Read Online Dark Rising by Greig Beck - Free Book Online

that does not need to be sucked from the ground, that we can pluck from the very stars themselves, that has been given to us by Allah, blessed be his name, then we can lead the entire Muslim world to a new age of superiority. We will be able to stop our oil production and watch the West return to chaos when the source of the black blood that their machines gorge themselves upon is suddenly turned off.’
    Then the president’s brow furrowed as if he had just had an unpleasant thought. He reached out to Chief Commander Bhakazarri and took hold of his upper arm. ‘They will come – either the pigs of Zion or the Americans. If enough of the radiation escaped, they will have seen it.’
    Bhakazarri made a fist and brought it slowly down on the table in a subconscious act of crushing his enemies. ‘You are right. Either by air or by stealth, they will come. We must be ready.’
    ‘And what of Persepolis – what remains of the facility?’ The president turned from Bhakazarri back to the scientist, his eyes narrowing in contemplation.
    ‘Nothing, my President. Nothing except the tunnels leading to the complex. There was no heat, no noise and no ground tremors – the facility was either totally absorbed . . . or sent somewhere else.’
    The president nodded slowly. ‘Truly a gift – Allah and all the prophets be praised.’ He turned to Bhakazarri, his eyes now alight with the fire of excitement. ‘We must be ready – with words and a plan, and some steel as well, my friend. We will tell the bureaucrats at the United Nations that we wish to discuss closing down the Natanz facilities, with their assistance, in return for their lifting of all sanctions. They already know about the Natanz operation, and that will keep them satisfied. It will also be enough to keep the Americans in check, at least diplomatically.’
    He spoke to Al Janaddi again. ‘Professor, you are authorised to bring the Jamshid II facility up to full production capability immediately. You are personally responsible for the success of this project.’
    The president closed his eyes and leaned his head back, as though listening to some distant voice. ‘We need to keep the unbelievers away from Jamshid II at all costs. They may know about the Persepolis site, but there is nothing there for them now. Perhaps we should have a reception waiting for them nevertheless. To draw them out, sap their strength.’
    Bhakazarri gave a flat smile. ‘I will ready the Takavaran immediately, my President, and cast a net around Persepolis. I will also ensure that our professor and Jamshid II are doubly safe. Around them I will place a noose.’
    Al Janaddi suppressed a groan. The Takavaran were the most brutal fighting force in the entire Middle East. All fanatics, they likened themselves to the Persian Immortals and their death squads had a habit of crushing enemies and locals alike. Their chain of command included Bhakazarri and God – in that order. The Jamshid II facility at Arak was about to undergo a very unpleasant experience.
    The president had asked Mostafa Hossein, the leader of the Islamic Guardian Council, to remain behind when the others left. He motioned for the old cleric to be seated next to him and took him by the hand.
    ‘I heard it,’ he said. ‘I heard Israfil’s horn. The hour has come.’ The president began to quote from the Qur’an: ‘At a time unknown to man, but preordained, when people least expect it, Allah will give permission for the Qiyamah , the Day of Judgment, to begin. The archangel Israfil will sound a horn sending out a blast of truth. The Earth, Moon and Sun will be joined together and swallowed by darkness.’ Tears ran freely down his face, but his eyes were shining and rapturous. ‘The scientist Shihab was returned to us a disgusting beast. I believe he stood at the crossroad of Jannah and Jahannam, of heaven and hell, and was judged by Allah to be sinful. He was sent back to us in that foul, deformed shell as