Trail of Blood

by Uzi Eilam

  “Congratulations on your success in Brazil,” Noam began as the two were sitting at the dining room table in their modest apartment. Dan did feel refreshed after a nap and a hot shower, but initially thought he had misheard her.

  “Hold on a minute, Nono! How do you know about Brazil? That’s actually classified information. Does it have anything to do with your major and your PhD in behavioral psychology?”

  “I don’t disclose my sources,” Noam smiled. “Tell me about your project, as much as you can reveal. Is what I’ve heard true—that you still haven’t found out whom you are fighting against, other than Imad Mughniyeh, who’s running around all over the world, leaping from one terrorist activity to the next?”

  “Mughniyeh, and apparently his close associates as well, are shaping up to be masters at assuming new identities. He’s making use of a team of hackers who specialized in this field at the special computer-science university in North Korea. Current warfare has to rely on advanced algorithms for the act of ‘fishing’ from the overflowing data on the various networks. I’m here in an attempt to incorporate another smart system, primarily optical in nature, which will assist in identifying the group surrounding Mughniyeh.”

  “Okay, you’ll handle the new system at the company’s labs, and I’ll come to Israel with you.”

  “Just like that? All of a sudden? What about your studies? You can’t just toss it all away. And for what?”

  “I’ve finished writing the main portions of my thesis, and I have a few free weeks. I’ve got to be by your side and contribute my own part to, hopefully, helping you look at things a bit differently.”

  “Okay, Nono, I know there’s no point in arguing with you over these things.”

  “That’s great, Dandush. You drive over to the company labs and finish dealing with your system as soon as possible. I’ll update Mom and the grandparents.”

  * * *

  19Israel Aerospace Industries is Israel’s premier aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial and astronautic systems for both military and civilian usage.

  20Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world.

  Chapter 30

  Invited by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to visit the Teheran Research Reactor, Nimer willingly agreed. A team of experts had arrived from Argentina in order to supervise the changes being made to the reactor. The reactor’s head engineer paid his respects to Dr. Nimesdorf. Everyone knew of the role the scientist had played in convincing Argentina to fulfill its commitments in preparing the reactor for reactivation. The agency’s employees whispered among themselves that the scientist had also been involved in designing the large nuclear reactor slated to be set up by the German Siemens company near the port city of Bushehr. The Argentinian engineers were eager to show Dr. Nimesdorf, about whom they had heard from their manager in Argentina, the diagrams and instructions for the changes to be carried out in the reactor’s new core. The tour was fascinating, but Nimer gleaned even greater pleasure from talking to the Argentinian scientists about cutting-edge nuclear reactor technology.

  The head engineer’s administrative assistant, a woman wearing a chador in accordance with the instructions of the Revolutionary Guard’s Morals Division, passed him a note and waited, her head bowed.

  “The chief commander of the Revolutionary Guard urgently requests that you come to meet him in his office, Dr. Nimesdorf. I’m sorry you can’t honor us with your presence for longer. His driver is already waiting for you in order to drive you to the meeting.”

  Nimer continued to speculate regarding the reason for the meeting, trying to ignore the reckless driving by Soleimani’s driver. The young man, also an experienced bodyguard, activated the flashing blue light on top of the vehicle, and veered around car after car on the busy roads. General Soleimani’s office manager was waiting for Nimer at the entrance to the Guard’s headquarters, promptly escorting him through all security checkpoints.

  “I asked you to join an inquiry into the incidents of failure and sabotage in the missile development plan,” the general began without preliminaries. “We’re not pleased,” Soleimani decreed, gazing harshly at the head of the Technological Development Division, who was hunched down in his chair without saying a word. The two engineers sitting beside him did not raise their eyes, nervously consulting the diagrams and pages of data they had brought along to the meeting with Soleimani.

  “What happened, or perhaps didn’t happen, that is causing you concern? And how can I help?”

  “I have been sitting here for more than an hour and hearing nothing but excuses,” the general thundered. “Two launches of the Shahab missile have failed, the development of short-range precision missiles is delayed, and our promises to supply the missiles to our ally Syria and our faithful emissary Hezbollah are not being fulfilled.”

  “Chief Commander Soleimani,” the head of the Development Division dared to venture, “our people are working night and day to meet the deadline, but analyzing the data of the heavy-warhead missile launch, as well as applying the lessons from the series of precision missile tests, have come to a stop since the computer system of the entire development apparatus has crashed…”

  “General Soleimani,” Nimer addressed him, “I’m sure you know that we encountered the topic of enemy cyberattacks during the Brazil operation, as well. We need to acknowledge that this is a threat that we must deal with on an ongoing basis. I was told, sir, that you’ve already decided to expand your cyber unit. I’m convinced that it will allow us to re-establish your people’s unrestricted ability to analyze the tests and continue to develop the missiles.”

