High Alert

CHAPTER 27

Elizabeth sat in a chair by her hospital bed, dressed in a light blue robe, reading a book about the Revolutionary War. It was a time in American history she found fascinating. She was due to be discharged today or tomorrow, pending final clearance from her doctors. As far as she was concerned, it couldn't happen soon enough.

The secure phone resting in the pocket of her robe vibrated against her thigh. She took it out and looked at the display. The number was unfamiliar.

"Yes," she said. "Who is this?"

"Director. I am sure you recognize my voice. Is this line secure?"

Vysotsky. I'll be damned.

"General. Yes, the line is secure. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"Always the diplomat, Elizabeth. It is one of the things I appreciate about you. I trust you are healing well?"

"Better, thanks. But this isn't a social call, is it?"

"I have some intelligence I wish to share with you, and I have a proposition."

"Intelligence is always welcome. If it is legitimate. I reserve judgment on the proposition."

"Elizabeth. You hurt my feelings. I would not insult you by attempting to give you false information. You are exposed to enough of that through your newspapers and politicians."

"As are you, General."

"Are you aware that Chairman Yun has developed a hydrogen bomb?"

"We suspect he is ready to test a small device."

"More than ready. He tested it this morning and it was successful."

"I didn't know that. That's bad news."

"And if I told you that he has built a much larger bomb, one modeled on our own Tsar Bomba?"

Elizabeth sat up straighter in her chair. "That would be worse news. But our sources say he doesn't have enough material for that kind of weapon."

"You underestimated his production, but you are correct that it was not enough. Yun obtained the rest of the plutonium and other fissile material he needed from Iran."

"Those fanatics in Tehran never give up, do they? What does he intend to do with this monster bomb?"

"He intends to set it off, of course. Three hundred miles above your country. I don't need to tell you what that would mean."

"You are certain of this?"

"I am."

Elizabeth was silent. How much should she tell Vysotsky?

"Director Harker? You are still there?"

"Yes, General. I was thinking. We knew Yun was working on a thermonuclear device," she said. "We've just discovered that he's developed a solid fuel engine for his missiles. It gives him ICBM capability. Our assumption has been that he plans to attack a Western target, either our own West Coast or possibly Japan. But if he has a bomb like you are talking about, that changes things."

"We were unaware Yun had progressed so far with his missiles," the Russian said.

"Then we've both learned something by this conversation," Elizabeth said. "His new engine was spotted installed on a modified Taepodong 2 missile. We don't think he's completely worked out the guidance system issues. He can send one up, but he can't necessarily put it where he wants it."

"He doesn't need an accurate ICBM for what he plans. He intends to place his bomb in orbit above you by using one of his satellite launch vehicles."

"You are sure your information is accurate?" Elizabeth asked again.

"Yes. It comes from someone in their nuclear program who overheard Yun talking about what he planned to do. He believes that if Yun goes through with his plan, you will retaliate with nuclear weapons and destroy his country. He wants us to stop it before it happens. I agree with him. Such an event could easily lead to war between all of us. The Chinese would not stand by if you attacked North Korea."

"Why go to you? Why not the Chinese?"

"He doesn't trust the Chinese. Yun is their ally."

"No one trusts the Chinese," Elizabeth said. "You mentioned a proposition. What did you have in mind?"

"We must prevent Yun from launching. I propose a joint operation to remove the threat. We've worked together before, to good effect. It's odd, isn't it? How these things come up from time to time which are more important than the enmity between our two nations? "

"There's nothing like a madman with a bomb to bring people together," Elizabeth said. "We didn't know about his plan, but we'd decided we couldn't risk him launching a nuclear missile. The President wants to take out Yun's launch site before it can happen. We weren't certain which one to target."

"The EMP device is being transported to Musudan-Ri for the launch. It's the only option. His other site at Sohae is undergoing renovations to prepare for larger missiles. Our satellites show that the launch vehicle has not yet been moved onto the pad. We still have time to destroy it."

"Forgive me for asking, General, but your special forces are perfectly capable of doing this job on their own. Why do you want to involve us?"

"We are anxious to avoid misunderstandings," Vysotsky said. "I assumed your intelligence services would learn Yun had developed a hydrogen bomb. It makes sense someone would be sent to intervene. Politicians being the way they are, such a mission would have to be completely deniable. It seemed a good bet you would be aware of it. I had even anticipated that your unit might be chosen, as you've just confirmed. I don't want my assault team running into yours and making a mistake. The officer I have chosen to oversee the operation is well known to you. Her sister is on your team."

"Valentina? You're putting her in charge?"

"A Spetsnaz officer will be in charge of the combat team. Valentina will be in overall command and act as liaison between our two units. She has demonstrated her competence in difficult situations. She's the logical choice."

"I need to discuss this with the others," Elizabeth said, "but I will consider it. The logistics could get complicated."

"I can make staging facilities available on the Kamchatka Peninsula. It's not far from the target."

"How much time do I have to prepare? Assuming I agree."

"The sooner the better," Vysotsky said. "Yesterday would be good."