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Rajasa glanced regularly at the mirrors for following lights but this was Java, the most densely populated island on earth, and there would always be lights bobbing in the rear-vision mirrors.

The Toyota slowed and pulled off the crudely sealed road into a clearing past the small village. Both men got out and walked to the road, where they joined a steady stream of locals going about their business in the early hours of the evening. It was dark but for the constant glare from the lights of passing traffic and, with their heads lowered, it would be impossible for the casual passer-by to identify them, even though the general had one of the most recognised faces in Jakarta. ‘A seat number on the aircraft was identified as the location of the thief. It was in our power to kill the occupant and neutralise the threat. I don’t believe I had a choice,’ Suluang said, shaking his head slowly.

‘General, you did what was needed to protect Indonesia. We’re just lucky the means to maintain secrecy was in your power,’ said Rajasa.

Yes, but for how long? both men thought.

‘You’ve located the wreckage?’ Rajasa asked.

‘Yes, and the mopping up has begun. Any leaks from your end?’

‘No. Security has been tight. But for this one —’ he cleared his throat for dramatic effect ‘ — incident.’ Rajasa couldn’t help himself. ‘Incident’ was a hell of a euphemism for the shooting down of a jumbo jet. ‘How are you handling it with the government?’

‘The parliament knows only what we tell them, and that’s not very much. In fact, they’re unwitting accomplices, spreading disinformation. They’re telling the Australians that the 747 may or may not have come down in Indonesian airspace. Of course, the reasons for the crash are unknown. And we, Indonesia, are very sensitive about having foreigners telling us what to do. Etcetera, etcetera. You know, the usual line.

‘It has been easy to manipulate the search procedure to exclude all but hand-picked military personnel — our people. I think, actually, that the parliament is enjoying the game. Causing Australia anxiety and frustration is giving them a secret pleasure, but they’d never admit it.’

A trike pulled off the road in front of them and three people jumped off to help right another trike that had broken an axle under a heavy load of chopped wood. The general waited until they’d walked past the noisy melee before continuing. ‘All games aside, Rajasa, as I see it, we have two alternatives. But only one real choice.’

Rajasa nodded.

‘One: we can clean up the site as best we can, then announce the aircraft has been located. The government can then graciously allow in an international investigation team. We hold our breath and maintain our original timetable.

‘Two: we can move our plans forward and let the incident with the plane be seen in the context of the broader picture.’

‘I see what you mean about only having one choice.’

‘I knew you’d agree.’

General Suluang considered whether or not he should let Rajasa in on the fact that things were not going to plan at the crash site. Unfortunately, he was not exactly sure what the problem was. The Kopassus sergeant had communicated that the site was not secured but gave no other details in order to maintain mission secrecy. He was in the dark himself now, and that, given his exposure, was not a comfortable place to be. A particularly noisy two-stroke bike rattled past, piston slapping in its barrel, carrying mother, father, two young children and a baby. Suluang decided at that moment that there was already too much uncertainty and he would not pass on vagaries. Uncertainty bred nervousness.

Rajasa’s mind was racing. If they weren’t bold, everything would be lost. Obviously, the events of the last twenty-four hours had forced them to play their hand. They had to move, and fast.

‘I assume the 747 was shot down with some kind of missile.’

‘Heat-seekers.’

‘They leave distinctive results.’

The general frowned.

‘General, you did the right thing. The terrorist could easily have emailed the details around the world.’

That had occurred to the general too, and it had worried him considerably.

‘But I don’t think that happened,’ continued Rajasa. ‘We’d have all kinds of other pressures on us now if that were the case. We’re not ready yet though, are we?’

‘No, we need more time.’

‘How much?’

‘A month would be good, but three weeks minimum.’

‘Can we hold out that long?’

‘We’ll have to.’

‘What do you suggest, General?’

‘Continue to say that we’re searching thoroughly and that nothing has turned up. Aircraft from the Second World War are still being discovered after more than fifty years. It’s not beyond belief that finding a 747 in such a remote place as Sulawesi could prove difficult.’

‘How loyal are our troops at the scene?’