Monday, November 30, 2009
Book Signing in Manchester New Hampshire
At the Manchester Historic Association Annual Open House held on December 5th at 200 Bedford St., Manchester, Joe will be signing books purchased from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. At 1:30 he will be doing a presentation on his novel "Behind The Lies." Admission is free for this event and the public is welcome to attend to see Joe's first novel along with some other authors. We look forward to your attending this annual event. You can view the website www.joesmiga.com to get an idea of what the book is about and also to read reviews posted on the site.
Chapter Seventy-Two End of July
Ahmed Rassi, chief engineer at the missile manufacturing facility, receives a call from his president.
“Ahmed, what’s the delay? We were expecting twelve cruise missiles to be completed in three months. It is now three-and-a-half months and you have only supplied eight.”
“President Mahmoud,” says a decidedly nervous Ahmed, “you ordered us to have twelve Shahab missiles ready for you by the end of this month. And then you ordered twelve new cruise missiles with the modifications the navy requests and you want them two weeks ago. I’m not playing with a product that you just throw together. Not only are the components sometimes difficult to obtain, the manufacturing process of the units themselves takes time, even without all the necessary changes the navy ordered. We have tried our best to meet your orders. You now have ten of the Shahab missiles ready, plus eight of the cruise missiles. We have done our very best to satisfy you, but we cannot pull missiles out of thin air.”
“When will you have the six remaining missiles ready?”
“I can promise you that they will be ready in four weeks, sir.”
“How long will it take your technicians to install the nuclear materials in each warhead after you have all the missiles I require?”
“Sir, we are currently installing the nuclear materials in each warhead of the missiles we’ve already built, and will continue to do so as each of the remainder is finished. All twenty-four will be ready at the end of four weeks.”
“Ahmed, let me be clear,” says Mahmoud quietly. “You have no longer than four weeks. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir, I understand,” Ahmed replies mournfully. I am a dead man if my people cannot pull off the impossible. The ignorance of these people! What do they know about manufacturing times and material deliveries? They seem to think that just because they say it is so, then things will appear as if by magic.
“Ahmed, what’s the delay? We were expecting twelve cruise missiles to be completed in three months. It is now three-and-a-half months and you have only supplied eight.”
“President Mahmoud,” says a decidedly nervous Ahmed, “you ordered us to have twelve Shahab missiles ready for you by the end of this month. And then you ordered twelve new cruise missiles with the modifications the navy requests and you want them two weeks ago. I’m not playing with a product that you just throw together. Not only are the components sometimes difficult to obtain, the manufacturing process of the units themselves takes time, even without all the necessary changes the navy ordered. We have tried our best to meet your orders. You now have ten of the Shahab missiles ready, plus eight of the cruise missiles. We have done our very best to satisfy you, but we cannot pull missiles out of thin air.”
“When will you have the six remaining missiles ready?”
“I can promise you that they will be ready in four weeks, sir.”
“How long will it take your technicians to install the nuclear materials in each warhead after you have all the missiles I require?”
“Sir, we are currently installing the nuclear materials in each warhead of the missiles we’ve already built, and will continue to do so as each of the remainder is finished. All twenty-four will be ready at the end of four weeks.”
“Ahmed, let me be clear,” says Mahmoud quietly. “You have no longer than four weeks. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir, I understand,” Ahmed replies mournfully. I am a dead man if my people cannot pull off the impossible. The ignorance of these people! What do they know about manufacturing times and material deliveries? They seem to think that just because they say it is so, then things will appear as if by magic.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Chapter Seventy-One Middle of June
Three floors below the ground level, a special ops team consisting of Jim Stewart, Tony Romano and Jane St. John are sitting at a table discussing their current assignment.
“Before we get started, how about some coffee?” Stewart suggests.
“Okay, with a little milk for me,” says St. John. Romano passes. Stewart brings two cups to the table.
Sitting down, he begins, “As you know, I met with Scott Brubaker last week. I suggested the Wild Rooster to him, since that was where he met his lady friend while I was observing him. The fact that I proposed the Wild Rooster seemed to have no effect on him, so I can’t be sure whether or not she plays a role in what we’re looking for.
