The Dreadful Renegade: A Thrilling Espionage Novel (Techno thriller, Mystery & Suspense) (20 page)

July 3
rd
, Islamabad

Dr. Anwar Usman was still feeling the burden of the great responsibility thrust upon his shoulders by Prof. Malick, or for that matter, by his country. Although he was the youngest member of the committee he knew that his colleagues respected his opinion and waited to hear his viewpoint at the next meeting of the committee that was set for the following day. Anwar thought that he would be able to think more clearly after a date, a close encounter as he defined it in his mind, with Alma. On the way from his laboratory to his office he entered the laboratory in which Alma was making precise measurements of a finely shaped object and called her aside for a moment supposedly to ask her what the object was for. Her co-workers suspected that the relationship between Alma and Anwar extended beyond work hours and pretended not to notice his unexpected appearance in the lab.  Anwar said that he wanted to arrange a date for that evening, and although she was a bit surprised as that was not on their normal schedule, she smiled and said that she was looking forward to it.

Anwar arrived in the evening and the moment Alma saw him she knew that something was bothering him. She didn't say anything about it until they had finished the fine dinner that she had prepared, and then she commented that he looked absent minded and asked if she could help. Anwar had enlisted her help several times previously as a sounding board for his ideas and admired her practical approach to problems and her agile mind. That had been the main reason he was attracted to her in the first place, and her good looks did nothing to daunt his enthusiasm about her. What he didn't know was that most of the things he told her she shared with her lover, Linda, who said she wanted to know her better by understanding more about her work. As yet the information that Alma passed on was interesting from a scientific or technical point of view and was not really classified, and certainly not of a sensitive nature with regard to Pakistan's national security.

After dinner they went to bed as was their custom in those meetings. It was evident to Alma that Anwar's mind was not where his body was. His body went through the motions and Alma did her best to demonstrate how satisfying it was by groaning and moaning until the act was completed. When they lay quietly in her bed with her hand caressing his chest gently and her head nestled on his shoulder she asked him what was going on in his mind.  Anwar was a bit embarrassed by his absent minded love-making and told her that he couldn't disclose what was really bothering because he had been sworn to secrecy. He said that he would like to discuss a hypothetical question that troubled him and she said that she liked hypothetical problems.

Anwar said "What would do if you had information that could affect the security and future of Pakistan?"

Alma didn't know what he was referring to so she said "Would sharing this information change the situation?"

Anwar answered "Yes, but it could be viewed as treason."

She asked "Who would be betrayed?"

His response was ambiguous "If I go to the administration I would be betraying my friends and colleagues and perhaps the national security because exposure may lead to a blood bath. If I don't do anything a potential catastrophe may befall us and I would feel like the ultimate traitor to my country".

She thought about this for a few moments and asked "What if you do nothing?"

He pondered this and after some time said "Then I would not be able to live with myself". 

Alma wondered what this poor man was going through and said "Then you have to take action. Without knowing any details I assume that the security of our country must come first and putting it in danger is out of the question".

"I am not sure that the pathways I mentioned are absolute. There is a chance that going to the administration would lead to the same result as betraying it, and a chance that a foreign power would cause as much damage to Pakistan as if it did not receive the information". Alma did not know what to say so she just continued to pat his head and hug him tightly.

They made love one more time before falling asleep. In the morning he said that he had to leave early because he had come to a decision. She tried to enquire which option he had selected but he evaded answering.

July 3
rd
, Karachi, Pakistan

While these events were taking place in Islamabad Nagib and Alia were transferred from the rustic Melmastun Hotel in Swabi to Karachi where they were lodged in one of the nicest hotels in that cosmopolitan city. The bustling city of Karachi with its 13 million inhabitants was the largest city in Pakistan and considered as one of the five most populated cities in the world. The city was the main seaport and financial center of Pakistan and had several first class hotels. Although Karachi was called "the city that never sleeps" because of its night life Alia and Nagib slept very well in the comfortable bed after enjoying a long soak in the hot tub that was in the suite that Junaid had arranged for them, courtesy of General Masood and the Pakistani intelligence service. The suite was large and contained two bedrooms – one for the couple and one for Junaid who was appointed as their "babysitter" and instructed to watch over them and make sure that they were happy.

Apparently, after the first meeting with Prof. Malick and the nuclear physicists, the general realized that abiding by his part of the deal, namely constructing two small nukes according to the Los Alamos blueprints and handing them over to Nagib in exchange for the rest of the stolen diagrams would take much longer than initially estimated. He heard from Rahman that they were very unhappy about the living conditions in the Swabi region and even hinted that they would like to reconsider the whole agreement. Masood was sure that they were bluffing – there was no way that they could manage on their own to get out of Pakistan without being stopped and he believed they certainly couldn't go the US embassy and ask for asylum. On second thought he had to consider the lenient approach the Americans adopted when it came to criminals who confessed all and were forgiven if no actual damage to US interests was evident. Rahman reported to him that Nagib mentioned the fact that while they were in Germany Iranian and North Korean agents had tried to strike a deal with the couple and the general thought that in desperation they may go to one of these embassies for shelter. His conclusion was that it was easier to keep them happy and satisfied than worry about what they would do if they felt disgruntled.

