The Sword of Cyrus: A Thriller (A Rossler Foundation Mystery Book 4)

by JC Ryan

  Harper threw in one more strong argument. “Apart from that Daniel, the Rossler Foundation has always said that the information from the 10th Cycle Library is for the benefit of all humanity. Here is one more opportunity to practice what you preach”.

  “Nigel, let me talk to my advisers and my Board. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Will that do?”

  “Can’t ask for more, Daniel. Remember what I said, though.”

  ~~~

  The next morning, Daniel called a meeting of his core group of advisers. Sarah was with him when he arrived at work, alerted the night before when Daniel finished his call from the president. The others came as soon as they could get there, each finding an email upon their arrival at their offices. Nicholas was the first, and wanted to know the subject of the meeting right away, but Daniel persuaded him to wait for the others. Sinclair and Luke arrived together a few minutes later.

  “I suppose you’re wondering why I called you all together,” deadpanned Daniel, who had always wanted to utter the cliché. These days his quirky sense of humor had to be suppressed in the interest of clear communications. After the others groaned and rolled their eyes, he smiled and got down to business.

  “I had a call from President Harper last night,” he explained. “It was in the nature of a request for a personal favor. I’ll take it as a personal favor if you’ll all give me your honest and considered opinions. At the request of Iran’s Director of Reconstruction, Nigel has asked us to consider allowing Iran and a couple of other Middle Eastern countries to join the 10th Cycle treaty.”

  His words dropped into the assembled group like a cherry bomb in a punchbowl. Sarah of course already knew what he would say, but didn’t expect it to be so baldly stated. She observed as Nicholas and Sinclair dropped their jaws. Luke’s expression became grim, and he pressed his lips together.

  Daniel wasn’t finished, though. “I know it’s a shock. My first thought was not unless hell has frozen over, but Nigel pointed out, very colorfully I might add, that even God gives a man a chance to repent. Iran has given every indication of turning over a new leaf since the Ayatollah Kazemi was assassinated. Moderates are now in charge of the government. The new Ayatollah has made no bombastic statements against the US since the killers confessed, and I’ve read that he has changed his stance because he might otherwise be removed from office. Iran has made guarantees of safety to industries that will locate facilities there. They seem to be fully engaged in reconstruction of their country, with no time for saber-rattling. They’re even allowing women to be educated there or abroad.” Daniel looked each of his advisors in the eyes as he made his speech.

  As Daniel wound down, everyone but Luke became neutral in his expression. Luke, however, had something to say. “You’re saying that a zebra can change its stripes. I disagree. I’m sure he believes his reforms are taking hold. But believe me, they have shallow roots. You can’t change an entire culture in a few months.” Luke’s expression indicated that if a vote were taken now, he’d come down as an emphatic no.

  “I don’t disagree, Luke. On the other hand, we of all people should be anxious to help these poor folks, especially the rank and file populace. What would be the harm if they had cheap electricity? Have we made any progress in the weaponization of 10th Cycle cold fusion, Grandpa?” Daniel’s eyes went to Nicholas.

  Nicholas Rossler, Daniel’s grandfather and head of the Research department, didn’t know much about cold fusion. His lifelong profession was archaeology. But, he had surrounded himself with the best minds in the world for the investigation of 10th Cycle technology for any potential as a weapon. The result was that before any new technology was licensed by the Foundation, it was thoroughly tested and proven harmless. The one exception was cold fusion, because of its potential to relieve the burden of expense from third world energy production and the environment from the harmful effects of coal-fired electrical plants. As a result, the investigation was still ongoing, and the cold-fusion plants worldwide were constantly monitored for signs of tampering.

  “No, not at this time. But any time you’re dealing with nuclear energy, there’s a potential,” he answered, shrugging his shoulders.

  “Anyway, I told Nigel we would keep open minds and discuss it rationally, rather than speculating emotionally. What do you say, Luke, do you have any specific concerns?” Daniel had experienced a change of heart overnight, and was leaning in favor of the idea at this time.

  “Nothing specific, no. But, if we do this, we need to perform the most thorough background checks possible before we let their scientists in here. And there should be some new security measures in place, which I’ll discuss with Nicholas and Sinclair both.” Sinclair O’Reilly, the head of the translation department, also oversaw some sensitive information.

