by Bobby Akart
The group started to gather their belongings, anxious to get back to working on this rare opportunity. Mac gathered her thoughts and then added this, “Listen up. I cannot stress the importance of remaining focused on the task at hand. When a surgeon makes a mistake, one patient dies. When we drop the ball, tens of thousands could die. Now, let’s get to it.”
Chapter 14
Day Six
White House
Washington, DC
President Tomas Garcia walked casually through the White House alongside Anderson Cooper as they conducted a hastily arranged interview for 60 Minutes. As the two shared a nonconfrontational, conversation-style interview, President Garcia reflected on the magnitude of the job that he’d held for three years.
“Anderson, this is the People’s House, and I am but a temporary caretaker,” Garcia said with a false modesty. In reality, he was proud to be elected the first Hispanic President of the United States and his political machine was working overtime to keep him there.
“Yes, Mr. President, but you’d like to extend your caretaker position for another four years, would you not?” asked Cooper with a grin.
“Well, naturally, there is a lot of work to be done and I believe the American people will agree that we’ve advanced our nation on many fronts,” replied President Garcia. “Consider the White House, for example. If these walls could talk and the honest truth were told, my predecessors have made decisions that would be deemed inhumane, incorrigible, and outside the bounds of anyone’s moral compass. Yet there would be stories of greatness too.”
“For example?” asked Cooper.
The President led Cooper by the Lincoln Bedroom located on the second floor of the White House. “President Lincoln held this country together through the sheer force of his own will. He will always be remembered as a leader in the fight against slavery. Arguably, the equal rights movement began in 1863.”
“With the stroke of a pen.” Cooper chuckled.
President Garcia laughed as well. “Yes, Anderson, that is a little-known fact. The infamous Emancipation Proclamation, which gave federal legal status to slaves, was in fact an executive order. And, before you add to your comment, I have been known to use the power of the pen via executive order to get things done that a gridlocked Congress refused to do.”
“Okay, Mr. President, I won’t go there.”
The President stopped and looked intently into the cameras. “What matters most is that the achievements of the occupiers of the Oval Office, regardless of their dirty little secrets committed by imperfect men who in moments of weakness made mistakes, have done great things to make America a place of hope and compassion.”
Anderson Cooper, the journalist, took back the interview. “Mr. President, there are those in the world who would like to see America and her way of life destroyed. Obviously, ISIS comes to mind.”
“Recently, their leadership listed six reasons why they hate the West and intend to fight us through their jihadist measures. First and foremost, we are disbelievers who refuse to embrace Islam and hence are branded as infidels. Second, they dislike any freedom-loving nation that opposes Sharia Law. It is this message of hate that has spread across the world, making my job to protect America that much more difficult.”
Cooper referred to his notes and then added, “There are increased reports that Latin America has become a hotbed for ISIS activity, Hezbollah, too. They are operating freely in Venezuela, Central America, and tiny island nations like Trinidad. The reports indicate their recruitment is growing exponentially, and as a result, they’ve been able to raise large sums of money to finance their terrorist activities in other countries, namely, the United States.”
“It has been an ongoing challenge for my administration, one, I might add, that we inherited when I took office. That said, the ignorance involving the threat of jihadist terrorism in Latin America has been such that some governments have refused to cooperate with our authorities and intelligence services in the war on terror.”
The filming crew and the two participants took a brief break as they passed through the Yellow Oval Room, which was primarily used for formal private receptions, and onto the Truman Balcony, which overlooked the South Lawn and the Washington Monument. President Garcia chose this location to continue the appearance of a casual conversation.
The men settled into their chairs with their back to the South Lawn before Cooper continued with the last of the questions. “Mr. President, since 9/11, the war on terror has been successful in fighting terrorists on foreign soil. Over the last decade, the Islamic State has lost territory in Iraq, but continues to maintain a stronghold in Syria. But closer to home, ISIS has made inroads with training camps throughout Latin America.”
“We are aware of this. Islamic terrorists, like criminals, are motivated by money. While ordinary criminals use their money to buy things they cannot afford, terrorists use money to finance more terror. It is difficult to battle an ideological criminal who is hell-bent on the destruction of our way of life.”
“So you are taking these reports seriously?” asked Cooper.
“Naturally,” replied the President. The President paused and reflected for a moment. He focused on looking presidential. “I want the American people to know that our challenge is greater than just defeating ISIS. We also need to identify and extinguish the Caliphate—the establishment of a religious, political leader to lead all of the Islamic State. Islamic Supremacist organizations like ISIS exist in many forms. If we were to eradicate ISIS, there would be a dozen other jihadist groups ready to fill the void.”
Cooper checked his notes and frowned. He managed a follow-up question. “Isn’t ISIS at the extreme end of the scale, Mr. President?”
