The Lance

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

President Rice watched a television monitor on the bulkhead. A neat white bandage covered the cut on his forehead. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt with the Presidential Seal on it. His face was drawn. Dark shadows circled his eyes. He looked ten years older than he had the night before.

"Take a seat, Carter."

Nick took a seat on the couch. Sitting in the President's plane as the world slipped out of control felt like another one of his dreams, but a glance at the fighters keeping pace outside told him it was real enough.

Whatever Rice did in the next few days might make the difference between peace and world war. Mao had said that power came from the barrel of a gun. The briefcase sitting with the army colonel aft meant Rice had his finger on the trigger of a very big gun and wielded a lot of power. But there were a few other big guns out there. It might not take much to precipitate a shootout. Then everyone would lose.

"Take a look." Rice gestured at the screen.

The picture was sharp, high definition living color. Thick smoke drifted over Jerusalem. The sun shone blood-red over the shattered ruins of the Mosque. Parts of the old city were on fire. The scene switched to a live shot of Israeli armor moving in columns. Trucks full of soldiers armed with assault rifles and encased in body armor were going somewhere. At reserve call up centers all over the country, Israel's armed and trained citizen army was showing up for work.

Rice clicked his remote. Protests and riots all across the Middle East. In Tehran a mob of a hundred thousand people screamed in rage, chanting in carefully orchestrated responses. Green and white banners in Arabic and misspelled slogans in English proclaimed death to America, Israel, Zionists, Jews and Rice himself. Israeli and American flags burned in every Islamic country.

Rice turned off the set.

"That's only the beginning. Pakistan went to full alert and India followed. They're snarling at each other. North Korea has pledged its undying support for the 'victims of American and Jewish aggression'. Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador. Syria and Jordan have announced a joint military effort. Egypt is mobilizing. We've detected movement of Iran's mobile missile forces. They're trying to hide them."

Rice paused.

"The Gulf States withdrew their ambassadors. Yemen is calling for a regional conference and a mutual military pact against the enemies of Islam. That means us, Israel and the West in general. China and Russia have called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. All of this in less than six hours since the bombing."

"What about the Iraqis, sir?"

"There are indications the Shias and Sunnis are setting aside their differences for the moment and forming an alliance. That's a good one. They hate each other, but they hate us and Israel more. The enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that." Rice sounded bitter.

A steward appeared with a silver tray and coffee pot. There were two cups. The steward poured for the President, then brought the tray around to Carter. He poured. When he was gone, Rice continued.

"Turkey and the Saudis sent expressions of gratitude that I was not killed in the explosion, but at the same time they're going to war status. All of Islam thinks a Jewish group is behind this. For all I know that's true, in which case there isn't a lot I can do to head this off. It's even possible the primary target was Prime Minister Ascher, not me. There are radical elements in Israel that don't want peace unless it comes with total control of what they consider to be the biblical homeland.

"Ascher was the only one in Israel who might have gained support for a semblance of peace. Now that he's dead the right wing will take control. It's a scenario that's happened before. If someone wanted to guarantee a war, they couldn't have done anything more provocative than blow up that mosque."

Rice sipped his coffee. "Russia and China have raised their alert status and everybody is nervous as hell. Whoever did this has brought the world to the edge. There's going to be a war. I don't know yet if it can be confined to the Middle East, or how big it will get. NATO is on full alert. I've ordered our military to DEFCON3. The Navy is at DEFCON2."

The Defense Condition system could be set at different levels for different units within the armed forces. The Navy had the broadest global reach in position, with plenty of nukes and enough air and sea power to thwart most aggressive measures or initiate them if needed. DEFCON2 was one step short of war. The jump to full war status would only come under threat of imminent attack and would take few minutes to achieve. If Rice went to DEFCON1, the bombers would lift off, the silos would go hot and things would go south in a hurry. DEFCON1 would mean World War III. No wonder Rice looked stressed. Nick wasn't feeling too relaxed himself.

"Carter. Like it or not, you and Director Harker have become players in the big game. Someone tried to kill me today. They failed because of your actions and because Director Harker smelled a rat. I haven't said thank you yet. Thank you."

"Yes, sir. You're welcome."

"I'd like your advice on Dysart."

"Sir, I don't think I'm qualified to do that. I don't know what's going on or what's happened since the last time I talked with the Director."

"Then let's call her up." Rice pressed a button and spoke to the communications center on the flight deck above.

Nick heard the signal tone. Harker picked up.

"Yes." Wary, strained, ready to disconnect. Who was calling?

"Director Harker, this is the President."

"Yes, sir." Her voice became energized. "I recognize your voice. I'm glad you're all right, Mr. President."

"Director, Carter is here with me. I've put you on the speaker. This is a secure transmission. I want to talk about Dysart."

A brief pause. "Yes, sir."

"Have you established proof General Dysart is involved in these events?"

"No real proof yet, but very strong suspicions. We have emails between him and an unknown party, referring to at least two covert operations and a meeting. They don't sound right. Someone is telling Dysart what to do. Literally what to do, as in 'command'. One of those operations was coded 'Valkyrie'. I think it referred to the events of this morning, the bombing and the attempted assassination. I'm wondering who it is that commands a three star general, if it isn't you? Sir."

"In your opinion, General Dysart is part of a plot?"

"Yes, sir, I am sure he is. He was told by whoever is directing him to 'prepare for transition'. That sounds ominous to me. I think someone is trying to get you out of the way and provoke a crisis in the Middle East. They seem to have succeeded with part of their plan."

"What is your recommendation regarding Dysart?"

"You mean what do I think you should do?"

"Yes, Director."

"Sir, he can't possibly have set this up by himself. I think he should be left in place and watched. He may lead us to other conspirators. If he does anything to threaten national security you could move in and stop him. Perhaps set up an alternate command to take over NSA if needed, without his knowledge."

"Give him enough rope?"

"Yes, sir. If I'm wrong, then no harm done. If I'm right, sooner or later he'll do something that proves it. Then we'd get a chance to find out who else is involved. I'm working on that now."

"I want you to get to the bottom of this. Carter will be our direct liaison. After today, no one will think it unusual if he is seen with me on occasion. I take it you have a secure location to work from?"

"Yes, Mr. President. Sir, please don't misunderstand me. Dysart is bound to be observing everything. You must be very careful about the people you choose to confide in. I recommend no contact with Langley regarding our suspicions."

Nick kept his face neutral. Not many people tell the President of the United States to be careful about what he does or who he should talk to, much less tell him to stay away from the CIA. Harker had balls.

"You believe CIA is involved?"

"I don't know, sir. But Langley has leaks. Any involvement with them about Dysart will give everything away."

"I'll take that under advisement, Director. I appreciate your candor. Keep me informed of any progress, any new information."

"Yes, sir. Thank you for your trust, Mr. President."

"You've earned it. One more thing."

"Yes, sir?"

"Whoever did this must be revealed for who they are and shown to the world. It is the only thing that can stop what has begun. Work quickly, Director."

Rice ended the call.