The Krakow Klub

by Philip C. Elrod

  Next, the little robot stopped at the side of the bed, took the bed control, and depressed a button that caused the bed to elevate the president to an almost sitting position. He then silently left the room and pulled the door shut behind him.

  John, speaking to Jim said, “The president has been kept under mild sedation since his arrival, primarily to avoid his becoming aware of where he was and who was caring for him. Maxxine thought that robots might freak him out. And, of course, I agreed.”

  About that time, Henry Wilkinson began to move his hands and make a few small unintelligible sounds.

  John rose from his seat and approached the bed. He took the president’s right hand into his own and gently shook it, saying, “Good morning, Mr. President. My name is John Scott, and my associate over there is Dr. James Slater. It has been our privilege to be your host for the past few hours.”

  The president opened his eyes, blinked a few times, and finally managed to keep them open. He looked around the room, first at John then at Jim, and spoke in a very weak and shaky voice. “Where am I?”

  “That is a hard question to answer without a long explanation. Let’s just say that you are in a safe place and among friends. All your medical needs have been addressed, and you’re going to be just fine.

  “Do you think that you’re ready for a cup of coffee and maybe a little orange juice? You haven’t had anything by mouth since you’ve been with us, so let’s start out slowly.”

  The president nodded.

  Almost immediately, a robot entered the room with a tray containing an insulated flask of hot coffee and a decanter of orange juice. The robot placed the tray on the table beside the bed and poured a glass of orange juice, handing it to the president.

  The president took the juice, but his face showed surprise. The robot turned and silently left the room.

  The president, his voice still shaky and weak, asked, “What the hell was that thing?” Then, after a pause, in a voice that was much stronger, he demanded to know, “Where am I?”

  John rose and walked over to the table, saying, “We’ll get to that soon. How do you take your coffee?”

  “Black,” the president snapped. Obviously, he was beginning to regain his strength a little bit.

  John poured three cups of coffee and handed one to the president and another to Jim. Before returning to his seat, he added cream and sugar to his cup.

  “Okay, Mr. President, I think that you are sufficiently awake to understand, so I will tell you where you are. Then we will discuss why you are here. Finally, we will get to what we must do to get you back to where you would like to be.”

  The president took a sip of his coffee, looked first at John and then at Jim, and said, “By all means, please continue.”

  John did a commendable job of presenting an abbreviated version of events, but it still took almost thirty minutes. He was interrupted several times by the president asking questions. Some questions he answered, but some he just indicated that the issue would have to wait until later.

  Finally, John said, “That, Mr. President, brings us to what we must do to get you back into the White House. There will be a price for my assistance, but don’t worry, it will be quite reasonable in the overall scheme of things. Do you have any questions before we proceed?”

  The president thought for several moments, and then said in a voice that obviously was meant to sound as authoritative as possible, “I cannot believe that the military of the United States of America would not support me once I return to the White House. I appreciate whatever you’ve done, but if you will kindly just let me return to the White House, I‘m sure that I can get all this mess cleared up quickly.”

  Jim Slater was the first to answer, “Mr. President, with all due respect, I don’t think that you have grasped the complete seriousness of the situation. The military, even as we speak, is being taken over by rogue officers whose allegiance is to the Krakow Klub, and they think you are dead. If you should simply show up at the White House, they would very quickly make sure that you were indeed dead. Right now, your only hope is John Scott. Indeed, America’s only hope is John Scott.”

  “Dr. Slater, I may be an old fool, but I am not an idiot. True, I was in the Situation Room, and I saw that alien space ship. But it left; NASA confirmed it left. Now, I am not going to fall for some cock and bull story, no matter how cleverly you have arranged things.”

  In an increasingly strong voice, the president said, “So, if you gentlemen would be so kind as to return my clothes and personal belongings, I have an alert device that will bring the Secret Service down on this place in large numbers. If you wish to avoid some very severe consequences, you will release me immediately.”

  Jim Slater started to object, but John waved him to be quiet, saying, “Very well, Mr. President, you are free to go. Your clothes, such as they are, and other possessions will be returned to you immediately. Should you change your mind, just let me know.”

  Taking Jim Slater’s arm, he led him from the room, even as Jim was protesting, “John, you can’t mean that. You are sending him to his death.”

  John did not reply until they were out the door and speeding away in the little transporter.

  “Jim, I said that he was free to go. I didn’t say that I would help him in any way. How’s he going to get back to good old Mother Earth? I intend to teach him a well-deserved lesson in humility. He’s going to have to beg me to help him, and he’ll do just that. Relax; we’ll see him again in a few minutes.”

  The transporter stopped at the control room. John said, “Let’s continue our talk with Maxxine.”

  Chapter 9: A Day Full of Action

  “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

  - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

  John spoke to Maxxine with a serious tone in his voice, “You know that I have complete faith in your capabilities, but I do have one very big concern that I hope you can address. That fiery crash and explosion that was supposed to kill the president generated far more heat than we ever expected. We weren’t prepared, and three lives were lost. What could we do if we’re in a situation like this again?”