  “There is no other option, Dr. Nimer, than to have you involved in resolving the malfunctions. You’ll remember that the topic of the Shahab’s heavy warhead is crucial to us, as are the precision missiles we’ve promised to supply to Syria and to Hezbollah. How do you feel about requesting technological help from North Korea? They are the ones who helped us when we first began developing the long-range missiles. I ask that you take a thorough look at the issues in the missile development plan. If you find that it’s vital to approach North Korea, don’t hesitate to tell us so. We’ll arrange a visit for you as quickly as possible, sending along a technical crew from our Development Division to the meeting in North Korea.”

  “One question, General Soleimani, if I may,” Nimer dared to ask, receiving a nod of confirmation in reply. “How essential is the heavy weight of the Shahab warhead? As you know, every kilogram we decrease from the warhead’s weight will eliminate dozens of kilograms from the weight of the entire missile…”

  “At this stage, I am informed, there’s no possibility of reducing the weight of the cargo installed in the warhead. We still don’t have the plutonium we intend to produce at the large research reactor currently being built in Arak. The nuclear warhead engineers claim that using enriched uranium requires a weight more than double that of a warhead based on plutonium. You can look into the topic when you meet out nuclear technicians. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear some new ideas from you.”

  I’m not so sure the people there will be happy to be confronted once again with the existence of areas they hadn’t even considered. In addition to his pride and desire to stand out, I’ve already seen that the general has no compunctions about chopping heads. Should I be careful not to antagonize them all? Nimer debated.

  “The list of topics you’re tasking me with, general, is constantly growing. Soon, I’ll have to ask you to help me in prioritizing them. I’m starting to miss the days when, in order to plan an attack, all you had to do was prepare an explosive charge with a simple activation device, and choose a volunteer out of the dozens of young men wishing to become shahids…”

  “Those days are over, doctor. We need you in strategic areas, and it’s a shame to waste you
on activity that could be carried out by anyone. There’s one more topic that Imad Mughniyeh has started to handle with the Syrians…”

  “Something new?” Nimer tried to hide his concern regarding one more task.

  “We promised the Syrians that we would help them upgrade their old Scud-B missiles. Mughniyeh is arriving in Teheran tomorrow, and you’ll hear the details from him. And there’s yet one more topic, sensitive and unique, that you might also be able to help us with. It concerns a severe malfunction in the centrifuge array in Natanz…”

  “I was there when three centrifuges exploded…”

  “I know that,” the general interjected, “and I appreciate the wise advice you gave the stupid engineers about the material the bearing is made of. In the last few days,” Soleimani continued, “we’ve had a series of explosions encompassing whole sequences of centrifuges. Our cyber unit is working night and day, but we still haven’t managed to find the reason for failure on this scale. The Guard’s counterintelligence people suspect foreign involvement, triggered by sneaking in a malevolent virus or a sophisticated worm…”

  I certainly hope he’s not trying to imply that I was involved? After all, it’s no secret that I had a connection to the German company that, among other things, supplied parts for the centrifuge system. Nimer furrowed his brow in concern.

  “I’ve asked our cyber team to present their findings to you, so you can tell them what you think about the direction of their investigation. They have to find the source of the malfunction and define the opening that allowed the enemy to infiltrate the centrifuges’ computerized operating system. With that information, they need to build the required defenses. If this isn’t resolved soon, they’ll be in a much more uncomfortable position…”

  Nimer didn’t need much imagination in order to understand the general. He thought how lucky he was not to be subordinate to the chief commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and not to be subject to his commands.

  “I understand,” Nimer replied, more at ease now that he knew that the commander’s fire was not aimed at him. “I’ll find room for it in my schedule and keep you posted. Don’t worry.”

  ***

  “Nimer my friend!” Mughniyeh called out, embracing him warmly. “You’ve been very busy, I hear. The reactions to the contributions you have offered through your wise advice have been greatly appreciated. You’ve made me happy.”

  “It’s true, I felt their gratitude, but I’m afraid, Mughniyeh, that I can’t emphasize their mistakes too much and show off the information I possess. Considering the current situation in the Revolutionary Guard, as well as Soleimani’s character, a prominent failure by any one of them might get that person banished or arrested for many years, and I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that…”

  The silence, which seemed to Nimer to last too long, worried him. He trusted Mughniyeh and his support of anything that he did and would do. And yet, under circumstances where he was acting on his own, Nimer felt the need for a kind word and some encouragement. More than anything else, he was troubled by Soleimani’s decision to grant him clearance to the most highly classified secrets of nuclear weapon development.

  “I understand where you’re coming from, my friend, and there’s a certain truth to what you just said. But you have to rise above the personal and humane aspects, and view these topics on a strategic level,” Mughniyeh responded.

  “What exactly do you mean?” Nimer had to receive all the explanations as well as the support. “And how will the topics that you’re calling ‘strategic’ help to fulfill my vow to avenge the death of my loved ones?”

  “We at Hezbollah are a small organization, and even if we received all the support from our country, Lebanon, we could not face the Zionist enemy. We have two loyal allies here in the area: Iran and Syria. I don’t need to elaborate on the importance of Iran’s support, but Syria plays an important role too.”

