JК
The Third Option :: Flynn Vince
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Clark waved his hand as if he were shooing a fly from in front of his face. «You know it takes a lot more than something like this to offend me.»
«Yes,» the president smiled, «it does.»
«My real concern in coming here tonight is twofold. When we were in the Senate together, Robert, there was a select group of us who felt our government wasn't doing enough to battle terrorism. We took the very unusual and risky step of approaching the deputy director of Operations for the CIA.» Clark looked at Stansfield. It was he who had been in charge of Operations for the CIA at the time. «We thought it was time to take the battle to the terrorists. Diplomacy was getting us nowhere, military intervention was disastrous and it was time to use the third option. We placed our confidence in Thomas and gave him a blank check to launch covert operations against terrorist groups across the Middle East. You were one of those original senators, Robert. Unlike the others who were involved in that decision, you and I are the only ones who know exactly how successful Thomas's group has been. Even with our success, however, it is paramount that the existence of that group remain a secret.» Clark looked at the two men while they nodded in agreement. «Well, I don't know if it's dumb luck, intuition, or if we have a leak, but we have a problem, or I should say you have a problem, Robert.»
President Hayes did not like the sound of this. Clark was referring to the Orion Team, of course, and the thought of its existence being made public caused a wave of nausea to wash over the president. «And what is that?»
«I met with two individuals from your party the other day. I informed Thomas of this meeting.» Clark looked at the director of the CIA. «For reasons that are not known to me, these two individuals are working feverishly to make sure that Dr. Kennedy does not become the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency.»
President Hayes face was turning red. «And who are these two individuals?»
«Secretary Midleton and Chairman Rudin.»
President Hayes struggled to keep his composure. He bit his bottom lip and looked over at Stansfield.
«What troubles me even more is that they think Kennedy had a hand in the assassination of Count HagenmiIler. I don't want to get involved in how they know this, but I think it is paramount that you find out how they know and stop them from talking about it.»
IT WAS APPROACHING midnight on Thursday. It had been an incredibly long day. None of them had slept.
Clark waved his hand as if he were shooing a fly from in front of his face. «You know it takes a lot more than something like this to offend me.»
«Yes,» the president smiled, «it does.»
«My real concern in coming here tonight is twofold. When we were in the Senate together, Robert, there was a select group of us who felt our government wasn't doing enough to battle terrorism. We took the very unusual and risky step of approaching the deputy director of Operations for the CIA.» Clark looked at Stansfield. It was he who had been in charge of Operations for the CIA at the time. «We thought it was time to take the battle to the terrorists. Diplomacy was getting us nowhere, military intervention was disastrous and it was time to use the third option. We placed our confidence in Thomas and gave him a blank check to launch covert operations against terrorist groups across the Middle East. You were one of those original senators, Robert. Unlike the others who were involved in that decision, you and I are the only ones who know exactly how successful Thomas's group has been. Even with our success, however, it is paramount that the existence of that group remain a secret.» Clark looked at the two men while they nodded in agreement. «Well, I don't know if it's dumb luck, intuition, or if we have a leak, but we have a problem, or I should say you have a problem, Robert.»
President Hayes did not like the sound of this. Clark was referring to the Orion Team, of course, and the thought of its existence being made public caused a wave of nausea to wash over the president. «And what is that?»
«I met with two individuals from your party the other day. I informed Thomas of this meeting.» Clark looked at the director of the CIA. «For reasons that are not known to me, these two individuals are working feverishly to make sure that Dr. Kennedy does not become the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency.»
President Hayes face was turning red. «And who are these two individuals?»
«Secretary Midleton and Chairman Rudin.»
President Hayes struggled to keep his composure. He bit his bottom lip and looked over at Stansfield.
«What troubles me even more is that they think Kennedy had a hand in the assassination of Count HagenmiIler. I don't want to get involved in how they know this, but I think it is paramount that you find out how they know and stop them from talking about it.»
IT WAS APPROACHING midnight on Thursday. It had been an incredibly long day. None of them had slept.