Free William W. Johnstone by Phoenix Rising

crashing down around us. And if it does, it’s pretty much going to be every man for himself. Unless small groups get together for mutual benefit.”
    â€œI see. Do you have a such a group in mind, Major?”
    â€œNot yet,” Jake replied. “But when the time comes, I want you to be a part of it. If you are willing.”
    Clay stood up, saluted, then stuck his hand across the desk. “I would be honored,” he said.
    â€œClay, until the time comes, this is between us,” Jake cautioned.
    â€œRight, sir.” Clay put the forms back in the envelope. “I guess that, in addition to rounding up these items, I should also find a secure place to store them.”
    â€œI think that would be a very good idea,” Jake said.
    â€œI’ll get right on it,” Clay said.
    The telephone rang and Jake picked it up. “Environmental, Major Lantz.”
    â€œJake, have you seen the news this morning?” Karin asked.
    â€œNo, what has happened now?”
    â€œOhmshidi has turned Yamaninan over to the Islamic Republic of Yazikistan.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou have a TV in your office?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œTurn it on. Ohmshidi is speaking now.”
    â€œAll right, thanks.” Jake held his hand up to stop Clay from leaving.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Clay asked.
    â€œWait. Before you go, you might want to see this,” Jake said. He picked up the remote and clicked on the TV that was mounted on a stand high in the corner of the room. The president was talking.

    By extending our hand in peace, by proclaiming to the people and the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Yazikistan that we mean them no harm, I am taking the first step in building a bridge of understanding between our two cultures. It is a bridge that I am certain will pay incalculable dividends.
    While some of you might consider Abdullah Ibrahim Yamaninan a terrorist, to the people of Yazikistan, this brave man is a hero who was willing to give his own life for the cause that is so dear to his country. All of us cannot help but admire someone who has the courage and dedication to give that last full measure of devotion to his country and to his cause.
    It is my sincere belief that this incident, which resulted only in injury to Yamaninan, offers us the perfect opportunity to end the hostility between us. Therefore I am returning Yamaninan to his country, along with a note of admiration for his courage and dedication. For too long now, there has been enmity between us, an enmity created by conflicting religious views. Now is the time for religious mythology to be assigned to its proper place so that secular humanity can rule our activities.
    Thank you, and good night.

    Ohmshidi’s picture left the screen to be replaced by Carl Wilson, an anchorman for World Cable News.

    This is Carl Wilson. We have just heard the president announce that Abdullah Ibrahim Yamaninan, the terrorist who tried to blow up an airliner over New York, will be returned to Yazikistan. In the studio with me now is Lawrence Prescott, former head of the Yazikistan office for the CIA. Mr. Prescott, your thoughts?
    My thoughts ? I will be honest with you, Carl. If I shared my sincere thoughts with you, we would be taken off the air. If someone were to write a manual on what not to do when dealing with these people, this would be principle number one.
    The Middle Easterner on the street sees negotiation of any kind as a sign of weakness. And this? Turning over a suicide bomber—or rather a would-be suicide bomber to the country that launched the attack, without any concessions? This isn’t negotiation. This is surrender.
    Â 
    And, where do you think this will lead?
    It can only lead to catastrophe. Look, Yazikistan has let it be known that they want a nuclear weapon, and they are willing to pay any amount of money to get it. The country is wealthy in oil money, and unlike America, or any western nation, the oil