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There was a faint smile in the President's eyes "I served with Curtis Chandler ere Lieutenants of Artillery in Korea He would have fired on a vicious, out-of-control, armed mob, but women and babies, never"
General Metcalf also saw through the facade "You still took a terrible chance"
The President nodded in agreement "Now I have to answer to the American people for the unopposed invasion of their land by al aliens"
"Yes, but your show of restraint will be a strong bargaining chip for future negotiations with President De Lorenzo and other Central American leaders," Oates consoled him
"In the encies will be quietly rounding up Topiltzin's followers and herding theilante warfare breaks out"
"I want the operation to be conducted as humanely as possible," the President said firmly
"Haven't we forgotten so, Mr President?" asked Metcalf
"General?"
"The Alexandria Library Nothing stands in the way now of Topiltzin's looting the artifacts"
The President turned to Senator Pitt, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table "Well, George, the Army has struck out, and you're the last ap plan?"
The Senator looked down at the table He didn't want the others to see the uneasy apprehension in his eyes "A desperation long shot, a deception created by my son, Dirk I don't kno else to describe it But if everything goes right, Robert Capesterre, aka Topiltzin, won't lay his hands on the knowledge of the ancients However, if all goes wrong, as soest, the Capesterres will rule Mexico and the treasure will be lost forever"
Thankfully, the outpouring of religious zeal and Topiltzin's rab for power did not end in bloodshed There was no death byvicti
Unbound, the h the streets of Ro had faded and they shouted slogans in the Aztec tongue that all American and most Mexican observers could not comprehend
Topiltzin led the triuod unposter had carefully planned for his role of deliverer
Seizing the Egyptian treasures would give hi Institutional Revolutionary Party of President De Lorenzo without the inconvenience of a free election