Rolling Thunder (2007) s-4 Read online

  I shall take care of that, Sikes Pasha.

  Good, Sikes said. By the way, how d'you say 'major' in Farsi?

  Sargord, Khadid answered.

  They continued down the narrow trail to the village without further conversation.

  Chapter 15

  STATE DEPARTMENT

  JOPLIN'S OFFICE

  WASHINGTON, D.C.

  30 APRIL

  1130 HOURS

  UNDERSECRETARY of State Carl Joplin's meeting with the Iranian charge d'affaires Saviz Kahnani was a follow-up to the session between the two gentlemen at the Bonhomme Richard Club on 24 April. This change of venue was an indication that the situation had become more serious. But it was not yet of such a grave nature that the U.S. Secretary of State, the Foreign Minister of Iran, or the two nations' ambassadors would become overtly involved.

  Joplin and Kahnani had settled at a small table in one corner of the former's office for the session. Neither had a briefcase, notes, or any other sort of documents or maps in their possession. Joplin opened the session by reiterating that the President of the United States was now even more concerned about Iranian policies in the Middle East. Particularly where local insurgencies were concerned.

  In spite of the increase in tension, Kahnani was relaxed and much at ease. Although not fully briefed, the embassy military attache had enlightened the diplomat enough to give him a feeling of confidence. My dear Carl, I am not aware of how the American government has obtained that erroneous information, but let me assure you that the Iranian government is not organizing an army of Arab insurgents in a grand scheme to conquer that part of the world.

  Our intelligence services report to the contrary, Saviz.

  It is true that we are aiding our Shiite brothers in Iraq, Kahnani said. But only in their struggles against the Sunnis. We do not publicize this, but obviously your intelligence has discovered those activities and arrived at erroneous conclusions concerning the true motives behind them. And if you make mention of it in the media, we will deny the fact for reasons of international sensitivity. But allow me to state emphatically that we will not tolerate atrocities committed by religious rivals against those Muslims who practice their faith in the same manner we do. In other words, we are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Shiites in Iraq.

  This was one of those candid moments in diplomacy when explicit understandings and previous agreements limit the number of persons who would be informed of the exchanged information. This gave both Joplin and Kahnani more latitude in expressing themselves.

  Joplin continued his dissertation, saying, The United States government is concerned that the Iranians are encouraging a civil war in Iraq. And this could well expand to other Arab nations.

  Kahnani shrugged. This aid program came about from the bombing of the Shiite shrine in Iraq. And Tehran does not have alliances with Shiites in any other country. Such activities are handled by our clergy and involve only religious matters.

  Much, if not most, of Islamic activity involves violence! Joplin said sharply.

  I resent the implication our faith propagates warfare and murder! Kahnani shot back.

  The Chehaar Garrison in eastern Iran has been closed, Joplin said. This coincides with the defeat of an invasion force that came out of Iran and into Afghanistan. It was a unit of armored cars that suffered heavy casualties.

  Chehaar is an abandoned military site that has not been occupied for at least five years, Kahnani insisted. It is nothing but rusting Quonset huts sitting on the edge of a salt marsh. The idea that a detachment of armored cars has been lately stationed there is absurd. I would even hesitate to pass on your statement to my ambassador.

  That particular unit was commanded by a deserter from the British Army, Joplin said. His men were all Arabs Shiites, to be exact, from several Middle Eastern countries and quite a few of them were killed. The survivors were reorganized into a small infantry unit and left Chehaar. They went to northwestern Afghanistan.

  I cannot accept any of that, Carl. It is data that has been fabricated in a most preposterous manner.

  There are two sorts of insurgents using that particular area for hiding, Joplin continued, unaffected by the denial. Taliban and disaffected Pashtuns. American intelligence surmises the Arabs from Chehaar joined one of those two groups. Common sense tells us it was the Pashtuns.

  Kahnani chuckled. The idea that a British deserter is commanding a small armored-car unit under the direction of the Iranian government is ludicrous. I stick to my opinion that somebody is making up a story to alarm you Americans.

  The Englishman's name is Archibald Sikes, Joplin said. British MI-Five has given us a full dossier on him.

