Spontaneous

by DiMirra

  I heard the engines throttle back and felt the airplane tip ever so slightly forward into a steady descent. We were close to Marrakesh and arriving in time for a late lunch.

  "Ali, I'll see you in 30 minutes," I concluded.

  Chapter 29

  En Route to Riyadh: 14:00, January 22nd

  After another smooth landing, we taxied to our hanger for refueling and catering. The ground crew was unloading 1,001 roses an $100 million in cash, fresh off our presses, as my guests left the plane to stretch their legs and feel the sun.

  I said "Buenas tardes, Ijo (Good afternoon, Son)" to Ali.

  "Baba, I feel blessed in this oasis, enjoying calm and normal circumstances, even with all the madness happening around the world.

  "Are those fresh roses?"

  "They're for you bride -- a gift from Cristina and me. I also brought some US currency, sort of a down payment that Keny can use to pique everyone's interest. Please assure that it gets delivered to him today.

  "Anything urgent I should know before we take off for Saudi?"

  "Father, thank you for providing this amazing message of love.

  "We are quarantining the Defiance because some of the girls we rescued were very sick. We need to make sure that they don't have anything contagious.

  "We have a good lead on the missing General in Vietnam and are following up.

  "The rate of infection with all manner of diseases, including botulism, Ebola and dysentery, is rising exponentially in the EU. The positive side, if there is one, is the people are losing their will to fight. It appears that in the next day or so the militaries may start to gain the upper hand.

  "Raffa says the Chinese have detonated 40 nukes in the Western provinces. The probable infection rate may be as high as 300 million. They know help is on the way. That seems to be holding the government together. No new word from Russia. It's a total blackout there. I'm requesting some Ebola vaccine for equatorial Africa to try and create some containment."

  "Excellent report," I said. "Please advise Reza that he has my blessing and he should set the stage for his return to Iran. This will be done in concert with the Marine invasion from the East. The plan is not set yet but I expect to have it ready to go tomorrow. We have complete cooperation from CENTCOM (US Central Command,) including use of Defense Intelligence Agency satellites, which we are using to identify Republican Guard movements. We will add follow-up targets, daily, until we launch the mission."

  The plane started its engines. Don Francisco was hugging some of his great grandchildren and their cousins, who had all accompanied Ali this morning. He gave Ali the traditional Arab good-bye and boarded Miche's jet. He was showing off by bounding the stairs two at a time, his ponytail waving in the breeze.

  "Stay frosty Ali, we have a long way to go," I said.

  With that, I was on my way up the stairs. That cute little Asian attendant secured the door. The tug pushed the jet back. We were airborne within minutes.

  This was going to be the most important meeting of my life. There was a little sliver of doubt in the back of my head about my approach. The meeting was set for 10 AM on the next day, Saturday, a week since the world had come unraveled. I was confident of the overall strategy because everyone would win more power and control in their own roles on the world stage. The key was to treat King and Cleric equally. I needed a good passage from a respected philosopher, to provide the Mufti to set the direction.

  For this, I looked to Khalil Gibran, whose writing my mother made us all memorize. Gibran, claimed by both Islam and Catholicism, would be the perfect philosopher to bring peace into Islam. When we love our children more than we hate our enemy we will have peace.

  The verse I chose was from The Prophet --

  "And if you would know God be not therefore

  a solver of riddles.

  Rather look about you and you shall see Him

  Playing with your children.

  And look into space; and you shall see Him

  walking in the clouds, outstretching His arms

  in the lightning and descending in the rain.

  You shall see Him smiling in the flowers

  then rising and waiving His hands in the trees."

  I knew the Mufti was an admirer of Gibran. This should sit well with him.

  Grandfather had given me a very fine, one thousand karat, oval cut emerald for his Highness. There was only one other that could match it in color and clarity and he still owned it. I had Ali purchase a 12th Century Koran done in the finest hand calligraphy and illustrated by a renowned artist from the period on lacquered boards. It was without equal. A fitting gift for the Grand Mufti.

