Line of Control - Tom Clancy [74]
"To defuse the outraged Indian populace that will otherwise be screaming for Pakistani blood," Liz said.
"Correct," Herbert said.
"So far, the first attempt to capture the Pakistanis failed. SFF commandos were sent into the mountains. They were all killed. We do not know what other pursuit options are being considered or whether the cell has contacted Pakistan. We don't know what rescue efforts Islamabad may be attempting to mount."
"They'd probably be chopper HAP searches," August said.
"Explain," Hood said.
"Hunt and peck," August told him.
"The cell would not risk sending a radio beacon to Pakistan or suggesting a rendezvous point. That would be too easy for an Indian listening post at the line of control to pick off. Pakistan doesn't have the satellite resources to spot the cell so they would have to fly in and crisscross suspected routes of egress. And they'd use helicopters instead of jets, to stay below Indian radar."
"Good 'gets," " Herbert said.
"Paul, there's something that's bothering me," Coffey said.
"Do we know for certain that the NSA operative was an observer and not a participant? This action may have been planned a couple of weeks ago, timed to draw attention from their attempted coup in Washington."
Coffey had a point. The former head of the NSA, Jack Fenwick, had been working to replace President of the United States Michael Lawrence with the more militant Vice President Cotten. It was conceivable that Fenwick may have helped to orchestrate this crisis as a distraction from the anticipated resignation of President Lawrence.
"We believe that Friday is clean, though right now we have him quarantined with an Indian officer," Hood replied.
"I suspect that if Friday were involved with this he would be trying to get out of the region and keep us out as well."
"Which could also mean he is involved," Liz pointed out.
"In what way?" Hood asked.
"If you're suggesting, as I think you are, that Striker try to help the cell get home, it would be in Mr. Friday's interest to stay close to them and make sure they do not succeed."
"That could work both ways," Herbert said.
"If Striker goes in after the cell we can also keep an eye on Friday."
"I want to emphasize here that we have not yet made a final determination on the mission. Colonel," Hood said.
"But if we do try to help the Pakistanis the key to success is a timely intervention. Bob, you've been in contact with HQ Central Air Command."
"Yes," Herbert said.
"We're dealing directly with Air Chief Marshal Chowdhury and his senior aide. I told the ACM that we may want to change the way we insert Striker."
"You're thinking about an airdrop," August said.
"Correct," replied Herbert.
"I asked the ACM for jump gear. He said it will definitely be on the Himalayan Eagles squadron AN-12. But I did not tell him what we may be asking you to do in the region. The good news is, whatever you do will be well shielded. The Indian military continues to be ultra secretive about your involvement. The SFF and the other people behind the Srinagar attacks do not even know that Striker is enroute to the region."
"What about the Indian officer who is with Mr. Friday?" Colonel August asked.
"Are we sure we can trust him?" "Well, nothing is guaranteed," Herbert said.
"But according to Friday, Captain Nazir is not looking forward to the prospect of a nuclear attack. Especially when he and Friday are headed toward Pakistan."
"I was just thinking about that," August said.
"Do you think you can include lead-lined long Johns in the Indian requisition form?"
"Just get behind Mike," Herbert said.
"Nothing gets past that sumbitch. Not even high-intensity rads."
There was anxious chuckling about that. The laughter was a good tension breaker.
"We've got Friday and Nazir enroute by chopper to a town called Jaudar,"
Herbert said.
"I know where that is," Colonel August said.
"It's southeast