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Authors: Gordon Kessler
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world powers into the fray. The swift and decisive action had come at the cost of several hundred innocent lives, however. And those skeletons would not easily be buried away in the President’s subconscious.
“But we’re talking about on our own soil,” Banks protested.
Thurman continued, “Like I said, ‘if need be , small nukes.’ Depends on the scope of this thing. We have bunker busters, fuel-air bombs that would pack nearly as big a wallop without the radiation. Whether we determine nukes are warranted and use them or not, we’d cordon off the area and send in our cleanup teams to tidy up a bit. Collateral damage could be kept to a minimum resulting in negligible long term environmental effects.”
“Theoretically,” Banks said, “but highly debatable, Secretary Thurman.”
“What about the civilians?” Coates asked, horror filling his face.
“If these swamis of Banks’ are correct,” Thurman went on, “the death toll will rise exponentially if we don’t do something decisive and immediate. And if they’re wrong, Mr. President, this craziness could be your political knell. That’s what we should be concerned with. We have no proof any innocent civilians are even there.
“I personally believe something much less paranormal is skulking about in the dark — no less dangerous, politically. These scientists and surgeons — the people who seem to be missing — none are essential personnel, that is to security, defense, secret projects in the works. These people who have them — we’ve seen their workings before, the so-called militia movements of the Aryan Nations, Branch Davidians, Posse Comitatus , other paramilitary crazies within our own borders. They’ve set up shop somewhere discrete, and they’re up to no good — God knows what . . . plotting assassinations and delving into the paranormal, mind power studies, things we don’t understand and they don’t either. Admittedly, what’s happening on the world scene is unnerving, perhaps they’ve linked with another paramilitary group — possibly even Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad or one of the other terrorists organizations around the globe.
“Find them, wipe them out in one fell swoop, and I’m confident the entire thing can be swept under the rug as an unfortunate accident — a denial-of-knowledge sort of thing — and your office could be kept out of the ensuing controversy almost completely. We could head off this mess — if there really is some sort of smoke-and-mirrors plot going on. Hell, we could easily blame it on Al Qaeda. It could be over in a matter of twenty-four hours, and we could all be sleeping, safe and secure, in our own soft featherbeds by tomorrow night.”
Coates gripped the arms of his leather-upholstered chair. “Mr. President, I’d suggest we give Major Jackson some time. That when we discover his location, we offer support for his rescue mission — national guard troops, ATF, FBI SWAT — and do this right, take care of our people. We’re not Russia and this isn’t Chechen rebels.”
Thurman said. “Talk about controversy — it could be Waco and Ruby Ridge times a thousand. Whatever this isn’t , we do know some of what it is — a well-organized operation being carried out by a large group. A small band like Jackson’s doesn’t stand a chance. We’ll be caught up in having to rescue the rescuers — end up worse than Mogadishu and the Mayaguez . The prudent thing to do is destroy all evidence and sweep it clean.”
Coates blurted, “You’re an idiot !”
Coates’ outburst caught Mason off guard, and he stared at his trusted, normally reserved cabinet member as the door opened without a knock or introduction. CIA boss Carl Winston stepped in, briskly went to the empty seat in the middle of the room and sat down. He brought his briefcase to his lap, turned the small tumblers on both of its latch locks and opened it smartly.
“Mr. President. Gentlemen,” Winston said. “I see
“But we’re talking about on our own soil,” Banks protested.
Thurman continued, “Like I said, ‘if need be , small nukes.’ Depends on the scope of this thing. We have bunker busters, fuel-air bombs that would pack nearly as big a wallop without the radiation. Whether we determine nukes are warranted and use them or not, we’d cordon off the area and send in our cleanup teams to tidy up a bit. Collateral damage could be kept to a minimum resulting in negligible long term environmental effects.”
“Theoretically,” Banks said, “but highly debatable, Secretary Thurman.”
“What about the civilians?” Coates asked, horror filling his face.
“If these swamis of Banks’ are correct,” Thurman went on, “the death toll will rise exponentially if we don’t do something decisive and immediate. And if they’re wrong, Mr. President, this craziness could be your political knell. That’s what we should be concerned with. We have no proof any innocent civilians are even there.
“I personally believe something much less paranormal is skulking about in the dark — no less dangerous, politically. These scientists and surgeons — the people who seem to be missing — none are essential personnel, that is to security, defense, secret projects in the works. These people who have them — we’ve seen their workings before, the so-called militia movements of the Aryan Nations, Branch Davidians, Posse Comitatus , other paramilitary crazies within our own borders. They’ve set up shop somewhere discrete, and they’re up to no good — God knows what . . . plotting assassinations and delving into the paranormal, mind power studies, things we don’t understand and they don’t either. Admittedly, what’s happening on the world scene is unnerving, perhaps they’ve linked with another paramilitary group — possibly even Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad or one of the other terrorists organizations around the globe.
“Find them, wipe them out in one fell swoop, and I’m confident the entire thing can be swept under the rug as an unfortunate accident — a denial-of-knowledge sort of thing — and your office could be kept out of the ensuing controversy almost completely. We could head off this mess — if there really is some sort of smoke-and-mirrors plot going on. Hell, we could easily blame it on Al Qaeda. It could be over in a matter of twenty-four hours, and we could all be sleeping, safe and secure, in our own soft featherbeds by tomorrow night.”
Coates gripped the arms of his leather-upholstered chair. “Mr. President, I’d suggest we give Major Jackson some time. That when we discover his location, we offer support for his rescue mission — national guard troops, ATF, FBI SWAT — and do this right, take care of our people. We’re not Russia and this isn’t Chechen rebels.”
Thurman said. “Talk about controversy — it could be Waco and Ruby Ridge times a thousand. Whatever this isn’t , we do know some of what it is — a well-organized operation being carried out by a large group. A small band like Jackson’s doesn’t stand a chance. We’ll be caught up in having to rescue the rescuers — end up worse than Mogadishu and the Mayaguez . The prudent thing to do is destroy all evidence and sweep it clean.”
Coates blurted, “You’re an idiot !”
Coates’ outburst caught Mason off guard, and he stared at his trusted, normally reserved cabinet member as the door opened without a knock or introduction. CIA boss Carl Winston stepped in, briskly went to the empty seat in the middle of the room and sat down. He brought his briefcase to his lap, turned the small tumblers on both of its latch locks and opened it smartly.
“Mr. President. Gentlemen,” Winston said. “I see
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