  I put in a call to Raffa.

  I opened the conversation with, "Uncle, how are you today?

  "Well enough, considering the present state of the world," he said.

  I said, "Uwishun informs me the Chinese Premier's jet is in the air over the Atlantic, so 'big help' is on the way. I will be dealing with the King and the Grand Mufti to change the course of Islam using our stem cell technology. There will be powerful interests, mostly jihadists, aligned against us.

  "Here is part of what we need from the Chinese in exchange for our Cellbot technology -- effective killing squads to eliminate these threats wherever we find them. The Guardians are the most effective fighting men I have ever seen. However, our force of Guardians is simply much too small. I need, at the least, an additional complete company, say 200 men. Please have him put them in Taroudant within 72 hours."

  "Johnny, he will give you an army, just say the word."

  "I will be landing in Saudi Arabia in a couple hours. I'll be there a day or two, setting things in motion. Then I will come to Beijing to speak with the Premier about future issues and the balance of power. Please ask the Premier if he would receive me on the morning of the 24th."

  "Johnny, I'll get back to you, but I am quite sure the timing will be fine. He's very interested in your work and impressed with what you've done so far. You will find him to be a good partner, forthcoming and realistic."

  The day was winding down. We would land late, so I decided we should dine during the last six hours of our flight. The best Chef in that part of the world was on our plane. I ordered a Filet Oskar with pommes frites and Béarnaise sauce on the side with a Caesar salad. The men heard me and joined in. Since I had the jet, I thought I would raid Miche's wine cellar. I ordered 4 bottles of Dom. Romane Conti 1997. It turned out to be an excellent choice.

  After a sumptuous meal, I was having an espresso and cigarette. Don Francisco fired up a delicious looking Partagas he had picked up a few days previously in Cuba.

  I said, "Grandfather, I truly appreciate your support and assistance in all this madness."

  "Johnny, my boy, you have been a very bright spot in my life. You have exceeded my expectations by a factor of ten. Like me, you work best spontaneously with just half a plan and the rest falls into place during negotiations. Poor Miche, this talent jumped a generation. He needs it all laid out to act."

  "I knew you would understand. Be prepared for anything and follow my lead in the morning."

  "Johnny, I've got your back and I'll always have it. You should just relax tonight on the plane. Try that that little Asian girl. She's been watching you."

  "We're going on to China tomorrow afternoon. I'll tell you my big plans for you then, Don Francisco."

  Grandfather was right. Little Tori was much more than a handful and smelled like good sex. I fell into a deep slumber with not a care in the world.

  Chapter 30

  Saudi Arabia: 06:00, January 23rd

  I awakened refreshed and relaxed, ready for the day. There was a luxurious shower on the plane. I took my time. Then dressed in a new Brioni cream-colored suit and chose a custom Hermes green cravat, with tiny half moons and scimitars, for the occasion. It was January, so the temperatures were delightful. In the communications center, I called Ali for an update on the world situation.

  "Good
morning, Son. What have I missed?" I asked Ali.

  "Good morning Baba. I know it's a big day for you so I'll hit the highlights.

  "No news on the Pakistani nuke other than it is definitely headed to India, probably in the hands of the Pakistani Taliban. Our Haqqani network people say it's very hush-hush. I have advised my counterpart in India. He hopes not, as the response from India would be to erase Pakistan.

  "Keny is making enormous progress with the locals, everywhere he goes. They love him and chant his name. The power players in each country see this positively, also the redevelopment fund. Everything is set for your presentation on the 26th. The two militant groups that didn't get it are gone after our last strikes and smarter folks are responding to our message. Violence is down everywhere. People are starting to believe this is real. We are making progress with the vaccinations but I fear, in the end, there will be an enormous death toll.

  "Washington and New York are way too radioactive for any relief mission close to impact. Everything is still in disarray. Casualties are mounting due to lack of power, food, water, medicine and the bitter cold still gripping the Midwest and Northeast.

