A week earlier, every country had turned its attention to the western Pacific, watching Great East test its missiles.
Above the Pacific Ocean, in geostationary orbit at an altitude of roughly 35,786 kilometers, the GEO-3 geostationary imaging satellite watched the ocean below. The satellite focused on the Pacific region and supported the US Military's Indo-Pacific strategy.
Whirr. The high-precision optical sensor zoomed in, its high-resolution imaging fixed on 19°43′N, 155°05′W.
A luxury cruise ship, packed with passengers, slowly departed Honolulu, Hawaii. It would resupply at Guam before heading for Great East's Victoria Harbour.
At the typical average speed of twenty knots for a modern cruise ship, the entire voyage would take about twelve days. And since it was not Pacific typhoon season, from June to November, the vessel would not need to detour or slow down.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The image kept magnifying. With a resolution of roughly 0.5 meters, the GEO-3 satellite could clearly identify the departing luxury cruise ship, watching elegantly dressed, restless men and women dance on the deck as they enjoyed fine food.
"Sir, the 'ship' has departed."
"Is that so?"
The head of the intelligence organization made the sign of the cross before him. Looking at the cruise ship wriggling across the satellite image, he wore an expression of needless worry.
"May God bless them!"
On the intelligence chief's desk lay a document that read:
``` Star Cruises Limited (Fictional)
Vessel Name: SuperStar Virgo (Fictional)
IMO Number: 9124422 (International Maritime Organization unique lifetime identification number)
Flag State: Great East Xiangjiang
Operating Range: International cruise routes departing from Xiangjiang home port
The main power distribution system complies with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards and uses GE Power Conversion marine medium-voltage switchgear.
The emergency power system is certified by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
Navigation