Rahman flew over to Karachi from Islamabad to pay them a visit and update them on the progress of the deal, without informing them of the debate about the plutonium quality that took place in the committee. He told them the scientists and engineers were studying the blueprints and checking them in order to devise a schedule for producing the two small warheads. When Rahman saw the hotel in which they were staying and heard from Junaid about the suite she was sharing with the couple he wanted to stay in Karachi for a few nights, but the general only allowed him to spend one night there before returning to the committee's meetings. Rahman and Junaid made the most of that night, first having a small party with Nagib and Alia in the hot tub and then each couple retired to its bedroom for further partying.

The next morning, while having breakfast in their suite, the foursome felt as if they had a lot in common, mainly that they were all working towards a joint successful operation.

Nagib asked Rahman "Could I speak frankly with you?"

Rahman said "Of course, what's bothering you?"

Nagib hesitated a little and said "You must realize the risks to your country involved in assisting us. If the Americans find out that Pakistan had helped us produce and detonate a nuclear device on US soil the retaliation may be an all out attack on Pakistan and in the very least annihilation of the major cities and infrastructure. Who knows, India may seize the opportunity and subjugate Pakistan to Indian rule." 

Rahman, who had considered all this before, said "Let me give you an explanation about the way Pakistanis view the United States. In the 1950s and 1960s Pakistan and the US were on very friendly terms. The US even supplied Pakistan with a nuclear research reactor, PARR-1, that went critical in 1965. Pakistan joined the South East Asia Treaty Organization, SEATO, and the "Baghdad Pact" while the US assisted Pakistan economically and militarily and saw Pakistan as "the most allied ally". Later, especially after Pakistan's defeat by India in the 1971 Bangladesh war it became "the ignored ally" especially after Pakistan tried to respond to India's 1974 "peaceful" nuclear test by developing its own nuclear industry. This changed again in 1980 when the USSR invaded Afghanistan and the US used Pakistan as a staging ground to support the anti-Soviet forces, including Bin Laden and the Mujahidin. After the Soviets were forced out of Afghanistan the US lost interest in Pakistan and their policy shifted strongly towards India. Throughout the 1990s Pakistan felt that the US used a double-standard by condemning Pakistan while ignoring India's nuclear efforts. The US stopped supplying PARR-1 with highly enriched uranium used to fuel the reactor and Pakistan switched to low-enriched uranium supplied by China. However, after 9/11 the US once again needed Pakistan to help it chase Bin Laden and his supporters in Afghanistan in what the Americans termed "the global war on terrorism" but Pakistanis, and other Muslims, saw this as "the global war on Islam". This reached a high point when US commandos trespassed brutally on Pakistani territory and killed Bin Laden. So, Nagib, you must understand that despite the dependence of Pakistan on US economic support and military aid the people of Pakistan resent the United States and see it as a "fair weather friend" that cannot be trusted in time of stress and as a hypocrite that treats Pakistan with duplicity".

Nagib and Alia were surprised by this diatribe and remained silent for a moment or two, before Alia said "I had never known that there were such strong feelings towards the United States among the Pakistani people".

Junaid contributed her opinion to the conversation "This is also the sentiment in large parts of the military, government, intelligence services and the nuclear community. The deep animosity of Pakistanis towards the United States and its policy in the region, or against Muslims in general, was expressed by many attacks on the American embassy and consulates in Pakistan. As early as 1979 a false rumor was spread charging the US of bombing the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Students stormed the US embassy in Islamabad and burned it to the ground. After 9/11 and the response of the US, a series of attacks was launched against the American consulate in Karachi between 2002 and 2006. In 2010 an attack on the US consulate in Peshawar took place resulting in the death of a handful of US Marines and citizens".

Rahman added "The Americans in their diplomatic enclave are not aware of these strong emotions. They do not know that there are many high-ranking Pakistani officials who refrain from having anything to do with US representatives."  He then added "Nagib, this is the reason that you are getting so much help from General Masood and his faction in the administration. Someone else may have regarded you two as a valuable prize and would have handed you over to the Americans for personal gain or in order to receive a reward for Pakistan".

Alia and Nagib looked at each other and she said "Thanks for the lesson. We now understand that we can count on you and General Masood".   

