Dragon Fire

The Situation Room, The White House, Washington, DC

John Hastings turned away from the television screen. He said, looking at Bloodworth: ‘Can we live with that? Has he given us the makings of a deal?’

‘Overhalt says Jamie Song is not in direct contact with the President. He certainly doesn’t have the authority of General Leung.’

‘We’re evacuating the Embassy staff on the basis of an ordered departure,’ said Joan Holden. ‘Apparently, the British Embassy has been burnt, with one diplomat dead. We’ve offered to take out their staff as long as it doesn’t conflict with our “no double standard” rule. We have a line open to Reece at the Foreign Ministry. He seems to be camping in Jamie Song’s office.’

‘It’s not a deal,’ said Ennio Barber. ‘It’s an interview on CNN. Might I suggest that one missile strike could get President Tao to the phone? Once that conversation has taken place we can have a deal which won’t cost us the election.’

‘I don’t like his reasoning,’ said Bloodworth. ‘But Ennio’s idea might just work. I suggest two Tomahawks into two DF-15 launch sites in Fujian province. Our IMINT will throw up the coordinates.’

‘All right,’ said Hastings slowly. ‘Do it.’