  “Fair enough. Grandpa? Thoughts?” Of all his advisors, even those with a professional background in security like Sarah’s Uncle Luke, he placed the most value on his grandfather’s thoughts. The old man had been his hero when Daniel was a child, and hadn’t slipped from that pedestal in the years since. His intelligence was legendary, and his ability to reason things through was a priceless asset.

  “I have to admit, I hadn’t thought about it the way President Harper put it to you. But he’s right. The danger of refusing to accept that a man or a country has changed is that he might regress. We’ve had several months of peace in the Middle East except for the actions of a terrorist group that’s lost its leader. If we allow this, could it be possible to make that permanent? People have been trying to make that happen for hundreds of years. What if we could achieve it?” Nicholas nodded. “I think we take the chance, with the precautions that Luke has mentioned.

  “Noted. Sinclair?” It was time for Daniel’s old ally, his grandfather’s student and the man who’d broken the 10th Cycle code in the first place, to weigh in.

  “Sure, and I’ve got no problem workin’ with them,” Sinclair said, revealing his nerves with his famous affectation of an Irish brogue though he was second-generation American. “I’ll take Luke’s advice about how to be sure they’re behavin’, though.” He rapped his knuckles on the table in assent.

  Daniel and Sarah had already discussed the idea at length the night before after putting little Nick to bed. Both had misgivings. They had speculated on the answers of the others, and it had gone pretty much as they expected. Their own decision, by mutual agreement, was to move forward with a proposal to the Board if Luke could assure them that he could filter out anyone who had past ties to terrorist organizations. Accordingly, they thanked Nicholas and Sinclair for their time and asked Luke to remain behind.

  “So, you think this Ahmadi dude is sincere,” Daniel asked.

  “I have no reason to think otherwise,” Luke said, unconsciously echoing Sam Lewis’s answer to the president. “Trust but verify - that’s my motto,” he added.

  “Then it’s settled. If you can put strict controls in place, extra background investigation and whatever you have in mind for internal security, we’ll put it to the Board.” Daniel’s gaze at Luke indicated that an assurance was wanted.

  “I can’t guarantee that nothing can slip through,” said Luke. “But we’ve learned a thing or two in the past couple of years that I think can make it ninety-nine percent certain. I can’t do better than that.” Luke shook his head as he spoke the last sentence, as if he regretted not being able to assure perfection. In fact, he’d do his best to insure it.

  “Nothing’s certain in this life,” Daniel said, speaking from personal experience. “That will have to do.”

  Daniel reported back to Harper that they were going to put the request to the Board. At Harper’s request, he called an immediate meeting, though the regular meeting was several weeks away. Harper believed that the sooner Iran was allowed to join the treaty, the sooner they could count on a lasting peace in the region.

  By now, Daniel was in agreement, if wary. When he made his presentation to the Foundation Board of Directo
rs, he marshaled all the positive arguments he could think of. Equality of opportunity would make the Middle East less contentious. Improving the quality of life for the people of the region would be humane, and would go a long way toward restoring personal dignity, long repressed by radical Muslim clerics. There would be an opportunity to broaden the scope of investigation into the secrets of the library, with scholars from a radically different culture on board. Surely they would have a different way of thinking that would enhance investigative efforts. And more. Because he knew it would be on the minds of his Board anyway, he glossed over the risk. There was no need to call attention to it.

  By a narrow margin, the vote was in favor of including Iran and two other countries, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, since they were nominal allies of the US despite strained relations over the 9th Cycle virus. Persuaded that it was in the best interest of the country as well as the world, the Rossler Foundation would open their doors to carefully vetted Iranian researchers after the 10th Cycle treaty was amended to include them, but only on a trial basis, for a year. After that, the arrangement could be renewed if everything worked out.

  The terms of their inclusion were that the Middle Eastern countries could send scientists to study what had already been discovered in the library, except for certain discoveries that had been declared off-limits to everyone. The Middle Eastern scientists would also be free to conduct their own research, provided they in turn shared it with the rest of the treaty members. It was left open what could be shared with other Middle Eastern countries, to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