  Maxxine used her most charming voice and said, “I am not sure what you are asking, sir. I simply ran into a situation of which I had no previous knowledge and had to intervene quickly to save the president. If history repeated itself, I would have to act immediately, again, and inform you as soon as possible afterward. Just remember, as powerful as we are, neither Maxx nor myself can see into the future. We can analyze previous and current data and make calculated predictions, but that’s all. In the final analysis, we must deal with whatever the situation is at the time as best as we can.”

  “Maxxine, please accept my apologies. I’ve come to think of both you and Maxx as being omnipotent, capable of any challenge at any time, no matter what the circumstance.”

  “It would be nice if that were true. But we must be realistic. We are powerful, but there is a limit to all power. I am happy to be able to do most of what you desire. You will have to forgive me for my shortcomings.”

  “As I said, Maxxine, I apologize. But, if I ever ask you to perform an impossible task, please give me a heads up before you follow through. Don’t hesitate to tell me that you cannot do something that I ask of you. You know what’s possible and what’s not. After all, I’m just a neophyte at all this.

  “Now, give me a briefing on the latest of what is happening on Earth.”

  ****

  Maxxine proceeded to brief him on the actions of President Montrose. The news was most distressing. Maxxine said, “Many military officers are being arrested at military installations throughout the country. Anyone who might be a dissenter or potential dissenter seemed to be on her list. Shockingly, high-ranking officers, including several thre
e- and four-star generals and admirals had also been arrested and were already in, or headed for, a prison facility located at ARRCOM headquarters.

  “The entire operation has been cloaked in secrecy. Montrose has ordered a news blackout of anything about the arrests. She has now demanded that all official news releases concerning the terrorist attacks be approved by her prior to broadcast. The media was infuriated and screeched about freedom of the press and the first amendment, but Montrose announced that if they did not comply, she would shut down the networks, including social networks. That ended the argument.

  “The military officers who have been arrested are being replaced by those obligated to the organization. Many of them were initially blackmailed into serving the organization, but there are a few psychotics who were avid converts and probably looked forward to any possible bloodbath.

  “Things are going well for the Krakow Klub. Operation Plato is proceeding according to plan. A few more days and a few more key operations and they will have sufficient control of the military to solidify their grab for total power.

  “The democratic government of the United States is hanging by a very slender thread.

  “There are just a few more terrorist attacks to stage before the takeover is complete. The most dramatic and most important of those attacks will be at the Greenbrier. The government elite, including the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Supreme Court justices, and many Cabinet members, are already there like lambs in the slaughterhouse. Montrose ordered them to the facility with the ruse that they would be safer there. But, in fact, just the opposite is true.

  “The plan is to kill them all in a horrendous blast of explosives, including a tactical nuclear weapon.

  “However, a small number of those at the resort have begun to wonder why the president, herself, is not there to guide them through this critical time. And why didn’t she need to be protected at the safe site? What about her staff? Something just doesn’t make sense.

  “They know that the bunker was originally built to house the entire government including the president. Many are now wondering what has changed now that there is a real and present danger.

  “A few congressmen noted that Montrose has seemed to become even more unpredictable and erratic during the last few days. In fact, they are thankful that they are isolated from her and her bizarre behavior. One grizzled veteran of encounters with her expressed his feelings, ‘I would rather face fanatic jihadists than Carla Montrose in one of her nastier moods.’

  “But none of them has an inkling that they are there to be eliminated in the very near future. I do not know when the nuclear device is to be detonated, but I am pretty sure that it will not happen until Erik Stoellar gives the final word to use it.

  “But everything is in place for the destruction of the Greenbrier. Lt. Colonel Stevens is simply waiting for the order to destroy the hotel and everyone in it.

  “I am sorry, but I do not know when they plan to issue that order. But I fear that it will be soon. Of course, as you already know, Maxx has rendered both the plastic explosives and the tactical nuclear device inoperable.

  “That pretty much covers the latest news.”

  ****

  Eric Stoellar had just received some very disturbing news from the Dragon Lady. Unbelievably, the raid on Scott Key had been aborted. Two F-16 fighter pilots reported that they had attempted reconnaissance passes over the island. They remember entering the cloud bank but nothing afterward until they awoke in their jets heading back to Key West. Their state-of-the-art wing cameras had been fully functional and should have recorded everything on the island. They didn’t record anything at all.

  Furthermore, the helicopter pilot experienced severe turbulence and loss of engine power causing him to stand off. He reported observing the two fighter planes disappearing into the cloud bank enshrouding the island. They had not reappeared by the time he was ordered back to Key West NAS.

  Satellite images showed nothing.

