"If it's necessary to get an order to the beta team, can it be done?" Rodgers asked.

"Not without one of us going back," said Honda. "They won't be answering the radio. Sir, I've got to join the others but I'll try and report any new developments."

Rodgers thanked him and wished him well as Hood beeped Benet on the second line. He asked for up-to-the-minute surveillance photos of the site to be sent to his printer as soon as they were received by the NRO. Both Rodgers and Herbert went to the printer behind Hood's desk to wait for the hard copy to arrive.

A moment later, Orlov came back on the computer monitor. He looked more worried than before, and Hood clandestinely motioned for Liz to come over. She stood to the side, out of range of the fiber-optic camera on top, but was able to see Orlov's face.

"Forgive the delay," Orlov said. "I told the Radio Officer to have the train stopped and to get my son on the line, but then the link went dead. I honestly don't know what has happened."

"I've learned that my team put a tree across the track," said Hood, "but I don't believe there was a collision."

"Then perhaps my order was relayed in time," said Orlov.

Hood saw the General look down.

"Nikita is calling," said the General. "Gentlemen, I will be back."

The image winked off and Hood turned to Liz. "What's your impression?"

"Eyes steady, voice a little low, shoulders rounded," she said. "Looks like a man telling the truth and not happy with the weight of it."

"That's how I read him." Hood smiled. "Thanks, Liz."

She smiled back. "You're very welcome."

And then the printer began to hum and suddenly both Rodgers and Herbert looked to Hood much as Orlov had as they watched the first photograph roll from the slot of the digital imager.

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Tuesday, 10:54 P.M., Khabarovsk

Repair of the uplink cable was hampered by the fact that the tips of Corporal Fodor's fingers were numb from the cold. Squatting beside the dish, he'd had to cut away an inch of casing with a pocketknife in order to expose enough wire to twist and poke into the contact. The fact that two of the civilians were watching him, discussing better ways of stripping wire, didn't help.

When Fodor finally finished, he handed the receiver to the Lieutenant, who was standing directly behind him. Fodor's movements were not triumphant, but quick and economical.

"Nikita," General Orlov said. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, General. We're clearing away a tree--"

"I want you to stop."

"Sir?" Nikita asked.

"I want you to call in your command. You're not to engage the American soldiers, do you understand?"

Icy air blew through the window, against his back. But that wasn't what made Nikita cold. "General, don't ask me to surrender--"

"You won't have to," said Orlov. "But you will obey my orders. Is that clear?"