Stu nodded and sighed as Taksin finished his call and looked at Pon.
“We need to go to my office Pon; we have a lot to do.”
Pon nodded and the worried pair left.
“We know all this is a load of old bollocks and think the Septic’s are behind it,” said Spock looking concerned.
“Yes mate, but how do we prove it to the world. There are things we haven’t yet figured out. Like what really happened to Fahed, and where was Sedgly… and Chuck’s body?
Taksin told Pon what the General had said as they walked to his office and looking concerned, said. “I will call a meeting of the heads of the military and get more police here and increase our patrols of the grounds.”
Pon nodded. “I will also have the Tinju patrols increased.”
The weary pair spent the next few hours organising things as reports came in of skirmishes between people of the two religions around Thailand, with the Muslim minority feeling angry but afraid.
Taksin looked at his watch. “The heads of the Thai armed forces will be here soon and I hope we come up with a plan before things got out of control.” He sighed, “We need to formulate a plan that I can present to His Majesty.”
⸺ Chapter Twenty-Three ⸺
“Huh, I can’t get onto Facebook, there’s still just the front page saying the service will be resumed shortly, but it told people to stay calm.” said Stu looking up from his laptop.
“Huh,” said Spock looking angry. “They have a bloody cheek. It was thanks to them and CNN that all this was escalating.”
Stu gasped and looked at Spock with his mouth agape.
“What’s up matey?” asked Spock furrowing his brow.
Stu looked morose and trembled as he slid his laptop around so Spock could see a photograph on Instagram.
Spock looked horrified at the photo of bullet-riddled monks, and pointing at one monk, gasped. “The bastards killed Sedgly.”
Stu nodded, took a screenshot, and the pair looked at one another feeling furious.
They spent the afternoon watching CNN showing stories from around the world, with holy leaders of both religions now appealing for calm after the initial outburst from Muslim Ayatollahs.
The American President, along with other leaders of large countries with the two religions, warned Buddhists and Muslims that any acts of terror committed by either of them on their soil would lead to their immediate expulsion.
CNN advised Buddhist and Muslim in America to go somewhere they would be safe.
“Well, it looked like old farty name was getting his wish. He always banged on about how if he was President he wanted Muzzies out of America,” said Spock looking glum.
“Yeah, and they reckon he will take over from the Chimp as President at the next election, but I can’t see the Septic’s wanting to replace Chimp now.”
Stu heaved a sigh, “It looked like the world was buying into the Septic’s story,” he said as the Russian President came on and announced he was expelling the small number of Muslims from Russia and sending his troops into Ukraine to help with their larger Muslim problem before it affected the union.
“Old Vlad doesn’t fuck about,” said Stu. “Pity he was being duped along with everyone else.”
The Thais watched the same stories unfolding on Thai channels in the lounge while trying to pacify the kids. They pretended nothing was wrong, but they all felt a sense of trepidation and fear. Sid and Lek knew something was wrong and decided not to terrorise Spock… for now.
Pon came into the kitchen at dusk looking perturbed.
“Beer matey?” asked Spock and Pon nodded.
While Spock went to the fridge, Stu showed Pon the screenshot of Sedgly and said. “It looked like whoever who took Sedgly murdered him.
Pon, looking upset, shook his head and sighed. “I will chant for Master Sedgly’s safe journey to Nirvana.”
“He was a nice bloke, he never said a lot, but was always smiling. He wouldn’t have hurt a fly,” said Spock putting a can of Singha in front of Pon and feeling upset and annoyed.
Pon nodded “Yes, he was a nice man,” he said not having told the lads how he had seen Sedgly killing Fahed in an uncontrollable fit of rage.
Pon gulped his beer and the lads could see he looked worried.
“What’s happening?” asked Stu. “Have you and Taksin come up with any plans to tell the world they are being fooled.”
