“Time works for us. Every moment that we keep them contained, they grow weaker. If we can hold the borders for thirty to sixty days, they will be neutralized. The Russians are going to defend Turkey and we must hold Iraq and Afghanistan. More than likely we can deploy most of our Afghanistan forces for this strategic operation and then move them back in place once we are successful. We will ask the Iraq government to join us in the defense of its own border as they certainly will not want the Iranians overrunning their lands. This is a war that is already half won and now we must follow it through properly and ultimately defeat the Iranians for all time. If we can pull this off we will go down in history as the administration that stopped the Iranian threat.
“With the Iranians out of the way, our efforts in Afghanistan will be quickly realized as the source of their wealth will be gone.
“In effect, we are talking about the creation of a new world order in which we will be allies with the Russians as never before. It is likely that the Russians will emerge from all this as the number one world power, however we must begin plans immediately to give them a run for their money. They had a decade to get their house in order and it will take us as long to do the same.
“We must bring an end to petty partisan politics which has brought us to this point and begin a long-range plan that will bring prosperity.
“In effect the destruction of the tankers was Armageddon for the extremist Islamic world. One can only imagine that somehow the hand of God was involved and it is up to us to see that His work is done. God bless America!”
“GOD BLESS AMERICA!” echoed throughout the Oval Office.
Landenberger suddenly realized that in his excitement he was standing on his desk. “We must deploy our troops to the Iraqi border ASAP. They have a million-man army and they will fight to the death — AND WE ARE GOING TO STOP THEM!” Everyone get down to the WHSR. IT’S GOING TO BE AN ALL-NIGHTER!”
Robinson hoped he could work it out with Turner.
The trio had arrived in Baltimore and a Red Cross plane was going to take a planeload of workers back to Somalia in the next hour. They had talked about where they were headed with the relationship during the trip.
“It was agreed that I would go back to Somalia from the beginning,” argued Turner. “You offered a ride and I took it. I would like to stay but my work is there. We can email and keep in touch.”
It sounded like a brush-off. Maybe he had moved too fast. “You could do your work in D.C. and we could be together.”
“Yeah, and you want me to give it all up — and what will you give up?”
“Don’t you see it would be a good life for you?”
“I suppose I will sit at home while you go gallivant’n around the world.”
“Not really. You enjoyed the company of everyone at the party and everyone thought you were wonderful. You would make new friends and become a part of the D.C. scene. Besides I would take you with me if you wanted to go. I must be at the Kremlin ASAP to discuss the current crisis. You could accompany me.”
“Your work comes first as it should,” she said in a matter of fact manner. “You are important to the security of the US — the president depends upon you. My work is just as important to me; I save lives too. I work with individuals while you deal with heads of state trying to save millions of lives. We have been living in different worlds for so long.”
It went back and forth like this for an hour. Robinson loved her and she loved him. It was unfortunate their work pulled them in opposite directions.
Turner carried her bag into the terminal while Robinson took mom back to the house as she was tired from the trip. He promised to return to see her off. While he was driving, his mom wondered, “Do you really want to be with her?”
“Yes, I do Mom.” He felt a sinking feeling in his chest when he thought of Turner leaving D.C.
“You should go with her. You could get a government job in Somalia and be with her if you wanted. One call to Landenberger and you could be an ambassador. He’d probably tell you to keep the same job. You are all over the world and you spend little time in D.C. when you think about it.”
“I never thought of that.”
“You could make it happen if you really loved her….” She fell asleep.
She is right. It is the man who always wants the woman to make the sacrifices. This is something I want and I would be foolish to let her go. I’ll work out something with Landenberger. It’s possible I’ll actually keep the same job and simply work out of Somalia. All those trips across the Atlantic would be eliminated. I could be at the Kremlin in a few hours, Israel, Egypt, Iraq and all of Africa. I could tell Landenberger I decided to set up camp there and save time and not really say any more than that. I would not be navigating around D.C. as much, but it is not that important.
When he settled his mom into the house, he packed up a couple of suitcases and headed back for BWI-Marshall. Turner looked surprised when he marched into the terminal with the suitcases. “What are you up to?” she inquired, looking puzzled.
“I’m going with you. One of us has to make some sacrifices and I decided I’m going with you.”
“What?” She scratched her head.
“Yes, I’m going with you.”
“You can’t pack up your bags and quit your job.”
“Why not? I can get a job anywhere. I could very well be the next American ambassador to Somalia. It’s possible I can keep the job I already have and work the whole thing from Somalia. I’ve got it all worked out.”
“You are serious?”
“Yes — there is nothing you can do to convince me otherwise.” He smiled. He dropped his bags onto the stand at the baggage counter.
“Who are you?” inquired the clerk.
“I’m with her. I figured you would have room for one more. It is a chartered flight and you can take anyone you want. At least that is what I assumed.”
“You assumed wrong. You cannot board this plane. It is for Red Cross workers only.”
“I can pay for a ticket.”
“It doesn’t work that way. Haven’t you ever been on a plane?”
“He owns a jet!” Turner jumped into the fracas. “He travels in different circles than the rest of us.”
She pulled him aside. “You can’t go on my plane. It just isn’t done. You can’t walk up to a counter five minutes before a plane takes off and climb aboard.”
“I’m sorry. I am desperate here.”
“You are the sweetest. Here’s what we can do. I’ll get on the plane. The next time you find yourself in Somalia we’ll take some time and talk this out.”
“OK — I’ll be there in a few days. That will give me time to get things straight with Landenberger. I’ll stand here and watch your plane take off if that is OK with you.”
He gave her a kiss and watched her disappear down the hallway.
He stood in the window watching the planes come and go. It is best not to run off so quickly. I can let Landenberger know I’m going to work out of Somalia and keep an eye on the Russians. With all that they have pulled in the last month, he’ll understand. I should be in Moscow by tonight for that meeting with Kuznetsov and Vissarionovich. Should I let them know that I am on to them? Probably not — that would be like showing your cards at a poker table. I’ll play along and see what devilish schemes they have in mind.
The plane taxied to the end of the runway then raced off into the sky. He picked up his luggage and turned around and saw Turner coming back through the gate.