The Third Cell

by Anthony D'Egidio

  Arshad watched the closed circuit television screens of the mayhem that was taking place within the reactor and containment building. Timing is critical. I must release the radiation before the melting reactor vessel or the control rods combine with the uranium, reducing the amount.

  Outside, the terrorists were in a pitched battle with U.S. Army personnel on the outer perimeter of the complex. Concrete barriers and crash-resistant gates designed to stop attacks on the facility were slowing the military, preventing them from reaching the nuclear reactors.

  Arshad calmly recited his favorite passages from the Qur’an that he had memorized for this momentous event.

  “YaAAiduhum wayumanneehim wama yaAAiduhumu alshshaytanu illa ghurooran

  Waallatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina sanastadrijuhum min haythu la yaAAlamoona

  Waburrizati aljaheemu liman yara.”

  (Satan makes them promises and creates in them false desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception

  Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not;

  And Hell-Fire shall be placed in full view for all to see.)

  10:05 A.M.: Arshad finished his last passage and calmly fired the detonators for the containment-building dome, followed immediately by detonating the ANFO barrels within the structure. The explosions ended his life and several of the terrorists as it destroyed nuclear reactor #1 at the FEU Florida Ridge site. He had martyred himself for Allāh and would be awaiting his reward in heaven.

  The explosion in the roof of the containment building destroyed the dome. The secondary ANFO explosion with a force of eight thousand pounds of TNT pulverized the massive containment dome. Debris was blown upward, forcing thousands of pounds of radioactive dust into the atmosphere. At ten miles per hour the easterly wind pushed the deadly cloud westward.

  The ground shook two miles away, breaking windows up to five miles away. The sound carried twelve miles. The force of the explosion sent sharp pieces of concrete up to a half-mile, killing all the terrorists at the site except the lone terrorist inside containment building #2. Many of the attacking army personnel were struck and killed by the flying debris.

  Within two minutes of the Florida Ridge nuclear reactor #1 being destroyed, Faiz Bilal Taqi demolished the Cutler Point nuclear reactor #1 in the same spectacular fashion.

  At both FEU sites, nuclear reactors #2 were reaching the meltdown stage with the containment building filling with radioactive steam. It was then the one remaining terrorist inside the building martyred himself by detonating the explosives embedded into the containment building dome, collapsing it and allowing the radioactive material to escape.

  The weather conditions couldn’t be more perfect for the al-Qaeda terrorists. The cold front that had come through a few days before had stalled against a warm low-pressure area that had formed south of Cuba. The two weather fronts had been moving back and forth over the Florida peninsula with shifting winds coming from the northeast, the east and southeast. If this trend continued, the radiation would have maximum coverage contaminating most of Central and South Florida.

  In the immediate area surrounding the destroyed nuclear reactor sites radiation levels exceeded 6.2 röntgen per second, equivalent to 22,000 röntgen per hour. The military personnel who had survived the explosion had no protection against the lethal dosage of radiation.

  A television crew from Fort Pierce had been televising the Florida Ridge nuclear reactor site from a distance when the initial gunfire broke out. Television stations worldwide were picking up the transmission. The crew watched as the explosion rocked the remote television vehicle, which was over two miles away.

  The news announcer shouted, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  The announcer, his technician and cameraman jumped into the announcer’s automobile, leaving the live feed of the rising radioactive cloud for the world to see.

  Washington, D.C.

  The Joint Chiefs meeting had been held up while they watched the feed coming in along with direct communications with the military commanders at each site. When the explosions occurred there was a collective gasp from the occupants followed by a mad scramble to get an assessment of casualties and damage.

  In the White House Situation Room the scene was similar and as the explosion filled the television screen there was a look of disbelief on the faces of the people in the room.

  President Conklin summoned his Chief of Staff. “Get all the staff and members of the cabinet to immediately move our operations to the Pentagon. We need to have greater continuity with the military and the Joint Chiefs. I want an assessment of the damage as soon as possible. Every aspect of life in the United States is going to be affected with major economic consequences for the rest of the world. We need to act now, and decisively.”

