'Because Egypt is powerless to stop Zuwayy,' Salaam said. 'I believe he will use neutron weapons against Egypt, certainly against Salimah and most likely against a major Egyptian city or another military base, as he did against Mersa Matruh.'
'Do you have evidence that Libya was behind that at-
tack, and that he used neutron weapons?' Goff asked. 'I know he's the main suspect, and he would have the most to gain by slaughtering all those people at Mersa Matruh, but as far as I know, there's no direct evidence that Libya did it.'
'I know he did it. He's crazy.'
'Certifiable, I'd say,' Goff said. 'But that still doesn't mean he did it.'
'If I got you your evidence, Mr. Secretary, then would you help me?' Salaam asked. 'Would you send your stealth bombers and armored commandos in against him and shatter his military, destroy his weapons of mass destruction, and kill Zuwayy if possible so he won't threaten to do this again? What's your price to assure peace in Africa? Whatever it is, I'll pay it.'
'President Salaam, first of all: If you were briefed anything about this administration by General Baris or your intelligence staff, you'd know that the President will not order U.S. forces to get involved in squabbles between sovereign nations,' Edward Kercheval said. 'The United States's position has been that we will not interfere militarily with such matters unless it directly threatens the national security or vital national interests of the United States. That has been our policy since the beginning of this administration, and it has not changed. We will be happy to act as a disinterested third party in negotiations, but we will not commit American troops to help.'
'Second, we have no idea what bombers or armored commandos you're talking about,' Robert Goff added. 'The United States has bombers, of course, but they have not been deployed or sent on any missions anywhere. And we have no armored commandos. None.'
'What about Patrick McLanahan?'
There was a slight uncomfortable rustle of hands and shoulders; but, as if he were reading the words from a cue card, Robert Goff responded, 'We have heard of Mr. McLanahan, and we know he has been linked with various organizations, none of which have any connection whatsoever with the U.S. government. Mr. McLanahan is under indictment in the United States for a variety of charges, the specifications of which are sealed by the Justice and Defense Departments. He is currently free on bond and awaiting a court hearing.'
'You're lying,' Susan said. 'He helped me. He has saved Egypt from Zuwayy's attacks.'
'If that's what he told you, I wouldn't believe it,' Goff said.
'You're all lying,' Susan repeated. 'He's a hero. He's been here. He saved Egypt from a terrible assault from Libyan military forces.'
'We may ask you to testify to that, Mrs. President,' Kercheval said, 'at McLanahan's trial.'
'This is some kind of trick,' Salaam said, the anguish apparent in her voice. 'He saved us. He has powers… weapons.. '
'Any of which are either fabrications or stolen, ma'am,' Goff said. 'I'm sorry if he's bamboozled you. You may of course file charges against him in federal court, and the U.S. Attorney General will see to the matter personally. But I wouldn't place my trust, or the safety of my nation, in his hands.'
'Why are you doing this to him?' Susan asked, almost pleading. 'He's a wonderful man. He cares about his wife and his men. He loves the United States and he fights for justice. Why won't you support him?'
'We neither support nor try to hinder him, Mrs. Salaam,' Kercheval said. 'He hasn't violated any laws in the United States that we know of. He is under investigation, but I can't discuss that. He's a private citizen. If we have any knowledge or evidence of wrongdoing, we'll prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. Otherwise, he's free to do whatever he wishes as a free man. But he is not part of the U.S. government, and his actions are not under the direction of or sanctioned by the United States government in any way.'
'Mr. President, gentlemen, I'm asking for your help in defending Egypt against probable attack from Libya,' Susan said. 'I know you have two aircraft carrier battle groups sailing in the Mediterranean Sea right now; I would like to offer you unlimited use of Egyptian ports and air bases for your crews.'
'Frankly, Madame President, after the warning you just gave us, I don't think it would be prudent to send any of our warships near an Egyptian port right now,' Robert Goff said.
'My warning is real enough so you won't send your ships anywhere near Egypt, but not real enough to assist us?'
'Mrs. Salaam, I will discuss your situation with my advisers,' President Thorn said. 'But at this point, I don't think we'll be in a position to help. If the Libyan president's threat is that great, perhaps you might be better served by letting him have what he wants.'
'You're suggesting I give in to him?'
'I don't see that you have much choice, Madame President,' Thorn said earnestly. 'If the attack is as credible as you say, and if Idris is as unstable as Secretary Goff seems to think he is, then the presence of American warships in Egypt won't deter him-in fact, it might attract a heavier attack with an even larger loss of life. You can appeal to the United Nations or go in front of the world press, perhaps initiate an investigation on where Idris got those weapons and hope that exposing him and publicizing his threat will keep him from attacking-if you predict he'll use neutron weapons on Egypt, he might be less likely to do so.'
'Perhaps an appeal before the Muslim Brotherhood might be the strongest deterrent,' Kercheval suggested. 'You seem to have been very successful in bringing the diverse factions of the Muslim Brotherhood together in Tripoli-they were even looking to you for leadership in a united Arab republic. You may be able to head him off.'
'But I cannot count on help from the United States?'
'Not military help, Mrs. Salaam.'
'No matter how many Americans are killed if Zuwayy attacks?'
'We're concerned about any loss of life, American or not,' Thorn said. 'We have condemned any use of nuclear weapons anywhere in the world, and if there was a threat against the United States, we would take swift and deadly action.'
'Pretty brave words, Mr. President-how about putting them into action?'
Thorn paused, letting the caustic remark wash over and past him; then: 'But… the United States will not interfere militarily in the affairs of sovereign nations, Mrs. Salaam. We are not a police force-you can't dial 911 and get an American aircraft carrier battle group to protect you because a deal you made goes south.
'We will discuss and analyze the situation there, Mrs. Salaam, and we'll decide on a course of action,' Thorn said. 'But I suggest you give the man what he wants until you have the backing of your fellow Arab nations and can rally enough support to counteract his threats.'
'I don't believe you would actually turn your back on Egypt, Mr. President,' Susan said. 'You would actually stand back and watch as Libya destroys Africa's largest oil field and kills tens of thousands of innocent workers, when all it would take is to sail a few ships through the Gulf of Sidra and show him that you disapprove of his threat? What kind of superpower leader are you?'
'A superpower that shouldn't need to throw its military weight around to promote peace, Madame Salaam,' Thorn said. 'Peace comes in many different packages and for many different prices, Madame. You appear to be too proud to give in to Idris's threats, but not proud enough to ask the United States to invade Libya and kill its leader. This is a situation I'd rather not have the United States involved in. Once we learn more about the situation and have had time to confer, we'll contact you if we feel we can be of help.
'But again, I suggest you think about saving lives and give Idris or Zuwayy or whatever his real name is whatever he wants. From what you said, he's still willing to pay for the shares of the partnership-you just need to take the money out of his earnings over a period of time. Why not agree to that for now? You all continue to pump oil and make money: Most importantly, everyone lives.'
'Thank you for your suggestion, Mr. President,' Salaam said sarcastically. 'It must be a great comfort to you, giving sage advice from six thousand miles away, from the safety of your continent and your bombers and missile shield.'
'I wish you luck, Madame President,' Thorn said. But the call had already been terminated by then.
Kercheval shook his head. 'Ouch,' he said. 'That had to hurt.' But Thomas Thorn looked fairly unperturbed-he went back to his computer and started to make notes about the conversation. 'You're really not going to do anything, Mr. President?' he asked incredulously. 'You're not going to reposition the fleet?'
