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“And this one?”

“It’s growing by the minute,” the man admitted

“I’ve got a olia, Tibetan separatists in don Beijing, and I’ is not co flowers”

“Do you want me to order troops to disperse the protesters?” the head of state security asked

“Absolutely not,” Jintao said “Our world standing still has not been repaired froainst peaceful Buddhist monks, the repercussions will reverberate for decades”

“Then do nothing?”

“For now,” Jintao said, “until we figure out what is happening”

“WHERE are we at on this thing?” the president of the United States asked

“Off the record, sir?” the Director of Central Intelligence asked

“I did not sneak you into the White House through the underground tunnel so that I could discuss it tonight on Larry King, Director Yes, completely off the record”

“It’s progressing perfectly,” the DCI noted “And we are shielded behind an armor of deniability that couldn’t be penetrated with an antitank round”

“How soon before you need ?” the president asked

“To to plan”

“Then,” the president said, rising, “you make sure it does”

“Yes, Mr President,” the DCI said as the president walked through the door and down the hall to a state dinner that was already in progress