  The Majestic

  Rashad had been watching the television anticipating the surrender of the nuclear reactor sites. Abdul-Aziz was in the shower and Nasih was at Doctor Ziyad Dayeh’s having his stitches examined and bandages replaced.

  Rashad was half-listening to the television and fumbling with the tray that contained his breakfast after spilling his coffee. He was cleaning up the mess when he heard the announcer speaking about gunfire, which could be picked up by the broadcast microphones. He bolted up fixated on the screen. How can this be? Everything is in place.

  Rashad went to the bathroom door and pounded on it until Abdul-Aziz answered, towel wrapped around his body. “What!”

  “Something’s gone wrong. There’s a report on the television of gunfire at the Florida Ridge nuclear reactor site.”

  The two men watched in amazement as the announcer stated, “The United States military has launched an attack on the facility. There is heavy fighting taking place at the entrance as we speak.”

  All of a sudden the noise of an explosion reverberated through the speakers as the camera caught sight of the nuclear reactor #1 containment building blowing up.

  Rashad jumped up and quickly ran to Dayeh’s surgery cabin, bursting in as the doctor was bandaging Nasih. “You must come quickly. Something has gone wrong.”

  Not wanting to divulge to Dr. Dayeh any information, he grabbed the arm of the half bandaged Nasih, pushing him to the door. Nasih was running down the narrow ship corridor towards their cabin while trying to wrap the remaining bandage around his face.

  Once inside Nasih stopped as he watched the billowing radiation cloud rising into the atmosphere.

  The announcer commented, “As of last night the nations of the United States and Israel had thought they brokered a Palestinian repatriation treaty, a hostage release and surrender of the two FEU nuclear reactor sites. We don’t know why the terrorists, after achieving this agreement, decided to destroy the nuclear reactor sites and essentially abolish the treaty. We’re trying to locate experts on nuclear radiation to discuss the impact this is going to have on the United States and the rest of the world.”

  Nasih turned to Rashad. “Retrieve the satellite phone from the captain and bring it to me.”

  “Are you going to call the Amir?”

  “Yes, this is a dangerous undertaking but I need to understand what has happened.”

  Rashad left returning with the phone. Nasih had removed all of his bandages and worked his way to the deck avoiding the Majestic crewmembers. Finding a secluded area, he made the call.

  Ahman, hearing the phone ring, was so distraught by the turn of events was not going to answer it. After several rings he finally picked up the phone, “Yes.”

  Upon hearing his uncle’s voice Nasih said, “I don’t understand. Everything was in place. Why did the Americans attack the nuclear reactor sites and destroy the agreement?”

  “Nasih, it wasn’t the Americans. It was al-Qaeda. You and I, along with Abdul-Aziz, Rashad and the Muslims For Justice have been used by al-Qaeda to attack the United States.” Ahman paused. He was so mentally drained he could hardly speak. “The two Pakistani nuclear en
gineers were al-Qaeda operatives, whose only purpose in life was to destroy. I was never comfortable with these two men, but we had little choice. If it was only affecting me I would not care, but they have shattered the lives of hundreds of thousands. Now the Palestinians will never achieve repatriation or compensation for the evil done to them. There’s no recourse at this time and our hands are tied. Continue with your journey to here. May Allāh be with you.” Ahman hung up the phone.

  Nasih, dismayed at the news, went to back find Abdul-Aziz and Rashad. Entering the cabin, his face pale and his voice shaking, he spoke to both men. “The two nuclear engineers were disciples of al-Qaeda. We’ve had victory snatched from our grasp and have been made fools of by al-Qaeda and the Islamic radicals. I fear the justice that Palestinian people deserve has been lost forever.”

