"No," Nikolas said. He did not hesitate for a moment to lie. He felt safe taking a calculated risk to conceal the Ayatollahs' ultimate plan. Besides, Nikolas didn't care about his family. He wanted Stoker, Rivera, Ahmadi, and other American resources to be distracted by the family rescue. But, Nikolas had a secondary concern. His oldest son had learned parts of the plan. The young man was inquisitive, and he put some pieces together one night after overhearing his father talking on the phone to Tehran. He trusted his father enough to ask a few questions. Nikolas evaded the answers. Yet, he was still concerned his son could be a liability, a source of intelligence for the Americans. So, Nikolas further embellished his lie. "There is one caveat. I don't know what my bonyad director has in his plans. I know they are always thinking of something. By design, I've been left in the dark about anything else. But, if your CIA can capture my bonyad director, Alireza Pour-Mohammadi, he would be a wealth of knowledge."
"There's nothing else to tell us?" Ahmadi asked.
"No, nothing."
"Let's see how honest you're being," Stoker said. "Let's see what's behind door number one!" The door to the interrogation room opened. "Look what we have here!" Stoker continued in an embellished voice. "You've won an all-expense paid trip to an FBI polygraph exam!" A technician wheeled in a polygraph machine. "Agent Ahmadi and I are going to take a little coffee break, while this fine technician tests your truthfulness."
Nikolas smiled a little bit. He was trained to beat the polygraph. "Very good," he exclaimed as he thought; finally, I get to use these skills I've worked on for years—outsmarting polygraphs. During his spy training, years ago in Iran and Greece, he had learned to beat a polygraph. Besides, as a psychopath, it was easy for him to shroud his lies. Furthermore, he recently had a surgical procedure on the nerves in his arm that controlled sweating. This subsequently affected galvanic skin response, on his wrist and hands, which the polygraph measured. Once Nikolas completed the polygraph exam, they wouldn't know any more about the activities in Asia or the cruise ship Tropical Solace.
After he was hooked up to the lie detector machine, the technician asked him some questions to establish baselines of truthfulness and lies. Even during these baseline questions, Nikolas was already laying down inaccuracies to help him tell lies that would test as truths.
After a few minutes, the technician got to the core questions. "Has your bonyad director shared anything you've omitted to Doctors Stoker and Rivera, Agent Ahmadi, or any other person who has interrogated you since your arrest?"
"No," Nikolas responded.
"Besides the Balamuthia and Campylobacter attacks, do you know of any other acts of war, violence, or terrorism to be perpetrated on America?"
"No."
"Do you know of any other countries complicit with your plan?"
"No."
"Okay we're done here," the technician said.
"Now do you believe me?" Nikolas asked the technician.
"That's not for me to report," he replied.
Stoker and Ahmadi opened the door and walked in. "That's for us to decide," Ahmadi said. "But, it's time for you to go back to your cell."
"Well, do you believe me?" Nikolas asked her.
"I've not seen the results yet," Ahmadi replied. "But, this isn't prep school. Terrorists don't get to know their test scores."
Two guards came in and took Nikolas away. Stoker and Ahmadi sat down with the polygraph technician. Rivera came in from the control room. "What did you find out?" Stoker asked.
"He's either telling the truth, or he's had some training on beating lie detector tests."
"Since he's a psychopath, it would be easier for him to beat the exam," Stoker said
"Perhaps a little," the technician said. "But, many criminals who fail lie detector tests are psychopaths or sociopaths. It takes a well-trained, disciplined person to beat the polygraph."
"But, the psychopaths have a definite advantage," Stoker said. "I don’t believe him. I think it's time we throw Nikolas a curveball."
"What are you thinking?" Ahmadi asked.
Stoker smiled at Rivera. "Let's see if we can get our friend, Dr. Bocelli, to visit us here in Chicago."
Rivera also smiled, this time his grin had a hint of sly to it. "Yes! Dr. Bocelli. Let's get him to do some fMRI testing on Nikolas at the University of Chicago. Nobody fools Bocelli and the fMRI."
