Reprisal!- The Gauntlet

by Cliff Roberts

  “What if the stations won’t run it?” the senator asked.

  “That’s why I have dozens of attorneys just waiting to attack them. They’ll run the ads, unless they want to go out of business.” Steven did his best to sound confident.

  “What about the bribery claim? They are really pushing hard on that.”

  “Do you honestly believe that I had to bribe anyone to sell the government my encryption codes?” Steven answered her question with one of his own.

  “I have to admit that there seems to be some truth to it. I mean, without looking at all the records, it seems plausible…” Her words trailed off, and she sat looking at her hands. Steven shifted his weight into the corner of the couch opposite her, crossed his legs, leaned back but said nothing as he let the pressure build on her, as if he was negotiating. Finally, the silence was too much.

  “Steven,” she began after a minute or so, “I didn’t believe it for a minute, but that man, Bascome, he just kept harping on it. He had graphs and charts. He had congressional minutes and memos that were supposedly written by General Clarett instructing his staff and the rest of the military commanders to provide beneficial testimony on your behalf. Then, there is the money that you transferred into his 401(k). It looks bad,” the senator practically sobbed.

  “Senator, I can assure you,” Steven quickly guessed what she was talking about, “that there is no impropriety when it comes to my relationship with General Clarett. Chip stopped casting votes on the appropriations committee long before I hired him. As for the consulting job’s compensation package, well, you saw the records. It was all upfront and aboveboard, in clear view for anyone and everyone who might want to look.” Steve paused for a moment.

  “Starks must really be getting desperate,” Steven continued. “First, he has Bascome try to threaten me, and now he’s having Bascome try to scare you away from being my friend and associate. The man just can’t stand being told he’s wrong. Well, he had better get used to it. I fully intend to keep railing against his ill-conceived domestic policies and his administration’s refusal to address the international threats to this country.

  “My response to Bascome when he threatened me was, ‘when they grew some…’ er, excuse me, ‘when they got tough on terrorism, I’d stop, but not until then.’ He wasn’t very happy about it, but I can assure you, I never provided a bribe or a payoff to General Clarett or anyone else for that matter. I received no special treatment from anyone in Washington,” Steven stated in a friendly, yet firm tone.

  “What are we going to do about this?” the senator asked. “They are now threatening to expose me if I don’t cooperate with them.”

  “Expose you? What can they possibly expose about you?” Steven asked.

  “Bascome is claiming that he can make our relationship appear very inappropriate; and he will, if I don’t condemn you publicly for spouting hate speech towards the president,” she lamented.

  “So, now, it’s hate speech. I suggest that you invite him to your office, Senator, and then throw him out. I did. I told him to do his best and kicked him out. I think if you’re agreeable, you should start circulating the voting record of the appropriations committee. I happen to have a copy that you can have. I had intended to send it to Bascome, but I’ll give it to you and you can deliver it for me. Have your staff make a few dozen copies to pass out to your fellow members of Congress and maybe to a reporter or two who are friendly with you,” Steven suggested.

  “The records clearly show that General Clarett stopped voting on any expenditure that had anything to do with me shortly after we met. That was long before he agreed to help me plan the security for my estate—in fact, more than three years before. He currently works for me on an international level, continuing our agreement that he wouldn’t be put in any position that could be construed to be unethical, unlike our president and his staff,” Steven jabbed at the president.

  “You are aware, Senator, that President Starks issued an executive order that rescinds the prohibition against serving members of his staff receiving gratuities for speaking engagements or from consulting? Talk about opening a can of worms when it comes to ethics!” Steven stopped before he started preaching to the Senator.

  “Yes, I am painfully aware of it. I’m afraid the public has elected a criminal to the highest office in the land,” the senator let slip. “He’s hired over three dozen advisors that have complete control over the regulations and codes for which they are advising him. It is unconstitutional, but the Democrats and the Supreme Court won’t even consider looking at the issue. Look who he appointed to the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco.” She alluded to the active member of the Black Panthers and self-proclaimed black racist. Starks had appointed the person as a political payoff for delivering the black vote in California.

  “Yes, talk about a complete disconnect from the established practices. Didn’t other presidents have advisors they hired, in addition to the cabinet members?” Steven asked.

  “Yes, most do, but all of them except for Obama had them vetted by the FBI. They went through at least the show of Congress approving of the appointments. Starks hasn’t done any of this,” the senator lamented. “In fact, he’s flat out refused to have confirmation hearings.”

  “I’m afraid that our country can only hope that the good people in Congress will keep Starks in check until we can vote him out. People like you, Senator.” Steven gave the Senator a little flattery to lighten the mood.

  “The country needs your spirit, your moral compass, to help protect us from those among us who seek only to gain personally and have no concern for the country’s welfare. Even though you’re outnumbered, you can still be the voice that brings to light this administration’s continual wrong doing. I doubt Bascome can rally enough support to do anything other than make noise and maybe get a few headlines. But I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep me informed and remain my friend. Remember, take everything that man says with a whole ton of salt.” Steven did his best to reassure the senator of his innocence and to keep her continued support.

