When the elevator arrived, there was another armed law enforcement officer present. After yet one more inspection of the ID badges, the two men proceeded a short distance to an unmarked door. Joplin followed as Turnbull stepped into the room. They both came to an abrupt halt, surprised to see Arlene Entienne, the president's Chief of Staff, seated at the head of a large mahogany conference table. A man unknown to them was seated to one side.
Joplin greeted Entienne, saying. How have you been, Arlene?
Fine, thank you, Carl, she answered. Hello, John. This Cajun-African-American was a beautiful green-eyed woman with dark brown hair. The two ethnicities blended well, giving her an exotic beauty that made her the darling of the media. Have you had the operation on that ankle yet?
I'm putting it off for as long as possible, Turnbull replied. The ex'Green Beret had seriously fractured his ankle on a parachute jump, and the joint was deteriorating to the point that it would have to be fused. He could have gotten a physical disability release from the service, but opted to take a staff job instead. Thus, he ended up as chief of SOLS.
Sit down, gentlemen, Entienne invited. I would like to introduce you to Edgar Watson. He's CIA on the Iranian desk.
Greetings, Watson said. Ms. Entienne has already told me who you two are.
You've been called down to this deep inner sanctum for a very special briefing, Entienne said. As you have surmised, I'm sure, this is a most sensitive situation.
Watson swung his briefcase up from the floor onto the tabletop. He opened it and pulled some papers out, shoving a separate packet to both Joplin and Turnbull. Okay. Now hear this. Certain elements of the Iranian Army have initiated a mujahideen movement independent of all others. They have begun operations against the foreign military, i.e., Westerners, in the Middle East. They are calling themselves the Jihad Abadi.
Wait a minute, Joplin said. That is Arabic. The Iranians speak Farsi.
This is because they are using only Arabs in their operations, Watson said. Unfortunately, this resulted in throwing off our initial intelligence probes. Fact of the matter, we wasted a lot of time before we finally figured out they were operating out of Iran. However, they also have various cells in Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Most of their agents are citizens of those countries who have lost faith in the current group of Arab Islamics, suicide bombers in particular.
I'll be damned, Turnbull said. They finally figured out that getting their young people to blow themselves up and destroying a generation was not a particularly intelligent thing to do, hey?
Evidently, Watson commented. They want to adopt the more civilized tactic of launching well-planned attacks on their enemy to inflict the most casualties possible while keeping their own losses to a minimum.
Joplin glanced at Entienne. Are we to assume the President is deeply concerned about this?
That would be a correct assumption, Carl, she replied.
I suppose he's worried about the Israelis getting extra antsy about these latest events, Joplin said. They are just about a quick breath away from military action against Iran as it is.
That's been quite apparent, Entienne said. They think we're soft on Tehran. However, as of now, the Mossad knows nothing of this new development. At least, we don't think they do.
Colonel Turnbull was becoming impatient with the rambling conversation when something important obviously needed to be discussed. He glanced at Watson. How about giving us one concise but informative statement to describe this situation before we drown ourselves in details.
Sure, Watson said. The Iranian military or certain elements of same have launched a holy war using foreign, that is, non-Iranian, Muslims to do the fighting. These, of course, would be Shiites, the prevalent branch of Islam in Iran. He paused before speaking again. Now, with the colonel's permission, I will be a bit wordier. Please permit me to say that we know a force of Arab mujahideen has been built up by Iranian Army officers. This outfit is now beyond the cadre stage. There are fully equipped and manned units. However, we don't know the types, number, personnel strength, or equipment. That goes for their training and garrison centers. All that must be found out.
Mmm, Joplin mused. There seems to be no doubt of the existence of this Jihad organization. So what's the CIA's take on this thing?
That it's a very real threat and we've got to stay up to date on what's going on, Watson said.
Colonel Turnbull scowled. Being kept up to date won't get us shit. We got to get one step ahead of the game. If not, we're going to be playing in the dark.
Arlene Entienne spoke up. Carl, who is your Iranian connection?
Saviz Kahnani, Joplin replied. But don't you think it's a little too early for me to make any contact with him?
Agreed, Entienne said. But the President wants you to drop everything and sit tight until you need to have a tete-a-tete with your Iranian friend.
Turnbull snorted at the French expression as sissified. What is this? Bareback Mountain?
It was Brokeback Mountain, Entienne said. And the President has a job for you and your staff, John.
Please tell me in pure unadulterated English, Arlene.
You are to instruct all SPECOPS units in the Middle East to keep their eyes and ears open to glean intelligence on the Iranian connection. The President wants every operation out there to have a secondary mission of scoping out the latest on this developing situation.
Then that's what's going to happen, Turnbull promised. The word will go out to Station Bravo in Bahrain tonight.
Also, Shelor Field in Afghanistan and the USS Combs wherever she might be.
She's in the Arabian Sea, as a matter of fact, Watson said. At any rate, while Colonel Turnbull gets things rolling through SPECOPS, we in the CIA will be using our own organization and various personnel, i.e., agents, moles, and informants, to see what we can dig up.
Who is the central contact for all of us? Joplin asked.
Me, Entienne said. She glanced at Turnbull. Li'l ol' me!
Well, boil me in gumbo and call me Bubba, Turnbull said, grinning.
.
CHEHAAR GARRISON
EASTERN IRAN
1830 HOURS
THE armored cars were aligned for inspection in the proper company formation with the platoons on line. Each vehicle had been carefully and thoroughly washed and scrubbed with the insides vacuumed free of dust and dirt. The machine guns atop the turrets had also been given a complete cleaning after being field-stripped. Light coats of oil were applied to each part as the weapons were reassembled.
The uniforms of the crews were also washed and pressed, and now all stood at parade rest in front of their EE-3s waiting to be inspected. Warrant Officer Shafaqat Hashiri, the company sergeant major, stood to the front. When he saw Captain Sikes step from his Quonset hut, the warrant officer snapped-to, made an about-turn, and called the company to attention. Boot heels clicked together and hands slapped the sides of trousers as the men assumed the proper parade-ground position. Hashiri made another about-turn. When Sikes marched up to him, he saluted sharply. The company is ready for inspection, sir! he barked in English.
Carry on, Mr. Hashiri, Sikes said.
Once more, the warrant officer about-turned, then ordered the men to parade rest. Then he and Sikes marched down to the far right of the platoons. The commander of the armored car in that position called his men to attention. Sikes checked the crew's appearance, then made a walk around the vehicle, carefully noting the condition of the steel exterior. He wasn't so concerned about dust since the wind kicked it up constantly, but he wanted to make sure there was no rust. The nearby salt marshes made erosion a constant threat to vehicles, weapons, and equipment.
When he finished with the first vehicle, he marched over to the second. That commander called his men to attention while the first put his crew at parade rest.
Very precise. Very military. Very much bashing on the square, as the Brits say.
WHEN Arsalaan Sikes, nee Archibald Sikes, arrived at Chehaar Garrison, he was put into an intense training program. It was at this time he learned that al-Zaim was actually Brigadier Shahruz Khohollah of the Iranian Army.
