Flames And Arrows
Page 23
2335 Hours
Onboard AF1
Skies over Agra
India
DM reacted to the news same way Angad had. He immediately barged into the PM's cabin where Dr. Rudra was busy examining him. Both men looked at him with identical alarmed expressions. Dr. Rudra opened his mouth to protest but kept quiet on seeing how flustered DM looked. He in turn sprinted to PM's bedside and poured out the whole scenario without pausing for breath.
“That can't be true.” PM said with wide eyes even before DM was finished.
“Wake up sir. It is true.” Turning to the doctor with an irritated expression he asked, “Have you given him a narcotic or something? “
“No. Nothing yet.” Doctor replied in a surprised way.
Turning to PM with even more irritation he said, “He has not given you anything! Then why are you behaving like you've been drugged? Wake up and smell the coffee. The nuclear threat just got worse. We have to take action!” He almost shouted out the last sentence.
“What do you want me to do?” PM stammered.
DM took a deep breath and started speaking, “You are the chief decision maker for us. Dy. PM should've been here to take your place if you are sick but he is in Japan on a tour. That means either you give our military permission to take out those nukes right now or give somebody else the authority till you get back on your feet. As of now, I'm the senior most person who can take the best informed decision. So let me decide what to do.”
PM kept staring blankly at his DM for a few seconds and started speaking when DM opened his mouth to say something, “Alright Shivendra. You do what you think is right. “