Dragon's Fury - Dragon's Breath Part 9

After pa.s.sing through Cheyenne, they had begun to climb into the mountains themselves and were soon pa.s.sing by the higher peaks of the Continental divide.

They stopped at the pa.s.s above Laramie and spent several hours walking and talking and enjoying the moment. One family from Utah had stopped and engaged them for over an hour in some really pleasant conversation. The family was on their way home from a vacation in Illinois. They had visited a small town of Nauvoo on the Mississippi River. Apparently that town carried some sort of significance for their religion. Upon hearing of the Campbell's story and travels, they had been sincerely excited for them and spoke of how great it was for them to be making such an effort as a family. Before they drove off, the father and son had shaken Leon's and Alan's hand and the wife had given their mother a hug. It wasn't the first time on this trip that people had spoken to them kindly, and had taken an interest in their circ.u.mstances. They weren't used to such friendly behavior, but it felt good, and they knew they could easily become accustomed to it.

There on that pa.s.s, when the sun had gone down, it got cool quickly and they had returned to their car, driven into Laramie and found a hotel room for that first night. Now here they were, the next day, Independence Day, sitting in a full football stadium watching fireworks.

Leon thought about that. How fitting, he thought to himself.

For him and his brother and mother, this was like their Independence Day. As surely as those colonial folks had thrown off the chains of their English bondage, he and his family were throwing off the chains of their lifestyle and circ.u.mstances. The prospect had Leon both humbled and excited.

A local civic organization and a local church had gotten together and organized a choir for the holiday event. Now, as the fireworks continued to light up the night sky, the crowd began to sing patriotic songs in the background. As they sang America the Beautiful, all three of the Campbells were mesmerized by the words-words they had all heard before, but had never really listened to, or appreciated.

"Oh beautiful for s.p.a.cious skies, For amber waves of grain, For Purple Mountains majesty, Above the fruited plain."

"America, America, G.o.d shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good With brotherhood From sea to shining sea."

"I never knew it before, momma, but America sure is a rich, blessed and good land. Talk about your 's.p.a.cious skies,' we know that's the truth now don't we? Guess we're going to discover how much more truth we've missed out on. Who would have ever thought it?"

Geneva Campbell looked over at her son. There were tears in her eyes. This boy, this good bright son, he had been their 'explorer,' their 'pioneer.' 'G.o.d be praised for the likes of Leon,' she thought.

"Leon, I espect we goin' to find out a lot more. Just like you say. Yo daddy had a lot of good in him, G.o.d rest his soul. I wish he could see us now. He would have been proud of you, Leon...and you too, Alan."

"It takes a real man, a real special man, to be able to pull hisself up and break out of a no good mold.

Leon, that's just what you are doin, and Alan, you's helpin' and had the strength to see it fo' yo self...and you's bringin' you old momma wid you. We got a long ways to go to this Boise, Idaho...but we got someone special wid us...I do believe the good Lord's along for this ride."

July 7, 2005, 15:30 local time Islamic Republic Government Offices Tehran, Iran Imam Hasan al-Askari Sayeed considered his growing inner circle of government, military and religious figureheads. He knew he would be wise to consolidate and keep this number manageable. At the same time, he had to remain careful. He was riding high on a wave of public acclaim and great expectation. His message of Islamic unity and a basic application of the Three Wisdoms to the world of Islam were falling on very receptive ears.

Hasan turned to his closest advisor and friend, Ayatollah Ol Osam Sadiq Shiraziha, whom he had appointed as the foreign minister and asked.

"And what of General Musharraf in Pakistan? Are the overtures continuing?"

Sadiq reviewed the notes on his Palm computer and responded.

"Imam, the Pakistani's are very interested in aligning with us and thus extending the Greater Islamic Republic. They recognize the wisdom in this unification, the power and influence it will bring Islam overall.

They marvel at the success you have had thus far. You are receiving widespread approval and support amongst the people of Pakistan and I believe this is fueling Musharraf's overtures."

