The SecDef sat on the left. “I say we don’t pay and we formulate a plan to end this militarily. I can present plans developed by our think tank at the Pentagon. If we take ’em out successfully we will demonstrate to the world that we are not weak willed and it will serve as a warning to others.”
The CIA Director Larry Costano was next. “We could take them out. The Middle Eastern world will see it as a sign of weakness if we do otherwise. If we made that decision I would recommend that we do it quickly and efficiently. Tomorrow would be best.”
Adelberg offered an opinion from across the table. “I could flip a coin on this. I’d listen to the talk at the UN and go with the political wind.”
Landenberger said, “I like that idea. Robinson are you there?”
“Yes, Mr. President — I like that idea too. We can’t go treating this like Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral. If we decided to shoot it out there is always the possibility it would all blow up in our face like the Bay of Pigs fiasco.”
“Our time is up. I thank you all for your opinions. I can tell you my decision on this will take some time. I don’t think the public will hold it against me for taking time to think this out. The stakes are very high and the proper decision must be made.”
The Press Room was packed.
Landenberger wasted no time and worked without a prompter. “Approximately 5:40 p.m. Eastern Standard Time I received word from Admiral Mahdi the leader of the Somali Marines that twenty-seven tankers have been hijacked in the Middle East. While we were discussing the terms, another two tankers were hijacked.”
He went on to describe the events of the last hour and then gave assurance. “I will do everything in my power to secure the release of the hostages and to secure the tankers. I must discuss these events with our allies and I am sure that we will arrive at a solution we can all live with. My sympathies go out to the families of the hostages of our American citizens and those of all countries as we all share our problems on an international stage. As to whether we will pay the ransom, the decision has not yet been reached.
“I will shortly order the Strategic Oil Reserve to be released into our economy immediately and there will be no shortages of fuel. There is no reason to panic or to hoard. There will be no need for any price controls as there is no shortage. I would hope that everyone go about their lives and allow the government time to do its job as we are the servants of the people and are doing our best to serve and protect. God bless America.”
The news was bad.
GAS PRICES DOUBLE OVERNIGHT.
In spite of the president’s press conference gas lines formed all night and reports of shortages appeared at dawn. A station here and there placed TEMPORARILY SOLD OUT signs at the pumps and remained open for the concessions business where they assured everyone they would be back in business the next day when the truck made the usual delivery.
The stock market opened with panic selling that lasted until noon when buyers began picking up bargains. At three o’ clock the rally lost momentum and selling continued until the final bell with the DOW down about 824 points for the day. The international markets behaved about the same.
The King of Saudi Arabia, King Faraj, addressed the Assembly at the UN. This was an unusual occurrence, however these were extraordinary times. “It is with a heavy heart that brings me to you this day. Our neighbors are prevented from delivering their oil to the world markets and we find ourselves somewhat unaffected and are fortunate that we have the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to deliver our goods. We would look for a more permanent solution to the pirating of tankers in the Middle East.
“We have an old folk tale in which an elephant is pestered by a fly and is unable to do anything to guard against it. We may very well have a similar circumstance before us in which we need a spider to catch a fly. In that spirit we have committed several patrol boats and corvettes, along with our Frigates, to the Gulf of Oman. While this will not help the present circumstance it may be of assistance in preventing another such occurrence. We will do our part to pay the ransom although none of our citizens are being held. It is in the spirit of good will to our international neighbors that we offer this. May Allah be with us this day.”
Robinson caught some of the events on TV. He imagined that discussions were going on behind closed doors all over the globe. What struck him the most was the very different reactions from country to country. “To pay or not to pay?” seemed to be the big question and while this was going on the clock was ticking and the final bill was going up. On a personal level Robinson always paid his credit card diligently each month and only on the rarest of occasions did he pay any interest. He learned frugality from his parents who never bothered to obtain a credit card. They did have a checking account and when they sent the card that went with it, they were determined to tear it up. He informed them that it was like writing a check and saved about ten cents and they would not need to have as many checks printed. After three days of persistence Mom understood and explained to Dad that it was the smart way to shop at the grocery store. “It still looks like a credit card!”
Landenberger had not pressed the issue with the other world leaders and was apparently content to let others make the decision as to when to pay. He did address the Assembly as he felt it would demonstrate that the incident was important enough to make a statement rather than leave it to a subordinate.
Families of the hostages appeared round the clock on CNN and FOX begging the world leaders to make the payment. One family began raising money although it was a hopelessly large amount for a single family to bear. Robinson imagined they did it to make a statement more than anything else.
The opinion poll by Time reported that Americans were divided down the middle and were leaning more and more toward taking military action as time wore on. The third day passed without much notice and he imagined Mahdi probably wondered more than anyone how it would play out.
Mahdi contacted him the fifth day to reiterate that a late payment was not to be negotiated for a different figure. Robinson sensed the tiniest bit of anxiety beneath the rough exterior. During the course of several conversations he began to sense that the hostages were in good hands and that Mahdi never intended to kill anyone. He recalled the report from the SecDef that indicated that Mahdi killed within his own ranks, but drew the line for the innocent. The prestige of pulling off an international event of this stature would make him somewhat untouchable within his ranks. When it was all over Robinson imagined a $25 million-dollar bounty would be offered much like Bin Laden. How much good did that do?
A reporter standing outside the UN reported, “Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab addressed the Council this afternoon expressing his dissatisfaction with the Western leaders who seemed to be floundering on the payment of the ransom. He reminded them that time was of the essence and that his country was anxious to have their ships passing through the area. He chastised the world leaders in the audience for deliberating so long and encouraged them to reach a decision soon. The Russians announced that they felt the ransom should be paid, the Chinese had no real stance and Israel apparently has decided to not offer any comments.”
FOX rushed to show internet footage of riots that were breaking out in the streets of Iran. Students demonstrated on the campuses apparently unhappy with the Ayatollah and Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab. Gas stations had closed down for lack of refining and the inability to import any fuel. Recent elections were brought into the mix from the previous demonstrations as being rigged. The economy was collapsing by the hour. Business owners were busy boarding up the storefronts and sat inside the stores with shotguns.