Free Tehran Decree by James Scorpio

our good
fortune. This is a two pronged opportunity that Allah has
bequeathed us -- it is a chance to test my latest manual methods
and the best reason to do so -- we have been chosen to catch a
president. Grab yourself a weapon and lets get on with it.’
    Sharezi went through four hours of training in the
outback, blindly following his terrorist commander, it was to be
the first of many more training sessions in the Top End
hinterland.

    Chapter Fourteen

    The document IN-Tray was bulging on the US vice
president’s desk and the house phone buzzed. Jenkins looked at the
pile of files and grimaced; there were more files than normal and
he suspected a rush had been instituted to get run-of-the-mill
documents out of the way before president Garner’s return to duty.
It was a known, and an assumed fact, that the vice president was
not as clued-up as the president on most current political matters,
and a covert procedure was often instituted to go around him.
    The internal phone beeped and he plucked the receiver
from its rest.
    ‘Hello, vice president.’
    ‘Steadman sir...message from the CIA office Iraq. One
of the captured insurgents has broken.’
    ‘No kidding...and his nationality?’
    ‘He’s Iranian sir, after ten hours of internment he’s
revealed that the Supreme Leader of Iran is promulgating a new
decree.’
    ‘I see, what methods of persuasion were the CIA
using?’
    ‘The usual interrogation techniques sir,’ Jenkins
laughed and brushed his hair back with his open hand.
    ‘Really...anything significant?’
    ‘We have had some very useful results sir.’
    ‘I’ll bet you have...fill me in.’
    ‘Well sir, you’re not going to believe this...but the
man has revealed in depth, details of the decree.’
    ‘I see, what are these mysterious details Colin?’
Steadman looked up from his second cup of coffee.
    ‘There’s a restriction order on them sir.’
    ‘What sort of restriction?’
    ‘It’s marked for the presidents eyes only, he has
given strict orders for data of this type to be held over until his
return...please don’t ask me to overlook it sir.’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous, this could be an emergancy and
the president isn’t here...I am the acting president, therefore I’m
instructing you to release the details -- bring the document here
immediately.’
    ‘Garner won’t like it sir...shouldn’t we at least
contact him?’
    ‘No...you’re talking to the current president, and if
you don’t release the information I’ll have you removed from duty,’
Steadman grimaced, turned off his cell phone and thought for a
moment, then picked up a slim, A4 manila envelope from his
restricted tray and grudgingly walked the short distance into
Jenkin’s office, placing the folder on his desk. Jenkins smiled
impishly.
    It had been clear since the early beginnings of the
presidency that a rift existed between Garner and Jenkins. The
president had given Jenkins the vice presidents job as a means of
placating the ambitious senator; knowing full well that his powers
would be muted. He was now beginning to realise that this was a
grave mistake, Jenkin’s had shown himself to be cunning, devious,
and opportunistic. A political hot potato, as Garner often referred
to him behind his back -- he was a man who had his own agenda and
could not be trusted to toe the line. In response Garner had
instituted a hidden procedural schedule within the White House
protocol before he left in an attempt to keep Jenkins out of the
loop.
    The vice president smiled mischievously at the
secretary of state.
    ‘Thank you Colin, I trust you’ll keep me informed of
all matters requiring the president’s attention from now on,
otherwise, it’ll be your head on a platter,’ Steadman concealed a
disparaging smile.
    ‘Of course sir, that goes without saying,’ Jenkins
waited until Steadman returned to his office then opened the
envelope.

    Chapter Fifteen

    Jenkins perused the restricted document in awe, it
not only