  "Nationwide, the pre-existing cadre of politicians, on all levels -- local, state and national -- are either dead or in hiding. The public is going after the media enablers. Many are dead and the rest are on the run."

  "I can't say why Ali, but that makes me chuckle," I commented.

  "General Hamilton has basically closed the southern border. The citizens in the frontier states actually get it. They are helping in the roundup for deportation. The fire line for infectious diseases is holding but new cases are still rising at a torrid pace. The targets in Mexico are set. Strikes will begin tonight. This should completely disrupt the drug business and the Cartels for the foreseeable future. General Hamilton is reviewing potential interim leaders. Mexico should have a bright future, shortly.

  "The insurgency in the EU has almost run its course. The military is reasserting control in some areas, carefully. There is still no power, food nor water, nor essential services. The infectious diseases are spiking. The dead and almost dead are being burned to try to get this under control. We do not have any accurate numbers but when we do, they will be staggering.

  "No change in China. They are just devastated and may be looking for some revenge. I'll leave that to your imagination. Russia is still dark, which I assume is a good thing.

  "I spoke with Etsa this morning. He says Wakani told him there are a dozen Jivaro girls pregnant from Guardians. Who knew?"

  "What the fuck?" I blurted. "They were supposed to come out sterile. Hmmm. As Don Francisco might say, life will find a way. This should be very interesting. It's potentially a new sentient and self-aware species."

  "Thanks, Ali. I'm going to get breakfast. Afterwards, Don Francisco and I will head to the Palace. If anything comes in, it's your call."

  His majesty sent a Eurocopter to pick us up. Traffic was terrible, as in all capital cities. The King had arranged for the meeting to be held in a palatial chamber. His Majesty and the Mufti were already seated in magnificent gilded chairs with an ornate coffee table, laden with fresh fruit, in front.

  When we made our entrance, the King signaled for two additional chairs as he and the Mufti rose to greet us as old and venerable friends.

  His Majesty exclaimed, "I've heard rumors, Francisco, but they pale in comparison to seeing you in person. You must share these secrets with me."

  The Mufti knew Don Francisco well and was staring in disbelief at his youthful appearance.

  "That, Sire, is exactly why we are here today."

  I was accompanied by Saraguroson and Quichuason, dressed and veiled as the assassins they were. With barely perceptible nods they acknowledged their Brothers who were now the King's Guard. I noticed the Mufti's guard numbered 12. They were standing in the shadows.

  We would speak Arabic today to achieve the clearest understanding for all concerned.

  "Ibrahim, it has been too long, my friend. I am pleased you are looking so well. Before we start, I would like to give you a sporting exhibition, with your permission."

  The Mufti looked to the King, who nodded his head with a smile of approval.

  I said, "Ibrahim, please have your guards, without weapons, detain my man Saraguroson."

  Ibrahim motioned for his guards to arrest Saraguroson and half a dozen leapt forward.

  I said, "Ibrahim, send them all. Six is not enough."

  The twelve circled my man and then closed in. Within sixty seconds all twelve were on the floor writhing in pain, although there were no serious injuries, except to their pride. My men helped them to their feet. I asked Ibrahim to dismiss his guard for the meeting, which he did without a word.

  "We have many wonders to disclose to you today," I said.

  "Let us speak as men today, not as leaders of countries, or messengers from God, but as equals. I know you both well as you do me, so I will speak frankly. We are all men who believe in God, as we know in our hearts that He exists. We also believe that we were born for a higher purpose, which I believe we have not yet fulfilled."

  "I speak to you today of Islam. I believe God surely does not intend for His faithful to become weaponized to serve purely political intents. All one must do to realize this, is look around. This fact is self-evident. The message of love and peace has lost ascendance over hatred and destruction. No man may dispute this. 'How do we fight such an error and also unite our religion,' I hear you thinking. The answer -- we do so with a better idea.