  The command at Key West Naval Air Station was totally at a loss. Nothing like this had ever happened before. The pilots were obviously shaken but otherwise totally unharmed. During debriefing, the two jet pilots both had a memory that someone with a very authoritative voice had warned them, and the military, to stay away from the island, or else.

  Stoellar was totally enraged. His worst fears were now being realized. Someone, or something, on that damned island possessed frightening powers, and those powers were far more extensive and impressive than previously believed. What could it be? And most importantly, who was in control? Was it this Dr. James Slater or that mysterious Scott person?

  The time had come to enter the final stages of Operation Plato, but he hesitated. The Greenbrier solution was an essential element of his plan and would remove all resistance to his coup. But now, he had to be careful. Someone out there could foil the attack and reveal that he and his group were behind it. If that happened, he’d have nowhere to run and hide. If it became known that he had ordered a nuclear weapon to be used, the whole world would turn against him in an instant.

  He would have to find a solution to that mysterious island and find it fast. He continued to rage and pace about furiously. “Damn that island and damn whoever is on it!”

  He was so very close to his goal that he could almost taste victory. How could he be denied? He had worked hard for so many years. It was a perfect plan. He had carefully recruited all the right people. How could fate deny him victory at this point?

  His plan to assassinate the president had worked flawlessly. It had been so beautifully orchestrated and executed that he considered the whole thing to have been a work of art.

  The results were precisely what he had expected. The country was enraged and frightened as hell at the same time. The people were desperate for the government to do something to save them from these unknown terrorists.

  Montrose had the government leadership at the Greenbrier. Collins was waiting there and ready to perform his duty. A brief word from Erik Stoellar and the government of the United States would be devoid of all leadership except his. He was almost there.

  The public was in such a state of panic that they would be more than happy to accept the temporary military rule. And that temporary military rule could be made permanent very easily, once he had enough of his minions in place.

  Everything was perfect except for one roadblock. That damn island and whoever was on it. He would find the bastard. He would kill him. He would not allow anyone to deny him his victory!

  He grabbed his secure phone and punched the button for General McGowan.

  “Yes!” General McGowan was in a raw mood. “Stoellar, What the hell have you gotten us into?”

  “What the hell happened at Scott Key, General?”

  McGowan snarled back, “You tell me. The reports that I’ve received are totally impossible to believe. The Key West Naval Air Station is going nuts. The first thing that I did was put the pilots and crew in isolation. No one can access them. At least they won’t be running their mouths about what happened. But the local command is getting pissed about my people overreaching their authority. It is a hot potato. As I initially asked, sir, what the hell have you gotten us into?”

  “Control yourself, General; we’ve got to use our brains here. The most powerful military in the world can’t be outfoxed and outmaneuvered by just a few people on that wretched little piece of sand down there.”

  McGowan smirked, “If you’re so smart, why don’t you take care of it yourself?”

  “Don’t be insolent with me, General. I made you, and I can unmake you in a heartbeat.”

  “Like I said, sir, if you are so damned powerful, what have you got to be afraid of?”

  Stoellar was close to losing it. He hung up and immediately called the private number of the brand new president of the United States.

  “Glad you called.” Carla Montrose’s voice was bright and cheerful.

  Stoellar fumed but kept his dislike for
her to himself, only thinking, Damn, I hate that bitch!

  Stoellar also thought of an adage about ignorance being bliss. He controlled his urge to kill the obnoxious witch and instead practically cooed into the phone.

  “It’s always wonderful to talk to you, Madame President. I hope that you’ve enjoyed your first day in office. How did it feel to wake up in the White House?”

  “It’s great, just great, Erik, but I’m afraid that the fun will end soon.”

  Stoellar was shocked. Had she heard about that damned island incident already? He quickly, inquired, “What’s seems to be the problem, my dear?”

  Laughing raucously, she replied, “There are just not that many balls left in Washington, DC, anymore, Erik. And I was just getting into the groove of busting them.”

  Stoellar faked a bit of laughter, and then replied, “Oh I get your point, very funny. Listen, Carla, there is a bit of a problem that I need you to take care of ASAP. There is a small island off Key West that appears to be a terrorist nest. The locals can’t seem to handle it. Get a navy warship over there and have them secure an island called Scott Key. Call me as soon as the mission is accomplished.”

  “Cool it, Erik. The Naval Air Station at Key West is much closer and they can take the island without breaking a sweat.”

  “No, damn it, they have already tried and they totally blew it. Just get the Navy on it ASAP, and make the force sufficient to handle anything. Call me when they are on the island. And Carla, tell them that there may be some substantial resistance and to be prepared to handle it. If necessary, nuke the damn place, but we have to eliminate it immediately.”

  “That’s weird, Erik, but what the hell, I will get right on it.”

  Stoellar hung up the phone and called Number Eleven. She answered after two rings.

  “Yes, Number One.”

  “I am going to ask Carla to send the Navy to take care of Scott Key.”

  “And just how do you think they are going to accomplish that?”