance, your patience, and your unity as we uphold our values and protect our way of life.
Thank you, and may we honour the memory of those who have sacrificed for our nation.
Ki ngā mate o te rā, haere, haere, haere.
Ki ngā whānau pani, kei te noho pōuri mātou ki a koutou, arā, mō te ngarohanga o ō koutou whanaunga.
Ki ngā kanohi ora, tēnā koutou i tēnei wā taumaha mō tō tātou whenua."
As she spoke these last words, the translation appeared at the bottom of the screen.
(Translation - Ki ngā mate o te rā, haere, haere, haere.
To those who have passed on, go, go, go.
Ki ngā whānau pani, kei te noho pōuri mātou ki a koutou, arā, mō te ngarohanga o ō koutou whanaunga.
To the grieving families, we mourn with you, for the loss of your loved ones.
Ki ngā kanohi ora, tēnā koutou i tēnei wā taumaha mō tō tātou whenua.
To the living, thank you for standing strong in this difficult time for our nation.
This is a respectful and solemn message, often used to acknowledge those affected by loss, particularly in the context of mourning and national solidarity.)
***
In the Prime Minister’s office in Canberra, John Mitchell sat in an arm chair across from the big screen TV mounted on the wall. He was flanked by his top ministers, Conrad Papadopoulos for Defence and Katie DuPhries for Foreign Affairs, sitting in similar chairs around a low glass coffee table. The room was tense as they watched New Zealand Prime Minister Miriama Kahu deliver her resolute statement to her people and to the world. The weight of her words hung in the air even after Michell stabbed the red button on the remote and the screen went dark.
“Jesus Christ, Miriama, you weren’t kidding,” Mitchell muttered, leaning back in his chair with a low whistle of admiration.
“She’s certainly kicked the hornet’s nest with that one,” DuPhries agreed, her otherwise calm demeanour giving way to a flicker of respect. “Ambassador Lu has been calling my office all morning. Their narrative hasn’t changed—they’re still banging on about it being an accident, the random act of a rogue captain, blah, blah blah! And strongly urging us not to get involved.”
Mitchell snorted, his scorn unmistakable. “Well, that’s not fuckin happening! There’s no way we’re letting the Kiwi’s stand alone in this. I’ve already told Miriama she’s got our full support and I thoroughly intend to keep my word!” He turned to Papadopoulos. “Con, how are our own preparations coming along?”
“As ordered, Melbourne is heading to patrol the Arafura and Timor Seas. She’ll establish a strong naval presence in the region and keep a close watch on any potential movements. It will take a couple days for her to get there, so I’ve upped our submarine patrols until she arrives. Meanwhile, Sydney and Tasman are still in the Coral Sea. They’ll rendezvous with Kiwi’s Tangaroa group once they get there.”
“Good, that’s good,” Mitchell said, nodding as he took the pen from his breast pocket and began to tap it against his bottom teeth, it was a habit he had picked up at university, one which he had never quite managed to shake. Urged on by the rhythm of the annoying noise, his mind was already racing ahead to the next task. “Looks like I’ve got a speech to write. Anything else we need to be doing right now? Recommendations?”
DuPhries leaned forward, her tone measured but firm. “We should start rallying more regional support. If the Kiwi’s do end up invoking Article 51, we’ll need as many bodies in their corner as possible. The islands won’t be much help, but I’m sure they’ll do what they can. The Brits and Canadians are stepping up their presence in the region, in case the CANZUK agreement is invoked. I’ve also reached out to our counterparts in Tokyo, Seoul and Delhi, but we need to push harder. A coordinated regional response will carry far more weight than just ANZAC and the U.S. standing together. Tokyo and Seoul have both pledged what support they are able to give, however, between Japan’s constitution and the likelihood of North Korea taking advantage of open hostilities, means the bulk of their forces will be staying at home for the foreseeable future. Delhi is doing what Delhi always does, isolationism.”
Mitchell nodded thoughtfully. “Hmmm, that’s expected but not ideal, we do have other neighbours in the region though, make them a priority for now, we can deal with the bigger players later. Con?”
Papadopoulos rubbed his chin, considering. “I’ve already put our anti-ballistic missile defence batteries on high alert, but we may need to position more units to cover some of the gaps and rotate the crews, just in case. As for the Kiwi’s, they already have multiple units stationed here, army and air force, either permanently or on rotation, but we might want to accelerate joint exercises with them and bring in some other neighbours. Show the PRC we’re ready to stand as one people. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to quietly increase supply stockpiles—fuel, munitions, repair parts, that sort of thing. If this escalates, we’ll need to be prepared for sustained operations.”
