Executive orders - Tom Clancy [478]
This was all the more true since Adler and the ROC knew who'd killed the airliner, and who had therefore shown contempt for human life-for which the PRC now demanded compensation! And now Adler wondered again how much of what he knew of the incident was known to the PRC. If they knew a lot, then this was definitely a game whose rules had yet to be decoded.
I think it would be more useful if both sides were to cover their individual losses and needs, Secretary Adler suggested.
I regret that we cannot accept that. It is a matter of principle, you see. He who commits the improper act must make amends.
But what if-I do not have any evidence to suggest this, but what if it is determined that the PRC inadvertently damaged the airliner? In such a case your request for compensation might appear unjust.
That is not possible. We have interviewed our surviving pilots and their reports are unequivocal. Again it was Zhang.
What precisely do you request? Adler asked.
Two hundred thousand dollars for each of the four aviators lost. The money will go to their families, of course, Zhang promised.
I can present this request to-
Excuse me. It is not a request. It is a requirement, the Foreign Minister told Adler.
I see. I can present your position to them, but I must urge you not to make this a condition of your promise to reduce tension.
That is our position. The Foreign Minister's eyes were quite serene.
AND GOD BLESS America, Ryan concluded. The crowd stood and cheered. The band struck up there had to be a band everywhere he went, Jack supposed-and he made his way off the dais behind a wall of nervous Secret Service agents. Well, the President thought, no gunfire out of the blinding lights this time, either. He stifled another yawn. He'd been on the move for over twelve hours. Four speeches didn't seem to be all that much physical work, but Ryan was learning just how exhausting public speaking could be. You had the shakes every time before getting up there, and though you got over it in a few minutes, the accumulated stress did take its toll. The dinner hadn't helped much. The food had been bland, so carefully chosen to offend no one that it wasn't worth anyone's attention. But it had given him heartburn anyway.
Okay, Arnie told him, as the presidential party assembled to head out the back door. For a guy who was ready to chuck it yesterday, you did awfully well.
Mr. President! a reporter called.
Talk to him, Arnie whispered.
Yes? Jack said, walking over, to the displeasure of his security force.
Do you know about what John Plumber said this evening on NBC? The reporter was ABC, and unlikely to pass on the chance to slam a competing network.
Yes, I've heard about it, the President replied soberly.
Do you have any comment?
Obviously, I do not like learning about all this, but as far as Mr. Plumber is concerned, that's as gracious an act of moral courage as I've seen in quite a while. He's okay in my book.
Do you know who it was who-
Please, let Mr. Plumber handle that. It's his story, and he knows how to tell it. Now if you will excuse me, I have a plane to catch.
Thank you, Mr. President, the ABC reporter said to Ryan's back.
Just right, Arnie said, with a smile. We've had a long day, but it's been a good day.
Ryan let out a long breath. You say so.
OH, MY GOD, Professor Klein whispered. There it was on the display monitor. The Shepherd's Crook, right out of a medical text. How