by Samuel David
“We are sure they were from Iran?”
“Absolutely sir; heat signature, and identification were all confirmed as being Iranian. We also know which Iranian base the missiles were launched from. We also have confirmation of all our data from the American spy satellites.”
“Why didn’t the Iron Dome System intercept them?”
“We don’t know. They seemed to have malfunctioned. These were Russian-made missiles, not the puny Katyusha rockets Hamas uses. They launch higher than the Iron Dome is capable of reaching. We have contacted the US defense department about it. They say that we must not have re-calibrated them since we have been using them to deflect the Hamas rockets from Gaza in recent months, sir.”
“Ok Shlomo, now what? None of this makes any sense at all.”
“Regardless, sir, of the failure of the Iron Dome System they really hit Jordanian territory at least in concept. However, that was not their intent. Therefore, I suggest we bomb the base they launched from immediately. Then, as a warning to Iran, bomb their capital. The planes are already armed and in the air waiting for your authorization.”
David stared at Shlomo for a while. He finally responded with a question. “Was Elijah at ground zero?”
“Yes, he was there along with Yona. They were at the entrance where the wooden bridge is, near the wall. It appears that they took shelter by the wall and both escaped without any injury.”
“Any news feed on them during that time? Were there news cameras still there by any chance?”
“Yes, I believe so. The American broadcasting company, Bear, had left a camera operator they had just flown in from Saudi Arabia. They had a crew at the Temple Mount in case Elijah decided to say something while he was sitting there. Our local news station left earlier after the issue with the guards and the police department.”
“Do we have this film?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get it here as soon as possible. I want to know what Elijah was doing when the missiles hit the Dome.”
“Why, what difference would that make, David?”
David smiled as he replied, “I know you are not very religious, Shlomo; but I think that Elijah made those missiles change course. How he did it, I do not know. However, I am sure that he did and he was waiting for them to appear so he could change their course.”
“Why would he do that?”
David smiled, then almost laughing said, “To force the issue of rebuilding the Temple without us taking the blame of destroying it. For we did not destroy it, did we? The Iranians did and the world will know it. Therefore, we are not at fault and now the Temple can be rebuilt. Moreover, it can be rebuilt without international problems or conflict with our neighbors. Iran just screwed up. The Muslims worldwide and many in the Arab world will be very angry with them. Especially Jordan, for it was their people who were in the Dome who I assume died.”
“I don’t really understand, David, what you are talking about. None of this makes sense to me. Now if we are through with the Elijah hocus pocus, can I have the order to retaliate?”
“No, we are going to stand down.”
“What?”
“Counter attacking right now serves no purpose. For as much as I would like to, this act of aggression by Iran occurred for a reason. I really do not think it would be in our best interest to counterattack them. You see, Shlomo, they did not attack us, they attacked Jordan.”
David then straightened up in his chair, grabbed a pen, and started writing out orders.
“Now Shlomo, what I do want is as follows. Get press releases with all the details of when the missiles were launched, what kind they were, and where they were launched. Then I want you to get that camera operator’s feed of Elijah just before the missiles hit. I want to see it.”
Shlomo was almost shocked for he could not believe they were going to stand down. He thought that he would ask once more.
“Are you sure, David, now is such a great opportunity. We have every reason to attack, especially the nuclear refining sites. We have waited a long time for the opportunity to end their attempts for a bomb.”
“No, and that is my final answer. If there are those who disagree with me then let them. Next election, if there is one, they can remove me. For now, once again, the answer is no.”
David looked at his Defense Minister with a smile, and then started laughing aloud.
“What’s so funny, David?”
“I think Iran may have just pissed off Elijah.”
“So what’s so funny about that?”
“Remember that little grasshopper he showed on TV with John Roddenburg and what he said?”
“Yes.”
“Well I would bet that within a few days Iran will be fighting a plague of locusts. That will do more harm than we ever could.”
As he walked away, he had a great big smile on his face. He was thinking about what he had just said to them. Suddenly he stopped and turned back to Shlomo, “Please get me what I want before it is too late. I need that tape.”
Chapter 49
12:15 AM Saturday Doshan Tapeh Air Base, Iran Major General Amir Naghd’s office
“Can anyone tell me what has happened here?” Major General Amir asked as he looked around at his staff.
“No sir, we have absolutely no idea. The coordinates of the missiles were programmed and verified, then rechecked, as per protocol. All systems were working one-hundred percent normal. There is absolutely no possible way that all three missiles would have hit the Dome at almost the exact same time. It is not physically possible. These are SP300’s and they can store and track one-hundred targets at a time. It only had one program. The Temple Mount has never, ever been programmed into the system. Would there even be a reason to do so?”
“So what are you saying, Lieutenant?”
“There is absolutely no way that we made an error. You can see the reports yourself. They do not lie. The missiles were on exact tracking, then they diverted. They made a left turn at six-hundred miles per hour, taking them off course. The missiles then arced up into the air, two miles straight up until they were over the Mount. They then went down, pointed in a straight line and impacted on the Temple Mount. That is impossible.”
