He did not feel pain. The only thing that mattered was getting to Nanda.

And hoping that he was wrong about what he saw.

He was not.

A moment later the fire of automatic weapons sent deep pops and dull sparks bouncing from the icy walls.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN.

Washington, D. C. Thursday, 5:00 p. m.

Hood's office was supernaturally silent when Herbert's phone beeped.

His heart had begun to race just moments before, as though he knew the call was coming. Or maybe he was just getting more anxious as the minutes crept by.

Even if nothing was happening, Herbert did not like being out of touch.

The intelligence chief jabbed the audio button. Wind screamed from the tiny speaker. It seemed to draw Herbert into the Himalayas. Or maybe he was feeling something else.

A sense of exposure. The sound was being sucked from Herbert's armrest to the speakerphone on Hood's desk. The intelligence officer was unaccustomed to working with an audience. He did not like it.

"Go ahead," Herbert shouted.

"Bob, I think something just happened at the missile site," Colonel August informed him.

Herbert fired a glance at Hood's phone. Then he looked at Hood.

Herbert wanted his boss to mute the damn thing.

"Mike's ass is on the line," Herbert said through his teeth.

"The damage is already done," Hood said softly as he nodded toward the speakerphone on his desk where the Pakistani ambassador was still on the line. He raised his voice.

"Colonel, what's the situation?" Hood asked.

"I'm not certain, sir," August said.

"I heard gunfire and shouting. Then there was nothing. I hung on for a few minutes before deciding to call. I thought I could use the downtime to get the codes in case Mike came back on."

"Colonel, was there any indication who might be firing at who?" Herbert asked.

"No," August replied.

"Before it started, all I heard was someone shouting for the others to duck and take cover. I assume it was General Rodgers."

"Are you still secure?" Herbert asked.

"Nothing has changed here," August replied.

"All right," Herbert said.

"Hold on."

Hood turned to the speakerphone.

"Mr. Ambassador, did you hear the colonel's report?"

"Every word," Ambassador Simathna replied.

"It does not sound like a happy situation."

"We don't know enough to say what the situation is exactly," Hood pointed out.

"I do agree with Colonel August about having the codes ready to give to Mike Rodgers. Perhaps if he can get inside the silo-"

"I cannot agree," Simathna interrupted.

"Why is that, sir?" Hood asked.

"Almost certainly those are Indian troops attacking the general's group," Simathna said.

"How do we know they aren't Pakistani troops protecting the site?"

Herbert asked.

"Because the mountain troops that monitor the glacier have remained on our side of the line of control," Simathna informed him.

"They were told of your incursion."

"Our' incursion," Herbert said. He did not even attempt to conceal his disgust.

"There's a Pakistani on the team."