Dark Zone

93

Rubens pushed the button on the com device, selecting the direct line back to Air Force One, and in the meantime strode toward Sandy Chafetz’s console.

“George, we have more information for the French — and the British. The Chunnel may be a target,” Rubens told the national security adviser. “The computer that accessed the one where the formulas for damaging the Eiffel Tower were discovered had another formula for blowing up the Chunnel. We’re still trying to pull the scenario together, but it looks as if it’s intended to trigger a tsunami across the English Channel. It may involve the French warhead.”

“That’s impossible,” said Hadash. “Even if the tunnel were to collapse.”

“Actually, the simulation shows it’s not impossible,” said Rubens. He stopped in front of Chafetz. “The shock wave would have considerable force, at least that of a large earthquake. We haven’t been able to verify the calculations on our side yet, but these simulations anticipate waves reaching over fifty feet, which would flood much of the Netherlands, not to mention the ports along the coast. But even if they are wrong and just the Chunnel itself is destroyed, it would be a massive terrorist strike. The impact in Europe would be incredible.”

Hadash didn’t reply.

“We have to shut down traffic through it, at least until we have more information,” said Rubens.

“Agreed,” said Hadash. “I have the President of France here. I’m going to put him on the line, with the President’s permission.”

As he waited, Rubens glanced down at Chafetz.

“Where are Dean and Lia?” he asked.

“They’re in the Chunnel. Something’s going on there — one of the transmission stations just recorded a wild power fluctuation.”