Wanda

by carl smothers

  The president was alarmed. His National Security Advisor was normally very calm, but seemed nervous and confused — quite strange behavior, the president thought. “What is it, Igor?”

  “Mr. President, when I got to my office this morning, and reviewed my morning security brief, the priority topic was Mogadishu.”

  “Get to the point,” the president noted impatiently, putting his coffee aside.

  “Sir, Mogadishu, just like Beirut, has disappeared from the face of the Earth. It no longer exists. We have run extensive satellite recon and nothing is there … no buildings, no vehicles, no people … nothing! We don’t know what has happened. Two of the oldest cities in the world destroyed in less than twenty-four hours.”

  “This makes no sense,” Grant remarked loudly. “Was there an attack or not? Damn it, man, something this disastrous could only have been the result of an antimatter, photon or nuclear strike.”

  “Sir, we can’t find any evidence of radiation or bomb damage. It wasn’t a natural phenomenon or an RFG strike, either. I can’t explain it. The CIA reports the attacks eliminated most of the SWG organization. They believe the MOA was behind it.”

  “Two major cities, and their entire populations, have disappeared off the face of the Earth. I want information, and I want it now,” the president yelled. “Send me a brief, and then assemble the National Security Team and the Joint Chiefs of Staff for an emergency meeting. Tell them I do not want to hear any more of this I do not know shit. I’ll contact key heads of state to see if they have any intelligence. I’m sure it will be on the front page of every newspaper in the world before the days over. I assure you, now that a second catastrophe has occurred; we will be bombarded even more so by the media. We have to act fast. The entire country is going to be in an uproar, and they will expect us to give them some answers. So get on it!”

  “Right away, sir.”

  Early that afternoon, the president met with his advisors, including Secretary Robinette. “Felix, if not nuclear, antimatter or a natural disaster, what could cause such a calamitous event?” The president asked. “It’s strange there aren’t any ruins or debris anywhere. It doesn’t make sense. It’s as if these places never existed. What is going on? I don’t know about you, gentlemen, but I’m nervous as hell about this.”

  Secretary Robinette rubbed his hand across his mouth. “Mr. President, we think it was a black hole weapon system.”

  General John Holmes, Joint Chiefs Chairman, interjected. Both the CIA and DOD agree this was not a conventional nuclear of antimatter attack. It had to be that new MOA weapon we’ve been trying to locate.”

  “Is there any defense against this weapon?” The president said.

  “Short of a direct nuclear or antimatter attack, no, Mr. President, and it must be a direct hit. I’m certain the design of the facility will enable it to withstand just about any type of attack. Further, if we fail to take them out, they’ll retaliate immediately and their counterattack would be disastrous.” Igor wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. “We could mount an invasion if the government of Pakistan agreed, but I don’t think they’ll be happy to have foreign troops on their soil. What’s more, the MOA has an excellent Intel network. If they got wind we were trying to put boots on the ground, they would attack us and hit D.C. first.”

  “It is complicated. Felix, didn’t you ask the NSta team to initiate studies of a counter weapon strategy when you last talked to them?”

  “Yes, sir, I did. They’ve made this their top priority.”

  “Do we need additional people? We could get some help from our National Labs.”

  “Bringing in additional people won’t help. The technology’s too complex. It would take too long to bring them up to speed. Our current team is the only ones in the world who might be able to figure out how to counter this thing.”

  “Very well. So far, the attackers have focused on the SWG and Middle Eastern countries. This may only be a rival faction dispute.” The president said. “I hope that’s so, but I think they’ll decide to expand their sphere of influence. Felix, contact Hart and tell him to make sure his team stays focused and we get frequent updates on their progress. Report directly to me on this, and keep Dr. Romanoff completely informed.”

  “Yes, Mr. President. I do hope this is a regional matter, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “I think these first strikes were just score settling,” the CIA chief added. “The SWG and MOA have been fighting for years. Further, I’d bet a month’s pay the next target will be Egypt.”

  “Why?”

  “They jailed Oganda for ten years and our Intel says he’s very bitter. Not only that, but he recently moved the MOA headquarters from Cairo to Anwar. That had to mean something.”

  “Gentlemen, I want the NSA, military Intel organizations, and the CIA to concentrate on the MOA and get all the intelligence they can, and as fast as they can,” Grant ordered. “This is top priority. We have to know where this weapon facility is located before these people decide to attack us. Make sure our entire Middle Eastern field agents focus on this. I want a daily meeting starting tomorrow morning. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re on the hit list of these maniacs. I want strategy recommendations today. We can’t afford to sit back and wait to be attacked. My last option is a direct nuclear or antimatter attack, and I don’t want to consider this unless we have no choice.”

  President Grant was a handsome, middle-aged black man. An overachiever since his youth, he had been a four star general and was the youngest chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces. He had served two terms in the senate, and one term as vice president. Before that, he was the national security advisor to a two-term president, and ambassador to the UN. He had lived through many crises. This was the worst he had ever experienced, and it frightened him.