“During our dinner meeting he told me that he could not divulge his sources, that he only passes on information he feels is of interest to the public. He allowed that some of what he reports may only be disinformation. Or as we call it, bullshit to blind-side the enemy.
“He remained cordial even after I made him aware that the congressional committee seeking this information could call him before an inquiry panel and that, if he chose to plea the fifth, they could put pressure on his employer. After dinner I said we might have to meet again if the committee felt it necessary. He didn’t seem to have a problem with that.”
“Cool character,” Romano comments. “But the media thinks they’re above the law anyway.” Stewart shakes his head at this comment.
“Mr. Cool may not be so cool after all,” he goes on. “A team bugged his home phone while we had dinner. It appears he called the White House late last night and left an unusual voice message for someone there. I don’t know who yet, but I’ll lay you odds it’s either his source or close to it. I need to check who has that extension.”
“What did the message say?” St. John asks. “Did it make any sense?”
“Word for word: Congress is making inquiries. I need protection.”
“Protection from what?”
“Before we get started, how about some coffee?” Stewart suggests.
“Okay, with a little milk for me,” says St. John. Romano passes. Stewart brings two cups to the table.
Sitting down, he begins, “As you know, I met with Scott Brubaker last week. I suggested the Wild Rooster to him, since that was where he met his lady friend while I was observing him. The fact that I proposed the Wild Rooster seemed to have no effect on him, so I can’t be sure whether or not she plays a role in what we’re looking for.
“During our dinner meeting he told me that he could not divulge his sources, that he only passes on information he feels is of interest to the public. He allowed that some of what he reports may only be disinformation. Or as we call it, bullshit to blind-side the enemy.
“He remained cordial even after I made him aware that the congressional committee seeking this information could call him before an inquiry panel and that, if he chose to plea the fifth, they could put pressure on his employer. After dinner I said we might have to meet again if the committee felt it necessary. He didn’t seem to have a problem with that.”
“Cool character,” Romano comments. “But the media thinks they’re above the law anyway.” Stewart shakes his head at this comment.
“Mr. Cool may not be so cool after all,” he goes on. “A team bugged his home phone while we had dinner. It appears he called the White House late last night and left an unusual voice message for someone there. I don’t know who yet, but I’ll lay you odds it’s either his source or close to it. I need to check who has that extension.”
“What did the message say?” St. John asks. “Did it make any sense?”
“Word for word: Congress is making inquiries. I need protection.”
“Protection from what?”
Monday, November 23, 2009
Third Live Radio Interview
Charlie Sherman of Manchester NH's WGIR AM 610, interviewed Joe on his radio program from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on Monday, November 23rd about the book, "Behind The Lies."
Chapter Seventy End of May
As the Admiral enters the president’s office, both Ahmajid and Mahmoud stand to greet him. “Admiral, we were just talking about what you might have to report today. We hope that you have good news for us,” says Mahmoud.
Taking a chair in front of the president’s desk next to the one in which Ahmajid is sitting, Aziz settles down, pulls a binder from his briefcase and sets it on the president’s desk.
“The navy wishes to advise you, sir, that all six of our Kilos are ready to depart on whatever mission you ask of us. The only thing that may delay that mission is the problems we encountered trying to improve the firing and telemetry of the new missiles you supplied us.”
“What problems?” asks Ahmajid, his eyes flashing angrily. “Jibril’s reports said we were making good headway with those missiles.”
“Fadil, it is not a problem on our end. Your engineers did a good job of modifying those missiles and making sure we could fire them. However, Russian tolerances in their submarines and the precision characteristics we require sometimes can be a world apart.” The look on Ahmajid’s face at this news doesn’t daunt the admiral. He has faced far angrier men in his lifetime.
Taking a chair in front of the president’s desk next to the one in which Ahmajid is sitting, Aziz settles down, pulls a binder from his briefcase and sets it on the president’s desk.
“The navy wishes to advise you, sir, that all six of our Kilos are ready to depart on whatever mission you ask of us. The only thing that may delay that mission is the problems we encountered trying to improve the firing and telemetry of the new missiles you supplied us.”
