The Angels of Destiny (25 page)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Kabul University, Afghanistan.

Hanif Mohammed Haseeb was fifty-nine years old and Head of Mechanical Science at Kabul University. At only five foot three his huge belly made his persona somewhat comical but today he was not laughing. The threat of losing his wife and his three children had turned his world upside down. Until today life was predictable and comfortable. He was in control... Until today. Standing at the window of his office in the faculty of mechanical engineering he stared out at nothing in particular, totally bemused. Beads of sweat glistened on his bald head and the palms of his hands felt clammy. Removing his thick brown framed glasses he nervously wiped the lenses with his initialed white cotton handkerchief using his thumb and forefinger. Something he often did when nervous or during a lecture for effect.

Behind him, Ahmed Shah rolled out a blueprint on the large office desk that he'd cleared moments before with a swipe of his arm. "This is it."

Haseeb reluctantly turned, approached the desk and studied the details of the blue print in silence for many moments.

“
Well, my friend, what do you think?" Shah asked, inquisitively.

"I think, I have no choice and you are not my friend."

"That is correct; forgive me, but how long will it take you to make it?"

Haseeb raised his hands in frustration. "I have never made anything like this before, I don't know, and anyway, what is it for?"

"It has to be ready in two weeks." Ahmed Shah stated categorically. "It is not necessary for you to know its function."

"Two weeks is impossible."

“
TWO WEEKS,
”
Shah shouted, impatiently, banging the desk with his fist. "You have all the facilities you need here at the university and success would mean money for you and your family to enjoy.
”

Weakened by fear and the awareness of the recent decapitations in Kabul, Haseeb's tone became conciliatory. "What are the parameters for the pressure sensor?"

"You will find all the information you need in here." Shah dropped a blue folder on the desk in front of his reluctant ashen faced associate whose hands were visibly trembling. Hanif Mohammed Haseeb knew that failure was not an option and this demand would push him to the limits of his capabilities. Would he have the moral strength to see it through knowing the consequences of failure would be constantly playing on his mind? This is a nightmare. Why is this happening to me? He realized that Shah had gone. Gripped with trepidation his eyes filled with tears. He was alone, with no one to confide in. The Head of Mechanical Engineering recalled the words of the prophet. "Remember more often the destroyer of pleasures
–
death.
”
The smell of his urine filled his nostrils.

The White House, Washington DC.

International tension was building between the US and North Korea. Both sides accusing each other of starting the conflict and now other major players like China, Russia, Iran and the United Nations had joined the rhetoric, seriously concerned about the possibility of a nuclear conflict. Shah had created the 'catalyst' for the conflict and it excited him to see how the 'reactor' was becoming unstable in such a short period of time. Instability, driven by rumor, suspicion, fear and lies.

The announcement by the President was due to be broadcast in a few minutes. The world's press had gathered in the White House Briefing Room, eager to beam his image and words around the world; a world holding its breath in nervous anticipation. Cameras and video cameras were poised, pointing at the podium waiting to focus on the man who in the next few minutes might possibly decide the imminent fate of billions of people.

An official walked up to the podium and performed a last minute sound check and the level of anticipation in the room rose, while the level of noise dropped equally. Then a side door opened and the President and his entourage walked into the now silent room. He made straight for the podium without acknowledging the gathering. Griping the sides of the podium with his hands he resembled a minister about to deliver a sermon to a congregation of sinners. Before starting he looked around the room and unfolded his notes, placing the two sheets in front of him under the reading lamp. His expression was solemn.

“
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming to the briefing room today. I want to make an important announcement concerning the tensions that are developing between North Korea and the United States of America. I understand that the nations of the world are rightly anxious, wanting to know what is going on." Raising his hand to his mouth he quietly coughed to clear his throat. "In the last week, the US has been accused by North Korea of using Israel as a base to launch nuclear warheads at Pyongyang and other cities in their country. As a result of this Iran has come out in support of North Korea. Military officials from Pyongyang have posted what they say are satellite images of US activity in Israel and have shown the world top secret military documents that purport to show the agreed strategic use of nuclear weapons on a regime identified as a severe threat to the US. Their words ladies and gentlemen, not ours."

The President sipped a glass of water before continuing... "I want to make it clear to the world and especially to North Korea and Iran that these accusations are completely untrue." The sound of shutters clicked and opportunist cameramen zoomed in on his stern image. "We believe these lies have their foundations in Pakistan and are the work of an Islamic fundamentalist group. Let me say here and now, we will find them and expose them as liars: driven by misguided Islamic goals. Dangerous individuals with no respect or wish for peace other than under their own terms. What really concerns us ladies and gentlemen, is that North Korea will use this information for its own political purposes. Let me say this to the people of the world: we are not the aggressors and we have no intention of attacking anyone. You have my guarantee that the images of US nuclear weapons in Israel and the so called top-secret documents are fakes, I repeat
—
Fakes. However, let me also make it very clear that we will defend our great Nation against an attack, or perceived attack, by whatever means we deem to be appropriate. Thank you very much: I will now take a few questions.
”

In Kabul Ahmed Shah watched the broadcast on television and throughout he smiled with great satisfaction, occasionally laughing out loud. His master plan was working perfectly. Insha Allah.

The Team Compound, The Ellington Air Force Base.

The McPherson family was enjoying a weekend off and spending a few hours in the indoor pool on the Saturday with young Daniel who was turning out to be a real water baby, laughing and screeching every time Rob threw him in the air, catching him just as he splashed back in the water. Vicki watched them from her lounger in-between magazine articles. Other youngsters from the base were enjoying the pool too and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.

McPherson's iPhone rang on the table next to Vicki and she could see Hunter's face on the display. Vicki picked up the phone and walked to the pool.

