Shadow Tyrants (Oregon Files 13)

Mallik laughed. “You know me well. India is going to emerge as the world’s greatest superpower when the dust settles. Who better to lead it?”

“Don’t forget Iran. With our numbers, and Israel’s technological advantage wiped out, we should become the dominant force in the Middle East.”

Mallik raised his cup again. “To a new world.”

“A new world.” After another drink, Torkan frowned. “Is there any way the Vajra satellites can be taken down once they are operating together?”

Mallik shook his head. “For the precision needed to knock down a satellite, you would need a computer guidance system, which obviously won’t work once Vajra is operational globally. I’ve also prevented any chance that my files will provide a clue for how to neutralize the satellites even by a government with a computer hidden in a bunker far underground and linked to a satellite dish. The hack into my laptop was a wake-up call for me. This morning, I went into my corporate computers and deleted all files related to the development of Vajra and verified that all critical paper records were destroyed.”

Torkan raised an eyebrow at that. “What if this satellite launch fails?”

“It won’t. But if it does, I downloaded the only copies left onto my computer on board the yacht. When we have verification that Vajra is operational, I’ll toss it in the ocean.”

“Cautious, but smart.”

“I’ve been planning this for years. I’ve thought of everything.”

“I hope you’ve thought about what would happen if you got blamed for the catastrophe that’s coming.”

“I think for the first couple of years, people will be more focused on survival than finding someone to blame.”

“And how many do you think will die in that time?”

Mallik leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling before saying matter-of-factly, “Based on loss of transportation infrastructure, farm failures from disabled machinery, and resulting starvation rates, I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose more than two billion people.”

SIXTY-ONE

THE RED SEA

Extricating the Oregon from the Suez Canal mess took until the morning, when the sandstorm died down. The Egyptian authorities were eager to clear the canal so they could begin salvage operations and get it back to its normal operational capabilities as soon as possible. Having four ships sink in the middle of one of the most important waterways in the world wasn’t good publicity.

Juan put the rescued prisoners ashore at the Port of Suez on their way out of the canal under the guise of Good Samaritans who were simply in the right place at the right time. The explanation worked as well as it had at Jhootha Island, and Interpol assisted in making them safe and secure until consular officers from the prisoners’ home countries could arrive. Since it was reported that all four of the ships sank because of internal malfunctions, the Egyptians let the Oregon go, as they did the other ships that had been in Great Bitter Lake at the time.

The Arabian Sea was the Oregon’s next destination. The two-day trip would have them arriving at the location of Mallik’s satellite launch platform floating west of India. In the meantime, they’d be able to plan what they were going to do to stop Vajra from being activated.

Juan had just spent the last thirty minutes in his cabin briefing Langston Overholt on the situation. The CIA officer scowled from the computer screen on his desk.

“Are Stone and Murphy sure that Carlton’s allegations are correct?” Overholt asked.

“They’ve scoured the limited data that Murph was able to download from Mallik’s files. Based on the formulas they found, they’re fairly certain that the Vajra satellites can disable all the computers on the planet.”

“Fairly certain? That leaves a lot of wiggle room.”

Juan shrugged. “It’s all theoretical until Vajra goes into operation. But the math checks out. And we have the evidence from Diego Garcia that the EMP effect can be triggered by the satellites.”

“If it does work, we won’t get a second chance to shut it down.”

“Not according to Carlton. And he did seem certain that it was going to happen.”

Overholt stared up at the ceiling in thought before saying, “Then, we have to keep Mallik from launching the satellite. And, going through the Indian military is probably not a good idea.”

“Linc and Eddie said Mallik seemed pretty tight with some of the Indian brass at his party. Even if they’re not in on it, it’s likely he has enough influence to convince them that the idea of a worldwide threat is a hoax. It would take weeks for them to investigate it.”

“We don’t have that much time. My sources say he’s planning to launch as soon as the monsoon has passed.”

“Which is in two days,” Juan said. “We’ve checked the forecast. What about sending our own Navy to take down the rocket?”

Overholt scoffed. “And create an international incident with a friendly nation by shooting down one of their communications satellites? We might as well just declare war on them now.”