“So Lieutenant, is there any other reason than to believe that the Israelis now have a new device that can change the trajectory of a missile? That seems to be what you are telling me.”
“No sir, that would be impossible also.”
“No one seems to have any answers then. This situation is not good, not good at all. Defense Minister Abbas is not convinced of what you are claiming. He has told me to find out who screwed up and bring them up on charges of treason. Now I want to know what happened. We will deal with each individual in your command on a one on one basis until we get an answer. I am sure each of you realizes what that means.”
“Sir, I mean, General,” the Lieutenant began, “We did nothing wrong and the missiles themselves are the ones we obtained from Russia. The software, the launch, everything was right on target until the very last moment. Somehow, someway, all three were redirected to the Dome.”
The sweat on the lieutenant’s brow was becoming noticeable as he said again, “I resubmit to you what we do know, General, sir. They made forty-five-degree turns in midair then went straight down. These missiles or the missiles from any other country for that matter, are not capable of doing that. Look here on the computer, sir, and see how they acted. You yourself know what is possible and what is not.”
“So what are you saying, Lieutenant?”
“I do not know, General Amir. All I can tell you is that some power or technology not of this world caused those missiles to miss.”
The Lieutenant paused then lifted his head sheepishly to the General and said, “Maybe this Elijah Prophet had something to do with it. The news feeds showed him at the Temple Mount just before impact and he seemed to be pointing towards the incoming missiles. As ridiculous as i
t seems, this is all we can even begin to offer to you as an explanation, sir. I realize this hypothesis is not an answer. However, my command has no reason to have sabotaged the system. Nor could we as a group or as individuals have done so, even if we tried. There are too many checks and rechecks for that to occur.”
“Alright, Lieutenant, I will not repeat your Elijah plot to my superiors. I suggest you never mention that again, do we understand each other?”
“Yes sir.”
“Therefore, I want this data gone over, and over to see if we can find anything that might point to what happened. As you well know this exercise was meant to punish the Israelis and help bind the Arab world together. For some reason we are the goat. This fouled up exercise has now backfired on us. One more thing, Lieutenant, do you have any idea why the Israelis did not counter-attack?”
“No sir, their bombers are in the air in formation but have not left Israeli airspace. As of a few minutes ago, many have left their holding positions and returned to their bases.”
“So they are not attacking us then?”
“No sir, it appears they are not.”
This is strange. I wonder why, Amir thought to himself.
Chapter 50
2:50 PM Friday, Bear News Bear news Affiliate Kansas City, Missouri
We interrupt our normal broadcast to bring you this special breaking news announcement from our affiliate in Jerusalem. Here is Bear News anchor, John Roddenburg.
“We have confirmed from sources among Israeli officials that at 9:55 PM, Israeli time, or at 1:55 PM Central Standard Time, three missiles carrying three warheads were launched from Bakhtaran, Iran. All three missiles impacted simultaneously and completely destroyed the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.”
“We do not have confirmation from the Iranians as to why they would have destroyed a holy shrine of the Muslims in Israel. However, it is assumed that there was most likely a glitch in the Iranian’s systems, which caused the missiles to miss their intended targets.”
“At this time we have no indication of retaliation by the Israelis. According to press releases from the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, the Israeli air force has not attacked or even entered Iranian airspace.”
“We do have a dispatch from the Jordanian King Adbel Kerak, who states, and I quote, ‘This despicable act by Iran is of worldwide significance in the irresponsibility of Iran’s leaders. We hold them completely responsible for the lives of the Jordanian nationals who maintain the Dome of the Rock.’”
“The Jordanian Government went on to say that it is calling on all Arab nations, the Arab League, and all Muslims, to convene a board of inquiry. The King also stated that all should censor or punish their neighbor Iran for their barbaric act against Jordan.”
We will also be right back with updates on the Vice President’s plane crash and other news, after this.”
They cut away to commercial. As soon as they did, the news team gathered around Don and John and started sorting through the news in Israel, Iran, and the crash of the jet that was carrying the American Vice President. As they were discussing how to get it all covered for the viewers, John noticed one of the assistants trying to get his attention. Leaving the others, he walked over and asked, “Keith, what has you so animated?”
Keith had a cell phone in his hand offering it to John as he said, “Enoch is on the phone. He says it is urgent and he emphasized ‘urgent’ in his call. I had it transferred to my cell.”
Now what John thought, running his fingers through his hair. “Give me the phone, Keith.”
“Hello Enoch,” John said into the receiver.
“Yes, John, this is Enoch. I am sorry to bother you but we have an emergency here. I have an urgent request for you and the timing is of the essence, for we have very little time.”
“Where are you, Enoch?”
“I am in President Stevenson’s suite.”
“Oh?”
Enoch then told John about his conversation with the President and that Stevenson wanted an immediate press conference. He also asked that Bear have their news helicopter on the roof of the hotel for use after the press conference.
After Enoch clicked off on the phone, John motioned to Don to come over.
“We need a news crew for a press conference that only we are going to cover at the President’s suite in Center City. In addition Don, this all has to be on the QT. The President has something very important to say, and I mean Important.”