  ~~~

  It was a matter of a few months only to turn the tide of public opinion to that of hope for the future. No longer were there daily rallies condemning the US for its assumed role in loosing the 9th Cycle virus on the world. The term ‘genetic bullet’ fell into disuse and disfavor, with the power of peer pressure to stop using such a politically charged phrase. Even mullahs and ayatollahs were heard to embrace the idea. Only behind closed doors and among those of the inner circle of the Sword of Cyrus were words of anger spoken against Israel, the United States, and the rest of the Western world. These elite kept the fires of hatred burning, so that when their plan had come to fruition, once more jihad would be brought to bear on the infidels.

  In the United States also, public opinion turned from suspicion against Muslims in general and Iran specifically to cautious optimism that a new era had indeed begun. Harper pushed his support of the international committee charged with rebuilding the Middle East, encouraging both US and international corporations to invest in the Middle East, particularly Iran. Director of Reconstruction Ahmad Ahmadi of Iran instigated negotiations to provide tax breaks and subsidies from oil production to companies that would invest in Iran, if the US would follow suit. Harper appreciated that both Sam Lewis and his friend Luke Clarke, who was related by marriage to Harper’s good friend Daniel Rossler, endorsed Ahmadi as one of the good guys.

  Best of all, Ahmadi’s influence brokered an agreement of Iran’s military to give up their nuclear weapons. Experts from the US, Great Britain, Germany and France were invited to supervise the dismantling of all warheads and launch facilities. The entire process was transparent, as the appointed experts would attest.

  ~~~

  By the end of the year in which the world had gone from the brink of nuclear war between Iran and the US not once, but twice, the political climate between the two countries had changed radically. So radically, in fact, that anyone somehow going into complete seclusion at the end of March and not emerging until December would have sworn he’d come back to an alternate reality. In this, Iran was leading the rest of the Middle East, whose various countries’ leadership were content to sit back and see if the detente between Iran and the US would last, and who got the better end of the stick.

  On the last meeting of the year according to the Western calendar, members of the Sword of Cyrus congratulated themselves on a job well done. They had used the despair of the people and leadership of Iran in the aftermath of the virus to turn the tide of public opinion, winning their bid for change with nary a shot fired. It was an impressive feat, to overcome centuries of distrust and religious strife in only a few short months. Their leader, Dalir Jahandar, was largely to be credited with both the strategy and the implementation of the social engineering. Seeing that their agenda was about to succeed, they had good reason to celebrate.

  “What is the next step, Dalir?” one of his friends asked, as Dalir had instructed him to.

  “You must all do everything in your power to cooperate with Western industry and research. Those who own land must lease it to companies to build warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Those who are involved in transport must make your trucks and railway cars available to them. Do I need to say more?” Seeing no questions from his followers, Dalir was satisfied that his society understood the requirements of the plan. Now he turned to the most important element of all.

  “You all know that Iran has not been allowed to share in the marvelous discoveries within the 10th Cycle library. The Rossler Foundation has now agreed to open its doors to us, as well as to a couple of other Middle Eastern nations. That way, when we betray their trust, it will be more difficult for them to discern who has done it. Bear in mind that, although this plan may take years to implement, we will be searching all the while for a method by which to eliminate the West as a dominant force. The Sword of Cyrus will then re-establish the glory and the empire of ancient Persia.”

  With the cooperation of a few members of the Sword of Cyrus, who had contacts and resources not just in Iran but globally, Dalir had been preparing for the time when the trend toward more cooperation with the West would open an opportunity for something he’d long aspired to. Placing several spies within the Rossler Foundation scientific community would give him the wherewithal to put his plan for restoring the glory of the Persian Empire in motion, and would furthermore open opportunities to make good on the oath that he swore at his family’s deathbeds. The time was almost ripe, and he would be ready.

  The recruits

  Back when the news had reached Dalir Jahandar that the Rossler Foundation had been opened to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, a thrill of victory went through him. Now it would be a simple thing to have some of his prepared agents considered among the candidates for the Board position as well as research fellowships within the library archives. He had been anticipating this moment for some months, combing not only Middle Eastern countries for the brightest and best scientific minds, but also searching out Muslims who were ethnic Persians now living elsewhere.

  Those he had recruited were examined for clean backgrounds, so that false ones wouldn’t have to be prepared for them. Some, the Sword of Cyrus were able to persuade to their mission without threat or bribe. Others turned out to be corrupt enough to cooperate for money, but had not previously had the opportunity to use their intellect in such a way. Still others, those whose expertise was most desired but who could not be persuaded or bribed, were blackmailed by various means into cooperating. All were well aware of the price of betrayal.

  Among the recruits were several stunningly beautiful women, chosen for their roles in the tradition of the mystique of Mata Hari. They were assured that the purpose for which they were to be groomed was permitted under Sharia law, and that they could not be stoned or punished in any other way for engaging in ‘pleasure marriages’, that is temporary liaisons for sexual purposes, with men from whom they expected to learn secrets otherwise hidden. The practice of muta’a, or temporary marriage for pleasure in return for money or other gain, was allowed by Mohammed, and the higher purpose, to restore the Persian Empire, served as the required necessity. The secrets uncovered would be the payment. Thus assured, the women entered training in the arts of seduction willingly.

