Read Online The Fourth War by Chris Stewart - Free Book Online

threat was intolerable.
    And this time the Israelis would not go down alone. They were prepared and determined to take their enemies, too. A single nuclear detonation in Israel, and the entire Middle East would explode, from Lebanon to Iran.
    The general sucked in a breath, his face turning ashen. “You know what Blackbird is going to say!” he said in a dry voice.
    Bradley paused as he consider the hardnosed general who was the head of Shin Bet. General Petate (known as Blackbird to his men) would take the news of the coup in Pakistan like a dose of rat poison. He wouldn’t sit around hoping things turned out okay. He would have to take action!
    The general took a short step toward Bradley and looked him right in the eye, his face but six inches from the taller man’s nose. “Take care of this problem!” he hissed in a gravelly tone. “You know our position. We won’t take this lying down.”
    Bradley stepped back. “I need your help,” he replied.
    â€œWhat is it? What can we do?”
    â€œI’ve got to get back to D.C.,” Bradley said. “Can you get me an escort to the airport where my transport is waiting?”
    The general nodded. “Of course. Anything you need.”
    Â 
    Bradley nodded, then turned toward Peter. “If I were to get you out to the DARKHORSE camp, would you ride with the special ops guys on the intercept mission? We need to have a set of agency eyes and ears on the ground.”
    â€œHow would you propose to get me out there? It’s two thousand miles. The team will launch long before I could arrive.”
    â€œThe Rangers won’t be ready for two or three hours. We can get you there if we have a little help.” Bradley turned to the general. “Can you get this agent to…” He paused and considered before he continued. “We have a covert base camp in western India, along the Pakistan border.”
    The general scowled. He had never heard of this base camp. How could Shin Bet not know!? He did the mental math. “I just don’t see how.”
    â€œWe’ll need one of your fighters.”
    â€œIt will take time to generate a sortie.”
    â€œDon’t give me that. Half of your air force is on alert. I need you to take one of your birds, one of your F-15s, strap on some long-range fuel tanks, and get my guy out to the camp! There’s only a small runway, but it’s sufficient if your pilot is good. We’ll make the overflight clearances. Now, do we have a deal?”
    The general thought, then nodded. “I’ll make arrangements,” he said and started walking away.
    Bradley grunted thanks, then turned to Peter and lowered his voice even more. “Get those boys to the Sukkur storage facility before it’s too late.”
    â€œRoger that, I’ll do all I can.”
    â€œWashington wants me to brief the national security staff. By the time I get there I want to have some good news for him. I want to hear your boys have found the warheads and taken them under our control, that they are safe and secure in American hands.”
    Peter nodded grimly and the two men turned to leave. Moving through the crowded control room, Bradley shot a sideways look to his friend and wondered suddenly when he would see him again. He stopped and grabbed Peter by the arm. “I know you were hoping for a few days to get home,” he said.
    Peter pressed his lips and lowered his gaze. Bradley saw the look, the remorseful guilt in his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.
    Peter looked away.
    â€œI’ll tell your dad…if you want me to, I’ll go…” Bradley started to offer, then paused as he searched for the words.
    A painful looked crossed Peter’s face, a shadow of emotion from somewhere deep in his soul, a broken responsibility that was painfully clear.
    â€œTell him…,” Peter said. “Tell him, if you need to, tell him good-bye