The long november, p.3
The Long November, page 3
Hopefully, the Marines would arrive at the hotel first. If not, the British contingent of thirty soldiers, armed with little more than automatic rifles, hand grenades, and one light machine gun, would be on their own in their defense of the inviting target and its frightened occupants. Each would do his best to stem the onslaught. Still, given the reality of the situation, the soldiers understood that, should a massive attack appear, there’d be little hope of prevailing.
“We about ready, Chuck?” she asked.
“All set, Miss Wells. Tony Watson should be on the line momentarily.”
As if on cue, the Seven Days anchor’s voice reached them. “Are you there, Lauren?” he asked.
“I’m here, Tony.”
“Ready to roll tape?”
“Absolutely,” she replied.
“With the gunfire I can hear, it sounds like we’ve no time to lose.”
From behind the camera in New York, the countdown began: “Five…four…three…two…”
Tony Watson appeared in his familiar position behind the anchor desk. The program’s rousing theme music began to play. As it ended, Watson looked up at the camera.
“Good evening and welcome to Seven Days, America’s first choice for the week’s latest in news and entertainment. Tonight, as the ruthless Fedayeen Islam continues their blood-soaked march across Pakistan, we’re going to begin our show with a report from Lauren Wells, who’s on special assignment covering the unprecedented events unfolding there.” The screen split to show both Watson and the highly attractive, auburn-haired Wells. “Good evening, Lauren.”
“Good evening, Tony. Tonight I’m coming to you from outside the main entrance to the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. From my vantage point, I’m barely a mile from the abandoned Pakistani government’s capital complex. As your viewers can no doubt hear from the sounds of the fearsome fighting, the swift advance into the heart of Pakistan—and the capital itself—by elements of the Fedayeen Islam terrorist group is well beyond anything anyone could’ve imagined. The immense populist army’s spreading far and wide across vast portions of this battered country. In six weeks, this relatively unknown band of extremists has swollen from a few hundred obscure individuals to up to four million fighters. Thousands more are joining their ranks with each passing hour. This ragtag assembly of disillusioned peasants and ruthless Islamic zealots have roared across northern Pakistan at incredible speed, vanquishing all who dare to stand in their way. Behind them, the trail of atrocities flows like an endless stream.”
“Lauren, is there any possibility of the Pakistani military rallying and putting down the rebellion?” Watson asked.
“None whatsoever, Tony. The entire country’s in disarray. The Pakistani military’s essentially defeated. In the northern part of the country, only a few scattered units are still fighting. And while some of the most loyal continue to provide a vigorous defense, the majority of those facing the insurgents are offering little more than token resistance. The remainder are in full retreat. Many have deserted. Entire units have surrendered en masse. Countless soldiers have stripped off their uniforms and joined the militants without giving it a second thought.”
“That doesn’t sound the least bit encouraging. Certainly, the sudden turn of events can’t be pleasing to the president or the Pentagon.”
“Of that, I’ve no doubt. Radical Islam taking control of this uneasy nation of more than two hundred million is something no one wanted to see. This turbulent portion of the planet has always been cause for worry. Given what’s happened in a matter of a few short weeks, those grave concerns were obviously justified. Now the world faces the reality of a country with a stockpile of two hundred nuclear weapons being seized by a force of enraged zealots bent on lashing out in every direction to inflict death and destruction on anyone falling beneath their twisted shadow. If those weapons fall into their hands, the result could be catastrophic. There’s a real possibility that a significant portion of this planet may soon face an unspeakable end beneath rising mushroom clouds. And that doesn’t even take into account the conventional weapons the advancing militants are seizing with each victorious attack.”
“Isn’t there anyone who can put a stop to this before things are completely out of hand?” Watson asked.
“Like who, Tony?”
“Can’t America and its NATO allies step in and bring an end to the chaos?”
“Step in how? No one was prepared for what happened. It caught the entire world by surprise. With as rapidly as things are unfolding, we’re well beyond the point where it might be possible for anyone or anything to affect the outcome. Unless there’s an unforeseeable miracle, in at least the northern half of the country the terrorists are going to prevail. And for so many reasons, both politically and militarily, our becoming entangled in an all-out war on such a massive scale is fraught with potential issues. This is a highly devout Islamic country with a huge population. For years, surveys have shown that the Pakistani people fear the United States more than they fear the extremists.”
“So there’s nothing we can do? We’re going to stand by and give free reign to these incensed killers?”
“Honestly, Tony, at this moment it’s impossible to say what our response will be. There’s always the possibility of something forcing our hand. And even without that, we may decide there are no options left. If our leadership concludes we’ve no choice but to become involved militarily, who knows where that’ll lead? Or how it might end?”
“If the Pakistani military can’t stop this, isn’t there anything their government can do to rally the people and stem the tide?”