"He's pretty busy heading up a bunch of new research," Stoker said. "But, we'll get the president to help Bocelli prioritize a quick trip to Chicago."
• • •
Z had been asleep for two hours. His life consisted of napping for a while and then waking up to interact with the online community of Balamuthia-infected patients he had formed. He opened his laptop to find he had hundreds of Snapchats and Instagrams waiting for him. The first one he opened was a woman who appeared to be about thirty years old.
Eight weeks ago, I was at Burning Man. Two days ago, I got so sick I could barely function. Twenty-four hours ago, the emergency room doctor laughed in my face when I suggested I might have Balamuthia. Twenty-three hours ago, I had a spinal tap. Twenty hours ago, I had a piece of my brain removed for biopsy. Twelve hours ago, my brain tissue arrived at the CDC in Atlanta to figure out what's going on with me. And now, I'm in the hospital with an IV pumping me full of drugs, just in case I have an amoeba eating my brain.
The next message was a man, probably in his early fifties.
I was at Burning Man, and now I'm scared. My hospital started treating me for the Guillain-Barre syndrome epidemic. But, an hour ago I failed some crazy test where they stuck a probe in my arm and shocked me. I think they're starting to believe me when I tell them the Burning Man theory. I can't believe I'm about to request neurosurgery for the second time. Hope they listen.
In the next post, a boyfriend-girlfriend couple was still in the emergency room.
We're being sent home. The doctor thinks we just have the same virus. Rest, ibuprofen and plenty of liquids. We're calling an uncle, who's a doctor, for a second opinion.
While most messages were from people who had attended Burning Man, Z and Jessica shared the dread every time they saw a message from someone sitting in a hospital. They'd lost count after the first dozen who were recovering from a brain biopsy, diagnosed with Balamuthia, and lying in a hospital bed being treated with I.V. medications.
Z realized he was spending his time as an observer. It was time to be more proactive. So, he went to Snapchat and opened a new account with the name AmoebaEpidemic. Then he went to Instagram and opened an account with the username Amoeba Epidemic. He created similar accounts on Twitter and Facebook. Then, he went back to his personal Snapchat account and encouraged people to start cataloging their experience on the social media channels of their choice. He then went onto Twitter and wrote.
Attended Burning Man eight weeks ago. Finding many people sick with probable amoeba. #AmoebaEpidemic.
He repeated the process on Facebook and all his other social media accounts. He watched as even more people started to respond. He took a few minutes to start linking out to resources about Balamuthia mandrillaris. For the next few hours, he interacted with hundreds of people who had been diagnosed, perhaps misdiagnosed, or were showing initial symptoms. Much of the dread he felt faded away, displaced by the empowerment of doing something about this disease—about reaching out to other humans and helping people get an early diagnosis. Perhaps, he could help a few people improve their odds of surviving.
Later, Z realized he had been awake for five hours, running on pure adrenaline. He was identifying an early outbreak of a vicious illness. But, the need for sleep overwhelmed him. He sent a summary email to Stoker and asked him to share the data with his new friends in Washington D.C.
• • •
"My fellow Americans." The nation was watching. This presidential address, scheduled with only a few hours' notice, surprised all Americans. Rivera and Ahmadi were watching from a conference room in the Chicago FBI field offi
ce. Stoker had flown out from Chicago to rendezvous with some CIA operatives in Bahrain to stage the rescue in Saudi Arabia. "I come before you this evening to ask us to join together as a nation. There's a crisis starting to ripple across America. If we stand resolute and united, we will emerge victorious."
The president looked directly into the camera. His expression was serious, but he made a conscious effort not to appear grave. "Recently, the Centers for Disease Control detected some unusual cases of two different infections. The first comes from a common bacterium, Campylobacter jejuni. On its own, Campylobacter bacteria is almost never fatal. However, in about one of every three thousand cases, patients infected with the Campylobacter bacteria develop a subsequent disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Few people die from Guillain-Barre syndrome, but about half of its victims end up hospitalized, needing a ventilator to help them breathe for a few weeks."
