The mutas between Sikes and Banafsha, along with that involving Khadid and Mahzala, was dissolved. It was determined by a couple of old Pashtun women that neither wife was pregnant; thus, the marriage contracts were ended simply and rapidly to accommodate the situation. The two girls returned to their families and, although their fathers were not required to return the bridal gifts, they would have to pay hefty dowries for their daughters to be married again. They were no longer virgins, and even though their innocence had been lost honorably under Islamic law, they were second-hand property. If either father wanted to marry off his daughter, it would cost so much as to be prohibitive. Both consoled themselves with the knowledge they would have daughters at home to look after them in their old age.
When the Arabs and the Iranian officer leading the donkey began their trek from the stronghold, the population watched them impassively. There was some minor grumbling among those who thought the foreigners should be held responsible for the loss of their men on the smuggler run, but since Yama Orakzai Mesher had made no accusations and showed no inclination to punish them, the Pashtuns accepted what appeared to be a peaceful parting of the ways.
.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
28 MAY
2300 HOURS
EDGAR Watson of the CIA's Iranian desk showed the obvious distress of severe jet lag as he sat at the table where a meeting of the Lamp Committee had just been called to order by Arlene Entienne. The other members of the group Carl Joplin and Colonel John Turnbull immediately forgot the discomfiture of the late hour when they noticed Watson's condition.
Entienne, as the chairperson, gave the CIA man a few extra moments to make himself comfortable before she addressed the small group. As I'm sure you all have guessed, some extraordinary circumstances have developed in Operation Persian Empire.
Excuse me, Turnbull interjected. I keep hearing about two operations. One is called Rolling Thunder and the other is Persian Empire. I'm confused as to how the two are tied together.
Then let me make that clear once and for all, Entienne said. Operation Rolling Thunder refers to a SEAL operation in that OA. Persian Empire identifies the Iranian project of combining all Islamic Shiite insurgencies into one big army under their command. The SEALs, sent on a completely different mission, have now been pulled into that big picture. They are not locked into any one set of activities, but presently are under the President's direct command.
Joplin, thinking of Brannigan's Brigands, asked, Are they aware of this big picture?
Entienne shook her head. No, Carl. But it appears they soon will be. And that includes receiving reinforcements.
Mmm, Turnbull mused. It sounds like the shit is about to hit the fan.
It is, Entienne assured him. Big-time. She glanced at Watson. Edgar has just returned from a quick trip to Afghanistan. He had to endure a heavy schedule and a quick turnaround. She gave him look of deep sympathy. How are you doing?
He grinned weakly. I'm holding on, Arlene. And I'm ready to address this august assemblage. After one deep, steadying breath, he began his oral report to the committee. I am happy to let you know the mission to neutralize that one particular smuggling group has been accomplished by those intrepid SEALs Arlene mentioned. This does not mean that the smuggling of opium poppies has come to an end. Others will take up the slack in that profitable enterprise, but not the Iranians. At least, not for the time being. They have lost the advantageous edge that was financing Operation Persian Empire.
Then you can bet your ass they'll want it back, Turnbull commented dryly.
Exactly, Watson agreed. And they'll not waste a minute of time getting that project rolling. Now! The SEALs managed to take three enemy prisoners of war. Two were rather unremarkable Pashtun mujahideen who were part of the rebel group up in the Gharawdara Highlands. The third was an Iranian soldier who was actually wearing a proper uniform on this secret mission. During the interrogation, I asked him why he wasn't disguised, and he informed me that no other clothing had been issued him. He and his pals had been assigned to the smuggling enterprise from their regular units. They had showed up in uniform and performed their jobs in uniform.
Turnbull laughed. And got captured in uniform.
Right, Watson said. This fellow didn't know much about the big picture and was not actually a member of the Iranian Special Forces. His normal assignment is that of a machine gunner in a regular infantry unit. To put it bluntly, he didn't know shit.
Then how do we know the Iranians are going to try to recover from this defeat? Joplin asked.
We received a final transmission from Aladdin, Watson said. He informed us that some crack Iranian Special Forces would be making a concerted effort to regain all they've lost. And that will include the destruction of their former Pashtun allies. They are planning on occupying the area. That at least lets us know where future clashes will be happening.
Turnbull was a bit miffed. We haven't heard one goddamn word about this at SOLS.
All planning is being done by SOCOM through the USS Combs, Watson said. The staging area will be Shelor Field in southwest Afghanistan. Everyone involved is already pretty much on site.
Okay, Turnbull said. Now what about that Pashtun bunch? They had their own goals of establishing an independent nation in the area, right?
Right, Watson replied. However, after seeing the Iranians getting a good ass-kicking by the SEALs, their leader Orakzai is seeing things in a new light. He has made peace overtures to the Afghan government. They are even now hammering out an agreement in which he will turn his war-making efforts eastward to do battle with the Taliban. Orakzai has even consented to evacuate his stronghold in the Gharawdara Highlands.
Entienne, who had been taking notes, looked up from her writing. Did Aladdin actually say his latest transmission would be his last?
Yes, Arlene, Watson said. At least for the time being. It would appear this intrepid person is going to be unable to contact us.
Interesting, Turnbull commented. That could mean he's right in the middle of things over there.
Who knows? Watson said.
What else can you tell us? Joplin asked.
Just a summary, Watson replied. This coming battle in those Afghan hills is going to determine the fate of Operation Persian Empire. If the Iranians are stopped there, they'll be completely stymied.
Joplin's thoughts turned to Lieutenant Bill Brannigan and his men. And that will be up to a single SEAL detachment?
A single reinforced SEAL detachment, Watson said. Additional personnel will be assigned to them.
Turnbull emitted a low whistle. I don't care how many reinforcements they get. Those guys are in for the fight of their lives.
Chapter 23
IRANIAN SFOB
IRANIAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER
THE newly organized unit had been officially designated as Zur Jamle Entegham Strike Force Vengeance and was referred to by its Farsi acronym of Zaheya. It numbered four officers, who commanded sixty noncommissioned officers and enlisted men, for a total strength of sixty-four. Although it was extremely short of being brigade size, the overall commander was Brigadier Shahruz Khohollah. An officer of his rank had been chosen to lead the Zaheya not because of its size, but because of the far-reaching consequences of the mission assigned it.