James Huston - Fallout

“But why attack us?”

“Because not only is he intent on war between India and Pakistan, he despises the secular government of Pakistan. To him they’re as illegitimate as the government of India. He wants the current Pakistani government out and a war with India. He’s trying for both.”

“How do you figure that?”

He waved his hand. “I’ve gone on too long. This is all speculation. But I had to give you some background because of what I’m about to ask you. Based on what you and Vlad told Helen, we believe that the possibility of a strike on an Indian nuclear plant is real. He’s probably planning on doing it without any knowledge or authorization of the government of Pakistan.”

“Now you believe them?” Luke exclaimed.

“There’s a bombing exercise scheduled out of Karachi. F-16s with laser-guided bombs to a bombing range near Karachi. They’ve done such exercises only twice before, and we believe that Khan—his actual name, we now know, is Major Ghayyur Elahi—will be leading the practice strike.”

“It’s just unbelievable.”

“As I was saying, your friend Vlad has surprising friends in Russian intelligence. They’ve talked to the people in Indian intelligence, who want to bring huge elements of Air Force into the northwestern part of the country, put out a protective ring of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft gunnery, and generally behave as if they’re about to be attacked. The Russians were able to convince them that such conduct would simply provoke the very thing they’re trying to prevent.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“Your Mr. Vlad proposed to Russian intelligence—which proposed to Indian intelligence—that you and he go to India—”

“What? What for?”

“And fly on their behalf—”

“For what?”

“To defend their nuclear plant.”

Luke sat openmouthed. “That’s nuts.”

Morrissey leaned forward. “You know this pilot better than anyone. Do you think you could stop him?”

Luke considered it. “In what?”

“An Indian MiG-29.”

“I don’t know, probably.”

The CIA officer could sense Luke’s consideration. “The Indians talk a good game. But they fly about five hours a month. They don’t practice dogfighting much, never fire live missiles, and have never flown against an F-16. You’ve fired live missiles from a MiG-29.” He waited for Luke’s reluctant nod. “You’ve fought the very pilot they now fear, in the same aircraft he’ll be flying, and have seen his weaknesses. Fair?”

“I suppose. But still—”

“Let me finish,” Morrissey said, putting up his hand. “You’d be supported by as many Indian fighters as necessary, up to the entire squadron. More, even. Not too far from the nuclear power plant there’s already a squadron of MiG-29s. The Archers.” He shrugged. “They might be able to handle it by themselves. But on the off chance that they can’t, they’re willing to allow you two to be with them if and when Khan attacks.”

“Are you serious?”

He nodded slowly.

Luke glanced toward the bedroom to make sure Katherine hadn’t woken up. “The last time a government man came to my house, it was the Undersecretary.”

“I’m not asking you—”

“Just hold on a minute,” Luke interrupted. “Then, when I got back from putting my ass on the line to fight this asshole over San Onofre, another government dickhead arrested me. Now, all of a sudden, I’m your best friend? You come to me in the middle of the night because I’m the only one who can stop him?” He shook his head. “I’m not buying it. Let the Indians have their shot at him. If they put up enough airplanes, they’ll get him.”

“They don’t think so,” he replied. “Mind if I smoke?” he asked, reaching into his shirt pocket.

“Yeah, I do mind. It stinks up the house. You can go out and sit with the other federales and smoke outside.”

He withdrew his hand. “They’ve asked our government to help them. All on the QT, of course.”

“So send some of those crack F-15 pilots who didn’t get to the fight in time to make any difference over San Onofre.”

“They’ve asked for you and Vlad by name.”

“Why?”

“Because you know the MiG-29, and they think you can beat Khan without starting a war over it.”

“What’s the official government position? What do you want?”

“It’s why I’m here, why we’re here,” he said, glancing at Helen, who’d been silently watching Luke’s face throughout. “We’re here to ask you to go. It may be the only way to keep this whole thing from getting out of control.”

“It’s already out of control!” Luke said, raising his voice and standing. “If you can get his fingerprint while he’s on a Pakistani Air Force base, just send back whoever did that and whack him! Just rip his heart out! Why all this covert fly-for-India, Russian-intelligence stuff? Just go get him!”

“We can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Our options… are different than they were.”

Luke stared at the CIA officer. He felt trapped. It was asking too much. And where did Vlad get off offering his name to India to come defend them? “What’s the plan?”

“What’s going on?” Katherine asked from the doorway in her nightgown. She had her glasses on and was straightening her hair. “What are you doing here?” she asked Morrissey.

“Sorry to intrude. I’m Bill Morrissey. I’m with the government.”

“Which government?”

“United States.”

“What do you do for the government?”

“I’m with the CIA.”

She was surprised. She looked at Helen. “What brings you here?”

“We came to talk to Luke. Sorry we woke you.”

“You didn’t, he did. I tend to wake up when he raises his voice in the middle of the night. What’s going on, Luke?” she asked, a frown deepening on her brow.

“They have an idea of how to stop Khan.”

“Let me guess,” she said. “And you’re just the guy to do it?”

“I’m not sure. They were just about to tell me what the idea was. Pull up a stool,” he said, motioning for her to sit next to him.

Li glanced at Morrissey, who gave her a reassuring nod and said to Katherine, “We were just talking to Luke about some arrangements that have been made to counter what we think Khan’s real plan is. We have to move fast.”

“Go on,” she said. “Let’s hear it.”

Morrissey looked at Luke intently. “You leave this morning from San Francisco International Airport aboard Air India Flight 618 and fly directly to New Delhi, where you’ll be met by the Indian Air Force. They’ll take you to the Air Force base, where you’ll be briefed. We think you’ll have time for one familiarization flight in the Indian MiG. Then, if the attack is when we think, you’ll have about twelve hours to rest and prepare. The remainder of the Indian MiG squadron will be right behind you and will help in any way you want.”

Luke rested his elbows on the table and held his head. This was impossible. “If I screw this up, they’ll blame us.”

“They’ll blame you, or the U.S. will blame you—someone will, count on it,” Katherine added.

“Your name will never show up anywhere, unless we say it should. If it turns sour, you won’t be blamed. They’ll go at him with everything they’ve got if he gets through. Frankly, they’re afraid that if you’re not there, they won’t even find him in time to defend the plant. You’re to get the first crack at him.” Morrissey waited. He sensed Luke wavering. He played his final card. “I thought you might want the chance to get back at the guy who ruined your school—and your life. And Vlad is going.”

Luke looked surprised. “You talked to him?”