CARRIER 3: ARMAGEDDON MODE

Hemminger’s eyes widened. “Are you suggesting that we could be looking at a nuclear war over there?”

“Mr. Secretary, we think that the detonation this morning was a test . . . and a warning. They did nothing to try to hide it. They set it off on the surface instead of underground, where the shock could have been blamed on an earthquake, or out at sea, where they could have denied any knowledge of it. We think that it was meant as a clear signal to the Indians: ‘Back off. We have nukes too.’ ”

“Will India press her attack?” Schellenberg asked. “Damn, they’re not suicidal!”

Marlowe studied his hands, folded before him. ‘ ‘Maybe not. But these two countries have been at each other since Partition in 1947. Islamic extremists have slaughtered Hindus living in Pakistan and waged a terrorist war in Kashmir, which is still officially Indian but predominantly Moslem. Slaughter has been answered with slaughter by Hindi extremists in India. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of interfering with Indian affairs, aiding rebels, spreading unrest, and preaching open revolution.

“We’re afraid that India might react to Pakistan’s warning in an … unexpected way. They have a population of nine hundred million to Pakistan’s ninety million . . . that’s ten to one, gentlemen. They have the eighth largest navy, the fifth largest air force, and the third largest army in the world. They

ARMAGEDDON MODE

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might decide that they could end the Pakistan threat once and for all by replacing the government in Islamabad with one of their own choosing, just like they did with Bangladesh in 1971.”

“But, my God!” Hemminger said. “If they start tossing nukes at each other …”

“Pakistan’s only delivery system would be by air,” General Caldwell observed. “They bought thirty F-16 Falcons off of us a few years back. They’d do the trick.”

“That’ll look good in the press,” Hall muttered aloud. “American-made planes nuke New Delhi!”

The DCI ignored the interruption. ‘ ‘Early indications are that the Indian air force is specifically hitting Pakistan’s offensive air capabilities,” Marlowe said. “Pakistan has suffered heavy losses already, possibly as high as forty percent. If India can knock out Pakistan’s air, Pakistan won’t have any way of delivering her bombs.

‘ ‘Even if that doesn’t work out, the present Indian leadership might decide that the loss of a city or two would be worth it. There’s at least an even chance that the Indians will call the Pakistanis’ bluff.”

“God in heaven,” someone breathed softly.

Schellenberg nodded slowly. l ‘When the antagonists are as unpredictable as Pakistan and India, anything is possible.”

“Nuclear war on the Indian subcontinent is unacceptable,” Buchalter said. He marveled at the calm way he said it, as though discussing weekend plans for golf. “I’ve already conferred with the President on this.” He shook his head slightly as he remembered the President’s anger.

Or was it fear?

“Damned right it’s unacceptable,” Caldwell said. “It would be opening the genie’s bottle. We’d never get the damned thing back in again.”

“Not to mention tens of millions of folks dying,” Hemminger said sarcastically.

Caldwell held up his hand. “Don’t get me wrong, sir. I’m not forgetting the casualties. But think of this. In all of history, there have been two, and only two, nuclear weapons dropped in wartime. We’ve managed to keep the lid on things ever since. Now some damned Third World country nukes a Third World neighbor. Suddenly people start thinking about using those

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Keith Dougtess

nukes in their stockpiles. And those who don’t have them start looking for ways to join the club. Everything we’ve accomplished in holding back proliferation could be negated by a single attack.”

“It would be a nightmare/’ Marlowe said. “A nightmare come to life.”

“How can the United States fit into this?” Hall asked. “I mean, like you said, Pakistan depends on us for aid. Maybe we could pull some strings.”

“Might work with Pakistan,” Buchalter said. “But not India. Especially now.”

“What do you mean, ‘especially now*?” Schellenberg asked.

Buchalter opened a folder and removed a sheet of paper. “This just came in from CBG-I4,” he said. He glanced at Marlowe, who nodded. “Confirmed by NSA intercepts of Indian communications. Approximately four hours ago, one of our ships was fired on by an Indian sub. Our ship returned fire . . , and sank the submarine.”

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