The Sum of All Fears.pdf - Delta Force

'Correct, General.'
'Deputy Director Ryan, this is CINC-SAC,' Fremont said in a voice that oddly
mimicked the robotic one used to issue SAC orders. 'Sir, I have received a
nuclear launch order. I need you to confirm that order, but first I also need to
verify your identity, sir. Could you please read your identification code?'
Jack reached for his own ID card and read off his code group. Ryan could hear
Fremont or one of his people flipping through the pages of a book.
'Sir, I confirm your identification as Dr John Patrick Ryan, Deputy Director of
Central Intelligence.'
Jack looked at Fowler. If he didn't do it, the President would just get someone
else. It really was that simple, wasn't it? And was Fowler wrong – was he really
wrong?
'It's my responsibility, Jack,' Fowler said, standing at Ryan's side, resting
his hand on Jack's shoulder. 'You're just confirming it.'
'Dr Ryan, CINC-SAC here, I repeat, sir, I have a nuclear-launch order from the
President, and I require confirmation, sir.'
Ryan looked at his President, then leaned down to the microphone. He struggled
for the breath to speak.
'CINC-SAC, this is John Patrick Ryan. I am DDCI.' Jack paused, then went on
quickly:
'Sir, I do not confirm this order. I repeat, General, this is NOT a valid launch
order. Acknowledge at once!
'Sir, I copy negative approval of the order.'
'That is correct,' Jack said, his voice growing stronger. 'General, it is my
duty to inform you that in my opinion the President is not, I repeat NOT in
command of his faculties. I urge you to consider that if another launch order is
attempted.' Jack rested his hands on the desk, took a deep breath, and snapped
back erect.
Fowler was slow to react, but when he did, he pressed his face against Jack's.
'Ryan, I order you – '
Jack's emotions exploded one last time: 'To do what? To kill a hundred thousand
people – and why?'
'What they tried to do – '
'What you damned near let them do!' Ryan jabbed a finger into the President's
chest. 'You're the one who fucked up! You're the one who took us to the edge –
and now the real reason you're willing to slaughter a whole city is because
you're mad, because your pride is hurt, and you want to get even. You want to
show them that nobody can push you around! That's the reason, isn't it? ISN'T
IT?' Fowler went white. Ryan lowered his voice. 'You need a better reason than
that to kill people. I know. I've had to do that. I have killed people. You want
this man killed, we can do it, but I'm not going to help you kill a hundred
thousand others just to take out the one man you want.'
Ryan stepped back. He dropped his ID card on the desk and walked from the room.
***
'Jesus!' Chuck Timmons observed. They'd heard the entire exchange over the hot
mike. Everyone in SAC headquarters had.
'Yeah,' Fremont said. 'Thank Him. But first deactivate that missile!' The