Free Rolling Thunder (2007) by Jack - Seals 04 Terral Page A

hey?
    Evidently, Watson commented. They want to adopt the more civilized tactic of launching well-planned attacks on their enemy to inflict the most casualties possible while keeping their own losses to a minimum.
    Joplin glanced at Entienne. Are we to assume the President is deeply concerned about this?
    That would be a correct assumption, Carl, she replied.
    I suppose he's worried about the Israelis getting extra antsy about these latest events, Joplin said. They are just about a quick breath away from military action against Iran as it is.
    That's been quite apparent, Entienne said. They think we're soft on Tehran. However, as of now, the Mossad knows nothing of this new development. At least, we don't think they do.
    Colonel Turnbull was becoming impatient with the rambling conversation when something important obviously needed to be discussed. He glanced at Watson. How about giving us one concise but informative statement to describe this situation before we drown ourselves in details.
    Sure, Watson said. The Iranian military or certain elements of same have launched a holy war using foreign, that is, non-Iranian, Muslims to do the fighting. These, of course, would be Shiites, the prevalent branch of Islam in Iran. He paused before speaking again. Now, with the colonel's permission, I will be a bit wordier. Please permit me to say that we know a force of Arab mujahideen has been built up by Iranian Army officers. This outfit is now beyond the cadre stage. There are fully equipped and manned units. However, we don't know the types, number, personnel strength, or equipment. That goes for their training and garrison centers. All that must be found out.
    Mmm, Joplin mused. There seems to be no doubt of the existence of this Jihad organization. So what's the CIA's take on this thing?
    That it's a very real threat and we've got to stay up to date on what's going on, Watson said.
    Colonel Turnbull scowled. Being kept up to date won't get us shit. We got to get one step ahead of the game. If not, we're going to be playing in the dark.
    Arlene Entienne spoke up. Carl, who is your Iranian connection?
    Saviz Kahnani, Joplin replied. But don't you think it's a little too early for me to make any contact with him?
    Agreed, Entienne said. But the President wants you to drop everything and sit tight until you need to have a tete-a-tete with your Iranian friend.
    Turnbull snorted at the French expression as sissified. What is this? Bareback Mountain?
    It was Brokeback Mountain, Entienne said. And the President has a job for you and your staff, John.
    Please tell me in pure unadulterated English, Arlene.
    You are to instruct all SPECOPS units in the Middle East to keep their eyes and ears open to glean intelligence on the Iranian connection. The President wants every operation out there to have a secondary mission of scoping out the latest on this developing situation.
    Then that's what's going to happen, Turnbull promised. The word will go out to Station Bravo in Bahrain tonight.
    Also, Shelor Field in Afghanistan and the USS Combs wherever she might be.
    She's in the Arabian Sea, as a matter of fact, Watson said. At any rate, while Colonel Turnbull gets things rolling through SPECOPS, we in the CIA will be using our own organization and various personnel, i.e., agents, moles, and informants, to see what we can dig up.
    Who is the central contact for all of us? Joplin asked.
    Me, Entienne said. She glanced at Turnbull. Li'l ol' me!
    Well, boil me in gumbo and call me Bubba, Turnbull said, grinning.
    .
    CHEHAAR GARRISON
    EASTERN IRAN
    1830 HOURS
    THE armored cars were aligned for inspection in the proper company formation with the platoons on line. Each vehicle had been carefully and thoroughly washed and scrubbed with the insides vacuumed free of dust and dirt. The machine guns atop the turrets had also been given a complete cleaning after being field-stripped. Light coats of oil were applied to each part as the weapons were