The Iran War

by Jack Strain

  Now the three big screens in the NCTC main operations center were covering the three U.S. based attacks. Images streamed in from various news sources. The attack in Long Island occupied one of the screens, another covered the Philadelphia train stabbing, and the main screen was tracking the ongoing terror attack fifty miles away from where they were working in Fredericksburg, VA. An unknown number of Americans had died already, and more were at risk.

  While the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team deployed around the perimeter of the school, more than two hundred dedicated NCTC professionals were working at a feverish pace trying to determine where the next attack may be headed, but they would not have been human if they were unable to maintain their focus and ignore the terror that was happening in the school’s gymnasium. What should have been a fun-filled day for hundreds of kids and their parents as the Fall carnival held each year to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness, instead turned into a bloodbath.

  Details were still coming into the Center, multiple attackers opened fire on the indoor/outdoor event. Images provided by overhead helicopters had already captured several dozen unmoving figures on the ground while an unknown number were being held in the school’s auditorium. Word had already reached the NCTC that the situation was unstable and that they were getting ready to assault the gym when the large viewing screen filled with an aerial view of the gym suddenly erupted into flames and black smoke.

  Loud gasps of shock and dismay filled the room as all work stopped and everyone stared up at the frightening video filming in real-time this national tragedy. A sudden surge of police and rescue workers raced towards the building, trying to rescue as many people as possible. Gunfire could be heard over the audio feed, but quickly ended and ambulances suddenly started darting into the perimeter.

  Medical personnel was seen carrying the injured out of the building and firefighters were pouring a steady stream of water at one side of the building where the flames were billowing thick, black smoke.

  And then the screen went black, replaced by the NCTC logo and a commanding voice punctuated the room causing everyone to turn suddenly as if shocked by the sudden stoppage of the gut-wrenching images that everyone was watching.

  Deputy Director Dr. Fiona Cheng spoke into the intercom system in a voice filled with authority tempered by emotion – she, too, was watching what just happened. “I need everyone’s attention. Please, stop what you’re doing and listen now. Our nation is under attack. Americans have died, and others have been grievously wounded. I suspect this is just the beginning. Right now, nothing else matters than stopping the next attack. This is the National Counter-Terrorism Center, and it is our job to protect American lives. Today, we have failed to do so. All of us will have to answer for this failure, but not today. Today is about saving Americans from the next attack. Period.

  ‘Director LaHue is on the way to Washington to brief the president. I have been told to assemble an emergency crisis management task force, so be ready to meet in fifteen. One more thing, before he left, Director LaHue told me to tell all of you that what is happening right now is nothing less than an assault on the American way of life.

  Every option is on the table. Every contingency that has ever been drafted, every conversation in or out of the office to deal with an emergency of this magnitude will be considered, but we must act resolutely to save lives. Move fast, move smart, and remember that every moment wasted could result in more death. We have a job to do, so let’s get to it.”

  There were no cheers, no displays of sophomoric reactions. The men and women in the room were professionals, and they knew that the Deputy Director was right. They had collectively failed the American people. It didn’t matter that trying to stop “lone wolves” was perhaps impossible. The only thing that did matter was stopping the next attack. Looks were exchanged, determined nods were given, and the men and women of the NCTC went to work trying to protect Americans from the attacks yet to come.

  The White House

  “…there are no indications that suggest the three attacks this morning was being coordinated, in fact, all the evidence compiled thus far suggests the exact opposite to be true. The Bureau feels that these three separate attacks in three separate locations suggest a much wider threat exists, these lone wolf type of attacks are…”

  Director of Homeland Security, Dr. Kara Dietrich, was taking copious notes when she felt a tap on his right shoulder. Taken by surprise, she quickly turned her chair and saw a vaguely familiar NSC staffer who didn’t say anything and simply handed him a note. Quickly scanning the message, his eyes narrowed as he read that he was being pulled from a critical principals-only emergency National Security Council meeting and instructed to head directly to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, a bunker built under the East Wing.

  What in the hell…head to the PEOC??? Why in the hell is the president in the bunker and not here in the Situation Room?

  Motioning for the deputy director to take her seat, Dietrich stood and moved quickly out of the room and up the stairs from the basement Situation Room. The half marathoner walked at a brisk pace through the main Center Hall towards the East Colonnade, and as she entered the East Wing could not fail to notice that with the White House on lockdown, there were double the normal Secret Service agents on duty.

  Not since 9/11 has there been such a clear and present danger to the president and the American people. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for everything from anti-terrorism to immigration and national disasters, but most Americans viewed it as a domestic security agency. The massive federal agency has a $40 billion budget and 240,000 employees on the payroll, and every possible asset was being mobilized to defend against the looming terror threat.

  Dr. Kara Dietrich, known for her organizational talent and sound judgement, was a natural choice to take over the notoriously difficult to coordinate Department of Homeland Security. The past ten days have been hell for her and the department. All eyes looked to her now that terror has reached the shores of the United States yet again. From the ongoing problems trying to get the power restored in a dozen cities to the three deadly attacks this morning, Dietrich knew both she and the agency were under the microscope.

