The Eye of Shiva

CHAPTER 18

Prakash Khanna was talking with Ashok Rao. The connection between Manila and New Delhi was crystal clear. Both men used phones with encryption that made listening in on the conversation harder than winning the lottery.

"Abu Sayyaf has attacked and occupied the American Embassy," Khanna said. "Many have been killed. Turn on your television."

Rao picked up a remote and turned on a large monitor mounted on the wall of his New Delhi office. The network was running footage taken when the terrorist attack outside the embassy gates had begun. The picture switched to a live telephoto shot of the front of the embassy. The camera zeroed in on the bodies of the riot police. The network ran the attack footage again while an excited announcer in the corner of the screen rehashed the details in a voice of modulated outrage.

Rao turned off the sound. "What is the current situation?"

"Abu Sayyaf has control of the building," Khanna said. "The initial attack came from the bay. Then the others showed up."

"There are hostages?" Rao asked.

"Yes, including the American ambassador. I'm not sure how many. As yet, there have not been any demands. The attack happened only a short time ago."

"What are the Filipinos doing?"

"For the moment, the police are hanging back. They'll probably send in the army. Navarro has made several public statements about being tough on Abu Sayyaf. He can't back down."

"If he storms the embassy, it will create a major international incident," Rao said.

In Manila, Khanna lit a cigarette. "Nonetheless, I think that's what he'll do. Navarro is no friend to the United States. His political base is opposed to an American presence in the islands."

"Perhaps they would prefer a Chinese presence instead," Rao said.

Khanna laughed.

Rao continued. "You were able to get everything in place?"

"Yes. The Americans will discover convincing evidence of ISOK's involvement. They'll think ISOK and Abu Sayyaf have formed an alliance to attack American and Indian targets with high public visibility."

"They have formed an alliance," Rao said. "We're doing Washington a favor, helping them fight their war on terror." Rao paused. "What do you think Abu Sayyaf will do?"

"My guess is that they will start executing hostages until their demands are met. Navarro will never give them what they want," Khanna said. "I don't think anyone will come out of there alive. Abu Sayyaf believes in Jihad. They think God will be pleased if they die fighting the Crusader infidels."

"They are fools."

"There is only one possible outcome once the hostages begin dying. I estimate an assault on the embassy within twenty-four hours of the first execution. Once it's all over, the Americans will discover that Pakistan is behind the attack."

"Excellent," Rao said. "I imagine they will be very angry at their Paki allies." He paused for a moment. "How do you feel about the bombing of our embassy?"

In his office on Lodhi Road, Rao couldn't see Khanna shrug.

"Sacrifice is sometimes necessary," Khanna said. "The ambassador here was useless, an appeaser like the Prime Minister. Perhaps it will serve as a wake-up call to those idiots in New Delhi."

It was what Rao wanted to hear. "I doubt that anything will change the way our Prime Minister and his cabinet think."

"If your plan works it won't matter what he thinks," Khanna said. "He'll be forced to take a hard line with Islamabad and Washington will have to get involved. My only concern is that the Americans have a habit of creating problems once the door has been opened for them."

"Mother India is not Afghanistan or Iraq," Rao said. "We will use them against Pakistan. They will never suspect we have manipulated them."

"What do you think they'll do?"

"Who knows? An attack on their embassy by terrorists is one thing. If they believe Pakistan is to blame, it's another. It will be seen as betrayal, an act of war. They cannot let it pass. Whatever they do, it will make trouble for the Pakis and opportunities for us."

"What are your instructions?" Khanna asked.

"Keep monitoring events. Try to find out what the Americans and Filipinos are doing, the things we won't see on television."

"Understood."

Rao ended the conversation and set his phone down. Then he picked up the phone again and called Krivi.

"Yes."

"It's Rao," he said.

"My brother," Krivi answered.

Rao felt a glow of satisfaction, even pride. He had an important role to play in the future of India. The best part was that Krivi's group would help him achieve his revenge.

"Are you aware of what's happening in Manila?" Rao asked.

"I am."

"The Americans will soon discover evidence that Islamabad planned the attack. So far there's no reason for them to suspect Pakistan's involvement. That will change once their NSA focuses on the terrorist communications. They'll find a trail that leads straight to Islamabad."

"You seem confident."

"This kind of operation is familiar to me. The technology makes it easy."

Because of Rao, the world was already one step closer to war. Krivi was pleased that he'd judged Rao correctly.

"How can I help?" Krivi said.

"It would be good if demonstrations here in India begin to grow. Even better if they get out of hand. I can't use my own agents for that, it would be discovered."

"I'll see what I can do."