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.When Arjuna put it to his bowstring, the earth trembled and sounds filled the sky.The weapon was released with the sound of thunder and severed Karna’s head from his body.’‘Wow,’ Colin was overwhelmed.‘Of course, none of these descriptions can be taken literally,’ Shukla continued.‘The storytellers of the epic often took dramatic licence to enhance the stories and make them more interesting for listeners, in ancient times.Over the centuries, these embellishments became part of the story and it was difficult to distinguish between the original story and the enhanced versions.So, the Vimana Parva isn’t unique.Flying machines, for example, may well have referred to swift chariots that flew into battle, so to speak.’‘So, why was a summary of this book inscribed on the wall of a secret chamber hidden in what may have been the library of the Nine?’ Vijay wondered aloud.Shukla shrugged.‘Perhaps this book was part of the library?’‘That’s interesting,’ Radha remarked.‘They must have had some reason for doing that.They must have known that this inscription would last much longer than the other texts in the library.After all, Asoka, their Emperor, was inscribing his edicts on stone as well.’‘I can’t help thinking that there is some significance around the inscriptions.’ Vijay frowned.‘But what can it be?’He hoped they would find the answer at Barabar.23Day 7Intelligence Bureau Headquarters, New DelhiImran nodded with satisfaction as he surveyed the portrait before him.Blake, who was sitting across the desk from Imran guessed correctly at the reason for his obvious pleasure.‘It’s a match.’Imran nodded, smiling now.‘It was a long shot, but it paid off.’ He shook his head in disbelief.‘Sometimes I wonder if there’s a force behind stuff like this.Coincidences like this just don’t happen.I mean, what are the chances that we’d find that the person who kidnapped the nephew of a murdered nuclear scientist was a Pakistani nuclear scientist who appears in an Al Qaeda video and whose name is mentioned in a telephone call with a suspected assassin?’Blake smiled.Their suspicions that Farooq Siddiqui was involved in something big in India had been confirmed.What that was, however, was still a mystery.‘So what are you going to do now?’ Blake was painfully conscious that the success of his mission depended on how Imran Kidwai moved from here on.But his experience with the IB officer so far gave him confidence.The man’s intuitive ability and perspicacity was admirable.Imran grinned back at him.‘Two things; first, I’ve given an order to tap Vijay Singh’s mobile and landline phones.If Al Qaeda and LeT are interested in him, there’s got to be a reason.Second, I’m going to interview a Maharaja, Bheem Singh.’Blake raised an eyebrow.‘You managed to pull that off?’‘We had to pull strings in the Home Ministry to get an appointment.And I have a feeling it won’t go well.’Blake grinned mischievously.‘Why do I have this feeling that you’ll come out on top?’Focused AgendaFarooq’s face darkened as he listened to the speaker on the other end of the line.The call had come through a few minutes ago and the caller had immediately launched into a critique of the operation at Bairat.‘If you’d controlled your impulses, you would have discovered the hidden chamber as well.’ The speaker had an acerbic edge to his voice.‘I don’t understand why you are in such a hurry to get rid of Vijay Singh and his friends.Once we’ve achieved our goal, I don’t give a damn what you do to them.What happened at Bairat could have cost us the search if we didn’t have our backup plan in place.’Farooq listened but said nothing, restraining an impulse to respond, as the caller continued.‘So far, we’ve been getting publicity that we can do without.But we don’t seem to be any closer to our goal.We really can’t afford to miss out on any information that might help us.And, don’t forget, the deadline for the announcement is near.We don’t have time for games.’Farooq decided that it didn’t make sense to try and justify his actions.And there was a modicum of truth in what was being told.He had missed out on getting his hands on vital information at Bairat.He admitted that some part of him was guided by a personal agenda.He was still smarting at having been outwitted, more than once, by Vijay.He wanted to strike back.But he couldn’t allow his own emotions to get in the way.He wanted the mission to succeed as much as anyone else.There was too much at stake for things to go wrong.‘We’ll get there,’ he promised.‘No more diversions or distractions.’‘I’m glad to hear that.You know the consequences of failure.’The caller hung up.Farooq stared at the telephone receiver in frustration.There was a knock on the door and Murphy entered, unbidden.Farooq glared at him.He didn’t like Murphy.Somehow, the American had managed to upstage him in this project.And Farooq didn’t like being upstaged.‘What do you want?’‘I’ve been asked to work directly with you.Support you from here on.’Farooq scowled, his displeasure showing.‘It’s better in a way,’ Murphy said, reading Farooq’s emotions.‘We communicate directly.It’s more accurate.Saves time.And don’t worry, I’m here to help.I won’t get in your way.’‘And you think you can help?’Murphy shrugged.‘I think you guys have it all wrong.’‘Now you’re trying to teach us?’‘No.I think you guys are experts at what you do.No one can beat you at causing terror.But this one’s not up your street.’‘And you think you know better?’‘This is what I do for a living.’‘So what’s your solution then?’ It was a challenge
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Tematy
IndexChristine Amsden [Cassie Scot Cassie Scot ParaNormal Detecti
Christie Craig [Divorced, Des Divorced, Desperate
Moore Christopher Ssij, mała, ssij (II)
Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizard
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seri Mroczny Demon
Cidney Swanson [Saving Mars Saving Mars (epub)
Stasheff, Christopher Rogue Wizard 04 A Wizard in Peace
Feehan Christine Mroczna Seria 01 Mroczny Ksišże
Stasheff, Christopher Warlock 01 The Warlock in Spite of Himself
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seria 13 Mroczne Przeznaczenie