Games of State - Tom Clancy [72]
The Geologue was a detailed satellite relief study of the world. From it, computers could generate an acre-by-acre view of the planet from any angle. It would take a few days, but if the photograph hadn't been tinkered with, the Geologue would tell them where it was taken.
Hood told Stoll to proceed. The Operations Support Officer phoned his assistant, Eddie Medina, to let him know the images were coming.
Hood squeezed Hausen's shoulder. "Let's go for a walk."
"Thank you, no," Hausen replied.
"I need it," Hood said. "This has been a strange morning for me too."
Hausen managed a small smile. "All right," he said.
"Good. Matt-- call me on the cellular if you get something."
"So let it be written, so let it be done," said the unflappable techno-whiz.
"Herr Lang," said Hood, "Matt may need some help with the language."
"I understand," Lang said. "I'll stay here with him."
Hood smiled graciously. "Thanks. We won't be long."
With his hand still on Hausen's shoulder, Hood and the German walked through the reception area to the elevator.
Hausen was lying, of course. Hood had encountered his kind before. He wanted very much to talk about whatever was bothering him, but his pride and dignity wouldn't allow it.
Hood would wear him down. It was more than a coincidence that what had just happened in the office was similar to what had happened this morning on Billy Squires's computer. And if this was happening simultaneously on two continents, then Op-Center needed to know why.
Fast.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Thursday, 10:02 A.M.,
Washington, D.C.
After his encouraging chat with Brett August, the morning sped by for Mike Rodgers. Matt Stoll's assistant Eddie briefed him on what was happening in Germany, and told him he'd put in a call for assistance to Bernard Ballon of the Gendarmarie Nationale. Ballon was on a mission against terrorists, the New Jacobins, and had not returned the call.
Rodgers was more concerned about Herbert going to check on Chaos activities by himself. Rodgers wasn't worried because Herbert was in a wheelchair. The man was not defenseless. He was worried because Herbert could be like a dog with a bone. He didn't like letting go of things, especially unsolved cases. And there was only so much Op-Center could do to help him. Unlike the U.S., where they could listen in on telecommunications through local FBI, CIA, or police offices, it was difficult to mount broad surveillance immediately overseas. Satellites could focus on individual cellular telephones or even small regions, but they also picked up a lot of garbage. That was what he'd been trying to tell Senator Fox earlier. Without people on the scene, surgical operations were difficult.
Herbert was a good person to have on the scene. Part of Rodgers worried about what Herbert would do without a moderating force like Paul Hood-- though another part of him was excited by the prospect of Bob Herbert unleashed. If anyone could make the case for putting money into a crippled HUMINT program, it was Herbert.
Liz Gordon arrived shortly after Eddies call. She updated the General on the mental state of the Striker team. Major Shooter had brought his 89th MAU charm-- "more accurately," she said, "his lack thereof"-- to Quantico and was drilling the squad by the book.
"But this is a good thing," she said. "Lieutenant Colonel Squires tended to mix things up a lot. Shooter's regimentation will help them to accept that things are different now. They're hurting real bad and many of them are punishing themselves by drilling hard."
"Punishing themselves for thinking they failed Charlie?" Rodgers asked.
"That, plus guilt. The Survivor's Syndrome. They're alive, he isn't."
"How do you convince them they did their best?" Rodgers asked.
"You can't. They need time and perspective. It's common in situations like these."
"Common," Rodgers said sadly, "but brand-new to the people who are having to deal with it."
"That too," Liz agreed.
"Practical question," Rodgers said. "Are they fit for service if we need them?"
Liz thought for a moment.