The Dreadful Renegade: A Thrilling Espionage Novel (Techno thriller, Mystery & Suspense) (19 page)
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Authors: Charles Z David
July 1
st
, Islamabad, Pakistan
Prof. Malick called the committee meeting to order. Rahman looked at the nuclear physicists that were gathered around the table and felt like the village idiot. Here were five of the most talented and intelligent people that lived in Pakistan, in addition to the professor and Dr. Ansari, and he, who had a bachelor's degree in engineering, was supposed to follow their discussion and report to General Masood. Before the professor could start the scientific part of the debate Rahman asked for permission to speak. He said that they had all been vetted by the Pakistani Intelligence service and were cleared to share the state's most sensitive information, but what they were about to see was much more sensitive as it could reflect on Pakistan's international relations, and potentially could even lead to the annihilation of the country. He glanced around the table again and saw the skeptical looks and the curiosity on the faces of the five physicists so he added that Professor Malick will explain what he was referring to but it was his duty to caution them that this was far beyond the usual top-secret material they had all dealt with before.
Prof. Malick gave an abbreviated version of the events that led to possession of the advanced designs for the small warheads they were about to see on the screen and turned on the projector. The scientists were not initially impressed as they had seen designs that superficially looked quite similar to the one displayed on the screen. They were all familiar with the "football design" that included two subcritical masses of plutonium each shaped like half an American football (or a rugby ball in the rest of the world) that were placed inside a metal pipe. When compressed by detonating conventional explosives at both ends they were joined to reach a critical density and configuration. This was much simpler and lighter than the classical implosion device that required precisely timed detonation of several dozen shaped explosives to compress a sphere of plutonium into the high density required for criticality. The professor reminded the scientists, not that they really needed it, that the committee headed by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Indiana), who was also one of the few supporters of Pakistan against India in the US Congress, displayed a mock-up hypothetical "suitcase nuke" at a press conference in the year 2000. This was supposed to demonstrate a model of the devices that General Lebed reported as missing after the dismemberment of the USSR.
However, when they saw that the calculated yield of the small nuke was as large as the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki but its weight was in the range of 25 kg and not several tons they fell silent. Each one silently contemplated the implications of having such a weapon, or the repercussions if such a device fell into the wrong hands recalling that Pakistan had many enemies. As more detailed schematics of the small nuke were shown, one of the physicists interrupted the presentation pointing out the requirements of the plutonium core and saying that Pakistan had never produced such a high grade of plutonium-239, with less than 1% of all other plutonium isotopes. The professor was pleased with the comment and said that one of the objectives of this respectable committee was to assess what would happen if the super-grade plutonium in the design was replaced by the type of material they had produced for Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. One of the physicists said that they should also discuss how the performance of the device would be affected if high enriched uranium would be used instead of plutonium, but this suggestion was immediately discounted by all other members of the committee from basic physical considerations. Another member asked if they could use uranium-233 that had relevant nuclear properties that were quite similar to plutonium but Dr. Ansari said that Pakistan had not produced this material and only half jokingly added that perhaps India could test that hypothesis as it was known that they had experimented with uranium-233 that was produced in thorium fueled reactors.
Rahman did his best to follow the discussion but was soon lost in a quagmire of physical data, arguments about cross-sections, implosion velocity, critical mass, initiators, assembly speed and other things he could only vaguely understand. The debate became heated and he noticed that there were two factions – those that believed that even lower-grade plutonium would work and those that claimed that the super-grade material was essential. There was a consensus that all the other components of the small nuke could be manufactured in-house, or were even part of the stockpile of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal.
The discussion went on and on with no side convincing the other side and Rahman felt that even after three hours the committee could not reach a unanimous agreement, so he suggested that they break for lunch and continue afterwards. Professor Malick supported the motion and a light lunch was brought into the conference room. Rahman noticed that after the appetites were sated and tea was served with some sweet pastries the discussion continued in a more relaxed atmosphere. One of the physicists suggested that the debate could be settled by a field test of a device that would be constructed according to the blueprints with the highest grade Pakistani plutonium that could be made available for the test. Rahman said that this was a political issue and would involve matters of national security as Pakistan had agreed not to carry out any further nuclear tests unless India did so first. He didn't add that even if a small scale test could go undetected by satellites, seismographs, the International Monitoring System that used gamma-detection stations and all foreign intelligence services it could not hidden from the government of Pakistan. The officials would probably understand that there was a strong faction in the midst of the Pakistani administration that was undermining the legally elected government for reasons of national pride. He knew that all the scientists on the committee were members of that faction but felt that some things were best not mentioned. To his surprise, all the members of the committee nodded in approval that a clandestine nuclear test was out of the question. Prof. Malick concluded the meeting by saying that he would present both points of view to General Masood and thanked the members of the committee for their time and repeated the warning that they were not to discuss the matter with anyone outside the committee and certainly not communicate by phone, e-mail or other electronic media with any other committee member. Before departing the professor said that they should all ponder the problem and that they shall meet again three days later on July 4
th
.