  "We have been granted a supernatural gift that provides good health and rejuvenates the body. I offer you my Grandfather, Don Francisco, as living proof that we can do what I will explain. Complete rejuvenation in a natural process. It acts within hours of initiation. I received this same treatment, a vaccination, this morning at breakfast. I can feel it coursing through my body as we speak.

  I took off jacket and rolled up my sleeve to show them the symbol,

  The Mark of God, الله on my wrist. All the faithful would wear it in the future. With that, I heard a sharp intake of breath from the Ibrahim, the Grand Mufti.

  Ibrahim looked from my arm to Don Francisco, then to the king. He said, "I understand."

  "I suggest this to you both because I know you are kind and just and seek the way of righteousness. Now it has been given to you. Who can resist the offer of ultimate good health and wellbeing when it's presented as the Holy Path? We will supply you with an unlimited quantity of this natural remedy to dispense to your followers."

  "We only have one chance to accomplish this change as a Revelation. Please carefully consider what I say next.

  "Ibrahim, you will take a short journey to Mount Hira with some highly visible fanfare and stay in the Prophets' Cave. You will emerge after a fortnight and on the 15th day announce a Revelation. You will look 10 years younger and radiate vibrant vitality. You shall call this the 'Day of Dominion.' Reveal it to the Faithful as their way forward in love, peace and wellbeing for all who receive the Mark.

  "Immediately gather the important Clerics who understand that Islam has been confiscated by forces of evil -- the party of Satan that the Prophet warned us about. I believe the people will see you as the Mahdi. Who could argue that when you have power to enact this miracle?

  "After the assembly, you and the Clerics will issue fatwas against violence and terror and wage a jihad against every, and I mean every, outlaw group that resorts to terrorism. No one will be exempt. You will be growing stronger and younger every day, as will your followers. This is an ultimate power that only you will wield.

  "You will unite the various different sects, treating your differences as insignificant in the eyes of God. There will be no more Sunnis versus Shiites. There will only be believers. As in your legends, my two Guardians will remain with you, protect you, and do your bidding. The world is unaware of this new life form so far. They will enhance the visual impression of your new powers."

 
"Saraguroson, please remove your headdress, veil and gloves."

  The Mufti gasped audibly.

  "I know you both have enemies. I am prepared to remove them from this life. When you cut off the head the body eventually dies.

  Some Clerics will die by stealth and others by the sword. I have two hundred fighters like you have just seen today, awaiting word from me to begin. They are the best in the world, akin to the original Nizari Ismailis of the eleventh century. I will need a list of the most dangerous Clerics with their locations.

  "If we fail to take this new path, I fear the major powers, Russia and China, will destroy us with atomic weapons on a scale that is unimaginable."

  "Gianni, why would they do such a thing?" asked His Majesty.

  "Sire, there are two reasons. First, it is now known that the Ebola virus was manufactured and distributed by Islamists. Both Russia and China view Islam, in its' current form, as a threat. Secondly, the United States is no longer viable. Now that there is no balance of power to stop them, who will say, "No?" Already, China has killed more than 60 million of its own people with nuclear weapons, mostly Muslims in the Western Provinces, to stop the spread of Ebola. The Chinese do not lack the will to strike who they fear.

  "Gianni," said the King, "we have always understood the problem you are solving. We see the simplicity in your plan. We will execute it faithfully. May God provide us with the best results possible. Now that you've said what you came to say, and we know our new direction, let me serve you a lunch fit for a king."

  We were served tomato and fresh burrata salad, followed by all manner of kebabs. For the main course, we were served lobster fusilli with wild mushrooms, basil leaves, in a light bisque, perfectly cooked lamb chops and prime rib.

  Dinner was casual. We reminisced about the "good old days" when Don Francisco had helped in financing the King's Grandfather to break away from Standard Oil. I relived the year I spent as a youngster in the Kingdom, learning Arabic, getting acquainted with my cousins and understanding the culture.