The Planner

by Robert Smith

  Orange stated, “Old-77 and chase plane vectored to our position.”

  Nicholas stated, “Delaying inceptors off the coast, but the E.T.A. in Washington is 0-8-40; I’ve instructed them to chase a phantom.164 But we have another problem! Another E4-B is due to take off. They’ll be up in half an hour, flying from Washington. Once that goes up, we’ll be spotted for sure as they link into the AWACS radar feed. They may have already connected up.”

  “Were we aware of that? A second E-4B?” asked Planner concerned.

  “It’s news to me. Frankly I hadn’t considered two KneeCaps to be operational and certainly not one flying out of Washington,” said Nicholas clearly bemused.

  “Thanks,” said Planner. Planner looked over to Bates who was looking intently at his computer monitor. Planner was sure that Bates would have heard that exchange. He tapped his forehead just for a second before hesitantly issuing a new order, “Captain Ochre, er… send this message to Air Force One…”

  “Yes, Sir,” said Ochre in good military style.

  Planner said, “Message to read Angel is Next165. Supply today’s code reference for authentication.”

  “Yes, Sir. Which set of codes; Secret, Top Secret?” said Ochre, puzzled.

  “Use Top Secret Atomic166. Also, Bates, tell the ground crews to generate some rumors too that Camp David has been hit and the White House is in flames. Make sure it’s untraceable,” Planner added.

  Bates turned towards to Planner wide eyed. “Ok,” he said after a momentary pause.

  “That’s a warning, right?” said Indigo to Planner. “Angel is Air Force One.”

  “There seems to be… er… some alternative scenarios, that we just need to nip in the bud,” replied Planner cautiously.

  Purple nodded firmly.

  Bates said sarcastically, “This all seems rather superfluous, Planner.”

  Planner replied to Bates testily, “I’m just making sure this Big Event167 isn’t like the last one.”

  Chapter Sixteen: Pentagon

  The Police had closed a few of the roads leading up to the Pentagon, causing more than the usual traffic chaos on the South Washington Boulevard, the VA-27. It had delayed April Gallop’s return to work; her first day back after maternity leave. She carried her baby in the car seat into the office. April entered in the Pentagon South Entrance lobby and into the security area and offered her security pass to a Security Guard.

  April said, “I need to take my baby to the nursery.”

  The Security Guard seemed blase, “That’s ok. You can proceed straight to your office.”

  “You’re letting me and baby through? It is a secure area, you know,” queried April.

  The Security Guard did not make eye contact, “It’s ok,” he said.

  April raised her eyebrows but was happy enough to have her baby with her.

  * * * *

  In the Pentagon’s operations room on the other side of building,168 Veep Dick Cheney and military staff were watching events unfold on a large projected map. A TV set was displaying the news in one corner. Most people in the room were on the phone except the Vice-President. Norman Minetta, Transport Minister, entered the Operations Room with his political aide.

  Naval Officer David Cohrane was standing close to the Vice-President and announced, “Target is 50 miles out.”

  There was hushed stillness in the room, an expectation of something else was going to happen.

  Norman Minetta whispered to his aide, “Where’s Rumsfeld?”

  The aide shrugged.

  * * * *

  Laura Bush and Senator Edward Kennedy were on the steps of the Russell Building, a short distance away from the White House and Capitol to give a TV press conference.169 These two buildings would be considered by most commentators to be high on the list of potential terrorist targets; however, this did not seem to concern the security staff looking after the First Lady and the veteran senator.

  * * * *

  Cohrane announced, “Target is 30 miles out.”

  * * * *

  April Gallop finally reached her desk near in the E ring, near the outer western edge of the Pentagon. She bantered with fellow E-Ring office workers who were happily fussing over her baby.

  * * * *

  Cohrane announced, “Target is 10 miles out.” Hesitating, he turned to the Vice President, “Do the orders still stand?”

  Chaney snapped his around to Cohrane and snapped, “Of course the orders still stand! Have you heard anything to the contrary?”

