Dawn of Defiance

by Dempsey, Albert

  "Please get me the Israeli Ambassador on the line," he asked Belinda his private secretary.

  He had much to thank Yorin for, as the two men had spent endless hours together, hammering out an acceptable peace treaty during the crisis of 2026.

  It was not long before Belinda handed him the phone. Vargän liked to walk and talk. The familiar voice of Yorin Binyamin greeted him. He was a man of intense perception, and a formidable chess player.

  "Ah, Yorin, what can I say, they'll not listen to reason anymore," He said, referring to the Egyptian attacks.

  "Well, you better make them stop or we’ll be forced to strike back. This is unacceptable and totally within our right to defend ourselves."

  He was right and Vargän knew it.

  "Israel has placed its complete security in the hands of the UWN, and it's now your duty, Chancellor, to honor the treaty and to put an immediate stop to the attacks, or mark my words carefully, we will."

  It was evident from the latest Intel that retaliation by Israel was all that was needed to splinter the Arab world into pieces and disintegrate the already fragile alliance.

  "Our security grid is designed to stop missiles, not mortar and rocket attacks," Vargän replied.

  There was silence on the line before Yorin vented once more.

  "Let me just remind you, in the strongest terms, that we are not going to take another attack without retaliation. Either you do something about the rocket attacks or we will, and the fall-out will be yours to clean up."

  The phone went dead. Yorin Binyamin had never sounded so upset. No one had ever dared to slam the phone down in Vargän's ear, except his wife from time to time. He walked over to the white sofa at the far end of his private office and sank down.

  "Too early for a drink?" Lucia asked.

  Vargän did not respond.

  "Looks like you'll need one," Lucia said.

  "The Egyptians are vying for leadership of the Muslim world and stopping the Israeli Temple is their draw card. Yes, we get it, but regardless, the Temple will be built and the peace treaties will be honored, or mark my words, there will be hell to pay."

  Belinda came in and whispered something into Vargän's ear. She was still his favorite; she had been his private secretary for years. Besides Lucia, she knew him the best.

  "Good, finally…... Please tell him to come in."

  Lucia turned just in time to see Cardinal de Santos enter the room, alone.

  "Cardinal, it's so nice to see you again; it's been ages," Vargän said as he stood to greet the thin man who had shot up the ranks of the Vatican.

  "Such troubling times," the Cardinal answered.

  "You have no idea; and today you have walked right into the thick of it."

  "Sorry to arrive so unannounced, but there is an issue I need to discuss with you rather urgently, and it's a matter that concerns the Holy Sea," he said as he turned to greet Lucia.

  The men had met before, but Lucia had sworn an oath and the Freemasons always honored their oaths. Sensing a delicate situation, Lucia escorted Belinda outside to leave the Cardinal and Vargän to their private meeting.

  Only when they were alone did he relax. Cardinal de Santos took a deep breath and faced Vargän. This visit was unexpected and Vargän felt ambushed so early in the morning.

  "His Holy Father requests an audience with you at the Vatican as soon as you can spare a moment out of your busy schedule," de Santos requested.

  Vargän looked puzzled.

  "And the nature of this discussion will involve…?"

  "The matter I do not know for sure, but I do know he was very persistent. I come in person to ask you."

  "Come now, Cardinal, I have far more pressing matters to attend to than to meet His Holiness over tea. I feel you know the nature of the visit; so come, indulge me."

  "Chancellor, you are well aware we have eyes and ears everywhere, rumors and gossip always find their way through our confessionals. It has come to our attention that the UWN has a secret project on the go at the moment; one that will affect the entire world."

  "We have many top secret projects on the go, and you know I cannot discuss them with you," Vargän said, irritated.

  The Cardinal was not forthcoming; always trying to dodge the true nature of his visit.

  "I understand the world we now live in has changed much, Chancellor. We also know that the UWN is contemplating a change in the dating system, is that correct?" he asked.

  So that's it, interesting! Vargän thought to himself.

  Best he involves them now, seeing that they already know.

  "Yes, it's a project still under development; one, I think, that will be very interesting as it will have a significant impact on the society that we are trying to build. The Vatican cannot really think the entire world has to follow a dating system that only honors the Christian church? You do know Christianity is in decline worldwide."

  "His Holiness is very concerned and wishes to discuss this matter in person with you."

  This was a UWN project, still in the early stages, nothing more at the moment; however, it did have certain merits. A meeting with the aging pontiff was the last thing Vargän felt like doing, but somehow he knew he would have to schedule it in. After agreeing to meet the Pope, Vargän finally got rid of the Cardinal before getting down to the real issues at stake.

  Lucia was anxious and already armed with the latest Intel his team had gathered regarding the attacks. All Vargän wanted was a few minutes alone before the next meeting.

  "What's it now?" he asked as Lucia made his way into his office and straight to Vargän's massive desk. He activated the concealed plasma screen that descended out of the roof.

  Helen and Belinda came in with refreshments and placed them on the coffee table.

  "The Egyptian Ambassador has postponed his 11.30 meeting with you until 2.30 pm. as he needs to be briefed by his security services first. He did assure me he will be available at that time," Belinda said.