“Government? What government? There is no government. The Pakistani leadership fled days ago. The streets of the capital are empty. Other than the thousands of non-Pakistanis gathered at this hotel, this part of Islamabad’s little more than a ghost town. Those in power are running for their lives…first from India’s attack and now from the Fedayeen. You’ve got to remember what the reason is for all this. This falls entirely on those in the Pakistani government who were behind the ill-conceived plot to destroy the Indian Parliament. They’ve no one to blame but themselves for what has occurred because of their misguided actions. Their unleashing of that horrific suicide bombing six weeks ago against the Indian legislature is the direct cause of what’s happening here.”
“Are we certain Pakistan was behind the attack in New Delhi? There’ve been those in this country and around the world who’ve questioned that conclusion.”
“Not anyone in a position of authority. Despite those who’ve tried to come up with some fanciful answer for who was behind the attack, there’s no doubt. I’ve spoken with multiple intelligence sources. Each told me the evidence is irrefutable. Pakistan not only condoned this action; they supported and helped plan it. When India identified the source of the slaughter that killed over four hundred in their parliament, they saw no option but to launch a full-scale attack in response.
“How do you think we’d have reacted, Tony, if our enemies had blown up our capitol and killed half of Congress in such a way? We’d have demanded retribution. So India’s actions should’ve surprised no one. Quite honestly, the decision to stop once they’d seized all of the disputed Kashmir territory showed incredible self-control on their part. I’ve no doubt if they hadn’t, both countries would’ve unleashed their nuclear arsenals weeks ago. The entire subcontinent would’ve been wiped out with hundreds of millions dying if India hadn’t shown the restraint it did. Still, India has to be watching what’s happening with a great deal of anxiousness. Even with the Chinese assembling a massive army on their border and threatening war over any further incursions into Pakistani, the Indian government may be unable to hold itself back much longer.
“Once the militants get their hands on this country’s nuclear arsenals, all bets are off. India might have no choice but to launch a preemptive nuclear attack before the dogmatists have the opportunity to do the same. If India sees no option but to do so, most of the two hundred million in this country are going to die. If that happens, there’s little doubt what the rest of the fanatics will do. They’ll rise up in an anger that knows no bounds. They’ll lash out. The entire world, while also facing a monumental nuclear catastrophe, could be engulfed in a spreading religious war of unimaginable intensity.”
From the surprised look on Watson’s face, there was no doubt he was shocked. Like most Americans, he’d no clue about the dire threat present events were creating.
“I had no idea where this was leading,” he said.
“Few people did, Tony.”
He did his best to recover. “I guess if things are as bad as you say they are, it really doesn’t matter what the cause was. Given what you’ve told us, there might be no way to stop this.”
“None that I can see, Tony. Unless something totally unanticipated happens, the Fedayeen Islam terrorist group is going to seize control of the majority of this country. And they may eventually take it all. When they do, they’ve every intention of using Pakistan’s nuclear weapons to drag the planet back to the Stone Age. Salim Basra has said as much. Just look at what they’re doing. Along with their indiscriminate slaughter of those unfortunate enough to cross their path, they’re destroying everything that reminds those they’ve conquered of the modern world. They’ve smashed every television, computer, and modern convenience they find. They’ve destroyed nearly every cell phone tower. They’ve blown up every building. Wherever they march, power and running water are disappearing. Basra’s unimaginable vision is an unspeakably dark one. This brutal man from the wild tribal territories plans to apply his bizarre views across as much of the planet as he possibly can. The backwards existence his followers are creating is as primitive and sick as they can possibly make it.”
“How long before the capital falls?”
“Most of it already has. The northern and western portions of the city are on fire. The attack the Fedayeen launched against the Pakistani capital a week ago when they poured out of the Margalla Hills and the snowcapped mountains beyond will soon be complete. Conservative estimates are that nearly three hundred thousand Fedayeen fighters are in or near Islamabad. And absolutely nothing is slowing them down.”
“So how much time do we have before they overrun all of the northern portion of the country?”
“A few days…a week, maybe…When that occurs, the threat we’ll face will be far too real.”
His director indicated that the time for Lauren Wells’s grave report was at its end.
“With that sobering thought, I see we’re out of time,” Watson said. “Thank you, Lauren, for your insights. Do your best to stay safe.”
“Thank you, Tony. We’ll do what we can.”
The picture in America’s homes returned to showing an obviously stunned Watson. “We’ll be back after these messages,” he said.
At the Islamabad Marriott, Chuck signaled they were clear.
“What do we do now, Miss Wells?”
“At the moment, there’s not much we can do. Go ahead and break down the mobile satellite and gather your equipment. Let’s get inside. I feel more than a bit vulnerable standing out in the open like this with all that’s going on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“When we’re in the lobby, maybe we should interview some of the people gathered there,” she said. “Might make for some nice background stories on what’s going on.”
