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or two of the major labs would significantly reduce the flow of cocaine for a short while.
    "Blast Furnace was a failure because our people had to work with the local Colombian authorities. The drug dealers knew where the helicopters were going to hit almost before our pilots did. Also, the only labs targeted were those operated by small-time people, putting out maybe a few kilos a week. Even then, there were so many leaks, when the helicopters with the Colombian troops went in all they found were abandoned labs. If we can operate unilaterally, without having to notify the Colombians of when and where we're going to hit, we could really do some damage. Especially if they target labs operated by the members of the cartel."
    Strom frowned as he considered that aspect. "We'll hold the advantage of timing, but they'll still know the where. If there's a leak, the labs could be moved."
    "Yes, but according to the ambassador only the president and the contact will know the locations."
    Strom shook his head. "The question I have is how is that contact going to get the locations? It's not good to trust intelligence when we don't know its source."
    Hanks agreed. "Nothing's a hundred percent certain. All we can do is verify, both with the imagery and on the ground. If the information is wrong, the military does nothing. If it's right, they slam them. That's one of the reasons I'm putting you on this. It's part of your responsibility to try to make sure the intel is as accurate as possible.
    "I agree with the president's reasoning on this. It's a great opportunity to take some positive action. We've been on the defensive against drugs all along. Finally we get a chance to go after these guys."
    Strom was considering other potential pitfalls. "What if the press gets a hold of this? 'U.S. Forces Attack Colombian Targets.' What do you think the effect will be, sir?"
    Hanks shrugged. "The press better not get a hold of it. But if they do I think the effect will be positive. No one thinks drugs are good. After what happened in Springfield last week, I don't think we need to worry about how the press will react to our striking back at the people behind the massacre, especially if we've been invited to do so by the president of Colombia himself. Look at all the positive press we received when we went into Panama a year and a half ago.
    "State has been trying to get the Colombian government to do something for years. Now it looks like some of their pressure has worked. The president feels that if we don't take Alegre up on this offer, we'll probably never get another chance."
    Hanks glanced at his watch. He had another meeting coming up shortly. "Defense is currently trying to figure out how they're going to verify and destroy these labs. I imagine Terrance has dumped this on General Macksey's lap. The Department of Defense is also going to have overall control of the actual operation. I want you to be prepared to relay the intelligence you get to whatever organization they set up. I also want you to assign a liaison officer from the Latin American section to work full-time with the military task force on this."
    Hanks stood up, indicating the meeting was over. He'd handed off the ball and now Strom had to run with it. "By the way, do your people have anything further on the Springfield massacre?"
    "Nothing significant, sir. I think all the suspects are back home in Colombia. The FBI is stymied."
    Hanks slapped Strom on the back. "All right then. Let's go out and get some results with this."
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER SIX
     
    PLATTSBURGH AIR FORCE BASE
    NEW YORK
    9:00 A.M.
     
    "Damn, I just about peed in my pants when that state trooper whipped out his .357 magnum and started waving it."
    Riley glanced up as the briefing room echoed with laughter at Miller's comment. "Hell, how do you think he felt, opening up the back of the van and there he's eyeball to eyeball with ten guys armed with automatic weapons and machine guns?"
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