Six months earlier, Islamabad
That changed when Alma met Linda, whom she considered to be a secretary at the US embassy. They literally met by accident when Alma failed to stop in time as a traffic light turned red, while Linda who all her life was used to respect traffic regulations, stopped promptly. The front of Alma's car suffered more damage than Linda's back fender but they only saw that after they got out of their cars. Alma was very embarrassed about the accident because she always considered herself as an excellent driver but Linda saw that the damage was minor and gently tried to get her to calm down. When she saw how distressed Alma still was she felt sorry for her and invited her for tea at a nearby café. Alma kept apologizing again and again until Linda told her to relax and enjoy her tea. They exchanged details of the car insurance and also cellphone numbers. A few days later, Alma called Linda and said that she still felt guilty about the accident and invited her for dinner. Linda said that the insurance covered the cost of the minor repair and that Alma needn't feel bad about it, but Alma insisted that the least she could do was to cook dinner for her. Linda, who as a CIA agent was encouraged to try and enlist local people, gladly accepted the invitation.
The next evening Linda came over to Alma's apartment and brought Swiss chocolates and a bottle of French red wine. Alma opened the door wearing a colorful shalwar kameez and as Linda entered the modest lounge and saw the dining table set for two. She noticed that there were candles and a couple of wineglasses on the table so without hesitation presented Alma with the chocolates saying they were for dessert and then took out the bottle of wine saying she hoped that Alma liked red wine. Alma said that she hadn't expected these gifts and had a bottle of chilled white wine ready, so Linda said that two bottles were better than one and the night was still young and asked Alma to uncork the red wine and allow it to "breathe". Alma lit the candles and turned off the bright overhead lights saying that the food she had cooked was best consumed slowly in a relaxed atmosphere and filled their glasses with white wine. They toasted each other and drank the first glass of wine before eating the lentil soup Alma had prepared. Linda refilled the glasses and they sipped the wine looking at each other for a long moment without saying a word. Alma got up from the table and brought the main course while Linda refilled their glasses once again emptying the bottle of white wine. They drank the last of the white wine while eating slowly and talked a little about themselves. Linda asked Alma if she had been married and Alma answered that educated women in Pakistan who pursued a professional career were not regarded as good wives because most Pakistani men preferred to have their woman at home to take care of their needs and raise the family. She shyly admitted that she was having a relationship with one of her co-workers, a physicist at PINSTECH where she too worked as an engineer. She added that he was not the typical Pakistani chauvinist male as he had spent some time living in England and was an exceptionally gifted scientist. Linda smiled and said that she understood perfectly what Alma was talking about and said that in her college days she had tried having relationships with men but found them to be self-centered and childish without any understanding of her own needs. She surprised Alma by saying that the attitude of most American men towards independent career women was not that different. She added that she felt more comfortable in the company of strong-willed women than with men. By then the bottle of red wine was also empty and the two women were a bit tipsy. Linda stood up and said that she had to leave as it was getting late and Alma also rose from the table and walked over to Linda and said that she enjoyed the evening tremendously. Linda gave her a short perfunctory hug that turned into a close full-bodied embrace. Linda, who was a couple of inches taller gently kissed the top of Alma's head and when Alma turned her head up to look into Linda's eyes their lips met for an instant. Alma had never kissed a woman before and stood motionless for a minute before responding to Linda's delicate lips and their kiss became passionate. Linda who had some experience with women pulled back slightly and looked directly into Alma's eyes, and said that she'd better leave now but that they should meet again and the next time she would cook dinner for Alma. One last hug and she was gone. Alma stood staring at the door wanting to call Linda to return but feeling strange and embarrassed at the way her body responded to Linda's kisses. Linda too had an urge to return to the apartment but thought that there was potential for a long term relationship that she did not want to spoil by being overly aggressive.
