THE President of the United States had only one item on his agenda for that morning's meeting--the incident at the Iranian Special Forces camp.
Those in mandatory attendance were Dr. Carl Joplin, Undersecretary of State; Arlene Entienne, White House Chief of Staff; Colonel John Turnbull of SOLS; and Liam Bentley, the official liaison between the White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If Edgar Watson from the CIA's Iranian desk had not been in the Middle East, he would have been present too.
'Well,' the President began, 'it seems our Israeli friends did exactly what they told Carl they would do. I received an official report via Colonel Turnbull's SOLS office on the result of that aerial attack.' He paused, then muttered, 'Devastation. Pure devastation!'
'Iran is already raising hell,' Arlene said. 'There's going to be a special session of the UN later this afternoon.'
'I imagine they'll suspect we're involved right off the bat,' Joplin remarked.
'Yes,' the President said. 'Even when the Israelis eventually claim responsibility, the rest of the world is going to figure we were behind it.'
'As long as nobody is aware of the guidance and protection provided by our Air Force AWACS aircraft, we should stay in the clear,' Arlene said.
'Britain's contribution of inflight refueling must remain unknown as well,' the President reminded her. He glanced over at Turnbull. 'What about those SEALs? How did their part in the operation go?'
'Faultless, sir,' Turnbull replied. 'In and out nice and quick. I suppose you heard they got an EPW, right?'
'I'm surprised they were able to find one from the way that place was flattened,' the President said. 'Do you think the fellow will be of any value?'
'He's their equivalent of a brigadier general,' Turnbull answered. 'We're not sure of his exact position right now, but I would venture the opinion that he was probably the camp commander. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he was going to spearhead the invasion of Afghanistan.'
'Is he being held at Barri Prison in Bahrain?' Joplin asked.
'Negative,' Turnbull said with a shake of his head. 'He's been ensconced deep in the bowels of the USS Combs. General Leroux and the intelligence boys are having at him even as we speak.' He chuckled. 'I almost feel sorry for the poor bastard.'
'I suppose I do too,' the President said. 'It must be a frightening experience to be in the complete control of your enemies and isolated from your own people.'
'He's worse off than that, Mr. President,' Turnbull said. 'General Leroux has been in a bad mood ever since he was assigned to that floating SFOB. He'll take out all his anger and frustration during interrogation on the guy. I'm afraid our prisoner could get a healthy slapping around.'
'What?' Joplin said. 'No instant rapport between two brigadier generals?'
'Not in this case,' Turnbull said.
The FBI man Bentley said, 'I've been instructed to look deep into this situation.
We'd like to have a go at the guy too. We're very interested in building up a good file on any Iranian terrorist cells in this country.'
'Don't worry, Liam,' the President responded. 'The Bureau will get their turn along with everybody else.'
A knock on the door startled everyone. No interruption of presidential conferences was allowed unless something of the greatest and/or gravest of importance occurred. When the door opened, it was a communications clerk. He walked wordlessly to the Chief Executive and dropped a message form on his desk, then just as quickly departed the office.
The President unfolded the paper and read it. 'Well, I'll be damned!'
'What's going on, sir?' Arlene asked.
'We have Aladdin!'
CHAPTER 24
CUSTIS FARM, VIRGINIA
20 SEPTEMBER 1210 HOURS
'SO you're Aladdin, are you?' Carl Joplin asked the man sitting across from him in the dining room during the luncheon meal.
Brigadier Shahruz Khohollah nodded as he spooned some of the vegetable soup into his mouth. 'I, of course, was not aware I had been assigned a code name. I made my transmissions from my own headquarters when the opportunity presented itself. Naturally, there were long periods of time when I could do nothing because of my communications center being occupied. I was obliged to wait until none of the radio operators was present.
This occurred irregularly.'
Edgar Watson of the CIA had arrived with Khohollah from the Middle East the day before. He occupied a seat at the head of the table. 'Every single bit of intelligence you sent us was timely and accurate. Without it we could well have failed to stop Iran from moving forward in attaining its goals.'
'Actually I was never aware of whether you received my transmissions or not,' Khohollah said. 'However, when I perceived actions that could have resulted from the information I passed over to you, I would be encouraged to continue.'
'May I inquire as to your motivation?' Joplin asked.
'It was patriotism for my native country that drove me to betray the government,' Khohollah said. 'You may note that I said I betrayed the government, not Iran, the nation of my birth.'
'We understand perfectly, General Khohollah,' Joplin assured him. 'Now that your request for political asylum in America has been approved, you'll be staying here on the Farm for a while.'
'And for that I am most grateful,' the Iranian said.
'I trust you will be patient with us,' Joplin said. 'Certain very secret and sensitive arrangements must be seen to.'
'I have no trouble with that, sir.'
'Does that mean you have no intention of ever returning to Iran?' Watson asked.
'My fondest dream is to return to my homeland,' Khohollah said. 'But only if it is free and democratic. The young people there today yearn for that. I plan to use my contacts and influence to nurture that desire, and when appropriate to direct a popular uprising. I must tell you that Islamic insurrections, suicide bombings, and all that will go on until they are brought to a halt by more enlightened mullahs. But these gentlemen can do nothing until the right circumstances are arranged for them.'
'It sounds as if you wish to set up a government-in-exile,' Watson said.
'That is exactly what I plan to do,' Khohollah said. 'That, of course, will include a military branch. And I humbly recognize that this cannot be done with the moral and financial help of the United States government.'
'We at the CIA are working with Iranian dissidents on a regular basis,' Watson said. 'It is hoped to bring all of you together under our sponsorship. As of now we will see that you are made head of the movement.'
'I am honored by your faith in me,'
Khohollah said. 'I promise to do my best to build a solid organization with the funding and facilities furnished for us.'
'But aren't you afraid of what might become of your family back in Iran?' Watson wanted to know.
'I have no family there,' the Iranian replied. 'I am an old widower without even close friends to worry about.'
'I am curious about a few things,' Joplin said. 'Do you have any bad feelings about some of the things that happened through your transmissions? I'm thinking of that ambush in which reinforcements were wiped out.'
'They were young Arab extremists and terrorists.'
'And the secret entrance to the mountain fortress,' Joplin said. 'Why did you not tell us of that?'
'I was wrestling with that dilemma,' Khohollah confessed. 'It would have led to a slaughter on both sides. And it did, as you are aware. If that cease-fire had not been offered, probably everybody fighting within the complex would have been killed.' He took a sip of coffee. 'I still do not know how you learned about it. But I have my suspicions.'
'I'm afraid that is something that cannot be revealed to you under the circumstances,' Joplin said.
'I understand.'
