'Oh, you wouldn't, huh? Well, I was just going to suggest that maybe you get off this damned airplane and go home and take care of your family just in case it isn't all talk.'
'You really did walk through the snow just to get aboard. My God, fellow, you take this Russian stuff dreadfully seriously, don't you?'
'Yeah,' Rourke said, terminating the conversation and turning back toward the window. 'I guess I do.'
**
'There's another communique from the Indian government, Mr. President. Just came in over the telex.'
'Read it to me, Thurston,' the president said, sitting down at his desk.
Potter whispered. 'All right, sir, It says-'
'Just the essentials,' the president said.
'Yes, sir. They say that at the expiration of your deadline, they'll utilize a low-yield nuclear device-tactically. It's mostly as a symbolic statement of their entrance into the conflict with the Soviets and their intention to resist their incursion into Pakistan at all costs.'
'That's crazy. Get me the Indian ambassador right away.'
As Potter left, the president turned to his national security advisor, Bernard Thorpe. 'Bernie, what do you think?'
As Thorpe started to speak, Commerce Secretary Meeker cut in. 'You'd better get out of here up to somewhere we can count on your bein' alive long enough to direct the war effort, Mr. President.'
Bernard Thorpe, wire-rimmed glasses in his hands, his pipe out but still clenched hard in his teeth, said, 'Much as I hate to agree with Mr. Meeker, Mr. President, he's making good sense. If India uses a nuclear device, maybe we can still avoid a war. Pakistan, though, might be tempted then-I understand they have them ready. No really effective delivery system, though. But that could start it. What if another pair of submarines collides or attacks each other? What does Mr. Antonais say about the Soviet particle beam systems?'
'Dmitri says they could be operational, but that the destruction of the communications satellite was just a planned shot-could have been working it out for hours in advance and probably were. Won't be any match for our MRVs. But I don't want to get that far. I don't think the premier wants that, either.'
'Are we going to back down then?' Thorpe said.
'I'm going to call the premier again. Maybe we can work out a compromise. Bernie, tell Marian to have my special plane called up just in case I want to get over to the mountain.'
Meeker, standing up, exhaling hard and tugging at his tight necktie, said, 'Good move, Mr. President. If those suckers want to play poker, well then, let's play.'
***
The Soviet premier sat at his desk. The lights of his office were out except for the small desk lamp and its circle of yellowish light. 'You are sure of this?' he asked.
'Our intelligence realized the importance of this, Comrade Premier. It has been investigated and investigated again. There can be no doubt,' the woman said. 'You have been a major with Intelligence for long, Gospozha?'
'Yes, Comrade Premier,' she answered uncomfortably.
'How nice for you.' Then, looking back at the deciphered message in his bony hands, he said, 'So the Pakistan Army has a nuclear device and will destroy a dam lying in the path of our forces. Has anyone bothered yet to inform the Pakistan Army that this will force the possibility of total war?'
'No,' the woman said, thoughtfully. 'No, Comrade Premier. Or, at least, I have not been so informed.'
'Well, well...' The premier blew smoke into the circle of light. 'The American president just tried calling me, but I was unavailable. He left word he would try again from his hardened mountain retreat-his bomb shelter. I suppose that I, too, should go to my bomb shelter. He can reach me there. You are a credit to your sex, Comrade Major. Please advise my staff that I instructed you to avail yourself of some refreshment on your way out.'
The premier picked up the phone on his desk, dialed, and spoke into the receiver. 'Alert the helicopter pilot that I shall be needing his services shortly, and make all other arrangements. I wish the emergency meeting of the Politburo advisors, my science advisors, and other members of my senior staff to begin in five minutes.'
He hung up the phone and blew more smoke into the patch of light on his blotter.
Chapter Eighteen
'Major, excuse...'
Major Nikita Mikhailevitch Porembski turned and stared at the young female lieutenant. 'Yes, what is it?' he asked.
'My good friend, Comrade Major. He is with the troops at the Pakistan front. I was wondering...?' The blonde- haired girl left her question unfinished. The man squinted as he looked down into her blue eyes. 'I can tell you nothing. I know nothing. There is an alert order. The rumor is that we may launch against the American mainland and selected American allied targets. I do not know anything beyond that. The rumor is only that, Lieutenant. It is your lover for whom you worry?'
The girl looked away, her eyes cast down. The major touched her shoulder lightly. 'There is a special meeting underway in the Kremlin, I have heard. Perhaps some decision will come of that. Perhaps not. Are you on duty?'
'No, Comrade Major. I went off duty an hour ago, then came here.'
'To Army Headquarters?' The major's voice was filled with incredulity. Then, 'You must love the young man a great deal. He is an officer?'
