“Squadron Leader, this is General Abashell,” came the response through the squadron leader’s dedicated radio connection, “I want you to position yourself astern of him, and then we’ll open a link and order him to return to base. Then you can escort him back here. Whatever happens, I am ordering you not to let that plane out of your sight. It must not leave Pakistan. Is that clear, Captain? You are under strict orders to bring Pelishar Four down if the pilot attempts to leave Pakistani airspace.”

The squadron leader acknowledged. He was furious. The rightful pilot of Pelishar Four had been seriously injured, and some imposter had infiltrated his command. All his pilots were a tight-knit group, and the now comatose Captain Mysore Kumara was also a friend. Captain Nagaraja would have no qualms about firing on this interloping bastard if the need arose.

* * *

Ahead of them, still unseen, the B-2 surged on. Jack scanned the horizon as Martin updated him on the squadron’s movements. The fighters were closing fast, and darkness would not hide the big bomber much longer. They were still 150 miles from the Afghan border. They had to stay hidden for just twelve more minutes.

But their ability to be subtle was becoming an ever more distant memory, he thought, as their fifth missile reached its target: 3, 2, 1 …

The sky lit up with another violent detonation ahead of them as the circle of thermobaric grenades cooked another of the alien virus pods at two thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Five minutes to the next missile launch. The B-2 would still be in Pakistani air when it fired again, and the fighters would be in visual range of them when that launch lit up the big bomber’s position.

Jack and Martin knew that no amount of stealth could hide a 172-foot-wide plane in a morning sky if you were close enough to actually see it.

* * *

“Pilot of Pelishar Four, this is Central Command. You are ordered to return to base immediately. Is that clear? You will be escorted back to Peshawar Base and taken into custody. If you do not comply with these orders, you will be shot down. Is that clear, Pelishar Four?”

Oh, it’s eminently clear, thought Shahim, while noting the fifth explosion far off in the distance. He had regretted the need to knock out the F16’s pilot, but the need to be in a position to help Jack and Martin was far more important. As he considered his position, he wondered if he should reply. But then his tactical systems alerted him to another option: he could turn the fact that he had been discovered to his advantage.