“According to our intelligence reports, number of ships docking there has increased by 15% during the last three weeks. Of course it could all be unrelated, but somehow I can't shake off the feeling that something fishy is going on.”
“You don't have details? It's your job to get this kind of information. We can't do a single damn thing based on your hunches only.”
Angad took the remark as the unneeded insult as it was. He was still bitter over the fact that his proposals for more intelligence satellites and human intelligence had been gathering dust for years now, “What else would you expect on the money that we actually spend on intelligence? “
DM let out a sigh and rolled his eyes. But he knew that Angad was right. Intelligence organisations had been demanding higher budgets and more freedom from political intervention for years, but successive governments including the present had been dithering on many important proposals. Who knew this attack could've been avoided if they had advance warning.
HM piped in, “Please leave all that for the moment. What's done is done. We have to do something right now. We can't just sit here and yap away. Thousands of our people have died in four attacks, one of them a nuclear one. All in a single damned day. Nations have gone to war on much less. Why are we still not bombing the hell out of those terrorist pigs? The missile was launched from Paki territory; it's a Paki missile as well as a Paki bomb. What other proof do we need? “
“For starters, identifying who actually gave the orders.” DM replied.
HM opened his mouth to say something but then kept quiet. With the condition Pakistan was in, nobody had any idea whom to punish. In frustration he banged his fist on the table and groaned loudly, “Damn it all. I say we launch everything we have on those motherfucking pigs and be done with it. Do you realise how bad it is going to be for our economy, or prestige, everything that's precious to us? We lose the confidence of everyone in the world and our own citizens. We get nuked in broad daylight and can do nothing except twiddling our thumbs inside our collective asses. “
General Vaidya cleared his throat and began, “We can take steps to neutralize their remaining weapons... Actually it's going to be suicidal if we don't. We just need your permission to do so.” He finished looking at PM directly who appeared to be lost under deep thought.
He took a deep breath and replied, “I'm afraid that I can't allow that without positive proof General. We need concrete evidence of who actually did it.”
Most of the people presented in the meeting groaned inwardly.
There was a knock on the door and Dr. Rudra asked for permission to enter. DM broke up the conference for a while and called him in. Doctor entered the cabin glancing at the video screens once and then faced the PM, “Sorry to interrupt the meeting, but some more medical tests are needed and I can't do that on this plane. I'm afraid that we'll have to get you to a hospital.”
Both ministers were slightly taken aback and PM asked with surprise in his voice, “But why? I feel absolutely fine.”
The doctor had heard this line many times. He replied impassively, “May be you do, but you heart doesn't. I believe that one of your arteries has some degree of blockage. We need to get you to a hospital without any delay.”
“I'll be damned. Just what the doctor ordered.” DM thought to himself. Then asked, “Where can we take him?”
“I checked with the pilots. Agra is the nearest place with sufficient medical equipment.”
“You came in all prepared, didn't you?” PM asked with a slight resentment. But I can't go to any hospital right now. Our country is at war right now. “
DM's eyes widened a little at this, “Good to know that he realises this.” While the PM continued to argue with Dr. Rudra who kept shaking his head like a stubborn mule on every argument that PM put forward. Finally he said, “Sir, I don't have the authority to make you do anything. But as your doctor I strongly advise you to get yourselves examined in a hospital. We may not need to operate yet. If everything is right, you can still be in action. The tests wouldn't take longer than five hours.”
Pm looked towards DM with exasperated eyes. “Do you believe him”?
“There is no harm in getting you examined on ground. I'd rather do it as soon as possible.”
“Ah well. What the hell! OK doc. Five hours on ground. That's the maximum I'm giving you.”
Doctor smiled slightly, Thank you sir. I'd better control my temper if I were you in this condition.” He gave a slight bow and went out.
DM looked at the departing doctor with arched eyebrows then said, “Looks like we'll have to break up the meeting for a while.” PM started to protest but he went on regardless, “It'll give our guys time to gather more intelligence. Not too bad of an idea after all. What's your opinion General Vaidya?”
“Agree completely. I'll go and check security arrangements.”