The president looks around the table, then nods. I am surrounded by some of the greatest talent in America. May they be equal to all that’s before them. Only then can he start.
“I know that all of you’re aware of Project Whispering.” He pauses a moment while this fact is uniformly acknowledged in the affirmative. “As of right now, with the exception of a couple of analysts in the NSA, you nine are the only members of the government who are aware of this project, and until necessary, it will remain that way.” Again, he looks around the table for confirmation.
“Project Whispering,” the president continues, “is beginning to yield some insight as to what might happen in the near future concerning the Middle East and the United States. This is why I’ve called for a meeting.” The president pauses, looks down as if consulting with an inner advisor, then proceeds onto territory he never expected to have to face in his administration.
“Our top military people have suggested that, in the event of an attack on our shores, we designate pre-assigned targets to minimize reaction time – for retaliation.” He pauses again, giving the group a moment to adjust to such a difficult reality. “It makes sense to me to do so, but I believe the responsibility for making those choices lies with all of us. Do I have any questions at this point?”
The vice president speaks. His tone is subdued, meek even. Formerly the governor of Vermont, Devonshire is a man passionate about ecology in general, and saving the earth in particular. The thought of retaliation – the thought of war – automatically goes against his grain, but his loyalty to his president is equally fierce. If William Egan says these choices are necessary, Pat Devonshire is prepared to trust him implicitly. “Sir, how much retaliation are we looking at? Will this be like Afghanistan after the World Trade Center, or are we looking at a major invasion like Iraq?”
“We cannot afford another Iraq,” Maria Sterling volunteers, acknowledging the vice president’s thoughts with a nod. “The people won’t stand for it.”
“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear enough,” the president interrupts. “We’re not talking about how much retaliation we’re looking at. What I want you to focus on today is strategic locations, tactical choices we would target.”
Monday, August 31, 2009
First Book Signing Held on August 29th
Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith NH was gracious to have me do a two hour book signing Saturday afternoon from two to four pm. Together we sold eight books. Being my first book signing, I found the reception pleasant and was pleased by the interest even from people who did not purchase a book. Showing only the softcovers eight books were sold. Not bad for two hours.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Chapter Forty-Five End of October
Deep inside of Teheran sits the parliamentary building used by the Iranian Ministry, the tallest building in the capital city. Its views assure the citizenry that they can always be observed. On the very top floor is the conference room, a square space of twenty by twenty meters. With the drapes fully open, the warm sunlight provides a pleasant atmosphere in the room. The conference table is large enough to accommodate twelve chairs. Lately, however, there have only been six chairs set up for the council.
Ayatollah Fadil Ahmajid enters and looks at the cluster of five council members standing together, waiting for him to appear. Only Jibril Atwan is absent. “Everyone take a seat. We have matters to attend to.” They quickly do his bidding.
Looking at his notes, the Supreme Leader hesitates a moment to allow excitement to build within the room. Finally he announces, “Our current missile testing demonstrates that we now have the capability of delivering missiles to the entire European continent. In six months, we’ll have sufficient enriched uranium to build twelve nuclear warheads. This will satisfy our needs to take over all of the Middle East and the European continent, as well.
“Jibril has just recently made a purchase from inside Russia which strengthens our position even more. We now have the nuclear materials to make the newly designed Shahab missiles more effective when fired from our Kilos. We will take the war to the Americans, when everything is finally tested and we are satisfied they work. In two more months, the Russians will have the last two Kilos we purchased ready to deliver. Each of our six Kilos will have two of these new missiles to bring to the Jews and the Great Satan.”
Council member Ayatollah Mansour Hassan is the first to speak. “What’s the proposed timetable to deliver all of this destruction?”
Ayatollah Fadil Ahmajid enters and looks at the cluster of five council members standing together, waiting for him to appear. Only Jibril Atwan is absent. “Everyone take a seat. We have matters to attend to.” They quickly do his bidding.
Looking at his notes, the Supreme Leader hesitates a moment to allow excitement to build within the room. Finally he announces, “Our current missile testing demonstrates that we now have the capability of delivering missiles to the entire European continent. In six months, we’ll have sufficient enriched uranium to build twelve nuclear warheads. This will satisfy our needs to take over all of the Middle East and the European continent, as well.