“What could be that important that we can’t defer it till maybe later today?” Don asked.
John ignored Don’s question then added, “Also, Enoch wants the news helicopter on Center City’s roof for use after the press conference, fully fueled.”
“What? Why?”
“Doesn’t matter Don, go along with me please. It is important. Therefore, here is what we are going to do. Put my co-anchors on the anchor desk. They can cover the Israeli-Iran issue and the Vice President’s crash and apparent death. It will take time to sort through all of it anyway. I will go to Center City with the crew for the press conference. We are going to need lighting and sound equipment and we do not want anyone else to know about it.”
“Ok…,” Don said, hesitantly.
“However, the press conference will be live. So I will be cutting in from the President’s suite as soon as we get set up.”
“Ok John, but you need to explain to me what’s so urgent that the President can’t wait? Also, I thought he was in the meeting with the Waldger Group?”
John pulled Don aside, far away from the others in the room. He put his mouth close to the producer’s ear and said, “Don’t react, just stay calm.”
Don cocked his head towards John as he whispered, “The President is resigning. He fears for the lives of his family and himself.”
Don stepped back, mouth open in shock, then as he gathered his composure, he said, “John, go to Center City. I will have a crew and equipment there in 20 minutes.”
With that, John hurried out of the studio, headed to Center City.
Chapter 51
2:45 PM Friday Waldger meeting at Center City Convention Center, Kansas City, Missouri
The meeting had reassembled at 2:00 PM, but due to the breaking news in Jerusalem, the screen was showing the broadcast from The Network with Brad Williams. They were not watching Bear today; but that was normal, for the Group owned The Network. It seemed that all there was any more was news and more news. All of it associated one way or the other with the two Witnesses. No matter what was in the news, they seemed to be a part of it, one way or the other.
Aafre had told him earlier, “David we need to keep this meeting in focus, but things are happening much quicker than I expected. It is probably best to let them watch this for now. It is important news. We can delay the rest of the meeting till after this dies down some.”
Therefore, the decision was made. Now everyone here, like most of the world, was watching the broadcast.
Brad Williams was wrapping up his comments; then the screen went blank and the Waldger logo came up.
Aafre went again to the podium.
“It appears that the Iranians have made a major error in the Middle East. We are sure the Arab and the Muslim world may not be too pleased with the Iranian’s leadership. However, what they did was a benefit to us. It solves a problem that we have discussed before.” He paused then said, “That is, how we could allow the Jews to rebuild their Jewish Temple.”
“Fortunately, as you heard on the broadcast, the Israelis have decided not to attack in retaliation. That is a good thing. If they had, we would then have to step in and stop an all-out war between the two. For now, it seems this crisis is under control.”
“Now, all that is happening all around us have caused some delays in our schedule. We do have many other issues to decide on here today and we need to continue. However, with all the news occurring, I suggest we take another break. Therefore, y
ou can stay here and watch the broadcast, or, if you have other pressing issues, you can take care of them during the break. We will reconvene around 4:00 PM.”
Chapter 52
2:35 PM Friday President Stevenson’s Suites, Kansas City, Missouri
After speaking with President Stevenson, Enoch used his cell phone to call Veronica and ask her to make some contingency plans to whisk the President and his family to a safe place for a while. After hearing of the plans for the press conference, she suggested that maybe he could get the news helicopter from Bear and then they could fly them to MCI. She then would arrange to have them fly to a neutral place where they could stay until things were sorted out. She also suggested that Enoch fly with them, just in case Aafre decided to interfere. He had agreed.
The President then called the Secretary of State, Bill Krasner, who was still in Washington; and then went on a conference call with Press Secretary, Christopher Hughes. After a lot of protesting on the phone with the President, they finally conceded that Stevenson’s decision was final. They all agreed that the President would address the ‘Resignation Letter’ as Nixon had done to the Secretary of State. After the broadcast on Bear News, Christopher would then hold a question and answer session at the White House pressroom. They agreed to keep this secret and Stevenson ended the call.
Without saying a word to Enoch, he walked over to his desk, opened his briefcase, and took out a sheet of paper, which bore the Presidential Letterhead. He sat down, wrote the date on the page, and addressed it to the Secretary of State. He then wrote out the following statement.
‘As of this day, I hereby resign as President of the United States, effective immediately.’
He signed it. He was frowning as he looked at the letter. Finally, he said, “Enoch, now you can call Bear News.”
Enoch then called Bear and spoke with John Roddenburg. He had a news crew on its way.
The President’s wife was packing for them as he sat across from me. Their seventeen-year-old son was also there with him.
“Mr. President, I am going to get you out of here after your statement is finished,” Enoch said. “You will no longer be President and we have safe places where you can go for now. I will also be flying with you, for I can promise you that they will not attempt to harm me. That will keep you safe until we get away from Aafre’s clutches. Once we leave, Bear News will broadcast that I am traveling with you. That will signal them to back off. They will probably think that they can deal with you at a later time and for now let you go.”