“Of course, and they’re at the top of news reports, which makes them the likely target of our efforts. You have groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, who some might deem moderate by comparison to ISIS, but make no mistake, they want to bring back the Caliphate, and their fervent religious beliefs want to subjugate non-Muslims. The difference between the two groups is that ISIS is impatient and without a moral compass. The Muslim Brotherhood intends to utilize modern political methods to achieve their goals.”
“Mr. President, we have reports from high-ranking officials in both Paraguay and Columbia that hundreds of ISIS operatives have teamed up with drug-trafficking enterprises to launder money. Do you have a plan in dealing with this expansion of Islamic jihadists into the drug trade?”
The President turned and looked directly into the camera. “Of course we do and let me be clear to those who think they can use our Latin American neighbors as a bridge into our country. We are watching and we will stop you in your tracks. I refuse to allow a terrorist attack on American soil.”
Cooper asked the final question. “As the world gathers in Atlanta for the Summer Olympics next month, can you assure our visitors that they will be safe?”
“I remain confident that Atlanta, and all of the United States, will be a safe environment for a successful and enjoyable Olympic Games experience. Those who attempt to disrupt the Olympics will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”
Cooper set down his notes and indicated to the camera crew to stop filming. The CBS producers moved in to begin closing down the production with the assistance of White House aides.
President Garcia leaned into Cooper and thanked him for joining him on short notice. Cooper nodded and shook the President’s hand. As Cooper stood, President Garcia’s Chief of Staff joined the two men and also thanked Cooper for arranging the interview.
“Anderson, as I told you,” started Chief of Staff Andrew Morse, “after this operation in Trinidad, you will be provided exclusive video and comment. This interview will provide the President cover in case something goes wrong, and will make him look strong if the mission is successful.”
“Well, the President doesn’t need any losses right now,” added Cooper. “After all goes well, it will be a feather in his cap and make hi
m look tough on terror. It’s a real coup in the middle of an election year.”
“Well said, Anderson,” said the President as he smiled and patted Cooper on the back. “Perhaps I should install you as our White House communications director.”
Cooper laughed. “Well, I guess in a way, I already am.”
Chapter 15
Day Six
Caracas, Venezuela
Ali Hassan slept most of the way on his flight from Istanbul, Turkey, to Caracas, Venezuela. He was comforted by the cargo that was added to the aircraft during their layover in Havana. Despite the corruption rampant in the Venezuelan government, he didn’t want to take any chances that the contents of the crate were scrutinized. He was willing to pay the customary bribe to the Turkish ground crew, but because of the nation’s close ties to the United States, exposure was too risky. Besides, he was surely being watched by the infidels’ NSA.
“We are here,” his longtime companion Mohammed al-Sharif said as he nudged Hassan awake. “I see no welcoming committee.”
Hassan sat upright and reached into his pocket to check one of the many cell phones that he utilized in his daily activities. It was not unusual for him to switch phones and numbers daily, especially in the middle of an operation as important as this one.
“Our brothers will meet us at the baggage-claim area,” Hassan said as he scrolled through several text messages. “We will meet our brothers who work for the airport’s ground personnel in one hour’s time.”
ISIS had operatives working all over the world. Many lived in the open like the two employees of Turkish Airlines who were baggage handlers. Islamic terrorists took many forms. Some strapped bombs to their bodies or stole beer trucks and ran down pedestrians on a sidewalk. Others appeared on the surface as integrated into the society and the towns they inhabited. Their kids played in the parks and their wives served drinks at Starbucks.
They knew there would be a time to serve Allah in their own way. The battle against the infidels did not just include bombs, bullets, and swords. It also included cyber intrusions, security breaches and, today, delivery of precious cargo without notice.
Ten percent of the population of Venezuela is made up of Muslims. Caracas is home to fifteen thousand Muslims of primarily Lebanese, Syrian, and Turkish descent. Hassan and the dozens of other members of his team had systematically made their way to Caracas to prepare for the next phase of his plan.
They were given safe shelter in the El Recreo district of Caracas, near the second largest mosque in Latin America, the mosque of Ibrahim-Al-Ibrahim. Constructed at the base of a rocky cliff, the building was a gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to the Muslims of Caracas. During the Iraq-Iran war in the last century, King Fahd became a staunch ally of the United States once saying, after Allah, we can count on the United States. Today, those who frequented the Mosque would vehemently disagree.
The home where Hassan would reside for a few days lay in the shadow of Banco Plaza, a privately owned Venezuelan bank. Banco Plaza was the depository of choice for the ISIS Financial Council for the many millions of dollars funneled into Latin America from its operations abroad.
Despite the weakening of its position in Iraq, ISIS was far from financial ruin. Through its seizing of Iraqi bank vaults, it was estimated that ISIS had cash holdings in excess of one billion dollars. Their drug partnerships in Columbia and Paraguay netted them an inordinate amount of cash, all of which must be laundered without scrutiny. Banco Plaza was more than willing to assist, which made it the most liquid bank in Venezuela.