“What problems?” asks Ahmajid, his eyes flashing angrily. “Jibril’s reports said we were making good headway with those missiles.”
“Fadil, it is not a problem on our end. Your engineers did a good job of modifying those missiles and making sure we could fire them. However, Russian tolerances in their submarines and the precision characteristics we require sometimes can be a world apart.” The look on Ahmajid’s face at this news doesn’t daunt the admiral. He has faced far angrier men in his lifetime.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Calling Tom Clancey fans:
Lisa Parsons of Hippo Press here in Manchester NH started her book report article on "Behind The Lies," in the above manner. She goes on to say: Joe Smiga, of Manchester, has written a military thriller about Iranian submarines attacking the United States in 2010. You can read excerpts and order this book (autographed, if you choose) at his website, www.joesmiga.com.
Thank you Lisa.
Thank you Lisa.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chapter Sixty-Nine Last Week of April
The five members of the Guardian Council sit down for their meeting. In the silence, one could hear a pin drop. Each one looking solemn, no one wants to be the first to speak about what’s on all their minds: what might have happened to Atwan.
Finally, Farook speaks. “Well what does our esteemed president have to say about losing Jibril, Fadil?”
Evading the question, Ahmajid replies, “Hezbollah has no answer for us as to how he drowned. There were no signs of foul play when they found him.”
“Fadil, I may be an Imam but I am not totally ignorant to the ways of the world,” Farook bristles. “Jibril wasn’t in the habit of going swimming with his clothes on. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that Jibril hated swimming. Either we have a traitor within Hezbollah or a major assassination by the Israelis.”
“Unfortunately, we can never know what really happened,” Ahmajid replies with a fatalistic shrug. “We do have some reports from Jibril, but he was extremely cautious making contact.
Finally, Farook speaks. “Well what does our esteemed president have to say about losing Jibril, Fadil?”
Evading the question, Ahmajid replies, “Hezbollah has no answer for us as to how he drowned. There were no signs of foul play when they found him.”
“Fadil, I may be an Imam but I am not totally ignorant to the ways of the world,” Farook bristles. “Jibril wasn’t in the habit of going swimming with his clothes on. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that Jibril hated swimming. Either we have a traitor within Hezbollah or a major assassination by the Israelis.”
“Unfortunately, we can never know what really happened,” Ahmajid replies with a fatalistic shrug. “We do have some reports from Jibril, but he was extremely cautious making contact.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Chapter Sixty-Eight End of March
While reading the current issue of the Washington Post, Feroz comes across a short article hinting that the United States is preparing for war with Iran. “Asim, look at this. The Post must have a source within the government that’s feeding it military information.”
“Why do you say that, Feroz?”
“You know as well as I that the Post will print any leaks it can get its hands on. Two weeks ago, I read a small blurb just like this one,” he remarks, pointing to a paragraph in a column of political tidbits and trivia, “saying that it’s possible that the United States and Iran could to go to war over the nuclear enrichment issue.”
Asim shakes his head. “Sounds like a lot of conjecture to me, Feroz. I don’t think it’s any big deal.”
“I thought so too, when I read the first piece. But now I read this. They are saying war is ‘highly probable’ between the two countries.”
“You think it’s a leak from the administration? We haven’t picked up anything like that from any of our contacts in Congress or from anyone here in the U.N.”
“I know, it’s just that I feel the Post has something it’s trying to get out, and that this is the safest way they can do it.”
“Feroz, put your supposition into a report and let headquarters have someone contact the Post to see if they can learn who the source is. That’s the safest way for us to handle it. Personally, I don’t think their president has the balls.” Asim laughs.
“Why do you say that, Feroz?”
“You know as well as I that the Post will print any leaks it can get its hands on. Two weeks ago, I read a small blurb just like this one,” he remarks, pointing to a paragraph in a column of political tidbits and trivia, “saying that it’s possible that the United States and Iran could to go to war over the nuclear enrichment issue.”
Asim shakes his head. “Sounds like a lot of conjecture to me, Feroz. I don’t think it’s any big deal.”