Pon sighed and shook his head. “No Stu, we have no proof.” He took another swig of beer. “Everything’s quiet at the moment, but that could soon change. Masters Cenat and Vitchae are at the news studios along with other head monks of Wats chanting for peace. They are all telling the Thai Buddhists to remain calm and not to seek revenge on the Muslims.”
A nervous tension filled the accommodation as they ate.
While the kids stayed in the lounge with the women, Taksin joined the men in the dining room. He told them about the meeting with the military heads and the King, and what they intended to do about the dire situation.
With the conversation being mainly in Thai, Spock and Stu went to the kitchen and watched TV with every channel now focused on developments, even the cartoon channel, much to Spock’s annoyance.
Lek and Sid walked into the kitchen and Spock cringed.
Stu smirked as Sid climbed onto Spock’s knee.
“Are you okay Spock?” asked Sid. “I know sumat’s wrong, they turned off t’ telly and won’t tell us owt.”
Spock looked at Sid and wondering what the little terrors were planning, furrowed his brow.
“Don’t worry, we will protect you,” said Sid, kissed Spock on the cheek, and got off his knee. Lek then climbed up and pecked him on the cheek.
The kids walked hand in hand out of the kitchen leaving Spock looking stunned.
“Arwh,” said Stu, “wasn’t that nice.”
Spock smiled and then frowned. “What are those little buggers planning?”
The following morning, Spock and Stu watched CNN reporting violent clashes around the world with hundreds of Buddhist and Muslims dead and thousands injured.
Footage showed scenes of chaos in many countries. Buddhist and Muslim neighbours who once lived in peace now turned on one another.
“It’s as we feared Pon,” said Taksin looking concerned as Pon came and sat in his office. “Even with the state of emergency we called yesterday, during the night, two Mosques in Bangkok and one in Phuket were set ablaze. We don’t have enough troops to be everywhere,” he sighed. “The King summoned the heads of the Thai news channels here and he and the Thai Prime Minister will address the Thai people from the Temple of the Sacred Light in a few hours. You need to be there with him Prime Master, his holiness the Sangharaja, Supreme Patriarch, and other leading Buddhist monks are coming.”
Pon nodded and asked. “Have you found out anything from the CIA or any other U.S. security service Khun Taksin?”
Taksin shook his head and sounding alarmed said, “No, I didn’t tell them much about what we know, I only requested information about what we discussed. They are still denying having any prior operations in Pakistan to find Fahed, and claimed to be too busy with the current situation to investigate further.”
Taksin sighed, “As we suspected what they would say.”
“Hmm,” said Pon frowning “perhaps we shouldn’t contact them again, we know how dangerous they are.”
The intercom buzzing interrupted the pair.
“What is it Jeap? I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Sorry sir, but Khun Langrit’s on the line and he said it was urgent and can’t wait.”
“Okay, put him through,” said Taksin and picked up the phone. “Hello Khun Langrit.”
The man spoke to Taksin who looked puzzled and said, “Hold on Khun Langrit, I have Prime Master Meesilli with me, I will put this on speaker phone.”
“It’s Chai Langrit, Chief of Thai Channel 7,” said Taksin putting the call on speaker.
�
��Good morning Prime Master Meesilli.”
“Good morning Khun Langrit, how can I help?”
Khun Langrit sounded perturbed. “A few hours ago I received a USB and a letter with an official US Homeland Security stamp on the front. The letter stated that the USB had been sent to mainstream press and local media channels, and governments of countries with Muslim and Buddhist citizens. The letter urged everyone to look and investigate all the information and then condense it into a story and release it at the same time at 8am US time today.” Pon and Taksin looked at one another when they heard Langrit sounding angry as he told them. “I was contacted before I looked at the files by my friend Po, the head of Xinhua Chinese TV and Taghe Rowat, from NDTV India; they have already seen it and sounded outraged.”
“Oh, so have you seen the USB?” asked Pon sounding confused.
“Yes, Prime Master, I have now,” said Langrit, “and I understand their anger.”