  The Dust Cloud

  The explosion at each nuclear reactor site released eighty tons of radioactive dust into the atmosphere as finely dispersed particles of uranium dioxide in the form of uranium-235 and uranium-238, along with highly radioactive isotopes of iodine-131, cesium-137, strontium-90, plutonium-239 and neptunium-139. The lethal cloud spread rapidly across Central and South Florida. As the sun rose, the wind speeds increased to fifteen miles per hour. The shifting winds were blanketing the entire region in radioactive fallout. The most immediate danger was the isotope iodine-131 with a half-life of eight days. The thyroid gland readily absorbs the radioactive iodine and over time will cause thyroid cancer.

  South of Miami, Florida, in Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove, the roving gangs were stealing from the empty mansions. They were the first to be blanketed with the radioactive fallout being within fifteen miles of Cutler Point. Ignoring the deadly dust being inhaled, they would brush it off the windshield of the vehicles filled with stolen goods. The men had dust on their exposed skin, hair and scalp.

  Further inland the radioactive cloud had reached Lake Okeechobee, the fourth largest freshwater lake in the United States. The area was prime grazing land for beef and dairy cattle. Ranchers, who had seen the government broadcasts stating the worst areas affected would be within ten miles of the nuclear reactor sites, believed they were safe forty miles away.

  Seven hundred fifty thousand head of beef and dairy cows were grazing in the path of the radioactive cloud as it continued its march across the state dispersing its deathly shower of strontium-90 and cesium-137 and to a lesser extent the plutonium-239 and uranium-235. The cloud reached the lower portions of Tampa and Saint Petersburg on the northern edge and to Naples and Marco Island to the South. The easterly winds pushed the cloud over the Gulf of Mexico for six hundred miles as it dropped its lethal brew on sea life and abandoned oil rigs.

  Cesium-137, with a half-life of thirty years, had the unique ability to mimic potassium in plants and animals. After being absorbed it replaces potassium in the body, affecting the electrolytic balance and concentrates in the muscles. Strontium-90, with the same half-life, mimics calcium and is readily absorbed into the body displacing calcium in the bones. This leads to bone disorders, bone cancer and leukemia. Plutonium-239 is considered by many scientists to be the most toxic of all the radioactive isotopes. When inhaled even in small quantities, it will cause lung cancer. As this cloud spread, all birds, fish, reptiles and animals in its path consumed this deadly mix of radioactive isotopes.

  Near the two nuclear reactor sites the effects of the radiation were already taking a toll on the soldiers. Within minutes of exposure, fatigue and nausea overcame the victims, caused by the irradiation on the brain’s chemical receptors. Most would show signs of recovery over the next several days, but the cells in the gastric and intestinal tissue would be dying, causing massive diarrhea and intestinal bleeding. The loss of water due to diarrhea would make the patients delirious and they would eventually slip into a coma. There is no cure and the only treatment was to administer massive amounts of painkillers until the victim, in excruciating pain welcomed death.

  Washington, D.C.

  All officials could do was to hope the shifting winds would not send the deadly cloud north to Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center and Jacksonville, or even worse, to Atlanta, Georgia.

  At the Joint Chiefs, it was a solemn scene. Secretary of State George Martens concerned about the country becoming unstable, stated emphatically, “We have to immediately extend the public emergency and invoke the John Warner Defense Authorization Act.”

  Martial law had been prohibited by the Posse Comitatus Act enacted in 1878. But President George Bush, on October 17, 2006, signed the John Warner Defense Authorization Act, which allowed the president to declare a public emergency and station troops anywhere in America by taking control of state-based National Guard units without the consent of the governor or local authorities.

  President Conklin and his staff were brainstorming on how to present the catastrophe to the American people and what impact it was going to have on the rest of the world. The president would have to address the nation and explain the events and the implementation of the John Warner Defense Authorization Act.

