APEX OF THE CROSS by Wright E D

Author:Wright, E D
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

41

The President sat with his team listening to developments thousands of miles away. And though no one said anything, all felt a sense of helplessness.

“They’re shutting the city down,” the President commented, listening to comms between Brady and Bagram. “Even if they make it through the roadblocks they’ll be surrounded. The city will be in lock down mode. And they’ll keep it that way for days, even weeks. They have to.”

The President listened as Rashid ranted at his men. And once more, the General seemingly had no control of his emotions.

“He’ll be taken care of,” Sanchez informed the President. “We have an AWACS airborne.”

“Quicker he’s shut-up the better,” Sambells commented.

“Once we start jamming their comms, they’ll be sure it’s US forces at play,” Johansson stated.

“It’s a given they already know we’re operating down there,” Landers said.

“They sure as hell will once we get our hands on the plutonium,” Sambells added bitterly. “Can’t wait to listen to their foreign minister try to squirm his way out of this one.”

“Save that for another day, Chuck,” the President said. “We need to focus on the immediate situation. Prioritize activities on the ground.”

“Of course,” Sambells concurred.

“The informant’s hidden away?” the President asked.

“Yes,” Johansson confirmed.

“What about his family?” the President asked further.

“An agent’s about to extract them from their home,” Johansson answered.

“But the police are on their way to get them,” the President said.

“We think we’re ahead of the game there,” Johansson said.

The President stood up and walked over to a monitor displaying images of the concrete shelter concealing the truck with the plutonium.

“Any movement?” he asked an NSA specialist.

“Nothing, Mr. President,” she replied. “They’ve gone to ground.”

“And the sensors are still emitting signals?” he checked.

“Yes, Mr. President,” she confirmed, pointing at another monitor showing dozens of red dots intermittently highlighting the screen.

“Unlikely they’ll make any moves,” the President said. “Not until things have calmed down.”

The NSA guru nodded in agreement, as the President turned and walked back to the main area, his colleagues huddled around.

“While our boys are battling it out down there, I want to make sure Captain Abid’s family’s taken care of,” the President said. “Direct the appropriate resources.”

“Of course,” Johansson nodded, reaching for his cell and dialing a number.

The President then gestured for Sambells and Sanchez to follow him to an area adjacent to the Situation Room.

“We need to get ahead of the game,” he told them.

“We’re doing everything we can,” Sanchez said.

“But we’re behind the eight ball,” the President said, pointedly. “We need to throw a curve ball into the mix. Something Pakistan’s military won’t expect.”

“Any ideas? Sanchez queried.

“Immediate assistance on the ground,” the President said. “Help from a neighbor.”

“India’s the only option,” Sambells explained. “All other countries in the region are hostile to American interests.”

“Of course,” nodded the President, looking at the Secretary of State. “You’ve got contacts?”

“There’s someone I know,” Sambells said knowingly.

“Time to call in a favor,” Sanchez suggested.

“Call it what you like, gentleman,” the President said, steely eyed and full of determination. “All that matters is this mission being nothing but a total success.

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