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communications had ceased. How the cold warriors would howl now, Kellner thought. Was it possible that the Russians had sabotaged the whole rescue mission, crippled the Canadian Starlifter carrying their own divers? Then they might say: "We did our best. Your allies bungled the effort to get us to the device in time to prevent detonation." |
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Or was that the most monstrous paranoia yet? |
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Kellner had immediately notified President Caidin at Camp David about the disaster at the airstrip. He had assumed that Caidin wouldn't require his services. He had already tendered his resignation as chairman of the National Security Council to the President, together with a full accounting of the reasons for it. And Caidin had other advisers, good ones, who could counsel him in the coming hours. |
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But Caidin had said only, "One more day, Vincent. You owe me that much." |
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His reverie was broken by the clacking sound of the helicopter readying to land. He grasped his briefcase firmly, bent over to dodge the whirling blades above, and climbed aboard. |
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As they took off, the capital was spread out before him, bright sunlight revealing the beauty of L'Enfant's visionary plan. None of the human flaws that were so painfully clear at ground level were visible to Kellner looking down from above. He took a look around, then closed his eyes for a moment, struck with a feeling hard to describe. There is nothing I would not do to save this country, he thought. Nothing. The red light on the communications unit began to flash. Kellner picked up the handset. |
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A distant voice said, "Hold for the President." |
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Kellner glanced in the direction of Mount Alto. The compound there bristled with antennae, and he knew the Russians on the hill were listening. |
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"I am here, Mr. President," Kellner said. |
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"Where is here, Vincent?" |
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"Just taking off from Fort Myers, Mr. President." |
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