“And what type of equipment are you looking for from me?”
“We have a list of various mechanical and electrical components that we are searching for, to fulfill the needs of several clients,” replies Hussein.
“And what kinds of components would these be?” The comment is made in an aggravated, disparaging tone.
“The utilities we are working with are looking for large horsepower generators, impeller drives, gear reduction units, flow valves, steam turbines and switch gear panels, for their control rooms,” Dakham tells him, unperturbed, then asks, “Is this something that you can assist us with, or perhaps you can recommend someone else for us to visit while we are here?”
“Do you have a list?” Dimitri asks, his words a command, not a question.
“Of course.” Hussein produces a document and hands it over to Dimitri, who merely gives it a perfunctory, almost dismissive glance.
“Vicktor, bring Ivan up.”
A couple of minutes later Vicktor returns with a small man who looks to be in his fifties, wearing grease-covered coveralls.
“Ivan, I want you to take this list and see if we have any of these things in inventory. If not, check our other sources.”
“Yes, sir,” Ivan says, taking the list, he promptly heads back downstairs.
“Gentlemen,” returning his disdainful gaze to Hussein and Dakham, “give us a few days. We will get back to you if we can be of some assistance. If not, then I suppose we could recommend another source.”
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Chapter Twenty-One July Departure
As their gear is being unloaded and stored below decks, Schwartz, Silberberg and Bergman take a long look at each other. Nothing needs to be said. They all realize that this could very well be the last time they see each other.
“I expect to hear from both of you when you arrive on site,” Bergman says, breaking the solemn moment. “Remember, if you’re able to gather the information we need sooner than we have anticipated, move out. Do not remain any longer than you absolutely have to and put yourselves in unnecessary danger.”
Both Schwartz and Silberberg give Bergman a warm hug, both realizing that Bergman is as committed to the mission and anxious for their safety as they are. The three shake hands and board the sub.
Bergman takes one last look at them going aboard and prays God to protect them, for Israel’s sake, for their families’ sakes, and for his sake. Their loss on this mission, which for better or for worse was my idea, would be a burden I would bear for the rest of my life.
Climbing back up into the rental truck, he backs around and heads south to Tel Aviv. His nerves grow tenser with each passing mile – and the knowledge that the mission is actually about to begin.
“I expect to hear from both of you when you arrive on site,” Bergman says, breaking the solemn moment. “Remember, if you’re able to gather the information we need sooner than we have anticipated, move out. Do not remain any longer than you absolutely have to and put yourselves in unnecessary danger.”
Both Schwartz and Silberberg give Bergman a warm hug, both realizing that Bergman is as committed to the mission and anxious for their safety as they are. The three shake hands and board the sub.
Bergman takes one last look at them going aboard and prays God to protect them, for Israel’s sake, for their families’ sakes, and for his sake. Their loss on this mission, which for better or for worse was my idea, would be a burden I would bear for the rest of my life.
Climbing back up into the rental truck, he backs around and heads south to Tel Aviv. His nerves grow tenser with each passing mile – and the knowledge that the mission is actually about to begin.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Chapter Twenty Authorized Mission
Silberberg looks over at Schwartz, who nods that Silberberg should take the question. Silberberg smiles.
“We’ll be ready to set sail one week from Tuesday,” Silberberg says with confidence. “This will give us sufficient time to check out all of the equipment, once it has arrived, have some time with the captain to go over things with him, and still allow for a drop day of two weeks from Monday, which is what we want to aim for. Unfortunately we do have to go the long way around the Cape, for security reasons.”
“Getting dropped off on a Monday will give us sufficient time to arrive at our first target area by Friday, based on traveling only at night,” Schwartz adds.
“Why Friday,” Jacob asks.
Silberberg explains his theory of the Muslim equivalent of Shabbat. “We feel that we’ll have the least intrusion into our activities, setting up on site, if we time our arrival then,” Silberberg explains.
“Anything else before we complete this meeting?” asks Jacob.
“Only that Yosef and I still need to work out our transfer of goods to Hidden Talents, which we can take care of after this meeting,” replies Schwartz.
Sitting there, sweat pouring down from his armpits, his hands icy cold, Bergman speaks up for the first time. “I will call you first thing in the morning, Natan.”
“Captain, is there anything else?” Jacob asks.
“No, sir. We can handle this.”
All of the men rise and shake hands as they leave the chief of staff’s conference room. All are aware of Bergman’s cold hands. Bergman leaves thinking, Oh my God, this impossible idea of mine is really going to happen. God help us all.