  “How important is the connection with Syria?” Nimer challenged. “After all, it’s been quite a while since they’ve had any military presence in Lebanon…”

  “Syria allows us to transport the weapons, ammunition, and missiles that Iran sends us. We could not have achieved our dominant status in Lebanon, where we have near-complete control, without that support…”

  “And what are we supposed to contribute to Syria now? From the little I heard from General Soleimani, I gather that it has to do with upgrading the missiles that they received in the past from the Soviet Union?”

  “That’s exactly it, Nimer; they expect you to help them upgrade the Scud-B missiles both by extending their range and by improving their operational reliability. They’ve had too many accidents in the last few years during Scud test launches. And there’s another, top-secret subject regarding chemical warheads for those missiles. One of the worst failures occurred when a Scud-B missile with a chemical warhead exploded immediately after launching. The Syrians prevented any leaks in information regarding the incident, in which all the teams taking part in the test, including engineers and scientists, were killed…”

  “Ahhh! … I’m starting to understand, Mughniyeh, that this is going to be quite a challenge. Maybe we could get some good advice from the engineers of the SRC company, founded by Dr. Bull.”

  “You are our Dr. Bull now!” Mughniyeh decreed. “And your help will enhance Syria’s power opposite the Zionist enemy. And there you have another factor that establishes you as a strategic asset in our war against the Zionist enemy. Your revenge, Nimer, will thus grow a thousand times stronger. Tomorrow, we’re leaving for Damascus for meetings with the staff of the missile apparatus.”

  Chapter 31

  Dan and Noam pampered themselves in business class during the long flight to Israel, finding some small compensation for the many days when they had missed each other. Dan was eager to actualize his concept of the micro-drones, which he called “wasps,” and figure out how they would fit in within the bevy of sensors that the IOT array would utilize. Noam once again mentally analyzed the little she knew about “The Project,” focusing on the points that could be highlighted in order to lead the project team in the right direction. She was certain that choosing the locations where the IOT sensors would operate would prove crucial to the project. During the flight, Dan repeatedly told Noam how happy he was that she had decided to join them. Among all the technical processes in which the Talpiot team, as well as the American scientists from the NSA, were indeed skilled, Dan recognized the lack of perspective regarding the human element. He was certain that his wife could provide a substantial contribution to the project’s next steps. He believed that Gideon, too, knew his daughter and was aware of the way her abilities would contribute to the team.

  “Hi, Dad,” Noam called out, hugging Gideon warmly. “It’s so good to be here with you. I missed you endlessly…”

  “Yes, my girl,” Gideon replied. “I missed you too, and I’m so happy you decided to come here. But what’s going on with your doctoral studies? Aren’t you missing anything crucial at the university by coming to Israel? And what is happening with the family in California?” Gideon took care not to explicitly mention his ex-wife Suzy by name.

  “Everything’s fine with the Goldmans, Dad. Grandpa Michael is becoming chattier with age, and Grandma Barbara is continuing to boss everyone around…” Noam paused briefly, hesitating. “And Mom still keeps in touch with her school friends and volunteers in community organizations, which provides her with lots of interest and fulfillment.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, my girl. How about your Ph.D. thesis? Where are you in the process?”

  “Oh… the heads of the faculty approved the research framework in behavioral psychology that I submitted to my advisor. I’ve already written some of the chapters, and soon I’ll start working on the final formulation of my base assumptions and the theoretical proof supporting my thesis. I feel like I have a good grasp on it, and the
re’s nothing to stop me from writing it all within a few months. You should know that when gathering material, I found evidence supporting the impact that should be attributed to human behavior particularly in the era of cyber and Big Data. But for now, tell me, what’s going on with your project? I’ve heard a bit from what Dan had time to share with me, and I feel like you’re still in the initial stages, while the road remains unpaved.”

  ***

  With significant momentum, Dan embarked on a series of steps to promote the manufacture of the micro-drone “wasps” based on the model he had brought from the labs in California. First, he met the head of the Ministry of Defense’s Research and Development Agency; without his authorization, Dan knew, he could not approach any of the industries he needed to involve. Gideon chose to let Dan conduct this step on his own, but took care to prepare him for the meeting at the Ministry of Defense. Gideon informed him that the Ministry of Defense’s Research and Development Agency had been known to exhibit the attitude referred to in the United States as “Not Invented Here Syndrome” — reluctance to use or buy pre-existing products and technology developed elsewhere, due to associated costs, such as royalties. There was no need, Gideon emphasized, to reveal the details of the intended uses of the “wasps.” Curious questions could be evaded with a general statement.

  Dan’s marathon race began in the head of Research and Development’s office and continued with meetings at Rafael and Elbit, accompanied by Ministry of Defense personnel. Everyone understood the importance of the timeline.

  Noam, meanwhile, focused on the material her father Gideon had recommended; while Dan pushed the “wasps” project forward, she delved into the documents specifying the findings of Dan’s cyber team, as well as selected reports by Israeli intelligence agencies. A briefing sent from Washington DC following Dr. Deutsch’s visit shed light on the mechanism for manufacturing new identities that Mughniyeh and his assistants were using so skillfully. “I have a few hypotheses and a few insights that might be worth examining,” Noam said when Gideon arrived from his office to take her to the major discussion about to take place in the conference room.