  Well, if this mysterious Englishman is working for Iran, why in the world would he and his Arab chums go to Afghanistan to live among Pashtuns?

  Because this particular group of Pashtuns are being encouraged, bribed, and equipped by the Iranian Army. Obviously, an insurgency in Afghanistan is part of your big picture.

  Conjecture! Kahnani exclaimed. And a poor example of it at that!

  We desire for you to report back to your ambassador and inform him that the United States is fully aware of the Iranian plot to organize both Arab and Pashtun insurrections in the Middle East, Joplin insisted. We demand it be brought to an immediate halt.

  What about our nuclear activities that irritate you so much? Kahnani asked. Has the United States government grown bored with that old song and dance?

  That is still very much on our collective minds, Joplin said. And I can assure you it remains part of our agenda in dealing with the Iranian government. But as of this moment, we will concern ourselves with your nation's contacts among Arab terrorist groups.

  Very well, Kahnani said. I will pass your message to the ambassador and he will inform Tehran forthwith.

  Excellent! Joplin said. He looked at his watch. Where would you like to go for lunch, Saviz?

  Mmm, the Iranian mused. I was thinking of that Italian place over on C Street.

  Ah! Mario's, eh? Joplin said. Y'know, I just happen to be in the mood for some of his lasagna.

  It's spaghetti and meatballs with a side dish of sausage for me, Kahnani said. Shall we go?

  After you, my friend.

  The two men got their hats and left the office.

  .

  PASHTUN STRONGHOLD

  GHARAWDARA HIGHLANDS

  THE Pashtuns' reaction to having Arsalaan Sikes Pasha appointed their leader was one of calm acceptance. The men all admired Sikes's leadership skills, and none of them felt capable of taking over the planning and execution of complicated operations involving a lot of men. The leaders among them were in charge of small units, or had specific talents that made them commanders of specific types of missions or weapons mortars, Stinger AA launchers, etc. There were a few reservations because Sikes was an Englishman and not a Pashtun, but at least he was a Muslim. Nobody stepped forward with any serious objections, and that was pretty much all it took to ratify Sikes's appointment.

  Sikes's newly assigned interpreter was a fourteen-year-old boy by the name of Malyar Lodhi. He spoke excellent English, Dari, French, and of course Pashto. He had gone to the same school in Kandahar as his leader, Yama Orakzai. In fact, it had been Orakzai Mesher who chose him out of all the other boys to get an education and return to the mountains an enlightened young man ready to take up a meaningful leadership position within the group. Unfortunately, Malyar's mathematical instructor in the sixth form at the Kandahar school was a bad-tempered New Zealander who ran his classes under his own rules and regulations. This rather large man was prone to spontaneous outbursts of rage that were the worst in the insti-tution's long history. The only reason he wasn't fired was because of the difficulty in attracting teachers to Afghanistan.

  One day, he caught Malyar staring out the window during a lecture on algebraic formulae. The boy was gazing to the north toward his home mountains, wishing he were back in the Gharawdara Highlands, mind
ing goats with his pals. When the teacher noted the youngster's inattention, he strode rapidly to his desk and pulled him to his feet. Then he slapped the boy's face.

  Pashtuns believe in always being armed, and Malyar was no exception. He was never without the small qasab knife in a sheath in the pants waist of his school uniform. This was a tool normally used to strip the last bits of meat off the bones of animals, but Malyar used it on that memorable day to cut into, then across, the New Zealander's ample belly. Fortunately, all that fat protected the victim, but he immediately began bellowing and shrieking like a wounded ox. Eight years of schooling went into the toilet as Malyar made a quick exit through the nearest window despite the fact that he was on the second floor. The young Pashtun hit the ground, rolled, then leaped to his feet and started running north as fast as he could.

  Malyar endured six weeks of flight and evasion following the bloody event, with several harrowing close calls during searches conducted by soldiers and police. But he managed to slip through the nets and reached the foothills, where he began a determined climb into the high country. He made it to the stronghold despite a lack of food and rest. When he explained what had happened, Orakzai forgave him and sent him home to his parents. He chose another boy to replace the fugitive at the school, but when the lad reached Kandahar, he was told no more Pashtun boys from Gharawdara would be accepted as students. The New Zealander's wound had required more than a hundred stitches to close it, and other teachers were seriously concerned for their safety if other lads from the same clan came to study at the institution.