Taksin looked at Pon and shrugged. “So what has that got to do with us Khun Langrit?” asked Taksin, “we have no control over what you broadcast.”
“It has plenty to do with us Khun Taksin, especially you Prime Master.”
Pon and Taksin looked at one another,
“Why? What’s it about Khun Langrit?”
After a short pause, the angry news Chief said. “It is better that you watch it Prime Master. I have a courier on his way to you with a copy. I am preparing a story on the information on the USB and if my investigations confirmed the story, I will run it at the time indicated. Perhaps I could ask you a few questions Prime Master to help clarify matters before you received the USB.”
“Yes Khun Langrit, I will be happy to help,” said Pon looking puzzled.
“Prime Master Meesilli, are you aware that Buddha has descendants living here and in other countries around the world? If so, are you aware that they have been murdered?”
Pon’s eyes widen and he and Taksin looked shocked.
Pon furrowed his brow and thought. ‘How do they know about that and what else do they know? What do I tell him?’
“Prime Master,” said Langrit, hurrying an answer along.
Pon looked at Taksin who nodded.
“Yes Khun Langrit. I am aware that Buddha has descendants living here and in other parts of the world, and yes, I am aware that some have been murdered.”
“Did you blame their murders on a group of mythical assassins?” asked Langrit.
Pon took a deep breath and again looked at Taksin before he answered. “At first, yes, but later found out it was the terrorist Fahed Del Alaz who was the man behind this… why?”
“Oh,” said Langrit sounding surprised “You appeared to know more than most Prime Master. Nevertheless, you are wrong; that was what you’re meant to believe.”
“I don’t understand Khun Langrit. What are you telling us?”
“Please watch the files on the USB, and then you will understand,” said Langrit sounding relieved but excited. “Please let me know your thoughts, hopefully if we all worked together we could change the current situation. Thank you for your time. The courier should be there soon.”
“Okay,” said Taksin knowing he would get no further information until he received the USB. “We will watch it and then get back to you.”
Taksin hung up the phone and he and Pon stared at each other.
“What do you think Pon? Oh, hang on... Hello?”
Taksin put the phone on speakerphone, as Brin Sulit, editor of the Khom Chad Luek newspaper, called to tell him that he also received the same information as Langrit and wanted a comment. This was followed by a call from the Chief of channel 3 TV, the Bangkok Post editor, and the station bosses of Pong Pan and MCOT Phitsanulok radio stations. Taksin told them all the same thing, he was awaiting the USB and would comment then. For the next thirty-minutes his phone did not stop ringing with callers from Thai broadcasting media and the Thai press all with the same news about receiving and watching a USB.
A motorcycle courier came into Taksin’s administration building and Jeap brought the USB into Taksin’s office.
“I’m taking no more calls, Jeap,” said Taksin, “Any callers to the landline, tell them I am out.”
“Yes sir,” said Jeap, who wai-ed and left his office.
Taksin and Pon turned off their mobile phones. Taksin put the USB into his desktop and saw a list of files; some video, some documents, and all numbered in the order they needed to be viewed. Taksin opened FILE ONE that played and showed a file with Operation: HOODWINK: Top Secret: ECI.
“What does ECI mean?” asked Pon.
“ECI meant Exceptionally Controlled Information. This is a security classification only used by the NSA. Few people have this level of clearance,” said Taksin as the audio began.
Taksin and Pon watched the two hours of footage and, although looking flabergasted, breathed a sigh of relief.
After it finished, the pair sat in silence and smirked.
“When this gets out,” said Taksin and looked at his watch, “the world can breathe a sigh of relief.”
Pon frowned. “Most of the world,” he said sounding angry.
Taksin’s landline rang. He furrowed his brow and picked up the phone.
“I told you that I didn’t want disturbing, Jeap... Who? Okay, put him through… Good morning, Prime Minister.”
