An electronic buzz sounded. Half a dozen bright colored lights flashed across the telephone console. April ran over, clamped the headset over her cars, began flipping switches. These feed lines were the same as used in the White House; once the caller connected with the console, the conversation could not be tapped through the lines. She gestured at the spare headset which Brognola donned immediately. "Striker?" Brognola growled.

"You copy?" Bolan's voice was clear. "You know, that's just what my high school teacher asked me when I got an on my history exam".

April Rose sighed with relief. "Where are you calling from, Mack?"

"General Wilson's office. This place has been swept for bugs every day for the past five years, so the line should be secure".

Brognola forced the issue. "What happened with Sergeant Grendal, Stony Man?"

"Out of business. Permanently. So too his partner, Corporal William Tomlin. Our informant is on ice."

"You... okay?" April asked quietly.

"Fine. Snagged my pants on a sharp bullet, that's all."

"I'll mend it for you," she offered.

"I didn't know you gals did that kind of work anymore," Bolan responded warmly.

"On special occasions. For special people."

"Knock it off, you two," Btognola growled. "I have to advise you, Striker, that the situation is a lot different than we first envisioned."

"Different how?"

"Bigger".

"I'm listening."

"Much bigger. All of this has all been hush-hush for the past two weeks, even from me, till the intelligence boys got the clue as to what was going on."