  After a ten-minute walk, she reached the elevator that took her down six stories to the entrance of the PEOC. A Secret Service agent reviewed her credentials and opened the vault-like door to the bunker. Originally built for President Franklin Roosevelt during WWII it had been further upgraded over the decades, including recent renovations by President Obama to protect the president and his closest staff and family in the event of a nuclear or terror threat.

  As Dietrich entered the main conference room, she immediately noted four sets of eyes greet her: President Wolfe, Baxter Davis, Attorney General Archer Stetson, and the Director of the National Counter-Terrorism Center, Travis LaHue.

  A bit taken aback by the small and unusual gathering outside the Situation Room, Secretary Dietrich ignored the barrage of thoughts racing through her already overwhelmed mind and walked towards the president with an outstretched hand and said, “Mr. President, I really don’t know what else to say other than ‘thank God you’re okay.’”

  President Wolfe returned the surprisingly strong handshake and said with a heavy edge to his voice, “I’m one hell of a long way from being okay, Kara. A lot of Americans have died this morning. That’s why you’re here.”

  Completely taken aback by the unexpected aggressive nature of the president’s response, Dietrich stammered a bit and said, “Yes…yes of course Mr. President. Whatever you need Sir.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way, Kara, because I refuse to lose any more American lives on my watch and your people will have to be on point for this one. Have a seat.”

  Dietrich could not help but notice that unlike the dazed man who roamed the White House corridors for the past week and sat through briefings seemingly lost in a fog, President Wolfe looked more in command of himself than at any point s
ince the beginning of the crisis. He stood while the others in the room sat and listened.

  “Kara, I asked you and the others in the room because when I announced to the nation that we would be declaring a true war on terror, I made a mistake thinking we would only have to make this fight in other far-off places, not here at home. I was wrong. The fight is here, every bit as much as it is in Iran or Syria or any other shithole country. I know that now. Do you agree?”

  Unsure where this was heading, Dietrich had no other choice than to nod her head and answer, “After this morning, I think we can all agree with that, sir. I can’t speak for any other domestic-based agency, but my people have doubled their efforts across the country. Security at every level has been increased…”

  Then the president forcefully cut her off, “Then how in the hell can you explain these three attacks? What am I supposed to tell the families of those who died today? Do we even know how many died today? Do we?”

  Dietrich glanced at the others in the room, all who made it a point to escape her gaze.

  I guess this is it. Bound to happen…

  “Mr. President, if you feel that I have let the American people down, then I am prepared to tender my resignation effective immediately.”

  The President shook his head slowly and his stern expression, softened a bit. He walked behind Dietrich’s chair and placed his hand warmly on her shoulder and said, “No, Kara, I let the American people down, not you. However, I do need a warrior to lead your agency. I need to know if you are you prepared to take the fight against our enemies that are living amongst us to ensure that no more innocent Americans die. Can I count on you, Kara?”

  Unsure of what to say, Dietrich hesitated and tried to grasp what exactly the president was asking of her but felt that she had no other choice than to nod and said, “Yes, Mr. President, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to protect the American people.”

  Acting more like a High School football coach, Wolfe got a little pumped up, slapped his hands together and with a bit of a strut in his step, looked over at his Special Advisor and said, “Okay Baxter, Homeland’s on board. I knew it, never any doubt. Give Kara the briefing book.”

  Baxter Davis quickly slid the briefing binder towards Dietrich. Unlike the president who seemed almost invigorated by what happened this morning, Davis, who was in the presidential motorcade and saw several of the bodies lying in grotesquely contorted positions on the highway, remained deeply shaken by what he witnessed. Davis spent the entire time on the flight back to the White House replaying the events in his mind. He watched the barrage of handheld and overhead video clips multiple times from every conceivable angle, only stopping when breaking news of the other two terror attacks became known.

  For Davis, terror no longer was some abstract concept. He saw with his own eyes what terror really looked like. During the drive back to the White House, Davis remembered an obscure classified document he read after receiving his security clearance soon after the inauguration. Written by a select group of security analysts from the highly secretive security firm, Booz, Allen, Hamilton, the memo explored possible Federal Government contingencies in case of widespread domestic terror attacks.

  The memo was rejected by the Homeland Security Department during President Obama’s administration because the recommendations were highly controversial and likely illegal. Davis read the plan soon after moving into the White House after a retired former FBI agent friend encouraged him to read it.

  After locating the heavy binder in a secured cabinet, Baxter re-read it again and knew that the president needed to be briefed by him without anyone else in the room. He was able to get the president’s ear for fifteen minutes before the emergency NSC meeting and brought copies of that same report. Forty-five minutes later, calls were placed to the Attorney General’s office and the National Counter-Terrorism Center, and the decision to meet in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center quickly followed.

  NCTC Director Travis LaHue waited for Baxter’s nod and looked over at Dietrich and said, “Madam Secretary, what you are holding is a blueprint on how to wage war on the domestic terror threat that is menacing our country and killing Americans. Your agency will rightfully take the lead in this role.”