"So far, so good on keeping the medical facts straight," Rivera commented.
"It's a tough speech,” Ahmadi said. “The president has to explain a war being fought with weapons we can't see. It's easy to explain bombs, guns, tanks, missiles, or grenades."
"The rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air," Rivera replied to Ahmadi. "There are no mentions of pathogens in the Star-Spangled Banner. It's a new battlefield."
The president continued. "Within the last few hours, we have learned a rogue nation, wishing harm to America and democracy, genetically altered a new strain of the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria. Actors, backed by Iran, weaponized this germ by increasing its virulence, or harmfulness. According to data we've collected so far, roughly fifty percent of people infected by this strain of Campylobacter go on to develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. Furthermore, many more of these patients require hospitalization and ventilator support."
The president continued to give a brief and practical explanation. "How does a person contract the bacteria?" he asked. "In this case, our enemies went to great lengths to administer it to Americans via a few different means. Some of the most common include inserting the bacteria into condiments at Little Italy sandwich shops and in several hotels that host large banquets. The Iranian backed agents also sprayed the pathogens into the air from misting machines during summer events. They did this under a company name, CoolSolar."
A web address popped up on the screen: cdc.gov/resolute. The president continued. "You can learn more about the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria by visiting the web address on your screen. The content there also clearly explains how Campylobacter jejuni may lead to Guillain-Barre syndrome. If you have symptoms of Campylobacter jejuni or Guillain-Barre syndrome, please see a primary care doctor. The Red Cross and National Guard are mobilizing to set up clinics in places where infection rates are higher, such as cities. If hospitals become overwhelmed, they will also set up overflow clinics adjacent to those hospitals."
The camera angle changed, and the president paused for just a moment before he changed the subject. "There's a second infection emerging. Balamuthia mandrillaris is an amoeba. It is so rare that only one or two people contract this infection every year in America. However, during the last two weeks, we've seen more than sixty instances reported to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Sixty cases is a small number, but it is a huge leap. This increase in cases would not occur without human intervention.
"Within the last hour, intelligence operatives were able to verify the same people responsible for the bacterial infection, have also engineered the means to infect numerous Americans with the Balamuthia mandrillaris amoeba. "The president was referring to the information Stoker passed onto him after his interrogation with Nikolas.
"Again," continued the president, "you can learn all about this amoeba at the CDC website on your screen. This is a potent pathogen, and it is often fatal. If you experience any of the symptoms listed on the CDC website, see a doctor.
"Neither the bacteria nor the amoeba is easily transmitted between humans. One person does not pass these to another by touching, sneezing, or kissing. As a result, there is no need to wear a mask to work or school or barricade yourself in your home. Like always, you should wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. That will minimize the spread of the Campylobacter bacteria."
The president changed camera angles once again. He had delivered the bad news. He now projected an air of confidence. "I want to share a word with medical professionals. But, it would be good for all Americans to be aware of the following information. Tomorrow morning, the Centers for Disease Control will publish and disseminate a diagnostic and treatment guideline for this bacterium and this amoeba. It's a version one point zero. It will be revised and improved as we learn more. Please note, it is important to recognize many of the presenting symptoms are similar for these two pathogens." The president paused for emphasis, then continued. "Let me repeat this. Many of the symptoms are similar for these two pathogens, in the initial stages. Patients presenting with weakness in their extremities, pins and needles sensations, or unsteady balance, may have one of these two conditions. Patients should be screened for these conditions. More information will be available on the website for patients and medical professionals.
"Thanks to the diligence of a few forward-thinking doctors," the president said, referring again to Stoker and Rivera, "we're already increasing the production of new ventilators and the drugs used to treat these illnesses. We will also be expanding access to these drugs and specific treatments to reduce the length and intensity of the diseases. The full resources of the Federal Government are working to save lives.