  On a radar screen, the target is seen to overfly the Pentagon, Minetta’s aide breathes out in relief, but then he saw the target start a huge circular descending turn: corkscrewing down to the Pentagon. The aide whispered to Minetta. “Gawd, can an airliner do that?”

  * * * *

  On radar, the aircraft could be tracked. Unbelievably, it pulled out of the dive, and after the high-g, 270 degree corkscrew turn had aligned itself perfectly to aim directly at the Pentagon.170 It flew at the limits of speed possible for a Boeing 757, beyond anything that has been achieved before or since, at such low altitudes; low over housing estates, golf courses and, surprisingly (and inexplicably), lower than at antenna aerial at a nearby military base in its direct path. And in an action seemingly modelled from a Hollywood movie171, also apparently knocked over 5 lampposts along the highway next to Pentagon.172

  * * * *

  April Gallop and the other E ring office workers were unaware of the impeding disaster. April’s finger hovered over her computer’s power button.

  As-if caused by April’s button push, there was a huge explosion, flying debris, noise, shock waves and fireball. It was followed by blackness, dust clouds, collapsing material, the rage of fire. From the blasting white noise of the explosion specific noises could be detected: rubbles, raging fire, screams, cries of agony.

  In the dark, smoky gloom a frantic glow appeared. It was a man on-fire; he was running and yelling. He crashed into column and collapsed. He did not survive.

  April groaned and removed dust and debris from on top of her. She was covered with cuts and grazes, twisted aching limbs, but in one piece. April stirred and sat up, ears ringing but deaf to the noise. She cleared debris from her eyes then looked around increasingly panic-stricken.

  Sunlight started to radiate through the smoke as it cleared. There was a 20 foot diameter hole in the outer wall. Behind her, fire and smoke, April called out. The ringing in her ears diminished and she heard her baby.

  Another e-ring office worker covered in dust also uninjured. She put a hand on April’s shoulder and indicated the direction of the baby from the sound of his crying. They jointly cleared the debris and found the baby, upset but uninjured. They exited the hole in the outer hole, limping onto the lush, untouched grass of the Pentagon Lawn.

  A fireman came rushing up.

  The e-ring office worker said to the fireman to help April then re-entered the building to help more survivors.

  April, coughing, said to the fireman, “You got here quick!”

  The fireman, helped April carry her baby away from the impact point, “We were warned to expect a plane crash.”

  April coughed, “Plane crash? That was no plane crash. That was a bomb. No plane came through there!”173

  Their conversation was interrupted. The fire alarm from the neighboring wedge started piercing the air with a loud Woop-Woop-Woop. The fireman shrugged and went back to the rescue work. 174

  * * * *

  Nicholas stated, “Two F-18s with live missiles have launched and closing in on drone-93.”

  Planner said, “Break off the Chase Aircraft. Get them clear.”

  * * * *

  Two fire fighters in the South Tower office workers meet a group of office workers coming down the stairs. These were the last people the fire fighters were ever going to see.

  “There’s explosions going off up there…” said a woman, scared.

  “Ok. Just get out as quick as you can,” said the
first fire fighter.

  “Seen any fires?” said the second fireman.

  Another one of the office workers said “Around the eightieth floor. This staircase will take you past them. The fires are on the other side.”

  The fire fighters nodded and continued up.

  * * * *

  Bates gnashed his teeth, “The ground teams are reporting problems both at the Pentagon and in New York.”

  Planner said, “Go on.”

  Bates pointed to a map of the Pentagon on his computer screen. Red lights were showing up on the lawn and inside the Pentagon Ring C. “The Pentagon has the most immediate problem. Two sets of explosives have failed: One on the lawns outside, the other in the computer room.”

  Planner said, “Ignore the lawn. There’s probably TV crews and Rumsfeld out there by now. Is there a team to get inside and take down the computers?”

  “Yes,” said Bates, “I’ve anticipated both decisions: there’s a team on its way.”

