When the United States Enduring Freedom actions attacked Afghanistan after the American strikes, they almost telegraphed their moves. Both Sharafan and Osama bin Laden had waited out the attacks in Pakistan while watching CNN to hear about America’s actions. Then the anthrax started. America turned chaotic and terrified. A few years later came the China-Taiwan incident. Soon after Operation Liberty they realized a concentrated effort would succeed because the United States had done just as Sharafan had described.
One more time the United States made a show of force before China without taking the initiative and attacking. The United States paraded before the enemy like the British soldiers had done centuries before in their bright red uniforms — with bravado and arrogance, more like a street bully.
First the Coalition would rid themselves of the freedom fighters. With fierce intensity they lobbied both political parties using money to gain their objectives. Less than three years after the China-Taiwan incident, the Republican leaders who led the charge were soundly defeated by the lobby effort. Gone were the French president, British prime minister, and all the leaders in the Middle East. Only the leader of the United States, Obama, and the king of Saudi Arabia remained. And like the king it looked like Obama would run and win a third term.
Next they planted thousands of key military Special Forces operatives in the southern part of the United States. This was done with their numerous cells through another blanket amnesty program initiated in 2007 for illegal aliens. Ironically, the amnesty was accomplished through padded re-election campaigns and by heavy lobbying. What really helped was the money and lobbying for the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU made it possible for many terrorists to simply walk across from Mexico into Arizona where their Muslim friends picked them up. Everything was falling in place.
Under the pretense of free enterprise, they convinced the politicians to let the oil industry continue its own course. The Arab countries lowered and raised prices on oil so often, it brought an end to American exploration. Even the environmentalists unknowingly helped the Coalition when they unwittingly prevented American drilling in many parts of North America, especially Alaska. The Middle East controlled the oil industry. In 2010, Arab countries exported more than eighty percent of America’s oil needs.
American reserves were non-existent after Obama refused to allow drilling, and gave away huge Alaskan oil reserves to Russian through a secret agreement that was finalized early in Obama’s second term. All remaining oil reserves were in the southern part of the United States, where the invasion would initiate. Therefore, even if the United States were able to regroup and initiate a counter attack, they would have no fuel, similar to what happened to the great German forces in Africa during World War II. The invasion was well planned.
The Coalition, with Sharafan firmly established as one of the leaders, had discovered the United States’ Achilles Heel.
Juan Ortega interrupted Sharafan’s thoughts. “I have found a building downtown to serve our elite group. A helipad is on the roof and no counterstrike will be able to penetrate.” Slowly Juan filled his glass. His brow knitted and he turned to Sharafan. “And the man Beau Gex?”
“Do they believe his story?”
Juan Ortega smiled slyly. “No. I listened to the pathetic Civilian Review Board as they examined him. They plan to inform the Obama after the New Year’s football game.”
Both men laughed. “New Year’s Day will be too late,” Sharafan said with a sadistic smile. “I hate to see Obama go. He has been our greatest asset in destroying America. We could not have done it without him.”
“Should we kill Beau Gex?”
“No,” Sharafan said calmly. “As long as he is alive our plans will continue unhindered. In two more days it will make no difference. Have you learned his plans?”
“Yes. He is assigned to a training group leaving for Laughlin Air Force Base on New Year’s Day. His aircraft should arrive there before noon on Tuesday.”
“Excellent, excellent! He will be there when I arrive,” he said eagerly. “Then I will finish my business with him.” Sharafan held his glass high toward Juan. Both glasses rang out as they touched, and Sharafan made a toast to their plan: “More than twelve years of work is about to be put into action.
“To the Coalition. To the new America — our America!”
Chapter 6
TO TOUCH A STAR
The sun rose slowly from the Gulf, burning away the thick clinging haze. An earlier front left a damp, crisp chill hanging in the air.
Krysti opened the curtains of her bungalow nestled in the security of the Naval Air Station. The rooms were comfortable and efficient, like those of a small apartment, and afforded a beautiful view of the bay. She sipped her coffee and gazed across the calm waters. Not far away a lone figure jogged along the bluff skirting the bay. As the man came into view she recognized Beau. Partially closing the curtains lest she be caught spying, she continued to watch and drink her morning’s coffee.
For a moment she thought about inviting him in, but she didn’t want him to see her in her bathrobe and with no make-up. Mechanically she glanced across the room into the tall narrow mirror attached to the inside of the open bathroom door. She moved her head side to side and ran her free hand through her auburn curls and then continued to watch Beau.
He had been such a gentleman the night before, taking her and Justin to dinner. After eating, he and Justin played video games. She laughed aloud then glanced at Justin to see if her laughter stirred him from his sleep. She reflected on how the two “boys” were playing the games. She had noticed that both were trying to lose to make the other feel good. Beau had driven them back to the base and carried Justin to the exact spot where he still lay. Only the week before, Justin had beaten Michael soundly on the same video game.
Krysti sighed when he jogged from her view. There were so many things she wanted to know about him. Then she thought about his upcoming physical, and she smiled and blushed at her thoughts. After his test flight he was scheduled for a routine physical to check the effects of the flight. For a doctor, she knew she was too eager to do the exam. Only the day before she had seen the jet he would fly, and she thought it appeared like something from an old Star Wars movie.
Instantly her thoughts returned to Beau. She shook her hair, and as she started the water for her shower hummed the tune from the song she had heard the night before. She sang, “Imagine there’s no Heaven… It’s easy if you try…”
The cavernous gym filled with men doing their various early morning exercises. Ruben and Sully were on the mat practicing throws, their bodies slapping onto the pads. Warren was showing Fitzhenry how to pump iron and was happy he found something in which he was superior over the young man. After Fitzhenry finished the bench press, Warren tripled the weight and effortlessly raised and lowered the heavy iron five times; the clanging of the barbell echoed through the gym.
“Don’t pay any attention to him, Fitz. BJ is just showing off since you beat him last night.” Beau laughed, cooling off from his workout.
A few minutes later, Marix entered the gym for his session. His body was sleek and powerfully muscled. His motions were quick and smooth. He stopped to watch Ruben and Sully as Sully managed a lock, pinning Ruben to the mat.