July 4
th
, Islamabad

The Fourth of July party at the American embassy in Islamabad was a great success socially. It was attended by the high and mighty of the Pakistani administration, including three government ministers and many high ranking civil servants, the top echelon of the military and intelligence services and by most of the top officials of the
Corps Diplomatique
(or diplomatic corps as commoners addressed it). Eugene almost felt as if he had been transported to the days of the Raj, as the British government in that part of the world was remembered. The military men, there were no women of high enough rank, were dressed in their formal uniforms adorned with ribbons and medals. The civilian administrators were in their best suits and some of the diplomats even wore tuxedos. The women at this gathering were dressed either in long silk gowns and some of the younger ones displayed a fair amount of bare skin which was quite unusual in public affairs in Pakistan but none of the men seemed to complain. In these Fourth of July celebrations the US embassy served hot dogs and hamburgers (no pork, of course) cooked in the best American tradition but also some local dishes and gourmet foods for those who appreciated a good, free treat. The drinks were served in two separate areas – one served soft drinks according to the restrictions imposed by Islam, and in the other area you had to push your way through the throng to get to the counter and order your cocktail or real booze. In one corner a small band played jazz and a blues singer provided light entertainment. At one stage the ambassador asked the band to stop playing and stepped onto the small podium. He delivered a short speech about the excellent relations and cooperation between Pakistan and the US and added that although Pakistan was a young country, officially founded in 1947, it had a great tradition and has been the home to many ancient and modern civilizations while the United States was founded over two centuries earlier but was still a young country. He concluded by thanking the guests for attending the Independence Day celebrations and called for a toast to continued friendship.

The ambassador introduced Eugene to some of the more important patrons, presenting him as a scientist and administrator from the NNSA who was on a private visit to Pakistan. When asked by some guests who wanted to make polite small talk what he was looking for in Pakistan Eugene answered that he was on a comparative study mission visiting the closest US allies in Asia and this was his first stop. The only local person he recognized was Prof. Malick whom he had met at scientific conferences and he was surprised that the professor appeared to be ignoring him and avoiding getting in a conversation with him. As the atmosphere warmed and the guests were having a good time brought upon by the food and drinks the CIA station chief, Blakey, cornered Eugene and told him that the ambassador wanted to see him on the veranda and led him there. When they got there Eugene saw that the ambassador was engrossed in a conversation with a distinguished looking Pakistani who was introduced earlier as the minister of defense. They were talking in low voices and stopped for a moment when Eugene approached. The ambassador asked Eugene to describe the classified information that was stolen from the Los Alamos Lab and Eugene said that these were blueprints and schematic designs of the most advanced nuclear devices in the US arsenal. He added that in the wrong hands these could pose a threat on world peace, especially if they fell into the hands of radical terrorists. He also emphasized that the US administration viewed this very seriously and would do anything, barring nothing, to retrieve the stolen files. The ambassador then interjected that the people responsible for stealing the files were American citizens and according to the latest surveillance information were in Pakistan at present. The defense minister turned pale and beads of perspiration appeared on his high forehead and said that he knew nothing about this. The ambassador implied that there may be elements in the Pakistani government that would like to acquire these blueprints in order to improve their nuclear arsenal and do so clandestinely. The minister admitted that there was a strongly pro-Islamist and anti-American faction that may be involved in such a plot and promised to try and find out what was going on. Blakey knocked on the door and told the ambassador that he was needed at the reception, so the ambassador left first and the minister and Eugene waited for a minute before following him.  

Eugene pulled Blakey aside and told him that the ambassador had informed the minister of defense about the stolen blueprints and that the culprits were in Pakistan. Blakey asked how the minister reacted and Eugene said that the revelation shocked him and that he understood the extent of aggravation to the US administration and the implications to Pakistan if the stolen diagrams were not recovered. Eugene also mentioned the strange behavior of Prof. Malick who clearly avoided him. Blakey said the professor was regarded as the leading scientific authority by Pakistan's nuclear community, and although he had never spoken out publicly in support of Pakistan's right to build its nuclear arsenal and use it if necessary, he was known as a member of the nationalistic hard line faction within the government.      

***

Linda was not invited to attend the Fourth of July reception at the embassy because officially she was just a low rank secretary. She knew that her presence there could blow her cover as people in similar positions did not participate in the formal event and usually held a small party of their own. Sometimes they invited friends and acquaintances from the local community. Linda wanted to arrange an invitation for Alma, but when they discussed the matter Alma declined saying that as an employee in PINSTECH she would need special permission to attend a social event in a foreign embassy and she didn't want to attract attention to their relationship.  She told Linda she missed her and invited her to come over to her apartment after the party. Linda had quite a few drinks at the unofficial embassy party before driving over to Alma's apartment. So when Alma opened the door she stepped in, kicked the door shut with the heel of her foot, and gave Alma a deep passionate kiss. Alma pulled back, laughed quietly and told Linda to slow down a little and then led her to the sofa in her living room and pointed to a chilled bottle of bubbly wine and the two glasses that were set on the coffee table. She told Linda to open the bottle and pour the wine while she went into the kitchen to fetch some salted snacks. They toasted each other and the Fourth of July and sipped the bubbly wine. Although Linda was not a great wine connoisseur bubbly wine was not high on her list of favorite drinks, but Alma's company made up for that. They cuddled on the sofa and then Alma took Linda's hand and led her to the bedroom saying that it was her mission to make Linda enjoy Independence Day. Over the last six months since their relationship had begun Alma had come a long way and under Linda's tutoring had learned a lot about the ways to pleasure her own body and that of her lovers. Strangely enough, she also put this new knowledge to good practice in her affair with Anwar who appreciated the new sexual advances she made.