“We’ll be ready to set sail one week from Tuesday,” Silberberg says with confidence. “This will give us sufficient time to check out all of the equipment, once it has arrived, have some time with the captain to go over things with him, and still allow for a drop day of two weeks from Monday, which is what we want to aim for. Unfortunately we do have to go the long way around the Cape, for security reasons.”
“Getting dropped off on a Monday will give us sufficient time to arrive at our first target area by Friday, based on traveling only at night,” Schwartz adds.
“Why Friday,” Jacob asks.
Silberberg explains his theory of the Muslim equivalent of Shabbat. “We feel that we’ll have the least intrusion into our activities, setting up on site, if we time our arrival then,” Silberberg explains.
“Anything else before we complete this meeting?” asks Jacob.
“Only that Yosef and I still need to work out our transfer of goods to Hidden Talents, which we can take care of after this meeting,” replies Schwartz.
Sitting there, sweat pouring down from his armpits, his hands icy cold, Bergman speaks up for the first time. “I will call you first thing in the morning, Natan.”
“Captain, is there anything else?” Jacob asks.
“No, sir. We can handle this.”
All of the men rise and shake hands as they leave the chief of staff’s conference room. All are aware of Bergman’s cold hands. Bergman leaves thinking, Oh my God, this impossible idea of mine is really going to happen. God help us all.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chapter Nineteen After Their Trip
Scanning the breakfast menu both men are amazed at the number of selections it offers. Breakfast menus are nothing like this back home, nor in Pakistan. Hussein chooses a small juice and an order of French toast. Dakham decides to eat hardy. He orders a large juice, two eggs over easy, plus an order of pancakes.
Suddenly, as they are just starting to eat, just as both agree they could get to like living like this, the man from the newsstand walks into the dining room and takes a seat along the opposite wall facing them. They cannot miss noticing him; he’s still wearing the same brown leather coat and bulky red sweater he wore on the plane yesterday.
“Shit,” Dakham says quietly. “Can’t we even have a comfortable breakfast?”
“Don’t lose it!” Hussein jokes. “However, I don’t believe in coincidences either, so I would venture to say we have a tail. Where he’s from I have no clue, but he sure as hell wants us to know he’s here. Any suggestions?”
Dakham replies, “Well, let’s take our time with breakfast and see how much time he has to spare. If he’s really a tail, he will wait until we move. If he’s not, then we may be just overreacting.”
“Maybe we are,” Hussein concurs, “maybe a little, since let’s face it, we are new at this. Yet my gut is telling me, other than how much it appreciates this French toast, that somehow this guy is here to play a part in whatever it is we are getting ourselves involved in.”
“Me too,” says Dakham. “I suggest we finish our breakfast and get out of the hotel for a while. See if he follows us, yes, but I will also lay you odds that our rooms are bugged. I would rather not say anything of importance within these walls.”
“Very wise,” Hussein compliments his partner.
Suddenly, as they are just starting to eat, just as both agree they could get to like living like this, the man from the newsstand walks into the dining room and takes a seat along the opposite wall facing them. They cannot miss noticing him; he’s still wearing the same brown leather coat and bulky red sweater he wore on the plane yesterday.
“Shit,” Dakham says quietly. “Can’t we even have a comfortable breakfast?”
“Don’t lose it!” Hussein jokes. “However, I don’t believe in coincidences either, so I would venture to say we have a tail. Where he’s from I have no clue, but he sure as hell wants us to know he’s here. Any suggestions?”
Dakham replies, “Well, let’s take our time with breakfast and see how much time he has to spare. If he’s really a tail, he will wait until we move. If he’s not, then we may be just overreacting.”
“Maybe we are,” Hussein concurs, “maybe a little, since let’s face it, we are new at this. Yet my gut is telling me, other than how much it appreciates this French toast, that somehow this guy is here to play a part in whatever it is we are getting ourselves involved in.”
“Me too,” says Dakham. “I suggest we finish our breakfast and get out of the hotel for a while. See if he follows us, yes, but I will also lay you odds that our rooms are bugged. I would rather not say anything of importance within these walls.”
“Very wise,” Hussein compliments his partner.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Chapter Eighteen Third Week of June
“Natan, you look like you didn’t get any sleep last night. I haven’t seen bags under your eyes this bad since we went on that drunk after our last trek in the Negev. You need rollers for these bags.”
“Very funny. I got some sleep,” Schwartz protested, “but I couldn’t get my mind to shut down on all the planning we need to do, the logistics of the operation. I just know that I will be a far happier man when we can get in there, get the job done and get out.”
