think it was a straightforward Fleet transfer. The Russians do it all the time.'
'You mean our mission would leave from a Russian port?'
'Correct. And not even they would know where we were going.'
'Well,' said the Ayatollah, 'this all sounds very intriguing. And so far I am not opposed to any of these advanced ideas. My only question is, do we have a crew that could handle such a submarine?'
'We do have three commanding officers who have undergone several months of training in Russia — and I believe that a part of the course did involve working in a nuclear boat… Ben?'
'Yes, it did. We found there were a lot of similarities anyway in a diesel electric. It's mainly the power plant that is different. We were shown the rudiments of how it works, and we were at various times shown in some detail the differences in driving these much bigger ships. But, of course, we were there to perfect our commands of the Kilos.'
'How long would it take a diesel electric Commanding Officer to learn to take a nuclear ship around the world?' asked the Ayatollah.
'Probably nine months of intensive training. Maybe six months for a top man.'
'Like yourself, Ben?' asked the Ayatollah, smiling.
'Thank you, sir,' said Commander Badr, seriously. 'Probably six months. Actually, I think a group of submarine officers could quickly become quite proficient at moving the ship around the oceans. Diving procedures, torpedoes, even missiles, navigation, gunnery, hydrology, air cleansing— they all operate on much the same principles. It's the nuclear reactor, sir. The toughest job on that boat is the Nuclear Engineer's. And he needs to have a half dozen men around him who know what they're doing. On a project like this, we might need a couple of Russian engineers on loan for a while.'
'Or even Chinese,' said the Ayatollah. 'They have trained men for nuclear boats. And they might be more sympathetic to our cause.'
'Sir,' interrupted General Rashood. 'I do not plan to tell anyone what our cause is. Certainly not a nation like China, which has already betrayed Iran once, entirely in its own interests, and may well find it agreeable to do so again.'
'Of course, General. Forgive me. It is taking me a little while to grow accustomed to a complete professional on an international level. I might say I am enjoying the experience.'
Admiral Badr smiled in obvious agreement, and added to the conversation by pointing out that his son, Commander Badr, would be working toward a full command on such a mission. 'I do not think I am being biased by assuring the meeting that he is without question the most advanced of our submarine officers. And he has worked with the Russians.'
One of the hojjats nodded a very obvious assent to that remark, and addressed the Admiral by his first name. 'Mohammed,' he said, 'you have brought your son up throughout his life to be an underwater warrior on behalf of this nation. And we are all very aware of that. My question is, does the General himself intend to accompany our team in person on such a highly dangerous mission? Or is he merely planning it? Down to the last detail, of course.'
'I intend to take overall command of the entire operation,' replied the General. 'I understand, of course, the submarine must have a CO and that he will be responsible for the safety of the ship and the crew. However, I will be in the number one position. As a point of clarification, I should like to record I would be privileged to have Commander Ben Badr as my number two. But on missions such as we anticipate, there can be only one overall Commander. And if that Commander is not me, then I will not be going.'
All eyes turned upon Ben Badr.
'I should be honored,' he said, 'to serve as number two to the great Ravi Rashood, conqueror of the Nimrod Jail. It would be a learning partnership for both of us.'
'As a point of procedure,' said the Ayatollah, 'I must return to Tehran and present the case to His Holiness. It promises to be expensive and fraught with danger. And yet I accept the wisdom of the General — either we change our methods of operation and move up to a nuclear boat, or we retire from the fray until the United States comes up with a soft left-wing government.
'Off the record, I can promise the Grand Ayatollah will not be in favor of the latter option. For he will be always mindful of the great Islamic ethos, which goes all the way back to the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622, the ethos of hegira.'
The Ayatollah looked up, saw a somewhat quizzical look on the General's face, and spoke, as if to him alone. 'Hegira may be just a little advanced while you are studying, my son. But its concept is the clear command of the Koran that our people must not live in oppression from those of other faiths.
'They must remake their lives elsewhere, where Islam is dominant — Dar-Ul-Islam. If required, they may have to fight, to convert a non-Muslim territory, Dar-Ul-Harb, into Dar-Ul-Islam. But there can be no compromise. The Grand Ayatollah will not agree to sit back and abandon the conflict. Because the Koran forbids it.'
It was almost midday now, and the Admiral suggested they break for prayer and then lunch, which would be served downstairs. He suggested that General Rashood and Ben might like to stroll down to the jetties and back for a breath of hot but fresh air, and a chance to become better acquainted.
The two officers, of similar age, jumped at the chance, as Ben put it, 'to get out of a roomful of mullahs and outlaws.' At which point Ravi considered he was probably the right type.
They walked down the grand staircase of the Iranian Navy and into the heat of the day, both wearing white shirts and shorts, with long socks and lace-up shoes. Ravi wore no insignia.
The first thing Commander Badr said was, 'You know, Ravi, you really remind me of someone.'
'I do? I thought I was unique.'
'You nearly are. But we had a submarine officer here helping us plan an operation during the last couple of years, and he was exactly like you. A sailor, rather than a soldier… tough, strange, brilliant man… name of Ben Adnam. Commander Ben Adnam.'
'Was he an Iranian?'
'No. He was an Iraqi, but he had somehow served undercover in the Israeli Navy for many years. His rank was Israeli. But he was a Muslim, very much on our side.'
'Yes. I see the similarities.'
'Oh, I was not referring just to background, Ravi. I was referring to methods of operation. The way you both absolutely know what you are saying before you speak. The way you understand the weak points of other nations. And you both have the same assurance, a kind of certainty that your views are correct, that to take a different course of action would be folly. But above all, you both have a code of caution, which is more prevalent than your obvious daring.'
'That's probably why we're both still breathing,' said Ravi.
'I am not sure that Ben is still breathing,' said Commander Badr. 'His mission was very dangerous. And we had no further use for him after it was complete. He accomplished all that we had hoped, but then he disappeared, as we assumed he would.'
'Did you work with him yourself?'
'Very much. I was a kind of disciple. He was here in Bandar Abbas for several months, and my father put me very close to him, to see his methods and to observe his knowledge. He knew more about submarines than anyone I ever met. Taught me a great deal.'
'Are you now as good as he is?'
'Close. We spent a lot of time together. And he was a natural teacher. He trained in Great Britain for a while — that's the toughest CO course in the world. He told me he'd finished first in the Class, and I believe him.'
'Had he been on projects against the West, or was he strictly an Israeli submarine officer?'
'He would never discuss specifics with anyone. But my father believed he was responsible for destroying the U.S. carrier, the Thomas Jefferson.'
'No kidding!'
'Yes. He was quite a man. And you know, there's something he told me I've always remembered. He said, 'On any classified mission, in any submarine, you will assume that every man's hand is turned against you. If you spot an enemy, on the sea or in the air, you will assume immediately that he has also spotted you, and will come after you. Always take instant evasive action, no matter what you are doing.''
'Sounds good to me. I like him already.'
