One thing the newspeople would descend on like ravenous vultures was any story concerning improper actions of an American officer on foreign soil. Remington’s cold-blooded murder of a civilian would seize newspaper headlines and television and radio sound bites. Even though Hardin had pulled the trigger, it was Remington’s game, and he knew it. By the time the case came before the military courts and into the public eye, everyone would have forgotten that Abu Alam had to die to save the lives of the military personnel caught in Sanliurfa between a rock and a hard place.
Even if Remington managed to survive the holding action in the city, despite being critically shorthanded and facing the best that the Syrian army could throw at him, he would still be facing a court martial and probably a prison sentence. There would be no glory, no medals, and no career advancement for him. He wouldn’t have a career at all.
Despite himself, Remington lowered the weapon and listened.
“Your action against Abu Alam was justified, Captain,” Felix said gently. “Unfortunately, not everyone will understand that. Especially if they should learn of his unfortunate demise at the hands of your men. But then … not everyone is here where you are, are they? They’re not having to make the decisions you’re faced with.”
“No,” Remington said, knowing that Felix understood exactly the kind of situation he was in and the overwhelming odds he faced.
“You want to change your stance here in this city,” Felix said. “Become less of the victim and more of the aggressor. Less of the lamb and more of the lion.”
Remington’s answer was immediate. “Yes.”
“I can give you the means to do that.”
“How?”
“You still don’t have satellite reconnaissance.”
“I did.”
“I can give it back.”
“For how long? Carpathia saw fit to take that away once.”
Felix frowned. “President Carpathia is juggling a great many things at the moment.”
“I know. I’ve seen him in the news.” Remington envied the Romanian president his successes. The man appeared to be a consummate politician. He’d come from nowhere to immense power. He’d gained ground during the most trying of times. Things could not have gone better for Carpathia if he’d planned the disappearances himself. It was like he’d been standing ready, waiting for them.
“Nicolae’s work at the United Nations is progressing better than he had hoped.” Felix gestured with his hands. “May I put my arms down? I’m getting tired. I’ve done my best to put your fears to rest.”
Remington nodded but he didn’t put the M9 away. He didn’t like how the other man just assumed everything would go his way. But at the moment things couldn’t go any other way. The Ranger captain didn’t intend to shoot the man. Not yet, anyway. However, he didn’t intend to trust him yet, either.
Felix lowered his arms, placing his hands on the steering wheel so they were in plain sight. “Would it surprise you to learn that President Carpathia is going to be offered the position of secretary-general of the United Nations?”
That did surprise Remington. Despite the outstanding showing Carpathia had made at the General Assembly in New York only hours ago, no one had mentioned anything about the Romanian president taking a position within the United Nations. On the other hand, such a move didn’t seem that far-fetched in light of Carpathia’s universal acceptance by the people there, or by the media’s reaction to him.
“It’s true,” Felix went on. “The announcement will be made in two days. Mwangati Ngumo, the president of Botswana and present secretary-general, is going to announce that he is stepping down. Ngumo is going to suggest that Nicolae take his place and put the matter to a vote.”
Remington was stunned. How could Carpathia guarantee or even arrange all of that?
“Nicolae will become the secretary-general to the United Nations,” Felix said. “No force in this world can keep that from happening.”
The sincerity and certainty of the man’s words swept over Remington with conviction. Slowly, he holstered the weapon. “If Carpathia is becoming secretary-general, why would he be interested in me?”
“Because he has plans, Captain. Huge plans. Wonderful plans.” Felix stared at Remington and smiled. “But plans require people to put them into effect and to keep them moving. Nicolae wants you to be part of those plans and part of that movement.”
“How?”
“Nicolae plans to revamp the Security Council,” Felix said. “As secretary-general, Nicolae is going to ask for unilateral disarmament among the member nations.”
“That will never happen.”
Felix’s smile grew wider. “All around the world, Captain Remington, people are afraid. They fear the disappearances, but they also fear each other. And they fear the primitive sides of themselves and others that will lash out in the coming darkness. They are ready to listen to a calm voice that will lead them out of the darkness. Nicolae has that voice.”
Remembering the way Carpathia had conducted himself in the media interviews and how much airtime he was getting, Remington doubted there was a person left in the world who didn’t know who the Romanian president was. Carpathia had also made great inroads into world politics.
If it was true that Carpathia was about to close the deal on the position of secretary-general of the United Nations, how far could the man go? The possibilities were staggering.
“You believe Nicolae can do this, don’t you?” Felix asked.
“It’s not possible,” Remington stated. He shook his head. No matter how much the media idolized the man, the steps Felix was describing were too big, too different from anything that had ever gone on before.
“But it is possible,” Felix said softly. “Not just possible. It will happen. The nations of the world will lay down their arms and let Nicolae assume leadership of a one-world peacekeeping force. He will guide them all into times of peace