"General Musharraf is insisting, however, on Pakistan being given a voice equal to the current number of seats in our Parliament, due to the size of their population. He is also insisting that he be named as overall Defense Minister for the entire Greater Islamic Republic."

Hasan considered this. The Pakistani had a point from a representation standpoint, but Hasan was more interested in Musharraf's acceptance of his Imamate. The acceptance of this, and most importantly, the people's acceptance of this, would negate any influence in the Parliament.

Military Minister was another issue altogether. Hasan had no intention of having anyone supplant him in that role, particularly not someone who had made overtures to the west the way Musharraf had during the US action against the Taliban. Hasan understood the position Musharraf had been put in, but it had been a true test of his commitment to Islam, and he had failed when he allowed America to use his airs.p.a.ce and bases. Besides, Sayeed believed that multiple military subordinates could always be used to ensure that no individual ever acc.u.mulated the power to challenge his authority.

"And what of the Imamate?"

"Imam, Musharraf is indicating that he and his ministers are willing to accept the reality of your Imamate and recognize you publicly as the true ruling Imam for all of Islam, both Sunni and Shia, as you have desired."

Ah! There it was then, a public recognition. Hasan bowed his head and meditated for a moment, awaiting the inner voice. When he was satisfied that he had heard the promptings from within, he lifted his head and spoke to his long time supporter and confidant.

"Sadiq, tell General Musharraf that we will accept his terms regarding the Parliament, but that his request regarding the Defense Minister position will have to be put to the Ayatollah Ol Osams and the collective senior Mujtahids andMullahs several weeks after the unification in August."

"Sadiq, as you well know, the vote will go against him. Musharraf, in requesting the position of Defense Minister, has shown his lack of faith regarding the Imamate. We will remember this, and deal appropriately with it later. In the meantime, begin making arrangements with the clerics."

"Now, what is the position of Chaliberi Iraq?"

Sadiq did not have to refer to his Palm computer. The question regarding Iraq was a touchy one. It was absolutely necessary to bring Iraq into the fold of the Greater Islamic Republic. Sadiq knew this. But the new moderate leader of Iraq, who owed his existence to the West-and from the entire Islamic world's perspective was being used by them-was not willing to surrender his role as the leader of Iraq to the Imam, or consider the urgings of the Shia clergy to do so.

"Imam, Chaliberi continues to insist that the only offer he will consider is that he share power with you in some form of moderate, secular government my Imam. He indicates that without him we will never be able to reverse the growing influence of the Americans on all of the Arab nations, not to mention, he says, the Iraqi people themselves. He feels he is the key to unification you are urging."

Hasan knew that Chaliberi was a cunning leader. He also knew that he was not pious or committed heart and soul to the one faith, outside of using it as a tool to help advance his own ambitions. It was clear however, that support of the west was his mainstay to power, and this something that could be used against him.

"Chaliberi overestimates his influence in all of these areas, including and especially the loyalty of his own people. It is because his faith is not pure. He uses it only as a tool to rationalize his own actions in being the harlot and wh.o.r.e to the West."

"Very well. He has made his decision, and established the course. Are our contacts and arrangements with Hamas complete? Are our own operatives in place and prepared to act?"

Sadiq, aware that with this line of questioning the decision to act had been made, affirmed to his Imam that all contacts with Hamas were secure, and that their own special operatives and sleeper agents in Iraq were in place and prepared to carry out their a.s.signments.

"Very well, my loyal and trusted friend," replied Hasan. "Then I will issue the necessary orders to have Operation Zakat proceed as we have planned. May Allah be with the faithful."

July 15, 2005, 09:30 local time Along the Yenisey River Krasnoyarsk, Russia (Siberia) "???, ????????? No. ???. ?? ?????? ??????." (No. Stop there. Don't go any further!) Colonel Andrei Nosik could not believe his eyes. His battalion of 40 BTR-80 personnel carriers had offloaded here in Krasnoyarsk to "a.s.sist" with the Indian and Chinese workers streaming into the Trans-Siberian region. But no provisions had been made for their billeting or maintenance.

So, the Colonel had picked an open "park" area along the Yenisey River near the Trans-Siberian railroad and directed his vehicles and men to park there. But the civilians and the "foreigners" were all getting in the way.

