Located at airstrips in these countries were 300 small single-engine planes similar to Cessnas. Only they were completely loaded with high explosives: enough explosives to blow a hole the size of a train through the thick steel plates of an American aircraft carrier. All the pilots were to fly a one-way mission to damage and destroy as many naval vessels as possible.
The only problem was there were too many volunteers for the mission who were willing to die for such a cause. They would willingly give their lives to be with Allah. At the same time, Libya, Egypt, Iran, parts of Pakistan and other secluded parts of the Middle East were to launch their nearly 800 aircraft in a concentrated effort against the American forces. Unlike the wars of 1991, 2001, and 2003, they would not sit back and let the enormous firepower pound away. The Coalition was willing to sacrifice all in the belief the Americans could not be victorious in the face of such an attack.
“A total of 500,000 ground troops are ready. An additional million civilians are currently in position — resembling fleeing refugees. Already the civilians armed with machetes, hammers, and shovels are moving toward the Americans in waves. Innocent-looking people prepared to give their lives for Allah. When in position, they will mob the unsuspecting Americans. It is estimated we will lose more than a million men in the assault — but we will defeat the estimated 500,000 American troops.” Navarro’s words were electrifying to the men gathered before him. They started chattering to each other about the attack.
With a smile Navarro added, “American troops are overseas. Only a handful of untrained National Guard remain behind to defend the United States.”
Even more clever was the plan for the United States. More than 2000 aircraft had been assembled and ingeniously planted below the American borders. Even more ironic was the fact some had been observed, but it had been explained they were to be used in a Mexican celebration to take place on New Year’s Day. In a way it was the truth, because the attack was to be initiated on the first of January. Those observed would naturally be assumed to be taking part in the celebration.
Navarro continued, “Before we launch our attack, three passenger jets are to be sent as decoys toward the American cities of Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The United States will respond and bring the remaining American aircraft to red alert. All armed and ready aircraft will become airborne and pursue our decoys.”
The Coalition hoped the aircraft would be chased to a point of no return. The pilots of the three passenger jets would then bail out, but it would be too late.
“Those American jets airborne will have enough fuel to return to base or commit to air combat for only a short time. You could say we will be taking them to a point of no return.” Again the group buzzed at Navarro’s statement. “At that time the Coalition’s air force, two-thousand strong, will be airborne along with thirty passenger liners to replace their intentionally disabled counterpart, while the others will to be shot down. The duplicate airliners will radio for emergency landings near strategic American air bases. All are filled with trained fighting troops. Supporting fighter aircraft will follow.”
The United States had granted amnesty to more than 500,000 illegal aliens before 1990. Fourteen years after Desert Storm the United States again granted amnesty to over 700,000 aliens from El Salvador, Columbia and Nicaragua. Nearly 5,000 of those had been planted specifically to prepare for the invasion. Smiling to his men Navarro said, “The faithful will be rewarded. Fifty American bases are to be attacked, and for each base fifty or more men are ready and waiting for the attack to begin.”
To prevent a leak about the invasion, the 5000 soldier volunteers had themselves recruited people. They were told they would live in the United States and not be contacted about the invasion until thirty days before it was to take place.
Secretly a lead man in each cell had been given the names of ten of the 5000 and told they were to monitor those persons to make sure they did not leak information about the invasion. They were not to mention they were a part of the Coalition, but actually act like new American citizens. Only 200 of the 5000 returned to their own countries. Another 200 either talked too much or, after a change of heart, decided to save their new adopted country rather than go through with their part of the invasion. Almost all were killed. Only five managed to get to authorities. The very people running the country they were trying to save scoffed at them and their silly accusations.
“More than 300,000 ground troops are already moving to the United States’ southern border from thousands of different locations. They are in position and waiting for our first move.” Even with all of this the leaks had been few. All those who gave out information and those who learned about the invasion were dead. Added to this were the intentional daily leaks of false reports that, when pursued, all led to dead ends.
According to the plan, California, Texas, Florida, and all states along the southern border of the United States were to be taken. If all went as calculated, Sharafan was to arrive at Laughlin the afternoon of New Year’s Day. After he concluded his business, he would move to Corpus Christi where he would set up his permanent headquarters.
General Navarro finished the briefing and offered to answer questions. While Navarro spoke, Sharafan reflected on how plans had developed to get them where they were and on the success of Red Eagle.
Revenge had always been paramount with Rasht, and he could still see the day when he had come in contact with another man whose desire to destroy the United States was almost equal to his. The man was Osama bin Laden. When Rasht had described plans of the “Coalition,” Bin, as Rasht called him, listened attentively. Soon bin Laden controlled the Coalition, much to the satisfaction of Sharafan, for bin Laden was much revered in the Middle East. He quickly masterminded the organization with a stress on secrecy. Quickly, Sharafan had gained the confidence of bin Laden’s commanders, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Hambali, Atef, and Rahim al Nashiri.
Bin Laden, with his power and wealth, began to attack the United States electronically using the Internet. One test virus used would destroy sector zero in the hard drive, destroying the dynamic link libraries or files with a “.dll” extension. A test was sent with “a virtual card for you” and the virus. The experiment showed great potential.
Electronic destruction was not enough for Rasht, and he explained to bin Laden how the United States exposed itself time and time again. In 1997 hundreds of devout Islamic fundamentalists were placed in the United States and funded by bin Laden with the intent of being used in the future. Ten cells consisting of five men each already resided in the country. To this, Bin Laden added twenty more cells — a hundred more dedicated Islamic fundamentalists that believed in revenge for Iraq and the innocent people the Americans had killed.
Rasht volunteered to give his life for Allah, but bin Laden saw in Sharafan a leader he needed for his plans in the future. Bin Laden called him Alef Rasad, after his close friend who had been killed by Israelis. This, he explained, was so Sharafan could hide by using the name to escape detection from the authorities tracing the cells. As long as those in the group of cells knew him as Alef, he could travel and do wherever he pleased as Rasht Sharafan without any worry. Many of those in the United States and Germany were also under assumed names.
For the United States, bin Laden was already a marked man, but he had slipped through the American’s hands numerous times. Twice, President Clinton had let the opportunity to kill bin Laden slip from his grasp through inaction. After all, President Clinton had more important personal matters to contend with in his own country. Bin Laden escaped and became more of a danger to the United States. Only a few knew of his plans and the deadly visions he held for America in his future actions.