“You know, you could let me share some of that load,” Silberberg offers with all sincerity.
“Mark, you have enough to do, making sure we have all of the equipment and supplies we need, making sure that everything is in operating order, making sure we haven’t missed anything.”
“Yeah, the pressure is on both of us,” Silberberg agrees. “The last three desert treks we did, the IDF delivered all the equipment we needed. All we had to do was follow IDF orders. IDF did all the planning and supplying. But so can we. Now, though, I’m realizing how much we took for granted, what all goes into planning an operation on this scale. Holy shit, this can be a real mind trip when you’re never done it before.”
“Good. Face it and get it off your chest,” Schwartz encourages his partner. “But we’ll be okay, Mark. It’s just new, having to rely on ourselves almost exclusively, except for Yosef and whoever ferries us in. This is our show.”
“And speaking of Yosef,” Silberberg interrupts, “let’s give him a call and see how he’s making out with his end of things.”
Schwartz picks up the secure line on his desk, then dials the special number Bergman left with them. After the third ring, Bergman picks up. “Code words, please.”
“A million dollars,” says Schwartz.
“Okay, Natan. What can I do for you this morning.”
“Very funny. I got some sleep,” Schwartz protested, “but I couldn’t get my mind to shut down on all the planning we need to do, the logistics of the operation. I just know that I will be a far happier man when we can get in there, get the job done and get out.”
“You know, you could let me share some of that load,” Silberberg offers with all sincerity.
“Mark, you have enough to do, making sure we have all of the equipment and supplies we need, making sure that everything is in operating order, making sure we haven’t missed anything.”
“Yeah, the pressure is on both of us,” Silberberg agrees. “The last three desert treks we did, the IDF delivered all the equipment we needed. All we had to do was follow IDF orders. IDF did all the planning and supplying. But so can we. Now, though, I’m realizing how much we took for granted, what all goes into planning an operation on this scale. Holy shit, this can be a real mind trip when you’re never done it before.”
“Good. Face it and get it off your chest,” Schwartz encourages his partner. “But we’ll be okay, Mark. It’s just new, having to rely on ourselves almost exclusively, except for Yosef and whoever ferries us in. This is our show.”
“And speaking of Yosef,” Silberberg interrupts, “let’s give him a call and see how he’s making out with his end of things.”
Schwartz picks up the secure line on his desk, then dials the special number Bergman left with them. After the third ring, Bergman picks up. “Code words, please.”
“A million dollars,” says Schwartz.
“Okay, Natan. What can I do for you this morning.”
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hooray We Made It--It's Published
Thursday, April 30th became a very special day for me. “Behind The Lies,” my first novel, a military thriller began being published. Excerpts from this novel are on the blog and I will continue to post something from each of the one hundred and six chapters. It is currently available for purchase from Xlibris the publisher on their website www.Xlibris.com or if you would like a signed copy you can log onto www.joesmiga.com. My first shipment of one hundred and twenty books will arrive three weeks from the publishing date. Writing the novel took twenty-six months and the process of finding the right editor and working with the publisher took another fifteen months. Now begins the process of marketing the novel.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chapter Seventeen Meeting with Top Military Leaders
President Egan calls Janet White and instructs her to set a date one week from this Friday for him to meet with Admiral Smith and Generals Bradley and Sanford. “Make it for in the Situation Room. It will just be the four of us,” he tells her. “We’ll start at nine. Tell them to plan to spend all day if necessary. And arrange for Marine guards posted outside.”
“I’ll contact the admiral and the generals, sir,” Janet answers. Two hours later, she confirms the meeting.
“Janet,” the president adds, “If anyone needs my attention that day, you are to instruct them I am unavailable unless it is, literally, a national emergency. If absolutely necessary, you, and only you, are to call me in the Situation Room.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. President. I’ll handle my end.” Janet could not keep from smiling at the thought of how the rest of the president’s staff will take this. They’re gonna go bonkers, she thinks with pleasure, wondering why they weren’t included and what’s going on.
“I’ll contact the admiral and the generals, sir,” Janet answers. Two hours later, she confirms the meeting.
“Janet,” the president adds, “If anyone needs my attention that day, you are to instruct them I am unavailable unless it is, literally, a national emergency. If absolutely necessary, you, and only you, are to call me in the Situation Room.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. President. I’ll handle my end.” Janet could not keep from smiling at the thought of how the rest of the president’s staff will take this. They’re gonna go bonkers, she thinks with pleasure, wondering why they weren’t included and what’s going on.
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