“Jibril has just recently made a purchase from inside Russia which strengthens our position even more. We now have the nuclear materials to make the newly designed Shahab missiles more effective when fired from our Kilos. We will take the war to the Americans, when everything is finally tested and we are satisfied they work. In two more months, the Russians will have the last two Kilos we purchased ready to deliver. Each of our six Kilos will have two of these new missiles to bring to the Jews and the Great Satan.”
Council member Ayatollah Mansour Hassan is the first to speak. “What’s the proposed timetable to deliver all of this destruction?”
Monday, August 24, 2009
Presentations and Signings
Behind The Lies has been on the market for three months. To date, I had two Rotary presentations and one Kiwanis presentation. The audiences are buying both hard and soft cover copies.
This coming Saturday I do my first book signing at Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith NH.
Next month I have two Rotary presentations scheduled.
I have a book signing scheduled for December 5th.
I did two book displays at Jewish organizations this summer. One being the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and the second the National Havurah Summer Retreat.
Last but not least, I did one live radio interview on the book and a cable TV interview for a show called "Living Your Passion" that is running for five Mondays this month at 5:30 pm on Manchester's cable station channel 23.
This coming Saturday I do my first book signing at Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith NH.
Next month I have two Rotary presentations scheduled.
I have a book signing scheduled for December 5th.
I did two book displays at Jewish organizations this summer. One being the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire and the second the National Havurah Summer Retreat.
Last but not least, I did one live radio interview on the book and a cable TV interview for a show called "Living Your Passion" that is running for five Mondays this month at 5:30 pm on Manchester's cable station channel 23.
Chapter Forty-Four Successful
Atwan sits at his desk nervously tapping his fingers. Two weeks have passed since he gave the lab the sample of uranium for testing. His anxiety level increases with every day, mainly because of the Euros equaling three hundred thousand American dollars that now sit in a mafiya account – and so far, nothing to show for it. Looking at the picture of the prophet Mohammad on his wall, he knows he must have faith. At least that’s what he tells himself.
Finally, he cannot stand it any longer. He calls the lab. “This is Jibril Atwan. Where are the results from the sample I left with you? It’s two weeks now.”
The lab assistant, realizing the importance of the man who is calling, says, “I will get my director, sir.”
The head of the lab comes to the phone. “Jibril, we are just putting our notes together as we speak. You will have a hard copy within the hour. We took our time so we could be absolutely positive of our findings.”
“All right,” Atwan says with a sigh. “I hope that you have good news for me.”
“You will be satisfied, Jibril.” The director hangs up his phone and shakes his head. Bureaucrats, he groans inwardly.
Finally, he cannot stand it any longer. He calls the lab. “This is Jibril Atwan. Where are the results from the sample I left with you? It’s two weeks now.”
The lab assistant, realizing the importance of the man who is calling, says, “I will get my director, sir.”
The head of the lab comes to the phone. “Jibril, we are just putting our notes together as we speak. You will have a hard copy within the hour. We took our time so we could be absolutely positive of our findings.”
“All right,” Atwan says with a sigh. “I hope that you have good news for me.”
“You will be satisfied, Jibril.” The director hangs up his phone and shakes his head. Bureaucrats, he groans inwardly.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Chapter Forty-Three Early October
“What did I do to deserve this pleasure, my friend?”
“The last time we spoke, you promised me two Kilos in ten to twelve months time. I’m merely calling to see if they are still on schedule.”
“Jibril, you’re fortunate that I like you,” says Kolzak, his voice deep and gruff. “You know that I’m only the minister of defense, not somebody with power. But, yes, we are still on schedule for the ten to twelve months delivery date I gave you. However, Jibril, now that you have called, I think it is good that you consider paying us the moneys you’re scheduled to pay since we have upgraded your delivery. I’m sure you know that it costs to get the needed parts as quickly as you want them. I also expect that you will have deposited the remainder when your crews arrive to receive delivery of the subs from our yards.”
“I assume that when you require the balance,” Atwan counters, “the subs will have undergone sea trials. I do not want any of my men finding what could be fatal leaks.”
