Line of Control - Tom Clancy [115]
The security officer turned Plummer over to the ambassador's executive secretary. The young man smiled pleasantly and led Plummer to Simathna's office. The white-haired ambassador came out from behind his glass topped desk. He was wearing a brown suit and a muted yellow tie. The sixty-three-year-old ambassador had been a front line soldier and bore a scar on both cheeks where a bullet had passed through his jaw. He had also been an intelligence expert and a professor of politics and political sociology at Quaid-E-Azam University in Islamabad before being tapped to represent his nation in Washington, D. C. He greeted Op-Center's political officer warmly.
Plummer had not told Ambassador Simathna why he needed to see him, only that it was urgent.
The men sat in modern armchairs on the window side of the office. The thick bullet-proof glass muted their voices.
As Plummer spoke he sounded almost conspiratorial.
The ambassador's lean face was serious but unemotional as Plummer spoke.
He leaned forward, listening quietly, as Plummer told him about the Striker operation from conception to present, and Hood's fears about the actions of India's SFF. When Plummer was finished, the ambassador sat back.
"I am disappointed that you did not come to me for intelligence on the nuclear situation in Kashmir," the ambassador said.
"We did not want to impose on your friendship," Plummer replied.
"It means a great deal to us."
"That was thoughtful of you," he replied with a little smile.
"But you have come to me now."
"Yes," Plummer replied.
"For your advice, your confidence, your patience, and most of all your trust. We believe we have a good chance to keep this under control but the hours ahead will be extremely difficult."
"One could describe nuclear brinkmanship in those terms," the ambassador said softly.
"Your Strikers were quite brave, going into the mountains the way they did. And the surviving members give me hope. Nations are not monolithic, not even India and Pakistan. When people care enough about one another great things can be accomplished." "Paul Hood and I share your optimism," Plummer said.
"Even at this moment?"
"Especially at this moment." Plummer replied.
Throughout the exchange Plummer had watched the ambassador's dark eyes.
Simathna's mind was elsewhere. Plummer feared that the ambassador was thinking of alerting his government.
The ambassador rose.
"Mr. Plummer, would you excuse me for a few minutes?"
Plummer also stood.
"Mr. Ambassador, one more thing."
"Yes?"
"I don't wish to push you, sir, but I want to make certain I've made the situation clear," Plummer said.
"It is vital that your government take no action until our people in the field have had a chance to extract the Indian operative."
"You have made that quite clear," the ambassador replied.
"There is the very real danger that even a leaked word could turn this into a self-fulfilling nightmare," Plummer added.
"I agree," Simathna assured him. The tall Pakistani smiled slightly and started toward the door.
"Mr. Ambassador, please tell me what you're going to do," Plummer implored. The American was going to feel very foolish if Simathna were going to get an aspirin or visit the lavatory. But Plummer had to know.
"I am going to do something that will require your assistance," Simathna replied.
"Anything," Plummer said.
"What can I do?"
The ambassador opened the door and looked back.
"You must give me something that you just requested of me."
"Of course," Plummer told him.
"Name it." While the PEO waited he replayed