Line of Control - Tom Clancy [101]
"Maybe it was Friday who turned against the cell," Hood said. Then he straightened.
"Wait a minute," he said.
"It could be possible that none of the above happened."
"What do you mean?" Herbert asked.
"Ron Friday must have told the cell that the Indian soldiers were coming toward them," Hood said.
"Right," Herbert said.
"The Pakistanis could not know there was a threat until Friday joined them," Hood went on.
"They did not know that getting Nanda to Pakistan was the only way they might be able to stop a nuclear exchange. What would you do with that knowledge, especially if you were also told that an American strike force was coming to link up with you?" Hood said.
"If you were smart and bold and probably a little desperate you would try something unexpected."
"Like splitting your forces and using one group to draw the Indian soldiers away," Herbert said.
"Right. Which means that the other four people may be somewhere else, probably holding to the original course," Hood said.
"If that's true, it means we don't want August and Musicant linking up with the splinter group, since they're probably going to want to draw fire from the Indians," Herbert said.
"Correct. Bob, let August know what we're thinking," Hood said. He leaned back over the computer and returned to the NASA map.
"Stephen, I need to see into that valley."
"I've got your map up now," Viens said.
"I'm looking to see if the coordinates are in the Omni Com computer."
Meanwhile, Herbert punched in Striker's TAC-SAT number.
"Paul, you can't be thinking what I think you are," Herbert said.
"I'm sure I am," Hood informed him.
"Assuming he's all right, you don't even know if you can talk to him,"
Herbert said.
"One thing at a time," Hood said.
"I can do it!" Viens shouted.
"I'm sending up the order now. No guarantees about cloud cover and visibility, Paul, but I'll have you in the valley in ninety seconds."
"Thank you," Hood said.
"What are we looking for?" Viens asked.
"A parachute," Hood said.
"One that may have Mike Rodgers on the end of it."
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE.
The Mangala Valley Thursday, 5:30 p. m.
During the Strikers' descent, the AN-12 had made a quick turn to the south. A powerful downdraft from the fast departing transport had driven Mike Rodgers toward the center of the parachutists. As a result, he was protected from the main thrust of the flak attack. But Rodgers had heard the explosions. He had seen the results as his teammates fell around him. By the time the general had guided himself toward the target, only he and one other striker were still aloft.
Despite the heroic efforts of one of the strikers on the ledge, Rodgers had failed to reach the plateau. He had struck his shins and then his right hip and torso on the ledge. Fortunately, his equipment vest took the brunt of the chest hit.
But Rodgers was dropping too fast and was not able to hold on. He was also unable to see what happened to the last aloft teammate. At least that chute was on the correct side of the plateau. If he or she were able to disengage from the chute it would probably be all right.
As the rock target disappeared from view, Rodgers studied the terrain immediately below. He had not given up trying to join the others and looked for a ledge he could reach.
Unfortunately, Rodgers could not stay as close to the mountain as he would have liked. There were so many rough outcroppings that he ran the risk of snagging and ripping the parachute. Reluctantly, he made the decision to ride the chute to the valley.
While Rodgers descended, he looked for signs of other parachutes below.
He had seen the Strikers fall and did not think any of them could have survived the plunge. If he were able to land near them he could be certain. Rodgers refused to think about the soldiers who were almost certainly lost.
There would be time to grieve later. All that mattered now was the mission and Rodgers had to find a way of getting back into it.
The currents diminished the lower Rodgers dropped. As he descended into