“Jibril, you can have your men here in four months, if you like. They can monitor and sign off on the sea trials and have any questions answered for them first-hand. That way we do not have to worry about any suspicious sub sinkings on the way home. I don’t want you calling me back saying something is my fault.”
Atwan just laughs. Would I do something like that?
“I wouldn’t put it past you, Jibril.”
“The last time we spoke, you promised me two Kilos in ten to twelve months time. I’m merely calling to see if they are still on schedule.”
“Jibril, you’re fortunate that I like you,” says Kolzak, his voice deep and gruff. “You know that I’m only the minister of defense, not somebody with power. But, yes, we are still on schedule for the ten to twelve months delivery date I gave you. However, Jibril, now that you have called, I think it is good that you consider paying us the moneys you’re scheduled to pay since we have upgraded your delivery. I’m sure you know that it costs to get the needed parts as quickly as you want them. I also expect that you will have deposited the remainder when your crews arrive to receive delivery of the subs from our yards.”
“I assume that when you require the balance,” Atwan counters, “the subs will have undergone sea trials. I do not want any of my men finding what could be fatal leaks.”
“Jibril, you can have your men here in four months, if you like. They can monitor and sign off on the sea trials and have any questions answered for them first-hand. That way we do not have to worry about any suspicious sub sinkings on the way home. I don’t want you calling me back saying something is my fault.”
Atwan just laughs. Would I do something like that?
“I wouldn’t put it past you, Jibril.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
Chapter Forty-Two Pushing for a Sample
As soon as the phone is answered Hussein says, “Dimitri, do you have our sample ready for pickup?”
“What? Who is this?” Then realizing, he says, “You were supposed to call me back in one week. Can’t you people count?”
“Of course we can count. We are three days late. Our schedule has been hectic.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dimitri says dismissively. “I have your sample. You realize you can’t leave this stuff sitting around like a loaf of bread.”
“How much does it weigh and what size container do you need?” Dakham asks. “And do you want the container sent to your warehouse or to another location?”
“The sample weighs about twenty-four grams, nearly one metric ounce in mass. You can figure what size container from that. Send it to the warehouse where we first met. I assume you have the address.”
“All right, Dimitri, this is what we will do. Dakham is going to send you a titanium container with a lead lining. We are going to ship you this container via United Parcel Service overnight. Your people will place the sample in this container and lead seal it so it cannot be tampered with. UPS will provide you with a return shipping label that will enable you to return the container to us at no charge. Mark the contents as x-ray materials for lab use. We are not intending to value the components at other than their normal insurance benefits, so as not to arouse any interest in it. The package will be returned to us the same way, via overnight delivery.”
“And payment?”
“What? Who is this?” Then realizing, he says, “You were supposed to call me back in one week. Can’t you people count?”
“Of course we can count. We are three days late. Our schedule has been hectic.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dimitri says dismissively. “I have your sample. You realize you can’t leave this stuff sitting around like a loaf of bread.”
“How much does it weigh and what size container do you need?” Dakham asks. “And do you want the container sent to your warehouse or to another location?”
“The sample weighs about twenty-four grams, nearly one metric ounce in mass. You can figure what size container from that. Send it to the warehouse where we first met. I assume you have the address.”
“All right, Dimitri, this is what we will do. Dakham is going to send you a titanium container with a lead lining. We are going to ship you this container via United Parcel Service overnight. Your people will place the sample in this container and lead seal it so it cannot be tampered with. UPS will provide you with a return shipping label that will enable you to return the container to us at no charge. Mark the contents as x-ray materials for lab use. We are not intending to value the components at other than their normal insurance benefits, so as not to arouse any interest in it. The package will be returned to us the same way, via overnight delivery.”
“And payment?”
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Chapter Forty-One Succession Matters
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the president opens the discussion, “This meeting has just one item on its agenda. There will be plenty of time for discussion. After the discussion, I’ll make my statement.”
He quickly moves into the meat of his presentation. “Having received a growing body of substantiated intelligence on a regular basis, it appears that the nation of Iran is threatening to attack both the United States and the State of Israel.” This news creates a general stirring around the table.
“When that might happen, no one can say at this point. However, the information received to date indicates that sometime in the near future we are going to be involved in a confrontation with them. As president, it is my responsibility under the Constitution to protect our people and our nation to the best of my ability. Because of the serious nature of this intelligence, I’ve met privately with our admiral and generals sitting here this
morning. We have discussed both preemptive confrontation and retaliatory confrontation.
