Executive orders - Tom Clancy [487]
We know they were behind Japan-Zhang personally was behind that Yamata bastard and-
Yes, I know. And they must know that we know, and that's one more reason not to piss us off. There are a lot of chips on the table, Jack, Adler emphasized again. And I do not see a reason for this.
Tell Taiwan we're behind them?
Okay, if you do that, and it gets out, and the PRC ups the ante, we have thousands-hell, close to a hundred thousand citizens over here, and they're hostages. I won't go into the trade considerations, but that's a big chip in political-economic terms.
But if we don't back Taiwan up, then they'll think they're on their own and cornered-
Yes, sir, and the same thing happens from the other direction. My best suggestion is to ride with it. I deliver the demand, Taipei says no, then I suggest that they suggest the issue is held in abeyance until the issue of the airliner is determined. For that, we call in the U.N. We, that is, the United States, call the question before the Security Council. That strings it out. Sooner or later, their friggin' navy's gotta run out of fuel. We have a carrier group in the neighborhood, and so nothing can happen, really.
Ryan frowned. I won't say I like it, but run with it. It'll last a day or two anyway. My instinct is to back up Taiwan and tell the PRC to suck wind.
The world isn't that simple, and you know it, Adler's voice told him.
Ain't it the truth. Run with what you said, Scott, and keep me posted.
Yes, sir.
ALEX CHECKED HIS watch. Next to the electron microscope was Dr. Clemenger's notebook. At 10:16, she lifted it, made a time notation, and described how both she and her fellow associate professor confirmed the presence of the Ebola virus. On the other side of the lab, a technician was running a test on blood drawn from the wife of Patient Zero. It was positive for Ebola antibodies. She had it, too, though she didn't know it yet.
They have any children? Janet asked, when the news arrived.
Two, both away in school.
Alex, unless you know something I don't I hope their insurance is paid up. Clemenger didn't quite have the status of an M.D. here, but at moments like this she didn't mind. Physicians got to know the patients a lot better than the pure scientists did.
What else can you tell me?
I need to map the genes out a little, but look here. She tapped the screen. See the way the protein loops are grouped, and this structure down here? Janet was the lab's top expert on how viruses were formed.
Mayinga? Christ, that's what got George.. And nobody knew how George had gotten it, and he didn't know now how this patient
Too early to be sure. You know what I have to do to run that down, but
It fits. No known risk factors for him, maybe not for her, either. Jesus, Janet, if this is airborne.
I know, Alex. You call Atlanta or me?
I'll do it.
I'll start picking the little bastard apart, she promised.
It seemed a long walk from the lab back to his office. His secretary was in now, and noticed his mood.
DR. LORENZ IS in a meeting now, another secretary said. That usually put people off. Not this time:
Break in, if you would, please. Tell him it's Pierre Alexandre at Johns Hopkins, and it's important.
Yes, Doctor. Please hold. She pressed one button and then another, ringing the line in the conference room down the hall. Dr. Lorenz, please, it's urgent.
Yes, Marjorie?
I have Dr. Alexandre holding on three. He says it's important, sir.
Thank you. Gus switched lines. Talk fast, Alex, we have a developing situation here, he said in an unusually businesslike voice.
I know. Ebola's made it to this side of the world, Alexandre announced.
Have you been talking to Mark, too?
Mark? Mark who? the professor asked.
Wait,