Wild Justice by Wilbur Smith Page A

forward to stare into the screen. ‘Do you think they’ll do a deal?’

    â€˜The militants? They might.’ Peter paused a moment and then went on. ‘You know my views, sir. I oppose absolutely dealing with these people.’
    â€˜Even in these circumstances?’ Parker demanded.
    â€˜Especially now. My views of the host country’s policies are in accord with yours, Doctor Parker. This is the test. No matter how much we personally feel the demands are just, yet we must oppose to the death the manner in which they are presented. If these people win their objects, it is a victory for the gun – and we place all mankind in jeopardy’
    â€˜What is your estimate for a successful counterstrike?’ Parker demanded suddenly, and even though he had known the question must come, still Peter hesitated a long moment.
    â€˜Half an hour ago I would have put the odds at ten to one in our favour that I could pull off condition Delta with only militant casualties.’
    â€˜And now?’
    â€˜Now I know that these are not fuddle-headed fanatics. They are probably as well trained and equipped as we are, and they have had years to set this operation up.’
    â€˜And now?’ Parker insisted.
    â€˜We have a four to one in our favour of getting them out with a Delta strike, with say less than ten casualties.’
    â€˜What is the next best chance?’
    â€˜I would say there is no middle ground. If we failed, we would be into a situation with one hundred per cent casualties – we would lose the aircraft and all aboard, including all Thor personnel involved.’
    â€˜All right then, Peter.’ Parker leaned back in his chair, the gesture of dismissal. ‘I am going to speak with the President and the Prime Minister, they are setting up the link now. Then I will brief the ambassadors – and be back to you within the hour.’
    His image flickered into darkness, and Peter realized that
all his hatred was suppressed. He felt cold, and functional as the surgeon’s blade. Ready to do the job for which he had trained so assiduously, and yet able to assess and evaluate the enemy and the odds against success.
    He pressed the call button. Colin had been waiting beyond the soundproof doors of the command cabin, and he came through immediately.
    The explosives boys have taken down the grenade. It’s a dandy. The explosive is the new Soviet CJ composition, and the fusing is factory manufacture. Professional stuff – and it will work. Oh, baby, will it ever work.’
    Peter hardly needed this confirmation, and Colin went on as he flung himself untidily in the chair opposite Peter.
    â€˜We put the list of names and the text of the militant statement on the teleprinter for Washington—’ He leaned forward and spoke into the cabin intercom. ‘Run that loop
    â€“ without sound first.’ Then he told Peter grimly. ‘Here’s the bad news I promised.’
    The loop of video tape began to run on the central screen. It had clearly been shot from the observation post in the office overlooking the service area.
    It was a full shot of the Boeing, the background flattened by the magnification of the lens and swimming and wavering with heat mirage rising from the tarmac of the main runway beyond the aircraft.
    In the foreground were Peter’s own naked back and shoulders as he strode out towards the aircraft. The lens had again flattened the action so that Peter appeared to be marking time on the same spot without advancing at all.
    Suddenly the forward hatch of the Boeing changed shape as the door was slid aside, and the cameraman instantly zoomed in for the closer shot.
    The two pilots and the air hostess in the doorway, the camera checked for a few frames and then zoomed closer. The aperture of the lens adjusted swiftly, compensating for the gloom of the interior, and the shot was close and tight
on the blonde girl’s head for a heartbeat,