Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [86]
“We had two follow-up conversations with Nachum, and he seemed a little more settled. Even though Israel is essentially energy-independent, he asked for a petroleum guarantee. We told him we too would be strapped but would do our best to help if needed. We also reminded him that Israel would lose all support from the United States if it launched a preemptive strike against the Saudis, but I honestly don’t know if he got it,” Clayton said, shrugging his shoulders.
“The CIA confirmed the detonation of an atomic bomb in the southern wastelands of Saudi Arabia. The estimated yield was about thirty-five kilotons of TNT—less than Mustafa had indicated—and our agents are certain that the dirty-bomb threat is not a bluff. But the EMP capability Mustafa claimed is the greatest physical threat to the United States, and they probably do have delivery systems to make it happen. The CIA also estimated the Israelis have at least 150 nuclear warheads with a means of delivery, and they appear to be dusting them off right now.”
Jack shivered at the thought of a nuclear conflagration in the Middle East or an EMP strike on America.
“The president will do whatever he can this weekend to show the colors and keep the media watchdogs away from us,” Clayton said, “and not even the SWAT team knows we’re here. I’m sure the Chinese are every bit as anxious as us to keep it hushed up.”
“How is the president doing?” Jack asked with a sense of foreboding.
“Not good, I’m afraid,” Clayton replied with sadness. “He’s been on the horn continuously with world leaders and even held a couple of short interviews. I’ve got to tell you, though, I think this is his last hurrah. He’s a trooper, but he’s using up whatever reservoir of energy he has left. I only hope he makes it through the weekend in one piece.”
As they approached the Main Lodge, Clayton mentioned again his conversation with the president about moving up the succession date. “I told him my preference would be to go with October fourteenth, as planned, but it’s his call based on his health. Every extra day he can buy us by hanging in there will give us that much more time to prepare.”
They picked up the pace as the rain started to fall. The fire in the lodge would be inviting. “By the way, Jack, did you look at the CIA report? What did you think?”
“I read it, and I agree with everything in it. I also sent a copy to Wang Peng before I left, as you had requested, and I’m sure he’ll review it with Lin Cheng on their way here. They’re both plugged into the energy situation, and I doubt they’d take issue with much of it.”
Clayton asked, “Any suggestions for how we ought to play the meeting tonight?”
“Play it by ear, that’s all I can say,” Jack said with a grin. “Peng has given us a strong endorsement, and Lin Cheng strikes me as a man who’ll dive right in. We have a lot of ground to cover, but I’d first concentrate on building a relationship with him.”
Clayton murmured an agreement and then added, “I’m going to my room to take one more quick-read of the CIA report. Just knock when you’re ready to go down for the meeting.”
Back in his room, Clayton pulled out the CIA report. He shuddered to think how the world would react to the grisly truth, once it was known—an event likely to take place around the time he was sworn in as president. What a way to start, he thought as he opened the report.
Top Secret
Saudi Arabian Coup
Oil Crisis