  “Steven, I hope it’s enough. My sources tell me he’s going on the Sunday talk shows this weekend to make his case. He even claimed that General Clarett retired to avoid being investigated,” she shared.

  “It’s a complete lie. The general felt it was time to retire because he had no input with the current administration, plain and simple,” Steven insisted. “It is common knowledge that the new administration wanted to force out the old guard from the beginning. The general just decided to beat them to the punch is all.” Steven shared the public version of why General Clarett retired and not the private one. It would be up to the general to decide when and with whom he shared that secret.

  “I guess you’re right. Starks is running scared and has his spin doctors working overtime. I wonder, does Bascome realize that accusing a sitting senator of a crime or ethics violations using fake documents is a felony? Steven, if you’ll keep pressing Starks on the terrorism issue, I’ll keep on him about domestic issues. We need to stop the taxing and spending, and we definitely have to get to the bottom of the terrorist attacks. Oh, excuse me, I meant the criminal arson attack by street gangs in Houston and the botched robbery attempt in San Antonio,” the senator stated sarcastically. “I believe that is what you would call total bullshit!” she suddenly blurted out uncharacteristically. “Pardon my French.”

  “Senator, I couldn’t agree more, and I’m going to keep on criticizing them while I call for a much stronger stance on the war on terror. It’s time they stopped putting themselves first and started putting America first,” Steven stated.

  “Careful, Steven. If you keep talking like that, you’re liable to get yourself elected to something,” the senator replied with a grin. “I’m going to sic the dogs on that man. We’ll see who knows what and who can prove it. I’m glad I came to you directly instead of just calling. And to think, Asscome wanted me to call for hearings,” the senator commented, purpos
ely misstating the man’s name.

  “I truly appreciate your help, Senator, and I will sic my dogs on them, as well. If they want a scandal to take the public’s mind off the terrorists, let’s give them one right in their own backyard,” Steven conspired. “Would you care to do lunch, Senator? It’s a long ride back to Washington.”

  “Thank you, Steven, but no. I’ve got a vote this afternoon, and in the meantime, I’ve got to make a certain man’s life miserable,” she stated as she stood and shook Steven’s hand. “You know as well as I do, a woman’s work is never done.” She walked out of the office, her self-confidence bubbling over once again.

  Steven set down his cup of cold coffee and walked back to his desk. He sat thinking for minute or two before asking his secretary to get Bill Richland on the encrypted phone.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  President Starks strolled into the situation room only twenty minutes late, which was practically on time for him. The National Security Committee had waited patiently for his arrival in relative silence. The unscheduled meeting was called for by the Secretary of Defense, Thomas R. Carrel, and the Director of the CIA, William H. Wyatt.

  The subject of the meeting was Iran. Iran had announced earlier that day that they had in their possession five deliverable nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them anywhere on the planet within one hour of the decision to take action. Ahmadinejad was once again threatening to enact a blockade of the Straits of Hormuz unless the UN sanctions against his country were lifted immediately and in their entirety.

  Ahmadinejad also announced that if Iran were to be attacked by anyone, they would immediately nuke Israel and blockade the Straits of Hormuz. In the past, this would have been written off as just another rant by Ahmadinejad. Except that today the spiritual leader of the Iranian people, the Ayatollah Maghame Rahbari, had publicly supported Ahmadinejad and his claims. It was the first time he had done so.

  “So, why am I here?” Starks asked as he entered the room.

  Once the door had closed, Secretary of Defense Carrel spoke up. “We have an escalation in the Iran situation that I felt warranted our meeting to discuss what, if any, reaction we need to take.”

  “Roger, what is your take on this?” Starks turned to his NSA Director to provide his input, ignoring what the Secretary of Defense may have had to say on the subject.

  “Offhand, it sounds no different than the monthly ranting that Ahmadinejad has done for the last ten years. What I find significant is the fact that Ahmadinejad publicly admitted they have nuclear weapons, although I would question the number of weapons. Add to this development the fact that Ayatollah Rahbari has come out publicly in support of Ahmadinejad, and I’d say that this new spirit of political cooperation and continuity confirms that they do indeed have the nuclear weapons that Ahmadinejad claims,” Bascome stated.

  “How many weapons do we think it is likely that they actually possess?” Starks asked of no one in particular.

  “We believe that they have at most three workable weapons,” General Hatcher spoke up first.

  “I’d agree with that,” Roger Bascome added which drew a sideways glance from the general.

  “Mr. President, if I may interject,” CIA Director William R. Wyatt spoke up. Starks nodded but said nothing, so he continued. “It isn’t the number of weapons they have, sir. It’s the fact that they now have a way to deliver them. Sources are telling us that Iran has acquired intercontinental ballistic missiles from the Chinese. They were shipped in overland through Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. They were smart about the way they shipped them. They broke them down into several stages, each one small enough to fit on tractor trailer unit. They have been shipping them for the last ten years in small convoys that stopped in numerous cities along the way, thus avoiding detection.”

