In Danger's Path by W. E. B. Griffin

imprisoned—or shot—by the Japanese, they took off. Presumably, they are hoping that they can get out through Russia. And the safest route to Russia is through the Gobi Desert.”
    â€œFascinating. But I still don’t see what all this has to do with the OSS.”
    â€œIf I may continue, Charley,” the DDO said. “There has been some radio communication with these people. Erratic. They apparently don’t have very good equipment.”
    â€œSo they can’t furnish the weather data?”
    â€œThey need meteorological equipment and better radios. Plus, of course, meteorologists to operate it. Which the Navy proposes to send in to them.”
    â€œHow do they propose to do that?”
    â€œHaughton was a little vague about that.”
    The DDA snorted.
    â€œThe Navy came to the meeting hoping to convince Admiral Leahy that since the Air Corps has been unable to get a weather station operating in the Soviet Union, and since the data generated in the Gobi Desert would be more useful anyway, and since they have these military retirees already in the Gobi Desert—”
    â€œWith whom they are not in communication,” the DDA interrupted.
    â€œâ€”they be given the weather station mission,” the DDO finished.
    â€œAnd the Navy, not surprisingly, got their way, right? And we have been directed to cooperate with them?”
    â€œNot exactly. ‘Cooperate’ isn’t the precise word. I don’t know whether Leahy didn’t want to slap the Air Corps down, or appear to be too partial to the Navy, but the Solomon-like decision of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is that the OSS will determine, as a high-priority mission, whether or not the ‘assets’ presently in the Gobi Desert can be reinforced so that they can operate a weather station, and if so, to do so.”
    â€œWhich means that we are expected to establish communication with these people—who may or may not exist?”
    â€œNot only establish reliable communication with them, but, if feasible, use them in setting up a secret weather station.”
    â€œGod!” the DDA said.
    â€œLeahy threw a bone to the Air Corps. They can still send their weather team into Russia as soon as they get permission from Uncle Joe. In other words, if and when.”
    â€œThe Navy is really not capable of taking on something like this,” the DDA said thoughtfully. “The Gobi Desert is some distance from the nearest ocean.”
    â€œThe Marine Corps is part of the Navy,” the DDO said. “The Marine Corps could be given the mission. But that would annoy the Army Air Corps. If we do it…”
    â€œI take your point,” the DDA said. “On the subject of the Marine Corps, you are aware that General Pickering is now the OSS Deputy Director for Pacific Operations?”
    â€œYes, I am.”
    The DDO knew General Fleming Pickering, USMCR, only by reputation. And he also knew that Pickering had been named OSS Deputy Director for Pacific Operations by the President of the United States, who had not consulted OSS Director Donovan before making the appointment.
    â€œSince when is Mongolia considered in the ‘Pacific,’ Charley?” the DDO asked.
    â€œI think Director Donovan will determine that it falls in General Pickering’s area of responsibility,” the DDA said.
    It took the DDO a moment to figure that out, but then it made sense. Or, rather, he saw what good ol’ Charley had in mind: While the DDA hoped, of course, that General Pickering would quickly accomplish the task of establishing contact with a group of former enlisted men and their Chinese wives roaming somewhere in the Gobi Desert, it was possible that he would fail. That would, of course, disappoint Director Donovan. On the other hand, Director Donovan had not appointed General Pickering to run OSS Operations in the Pacific; consequently, he could not be held responsible for his