Dragon Fire

Foreign Ministry, Beijing, China

Jamie Song waited until Teng Guo Feng, his Ambassador to Islamabad, was on the secure line, then picked up the receiver. ‘Did they receive the imagery?’

‘Khan himself was in the war room,’ said Teng. ‘Parliament is in emergency session, and Khan’s been summoned to the PM’s office.’

‘Good,’ said Jamie Song. ‘Speak to him now and tell him two things. Firstly, we are having some success in intercepts on the SIGINT from the Indian military command and will let him have them shortly. Secondly, advise him that if our support is to continue, he must follow closely your political advice on how he handles his accession to power. No witch-hunts. No revolution. No personality cults. No personal corruption. If China is to stay with him, he has to win international recognition and respect. Only then will he retain power.’