First Contact
Page 11
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Embassy Flag: A Visitor From The Future
by Walter Knight
On September 11, 2020, the barbarians were at the gates of the American Embassy in Cairo. As crowds chanted, ‘Death to America,’ the Egyptian security conveniently faded away. Tense marines stood guard at the thick walls, ready to defend sovereign American territory. CIA operative Manny Lopez supervised the early morning changing of the guard. He casually walked between the ranks, inspecting the young troops with their commander, Lieutenant Wakeman. Lopez stopped at the color guard, finding a small smudge on the neatly folded flag.
“You will fly this flag,” ordered Lopez, handing Sergeant Gomez a still packaged new American flag, exchanging the old flag. “Under no circumstances will you lower this flag. The mob may rip it down, but it won’t be lowered by us.”
“No one will tear down the Stars and Stripes,” promised Lieutenant Wakeman. “Not on my watch.”
“No matter if it happens,” insisted Lopez, “as long as we don’t do it. Understand?”
“No,” answered Lieutenant Wakeman. “Who the fuck are you?”
Lopez’s temper flashed momentarily, then calmed. He smiled. “There will be a battle later today. Be prepared. Don’t worry about Old Glory. She’s a battle flag and can take a hit.” Lopez abruptly walked away.
“What was that about?” asked Sergeant Gomez, giving Lopez’s back a hard stare. “Does he think his shit don’t stink, or what?”
“Spooks,” explained Lieutenant Wakeman. “They appear out of nowhere, and leave just as fast, expecting us to clean up their mess. That one is psycho to boot. I can see it in his eyes.”
“She’s a battle flag,” mocked Sergeant Gomez as he raised the new flag up the pole. “What does that fool know about battle? Nothing, that’s what.”
“Just be careful, and keep your head down in case that fool knows something we don’t.”
* * * * *
As the sun set, an RPG was fired over the wall into the embassy compound, followed by another, and machine gun fire. As if on cue, the crowd surged forward with ladders and hooks.
“Fall back,” ordered Lopez, “to the inner compound.”
“We cannot let them breech the wall,” argued Lieutenant Wakeman, pushing back a ladder. “We’ll be overrun.”
“I gave you an order!”
“Fuck off and die.”
Lopez grabbed Wakeman by the collar. “If you ever want to see the green and rain of Seattle again, you will fall back. Don’t worry, it will be okay. I traveled a long way to fight with you today, to make history.”
“You spooks think you know it all,” relented Lieutenant Wakeman, turning to his marines. “You heard him! Fall back! Do it now!”
The first wave of the mob topped the wall as marines regrouped at the inner compound. Lieutenant Wakeman swore an oath to never retreat again. Arabs danced on the walls, cheering and firing weapons into the air, chanting, ‘Our God is greater!’ A dozen militants pushed on the flag pole, bringing down the hated symbol of America. Lieutenant Wakeman bristled, but Lopez put a steady hand on his shoulder. “Wait.”
The mob’s leader, Hous Bin Pharteen, doused the flag with gasoline, igniting it with a cigarette. Instantly the flag spewed a gray-yellow smoke, choking all those around it. Pharteen fell to his knees, a victim of nerve agent woven into the fabric. He died in spasm on the ground from the silent but deadly vapors. Others fell dead in a circle about their commander. Pharteen had been destined to lead the Muslim Brotherhood, but now was reduced to a mere skid mark on the footnote of history. Panicked at his loss, the mob scurried over the wall to the rocks they crawled out from under.
“Bendahos!” shouted Lopez, firing at stragglers. “Be warned! That was a gift from America and the civilized world, the first of many, and a glimpse at your sorry future! Hoorah!”
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~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Walter Knight played football on Tucson High School’s last state championship team (1971). He served three years in the army, and the GI Bill paid for his college education, helping him earn degrees from Fort Steilacoom Community College, Central Washington State College, and the University of Puget Sound School of Law.
Walter lives a very quiet and private life, residing with his family and horses, dogs, cats, and fish atop a hill in rural Washington. Walt enjoys taking road trips to explore ghost towns and casinos.
To find out more about the author and his books, visit his web site.
www.waltknight.yolasite.com
~TABLE OF CONTENTS~
Story Summary
Copyright Information
Books by the Author
Author Acknowledgement
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Bonus Stories
About the Author