The sum of all fears - Tom Clancy [460]
"Mr President," van Damm spoke. "The American people -"
Fowler's anger appeared, but only briefly. "The American people will demand that I act! But that's not the only reason. I must act. I must reply to this - just to make sure it never happens again!"
"Please think it through, sir."
"Arnold, I have."
Ryan looked over at Pete Connors and Helen D'Agustino. Both concealed their feelings with marvelous skill. The rest of the room approved of Fowler's purpose, and Jack already knew that he was not the one to reason with the man. He looked at the clock and wondered what would come next.
"Mr President, this is General Fremont."
I'm here, General."
"Sir, we have re-targeted a Minuteman-III missile in North Dakota for the target specified. I - sir, have you thought this through?"
"General, I am your commander-in-chief. Is the missile readied for launch?"
"Sir, the launch sequence will take about a minute from the time you give the order."
"The order is given."
"Sir, it's not that simple. I need an ID check. You've been briefed on the procedure, sir."
Fowler reached for his wallet and removed a plastic card, much like a credit card. On it were ten different eight-number groups. Only Fowler knew which one he was supposed to read.
"Three-Three-Six-Zero-Four-Two-Zero-Nine."
"Sir, I confirm your identification code. Next, Mr President, the order must be confirmed."
"What?"
"Sir, the two-man rule applies. In the event of an overt attack, I can be the second man, but since that is not the case, someone on my list must confirm the order."
"I have my chief of staff right here."
"Sir, negative on that, the rule is that to be on the list you must be an elected official or one approved by Congress - the Senate, that is - like a cabinet secretary."
"I'm on the list," Jack said.
"Is that Dr Ryan, DDCI?"
"Correct, General."
"Deputy Director Ryan, this is CINC-SAC," Fremont said in a voice that oddly mimicked the robotic one used to issue SAC orders. "Sir, I have received a nuclear-launch order. I need you to confirm that order, but first I also need to verify your identity, sir. Could you please read your identification code?"
Jack reached for his own ID card and read off his code group. Ryan could hear Fremont or one of his people flipping through the pages of a book.
"Sir, I confirm your identification as Dr John Patrick Ryan, Deputy Director of Central Intelligence."
Jack looked at Fowler. If he didn't do it, the President would just get someone else. It really was that simple, wasn't it? And was Fowler wrong - was he really wrong?
"It's my responsibility, Jack," Fowler said, standing at Ryan's side, resting his hand on Jack's shoulder. "You're just confirming it."
"Dr Ryan, CINC-SAC here, I repeat, sir, I have a nuclear-launch order from the President, and I require confirmation, sir."
Ryan looked at his President, then leaned down to the microphone. He struggled for the breath to speak. "CINC-SAC, this is John Patrick Ryan. I am DDCI." Jack paused, then went on quickly:
"Sir, I do not confirm this order. I repeat, General, this is NOT a valid launch order. Acknowledge at once!"
"Sir, I copy negative approval of the order."
"That is correct," Jack said, his voice growing stronger. "General, it is my duty to inform you that in my opinion the President is not, I repeat NOT in command of his faculties. I urge you to consider that if another launch order is attempted." Jack rested his hands on the desk, took a deep breath, and snapped back erect.
Fowler was slow to react, but when he did, he pressed his face against Jack's. "Ryan, I order you -"
Jack's emotions exploded one last time: "To do what? To kill a hundred thousand people - and why?"
"What they tried to do -"
"What you damned near let them do!" Ryan jabbed a finger into the President's