  Chapter 63

  MOA HQ

  Anwar, Pakistan

  Yasaid called the sheik from his office. “Your Grace, I’m delighted to report SWG has been destroyed. There may be a few operatives left, but they won’t cause us any more problems. In fact, there’s little left of Beirut or Mogadishu.”

  “Wonderful news. I’m pleased we finally got those pigs off our backs— permanently. Now we can focus on more lucrative endeavors. Tell the general and Dr. Lieu I said good work. Come back to Anwar immediately. I need you here.”

  After the call, the sheik sat at this desk rubbing his palms together, smiling to himself; thinking about the day he would assume his rightful place as Emperor of the World. That day will not be far off. The time has arrived to start the real war and show the infidel dogs who their master is.

  A few days later, as Oganda awoke, he thought of his victory over the SWG and that made him smile. If his plan worked, history would record this day as the inception of the Oganda Empire. He looked over at the woman who had shared his bed that night. She’s so lovely, he thought. And so good in bed. I must reward myself with her again … sometime. She could possibly be a fine acquisition for my harem.

  With the SWG out of the way, who would be the next to feel the wrath of his power? It was clear — the Egyptians, and in particular, President Hussein, who had opposed him in Cairo and tried to expel him and the MOA several times. Many of his soldiers still rotted in Egyptian prisons. He would have his revenge once he punished them. Then he would deal with the rest of the world, and appoint himself emperor of the Earth. The Americans would be the icing on the cake.

  After breakfast, he called Yasaid into his office. “Yasaid, the time has come to commence the real war.”

  “Who will we strike first, Your Highness, and do you want me to go to the Waziristan Valley?”

  “No, Yasaid, I want you at my side. We are entering the critical phase of our campaign, and we must carefully plan each move. General Sone and Dr. Lieu are more than capable of handling things at the site.”

  “Very well, what’s our first step Your Highness?”

  The sheik loved the title o
f, your highness, and relished his next command. He would settle with the last of his enemies and announce to the Middle Eastern world that he and he alone was to be the supreme leader. With Egypt out of the way, there would be no sharing of intelligence between the Egyptian and Pakistani Intel Services. It would minimize the possibility of an attack on the weapons facility by the Pakistani army. Egypt was a key power in the Middle East and, with them defeated, no single Middle Eastern power would dare defy him — particularly when they saw the catastrophic destruction, he levied on that country.

  “Call the general and tell him to target Cairo. I want the attack to occur exactly at 9 a.m. tomorrow. We must destroy the central government facilities and all military bases. I have many scores to settle with Hussein, and his flunkies.”

  “Yes, Your Highness. I will call Sone immediately. Well, it’s started. I just hope we can pull it off. What if a superpower nukes Anwar?”

  “That’s not a worry, Yasaid.”

  Weapon Facility

  Waziristan Valley, Pakistan

  The general was busy reviewing the daily reports when the call came in. “Good morning, Yasaid. How I may help you?”

  “I’m calling on behalf of His Highness. The order is … attack Cairo.”

  “This pleases me greatly. I was anticipating your call to start the final push. I have no love for Hussein. The system is up and we are ready. What time does he want to attack?”

  “His Highness thinks nine tomorrow morning will have the most impact.”

  “It will at that. Thank you for the good news. I’ll start the ball rolling as soon as we conclude our call.”

  “Excellent. I’ll let His Highness know.”

  Sone was delighted to start the war. Many years before, a heated dispute over the transfer of nuclear technology had broken out between the Korean and Egyptian governments. As head of the Korean nuclear program, he convinced his president to stop the transfer. He alone prevented Egypt from joining the nuclear club. As a result, the Egyptian intelligence and special op forces bombed his home, and killed his family. He had been away at the time and escaped. He never forgot and swore someday to avenge their deaths. He was pleased to think the man he considered responsible for the crimes, would die at his hands. He called Lieu to his office.

  Lieu walked in and sat down with his morning tea. “Good morning, General. What can I do for you?”

  “Tomorrow at 9 a.m., we attack Cairo.”

  Lieu grinned broadly, and raised his teacup to the general. “I am very pleased. We are ready. After five thousand years, the Egyptian dogs will no longer have their beloved Cairo.” He laughed loudly then added. “It just won’t exist.”

  Sone grinned, lifted his tea cup in salute fashion then took a sip.

  Chapter 64

  Cairo, Egypt

  The Egyptian president, Mohab Hussein, had just arrived at this office and was collecting his papers to take on a trip to Alexandria for his yearly off-site meeting with his party leaders. He thought about his forty years spent in politics. His priority was always to make life better for his fellow citizens and enhance Egypt’s influence in world affairs. With elections scheduled in less than a year, it was important to get his party’s re-election strategy in place. As he finished packing his briefcase, his aide came in.

  “Mister President, the STV will be ready to pick you up in one hour.”

  “That will be fine.”

