Still in shock, they walked to the great Umayyad Mosque before the citadel and prayed for their fallen comrades. Each of them had known of the massive danger. And each of them had realized that Allah might call their colleagues to Paradise at any moment.
However, when close friends, comrades, and relatives are involved, death always comes on ravens’ wings. And the General and his wife were unable to speak for a long time.
Meanwhile, President Bedford concluded his address to the nation…“Once again,” he said, “the men of the United States Army and Navy have come through for all of us with their customary bravery and efficiency. And I thank them all, in particular their outstanding Commanders.
“I thank also the Supreme Commander of this operation, both civilian and military — Admiral Arnold Morgan — who most of you will remember from the last Administration. The Admiral, as always, stepped up to the plate when the nation was threatened.
“He scarcely left the White House for the past eight days, and yet, when our combat troops fought that short and vicious engagement out there in the eastern Atlantic this morning…well…I guess we had an extra man on every missile battery, at sea and on land…in every helicopter…in every ops room…A man who was, in a sense, with them, every yard of the way.
“Admiral Morgan is just that kind of guy, and every man in the Armed Services knows it. And I do not quite know how we would have gotten along without him.
“And I am sure you will join with me in now wishing him a long and happy retirement.”
Arnold took another king-size bite of sausage, and Kathy blew him a kiss from across the room.
“Hear that, my darling?” she said. “Retirement.”
“That’s right,” said Arnold, munching away cheerfully. “That’s what I’m doing.”
“Right,” replied Kathy Morgan, a little uneasily. “It’s just that I darn well know, when something diabolical happens, they’ll summon you again. And when the bugle sounds, you’ll still come out fighting.”
Acknowledgments
My long transglobal journey in a Russian-built nuclear submarine was masterminded by Adm. Sir John “Sandy” Woodward, former nuclear boat commander, former Flag Officer Submarines, Royal Navy. The Admiral is the last man to fight a full-scale modern Naval action at sea — as Task Force Commander, Royal Navy, in the battle for the Falkland Islands,1982.
He also advised me, with endless patience, on the complexities of nuclear propulsion, without demonstrating even a glimmer of frustration…Well, not that many. In the decisive Naval action of the book, it was his decision to strike from the air rather than underwater. He also helped me plan the U.S. Navy’s search-and-kill strategy in the eastern Atlantic. And, as ever, he has my gratitude.
The former Special Forces officers, who tend to be in constant attendance while I write these “techno- thrillers,” never wish to be identified, for obvious reasons. But I thank them, all the same. And they each know how grateful I am.
I consulted, on both sides of the Atlantic, with three eminent scientists on the causes and effects of tsunamis. On two or three critical issues there was a slight variance of opinion. I thus name none of them, since to do so might cause a certain amount of friction in the geophysical community. Worse yet, I should almost certainly get the blame for tampering, albeit lightly, with sincerely held opinions!
About the Author
PATRICK ROBINSON is the author of six previous international bestsellers, including
www.patrick robinson.com
Also by Patrick Robinson