"Finally, let's turn our attention to Iran. First, I want to say to the millions of Iranians living in America, the millions of Iranians living in Iran, and the millions of Iranians living throughout the world, you are some of the most amazing people God has placed on this earth. You are intelligent, warm, diligent, and caring. America is not at war with you. Indeed, we've enjoyed decades of increased peace and understanding with most Iranian people. Our greatest wish is a future wherein America continues to celebrate Iranians.
"Our fight is with a few deranged and blood-thirsty men who have financed and orchestrated this silent strike over many years. We've made some arrests, including the kingpin of this operation. These terrorists will be punished. We're locking up other evildoers as I speak. That's just the beginning. Millions of lives stand threatened by these evil acts of terror. The United States of America has a tenacious history of hunting down her enemies. We warn those of you, be you individuals or corrupt governments, who have financed, harbored, or facilitated this terror. We will hunt you down. We will go to all ends of the earth. We will find you, and we will punish you.
"God bless America."
CHAPTER 25
The Persian Gulf, Due West of Jubail, Saudi Arabia
It was just past four o'clock in the morning speeding through the waters of the Persian Gulf skirting Saudi Arabia. The team's most recent intelligence report showed security was light at a small property forty-three miles northwest of the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Al Jubail. The diesel engines of two experimental Navy M80 Stiletto surface vessels cut through choppy waters thirteen miles offshore. The navigator updated the skippers and team leader on their location, and he reported no other boats in the area. The warm, dry desert air clashed with the fog loitering along the coast of eastern Saudi Arabia. "Did anyone call ahead and secure our reservation for a table of six in Saudi Arabia?" joked one of the two CIA operatives, referring to the six people who would be rescuing the Antoniou family in Saudi Arabia.
A Navy SEAL and the team leader responded. "The head waiter informed me we are not welcome at this particular restaurant. The only food and beverage available are the snack in your pack and the thirty-two ounces of water you're carrying."
A second CIA man chimed in. "Welcome back to the Kingdom."
The skippers turned their vessels with a steep bank toward Saudi Arabia, and the team leader's voice came over their headsets. "Let's get ready guys. We're
about twelve minutes from your drop." Then the pilot addressed Stoker through the communication system. "How's it going there, Doc?"
Troy Stoker, M.D, made his preparations including final checks on his medical supply pack, helmet, and night-vision goggles. The last few hours had been a series of firsts. He had never knowingly worked with CIA operatives. And, he had never been to Saudi Arabia. If all went according to plan, he would only spend about an hour in the country. He spoke up and reminded the operators, "Let's be careful here. The family we're rescuing could be confused and hostile."
The Navy SEAL team leader responded. "When we break down doors, we rarely trust the people on the other side, Doc. I'll keep my third eye open on this one. You know Stoker, when your Spidey senses are tingling, you go with it. I get it. We're good to go."
"Let's rock, Stoker said."
"Sounds good, Doc. Follow my lead, and everything will be just fine."
As the boats crossed the twelve-mile territorial waters limit from Saudi Arabia, the team members went through a series of checks on their weapons and equipment. Once they entered the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, the skippers coasted the boats to a stop and extended their rear launch ramps into the sea. The water created a welcome spray as each of the six men boarded a Malloy Hoverbike T3. This was one of the latest technologies Espada Rápida had been testing, a hovering motorcycle that flies in the air. Each one could lift two men and some gear. It had a range of about 90 miles. This was a perfect opportunity to use it for its extreme stealth and maneuverability.
"Enjoy the cool while you can," one of the special operators said. "About five seconds after you make landfall, you'll be back in the blazing desert."
Since the moment Stoker and Rivera suggested the mission to extricate Nikolas's family from their house arrest in Saudi Arabia, Stoker felt a conviction he needed to be present during the rescue. So much about Nikolas's circumstances and alleged story bothered him. There were just too many holes. Stoker hoped forming a quick alliance with Nikolas's family would shed more light on their situation. He had always possessed an intuitive gift—the ability to understand people and their circumstances.
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