  “Do you want some tea and cookies?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Hussein sat back in his chair to think about the upcoming meetings. The last elections were difficult, and the opposition party offered up some excellent candidates with impeccable credentials and good oratory skills. He still needed to accomplish several key goals. This would be his last term of office, and he wanted to cement his place in Egyptian history.

  At five, Wasain knocked on his door.

  “Come in.”

  “Sir, the limo’s here and the vice president is waiting for you.”

  Hussein picked up his briefcase, finished his tea and, escorted by his secret service agents, walked out of his office to the waiting limo. There were six STVs in his party, not including the eight police and six heavily armed military escort vehicles. As he got in, his vice president was sipping a tea.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. President. Nice day for a drive.”

  “Yes, it is, Aswan.”

  Wasain got in behind the president and closed the door. “Are you ready to leave, sir?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  The lead STV pulled out and the convoy started the three-hour drive to Alexandria. The president was anxious to attend the meetings and share the vision for his next six-year term with his party officials. He and his vice president would use the three hours to discuss their re-election strategy and goals for their next and final term. His dream was to cement his place in history and to have his name held in the same esteem as Sadat and other beloved Egyptian leaders.

  Weapon Facility

  Waziristan Valley, Pakistan

  At 8:30 a.m. the next morning, General Sone walked into the control room. It bustled with activity as Lieu readied the system for the attack. Dr. Sinbad Ishmael manned the system control console, running through the final diagnostic checks.

  “Dr. Ishmael, how’s checkout going?”

  “Very good. We’re ready to go, sir.”

  At that point, Sone walked up to them. “Can we start the attack as planned?”

  “Yes, General. We will initiate the final nav and time coordinate download in about twenty minutes, and then activate the field and matter synthesizers. We’ve completely automated the weapon initiation sequences.”

  “I’ve waited many years for this. I’m impatient to strike. But we must wait until nine, as the sheik ordered.” The general stroked the handle of his razor-sharp sword.

  Lieu checked the time, and at 8:50 a.m., he gave the order. “Commence the final coordinate and time download from the WNS satellites.”

  “Ready, sir,” Sinbad replied. “Initiating design simulation.”

  The computer announced:

  “Design simulation is complete. All targeting coordinates have been validated. Data transfer is in process.”

  At 8:55 a.m., the computer made another announcement:

  “Field and matter synthesizers are on–line. Data transfer is complete, and the weapon system is stable. Awaiting attack order.”

  The ten-foot-high by twenty-foot-long world targeting map, located at the front of the facility, displayed a flat Earth graphic with targeting coordinates and projected paths for the black hole; Cairo was the bull’s eye. To the right of the targeting map was a fifteen-by-fifteen foot satellite reconnaissance 3D display used to observe the results of the attacks.

  “Patch in reconnaissance satellites RC1 and RC4 on screen three,” the general ordered. “I want to monitor the city during the attack. Give me mid-range magnification. I want to watch the dogs die. This should be quite entertaining.”

  The satellites presented a detailed, high resolution image showing downtown Cairo. The streets were packed with people and vehicles of all sorts — a typical busy day in a city that had existed for thousands of years.

  Sone nodded approval, and Lieu gave the order. “Computer, direct the back hole to target.”

  “Black hole activated. Target coordinates are in place. Attack initiated.”

  The world-targeting map showed the black hole forming in the atmosphere. It was an awesome and ominous looking creation. The nav computer started the black hole slowly converging on Cairo. Exactly at nine, the monster appeared out of nowhere and rapidly descended on the central part of the city, as its masters had commanded. It looked like a black ring in the sky, with an ominous black center that let nothing out — not even light.

  People scurried back and forth, preoccupied with their normal daily activities — oblivious to the horror preparing to devour them. Congestion clogged the streets as usual at this time of
day. A deafening roar, like that of an F-5 tornado, or a hundred high-speed freight trains, grabbed everyone’s attention.

  Most traffic halted and people stared at the thing they did not understand. The black hole swooped down and quickly destroyed all government facilities, molecule by molecule. The monster devoured every building, STV and human. People ran and screamed in terror. They fell down, tripped over each other, blindly hit things in panic, running for their lives. Vehicles crashed as their occupants were too terrified to worry about other STVs and overrode their computer systems. There was no escape from this demon out of hell itself. Its appetite was insatiable.

  The black hole continued to decimate everything. It sucked the very atoms from people’s bodies, devoured plants, animals and anything else within its purview. It left nothing. There was nowhere to run. As it fed, it became stronger. Its creators knew if it ever broke loose, it would consume the Earth — and them.

  The pitiless beast devoured all that was Cairo. The final insult: consumption of the great pyramids and the Sphinx, grand monuments and testimonies of Egypt’s past glory. Over 20 million people, the buildings, vehicles, animals, landmarks and all government facilities reduced to random molecules and atoms. Only the desert remained. The beast even consumed the waters of the Nile.

  As fast as it appeared, its masters forced the hideous brute back into its lair. For the first time in several thousand years, no sound emanated from the city once known as Cairo. It was as if the desert had swallowed it — like it never existed. Only a trickle of water remained in the Nile.