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James Rosone, Miranda Watson

Prelude to World War Three: The Rise of the Islamic Republic and the Rebirth of America

Disclaimer

This book is fictional in nature. Any resemblance to persons or events in actual existence is merely coincidental. The views expressed in the book are the views held by the characters, and are not reflective of the authors’ personal views.

The Stage is Set

Some news creeps over time; it may not steal headlines because of its slow progress, but its significance can come to overshadow all other events in the world. Beginning in the 1960s, the border between India and Pakistan started to become one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world. Tensions over who would ultimately control the resources and water flow of the Kashmir Province were compounded by a natural distaste of each group for one another along religious lines. The more radical Muslims of Pakistan found the idea of the thousands of Hindu gods in India to be disgraceful and repulsive on a level that inspired widespread hatred. For decades, the only thing that kept these countries from engaging in all-out warfare was the knowledge that each country possessed nuclear weapons. However, this standoff was bound to end eventually. There was simply too much loathing and abhorrence existing between the two parties for peace to really be successful. By 2024, both sides had deployed numerous intelligence assets into each other’s countries to try and detect weak points in security; it was only a matter of time until one was found and then exploited.

* * *

During the late 2010s and early 2020s, the various Islamic extremist groups began to steadily unite under one banner and organization, the Islamic State. This merging of groups and resources strengthened their ability to influence politics, policies and various regimes throughout the world. Their strategy of violent and continuous conflict had shifted to that of education and the spreading of extremist teachings and the infiltration of various political offices in Europe and North America to further their agendas. This dramatically increased their support base and political influence across the globe. Like the Mafia, they enforced their rules and positions within their organization and like the Mob, they had a front man with the true leader hiding in the shadows.

Their leader was a man named Mohammed Abbas. He was a distinguished Saudi prince in his late 50s and was responsible for diversifying the Saudi Arabian economy so it would not be solely dependent on oil. In his younger years, Mohammed had fought with Al Qaeda forces in Iraq and then later in Afghanistan before he was wounded and forced to return back to Saudi Arabia. Mohammed maintained his allegiance with Al Qaeda (albeit secretly) while he leveraged his position in the Royal family to pursue a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. Upon completion of his education, he returned to Saudi Arabia and worked his way through the ranks of the Ministry of Industry and Science. In his secret life, he became very influential within the Islamic State and led the change in strategies within the organization.

After a decade of planning, the Islamic State was planning their first major military operation in Pakistan. The next few weeks would set in motion a series of events that would change the world. The air was rife with anticipation. If things went according to plan, then the ensuing war between Pakistan and India would be the first pawn to fall in his global game of chess.

Mohammed woke up early one morning shortly before it all began and opened the laptop in his apartment bedroom for a video chat with the Director of Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Zaheer Akthar. As the window opened up, Mohammed could see his ally take a seat in his office chair, a leather seat that was a little too expensive for his position. Influence could be gained in many ways; Zaheer liked the finer things in life, and was willing to do quite a bit in order to take a shortcut to prosperity.

“As-Salaam Alaikum,” began Mohammed. The greeting had all the fervor of a truly devoted man.

“Alaikum As-Salaam,” replied Zaheer.

“Are your operatives in India ready for the big day?” asked Mohammed.

“Yes Mohammed, my most trusted commanders have ensured the assets are in place all across India; the weapons are in place and everything is ready for the coming operation.”

“Zaheer, it is imperative that this operation goes according to the plan; this is the first domino of many that needs to fall for our strategy to work.”

“My men understand, Mohammed, as do I. Once the shooting starts, this conflict will turn nuclear quickly. Once this happens, I will ensure that the President launches our nuclear weapons in retaliation. I have guaranteed that enough evidence will be found to directly link these attacks to the ISI, which will force the Indians to respond,” said Zaheer confidently.

“Just make sure you are at your safe location when this starts; I will need you here in Saudi Arabia for the next phase.”

“As you wish my Caliph. Peace be upon you, and Allah Akbar.”

* * *

During the 2030 opening session of the Indian parliament, the plan was put into motion. The ISI had smuggled hundreds of Islamic State and ISI operatives into India to prepare for the day when they would decapitate the Indian government. On the day of the inauguration of the new Indian government, a group of 50 operatives dressed as security personnel snuck high-grade explosives into the ornate meeting hall in the parliament building, strategically placing them for maximum carnage.

While the country was watching their versions of C-SPAN and CNN to see the newly elected officials sworn in, they had no idea they would be watching the murders of hundreds of people. The explosives were detonated as soon as the most hated of the new parliament members, the Prime Minister, took the stage; at least his death would be swift. Most of the parliament building imploded in on itself as the explosives destroyed the numerous support structures. As surviving and stunned members of parliament began to flee the building, the militants started executing them, firing their machine guns into the crowd and using knives on those who happened to be at a close range. Those who were smartest among the group tried to appear as lifeless as possible, hoping this would save them from certain death. Sirens began to wail as alarms began to sound all across the government buildings and the city. As help began to arrive, along with additional security members, they were met with a barrage of small arms fire from the militants.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital, another group of five suicide bombers, each driving an ambulance packed with 3,000 pounds of explosives, began to drive with all swiftness towards their intended targets — the five largest hospitals in New Delhi. Upon reaching their objectives, all five-suicide bombers successfully detonated their cargo, effectively destroying the hospitals in the capital and causing thousands of additional casualties.

Over the next several hours, Islamic State militants and ISI operatives began conducting coordinated terrorist attacks all across India in what would be known as Bloody Monday. Over 53,000 people were killed in two days of intense terrorist attacks across the country before the militants inexplicably dropped their weapons and blended back into society. What was left of the Indian government went into hiding in underground bunkers and began to piece together the information to determine who was responsible for these dastardly attacks.

Horrifying and shocking as these attacks were, they were only the beginning. In every catastrophe there is always an opportunist to take advantage of the situation; the attacks on India were no exception. During one of the terrorist attacks, an Islamic State member was captured; in the course of his tortured interrogation, he admitted to receiving training and assistance from the ISI. This left the remainder of the Indian government with some tough choices as to how to respond to this brazen attack by the ISI and Islamic State members.