“I’m sorry, Maggie.” Dr. Melikian smiled, looking over at his associate. “I know it’s been hard starting over. In any other country in the world you’d be a senior medical officer and probably have a large staff of your own. That’s why I took you into my practice. You’re one of the most experienced GPs I’ve ever met. It was difficult for me as well coming from Switzerland and settling into the medical profession in the United States. My only advantage is I came here in my late twenties so I’ve had longer to get established. And I guess I got a few breaks along the way as well. I still thank my lucky stars that my father’s employer took such an interest in me and supported my education and career.”
Noubar Melikian walked over to where his associate was standing, a pile of patient files in her hands. “As far as I’m concerned, you can stand in for me anytime, even with the President. In fact, I’m going to send a letter to the White House making certain that if I’m not available, you’re my stand-in, no questions asked.”
“So I still have to sit by the telephone, only this time it’s official,” she grinned. “Why don’t you find me a husband instead? Preferably one with tons of money in the bank so I never have to work again.” They both laughed. “In the meantime I guess we’d better get our schedules coordinated and attack another busy day.”
Life had been doubly hectic for Dr. Melikian following his appointment as personal physician to the President of the United States; with security checks, briefings on protocol, training on how to respond to the press, and additional training to cover possible biological or chemical attacks. To make matters worse he was now at the top of every Washington socialite’s list for dinner parties and social functions. Not that it wasn’t exciting or flattering. But at his age he wouldn’t have minded a few quiet evenings reading.
“Who will you be rubbing shoulders with this month?” Maggie asked.
After a few strokes on the keyboard, Dr. Melikian’s HP printer creaked to life. “Here it is, the complete social life of the personal physician to the President of the United States.” He frowned and handed her a two-page printout. She scanned the pages with exaggerated awe.
“Enough of this foolishness. We’ve got patients to look after-and another Secret Service security check of our offices.” Noubar Melikian stood up and walked out of the office.
The Oval Office
“Welcome, Mason.” President Pierce waved him to join the others around the antique coffee table in front of the fireplace. “Coffee? There’s sugar over there.”
“Of course, Mr. President. Everyone knows the best coffee in Washington is served in the Oval Office. But it always comes with a high price tag.” Muffled chuckling broke out among the small group, all members of the President’s Special Task Force on Terrorism and the Middle East.
“I think you can afford it,” Pierce responded. As chairman of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and one of the longest-serving US senators, Mason T. Stevens had assembled a massive war chest, which he spent freely during his re-election bids every six years. For a hefty campaign donation businesses with ties to Virginia could get Senator Stevens’ solid backing for their interests. And his backing meant big bucks in government contracts.
“My family send their condolences, Senator,” the President remarked, turning serious.
“Yes, we all send our condolences,” echoed General Ernie Reese, chairman of the Joint Chiefs. “How’s your wife?”
“Thank you, gentlemen. We’re doing as well as can be expected. God moves in mysterious ways.”
An awkward silence filled the room. The President broke it. “Yes, well, I’ve asked you here this morning to get all the options out in the open, and your personal views, concerning our official response to the terrorist menace. It’s time we laid out our position to the American people and the world. We’ll meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning tackling this damn situation until we come up with some viable solutions. Here’s the main problem: the public seems to be evenly split on the issue. It would be easier if there was a solid majority opinion one way or the other.”
The individuals seated around the table nodded. Senator Stevens continued to sip his coffee, watching the others closely.
The President continued. “However, this situation may also be to our advantage. With the polls evenly split, once we decide a course of action we can engage in a little positive propaganda to build up support for our position. At least we won’t have to overcome overwhelming opposition. Your thoughts?”
“With all due respect, Mr. President, there’s only one course of action,” General Reese said. “Bomb the hell out of the sonsofbitches and cut the balls off any left alive. These fanatics don’t play by any rules other than the murder of innocent people. We’d better take care of them quick before someone gets his hands on a nuclear or biological bomb and uses it.”
“In this instance,” said Senator Stevens, gently returning his coffee cup to its matching saucer, “I happen to agree fully with General Reese. The time for a peaceful approach has long passed. Europe has given in to the demands of terrorists for so long they’re practically a legitimate special interest group now. And they all have UK passports. No, the world’s been too soft on these maniacs. The only option left is massive and deadly force. Somebody has to start making terrorism severely unattractive as a political option.” He looked at the others, flashing his practiced smile.
“And thanks to the dedicated work of the NSA and CIA, we now have ample intelligence concerning the whereabouts of certain senior terrorist leaders as well as major training camps. This information, gathered at great expense and unfortunate loss of life, won’t be current forever. We need to strike now.”
Director of the CIA Terry Finch, a man of few words whose organization had benefited over the past several years from the vociferous support of Senator Stevens and his intelligence committee, nodded in agreement. A brilliant academician and former professor of international policy at Harvard University, Dr. Finch administered the CIA as if it were a government think tank. “Mason’s right. I’m not certain how long this intelligence will remain current, but it’s high quality at the present time.”
“Senator Stevens and the military-industrial complex are very persuasive,” said Secretary of State Nathan Vance, a long time senior statesman and former U.S. ambassador to the UN, “and I do agree that the world has been far too soft on terrorism. Every two-bit fanatic with a political or religious grievance now sees terrorism as a legitimate way of getting the world to take notice. Unfortunately, we’re no longer dealing with small-time fanatics. September 11 has proven just how organized and deadly this game has become. Nonetheless, I don’t believe direct attacks or all-out war will solve the problem.”
“So what are your thoughts, Nathan?” the President asked. “And don’t hold back.”
Vance colored a little. “Well, I’ve been traveling constantly for the past several months since the suicide attack, talking face to face with all the major foreign leaders. Most don’t have the stomach or the support at home for a full-scale war on terrorism. And those in the Middle East, I must tell you, are still extremely sympathetic to the issues of Palestinian statehood and curtailing Israeli expansion. Besides, most of our European allies are getting pretty fed up with Israel. It’s universally understood that if it weren’t for massive U.S. aid Israel would be forced to get along with their neighbors or perish.”
“What are you driving at, Nathan?” Pierce said.
“Simply put, direct war won’t work. Overt attacks and massive use of force will only intensify the terrorists’ resolve and lead to increased reprisal attacks. By waging direct war we’ll be inadvertently creating more terrorists and alienating the entire Muslim world.” Vance looked around at the Task Force members. Several gave him cold looks. He pressed on. “It’s like trying to fight the Hydra-cut off one head, and three more grow back to take its place. Anyway, it’s been proven that we can’t fully defend ourselves against terrorists. No matter how much we spend on homeland defense, they still slip through.”