“Agreed, let’s start with amphibious training, bring one of their Guardians over and do some joint invasion training, lets send the message that we know what we’re doing!” Mitchell said, his voice resolute. He glanced between the two ministers. “Alright, let’s get to it. Katie, keep pressing for diplomatic support and coordinate with Miriama’s team. Con, double-check every detail with Defence—we can’t afford any fuck ups here, the consequences aren’t worth thinking about if we get this wrong.”
As the ministers rose to leave, Mitchell leaned back in his chair, staring at the now-dark screen. “She’s got balls, I’ll give her that,” he said to no one in particular. Then, with a sigh, he reached for his notepad. “Time to make sure we’ve got some too.”
***
In the politburo’s meeting room within the Great Hall of the People. The room was thick with tension from the magnitude of the of Prime Minister Kahu’s words. The long lacquered table gleamed under the subdued lighting, its surface reflecting the anxious faces of China's senior leadership. President Xiang sat at the head, his steely gaze fixed on the Defence Minister. The backdrop of a sprawling map of the Pacific dominated the room, casting an ominous shadow over the proceedings.
President Xiang broke the silence, his voice calm but sharp as a blade. "Your plan seems to have failed Minister Liang! It would appear that for the moment that the New Zealand government is rejecting our version of the events. Their accusations are clear and precise. Sanctions, diplomatic expulsions, carriers in the Coral Sea and talk of invoking Article 51—this is not an isolated reaction. This is a call to arms!."
Defence Minister Liang shifted uneasily in his seat. "Comrade President, their claims rest on the premise of a direct attack. Our narrative—that the incident was the result of a rogue captain acting without authorization—is still strong and has already been distributed through key international channels. We must continue to frame it as a regrettable mistake, an isolated failure of discipline, nothing more."
Xiang’s eyes narrowed. "And do you believe that narrative will hold against their evidence? Satellite imagery? Radar tracking?" He leaned forward, his voice growing colder. "Do not underestimate their intelligence alliance. They have the means to scrutinize our version of events."
Foreign Minister Zhang interjected, his tone smooth but urgent. "Comrade President, our priority is to maintain plausible deniability. New Zealand’s response was expected, but their escalation will be tempered by their reliance on allies for military leverage. They have grown stronger in the last decade, but their strength is like a horsefly on the backside of an elephant by comparison, annoying, nothing more! We must focus on destabilising their relationships in the region, in order to fracture the unity of their response. Quiet overtures to neutral nations—those wary of aligning too closely with western powers—may dilute their collective condemnation."
President Xiang turned his gaze to Minister Wen of Science and Technology. "And the Solomon Islands? The earthquake and the aftershocks—have we effectively silenced that connection?"
Wen hesitated, her face pale. "Comrade President, as was explained earlier, the seismic events were a direct result of the experimental power system failure. The reactor’s pressure release destabilized the surrounding crust, triggering fault activity. We’ve suppressed key details, but..."
Xiang raised a hand sharply, cutting Wen off mid-sentence. "But what, Minister Wen? Do you wish to explain to the Politburo, or perhaps the world, how an energy project became a geopolitical disaster?"
Wen swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "No, Comrade President."
"Good." Xiang’s voice was a whisper, yet it carried the weight of authority. "We will not allow this... misstep to undermine our broader strategy."
He turned his attention back to Zhang. "Prepare a public statement in response, expressing regret for the loss of life, reiterating our commitment to peace, and offering compensation as a gesture of goodwill. Frame the rogue captain narrative carefully—emphasize our swift action and accountability in that regard only, and schedule a press conference, I will deliver it personally, as soon as it is ready.."
Zhang nodded. "And the increasing U.S. and Australian naval presence in the Pacific?"
Xiang’s expression darkened, his gaze drifting to the map. "We will respond in kind, as would be expected. Increase our naval presence near the Solomon Islands but avoid overt provocation. Signal strength, but do not invite direct conflict. Let them make the first mistake."
The room fell silent, the weight of Xiang’s words settling over the ministers. He rose from his chair, his movements deliberate.
"This crisis will test our resolve, but it is what we have been preparing for!" Xiang said, his voice commanding. "New Zealand seeks to rally the world against us. We will ensure they do not succeed, not when we are this close. Let this be their burden, not ours."
As the ministers filed out, their faces etched with unease, Xiang remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared at the map.
"Little nations," he murmured, "should be mindful of the storms they provoke