Over the years, the ISIS leadership council had learned that what they didn’t have, they could now easily buy. That included political influence and access. As his team began its migration northward through the countries of Central America and to their final destination, America, they could use cash for bribes and false identities. They could change their methods of transportation frequently. Hassan and his operatives could buy their way to their final destination—the Great Satan.
Hassan would disagree with King Fahd in one important respect. In his mind, after Allah, we can count on cash. After prayer, Hassan gathered his most trusted lieutenants. They sat around a large round table containing maps and bundles of U.S. currency. The army of operatives received their final instructions from the man who was now revered by Islamic terrorists around the world.
“Tomorrow, my brothers, with the will of Allah, we will begin the final phase of years and years of planning by men like my father and his father before him. The Great Satan will feel our wrath. We will dance on their dead bodies, giving praise to Allah!”
“Allahu Akbar!”
“Allahu Akbar!”
Hassan continued. “Tonight, we will go our separate ways and follow the routes northward. We will meet our brother Mahmood Khabir in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Hundreds of our brothers will spread across the border of the Great Satan, waiting for our time to enter. Praise Allah, and peace be with you, brothers.”
The men shared embraces and filed out, leaving Hassan alone with his trusted friend al-Sharif. “We are ready, Hassan,” started al-Sharif. “We have prayed for strength and guidance. We will not fail Islam, or Allah.”
“This I know, my brother. Tomorrow, you and I will cross the Caribbean Sea and make our preparations. The children of Allah will fight in his name and be given a great reward.”
“As will we all.”
Chapter 16
Day Six
CDC
Atlanta, Georgia
Several of Mac’s associates gathered around the television monitors in the small conference room as Dr. Johnson Williamson addressed physicians at the American Medical Association conference in Chicago. The closed-circuit feed carried the speech into CDC facilities around the world.
“Recently, our staff of accomplished research scientists were called upon to investigate a new gene called mcr-1 that had already achieved global notoriety among microbiologists,” continued Dr. Williamson. At six foot six inches tall, he towered over the podium placed in the center of the other dignitaries attending the conference.
“After the discovery of mcr-1 in China in 2015, it came on our radar as it appeared in the U.S. in May of 2016. In conjunction with the FDA and the USDA, we began searching for mcr-1 in bacterial samples from humans, retail meat, and other food animal sources such as the intestines of two pigs from Pennsylvania.
“After the Department of Defense uncovered a Pennsylvania patient who carried the gene, the CDC immediately began its research. Our team of specialists in multidrug-resistant organisms analyzed the samples and determined that E. coli bacteria taken from the woman’s urinary tract carried the gene. We immediately coordinated a public health investigation to prevent mcr-1 from becoming widespread across America.
“The mcr-1 gene is significant because it gives infectious diseases the ability to withstand the effects of colistin, which is, as you know, a last-resort antibiotic used to save the lives of people infected with antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
“Ladies and gentlemen, without being an alarmist, I can say with absolute conviction that it’s only a matter of time before untreatable superbugs begin killing off humans.”
The principal deputy director of the CDC paused and allowed the reaction of the attendees to subside. Mac looked at the screen, partly in admiration and partly in disbelief. Not that long ago, words like this stated by her mother were considered inflammatory and fearmongering.
Dr. Williamson continued. “The arrival of mcr-1 has profound implications for people everywhere. It means that the medicine cabinet is empty for some patients. In essence, it is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act decisively.
“I am proud to say the medical community is rising to the occasion with new technology. A sequencing machine is in development that can read out the entire genome of microbes, which will provide our research scientists information on what genes can be found in an organism and where they are as well.
&nb
sp; Mac began to think of the superbugs and the means to combat them. She had written her doctoral thesis on a type of bacteria known as Bdellovibrio, or BALOs. This cannibal-like bacteria fed on deadly bacteria. It effectively changed the shape of the bug, thus rendering it incapable of continuing on its infectious path.
Scientists at the University of London had begun to research the effectiveness of BALOs on infectious diseases, but their work was in its infancy. The FDA had not approved BALOs for human or animal trials in the U.S., which meant its use was years away.
Mac’s mind wandered into the world of science fiction, where a superbug was married to a deadly bacterium by some mad scientist with hair like Doc in the movie Back to the Future.
Nah, surely not.
Chapter 17
Day Seven
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Trinidad, a tiny island off the northern Venezuelan coast, was a one-of-a-kind, perfectly preserved Spanish settlement where the clocks stopped in the middle of the nineteenth century and never restarted. Land barons amassed huge sugar fortunes in the Valle de los Ingenios during the early eighteen hundreds, resulting in the distinguished colonial-style mansions decorated with Italian frescoes, Wedgewood China, and French chandeliers that were scattered across Trinidad and Tobago.
Within the capital of Trinidad, Port of Spain, the enchanting downtown attracted busloads of visitors from around the world. The cobblestone streets—packed with leather-faced local guajiros, snorting donkeys, and the occasional wandering troubadour—created the outdoor museum that had been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the nineteen eighties.