"????? ?????! ??? ??-?? ?? ???, ????? ???????????? Motherlands ???????." (What c.r.a.p! This is no way to use the Motherland's military), thought the Colonel as his company commanders and their non-comms began to organize the ma.s.s confusion.

He had forty of the "special" light recon version of the BTR-80, fitted with a crew of two (instead of three), lighter armament and better communications, and capable of carrying eight combat soldiers and their gear. In this case, he would be carrying ten of these filthy foreigners whom the President had seen fit to invite into the Motherland.

The Colonel understood the reasons for this mission. He understood the value of the currency and resources the vast number of Indians and Chinese would bring his financially-strapped nation, but he didn't have to like being the one picked to be the nursemaid for them.

He had 600 men. Eighty crew members, forty back-up/reserve crew members, a security detachment of 200 men and logistical personnel numbering 280 and all of their vehicles and equipment. He also had twenty special trailers to house and transport the research, exploration and initial production equipment they would be hauling into the wilderness.

If all went well, he would be taking the initial load of 300 engineers and workmen by rail 800 kilometers north and west of Krasnoyarsk. There they would disembark and run another 200 kilometers off road to the west in their BTR-80's to their target exploration and production area.

He was scheduled to make a total of three trips, bringing a total of 600 of the miserable excuses for humanity to their "base," and then providing for their security, transportation and communication needs.

Eventually, they were ordered to cut a rough airfield out of the wilderness so more supplies and materiel could be brought in by air.

"??? ????? ???? ???? ????. ??????? ????? ?? ????????? ?????? ?????? ????????????." (Well, it could be worse. The devils could be strolling around the countryside without supervision.) thought the Colonel as he summoned his company commanders for a planning meeting.

As he waited for them, his mind wandered to his earlier service experiences in Chechnya, when his personal feelings for foreigners and their influence took root. The Muslims there fought so rabidly. There was nothing sacred, nothing honorable; not that war can ever really be honorable.

Just the same, there are certain lines which, when crossed, turn the combatants more into animals than men. The Muslims in Chechnya had forced that on them; and Chechnya had been too close to home. Far too close to mother Russia to not understand that one had to prevent at all costs such terrors being introduced to ones homeland.

The Colonel was determined to do his duty, to do it professionally, to obey orders, and to ensure, at all costs, that the Rodina was defended from such horror. That's what had him worried now. In the Chinese and the Indians, he saw foreigners, with foreign cultures and foreign ways of thinking. More opportunities to unleash the horror on his homeland.

Well, he would help them develop. He would help them pull money and resources out of the ground to secure his nation. He would also watch them. Their "security" ran two ways. Like a two edged sword, it was sharp on both sides.

As his commanders entered his tent, which was set up and ready now, Colonel Nosil began.

"Good morning, gentlemen. We have a busy day in front of us, and an even busier tomorrow. Let's review the operation plan as it exists today. Given the G.o.dforsaken conditions we found here, we will have to modify things from a logistical standpoint. Once we determine the actual status of our civilian guests and their equipment, we may have to revise it from a personnel and/or operations standpoint as well."

"I expect this information to be available this afternoon by fourteen hundred hours. We will meet then to review it in detail. After that, I want each of you to get back with your teams and develop your final operation plans that I expect to see here on this desk no later than nineteen hundred hours. Understood?

Good. This meeting is over."

July 16, 2005, 13:15 local time Along the Trans-Siberian railroad 50km outside of Krasnoyarsk, Russia (Siberia) Dr. Buhpendra Gavanker was standing on the flatcar outside of the BTR-80 to which he had been a.s.signed. Even though July, it was cool this far north, at least by his Indian standards.

Dr. Gavanker had been raised in Madras, on the southern coast of India. After a tour of four years in the army, he had completed his undergraduate schooling in Bangalore in Mechanical Engineering and had then gone on to obtain a masters of science in Geology and a Ph.D. in Fossil Fuel Exploration. Those advanced degrees had come while he worked for La.r.s.en and Tubro in Bombay.

