CHAPTER 1
U.S. White House, District of Columbia April 2, 2017
"I can't believe you're actually considering this."
"Mr. President, you know my position. You gave me the Joint Chief's, you gave me the entire cabinet, the FBI, Homeland, the CIA and NSA and ... you know who." Chester paused to throw a baked potato chip in his mouth from the half full bag he held in his hand. "You've got to let me do my job." Continuing very calm and dismissive.
"Do you know what you're proposing?" Donald stood from behind his desk, trying to appear like a man who had a backbone. For someone in Donald's position, The Commander in Chief, being completely subordinate to one person was a hard task. He barely even knew this guy.
But for some reason he had an all-access pass to, well, anywhere. The White House, Langley, any military installation, and had a beat on him in every turn. This guy knew about everything before he did, and he hated it. He also hated the fact the this man acted as if giving him control over all these government entities was a choice. He already had them! Let you do your job? I don't even know what your job is! I don't even know who you are!
"Donald!" President Donald Astor froze. Chester's voice effortlessly filling the Oval Office. "I'm not proposing anything." Calm again, another chip. "It's already done. When those Muslim hijackers from Saudi came over here and killed thousands of innocent Americans. Women, and children." Chester cleared his throat and took a breath. "Or when our ISIS bastards got out of control a few years ago. It was done. I know you weren't in office. I know you had no part in the underhanded activities that came from this very room, which played a part in that-"
"Right." President Astor looked away.
"And I'm also sorry that I can't fucking share it with you, Don. The fact is, this is the solution." Chester Rothschild walked over to the President and put his hand on his shoulder. "Don. We're not trying to play GOD. We don't even want to control their lives. But we do need to get control of this problem though, or these guys are going to just continue to run around any country they want blowing people up to prove a point that they don't even understand!"
Do we dislike Islamic culture? Do we think all Muslim's are terrorist? Of course not! That's the dumbest thing anyone could ever think at this point. Do I think all Middle Eastern countries hate Americans? No! I know for a fact they don't! We want them to be able to live and be free without being bullied or pressured into any style of life. They'll now be free to be whoever they wish to be. "Chester threw the bag of chips in the trash and swiped his hands together a few times before pointing at the president." As long as it's not a terrorist. In order to know that, and enforce that ... we must do this.
"God." President Astor released a long sigh, while rubbing his forehead.
"It's going to be a long and ugly road, Don. But we have to take it. Now make the order. We'll be boots-on-ground; Bagram moving forward on Monday after I leave Kabul on Sunday giving the details in- person. The next time you'll hear from me is the following Monday. I will be off the grid until then."
"I'm looking over these papers." Donald picked up a folder from his desk. "The black budget has been bled dry with this plan of yours."
"Don't worry about the black budget, Donald. That will be taken care of. It's the least of your worries.
"Don't worry about the black budget? I'm the president of a nation who has been in some sort of military operation for more than 21 years straight now! How can I not worry about the black budget?"
"Don't worry about the black budget, Don," Chester repeated.
Alright, Sir." Donald replied after a long pause and stare. "I hope you know what you're doing." President Astor returned, pretending as if he was giving Chester his permission.
"Don't worry, sir. I do. It's why I'm here."
"I trust you." Donald sighed.
"I should hope so, I wouldn't have put you here if you didn't." And there it was. Along with a condescending pat to the shoulder. "See you later, Mr. President." Chester turned and walked off leaving the President looking down at the American flag on his desk. "Give Marie and the kids my best."
CHAPTER 2
Mashaad, Iran
"I can not believe I will be seeing you tomorrow, 'Zita!"
"'Insh'Allah."
"Of course, Insh'Allah."
"I am so bored here. I hate leaving the house alone." Azita said anxiously, rushing back down the stairs on her cordless phone. "Celebrating Nowruz has been more tiring than anything this year. By the 13 day, I was actually hoping for a war!" Azita joked while using her spare hand to pick up some things around the living room, which was nearly void of any furniture. Just remnants of a messy dinner.
"You are so funny. New Years always was crazy there. And like a good little girl, you would usually just stay at home ... khouneh tekouni!" Yasmeen laughed.
"Yes, very funny. Make jokes on me because I like to keep our home clean. I did not have to spend half as much time on it as others because I make sure to clean regularly unlike you." Yasmeen laughed. "And this is better than sitting around and eating aush all day, Yazzy."
"Oh," Yasmeen sighed. "How I miss your mothers aush. I can not wait to get there!" Yasmeen sounded like a little girl instead of a fully-grown college graduate. "When I get to Mashhad we will have fun like we always did. Nothing will bother us. Not even your crazy brother!" Yasmeen laughed now twirling the telephone receiver chord with her pointer finger. Her Hijab draped over her shoulder.
"Ahmad, avizoon!" Azita paused while Yasmeen laughed again. "If your father will give you the money, please have him hire a hotel room for your entire stay here!"
"Do you think we are rich, Azita?"
"Yasmeen ... everyone knows you are rich." Their phone conversation continued, mostly in English as always. For practice. They tried to never speak Farsi unless necessary or the English word just didn't seem right.
"Yes of course. How could I forget?" Both girls laughed. "You know, I make my own money. I do not like-"
"Yes, yes ... I know you do not like taking money from Baba so just take it and give it to me. I have no problems with this!"
"Okay, okay. No problem. Hotel it is. This will be the best time."
"Yes, it will be. I have missed you so much, Yazzy." Azita sighed.
"I have missed you, too."
"I hate it here."
"I know you do, Azita."
"Is there no wonder why your entire family moved to Adana? Azita returned."
"Hmm, let me think ... because no one in this country has ever heard of bio-energy before we arrived?" Yasmeen joked.
"Do not be a jerk, Yasmeen! You all moved because they did not want their only daughter to grow up with the attitude of a servant! Be treated like a dog in public and worse at home!"
"I know, I know."
"To be mistreated and utilized only for procreation and religious protocol!"
"Not all Persian men are like this, 'Zita."
"Is true. But, enough are that it is accepted....