“I thought so too, when I read the first piece. But now I read this. They are saying war is ‘highly probable’ between the two countries.”
“You think it’s a leak from the administration? We haven’t picked up anything like that from any of our contacts in Congress or from anyone here in the U.N.”
“I know, it’s just that I feel the Post has something it’s trying to get out, and that this is the safest way they can do it.”
“Feroz, put your supposition into a report and let headquarters have someone contact the Post to see if they can learn who the source is. That’s the safest way for us to handle it. Personally, I don’t think their president has the balls.” Asim laughs.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Chapter Sixty-Seven End of February
President Khasanjani then leaves the podium and takes his seat.
Conversation erupts on all sides among the various members of the General Assembly. It would appear that Khasanjani’s message has made a very clear point: either you give us what we want, or somehow, someone will pay the consequences. Some members would do anything to avoid conflict. Others are tired of being pushed around by leaders like Khasanjani.
Mary O’Rourke gets up from her seat. She turns and thanks the president of Iran for his presentation. Then she stands before the great assembly. “You are the representatives of our world body. We need to hear from you regarding Iran’s request to eliminate the current sanctions. We will reconvene in three hours. I hope that will give you sufficient time to make your decisions.”
Members jump to their feet and leave quickly, off to contact their governments as to how they should vote on this unexpected state of affairs.
Mary watches them clear the hall. I knew I sensed trouble, but dear heavens, not this. I wonder what the final outcome will be.
Conversation erupts on all sides among the various members of the General Assembly. It would appear that Khasanjani’s message has made a very clear point: either you give us what we want, or somehow, someone will pay the consequences. Some members would do anything to avoid conflict. Others are tired of being pushed around by leaders like Khasanjani.
Mary O’Rourke gets up from her seat. She turns and thanks the president of Iran for his presentation. Then she stands before the great assembly. “You are the representatives of our world body. We need to hear from you regarding Iran’s request to eliminate the current sanctions. We will reconvene in three hours. I hope that will give you sufficient time to make your decisions.”
Members jump to their feet and leave quickly, off to contact their governments as to how they should vote on this unexpected state of affairs.
Mary watches them clear the hall. I knew I sensed trouble, but dear heavens, not this. I wonder what the final outcome will be.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Miami Internation Book Fair
"Behind The Lies," will be featured, in the Xlibris booth, at the Miami International Book Fair beginning Friday, November 13th and ending Sunday afternoon November 15th. Over 100,000 visitors are expected to pass through the 26th annual book fair. The audience contains, book lovers, agents, publishers, media personnel and other related individuals.
Chapter Sixty-Six Middle of February
The president is livid. In all the years she has worked for him, his secretary has never heard him use the tone of voice she’s hearing.
“Janet, I want the chairman of the joint chiefs, the national security director and the director of the CIA in the Oval Office at 1:00 this afternoon. No excuses.”
Whoa, something’s going on. She can’t put a finger on it right now, but she does know she wouldn’t want to have to answer for it.
Fifteen minutes later she has replies from the three, who will all be there. Even though she doesn’t understand the reason behind his tone of voice, she gives each of them a heads-up to be prepared for an unpleasant meeting.
“Janet, I want the chairman of the joint chiefs, the national security director and the director of the CIA in the Oval Office at 1:00 this afternoon. No excuses.”
Whoa, something’s going on. She can’t put a finger on it right now, but she does know she wouldn’t want to have to answer for it.
Fifteen minutes later she has replies from the three, who will all be there. Even though she doesn’t understand the reason behind his tone of voice, she gives each of them a heads-up to be prepared for an unpleasant meeting.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Chapter Sixty-Five The Same Week
“Pat, this whole thing, a pre-emptive strike on Iran, is wrong. I haven’t gotten a full night’s sleep since the president shared his plans with us and told us to keep a lid on it.”
“Maria, he hasn’t said he’s definitely going to war,” the vice president reminds her. “The way I see it, he’s making plans in case we have no choice but to go to war.”
