Flames And Arrows Read online

19:30 Hours

  27 Oct 2012

  Karachi Garrison

  Pakistan

  General Asgar was pacing his office waiting impatiently for his telephone to ring. General Beg's reaction to the bombings and riots had taken him completely by surprise. As soon as he came to know of it he tried contacting General Hu but was told by his aide that Hu was in a meeting with senior leaders of the Party and could not be excused. Asgar could do nothing but wait for Hu to contact him and that made him mad.

  Presently the phone rang and Asgar rushed towards the table to pick it up. Smooth voice of General Hu came in on the line, “Good evening General. I understand that there've been some unexpected events?”

  “Why else would I feel the need to contact you General Hu, if everything was alright?” Asgar asked angrily.

  Hu ignored the jab and continued in the same voice, “Well, Beg's action were not really unexpected after what happened to Naqvis and the unfortunate blasts and riots in your country today.”

  “Nothing is really unexpected once it has happened. Now what am I supposed to do? I don't even know who is behind these blasts. “

  “If you leave out Islamic terrorists, who do you think can possibly benefit from this? “

  “Beg himself! But is it really possible? Serving Army chief orchestrating bombings and riots to get the chair! “

  Hu replied, “We don't know if he did it or not. But think of the consequences if it is somehow proved as being the truth.”

  “Even if he really did this and we manage to prove it as such, it will not amount to anything. Americans will not withdraw their support and Beg will continue his rule” Asgar lamented.

  “Not if you snatch it from him”.

  Asgar nearly jumped out of his chair, “A coup! That too against a serving Amy General! Are you in your senses? Do you really think that Americans will let their poodle go down so easily? “

  Hu replied in a soothing voice, “I know very well what I'm talking about General. If Americans are backing Beg, you have all the might and goodwill of Chinese republic behind you. You realise that China is an all weather ally of Pakistan unlike US, even your public knows this truth.”

  “What will you gain from this? “

  “Come on General! We both have common goals and interests that we've discussed so many times. It's just that we need to find a somewhat different way to get you to the top post. ”

  “It'll not be so easy General Hu, as you might be thinking. There are a million things that could go wrong. General Beg is no fool. I'm sure that he must have planned for any such attempted coups. Grabbing power from him could turn in to a bloody and long affair. And what is going to stop Americans from coming to his aid?”

  Hu replied in a reproaching voice, “You seem to forget your Chinese allies too easily, General. Whatever you need of us, you just need to ask.”

  “I'm worried about American intervention because of the nukes. They'll do anything to stop me from gaining their control. You know the history. “

  “You need not worry about that General. Didn't I just say that you just have to ask?”

  “What? Are you djinn (genie) or something? Genei Hu?” Asgar laughed nervously.

  “Maybe.” Hu replied mysteriously. “You are really worried about being nuke nude, aren't you? “

  “Of course yes.”

  “In that case, how about we supplying you a minimum of six nuclear missiles within two days of your request? Painted in your Pakistani colours, all ready to parade around or even launch at your enemies as you see fit. Beg needs approval from his American masters even to see the Paki nuke assets. But you'll have your own, completely independent ready to launch nuclear tipped missiles. Even if Americans disable all the nukes and missiles that your country already has, you still have something to scare your enemies. You'll get more weapons later according to your requirements. “

  Asgar stammered, “Yes...yes...That'll be really great. But, what about the Indians? How do we keep them from any mischief?”

  “Indians wouldn't be able to interfere in our plans anyway. If needed, we'll keep them occupied. You just have to act fast before anybody has the chance to react. ”

  “I understand. You just take care of the nuke business and keep an eye on India. I can easily handle Beg myself. After I seize power, nobody will have any option but to respect my authority.”Asgar felt some of his old confidence returning.

  “Very well then. I'll be seeing you in person real soon. Goodbye and good luck.”