Edge of Battle

Durango or San Luis Potosi state and make sure he never leaves.” Maravilloso fell silent, trying but failing to come up with a better argument than her most trusted adviser’s.

“Fuerza’s power lies in his popularity,” Diaz interjected in the silence. “His message has attracted the attention of many progressives around the world.” He noticed Rojas’s warning expression and said: “If the people of the world are attracted to Fuerza, perhaps we should take advantage of that.” He looked at the president of Mexico carefully. “You two, together—you form a very powerful, very direct, and—to use your own emphasis—very photogenic duo.”

The Minister of National Defense looked at Diaz as if he was going to tell him that he had no right to speak. “The president of Mexico will not appear in the electronic media with this man, this…this criminal!” Rojas retorted.

“We do not know who he is, Alberto—we know only what the media says about him,” Maravilloso said.

“That is very often enough—you have said so yourself many times, Carmen,” Rojas pointed out. “The people know what the media tell them, is it not so?”

“I want to meet him,” Maravilloso insisted. “I want to see if this man can provide the spark to ignite a revolution in border and emigre matters between our country and the United States.”

“Carmen, I think it would be a grave mistake,” Rojas said. “If you align yourself with such a man, you may never be taken seriously again by any nation. It could ruin relations with the United States for a generation…”

“Relations have already been ruined, Alberto, but not by me,” Maravilloso said. “I will not allow the immigration debate to be steered by men like Bob O’Rourke. My position as president of Mexico prohibits me from doing much to stir the debate…but this Comandante Veracruz may be able to do what I cannot.”

She turned to Diaz. “Felix, do not worry: I will keep to your initial story—be sure you do everything you need to do to procure as much evidence as you can to back your story up. Mexico will shield you from prosecution for abuse of power…this time. Next time, inform this office before you pull such stunts again, or I can guarantee you no such protection.” Maravilloso thought Diaz was going to argue with her—she saw a brief flare of defiance and untold strength in his features—but instead he lowered his eyes and nodded. “And I want to meet with this Ernesto Fuerza. Set it up right away. You are dismissed.”

As Diaz headed to the door, Alberto Rojas held up a hand to stop him. “You did not mention, Minister Diaz, how you discovered Ernesto Fuerza was in the United States, where he was headed, and how you managed to steer three military aircraft so precisely in his vicinity that they could effect a rescue.”

“It is my job to know these things, General,” Diaz replied.

Rojas nodded. “I see. So you knew where Fuerza was all the time, and your Sombras could have scooped him up any time you wished, eh? Strange you waited until he was being chased by Task Force TALON before doing so.” Diaz said nothing, but turned and walked away.

After Diaz departed, Rojas said, “You may still have to fire Diaz, Carmen, even if you give him blanket immunity. And forget this insane idea to meet with Fuerza. He can do nothing but hurt you.”

“You still do not understand, do you, Alberto?” Maravilloso asked. “Are you blind, or have you been in the Federal District too long? Do you not have any notion of what the American people will do once details of this incident are released in the press? There will be a tremendous backlash of anger against all Mexicans that will set relations between our countries and the hopes for a peaceful solution to our immigration issues back a generation.”

“I do indeed fear this, Madam,” Rojas said, “but I do not understand how this ‘Comandante Veracruz’ can help. What magic do you expect him to perform for you?”

“I do not know, Alberto—that is why I need to meet with him,” Maravilloso said. “But we need to find some message to tell the world that Mexico is the aggrieved party in this conflict, not the United States. I am hoping Fuerza has this message. If he does, we could possibly come to terms with the Americans and end this feud. If he does not, we will be struggling with the Americans—and perhaps even our own people—for years and years to come.”

“The Council of Government will not support you,” Rojas said.

“You mean, you will not support me.”

“Carmen, forget this insane idea,” Rojas pleaded. “I know it is your nature to be unconventional and bold, but I do not believe this is the time.” He paused, then said, “You must issue the statement about Diaz’s involvement immediately to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have the message sent out to all foreign embassies immediately—starting with the American embassy, of course.”

“Do you think Diaz is telling the truth, Alberto?”

“I do not know, Carmen,” Rojas said. “This I do know: we are involved in some sort of game in which we do not know all the rules or the players. We must play along for now because we have no other choice. But we must find a way to take control of this situation, or we will quickly find ourselves rendered… inconsequential.”

THE SITUATION ROOM, THE WHITE HOUSE,

WASHINGTON, D.C.

THAT SAME TIME

“I’m surprised, Mr. President,” Attorney General George Wentworth said as the President hung up the dead telephone. “I never would have expected her to agree to assist us.”

“But she did—that’s the best news I’ve heard in weeks,” the President said. He turned to the Secretary of State. “Chris, you and George will be leading the investigation team—push this thing for all it’s worth. We need to take advantage of this sudden largesse when we can. Get down to Mexico City right away and interview as many of their military commanders, the Interior Ministry higher-ups—everyone we can get our hands on.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“A flash message coming over the wire services, Mr. President,” the Chief of Staff, reading from his computer monitor, said. “They’re reporting that Bob O’Rourke on his morning radio show called for Americans to take up arms in defense of their neighborhoods and to report all illegal aliens to the government.”

“He did what?” the President moaned. “For God’s sake, he’s going to create a damned panic!”

“The word’s gotten out already,” Attorney General George Wentworth said. “We should notify every state and local law enforcement agency in the country to expect trouble. Every Hispanic in the U.S. could become a target.”

“Do it, George,” the President said. To his Chief of Staff, he ordered, “Tom, set up a press conference at noon so I can respond to this. And get O’Rourke on the phone. Tell him to tone down the rhetoric or the FCC will pull the plug on him.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” Kinsly said. As Kinsly picked up the phone to call his staff, his computer terminal beeped again. “A flash message from the embassy in Mexico City, Mr. President: President Maravilloso has assumed full responsibility for the accidental downing of the American aircraft, and sincerely apologizes to the people and government of the United States.” He turned, a satisfied expression on his face. “There we have it. She’s coming clean.”

“No mention of Zakharov or the captured CID unit, though,” Jefferson pointed out.

“We have no evidence that these incidents were connected,” Kinsly said. To the President, he said, “I think we may want to make a statement or gesture to show that we acknowledge Maravilloso’s effort to reveal those involved in this incident, sir. Perhaps removing a few more military units away from the border?”

“I was thinking the same thing, Tom,” the President said. To Ray Jefferson, he ordered, “Tell General Lopez to pull a few Guard units back, stop the deployment of any more Guard units to the border, and accelerate the removal of those antitank weapons.” He shook his head. “Hell, if worse comes to worse, the states might need their Guard units to keep the peace on the streets if citizens start targeting Mexicans.”

“I request permission for Task Force TALON to deploy wherever necessary to follow any leads on the whereabouts of Major Richter and the stolen CID unit,” Jefferson said.