  Vargän did not answer as he knew stalling tactics when he heard them. The plasma screen was connected via the ISIS UWN Satellite Network; it provided the clearest images and data and events happening on the ground, anywhere across the globe. From his office in Brussels, Vargän and his advisors could assess situations and make the appropriate decisions.

  In addition, the UWN deployed their own operatives to monitor events on the ground. They had access to the latest ISIS broadcasting apparatus, beaming their reports directly into Vargän's office; far more reliable than the mainstream news networks.

  "Ok, here goes: this feed is live from one of our agents at the Temple Mount."

  Lucia spoke directly to Bernard Jansens, who took them through the complex, showing where the mortars struck and the damage that was done. Israeli police and rescue workers were still on the scene, attending to the injured construction workers. All of them Jews; the High Council had insisted that only Jews be allowed in the construction process.

  Helen left the room; she couldn’t take it anymore as these were live and unfiltered images. Bodies torn to pieces, scattered across the complex amongst the discarded rubble.

  "I want this footage sent to Ahmad Nassar before our 2.30 meeting. These damn Egyptians need to get an indication of the seriousness of the attacks."

  When they finished viewing the footage, both Lucia and Vargän felt a little sick to their stomachs. Lucia had hit the nail on the head: it was exactly the Intel required to get Vargän prepared for his countdown with the Egyptian Ambassador. He took no more meetings until 2.30 when Helen his secretary linked the conference they had scheduled.

  "Ahmad, finally you can grace me with your presence," Vargän answered. "I have been waiting all day for the link."

  Ahmad Nassar was not a good looking man, but his wife was apparently a woman of renowned fame; an ex-Egyptian beauty queen, who no doubt had married for power and prestige.

  Vargän had all the resources at his disposal to know all he needed to know about the ma
n, but he chose to keep it civil.

  "Once again Chancellor, we are shocked at the footage your office sent to us. Our deepest condolences go out to those who lost their lives in this attack. However, we do not take responsibility for a few radical extremists who have violated the treaties we still honor. Our security services are working around the clock to bring these terrorists to justice."

  He waited for Vargän's response.

  "Is that it?" Vargän answered.

  The Ambassador shifted in his chair, waiting for a signal from his superior.

  "You understand full well the importance of this Temple and so do the Israelis. Let me just state again: there is no way the construction of this Temple will be stopped; regardless of how many Jews have to die. The Israelis have made it perfectly clear that nothing will stop them, as they need to restore their ancient Temple and traditions. I am sure you know your history, Ahmad. They have already rebuilt their Temple twice and they vow nothing will stop them again. It's their right as a sovereign nation, and furthermore, it's part of the peace treaty guaranteed by us, the UWN.

  "I think the Israeli..." Vargän cut him off.

  "Stop talking, Ambassador, and listen. If this was pre-2027, the Israeli's would have flattened your country in retaliation. One more thing, we know your secret service, the Mukhabarat, is indirectly involved. These acts of terrorism are being tolerated by your President as he tries to gain favor within the Arab community. We know what President Hassan Ali wishes to get out of this, but it's never going to happen. Our sources believe the Egyptian leadership has been hijacked once again by a few radical elements within Islam who wish to derail the Temple Project."

  The Egyptian Ambassador finally got a word in.

  "How can we stop a few who slip in and out of our country to launch attacks? It's impossible to control our borders completely," he said.

  Vargän knew he was shifting blame once again.

  "Your own secret service has elements in it that are aiding the terrorists; we know for sure the design of the rockets and the component parts are all made up of old Russian stockpiles, which we know your secret service has stockpiled over many years."

  The Ambassador went silent; he knew all too well it was true.

  "Now, close the borders between Egypt and Gaza, stop the attacks against Israel immediately, and bring the extremists to book, or Egypt will lose its trading privileges with the UWN and we will be forced to re-evaluate our aid packages to the Egyptian people."

  Vargän had lost all his patience and with it went his diplomatic niceties.

  "Also, one more thing, Ambassador; a sizable compensation package for the victims of the terrorist attacks will go a long way in restoring the goodwill relations between Egypt and Israel."

  The Egyptian Ambassador still remained silent but it grated him to no ends. The Israelis had gained a great deal from the security treaty they had made with the UWN.

  "You have nothing to say?" Vargän asked.

  "I will have a response within the hour, Chancellor; we will do our best to bring these attacks to an end. But you know it's not just from the Egyptian border; these rockets are also fired from within Israel itself and the Golan Heights. Syria must also close its borders then."

  "Let us deal with the Syrians and Jordanians; you just focus on your part of the agreement, as specified in the treaty. Nothing more and nothing less; the honor of the Egyptian people is at stake. I believe they should not pay the price for poor leadership on the part of your President."

  The meeting was now over and all that had to be said was. It now boiled down to action and to those who could see things done, after all, words meant nothing.

  Ahmad Nassar was just a puppet, acting on the will of his President. Saddam Hussein once tried to reach too far by carrying the mantle as the great Arab leader, and look where that got him. He was executed in a dirty prison, without any dignity and respect.