The Thai Prime Minister spoke to Taksin, who replied, “Yes Prime Minister, I have just seen the footage.”
The conversation went on for several minutes, and before the Prime Minister hung up, Taksin told him. “You have no other choice Prime Minister. Once this goes on air here, there will be a blood bath, so it is for their safety.”
After the Prime Minister hung up, Taksin looked at Pon. “The Prime Minister was holding an emergency press conference following the Kings appeal for calm.”
Pon nodded and, still trying to take in all the information from the USB, said. “If the agent who stole the files didn’t have a conscience, Operation Hoodwink could have gone on for years,” Pon sighed. “Just think of how many innocent lives have already been lost, and the tens of thousands that would have followed.”
Taksin nodded. “If the truth hadn’t been disclosed to be released worldwide, the consequences could be catastrophic, especially for countries such as ours, having both Buddhists and Muslims. It will be interesting to see how the broadcasting companies condense the story. I can’t imagine them showing the full footage, but who knows.” Taksin smiled. “We were correct, and this solved our quandary of how to let the world know.”
Pon sighed and looked sullen. “Sedgly and Chuck were duped along with the rest of us and it cost them their lives. I’m glad the truth will soon be out.”
With reports of more clashes between Buddhists and Muslims on the southern borders, the broadcast could not come soon enough for Taksin and Pon.
Taksin called Khun Langrit, who told him that all the Thai media companies got together to collaborate and share information regarding the list shown on the USB.
He confirmed that most of the names on the list of descendants living in Thailand were apparently killed in ‘accidents’ around the country on the same day. Langrit said he was still waiting for news on the others, but from the information on the USB, he assumed that the same happened to them.
Early afternoon, Pon went to the Temple of the Sacred light where the Thai King and the Supreme Patriarch appealed for calm.
This was followed by a broadcast by the Thai Prime Minister from the Thai-Khu-Fah, Government Building, telling Thais to tune into any Thai channel at 8 pm and gave a stark warning to one group of people.
Taksin spent the rest of the afternoon calling people and assisting government departments after the Prime Minister made his emergency speech.
With the film crews now gone from the Temple of the Sacred Light, Pon chanted along with the King, other high-ranking monks, and the Tinju for an hour.
They all left and Pon went to the living quarters.
“Yeah,” said Stu “and he advised all Septic’s to leave Thailand as soon as possible.”
Pon looked at them and nodded.
“Well that won’t be a lot of use to us only showing it on Thai TV. We won’t understand it,” said Spock furrowing his brow.
“The information that was being broadcast was from a USB in English said Pon, it will be dubbed into Thai, so that’s why I brought it to show you now.”
Pon took the USB from his cassock pocket and handed it to Stu who put it into his laptop, and while he connected a HDMI cable to the TV, Spock said. “If the Prime Minister was warning the Septic’s to leave in Thai, how will they know?”
“The hope is that Thais will warn their American friends, although that won’t give them much time to arrange anything tonight.”
Pon looked at Spock and Stu. “It looked like we were right about the American agencies being involved.”
“I bloody knew it,” said Stu plugging the cable into a socket,
Pon pointed to the USB and said. “All news media around the world received that sent by an intelligence officer who stole documents implicating the US President along with the directors of the US intelligence agencies.”
Stu frowned and looked at the files on the USB.
“Manhut won’t understand it, but I’ll get Dave,” said Spock and went into the lounge.
Pon pointed to the screen and said. “Start with FILE 1.”
Spock and Dave came into the kitchen and sat down at the table.
They watched the screen and Stu pressed play.
The silhouette of a man sat in front of a camera with the voice of a broadcaster altered to sound deep and echoing, said.
“This is a high-ranking intelligence agent who worked in the Whitehouse and will remain anonymous for obvious reasons. I am an international news correspondent, but because of the nature and possible deadly ramifications of this interview and its content, both our faces and voices have been digitally modified to mask our identity.”
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