“We have the most advanced surface-to-air defense systems, the same ones both the Russians and Chinese have. Our anti-missile laser defense system is now operational and will be able to protect the industrial heartland of our country and the major population centers from any ballistic nuclear missiles or bombers the Americans may try to hit us with,” said Muhammad.
“I hope you and our advisors are right. This is going to either devastate the Americans or it is going to cause them to lash out and destroy us. Are the plans for Israel ready?” said Abbas.
“The operation is ready to start on New Year’s Day.”
“What are we going to do about the American carrier battlegroup in the Mediterranean?” asked Abbas.
“Our plan is to saturate their defenses with missiles and then slip in a nuclear missile to finish off the battle group. Once the operation begins, Israel and the Americans will be bombarded with missiles, and while these are raining down, our armored forces will be racing across the border and will drive their army into the sea,” said General Rafik Hamza, the commander of the IR military.
Huseen ibn Abdullah was the director of the Islamic Republic’s intelligence service. He had been the head of intelligence in Egypt, and was instrumental in Egypt joining the IR several years earlier. Changing subjects, he said, “Caliph, if you are ready, I have the briefing of our activities in Mexico completed for your viewing,” Huseen linked his tablet with the holographic monitor and began to bring forward several reports.
“True to their word, the cartels have held up their end of the bargain. They have so thoroughly infiltrated the police and military, and they are ready to take over as soon as we give them the word. We have also secured the cooperation of numerous senior defense officials.”
“This is good news indeed. Have they asked for any additional weapons?”
“They have asked us for a 2,000 SA-18 Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) and three thousand additional RPG-7V rockets along with eight hundred additional launchers.”
“Why so many MANPADS and the new RPG-7Vs?” asked the Caliph with concern. “I am not sure how badly that will cut into our own reserves.”
“Their assessment (and I have to concur) is that once the coup takes place, the Americans will most likely intervene. When this happens, they will need to turn to guerrilla tactics. The SA-18s will aid them in shooting down the American drones and pose a huge risk to their attack helicopters. The specific RPG rockets they are asking for are the High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rockets, which destroy just about any armored vehicles the Americans bring. They have RPGs, but the rockets are only fragmentation rounds; they needed these to take out tanks and armored vehicles.”
“I understand now, but do not send them that many. Send them about one third of their request. There is no way they will need more than that. Also, I want you to send a few thousand advisors to assist them in the coming conflict. Our advisors can also help in taking down those American helicopters.”
“As you wish; I’ll see how many Commandos I can get reassigned to Mexico.”
“Once the coup takes place, how reliable is their military going to be? Are they going to be effective?” asked Abbas.
“Their military is pretty infiltrated already, and we have several high level officers on our payroll. The military will be brought in line within the first couple of days. Some units may not respond or go along with the coup, but those units can be dealt with. As for how effective the army will be…not very effective. Their plan is to try and hold their own at some strategic locations, and then between their propaganda and ours, they will try to rally the people against the Americans once they invade. Their plan is to move everything to a sustained guerrilla war, which will drain the Americans of even more troops. With US Forces entangled in Mexico, it will limit their options in aiding Israel; add to that the chaos our sleeper units will be causing, and a large portion of the American military will be unavailable.”
“There are a lot of moving parts. How are we going to ensure the American intelligence agencies do not discover this before the operation is able to start?” asked Caliph Mohammed.
“There is no guarantee. We have a lot of activity going on in Africa and we are starting to stir things up in the EU, mainly in France, Germany and England. We just need them to be distracted; this is also why we cannot delay the operation. The longer we postpone, the more likely it is that someone will figure out what we are doing.”
“I agree. What other items do we need to discuss?”
“I think we should talk about the nuclear warheads. I still believe that if we use them, the Americans are going to use theirs against us. We can still accomplish our goals without the use of nuclear weapons.”
“I know we can make things work without the nukes, but I want to use them. We want to level Washington DC and wipe out as much of the government as possible in the process. They may use nuclear weapons against us, but we are a huge sprawling empire. We can absorb some hits like India did. We also have our laser defense system; I am confident we will be able to shoot down their missiles,” said the Caliph.
He continued further, saying, “The damage that will be done to America will be devastating. I am just not sure where the second bomb should go off. Part of me wants to have it go off in New York, and then the practical side says we should use it against a target that will cripple their economy.”
“I suggest using it against Houston or Port of Los Angeles. Houston would hurt their energy exports and refinery capacity. The Port in LA, however, would wipe out their largest and probably their most important port, not to mention the damage it will do to the city,” Talal said.
“I will have to take that under advisement, Talal.”
“I think it is also time for us to get things going in Mexico. Let’s stir that hornet nest and get the Americans involved. The sooner they become truly entangled the better,” said the Caliph.
“As you wish,” said General Rafik Hamza.
“Do we have any other business we need to discuss?”
“No Caliph, I will have another update of our progress ready for you in two weeks.”
“Monty, we need the President down in the Situation Room,” said General Branson.
“What’s going on?” asked Monty with a bit of concern in his voice.
“Monty, this is Jim Wise. We need the President down in the situation room ASAP, please get him.”
“All right, I’ll track him down. I believe he was out for a short walk to clear his head,” said Monty as he looked for an exit that would lead him towards the President.
As Monty was walking towards the rose garden, he spotted the President smelling one of the roses still in bloom. “Mr. President, we need you down in the Situation Room — something is going on,” Monty said as he moved towards the President.
“Is it really so urgent that it cannot wait fifteen minutes? You know I like to take a short walk after breakfast to clear my head before the day’s schedule.”
“Yes Mr. President, it’s important. Jim Wise, Eric, and General Branson are all down there waiting for you.”
“Well if they are all there, then I suppose it really must be important.” Henry sighed deeply, knowing something must have gone wrong that would require him to make a decision he would rather not have to deal with right now.
As the President walked into the Situation Room, he could see by the looks on everyone’s faces it was grim news. “Gentlemen, this had better be important.”