  Now working for the new leader Sikes Pasha, Malyar accompanied him wherever he went. The first thing Sikes wanted to check out were the defenses. He found them more than adequate in both the protection they afforded as well as the camouflaging techniques to keep them concealed from view. The Pashtuns had learned much during the war with the Soviets.

  Every mujahideen was armed with a well-kept AK-47 assault rife with cleaning tools and spare barrels. Everyone was well versed in the care and maintenance of the weapons as well as the need for having a good stock of ammunition on hand. They weren't the most accurate of shooters, but modern warfare consisted mostly of putting out a lot of firepower to keep the enemy pinned down while the attackers maneuvered to close with them.

  However, there was a problem with the heavy weapons that the Englishman had not expected. In fact, the difficulty belied all previous information about the stronghold's support capabilities. The mortars and machine guns were all well maintained and operational, but the problem was the different types and calibers. Sikes Pasha discovered there were three different types of mortars: Soviet M-1937 82-millimeters, Soviet M-1943 120-millimeters, and Spanish ECIA 60-millimeters. The machine guns were just as varied, with 5.56-millimeters, 7.62-millimeters, and 12.7-millimeters in models from four different nations. There was also a Soviet ZU 23-millimeter twin antiaircraft gun. Even though this miscellaneous mix was troubling, it was not pressing at the moment, because there was no ammunition available no matter what the type.

  Another perplexing situation was that the organization of the mujahideen was inconstant and fluid. If a man had the necessary skills for certain weapons, he generally preferred to serve them. But, for example, Sikes found that many times during past operations, trained mortarmen would tire of the complexities of setting up and sighting in the weapons. There were also the heavy base plates and tubes that had to be lugged around. This was particularly vexing when having to move up and down the steep ridges of the Gharawdara Highlands. When it all got to be too much, the gunners would unilaterally decide to serve as riflemen for a while. Naturally, due to the Pashtuns' instinctively casual attitudes, this was done without informing anyone or seeking permission. Consequently, there had been times when a field commander called for fire support and there were no men or weapons to provide any.

  .

  CAPTAIN KHADID'S QUARTERS

  1 MAY

  1300 HOURS

  SIKES Pasha and Malyar Lodhi presented themselves at the entrance of Khadid's cave after an entire morning of inspections, observations, and interviewing among the Pashtun mujahideen. The Iranian SF officer had been waiting for their arrival, and his young wife Mahzala had prepared refreshments for the meeting.

  When the two visitors entered the dwelling, they noted the large Iranian flag mounted on the wall. Western-style tables and chairs for dining augmented the traditional Pashtun pillows and landi mez tables where one sat on the floor for snacks and coffee. Khadid's wife had set one with samosas and puri, a fried bread. She had also included small bags of potato chips and cans of Pepsi.

  Sikes thought the choice of food slightly irregular, but the chips intrigued him. Where'd you get them crisps then?

  The same place I obtained the Pepsi, Khadid said. Well, let's settle down and discuss the findings from your tour.

  After seating himself on a pillow, Sikes wasted no time in grabbing a bag of potato chips. He ripped it open and reached in to grab a handful. Malyar snapped open a can of Pepsi. Khadid had already eaten, and he waited as his guests took their first bites.

  Sikes took a sip of the soda. It's a bluddy shame we got no ice, hey? Oh, well, there you are then.

  Malyar, who had gotten used to cold drinks while at the boarding school, observed Pashtun decorum by making no mention of the warm Pepsi. Sikes set the can down. The field fortifications here are up to snuff. These Pashtos is real good at setting up a defense.

  They learned well during their war with the Soviets, Khadid remarked.

  And well they should, Sikes said. And they're right soldierlike with them AK-47s. Got 'em clean as a whistle and shiny as a new penny, yeah? I noticed there's lots o' ammo for 'em and that's good. But I think we should see that all the lads has got pistols. Something like Beretta autos, know what I mean? Nine-millimeter.

