Page 130 of Enemy Within

Silence, for a moment. Then, “Yes, Mr. President. We can launch against theVeduschiy. Isn’t that where Reichenbach is being held?”

Jack nodded to himself before speaking. “Yes. And it’s where I’ll be, too.”

“Mr. President—”

“Captain, you need to launch your torpedoes against theVeduschiyand K-27. Sink both of these ships to the bottom of the ocean. You’re the only hope we’ve got now.”

“Mr. President—”

“These are your orders, Captain. I have to do what I have to do. The world is in your hands now.” He waited. Anderson could call his bluff, tell him he wasn’t the damn president, and he wasn’t going to listen to his orders.

Finally, Anderson came back. “Yes, Mr. President. We have to maneuver to a new position to get a fix on both. We can launch in six minutes.”

“Perfect. Launch as soon as you’re able.” He swallowed. “Captain Anderson, thank you. For what you’re about to do. For saving the world. And for what you did for Ethan and me.”

Captain Anderson’s voice turned rough, gravelly over the radio. “It was an honor, Mr. President. It’s been a privilege.”

“Six minutes, Captain.” Jack nodded again. “Phoenix One out.”

He turned to Scott. “Scott… Iswore, when we left the US, that I would get you back to your family. I swore that you’d see your daughter again.”

Scott looked away, blinking fast as he clenched his rifle.

“You have to get out of here. This ice cap is going to blow and take everything down with it.”

“I can help—”

“You’ve done enough.” Jack rested his hand on Scott’s arm, squeezing gently. “You’ve done far more than enough, for both me and Ethan. Above and beyond the call of your duties to your job, to your president, and to your friends.” He smiled, but it wavered. Scott’s expression darkened further. “Go. Survive, Scott. It’s what Ethan and I both want.”

“I’m not abandoning you guys,” Scott growled. “When this thing blows, Madigan’s people will be running around like a kicked ant pile.” He hefted his rifle. “I can pick them off.”

“From outside the blast radius.” Jack squeezed his arm again. “Take your snowmobile and get away from here.”

Scott turned away, gazing over the ice cap and into the gloom. “What about you?”

Jack’s gaze fixed on theVeduschiy. “I will always choose Ethan.”

56

Russian-held Canada

GENERAL MOROSHKIN STRODE INTO the empty, windblown hangar and stopped dead. His jaw dropped as he stared at Elizabeth, standing in the center of the barren space. His eyes dragged over her as if staring at a ghost.

Blustering, he whirled and came face-to-face with Colonel Song. “What is the meaning of this?” he bellowed. “You said I was meeting a representative of your government! That you had an alliance proposal for me!”

“That is exactly what this meeting is,” Colonel Song said calmly, ignoring Moroshkin’s furious, dark expression. “I represent my government. I have been sent directly by my president to negotiate in these matters. And we do have an alliance proposal for you.”

“Unless it is acompletesurrender from this American—”

Elizabeth interrupted Moroshkin’s tirade, speaking over his growl. “General, the only one who will be surrendering today isyou.”

Moroshkin slowly turned, his eyebrows arching almost clear of his forehead. Behind him, Colonel Song’s lips pressed to a thin line as he glared at Elizabeth.

She pressed on, dragging in a slow breath through her nose. She kept her hands clasped behind her back. “General Moroshkin, as we speak, your country is on the verge of annihilation.”

He snorted, waving one arm at her. He turned away, heading back for the entrance. Colonel Song blocked his path.

“The man you put your trust into, former General Madigan, duped you, General. Did you never ask him what he wanted with your ships up in the Arctic? Were you never once curious?”