* * *
• • •
A few minutes after she finished her interviews, the British sergeant, commander of the small detachment, walked into the expansive lobby filled with agitated people. Each of those present was growing more troubled as the endless minutes passed. Given no other choice, they’d complied with what their governments had directed and found shelter within the hotel. The gathered thousands, spread from top to bottom throughout the building, were as varied in nationality, age, and description as they could possibly be. Families with children, couples of every sort, and those who were on their own had found their way to this location. With every arriving evacuee, the rumors of what was happening beyond the hotel grew. The sudden disappearance of the Marriott’s staff two days earlier had added to the mounting confusion and growing fears within the five-star hotel’s resplendent walls.
The noise in the high-ceilinged room was deafening as countless voices, competing to be heard, echoed throughout the space. The sergeant did his best to get their attention so he could relay the information he’d received from the British embassy. His every effort to hush the fearful gathering failed. He reached for the whistle dangling from his uniform and brought it to his lips. A long, shrill blast pierced the man-made discord. Standing little more than five feet from the shrieking sound, Wells was certain she’d lost an eardrum. The clamorous crowd went silent. Each curious face turned and looked the sergeant’s way.
“May I have your attention, please?” he said. “I’ve received word from the British legation that the decision’s been made to conduct an orderly evacuation of all of you from the hotel. An American Marine company will be headed our way shortly. They’ll be escorting everyone, no matter your nationality, to their embassy. Once there, we’ll begin the orderly evacuation of each of you.”
“When will the Marines arrive?” Wells asked.
“Not too much longer, ma’am. They’re hoping to be here around two,” the sergeant said.
His answer was one none wanted to hear. They were far too aware of the harsh reality of their approaching destiny. Many had been in the hotel for days, waiting for salvation to find them. With each passing moment, their worry had grown. The spreading rumors of the unspeakable barbarism headed in their direction had turned their fear into a raging inferno. The last thing those present were anxious to accept was remaining in this increasingly vulnerable place for another two hours.
The sergeant’s response was met with outrage. In an instant, the cavernous room erupted with the furor of an untold number of voices. Scores shouted questions and expressed their displeasure at the same moment. There was no way for the harried soldier to either understand or respond to the riotous acrimony. The struggling sergeant motioned for the crowd to calm. Despite his every attempt, the uproar continued. The whistle returned to his lips. He paused, hoping the gesture would quiet the onlookers. Yet even the threat of the piercing refrain had no effect. He had to gain control of those within the massive lobby. It was that or face the possibility of many in the gathering ignoring his orders and striking out on their own from the hotel. If he didn’t act, the mounting mutiny would be impossible to constrain.
He was out of options. He took a deep breath and blew the whistle with all his might. Ten…fifteen…twenty seconds, the echoing sound worked to drown out everything within the magnificent space. He didn’t stop until he’d expelled every ounce of air from his lungs. The grumbling crowd grew silent once again. Even so, the unhappiness on their faces couldn’t be denied.
“Listen to me, all of you,” the gasping sergeant said. “I know you want to reach safety as rapidly as you can. But your best option is to stay here and wait for help. The last thing any of you should do is panic and attempt something rash. With the heavy fog outside and our present circumstances, we need to go about this as smartly as possible. The danger in the streets is unmistakable. Heading out on your own is the worst possible thing any of you can do. We’ve no idea what’s out there. For the moment, there are thirty rifles protecting this hotel. They’re being held by some of the finest soldiers the British military has to offer. I promise you, my men will keep you safe until help arrives.”
He knew what he’d told them was far from the truth. Given the situation, however, it was a commitment he needed to make. “So let’s do what we need to do to stay alive,” he said. “In another two hours, significant assistance will reach this place. We’ll then escort you in an orderly fashion to the United States embassy so we can begin the process of getting you home. If you haven’t already done so, please gather your belongings in preparation for our departure. The Marines will be here before you know it.”
“Why don’t you and your men lead us out of here rather than waiting for the Americans?” someone near the back of the room yelled.
“We’ve given that some thought, sir. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough of us to protect you while on the move. With at least four thousand of you, our column could easily stretch two kilometers. With only thirty of us, that would mean, at best, I could place each of my soldiers a hundred meters from the next. Should a significant enemy force appear, as lightly armed as we are, we’d be much too scattered to stop them. So our best hope is to wait for the Americans and the firepower they’re bringing. So please show some patience and do your best to remain calm while we do so.”
He looked at the disturbed forms. It was apparent that many, if not most, were quite unsettled. Even so, he had no more time for those inside the lobby. His soldiers needed him to return to his position and direct their defensive actions. Should the enemy appear, his place would be with his men. He turned and walked away.
As the sergeant pushed through the hotel’s expansive front doors, Wells looked at the tense scene inside the space. She looked at her cameraman. “Chuck, let’s hope those Marines get here real soon.”
