Rolling Thunder (2007)

by Jack - Seals 04 Terral

  Not bad a'tall, Sikes said. But how'd you get the Yanks to part with them Stingers?

  They were left behind in Afghanistan by the American CIA, Khadid explained. Evidently, the Taliban were short of cash and made arrangements for them to be sold to Mr. Harry Turpin.

  Sikes laughed. That sly old bastard! Now he's delivered 'em back to Afghanistan and made a bluddy big profit on 'em too.

  I wouldn't be surprised, Khadid said. So you can forget any active warfare now, Sikes Pasha. You shall escort opium caravans instead.

  Gawd! You mean with bleeding camels?

  Khadid shook his head. I believe the smugglers prefer modern transport trucks. They also use machine-gun-mounted Toyota pickup trucks for protection.

  Alright then, I'll bide me time, Sikes said. Say! Could I have another bag o' them crisps?

  Chapter 16

  PASHTUN STRONGHOLD

  HOUSE OF GHAZAN BARAKZAI

  2 MAY

  1500 HOURS

  ARCHIE Sikes sat cross-legged on the thick carpet with three other men: Captain Naser Khadid, Jandol Kakar, and Ghazan Barakzai. The boy Malyar Lodhi knelt on his knees behind Sikes, acting as translator. Off in one corner, with their parunay head scarves held demurely across the lower parts of their faces, were Barakzai's wife and his thirteen-year-old daughter Banafsha, who was the subject of the conversation among the males.

  Kakar had been appointed Sikes' personal aide only the day before by the Pashtun leader, Orakzai. He was a thirty-year-old mujahideen whose natural leadership had put him in several positions of authority and responsibility over the years. Sikes had pondered the problem of a title for Kakar. Such things were important to the young Brit in his combination fantasy/pragmatic life. At first, he was going to make him a sergeant major, except he already had one. After turning the matter over in his mind, Sikes decided that, as a pasha, what he needed was an adjutant. And that was the title he bestowed on the young mujahideen.

  Now, as the closest thing Sikes had for a Pashtun relative, Jandol Kakar was representing him that day in the negotiations for the Englishman's marriage to Banafsha. She had been picked out by Orakzai and literally assigned as his future bride, depending on what sort of deal could be successfully bartered with her father. At that particular moment, the men were sipping hot tea after munching on kofte meatballs.

  Sikes, well aware of certain customs regarding women, hadn't given Banafsha a close scrutiny, but the first quick sight of the girl showed a slightly plump youngster with whatever female qualities she had well hidden under her long dress. The glimpse at her face from the side did not give him a complete picture of her features. She looked like one of the many Pakistani schoolgirls in the UK.

  As Sikes sat with the men, he noted that his prospective father-in-law, Barakzai, appeared to be in his seventies or eighties, with a snow-white beard and an extremely wrinkled face. Sikes was surprised to learn that the old mujahideen had fought against the Soviets and in reality was only sixty-six years of age. If the marriage in question was a regular one instead of a muta the temporary marriage allowed in Islam the Brit would have been concerned about the very real possibility that his bride would be an old hag by thirty-five.

  Now Malyar whispered his translations into Sikes' ear as the talks between Kakar and Barakzai continued. Mr. Barakzai says his daughter is young and pretty...a virgin... if she enters into a muta with you, you will leave her someday... that will make her less desirable to other men and he will have much difficulty to marry her off again, especially if she is left with children... thus, he expects you to pay a generous bridal gift now.

  Sikes liked the idea of muta mostly because it meant he would have a handy bit of tail, yet be able to end the relationship on friendly and proper terms. Even if he spent the rest of his life with the Pashtuns, he could get rid of the wife in a way that would not dishonor her. Thus, there would be no problems with an oath of vengeance being sworn against him by her male relatives because of any perceived insults.

  As the talking went on, he leaned back and spoke under his breath to Malyar. Do you know the bird then?

  Yes, Malyar said softly, understanding the English slang for girl.

  Does she have big tits, hey?

  Malyar shrugged. Such a thing cannot be determined from the way our women dress. He turned his attention back to the negotiations. Jandol Kakar is telling Mr. Barakzai what a fine man you are...a brave war leader . . . there is a strong possibility you will remain here until the end of your days . . .

  Listen, Sikes interrupted him softly. Is the bird a good looker, know wot I mean, hey? Even if you can't see her tits or ass, you've seen her face, ain't you?

  She seems quite acceptable, Sikes Pasha, Malyar said. You would not find her unpleasant to gaze upon. He turned his attention back to his interpreting duties. Mr. Barakzai is wanting two hundred thousand afghanis and three female goats for the bridal gift....

  Archie, not worried about the price since Orakzai would be paying the cost, snickered to himself, thinking, The old bugger prob'ly wants them goats to fuck 'em.

  Malyar continued. Now Jandol is making an offer of fifty thousand afghanis and no goats...now Mr. Barakzai is wanting one hundred fifty thousand afghanis and two female goats... oh, now they are bargaining hard and fast. He was silent for a few moments as the two men continued to talk. Then he said. It is agreed. Mr. Barakzai is getting one hundred twenty-five thousand afghanis and one female goat.