  Mmm, Khadid said, nodding.

  But there ain't no bleeding fire support around here, Sikes complained. I mean, they got machine guns and mortars, but there's too many different types. And there ain't as much as a single bluddy round for any of 'em. Nobody tole me one fucking thing about that.

  Mmm, Khadid said again.

  And there ain't nearly enough Stingers, Sikes continued. If we go up against the Yanks and we most certainly will one day we're gonna need antiaircraft. O'course, there's that great bloody Russian double-barrel job, but that can't be lugged around these mountains, can it?

  It is actually a trophy from a raid on a Soviet advanced post, Khadid said. There is quite a story of how they struggled with it up and down mountain ridges before getting it back here.

  Wot a waste o' manpower, Sikes said. He bit into a samosa. Right then. So now we got to get the ol' ball rolling. The first thing is to decide what sort of mortars and machine guns we're gonna have, then get plenty of ammo for 'em, yeah?

  Khadid shook his head. We are not anywhere near ready to be worrying about such things.

  Sikes's temper snapped. Shit! How the hell are we supposed to carry on a decent war without the proper tools? You explain that to me, hey?

  We are not going to conduct a 'war,' Khadid said. We are going to continue our present activities until further notice.

  I ain't seen no bluddy activities except when we sprung that ambush and hit that village!

  We are escorting caravans through the Afghanistan mountains and across Iran into Turkey, Khadid explained calmly. As a matter of fact, they provide the contacts where we get such luxury items as potato chips and Pepsi.

  What are them blokes lugging around?

  The cargo is the dried powder made from opium poppies.

  So you're telling me we're running drugs, Sikes said.

  Yes, Khadid replied. And for a very good reason. We are making plenty of money with this activity. The funds are going to be used to buy those weapons we need from your compatriot Harry Turpin. A large down payment has been made to him and he is busy arranging for the weaponry.

  What sort o' weapo
nry?

  Let me think, Khadid said. He was pensive for a moment before continuing. French FA-MAS five-point-six millimeter bullpup rifles...Russian seven-point-six-two PK machine guns...Spanish sixty-millimeter Model L mortars... American Stinger antiaircraft missiles...and that is the lot.

  Not bad a'tall, Sikes said. But how'd you get the Yanks to part with them Stingers?

  They were left behind in Afghanistan by the American CIA, Khadid explained. Evidently, the Taliban were short of cash and made arrangements for them to be sold to Mr. Harry Turpin.

  Sikes laughed. That sly old bastard! Now he's delivered 'em back to Afghanistan and made a bluddy big profit on 'em too.

  I wouldn't be surprised, Khadid said. So you can forget any active warfare now, Sikes Pasha. You shall escort opium caravans instead.

  Gawd! You mean with bleeding camels?

  Khadid shook his head. I believe the smugglers prefer modern transport trucks. They also use machine-gun-mounted Toyota pickup trucks for protection.

  Alright then, I'll bide me time, Sikes said. Say! Could I have another bag o' them crisps?

  Chapter 16

  PASHTUN STRONGHOLD

  HOUSE OF GHAZAN BARAKZAI

  2 MAY

  1500 HOURS

  ARCHIE Sikes sat cross-legged on the thick carpet with three other men: Captain Naser Khadid, Jandol Kakar, and Ghazan Barakzai. The boy Malyar Lodhi knelt on his knees behind Sikes, acting as translator. Off in one corner, with their parunay head scarves held demurely across the lower parts of their faces, were Barakzai's wife and his thirteen-year-old daughter Banafsha, who was the subject of the conversation among the males.

  Kakar had been appointed Sikes' personal aide only the day before by the Pashtun leader, Orakzai. He was a thirty-year-old mujahideen whose natural leadership had put him in several positions of authority and responsibility over the years. Sikes had pondered the problem of a title for Kakar. Such things were important to the young Brit in his combination fantasy/pragmatic life. At first, he was going to make him a sergeant major, except he already had one. After turning the matter over in his mind, Sikes decided that, as a pasha, what he needed was an adjutant. And that was the title he bestowed on the young mujahideen.