  Dietrich never liked LaHue, a political appointee that appeased far-right interests in the party who backed Wolfe’s run for the White House. A retired one-star Army general and veteran, he spent most of his time in the Joint Special Operations Command before being pushed out, some say, due to his outspoken, controversial political views, especially regarding Islam. Others point to allegations of unauthorized killings in the field during JSOC’s battles against the Jordanian born Al Qaeda master terrorist in Iraq, al-Zarqawi.

  There was no doubting he was a pro with twenty plus years of experience both in the field and in command, but LaHue came across as a dark, sinister figure, and his nomination as the nation’s top counterterrorism expert was perhaps President Wolfe’s most controversial appointment. It was also no accident that Davis insisted he be a part of this briefing, as he was one of the authors of the plan when he worked for Booz, Allen, Hamilton after his Army career ended.

  Dietrich was skimming the contents of the binder and her neck and shoulder muscles tensed up as she began to understand just exactly what the president was asking of her and her agents. “Travis, what exactly do you see my department doing that we currently are not doing to address the terror threat?”

  The fifty-three-year-old LaHue struggled to contain his excitement. Even though he was wearing his favorite double-breasted Hugo Boss suit, he still looked like a former soldier. He sported tightly trimmed hair, ramrod straight posture and possessed a natural command bearing, plus there was not an ounce of fat on him. His daily ten mile runs burned off both nervous energy and his penchant for chocolate at all hours of the day and night.

  Here he was about to receive an official hunting license from the president himself to strike at the cancer quietly growing in the heart of America - fanatical Islamic extremists - and he intended to take full advantage. He spoke for years in the Conservative media about the looming domestic terror threat and often said it was not a matter of if, but when. Today’s victims were proof that he was correct and now fully intended to bring the war to them.

  “That’s just it, Secretary Dietrich, you are doing everything under the law that your agency is authorized to do…in peacetime. President Wolfe has just made it clear that he intends to wage war on terror here at home; ‘war’ being the key word. I refer you to page 11. Executive Order 1010 hereby authorizes the Federal Government and its designees to detain and hold persons considered to be associated with or actively supporting terrorist activities in the United States and its territories. Said persons will be subject to military law: Military tribunals will be convened to enforce the findings of domestic intelligence and law enforcement. Foreign nationals, as well as U.S. citizens, shall be held until it has been determined they do not represent a threat to the American people.”

  Dietrich felt a deep burning sensation in the pit of her stomach. Dear God, they’re serious.

  Looking over at the Attorney General, Dietrich icily asked, “Archer, this can’t be legal. Hell, this sounds as bad as the Japanese internment camps…worse maybe.”

  Kara, you have no idea what these people have in the works.

  The Attorney General was a former U.S. attorney, judge, and a two-term senator. He knew the law as well as anyone in D.C. A law and order man his entire adult life, no one had ever accused Archer Stetson of being soft on criminals, but he was also a man who dearly revered the Bill of Rights and often railed against the dangers of a Federal Government that all too often routinely ran roughshod over individual rights.

  The dour-faced, proud Mississippian shifted uncomfortably in his chair and said “Well, Kara, it’s complicated. Since we are not using federal troops per se, these actions would not come under the 1879 Posse Comitatus Act. Your agents will be acting in a lawful man
ner and protected by the provisions of the executive order.”

  Immediately shaking his head from side to side, Dietrich blurted out, “What happens to my people after the dust settles?”

  Leaning forward and with her finger pointed right at the Attorney General, Dietrich didn’t give the man a chance to answer and shot right back, “Like those CIA interrogators were protected after 9/11? Remember what happened to them Archer? Well I sure as hell do. We asked those men and women to get information in any way possible - to disregard the law - and they ended up having to get attorneys and face prison time. Is that what is going to happen now?”

  President Wolfe was in no mood to debate the issue and weighed in strongly, “Americans died this morning, Kara, some right in front of me. This is war. I won’t allow our enemies to hide behind our laws to attack us. Are you up to this? Because if you’re not, then I will find someone who will be.”

  Bristling at the implied suggestion that she didn’t have what it takes – didn’t have the guts, Dietrich looked the president right in the eyes and said, “Mr. President, I am more than capable of doing whatever it takes to protect this country, but what you are asking - what this plan represents - we are looking at a constitutional crisis at a minimum. I won’t put my people at risk unless I have assurances they are protected.”

  Wolfe saw the steel in the former DIA officer’s eyes and said, “You have my word. Hell, I’ll have my people write up a blanket pardon to cover everyone. Yourself included. Now, can Homeland Security protect the country?”

  Pausing for a second, Dietrich reached for a sip of water and then said, “Sir, there are 1.2 million names on the NCTC database alone, plus several other million on various other watch lists and databases from other agencies. I don’t have the agents to track down and go after all of these names and even if I did where in the hell would we put them?”

  Very coolly, LaHue interjected, “Mr. Secretary please turn to Appendix C. We are calling this Operation Imminent Purge. The NCTC will be deputizing thousands of trained security agents from a dozen private security firms from DYNCORP, KBR, ACADEMI, and several others. Most are staffed by retired military and security agents from various U.S. federal agencies.