  “And New York?” asked Planner.

  Bates used his computer to select a 3D wireframe model of the World Trade Center showing the twin towers, and associated buildings in the complex; WTC7 is actually further north than WTC1, the North Tower. “In New York, an explosive has gone off early in WTC7 on the seventh floor at the very point we positioned our communications relay. We can no longer control that demolition remotely. Another problem is that firemen are progressing to the impact zone faster than expected in the South Tower compared with the North Tower.

  Planner said, “They’re not supposed to be progressing at all. The explosives should have driven them back and out.”

  “More courage than sense, I guess,” said Bates, pursing his lips.

  “Crazy fools,” Indigo said to himself.

  “Issue a withdrawal order by radio. They have fifteen minutes. Reverse the collapse sequence: South Tower first. WTC7 will have to be sorted later,” said Planner.

  “We have some smoke generators for decoys,” said Bates.

  Planner said, “Sure. Use them once the North Tower comes down. You need to call in a ground team with thermal imaging175 and fire resistant suits. Move TV crews and photographers away from the area.”

  Bates replied haughtily, “Already done.”

  * * * *

  At the Naval Command Center, a secondary explosion destroys the department and all its computers. A Naval Officer is caught by the blast. He screamed and ran from the room with his arms on fire, shouting for medical assistance.

  On the Pentagon lawn, Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, finally made an appearance. He had previously been un-contactable for the duration of the crisis until captured by TV crews. He helped to carry the injured. He seemed strangely unconcerned about the reports of other hijackings and decided that a photo opportunity was the best use of his time.

  Several TV journalists noted that there was minimal aircraft debris. There were reports from witnesses claiming that debris was being dropped, then photographed and then moved away.176177

  * * * *

  Bates and Planner were listening intently on their headsets. Ochre had patched in the radio from the fire teams in the South Tower.

  “Just coming up to 78th floor,” huffed Fire Chief Palmer defying his advancing years to be first on the scene.

  “Copy that,” came a voice on the radio.

  “Ladder 15, we’ve got two isolated pockets of fire. We should be able to knock it down with two lines,”178 said Palmer. Clearly the fires in the South Tower were dying down quickly.

  Bates said caustically to Planner, “They’ve ignored the warnings. We got to do it now!”

  Planner puffed and sighed, “Start cutting the corners of the towers at the collapse point.”

  * * * *

  Seconds later, molten metal started pouring from edge of the South Tower.179

  Police were directing people away from towers. For most people that was exactly what they wanted to do. Ferries were making impromptu docks all the way around the lower part of the island of Manhattan. Only emergency traffic was allowed into the city, the bridges were packed with people walking from the city.

  A TV crew close the bottom of the twin towers was providing live reports on the state of the rescue operation when they felt a rumble. The cameraman panned up to the South Tower’s pluming explosion, seemingly right on top of them. It was exploding outwards and downwards, with steel beams being flung horizontally from the building at 70 mph and embedding into nearby skyscrapers. Squibs, explosive jets of material, could be seen ejecting in advance of the wave of debris falling through the air. The building fell almost as fast as the debris accelerating towards the ground.

  The explosive collapse sent billowing, pyroclastic-like dust clouds radiating in all directions. The cloud consumed cars and people. Some cars close to the building burst into flames; set off by thermite used within the towers to weaken the structure; this easily burn through the thin metal of car bodies and ignited the fuel in their tanks. Some people were caught in the heated dust cloud and collapsed, coughing and suffocating. Most were able to outrun the lethal stage of the cloud or went indoors. Katherine was one of those. She ducked into a shop as the plume of dust so thick, that as it went past, the shop went dark. She fell to floor gasping for breath; her legs heavy and leaden with the stress of descending within the North Tower for 90 stories. The shop owner came over to her, helped her sit up and gave her a bottle of water. They cried together until daylight returned.

