He punched the redial on the cell. It was dead.
Landenberger called back. “I’m sorry boys. It’s a “no go” for Operation Watchdogg. There could be too much political fallout from this….”
Chapter Four
“I apologize for the interruption.” Whittman poured ice water into a paper cup and gulped it down. “Now what was the question, Chip?”
“Israel — would we defend Israel from a nuclear threat?”
“It is difficult to judge something like that as there would be many details to consider. I imagine we would do everything in our power — we always have considered Israel to be our closest ally in the Middle East.”
“A ballpark statement would do. Suppose Iran launches a dozen nuclear missiles at Israel….”
“Well in the event of such overt provocation, that could be considered a threat to our own security. Israel would very likely defend itself. As you know, Israel possesses the fourth largest military in the world and is quite capable of defending itself from something like that.
“We have the NATO Missile Defense System nearly in place and an attempt to eliminate Israel in the manner in which you suggest would not succeed. In that respect, you could say we are defending Israel this very moment and all of Europe as well. Such an overt attack is unlikely because of the EIS. It is more probable that terrorist tactics would be used and we will need to see that such things as 9/11 never happen again.
“I might add that there has been much unwarranted hysteria in the last day because the real question is ‘How does one deliver a WMD of this size?’ And the answer is that it is nearly impossible and as far as we know unmanned missiles cannot do this. Tiny WMD’s can be delivered, but nothing on this magnitude can be launched with the smaller missiles they possess.
“We believe that Iran did this massive test to intimidate the world community and probably has, somewhat at this moment in time — succeeded. I can assure you our sanctions are going to work as we are not alone in viewing these hostile actions as threats to our security.
“Iran, in the end, will succumb to world pressure in one way or another. The president is preparing an address to the nation ASAP, probably in the next day or so, and he will outline the reasons to remain calm and describe some of the systems in place that protect us from a nuclear threat. That is the end of our time today ladies and gentlemen of the Press Corp. We will look forward to seeing each and every one of you tomorrow.”
Captain Davis spoke first. “You are the commander-in-chief. I would not presume to know more about this than you, Mr. President. If there is any way at all acceptable to you my men are ready to do their duty. We could scale it down to one Blackhawk — go unarmed — stay under the radar. Take no risks — we simply want to be there for Robinson.”
“One Blackhawk — no guns. Abort the mission at the first sign of a problem. You could do that in all good conscience?”
“We would be undetected — stealth.”
Bumgardner jumped in. “It would be a risk, Mr. President. Every operation like this has risks.”
Landenberger spoke, “No cowboy antics. I want professionals — your best men with cool heads. In and out — win or lose.”
Davis. “Cool heads. I have them here Mr. President. The best in the world are right here.”
“Never better?”
“Never better!”
“Do it!”
12.5 seconds later a Blackhawk left the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford with the best of the best headed for Caracas. Operation Watchdogg had commenced.
“Red Dog uno has arrived,” whispered Maria. “The guards are talking about him now. He is in the library.”
“All of you must promise me to remain here.” Robinson reminded the trio of servants, “If you try to make a break for it you’ll probably be shot in the courtyard. Rio will probably retain your services and you will all be let out shortly when I mention to him that you are down here.”
“Maria, it is time.”
“Yoo-hoo!” She banged on the wooden door. “I have a present for you!”
“Yeah. Whatdaya want?”
“I need a big strong man to open a bottle of wine and share it with me. You must be thirsty out there.”
“I dunno.”
“It is kind of lonely in here.”
“Forget it. Go away.”
“I feel sorry for you. I can hand you a Chateau Mouton Rothschild and no would ever know.”
“Chateau Mouton Rothschild?”
“It is a very fine wine, amigo.”
“I’m going to open the door and you can hand it to me. Don’t you dare try anything.”
The door opened and Robinson grabbed his hand as it peeked inside and slammed it against his arm. The pair wrestled to the tiled floor and the guard went for the revolver still snuggled in his holster. Robinson blocked the arm and grabbed the wrist with both hands twisting it as hard as he could. The guard cried out in pain while Robinson wrenched the arm around behind his back and brought the other around his neck and began choking off the air. He pushed him forward headfirst into the brick wall, stunning him. When the guard turned around he was staring down the barrel of his own gun. Robinson locked him in the wine cellar with the others and instructed everyone to treat him well. He stuffed the revolver down his back and headed for the library.
Jamal Sheikh Sharmarke, Prime Minister of Somalia addressed the General Assembly late in the afternoon. “…and my country needs the support of the nations of the world in order to restore order. Ethiopia overruns our border and runs my country red with the blood of its people. Millions live in refugee camps and thousands are dying of starvation from lack of medical attention as we speak. Bands of marauders commit genocide as they roam the countryside wiping out entire villages without remorse or fear of punishment.
“Al-Nakbah, Al-Sha-baab, Hezbollah, Hammas, and Al-Qaeda to mention a few, use our country as a breeding ground for terror training camps that eventually spreads like a cancer across the globe. If there is a war on terror, let it begin here as these groups look for weakness and have found it. We have no means to fight terror when our concerns are of the survival of our own countrymen. We welcome any and all into our country that would offer a helping hand.
“I warn you today that there will be a day of reckoning for the entire world in which your neglect will show itself and rise up and destroy you. I do not wish for this — I can only tell you a festering sore will not heal itself, and left untended, will destroy all in its path. My words have fallen upon deaf ears for decades. I suspect more of that today, as the world has many pressing needs — needs that produce rewards.
“Iraq was a festering sore and the country flourishes only because it has a wealth of black gold that is hidden beneath the desert sands.
“The only reward I offer is the salvation of the world. To ignore this outcry for another decade will not stand. I ask the members to show some compassion for a dying cancerous land without hope and commit troops in order to begin restoring order to our land.
“What good is food and medical supplies when anyone can come along and wipe out villages and cities without remorse?
“WE MUST HAVE TROOPS! WE MUST HAVE ORDER! WE MUST HAVE TROOPS IF THERE IS TO BE ANY HOPE!
“I ask for a mere thousand troops today. That is all — a small beginning. There would be the tiniest bit of hope if someone, anyone would send troops. We need troops. I am begging you….”
It was late in the day. Most had already left the building.