“As the four of us see it, this country has a major problem if its shores are attacked on a larger scale than September 11th, 2001. If we are restricted to the Constitution’s prescription for who takes over as acting president in the case of the death or inability of the president to function as commander-in-chief, we could become quickly crippled by our inability to make tactical military decisions to save our nation in a timely fashion.
“Therefore, I’m proposing the following:
He quickly moves into the meat of his presentation. “Having received a growing body of substantiated intelligence on a regular basis, it appears that the nation of Iran is threatening to attack both the United States and the State of Israel.” This news creates a general stirring around the table.
“When that might happen, no one can say at this point. However, the information received to date indicates that sometime in the near future we are going to be involved in a confrontation with them. As president, it is my responsibility under the Constitution to protect our people and our nation to the best of my ability. Because of the serious nature of this intelligence, I’ve met privately with our admiral and generals sitting here this
morning. We have discussed both preemptive confrontation and retaliatory confrontation.
“As the four of us see it, this country has a major problem if its shores are attacked on a larger scale than September 11th, 2001. If we are restricted to the Constitution’s prescription for who takes over as acting president in the case of the death or inability of the president to function as commander-in-chief, we could become quickly crippled by our inability to make tactical military decisions to save our nation in a timely fashion.
“Therefore, I’m proposing the following:
Monday, August 10, 2009
Chapter Forty Seventy-Two Hours Later
McDonald and Walker sit down across from the president and the Mossad director. Egan gets the discussion rolling. “Ariel, I suppose that the prime minister filled you in why I called him and what feedback he was able to give me. It wasn’t much, to tell you the truth.”
“Yes, sir, he did. At the time you called him, he was not aware of the nature of our insertion. We were still interpreting the materials our team brought back from inside of Iran.”
What a bunch of bullshit, Egan thinks. This operation had to be sanctioned by the prime minister. Mossad doesn’t have that kind of authority. “All right, Ariel, you’ve been sent here by the prime minister. Can you share with us why Israel took such a risk, sending a covert team into Iran?”
“Mr. President, you know the current president of Iran has been spitting out venom for a long time regarding the destruction of Israel. We received information that Bampur was another of a growing list of facilities capable of producing materials that could be used in nuclear weapons. We have also received information that they were in the midst of purchasing two more Kilo submarines from Russia.”
President Egan replies, “We know of a number of facilities producing weapons grade materials. They already have four Kilos. What makes Bampur different, and what makes two more subs big news for you?”
“Their Shahab-3 – outfitted with a nuclear warhead, capable of being fired from a submarine, represents very big news to us. In fact, it may be something America should be concerned about as well. It turns out, however, that Bampur is not enriching uranium. It is reprocessing plutonium.” Wattenberg stuns the Americans into silence. All three stare at each other in alarm. Damn, thinks Egan, this is new. No, this we weren’t aware of.
“Yes, sir, he did. At the time you called him, he was not aware of the nature of our insertion. We were still interpreting the materials our team brought back from inside of Iran.”
What a bunch of bullshit, Egan thinks. This operation had to be sanctioned by the prime minister. Mossad doesn’t have that kind of authority. “All right, Ariel, you’ve been sent here by the prime minister. Can you share with us why Israel took such a risk, sending a covert team into Iran?”
“Mr. President, you know the current president of Iran has been spitting out venom for a long time regarding the destruction of Israel. We received information that Bampur was another of a growing list of facilities capable of producing materials that could be used in nuclear weapons. We have also received information that they were in the midst of purchasing two more Kilo submarines from Russia.”
President Egan replies, “We know of a number of facilities producing weapons grade materials. They already have four Kilos. What makes Bampur different, and what makes two more subs big news for you?”
“Their Shahab-3 – outfitted with a nuclear warhead, capable of being fired from a submarine, represents very big news to us. In fact, it may be something America should be concerned about as well. It turns out, however, that Bampur is not enriching uranium. It is reprocessing plutonium.” Wattenberg stuns the Americans into silence. All three stare at each other in alarm. Damn, thinks Egan, this is new. No, this we weren’t aware of.
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