“There are some disturbing occurrences taking place in America, Abdul-Shahid. Would you care to share with me what you know of these?”
Almasi watched with wide, manic eyes as the fat Russian officer took a seat in front of his desk and returned the unblinking stare with one of his own. “Seeing that you enter here without invitation, and then make a statement without details, you will have to be a little more specific as to what occurrences you speak of.”
“First of all, I have been monitoring the frequency of the attacks, and they appeared to have ceased completely, except for the botched activities I just witnesses.”
“Botched? You call that botched?” In a violent fit, Almasi picked up the remote control on the desk and turned on the T.V. sitting on a credenza to his right. Even without the sound turned up, it was clear from the shots of burning iconic buildings and ruined national monuments that something tragic had just taken place in America’s capital. “Look, the White House is in ruins, the Washington Monument has fallen, the Statue of Liberty is a twisted and armless relic. And yet you call that botched. I call it a success!”
“Even in the presence of stealth drones you knew nothing about? We have invested a lot in you, Abdul-Shahid, including your ability to keep your coalition together. That appears not to be the case.”
“Don’t blame me for that. China is the reason Korea and Iran have forced my allies to abandon us. Even so, the damage caused to the infidels up to this point should be adequate to meet your goals. And now, with the images of a shattered White House and Capitol Building to haunt the Americans, I cannot see them returning to their normal lives any time soon. You will have your economic collapse, just as I promised.”
The huge Russian grunted. “Perception is everything to the Americans, you should know this, Almasi. It is clear now that future attacks will subside, and that there is a new secret weapon to be deployed against the ones that do take place. Now that we are aware of their existence, we have tracked the returning stealth drones to Andrews Air Force Base, where they will surely be revealed to the public as the ultimate safeguard against future attacks. Whether right or wrong, the government will offer up as proof the inevitable decline in your drone attacks. Ortega and his people will put all their efforts into advertising this fact, and with time still left for the population to regain confidence and a feeling of security — even in light of the damage you have caused over the past few days.”
“Bullshit! The Americans are traumatized and scared. It will be a long time before they recover.”
Burkov shook his head. “Have you not learned anything from the past? All you have to do is look to the attacks of September eleventh to see that the Americans are more resilient — and resistant — than you give them credit for. And when the motive behind the recent crisis is revealed, do not be surprised to see the American people rise up in protest to our goals just to spite us. I will grant you that the economy of the Western world has been hurt, but not fatally.”
Almasi was growing angrier by the minute. He had done all — even more — than the Russians had asked of him. Even after his coalition had fallen apart, he was still able to launch the most devastating attack on the country ever.
“You forget that that media will fill the airwaves with these images non-stop for months, even years to come. The American people will not be allowed to forget what I — we — have done this week.”
“Let us hope they never learn the full involvement of my government, Abdul-Shahid. Your small, diverse organization is impossible to declare war against and have it mean anything; however, my country is a legitimate member of the world community. And you are right, these images will be broadcast, and just as with 9/11, world sentiment will side with the United States. We — meaning my country — could be in for a very difficult time if the truth is ever revealed.”
There was something in the Russian’s tone that made Almasi take the last statement as a threat. “It will not be me who reveals the truth, Nikolay. I have no interest in deflecting attention or responsibility. Whatever befalls the Arm of Allah, I will welcome it, even if I am to become a martyr to the cause.”
“That is very noble of you, and reassuring.”
“You seem not to understand my motivations, Nikolay. I want America to know who did this to them, and by doing so, my name will live forever in the nightmares of America, right alongside Bin Laden—even before Bin Laden’s. You speak of the Americans regaining confidence in their security, yet you also seem to overlook the fact that I have destroyed nearly all their combat drones, even those hidden in the RDC bunkers. The auto drones would not detonate, yet I still had control over the RPAs. Except for a relatively few stealth drones, they do not have anything available to put before the country as a viable deterrent to future attacks.”
“By our estimates, you managed to destroy only a third of the RDC’s capacity. Even now they have discovered your link into the bunkers and are in the process of using it themselves to gain quicker access to the remaining drones.”
Almasi’s stomach tightened. He had not heard this before. “That cannot be correct — only a third? I personally sent out the detonate command to all the drones we controlled at the time.”
“Their scientists were in the process of negating your control at the time your order was sent. With hundreds of bunkers involved, you did not have the opportunity — or the desire — to verify every detonation. You assumed it was more. Within days, thousands of their obnoxiously-painted drones will be on display as a show of force against the non-existent future attacks you speak of. Once out in the open — and with a dramatic drop off in attacks — the Americans will be convinced that the crisis over.”
“Then we must not let up! I still have over a hundred RPAs available that escaped the bunkers before they were resealed.”
“And what would you strike at, Almasi? Your remaining force is of limited power and range. It will do us no good for the batteries to fail mid-operation and have your mighty drones fall from the sky.”
“Then we must make this attack both effective and symbolic.”
“Again… at what target?”
“The stealth drones!”
“They are housed at a powerful military base, Almasi. It would be foolish to attempt such an attack.”
“No… it will be bold, and unexpected! By showing I can strike at their military facilities, while also eliminating their prized propaganda toys, the uncertainty and paranoia may last a while longer, at least through the season. Once December twenty-fifth has passed, there will be nothing to salvage. The Americans will move on, passing over this season in anticipation of the next. The negative effect on their economy at that point should be enough to push them over the edge. Do you not agree?”
The Russian was silent for a moment as his eyes stared back at Almasi under bushy, unkempt eyebrows. “I agree they’re close to a total collapse, and another week or so without a major surge in commerce could be enough.”
“Yes! We just need to keep the Americans in their homes for a few days more. And what better way to do that than to show that we still have the capability to take out their most effective weapon against us.”
This time the Russian snorted rather than grunted. “That is assuming you truly can. As I said, your assets are few and their battery-life limited. Where are these drones you say you can use in the attack?”