The following week Linda called Alma and invited her to dinner. She thought that having a relationship, she did not regard this as an affair, with a lovely woman who worked for PINSTECH would allow her to combine business and pleasure. She was sure that Alma would be in great trouble if word got out that she was involved with an American woman, albeit with a CIA operative. Alma hesitated before accepting the dinner invitation as she was aware of the potential complications with her employer and the Pakistani counter-intelligence service, but she was intrigued and attracted by the very thought of having a relationship with another woman. She felt that this could be the excitement she found lacking in her affair with Anwar. Finally she reached a decision and called Linda saying that she would be delighted to see her again.
Linda answered the doorbell with a smile and as soon as the door closed behind Alma she embraced her in her powerful arms. Alma gasped from excitement as well as from the strong squeeze and clung onto Linda's shoulders and neck. Linda pulled back slightly and hand in hand led Alma to the dining table upon which as assortment of salads was laid out. She poured two glasses of wine and pointed at the chicken salad, egg salad, Waldorf salad and some cold cuts and other salads and said that she was not really a great cook. Alma sipped her wine and smiled saying that no one was perfect and she was glad that were together. After eating a little and drinking a lot of wine the two women sat close to each other on the narrow sofa and Linda told Alma that in the US this type of sofa was called a "love seat". Alma laughed and said that the name was perfect and cuddled up to Linda leaning her head on Linda's shoulder. Linda caressed her gently and patted her on the head while Alma purred quietly like a cat and put her arms around Linda. They exchanged long deep kisses on the sofa until Linda stood up, helped Alma to her feet and gently led her to the bedroom. The scented candle that was lit there spread a delicate aroma that was intoxicating. Linda slowly undressed Alma, kissing every inch of brown bare skin that came into view while remaining fully dressed. Alma moaned softly at first and then more and more loudly as Linda bent down and kissed her exposed breasts and erect dark nipples, working her way down her tight stomach and to the curly black hair between her thighs. Alma pulled Linda back up and started to remove her clothes. The sight of Linda's ivory white breasts with the dark aura around her nipples made her catch her breath before continuing to remove the designer jeans and underwear from Linda's supple body. Linda sat on the bed and lay down inviting Alma to join her. Alma said that she had never been intimate with a woman and didn't know what to do but Linda told her not to worry about that and just behave naturally – and she will lead the way. Linda started gently caressing Alma's taut body moving slowly from her head, to her face and neck and then further down staying longer in regions where she felt Alma respond strongly. Her hands and lips, and especially her tongue, drew groans as Alma wriggled and started shaking in rhythmic undulating motions. Suddenly Linda stopped moving and Alma's writhing grew stronger and her moaning grew louder and as soon as Linda moved again Alma's body shook in a series of orgasm that left her breathless. Linda started caressing herself and when she saw that Alma recovered took her hand and guided it to the short blond hair at the pit of her abdomen. Alma's fingers found the wet opening between Linda's thighs and automatically massaged the enlarged clitoris bringing tears of joy and pleasure to Linda's eyes. Linda clasped Alma's hand and held it tight while she reached an orgasm. After that the two women kissed each other very gently and cuddled on the bed. The sight of Alma's limbs with their dark skin mingled with Linda's white limbs would have sent every photographer or artist into a frenzy had anyone been around to record the sight.
Linda invited Alma to spend the night with her and the two women fell into a sound sleep hugging each other. In the morning, after going to the bathroom and having a cup of coffee, they shyly looked at one another, kissed for a while and then made love again. Alma said that she had to go home because she invited Anwar to lunch and an afternoon tryst, saying that she had never experienced with him what they had together. Linda, now reverting to her job as a CIA operative, said that she was not jealous or even bothered by Alma's affair with Anwar because no man could ever feel what they had just shared. She added that they would have to hide their relationship even from their colleagues and friends or else both would get into trouble. After Alma left Linda went to the drawer in the dresser opposite the bed and removed the memory chip from the camera she had installed there. She inserted it into her laptop computer and watched the whole bedroom scene again – enjoying every moment – and then removed it and stored it among her lingerie. She hoped she would never have to use it for blackmailing Alma, whom she really liked, but her ingrained training took over and she made sure that she could always gain the upper hand in her relationship with Alma.
