“A calculated guess, Mr. President,” said Jarvis.

Admiral Kemper lifted his phone. “Put me in communication with that NUMA chopper!” he ordered.

“We haven’t weathered the storm yet,” said Higgins. “Those people up there can’t fly around forever.”

“We are in voice contact.” A crisp announcement came out of the speakers beside the viewing screen.

Kemper spoke into his desk phone while keeping both eyes locked on the progress of the Minerva. “This is Admiral Joseph Kemper of the Joint Chiefs, NUMA copter; please identify yourself.”

A voice replied so calmly and clearly it could have come from across the room.

“Jim Sandecker, Joe. What’s on your mind?”

The President sat up in his chair. “The director of NUMA?”

Kemper nodded. “You know damn well what’s on my mind!” he snapped into the receiver.

“Ah yes, the Quick Death warhead. I assume you’re aware of its potential.”

“I am.” t • i -•

“And you want to know what I’m going to do with it.”

“The thought had occurred to me.”

“As soon as we reach five thousand feet,” said Sandecker, “the pilot, Colonel Abe Steiger, and I are going to make a beeline for the sea and drop the son of a bitch as far from shore as our fuel will carry us.”

“How far do you reckon?” asked Kemper.

There was a pause as Sandecker consulted with Steiger. “Approximately six hundred miles due east of the Delaware coastline.”

“How secure is the projectile?”

“Seems snug enough. Might help if we didn’t have to rely on instruments and could enjoy the scenery.”

“Come again?”

“The parachute canopy is snagged across our windshield. We can only look straight down.”

“Can we assist you?” asked Kemper.

“Yes,” replied Sandecker. “By notifying all military and commercial

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flight traffic to stay clear of our path to the sea.”

“Consider it done,” Kemper said. “I’ll also arrange to have a rescue vessel standing by near your estimated splashdown point.”

“Negative, Joe. Colonel Steiger and I appreciate the gesture, but it would be a foolish waste of men’s lives. You understand.”

Kemper did not answer immediately. His eyes took on a look of deep sorrow. Then he said, “Understood. Kemper out.”

“Is there no way they can be saved?” Jarvis asked.

Kemper shook his head. “The sad truth is that Admiral Sandecker and Colonel Steiger are committing suicide. When the helicopter runs out of fuel and drops toward the sea, the projectile goes with it. When they both reach one thousand feet, the warhead disperses the Quick Death organism. The rest goes without saying.”

“But surely they can cut away the canopy and fly a safe distance before ditching,” Jarvis persisted.