  The session came to an end.

  Sikes wondered if he would be introduced to the girl, but at almost the exact instant an agreement was reached, the visitors got to their feet. After making happy and friendly fare-thee-wells with Ghazan Barakzai, Sikes and his companions abruptly left the house and went outside. Khadid took Sikes' arm. Now we must go to Orakzai Mesher and tell him that the terms for the marriage are successfully completed.

  Sikes was curious. Wot happens now then?

  Khadid explained, Something you may not understand yet about Islam is that marriage is a contract, not a sacrament as in the Christian world. This agreement will be written up and signed by Mr. Barakzai. You must pay the bridal gift before you can consummate the marriage.

  And how long will that be? Sikes said. I've been a while without it, know what I mean then?

  I understand, Sikes Pasha, Khadid said. Orakzai Mesher is as anxious as you to get the ceremony over with. He winked at Sikes. But for obviously different reasons.

  You're right about that, mate! Sikes said with a laugh.

  .

  WASHINGTON, D.C.

  STATE DEPARTMENT

  LAMP COMMITTEE

  3 MAY

  0905 HOURS

  THIS was the committee's first official meeting since it had been established. It was chaired by Arlene Entienne, the beautiful Cajun-African-American Chief of Staff to the President of the United States. The members were Carl Joplin, PhD, State Department Undersecretary; Colonel John Turn-bull, chief of the Special Operation Liaison Staff; and Edgar Watson of the CIA. The reason behind the establishment of the group was the receipt of new intelligence. This information had not yet been provided to the entire panel; only Arlene Entienne had been briefed, but only partially due to the lateness of the data.

  Even before Entienne had a chance to call this first meeting to order, Colonel Turnbull spoke up. Why the hell are they calling this the Lamp Committee, for Chrissake!

  That will become apparent very quickly, John, Entienne replied. Now! I declare this first get-together in session and ready to conduct business. She paused to make sure everyone was giving her his full attention. The President has formed our little group because of unexpected recent developments.

  He is going to depend on us for advice and evaluation of intelligence that has literally popped up from somewhere in Afghanistan. Our duties will also include giving him counsel on what covert and overt actions must be taken to turn the situation around to our advantage where the Iranians are concerned. Edgar will bring us up to da
te on this remarkable incident that has brought about organizing us into a standing committee. And, I might add, we have a lot of official clout. Our decisions will be taken very seriously and reviewed at the Pentagon.

  Edgar Watson already had his notes out and prepared for his discourse. Several weeks ago, our Middle Eastern station began monitoring transmissions that were coming across in the clear, i.e., unencoded, from an unknown person. These messages contained bits and pieces of intelligence that were checked out. This was the source of information I presented to you in this very room on the ninth of April. I also passed on further intelligence from that informant when we met with the President on the twenty-second.

  Carl Joplin frowned. This seems a risky thing to put much trust in.

  I agree, Turnbull said. I am confused why the transmitter is not worried about being compromised if he uses no code. That also means he is not one of our agents.

  Believe me, gentlemen, Watson said, we've given this information the most critical of evaluation. That is why it wasn't fully disclosed to you immediately. Further transmissions turned out to contain data that was very timely and accurate, much to the Agency's surprise. It was decided to take advantage of this unexpected source of information, and the sender was contacted and assigned the call sign Aladdin.

  Ha! Turnbull said. So that's why we're called the Lamp Committee, huh? Aladdin's lamp!

  Entienne interrupted. Precisely. And that was my idea, John.

  And a damn good one, Arlene, he replied with a grin.

  At any rate, Watson said, one of the first things we learned was about this Brit Archibald Sikes who had deserted from his unit in Iraq and subsequently joined the group calling itself the Jihad Abadi. MI-Five confirmed both his existence and status. Aladdin, as I shall refer to him or her, later informed us that the Chehaar Garrison had been closed down and the armored car company deactivated. This information has already been given to Carl Joplin.

  Except I was unaware of the source, Joplin said.

  We figured you needed it for your meeting with the Iranian charge d'affaires, Entienne said. A little extra ammo, so to speak.

  Precisely, Watson said. Now this fellow Sikes, who had converted to the Muslim faith and changed his first name from Archibald to Arsalaan

  Ha! Colonel Turnbull interrupted with a laugh. That's not much of an improvement.

  At any rate, Watson said, irritated by the interjection, he has taken his Arab force and trekked from Iran up into the Gharawdara Highlands in west Afghanistan to join a Pashtun rebel fighting force. All this is through the command and guidance of Iranian Special Forces in that operation designed to take over all Middle Eastern Islamic insurgence groups. By the way, we don't know what the Iranians are calling this grandiose scheme, but the CIA has dubbed it Operation Persian Empire.

  Entienne asked, And you're sure these Iranian SF guys aren't a bunch of rogue officers running amok?

