The president's "no comment" did not surprise Hood. It would give him the room to praise or lambaste the NCMC at the end of the day, depending upon how things went.

President Lawrence did suggest, however, that the Pakistani ambassador to Washington be told the truth at once. He did not want Islamabad or Ambassador Simathna issuing statements about America's anti-Muslim activities or pro India bias. If Mike were to show up with the cell after that it would taint the validity of the operation. It would seem as if America had forced Nanda to lie to repair bridges with Pakistan and the Muslim world.

Hood gave that job to Ron Plummer. He also wanted Plummer to stay with the ambassador, ostensibly to brief him on all the latest developments.

In fact. Hood wanted to make certain the truth did not leak out prematurely. He was afraid that India might respond with a massive strike in the region.

Since the terrorists were still on the run, and still being blamed for all the bombings. New Delhi would have the moral high road and world opinion on their side.

As the meeting was ending Hood received a call from Bob Herbert.

"I just spoke with Brett August and I've got some good news," Herbert informed him.

"He's linked up with the cell."

Hood motioned for Ron Plummer not to leave and to shut the door. The small, slender political liaison closed the door behind Lowell Coffey.

Plummer remained standing.

"Thank God for that," Hood said.

"Bob, Ron's in here with me. I'm putting you on speakerphone."

"Okay," Herbert said.

"Anyway, we were right," he went on.

"The Pakistanis did spin off another group. Nanda Kumar and her grandfather are part of it. along with Ron Friday and one Pakistani.

And you were correct, Paul. They're headed across the Siachin Glacier."

"Did Brett talk to Mike?" Hood asked.

"Not yet," Herbert replied.

"They've got electrostatic interference from an ice storm on the plateau. Brett says the ice comes in waves. He's going to keep trying for a window."

Hood suddenly felt very guilty about his warm office and fully functional telephone.

"Paul, I have a suggestion," Herbert said.

"I think we should ask the Pakistanis for help in extracting the teams.

After all, it's their butts we're hauling out of the fire."

"We can't do that," Plummer told him.

"Why not?" Herbert asked.

"If the situation is as tense as Paul's described, an incursion by the Pakistani air force would only make it worse. It would give the Indian military more incentive to attack."

"At least then it would be a conventional fight," Herbert said.

"Not necessarily," Plummer said, "especially if there are Pakistani silos somewhere in the mountains. Also, we'd be giving Pakistan foreknowledge of a possible nuclear strike.

That might encourage Islamabad to hit first." "A jihad," Hood said.

"The clerics might call it that," Plummer said.

"For the generals it would simply be a responsible tactical maneuver.