While working at Larson and Tubro, he had been approached by the Minister in charge of the Energy Directorate for the Indian government. An offer had been made and Dr. Gavanker, fiercely loyal to his nation, had accepted. For the last ten years, he had worked in a.n.a.lyzing geological formation in India and surrounding friendly nations to search for more petroleum production. He had been quite successful.

So, when the People's Republic of China and India had announced their economic coalition, Dr.

Gavanker had been a natural selection to lead the teams of Indian scientists, engineers and workers into Siberia in search of more petroleum. His initial studies had indicated that hundreds of kilometers to the north and west of Krasnoyarsk, there was a potential for a large, untapped reserve of petroleum. Initial samples had been promising and had indicated where the test bores should be drilled. Dr. Gavanker had decided to lead the team that would sink those bores and then set up initial production operations once the reserves were located and being pumped out of the ground. If his calculations were even close to being correct, this find had every chance of being a major oil field, perhaps rivaling the Baku oil field in the Crimea.

"Colonel Nosik, I could not help but notice that all of these personnel carriers remain armed, and that a number of them are fully armed with larger weapons systems. Why?"

Colonel Nosik recognized the intellect of the Indian standing next to him. He had been fully briefed on the Doctor's capabilities and what a large find could mean to Russia in terms of their share of the oil, and in terms of the capital that would be realized as a result of India's and China's royalty payments on their shares. This consideration allowed him to overcome somewhat his aversion to so many foreigners entering his nation.

"Doctor, this country is wilderness. We lose smaller convoys and supplies to bandits and armed insurgents each year. This joint effort to develop these hinterlands is too important to risk to such. I hope that helps you understand. If the bandits see power in overwhelming numbers, they will not think of interfering with us in any way."

Dr. Gavanker had not imagined that such concerns would be his. He knew that in the mountainous Kashmir regions of his own country there were similar problems, but had not thought to consider that anything like that would exist where his government had sent him. On the other hand, he had skipped several of the orientation meetings as he was immersed in his research.

"I understand, Colonel. We have similar problems in the Kashmir in India. How long do you expect it will be before we arrive on location at the base camp?"

Mentally reviewing the schedule, and then doing a little quick math, the Colonel responded.

"The train will be fairly slow. There will be several stops at small towns along the way. I expect we will get off the train sometime tomorrow evening. We will then check our equipment and start out overland the following morning. With no problems, I expect we may arrive late the next day-that would be the nineteenth-or, at the latest, early on the twentieth."

Dr. Gavanker did not relish another day-and-a-half on this flat car, followed by a day-and-a-half cooped up in the cramped confines of the BTR-80. But given what the Colonel had described, given the fact that no airfield existed in this country at this time of they year, and given the great potential for his nation represented by the petroleum. He was content with the schedule and the discomfort; he had little choice in any event.

"Very well, Colonel. Thank you for the information. I look forward to working with you and your men. I know it is not what military men are accustomed to, or like to do. I served in India's army for four years.

Though it was over twenty years ago, I remember what soldiers liked and what they didn't like. I hope you and your men will be patient with us. In the end, it will pay off handsomely for both of our nations."

As the Indian walked over to a group of his own people who were sitting on one of the vehicles, the Colonel thought to himself, "He might be a foreigner, but at least he understands and appreciates our position. Perhaps this duty will not be as unpleasant as I had imagined."

July 18, 2005, 10:00 White House Situation Room Washington, D.C.

General Jeremy Stone pressed the advance b.u.t.ton on his hand held controller and went to the next slide in his computer generated presentation. This slide was the key for the entire meeting and one he would spend several minutes explaining to, and discussing with, the group.

"Now I will direct your attention to the screen and the projected Force a.n.a.lysis for the emerging "Greater" Islamic Republic. As you can see, the numbers are significant, particularly in the worst case scenario where Pakistan and Iraq become a part of Sayeed's growing confederation. Overall they represent an order of magnitude greater than what we faced in Iraq in either Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom. Our big concern is that they also represent a force that is much more dedicated to their cause than in either of those cases as well. In other words, they will fight.