  An armored van carrying gold, attempting to drive up a basement ramp out of the WTC complex, was caught by a falling beam. The driver jumped out and ran for his life.180

  A woman in an apartment overlooking the scene cried out, “Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!”

  * * * *

  Except for Tangy, Minty and Moggy, still playing out the fight back on Flight 93, the rest of the Rainbow Team watched the TV screen of the South Tower collapsing. Most of the team were as shocked as any other American that day even though the events of the day had been known to them, the reality was as shocking to them as anyone else. Planner ground his teeth in guilt and despair. His mind replayed his memories of the events leading to the destruction of his soul and wondered whether he could ever look anybody normal in the eye again.

  Such worries did not trouble Bates, “I’ve alerted the ground crew to expect demolition of the north tower in 20 minutes.”

  Planner nodded slowly.

  Bates turned to Planner, puzzling over the unplanned events. His eyes narrowed and started forming some words. But then a new crisis occurred.

  Orche stated without emotion, “Two F-16s, closing in on Drone-93”

  “They are armed,” said Nicholas emphatically.

  “What are their orders?” asked Planner.

  “Shoot-Down,” said Ochre.

  “Can we change the orders?” said Bates.

  “Maybe. I’m onto it,” said Nicholas.

  Ochre stated, “Too Late. Missile away. Impact in just a few seconds.”

  Indigo was staring blankly, open-mouthed. The computer screen showed a missile dot closing in on drone-93 dot.

  “Impact,” said Ochre blandly.

  There was silence in the command room.

  After a few seconds, Orange stated, “Old-77 and Old-93 still following us. Chase planes returning back to base.”

  “We need to get back to bases as soon as possible. That second E4-B will be taking off shortly and we’ll be spotted by them, for sure,” said Nicholas

  “I’ll inform flight crew,” said Purple.

  “Insert more dummy tracks. Make the tracks military. We’ll hide in the herd,” said Planner. “In the meantime, keep the Flight 93 spoof transmissions going for a couple more minutes, Orange. You too, Indigo.181

  “Onto it,” said Orange.

  “Bates,” Planner continued. “Get the ground crew to activate the 93 crash site as best they can.”

  “Already done,” said Bates tartly.

&
nbsp; “We can resolve the story later. Indigo? Indigo?” said Planner, looking over to dishevelled man transfixed on his computer screen. Indigo raised his hand in acknowledgement but did not look around.

  Bates was clearly irritated. He sprung his hands together and pursed his lips, before saying, “Planner. A word?”

  Planner and Bates stared at each other for a moment before Planner sprang from his seat.

  Purple was not amused that Bates and Planner had left the control room again.

  * * * *

  Due to radio communications failure, fire fighters inside the North Tower did not receive any evacuation order; most were unaware that the South Tower had already gone.

  An NYPD helicopter was circling the Twin Towers aghast at the scene below them. Having seen the South Tower blow up, the aviation unit studied the north tower intensely. One of the passengers said, “Look at the top of the tower. It might be leaning.”

  They circled around and he exclaimed, “It is buckling! Look on the southwest corner. It’s leaning to the south.”

  Suddenly there was a downward movement in the 100 foot antenna on top of the North Tower. The top block of the building above the impact point appeared to rotate almost in its own footprint before, apparently, turning into dust. A huge plume of debris sprung out of the building and the building unravelled down its whole length with small squibs of material ejecting from the building in front of the debris wave. The building had descended at about the speed and acceleration as any of the jumpers seen falling from the building just a few minutes earlier. It had almost completely disappeared. In the space where the North Tower used to be, strikingly, a single steel column of the interior central structure stood alone. About twenty stories tall, it wobbled in the air for a few seconds before that too came straight down, hiding in its own minor dust cloud and looking like it had vanished in a magic trick. None of the twin towers main interior columns, which were progressively thicker and stronger the whole length of the building, remained standing. However, ten stories of the weaker outer columns stood bent like petals of a flower at the location soon to be known as Ground Zero; a term previously only used for the epicentre for a nuclear blast.