“And for the first time the United States took no action. At that point our plans were safe as proved by what happened last year. We had five actual leaks, and your country only checked out one. Only our intense preparation prevented our discovery. Now we are about to invade the United States.
“And it will be done with its own planes. All we had to do was act like we were against America’s enemies, and they supplied us with all our military needs. We have bought nothing. America has given it all to us. America will help complete its own defeat. We will succeed where the Japanese failed. We will not stop once we start!”
Surely an invasion was impossible, Beau thought. While in Israel’s service he had learned of America’s Aurora Project, a series of satellites with military laser capabilities operated from the International Space Station. Special military modules had been installed on the ISS to control the deadly lasers. When completed the lasers would be capable of pinpoint accuracy from over 2000 miles to prevent an invasion of any kind. A minimum of three satellites would always hover over the United States. From anywhere in orbit the ISS would be able to manipulate and fire the lasers. Rumors were the project was near completion. Developed with the station was an aircraft capable of flying directly into space — an actual space plane. Unlike the time consuming and expensive space shuttle, it could be alerted and deployed at a moment’s notice.
Beau’s body trembled at Cobra’s words, but his knowledge assured him his captor was wrong. Yet why would he make such a brash statement? For some reason Sharafan’s words made Beau more fearful than did his own imminent death.
“Our military will stop you.”
The words brought a momentary chuckle from Sharafan, “Your president refused to protect your borders.” He shrugged his shoulders, “We simply walked across unmolested. Your president put Muslim Brotherhood in critical legal and military positions.”
“No.”
“Yes.” Sharafan grinned at the torment of his captor. “All he had to do was claim to be a Christian and then he could finish his work. Your president hates America. He removed more than two hundred of your finest military leaders. He lowered physical requirement for soldiers and even allows them to have beards and wear turbans. The best was when he granted asylum to terrorists allowing our Muslim brothers to enter America freely. They only wait for the invasion to begin.” He laughed, “Didn’t you ever wonder why your government bought more than a billion bullets for non-military personnel?” He waited for a response and when he saw it in his prisoners eyes he continued, “The Muslim Brotherhood waits with weapons and unlimited ammunition, which will be soon in coming.”
“Impossible!” he screamed. “The space station and—” But the words were cut short when Cobra slapped his hand over Beau’s mouth.
“And the Aurora Project,” Sharafan finished. “Already preparations are being made. The space station and its lasers are a year from completion, but the invasion will take place long before it is finished. But time is not critical. Your president has stopped the space program.” An unnerving laugh came from his lips. He continued. “In two months we will bring a complete and total financial collapse upon your country. There is nothing your country will be able to do. Within six months we will be able to defeat you with brooms and shovels.” Sharafan snickered, “We would never have been able to it if not for the greed and the predictable actions of your last two presidents, especially Obama, and your Congress. Your presidents were unwittingly our best allies. When President Bush stood on that aircraft carrier, with the sign “Mission Accomplished” behind him and then told the world how his faith in God led America to victory, he did more to unite Islam than any man in history. Those wanting to fight America increased hundreds of thousands more than ever before. Then he and Obama gave away America’s wealth just like we had planned. Obama accomplished more to destroy America than any president in history. With your country bankrupt under his polices it couldn’t have been easier.” Sharafan laughed, “And less than a year after he was elected for his second term he signed a treaty with the UN to take away all assault weapons and it is almost complete. Now, with defeat assured, the invasion will come when no one suspects: a day all Americans will be unprepared. And this time, like in New York, we will enlist the aid of your own airlines, and we will succeed. By Allah it will be a day that will bring your country to an end — forever!”
“No!” screamed Beau, struggling unsuccessfully to free himself.
“Yes!” said Cobra, delighted at his victim’s anguish. “Now let me tell you the second secret.” He paused to enjoy the moment as he watched Beau squirm. “You see—”
The quiet room abruptly radiated with brilliant lights from beyond the decaying structure. Outside the building a loud voice echoed through every corner of the room, beckoning for the release of the American.
“This is the Israeli Army.” The voice came from beyond the walls. “You are surrounded. We have the children. Release the American, or you will die.”
Beau knew they would let Cobra live if he were released. He wanted the terrorist dead. Swiftly, he screamed a warning to the men outside. “Forget me, kill him. You must kill—”
A hard blow to Beau’s head rendered him unconscious.
When he regained his senses, he found himself in the back of an Israeli military truck. Blood-soaked gauze wrapped his throbbing right hand. On a bench to his side sat an Israeli officer. “Cobra? Where is he?” Beau asked.
The officer motioned him to rest. “Rasht Sharafan is the worst of terrorists. Unlike others, he will do whatever it takes to save himself. He cares not for the lives of anyone, except his own. He is the most dangerous of all.”
“Why didn’t you kill him?”
“Because you knew where Beginn was. We needed you to save the general’s son.”
“But you said you had the children.”
The Israeli officer smiled. “We lied.”
Beau managed a feeble smile as he propped himself up with the aid of the officer. He looked at the buildings and pointed at one. “Beginn and the children are there. In the basement.”
The officer waved to his soldiers and pointed to the building, “Get the General’s son and all the children.”
“The invasion?” Beau asked.
The officer turned back to Beau and shook his head. His face reflected sadness. “We have heard but we know not of the details. The Mossad is working on the information. We have warned your country. They were our greatest supporter until Obama was elected. Still they will not listen. When someone cries wolf it is better to prepare for the wolf and hope he doesn’t come. Your country believes all the wolves are gone,” he said shaking his head sadly. “That will be their undoing.” He locked eyes with Beau, “We think your president is involved.”
“No.”
The officer nodded.
“I must go home. I must warn them.”
“They will not listen.”
“Sharafan is doing something else. Do you know what it could be?” he asked.
The officer shook his head. “I know not of what you ask. There is nothing else we know that Sharafan has planned.”
Caught up in his own thoughts, Beau wondered about the second secret. What could be worse than the invasion of the United States? The medic filled a syringe, and then slid the needle beneath the skin of the forearm, forcing Beau into a fitful sleep.
The old prop-driven DC-3 droned on, rocking back and forth, gaining and then losing altitude. Many passengers were frightened, while some appeared accustomed to the rough flights. One, a military officer, hovered near sleep. Preoccupied with his thoughts he gave little consideration to the rough ride. To him the old engines were soothing.