The Backdoor

Facing inevitable conflict with the West over "reunification" of Taiwan, China is using its trade surplus to acquire advanced weapons. Ground-based anti-satellite missiles have been demonstrated; space-based missiles follow logically. China hires a Russian firm to help develop a missile platform based on a planned Soviet era spacecraft designed to counter American "Star Wars" weapons. During development, Russian engineers hide a "backdoor" in the missile computers. After the missile platform is launched the engineers demonstrate the backdoor by firing a missile at the Space Station, damaging it. Islamic terrorists then pay them to destroy GPS satellites. The navigation system fails with horrific consequences. An angry U.S. destroys the missile platform. The baffled Chinese launch a replacement, threaten massive retaliation if the U.S. attacks. As events unfold, Peter Dime, covert CIA operative, and Heather Young, brilliant and beautiful analyst, lead a team to uncover the truth and prevent armed U.S./China confrontation. Subplots include romance between Dime and Young, plight of the Station astronauts, and terrorist intrigues. Along the way, readers are transported to exciting locales, from Washington to Moscow and Tehran, from California to Beijing and Jakarta. They also gain informative glimpses into the workings of spacecraft, missiles, and unique weapons.