  “How is that possible? There aren’t any roads in that part of the world, are there?” Starks asked.

  “There are no major highways or modern roads as we know them, but there are roads, like the centuries old Silk Road. It is an extremely hard-packed dirt road that connects Tehran and Beijing. It is fully capable of supporting heavy haul truck traffic and does,” Wyatt informed President Starks.

  “How many missiles do they have?” Starks asked.

  “We haven’t an exact figure, but sources estimate that they have two dozen assembled and capable of launch. Plus, they are assembling or reverse engineering another two dozen.”

  “Do we know where they’ve stored the missiles?” Starks asked.

  “The Iranians have the launch sites and assembly areas spread out across the country. There is no way to tell which site has the operational nukes,” General Hatcher explained.

  “Yes, General, I understand that, but how many actual sites do they have?” Starks replied.

  “We believe they have forty–two sites,” General Hatcher answered.

  “Hell, we’d have to fire our whole damn arsenal at them to ensure we stopped them from retaliating. Is there anything we can do that’ll have a reasonable chance at success?” Starks asked.

  “We’re going to need some time to war game this out and come up with a plausible plan of attack, sir. We just didn’t see this coming,” Secretary of Defense Carrel offered.

  “That’s understating it a bit, don’t you think?” Bascome stated. “I believe we need to start making diplomatic overtures before we react militarily.”

  “That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve heard in weeks!” General Hatcher blurted out. “How many times does that asshole Ahmadinejad have to tell you he’s going to nuke Israel before you’ll believe him?”

  “General! The name calling is completely uncalled for,” Jason Combs reprimanded.

  “My apologies, Mr. Bascome, but the sentiment stands. Ahmadinejad has been saying his goal is to destroy Israel and the U.S. since he came to power. He has stated on several occasions that he is going to bathe the world in fire and blood to set the stage for the twelfth Imam. He has stated he was going to get the nukes and that once he had them he would use them. Well, he now has them and he is preparing to use them. The man is mentally unstable, and he is a major threat to world peace. You cannot negotiate with a religious madman, and you cannot depend on the threat of mutual destruction to keep the peace. Hell, the man is praying for destruction.”

  “I think it is all rhetoric, and he’s just making noise to get attention,” Secretary of State Ronda Wilkes offered, giving her opinion for the first time.

  “To what end? What does he get by drawing our attention?” Secretary Carrel asked.

  “He’ll get better trade terms and a stronger economy by forcing us to negotiate with him. He’s just trying to improve his negotiating position. That’s all this is,” Secretary of State Wilkes stated.

  “My God, haven’t you read any history?” General Thompson, Commandant of Fort Bragg and member of the Joint Chiefs, interjected. “Who’d you sleep with to get appointed? You are a complete idiot. You cannot negotiate with a religious fanatic, for Christ’s sake! Ahmadinejad is serious and he’s dangerous as hell. If you continue to placate the man, within two years he’ll launch a nuclear strike against Israel or us; maybe even both at once.” The Security Council members sat stunned by the General Thompson berating of the Secretary of State.

  “General Thompson!” President Starks bellowed as he came to his feet at the end of the table and pounded his fist on it for effect. “You will apologize immediately, or I’ll have your stars,” Starks snarled in defense of Secretary Wilkes.

  “Mr. President, this isn’t a chance to make you look good as a diplomat. Ahmadinejad is a madman who has to be stopped before he can cause a nuclear war. It is total horse hockey to think the man is angling for better trade terms!” General Thompson continued.

  “Regardless, you will apologize and do it now,” Starks demanded. General Thompson looked down his nose at Starks, and the contempt was palpable; but after a moment Thompson turned to the Secretary of State and apologized.


  “Now that we have heard what the issue is and the pros and cons of the situation, I will take the issue under advisement,” the president stated. “I will have a written response for you later today. In the interim, I don’t want any of you out there shooting your mouths off about anything to do with Iran.” President Starks ended the meeting with the Security Council but signaled Bascome and Combs to remain behind. Once the room was emptied and the door closed again, Starks began.

  “What the hell is going on with people?” Starks ranted. “First, we have Carrel and Wyatt going into panic mode because that jackass Ahmadinejad makes another speech, and then the generals are acting like they can’t wait to kill something. What is going on here?”

  “I know it’s a rhetorical question, but I think they honestly believe that Ahmadinejad just might actually do it—nuke Israel, that is. He’s not stupid enough to attack us with a nuke. If he did, he’d leave us no alternative but to eliminate his military capabilities. Iran would become a glass-paved wilderness,” Jason expounded.

  “Israel wouldn’t go down without a fight. They have the latest in detection equipment, and they definitely have the ability to drop a nuke in Ahmadinejad’s backyard. Christ, he must know they have our best ICBMs as their delivery system,” Bascome added.

  “Send a letter to Ahmadinejad. Explain to him the ramifications of any attack on Israel. Don’t mince any words with the man. Make sure he understands that at the first detection of a launch, we’ll target his major cities, military bases and religious sites. We will exercise a scorched earth policy against his country,” Starks directed.