the markets of the West.
The cultivators loved this arrangement, and were deeply grateful for the opportunity to make so much money. It was easy, fast work without the backbreaking struggle of plowing and harvesting grain crops. These planters considered opiates a blessing from Allah. And if the stuff trapped infidels in the hell of addiction, so much the better. That was what the Nonbelievers of Western civilization deserved.
SURPRISE and astonishment registered on the expressive face of Archibald Sikes Pasha when the donkey train from the stronghold reached its destination. He, Naser Khadid, Malyar Lodhi, Jandol Kakar, and a couple of dozen mujahideen came down from the Gharawdara Highlands onto the plains after several grueling hours of foot travel under the direction of Husay Bangash. Within a quarter of an hour of trekking across the desert, the travelers reached the rendezvous point. This was where the caravans formed up to take opium shipments out of Afghanistan, across Iran, and into Turkey.
In Sikes' mind he had pictured a crude bivouac with more donkeys or maybe camels gathered around an oasis of some sort. Instead, he saw a small cluster of buildings around which were parked six modern military trucks and a dozen civilian pickups that had machine guns mounted on top of the cabs.
Khadid glanced at his English companion, grinning in delight. This is not what you were expecting, was it, Sikes Pasha?
Not by a bluddy long shot, Sikes remarked. He glanced at some more military vehicles on the other side of the buildings. Who're them blokes over there then?
Afghan Army officers, Khadid explained. Their units bring the stuff this far, then we'll put it on those trucks which belong to the Iranian Army, by the way and take it the rest of the way to Turkey.
Now that makes me nervous, Sikes said. I ambushed an Afghan motor patrol, remember?
The multiple conspiracies going on in modern Afghanistan create a bewildering pattern of inconsistencies, Khadid explained. These Afghan soldiers are not concerned about what you've done or where you've been.
That's a relief, Sikes said. Now wot about them civilian trucks?
Those are Toyota pickups that have been fixed up with machine guns, Khadid said. The weapons are most excellent German MG-3 seven-point-six-two-millimeters that have proven very dependable in the past.
I wouldn't think those would be necessary, Sikes remarked. It looks like the law is on the smugglers' side in this operation.
Kakar interjected himself into the conversation. Our opponents are other smugglers. Rivals, actually.
Who're the brave lads that handle the German machine guns?
Iranian soldiers, Khadid replied. They have already proven themselves in some rather large battles in the past. We have to be prepared for the worst. By the way, we'll be riding in the cabs of the pickups during the journey. The mujahideen will be in the Iranian vehicles.
I see, Sikes said. Do Turkish soldiers take over when we cross into that country?
Bangash, who had been listening to the conversation, shook his head. They're the bad guys, dude. The last people we want to see is a column of motorized Turkish infantry roaring our way. That's when the law is against us. But we don't have to sweat that shit till we get close to Turkey. Sometimes, it's best for us to stay on the Iranian side of the border. He strode ahead, motioning the others to follow him. Those other guys will take care of the donkeys. They'll stay penned up here till we get back from the run with all our goodies. Then we load them up and trek back to the stronghold, where everyone is happy as pigs in shit to see us and the stuff we bring.
The four followed the head smuggler over to the buildings, where a group of military officers stood waiting. Sikes noticed both Iranian and Afghan uniforms among the Army men. When they arrived, Khadid greeted them as old friends. There were some customary Islamic hugs, kissing motions, and backslapping. The Iranian pointed to Sikes. This is Orakzai's new field commander. He's going on this run to familiarize himself with this part of our operations. Quick introductions were made, but the names went right by Sikes. He really didn't give a damn who they were anyway. What he did make note of was the fact that they didn't seem too surprised to see him. That told him all the military men had already been fully briefed on his background.
As the group stood in conversation, another officer over by the Iranian trucks called out something in Farsi that caught Khadid's attention. He took Sikes' arm and led him over to the man. After an exchange of salutes, a large envelope was handed to Khadid. He immediately passed it on to Sikes. The Englishman frowned in puzzlement. Wot's this then?
Open it, Sikes Pasha, Khadid said.
Sikes took his knife and ran it along the top edge of the envelope. He opened it and pulled out what appeared to be a legal paper. A diploma of sorts was with it. Khadid watched Sikes look at the unfamiliar script of the Farsi wording on the documents. That's for you, Sikes Pasha, he said. It is your appointment as sargord. You are now officially a major in the Iranian Army. Thus, as it is said in the language of my people, tabrik! Congratulations!
Sikes grinned to himself. After all the strife and trouble, he had finally ended up a proper officer. Maybe the commission wasn't in the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, but it was of field-grade rank. He wouldn't be surprised if he went all the way to the top of the Iranian General Staff. Say, Cap'n Khadid, how d'you say 'field marshal' in Farsi?
Our equivalent is called an arteshbod, the Iranian replied.
Motor sounds from a distance caught everyone's attention. They turned to see a convoy of four large military transport trucks coming across the desert toward them. As they drew closer, Sikes noticed they were UK TM 6-6 models. The sight of vehicles used by the British Army caused him a flash of nervousness. But when he saw the green-white-black stripes of the Afghan flag on the bumpers, the new major relaxed.
Khadid noticed him gazing at the trucks. Sikes Pasha, those vehicles bring us the preprocessed opium poppy powder. The loads are not so much, because there are no modern facilities available for the final production of the powder into heroin; thus, the amount available is limited. But the quantity is sufficient to make each caravan a very profitable operation.
So wot's gonna happen now then? Sikes asked.
The bales will be transferred from the Afghan trucks to the Iranian ones, Khadid explained. When that it is done, we will begin our journey out of Afghanistan. We are going to spend tomorrow traveling across Iran, and the day after, Allah willing, our caravan will be in Turkey or at the border.
I'm starting to see a lot o' this part o' the world, hey?
Yes, Khadid said. By the way. Do you wish to be addressed by your military rank or the title you have chosen?
I'll stay Sikes Pasha.
Chapter 19
SHELOR FIELD
SEALS HANGAR
15 MAY
1600 HOURS
COMMANDER Thomas Carey and Lieutenant Commander Ernest Berringer were in a magnanimous mood when the SEALs arrived back at Shelor Field after their hurry-up return from patrol. The two staff officers actually allowed them time to take showers, then go to early chow at the base mess hall, before having them settle down in the hangar for the new briefing.
Clean and belching, the Brigands sat in the folding chairs with pens and notebooks held at the ready as Carey stepped to the front of the group. It looks like it's deja vu all over again, gentlemen. You've gone from cold to hot to cold, and you're about to go back to hot again.
Lieutenant Bill Brannigan, glad to see that things were picking up from the slow going of the previous weeks, asked, Is this a continuation of earlier actions, sir?
Negative, Carey replied. This is a brand-new mission that's being thrust into Operation Rolling Thunder. And it's a damn critical one. The mission statement is as follows: You will make an attack or attacks on an opium- smuggling trail to neutralize the activity.
Jesus! Bruno Puglisi exclaimed. Who the fuck do they think we are? The DEA?
There's more than that to it, Carey said. Now here's the situation. Iran's bid for power now goes beyond WMD programs. They have organized an extensive Special Operations branch in their Army to take over all Shiite insurgencies in the Middle East.