"And this does not take into consideration their strategic nuclear a.s.sets. So, please turn your attention to the screen and let's run through these numbers."

GIR ARMED FORCE a.n.a.lYIS.

ARMY AND AIR FORCES.

Country IDiv ADiv Tanks APC AHelo Aircraft Iran 35 15 1350 900 250 250 Afghanistan 5 3 250 300 100 100 Turkmenistan 2 3 500 800 20 150 Uzbekistan 3 1 200 400 20 100 Tajikistan 1 100 100 10 50 Kyrgyzstan 1 100 100 25 100 Best Case GIR 45 24 2500 2600 425 750 Iraq 10 5 1000 1000 200 100 Pakistan 35 20 2000 900 150 200 Worst Case 90 49 4500 4500 775 1050 Modern Equip 50 25 2000 2000 300 500 Naval Country FFG Subs Aircraft Iran 16 6 32 Pakistan 14 12 24 Worst Case GIR 30 15 56

"We expect that these numbers will be pared down some as they consolidate their offensive capability to a number closer to the modern and effective numbers you see at the bottom of the first chart. Still, these are significant numbers and they will end up with perhaps as many as seventy-five infantry divisions and thirty armored divisions, with the older units being used in-country for internal security. They can organize this into twelve army groups of approximately six infantry and three armored divisions each. We expect the India-China-Kazakh border-with their perceived threat there being Russia-and Saudi borders to get two of those army groups each.

"They have a sufficient number of high-quality of airfields that they can disperse their fighter and attack aircraft accordingly in support of these army groups. As I indicated, we expect the two to four Army groups to be dispersed internally in support of their internal security units.

"We'll have to watch their training and their disburs.e.m.e.nts, but we are already seeing signs of movement to training areas in the six combining Islamic nations that support these conclusions.

"With respect to their naval a.s.sets, we expect that they will be concentrated along their coast at the entrance to, and along, the Persian Gulf, with Pakistani units being stationed along the Arabian Sea in the vicinity of India. Although the total force is relatively small, the subs have us worried. It was bad enough having to worry about those three Kilos the Iranians had, but the Pakistanis have four or five very effective and modern diesel/electric boats in their inventory that we will have to be more concerned about now.

"A force of eight to ten diesel/electric subs could wreak havoc in the Persian Gulf, Mr. President if they ever got the mind to, particularly with the addition of any significant land-based air support out of Iran.

They could shut the Gulf down and we would be obliged to go in and clean them out under very difficult circ.u.mstances, either from land bases in Saudi, Kuwait and Bahrain, or from carrier-based air.

"All in all, gentlemen, the combined arms of this emerging "Republic" will make them the 4th strongest conventional military force in the world. That puts them behind ourselves, the Russians and the People's Republic of China. And with the financial and maintenance difficulties the Russian have been having, they could arguably be called the third strongest conventional force.

"Strategically, we already know Pakistan has nuclear capability and we have long suspected it of Iran. If Pakistan joins in, then we will know for sure. In addition, both Pakistan and Iraq, if they should swing towards the GIR, have significant manpower potential. Bottom line is this: They have theater-capable missiles and doubtless will be able to hit Israel or any of our allies in the region. One of our major concerns is how the Israelis will react. The Pakistani installations are too numerous, and too distant, for Israel to expect to be able to pull off a large enough conventional, unilateral strike to take them all out."

President Weisskopf was taking all of this in. It was pretty much as he suspected, but nonetheless extremely sobering to hear. In fact, everyone in the room was unsettled, from the Vice President on down. The long-standing and delicate stability that the west had maintained in the Middle East which was only maintained by playing rival Islamic factions off against one another, was being undone by Hasan Sayeed. This was extremely concerning to the President and all of his foreign policy team. In 2001 through 2003, in addition to the clear need for retribution for the terrible attacks on America of September 11, 2001, the message of Usama bin Laden, one of uniting Islam and doing it with terror, had been the compelling strategic reason for stopping him and his Al Qaeda. The emerging Greater Islamic Republic provided an even more compelling strategic reason because of the unquestioned success in that unification that Sayeed was having. But Sayeed was not giving them any pointed reason to take action and he appeared poised to upset the entire balance of power in the Middle East. Thinking of this, and what such goals had produced back in 2001, took the president off on a tangent for a few minutes.