“I hear you,” Sterling says, “speaking like a true-blue vice president. Remember, it’s me you’re talking to, not the media.”
“Maria, we have good intelligence coming from Whispering. This is something we can’t ignore. Besides, the Israelis are providing us with additional intelligence that certainly seems to confirm everything we have.”
“Why shouldn’t they, Pat? They’re no fools. They’ll get the full might and muscle of the United States to fight a war that’s really their war.”
“Maria, are you being objective? Or do I sense a touch of anti-Semitism in your thinking?”
Sterling stops and does some soul-searching. “Maybe,” she admits. “I’ve never trusted Jews. However, this isn’t just about Israel. We’ve just gotten out of Iraq, and that was a debacle. This could be a hell of a lot worse. I don’t want to sound paranoid, but it isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination to see this battle being brought to our shores this time. Not to mention that the political fallout from this could be the end of our party.”
Pat Devonshire hesitates a few moments before he responds. “Are you suggesting that we let it get out?”
“Maria, he hasn’t said he’s definitely going to war,” the vice president reminds her. “The way I see it, he’s making plans in case we have no choice but to go to war.”
“I hear you,” Sterling says, “speaking like a true-blue vice president. Remember, it’s me you’re talking to, not the media.”
“Maria, we have good intelligence coming from Whispering. This is something we can’t ignore. Besides, the Israelis are providing us with additional intelligence that certainly seems to confirm everything we have.”
“Why shouldn’t they, Pat? They’re no fools. They’ll get the full might and muscle of the United States to fight a war that’s really their war.”
“Maria, are you being objective? Or do I sense a touch of anti-Semitism in your thinking?”
Sterling stops and does some soul-searching. “Maybe,” she admits. “I’ve never trusted Jews. However, this isn’t just about Israel. We’ve just gotten out of Iraq, and that was a debacle. This could be a hell of a lot worse. I don’t want to sound paranoid, but it isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination to see this battle being brought to our shores this time. Not to mention that the political fallout from this could be the end of our party.”
Pat Devonshire hesitates a few moments before he responds. “Are you suggesting that we let it get out?”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Chapter Sixty-Four Early February
“Thank you Admiral,” Hargrove says. “General?”
“Certainly,” Bradley says, then launches into his presentation. “Mr. President, when we’re good and sure that the air’s clear of our missiles, our B-2A stealth bombers, taking off from Diego Garcia, will make a run on the designated targets you choose to eliminate the Iranian hierarchy. We’ll use pin-point laser-guided bombs, designed to penetrate concrete before they explode.”
“General, how will you know whether or not you’ll be dealing with anti-aircraft missile sites still remaining?” the president asks.
“Sir, after talking with both the directors of the CIA and the NSA, we’ve been assured that we’ll have second-to-second coverage of Tehran, and most all of Iran, for a full twelve hours when we need it. With our B-2As, we plan to eradicate the government of Iran. Remember, sir, the B-2A is the most advanced aircraft in the world. They don’t call them stealth bombers for nothing.”
“I hear you, James, but you and I aren’t the pilots sitting in those cockpits.” The president then looks to General Sanford to continue. “Victor, what do you want to add to this proposal?”
“Certainly,” Bradley says, then launches into his presentation. “Mr. President, when we’re good and sure that the air’s clear of our missiles, our B-2A stealth bombers, taking off from Diego Garcia, will make a run on the designated targets you choose to eliminate the Iranian hierarchy. We’ll use pin-point laser-guided bombs, designed to penetrate concrete before they explode.”
“General, how will you know whether or not you’ll be dealing with anti-aircraft missile sites still remaining?” the president asks.
“Sir, after talking with both the directors of the CIA and the NSA, we’ve been assured that we’ll have second-to-second coverage of Tehran, and most all of Iran, for a full twelve hours when we need it. With our B-2As, we plan to eradicate the government of Iran. Remember, sir, the B-2A is the most advanced aircraft in the world. They don’t call them stealth bombers for nothing.”
“I hear you, James, but you and I aren’t the pilots sitting in those cockpits.” The president then looks to General Sanford to continue. “Victor, what do you want to add to this proposal?”
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