  NRC Commissioner Dwight Nettleton was very concerned as he addressed the meeting. “A low-pressure trough has formed over Cuba and is gaining strength. If the wind changes to a northern direction, this would shift the area of potential contamination from the Gulf of Mexico to northern Florida into Georgia and the entire Southeast. If this happens we’ll have widespread panic that will be uncontrollable.”

  General Knight had enough and took over the meeting. “I don’t give a damn about public impressions, the ACLU and whether any of you get re-elected. I’m sending in the military to secure what we have left. You can have your meetings on saving face later. I suggest the president get on television and tell the world the impact of the situation.”

  President Conklin along with Secretary of State Martens and the rest of his cabinet returned to the White House to prepare a speech for the broadcast.

  Jack Shelby of the CIA made a suggestion. “Let’s not divulge to the public that a double-cross took place within the ranks of the terrorists. Keep them focused on the Muslims For Justice and get other countries to help us purge this group.”

  “I’m not sure that’s going to work for long,” stated George Martens. “If word leaks out that al-Qaeda were involved, we will lose all our credibility and they’ll be camped outside our doorsteps with pitchforks.”

  The president listened to both. “I didn’t get elected to lie to the people, but at this time we need to keep the al-Qaeda connection quiet. Let’s get the last of this speech completed. I’m more concerned about the economic problems than pointing fingers.”

  Just then an aide came into the room and announced, “The terrorist who calls himself the Amir is on the hot-line phone in the Situation Room asking for the Secretary of State.”

  George Martens reluctantly left the meeting to take the call. This terrorist hasn’t only gone back on his word, but he probably orchestrated the entire disaster. “Martens here,” he gruffly retorted.

  “I swear to Allāh that I’ll deliver to you the time and place for you to strike a blow against those who perverted Islam. They have destroyed your land, but they have also destroyed the last chance for my people. I can’t promise you how soon this will happen, but I guarantee you that the day will come when judgment will fall upon their hypocritical souls. It may be months or even longer before you hear from me again, but be assured I’ll contact you with vital information. Then you’ll know the truth.” Ahman hung up the phone.

  George Martens returned to the meeting, intrigued by what the Amir had to say. Is this terrorist truly out for revenge, or is it just a smoke screen to keep the heat off of him?

  2:00 P.M.: President Conklin was solemn as he spoke to the American people and the world. “Never in the history of the United States have we faced the challenges that are now impacting our people, our economy, and our way of life. We have to work together to face many hardships in the weeks and months ahead. The government
will do everything in its power to ease the burden of the displaced and prevent economic chaos. We will not allow this nation to fall into a depression. All bank accounts will remain insured and all government liabilities will be met. Banks and the stock markets will remain closed until January eleventh. Studies of the stricken area will commence immediately and we will employ every scientific method known to rid the area of contamination. Task forces are already meeting to evaluate the best methodology. I ask you for calm and patience. The military will cordon off the entire affected area and no one will be allowed access until it is deemed safe.”

  The president paused, the day’s events weighing heavily on his shoulders. He knew his next statement was sure to raise controversy. “Because of the permanent public emergency, I am invoking the John Warner Defense Authorization Act immediately. The U.S. military will be taking control of all state-based National Guard units and all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.”

  The president again paused to let the full weight of his statement sink in as he ended his short speech. “May God be with us.”

  With his speech over, the president left the podium. The press was not allowed any questions, leaving the reporters grumbling about the closed session.

  World Reaction

  As the President spoke, across the Arab world there were spontaneous outbreaks of joyful crowds singing the praises of Allāh and shouting, “Death to America.” The unbelievers had been taught a lesson and it had been long overdue. Not since the 9/11 attack had the world been shown the might of Islam and that the infidels would always be powerless to stop the will of Allāh. Gunfire erupted in the streets of Gaza, Hebron and Ramallah as Palestinian youth celebrating the attack poured into the streets, many brandishing semi-automatic weapons.

  The joy would be short-lived for the Palestinians, when the realization set in that the repatriation treaty and a chance for a better life was also destroyed along with the nuclear reactors.