Page 185 (1/2)

in his pocket, and he's shrewdly sought strong support from the moderate Muslim fundamentalists In my opinion, Abu Hamid is a shoo-in"

"We could do much worse," mur favors and tapping soypt Abu Haift horse in theIsrael and cursing the US, for the sake of the religious fanatics, but underneath the rhetoric he'd keep a friendly line of communications open"

"The fact that he's on close terms with Hala Kamfl won't hurt us either," Nichols said flatly

The President was silent, staring into the glass of zinfandel as if it was a crystal ball Then he raised the glass

"To a continued friendly union with Egypt"

"Hear, hear," said Mercier and Brogan in unison

"To Egypt," murmured Oates

"And Mexico," added Schiller

The President glanced at his watch and rose, followed by his advisers

"Sorry to cut this short, but I have a ratulate everyone involved in rescuing the hostages for me" He turned to Oates "I want to meet with you and Senator Pitt the minute he returns"

"To discuss any words he had with President Hasan during their ordeal?"

"I'd bewhat he learned froypt is of secondary importance compared to Mexico We can safely assume Akhmad Yazid has been benched for the rest of the season, but Topiltzin is a far worse threat Concentrate on hientlemen God help us if we can't stabilize the upheaval in Mexico"

Slowly, reluctantly, Pitt rose frohtly lit surface of consciousness only to find it was accoo back and reenter the co void, but his eyes blinked open, and it was too late The first thing he focused on was a s red face

"Well, well, he's back a," said First Officer Finney cheerfully "I'll go and inform the Captain"

As Finney passed through the door, Pitthis head and found a little baldheaded sitting in a chair beside the bed The ship's doctor, Pitt recognized, but the name escaped him