  ~~~

  When it was time to choose a representative to the Rossler Foundation Board, the twelve members of the Sword of Cyrus expected Dalir to put forth his own
name, as was his right. However, he demurred, saying that his work would not permit him to spare the time. Instead, Reza Mokri, an industrialist of sufficient wealth to permit him the leisure required, was chosen, and groomed also for his role. His bid for the position was readily accepted by the Ayatollah Khorasani, who directed the newly-elected president to appoint him.

  Mokri was an urbane Shi’ite whose English was impeccable, honed as it was at Oxford, though retaining a slight British accent. He was also quite handsome, tall and well-built, with caramel-colored skin, eyes that shifted from amber to coffee-colored in different light, and an audacious smile that had come close to leading more than one woman astray. Appearing young and lighthearted, he made friends easily and just as easily took advantage of them at every turn. Reza was the perfect candidate for the purpose the Sword of Cyrus had in mind; that is, to obtain by persuasion, stealth or subterfuge every advantage he could for their cause. Fortunately, he was not a particularly devout Muslim, so his potential seduction of female members of the Rossler Foundation board would not be a moral burden to him.

  Until the time he was appointed to the Board of Directors, Mokri honed his negotiation skills by traveling the world to recruit major corporations to situate facilities in Iran in the name of reconstruction. With many members of Parliament in his pocket, he could offer favorable terms with regard to taxation, and somehow he always seemed to have the perfect site in mind for whatever type of facility he was courting. His best work, of course, was with companies who were headed or strongly influenced by women.

  In the five months between the inception of the Sword of Cyrus and his call to report to the US for his appointment to the Rossler Foundation board, Mokri had persuaded a pharmaceutical company to relocate or build research facilities in Iran on the strength of the availability of subjects carrying the gene responsible for the vulnerability of Middle Easterners to the 9th Cycle virus. Because of the new discovery, the company hoped to corner the market on a seasonal flu vaccine marketed strictly to Middle Eastern people. Mokri had also attracted two electronics companies, a cosmetic company that wanted to develop cosmetics for brown-skinned women, and a manufacturer of ready-to-eat and convenience mixes of Middle Eastern cuisine. He had also made a small fortune personally, by selling some land that he controlled to several of these companies. He almost hated to leave the fun to infiltrate the Rossler Foundation.