“
Rob, it's Hunter calling you. Give me the baby.
”
McPherson handed Daniel to Vicki and took the phone.

"Rob speaking...Yes thanks, Colin, I'm fine.
”
McPherson then listened to Hunter as he explained that the project was to be shut down forthwith. The decision he said had been taken by the President and the reason given was the current deteriorating situation with North Korea. The team would be given two weeks to close down any outstanding actions and then disbanded. Hunter gave McPherson his apologies and explained that he would call a team meeting first thing Monday morning to make the announcement officially to all the team members. Vicki knew there was something wrong by the expression on her husband's face as he walked back to her and the baby.

"What is it now?"

"The President has decided to disband the project." McPherson sounded totally dejectedly.

"Why?" Vicki asked, as she vigorously dried Daniel with a large bath towel.

"It's the North Korea crisis. They're all panicking in Washington and every bit of hardware has been taken back by the military. We don't have any satellites anymore, they've taken them all."

"Not yet they haven't. I will need to do some re-routing first. What about the alien signals, Rob? We still have them to work on."

"I don't think they care about anything anymore other than North Korea."

Unnoticed, Daniel had managed to raise himself on the lounger as they talked and then fell off onto the tiled floor. Vicki saw him just as he fell but she was unable to catch him. The fall cut him over his left eye and blood poured down his face as he cried out.

"Oh my baby, don't cry I've got you." Vicki picked up Daniel and cradled him.
“
Rob, he's cut his eye, we need to get him to the medical center, now."

Some hours later the family was back in their apartment. Daniel was playing on the floor, as if nothing had happened, although a large bruise was starting to appear around the area of the cut which according to the nurse didn't justify a stitch; much to the relief of Vicki. In the middle of the coffee table was the crystal that McPherson had found on the control room console. He'd brought it home because it intrigued him. He had no idea where it came from but it looked different to anything he'd ever seen before. His meeting with the aliens had been completely wiped from his memory. He looked at the crystal for a while and then picked it up, studying it from every angle.

"This is a strange thing Vicki. I've no idea whose it is or where it came from."

“
Well, it must be one of the teams, Rob. Take it in on Monday, I'm sure someone will own up to it."

McPherson didn't really want to give it back to its owner, he rather liked it. Just then Daniel wanted to touch it and McPherson allowed him to hold it for a while.

"I hope he's not going to be left with a scare, darling."

"I hope so too, Rob. I feel so guilty. He's going to have a nasty bruise in the morning."

"Hey come on, it's not your fault, these things happen. He'll have worse than that when he's older."

"No, he won't, don't say that about my baby.
”
Vicki picked up Daniel and kissed him, in an overreaction to his first real accident. Daniel still had the crystal in his hands.

“
Rob, can you check his diaper please as it's almost time for junior to go to bed. He's had quite an eventful day, the poor little soldier. And I need him to take some milk now, I'm going to burst if he doesn't. My breasts are huge and I'm getting very uncomfortable."

The following morning at six-thirty, Vicki and Rob were awakened by the sound of baby Daniel in the next room. He wasn't crying, just making baby noises and contentedly playing with his feet in his crib.

"Junior's awake, Rob."

"I know. Should I leave him or get him?"

“
Go and get him please, my breasts are at bursting point. I need to feed him and I want to see how is eye is today."

Rob returned a few moments later carrying Daniel. When he saw his mother he smiled broadly and held out his arms.

"Oh my darling; come to mommy. How are you today?" Vicki cradled Daniel and guided her nipple into his mouth. While Daniel was feeding she gently peeled away the bandage from his eyebrow to check the injury. For a few seconds she just stared, speechless.

"Rob......the cut's gone...and there's no bruising at all. He looks like it never happened."

Rob stared at Daniel, in total disbelief.

Kabul University, Afghanistan

One week had passed since Ahmed Shah's imposing visit to see Hanif Mohammed Haseeb and now Haseeb was not eating, he was irritable and very tired from lack of sleep. The demand put on him by Shah was certainly taking its toll. On a more positive note though he knew the work was going well and the assembly was coming together but it still had to be completed and working in the next seven days and that worried him. Haseeb didn't know what it was to be used for but he knew it was a stainless steel, very high pressure canister with a sensor designed to release the contents, whatever that was, at a certain pressure. Haseeb knew that it was best if he never did know its function; because it was being built for a madman and the loss of his family was just unthinkable. He knew that Shah would kill his wife and children and not lose a moments sleep over it.

Each day, Shah called him to get an update and to remind Haseeb of the consequences of failure. The calls were made from a unit he'd rented for six months in Pakistan. Security at the building was tight with armed guards protecting it twenty-four hours a day. Very few people entered or left the building that was situated in a small inconspicuous industrial estate in the capital. Like most other units in the rundown area the windows of the building were completely blacked out. Unusually, this unit
’
s windows were additionally protected by slatted hardened-
steel shutters.

Inside the unit Shah had constructed a laboratory that would allow him to fulfill his twisted dream. His knowledge, gained at Porton Down was privileged information and only a
few
people in the world were able to make what he needed. The laboratory was well equipped with centrifuges, three oil-free air compressors, drying ovens, distillation columns, hermetically sealed chambers, weighing machines, atomic scales, four specialist analyzers build in Switzerland and a mass spectrometer from Germany at a cost of two-hundred-thousand Euros. Shah needed specialist equipment because he was making something very special. The Americans were playing the game just as he'd expected them too. Pakistan was now under surveillance by the CIA and his team was busy giving out false information that was eagerly gathered and believed by a secret service that was completely paranoid. The world was on edge and the tensions were building by the hour.