  Positively, Watson said. This is a highly classified military operation under the direct command of the Iranian Government and the Army General Staff. They are determined to dominate the whole of the Middle East. He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder, opening it. This is the latest report from Aladdin. It informs us that the majority of funding for Operation Persian Empire is coming from the smuggling of opium poppy powder out of Afghanistan, through Iran, and into Turkey to the buyers.

  Turnbull drummed his fingers on the tabletop. So this is the latest intel we've received from Aladdin?

  Affirmative, Colonel, Watson said. We are waiting to learn the exact route taken by these smugglers from Afghanistan. Without that info, we can't plan any operations. All we know at this point is that it's somewhere in the passes of the Gharawdara Highlands.

  Hell! Turnbull said. What about the route across Iran? That would be easier to assess.

  That would be a 'nice-to-know' item, since we cannot act on it unless we go across the international border, Watson explained. That is definitely out of the question.

  Shit! Turnbull said. If you ask me, the info on where and what they're doing in Iran goes beyond even 'know.' I would classify it as 'shouldmust-know.'

  Yeah, Watson agreed. But it's a matter of first things first.

  Alright, folks, let's get to business, Entienne said. This committee is to advise the President, so let's start concentrating on that. Any comments?

  No one said a word for a few moments as all turned inward to reflect on the information that had just been given them. Carl Joplin was the first to speak out. I suggest that we wait until we know the smugglers' exact route or routes. Then use extreme prejudice in destroying it.

  The only way that can be done is by putting some of our best people in harm's way, Turnbull said. But it's obvious we have no choice.

  I agree, Joplin said. It would seem that the first thing to do is cut off that funding coming from opium smuggling.

  That's a sound suggestion, Turnbull said. Cut the sons of bitches off from their money, and they're like the proverbial dumb bastard who's up a creek without a paddle.

  Entienne nodded. Yes!

  That's the Agency's take on things, Watson said. And I'm bringing that evaluation to this table from the CIA Director himself, folks.

  I move the President's Chief of Staff advise him to launch attacks against the opium smugglers involved in Operation Persian Empire, Carl Joplin said.

  I second the motion, Turnbull said.

  Of course we'll have to wait until we get those exact routes through Afghanistan and into Iran, Watson pointed out.

  Hell, Turnbull said, we already know it's somewhere in the Gharawdara Highlands. We can at least start getting ready for it. He glanced over at Joplin. Say, Carl, isn't that where your SEAL friends are?

  Yes, Joplin replied. Brannigan's Brigands.

  .

  PASHTUN STRONGHOLD

  5 MAY

  1800 HOURS

  THE skinned and gutted goat carcasses had been buried in the ground surrounded by glowing coals for close to twenty-four hours, a procedure that began almost as soon as the marriage contract between Archie Sikes and Banafsha Barakzai was signed. The occasion included the payment of the bridal gift and delivery of the nanny goat to the En-glishman's new father-in-law, Ghazan. Archie learned that the 125,000-afghani price for the marriage came out to some -u1,434 in UK money or close to 2,000 U.S. dollars.

  Now the slow-cooked goats were being dug up by the men in charge of the preparation, while women laid out pots of various foods; kachumber salad, dala lentil soup, halva sweets, kofte meatballs, and other goodies that were on the menu for the wedding feast. Although there were no alcoholic beverages, in accordance with the laws of Islam, there was plenty of tea, coffee, fruit juices, and the ever-present Pepsi brought back in cases during the opium-smuggling activities. Tables, bowls, chairs, and stools were contributed for the occasion from just about every household in the camp.

  When everything was set up, Sikes, along with his adjutant Jandol Kakar and translator Malyar Lodhi, made an appearance. Sikes responded to the happy greetings shouted at him with nods of his head as he went to his place, where the food was laid out. Normally, the feast would have been held a couple of days after the marriage was consummated, but an opium run was already scheduled and Sikes was expected to participate. The date could not be changed, and Orakzai Mesher was anxious to get his English field commander fully integrated into his organization.

  When Sikes settled down on the cushions provided for sitting, he was served some sur chai tea with milk. He sipped slowly, continuing to nod to the many Pashtuns who shouted their congratulations at him. The noise of talking, shouting people looking forward to the banquet was loud with babbling and laughter. It increased even more when Orakzai and his entourage of bodyguards appeared. He waved to the people, then smiled at Sikes as he took his reserved place where he would be able to get a full view of the event.

  The people turned back to their loud celebrating as they waited for the festivities
to move into a higher gear. Suddenly, the noise began subsiding, and within a quarter of a minute, silence reigned over the scene.

  Ghazan Barakzai and other male relatives of the bride appeared with her. Sikes looked at Banafsha, disappointed she was completely covered by a chadari over her face and a long burka that concealed her body. The girl looked a bit like a midget as she made her way to her own place at the feast. This was the first time he had seen her standing, and he noted she wasn't quite five feet tall. As soon as she sat down, the noise started up again and the people turned to the joyful task of consuming the food.

  .

  SIKES' QUARTERS