  Perhaps when this is over Ahmad Nassar will see the blunders of his President more clearly. For today's action determines tomorrow's outcome.

  Vargän still pondered from time to time, if he, as Chancellor of the UWN, really had any power at all. Diplomatically speaking he felt frustrated by the endless process of bureaucracy. The governmental system of the UWN seemed flawed at times like these. It was always committee meeting after meeting which slowed everything down.

  Yet the age old Egyptian and Israeli conflict would pale in comparison if another Ice Age started.

  Who cares about a stupid Temple when the entire planet could be covered in a layer of ice within fifty years!

  Chapter 25

  For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards.

  For their you've been, and there you will long to return."

  Leonardo da Vinci

  Nicole still could not believe that Chantel had simply run away. The girl was a little strange at times, always going off on her own, but still, she was only seventeen and God alone knows what trouble she would find herself in.

  Yet in comparison, Kate was no better off, and it made perfect sense for her to go with Nathan and the group. Their fate, it seemed, was intertwined in a bizarre kind of way. Even if it was just for a few days, Nicole felt sure Kate would survive the experience. Camping was not really in Kate's nature and perhaps some hardships would toughen her up.

  Just like that, she thought to herself, they're all gone.

  As it was late Saturday morning, they had been gone for two days now, and Nicole wanted to see the campsite again. She needed closure in some kind of way. So much had happened over the last few days; she struggled to understand it all. At least her father had recovered from the incident and was delighted to have his son at his side again and back on the farm. After she phoned him, Warren decided to put his family first for once, and move his office to the farm for a few days. His clients would take second place from now on.

  Often it takes a tragedy to re-align a person's values; luckily her father was still alive.

  With the Kruger's, family always came first, as it was the right way to be.

  Nicole had to lie to her brother for his own safety. She told him the Police had arrested Kate and taken her away. That way he was forced to accept it and let the Law take its course.

  However, as soon as his father was up and about, he vowed to help Kate again. But on condition that she cleaned up her act and went for drug counseling. Nicole did not bother to explain that AKA was not an addictive drug, however he did not care. All drug users in his mind had now been grouped together. He treated her as if she was a heroin junkie. Warren was hurt and his anger lashed out at Kate for putting his family at risk. It only got worse when he discovered her dealing with Kazak.

  Kate had asked Nicole to lie to Warren, as she didn't want him to risk his life for her again.

  After a quick breakfast and a check-up on her father, Nicole made her way to the stables to saddle up.

  Warren was in a strange mood and Nicole knew he needed time to unwind. His anger at Kate had wavered but he still blamed her for the raid. His level of sympathy had dwindled, but it was probably due to the fact that his beloved father had been hurt and he had indirectly caused it by involving his ex-girlfriend; something he should never have done.

  It feels good to be on a horse again, Nicole thought to herself.

  She edged the stallion into a canter and made her way along the farm road towards the twin rocks where Nathan and the others had camped. Something drew her there; she had not returned since their escape.

  With Warren now back she could relax a little. It was good to have her brother around.

  Nicole missed Nathan the most and spoke to him a few times on the iBand. She decided to call him later from the koppie as she was not so convinced he sounded that positive the last time they spoke. Apparently they had set up camp at a place called Red Dune Reserve; it was only a few kilometers along the coast from Lamberts Bay.

  I will make a plan to go see him.<
br />
  Nicole did not like to admit it, but she missed having him around. He calmed her even when the world was falling around her. In all the chaos over the last few days, he was always there, keeping things manageable. Nicole thought it best not to tell her family anything about Nathan and the group. The Police raid and Kate's drug problem was all they could digest at the moment.

  Warren and her father had to be kept in the dark as much as possible, there was no point involving them in something that Nicole felt she could handle by herself. Poor Kate, she had been blamed for everything. But at least she was gone and the Kruger's were all legal again.

  The ride was exhilarating and she made it faster to the top than she could on the quad-bike. That was another thing that hurt; the fact that Chantel stole the quad the night she disappeared. After all she had done for them; and this was the way Chantel repaid her. Yet luckily it was not the expensive quad; the older one was smaller, probably the reason she took it. Nathan however felt he was to blame.

  Finally ascending the mountain she dismounted next to a fallen tree and tied the horse to a branch to feed. Walking around, Nicole could still see the signs that people had camped there for a few days. An eerie feeling came over her; as if someone was watching.

  This time she was unarmed as she let Nathan keep her 9mm for protection. She had no time to get another gun from the safe this morning. The campsite was totally deserted, but still here and there were faint traces of the visitors.

  Nicole walked around the old campsite, her heart heavy once more at the sudden loss.

  She stopped at the log where Kate sat the first day she was introduced to the tribe.

  They're all gone, Nicole thought to herself. What was I thinking; did I really see a future with him?

  After the events of that fateful night, they couldn’t stay on the farm any longer. It was not safe for them, for Nicole and her family. Looking around she sighed, the dogs should have been here, but they're also gone. She kicked at a twig and sat down on a rock.