"Okay, I want to make sure that all of our security arrangements at the airports and on domestic flights remain in place, as well as what we are doing for other major infrastructure, water supply and power. I believe with Federal officers running airport security checks and with Marshals on the airplanes, that we have effectively curtailed terrorist attacks using our airlines. But what we have here is a situation where Islamic fundamentalists are coming to power on an unprecedented scale. Before we continue with the discussion regarding the GIR military capabilities, I want to ask Stewart to address our overall Homeland Security initiatives."

Stewart Langstrom had been appointed by the President to direct the office of Homeland Security. It was a new position, having come into being in the wake of the 2001 terror attack, and was only the second person to ever fill the office. Stewart had been raised in the mid-west and was extremely conservative. He had served eight year in the US Army, rising to the rank of Captain. He'd been deployed in Desert Storm, but saw no combat as he led a logistics detachment that supplied materiel to the front. After his service, he had done well in business, running his own small textile business in St.

Louis, before running for Congress in 1998. He had been there ever since, being given some fairly plum a.s.signments on Defense and transportation committees. But then President Weisskopf, had selected him to fill the position as the Director of Homeland Security.

"Mr. President, my predecessor was very successful in getting the FAA to control and run airport security and in getting Air Marshals on every flight. As you know, there has not been another successful terrorist hijacking of a US airliner since that time. In addition, he worked with the Coast Guard, the National Directorate of the National Guard and with the fifty governors to establish security at our major infrastructure sites such as Hoover Dam, the Grand Coulee Dam and other sites inside our borders.

"Still, we have a long way to go. I am hoping to be able to implement security communications and procedures to the county level, such that the local county Sheriff's work with their own people to establish "Home Guard" units to watch the local infrastructure. There are many small sub stations, dams and other sites that would have a large impact on our nation if they were taken out. I would like to pattern the program after a successful gra.s.s-roots program already implemented in Idaho."

The head of FEMA, Curt Johnson, who was also attending, spoke up at this.

"Come on Stewart. You're talking about older men and boys who have no training trying to do a professionals job here. We may spend more money on false alarms and cleaning up after them than we would..."

Stewart didn't flinch. He felt Curt was competent, but also did not particularly like his "us or them" view of the civilian population, the people who paid his salary.

"No, Curt, I am talking about having this thing controlled at the level it should be controlled, the local level. The Sheriff's know their people and they are the ones best suited to establish the small, volunteer units. If we went the way your tone is indicating, not only could we not afford it, but we would create far too many "Federal Police" interacting with the local people. They would resent it. This way, we have the people who are apt to have the most personal buy-in, involved in the protection of their own communities."

The President didn't want to get too sidetracked. He particularly did not want Stewart and Curt clashing here. There were still too many procedural issues to clear up regarding command and control of the nation in the event of a wide scale national emergency. Under many executive orders, the head of FEMA accrued significant power in such a circ.u.mstance. The President was very committed to spreading that power around, as he felt it should be. Stewart would be one of those, along with the rest of his cabinet, who would lead in such a circ.u.mstance. But Weisskopf was committed to having full executive powers centered on him, the President, as it should be according to the Const.i.tution. But those things were all in the works and could be handled at a different date.

"I like it Stewart. I'd like you to proceed in that direction, but let's make sure there are enough training dollars at least so that Curt's fears can be addressed. Something the Sheriff's can elect to use or not as needed.

"Now, turning back to the princ.i.p.al topic we were discussing, and forgive me for sidetracking the meeting like that, but General, how quickly before the GIR can consolidate all of these personnel and equipment and become an effective force? The numbers are impressive, but we all know that the logistical and training challenges they face are enormous."

General Stone turned to the Director of the CIA.

"If I may Mr. President, let me allow Mike to answer that, as his a.s.sets are already in place and reporting on these very things. Mike?"