Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [66]
Again, the room erupted in cheers, though the American president’s health situation was not new news—his announcement was all over the Riyadh news stations. Mustafa hated to break up the party, but there was much to do now and little time to do it.
“My brothers, please,” he implored, “we don’t have a minute to waste. Listen carefully: the launch will commence tomorrow morning, 27 September, at 0300 hours—approximately eighteen hours from now. Unless one of you has compelling reasons why our plan cannot be launched at this time, it will be our hour of destiny.”
Everyone in the room fell silent as the reality of the situation clouded their euphoria.
“Prince Mustafa,” asked a skeptical Prince Bawarzi, “we were hoping to have two days, not eighteen hours, to make the final preparations. Can we not use the original two-day framework?”
“Prince Bawarzi,” Mustafa responded, trying hard to disguise his irritation, “the element of surprise is worth the few hours’ time we sacrifice. We must strike now, before our government or the infidels have time to adjust to new leadership. We are at grave risk of being discovered and must either stand down or attack. I’ve opted for the latter: if we stand down now, it will be for a very long time.”
The room quieted as the men considered the change in schedule. Prince Hahad ibn Saud took the opportunity to begin his report. “I have some good news. The king and top members of the house of Saud are convening in Riyadh for a major strategic planning conference. I know where they will be staying, and in fact I just left one of the light-infantry battalions of the Royal Guards assigned to provide security for the entire gathering. We could not have asked for more favorable timing for a single devastating blow.”
“Wonderful news,” affirmed Prince Mustafa amidst the others’ loud cheers. “It is another sign that our timing must be right. Upon leaving this meeting,” Mustafa continued, “I will instruct the Unit 22 commando teams to move out immediately and take up positions for the attack. They’ll commence the process of eliminating key government and military leaders at 0300 hours sharp. As discussed, they have been equipped with weapons and ID linking them with the CIA and Zionist forces on which we will place the blame. Loyalist forces will be less likely to oppose us if we are seen as fighting a common enemy together. The threat of such infiltration will become our imperative for the cleansing measures we will take following the coup.”
“Now, why am I telling you something you already know?” asked Mustafa. “I say this because you must never forget: we must not—I repeat not—position our initial actions as a jihad we initiated, but rather as a jihad in response to the CIA/Zionist-led overthrow attempt. Our jihad will be declared after the royal Saudi government has been taken out. The overthrow of the regime must be seen as something we courageously responded to—not started. Am I absolutely clear on this?” Nods and murmured agreements answered his question, and Prince Mustafa continued.
“The Unit 22 teams responsible for implanting the dirty bombs in the oil fields will be wearing the uniforms of the elite 15th Armored Brigade and carry special orders from Prince Bawarzi to protect the oil fields. Any opposition they encounter will be eliminated on the spot. Timely deployment is critical; the Unit 22 air transport will be available, General Ali Jabar?” It was more of an order than a question.
Ali Jabar answered in the affirmative, and they spent the next half hour confirming force deployments and timetables. Prince Bawarzi declared his 15th Armored Brigade would begin securing airports, roads, and communication facilities at 1500 hours that very day under the guise of a military alert exercise conducted to assess the rapid deployment performance of his troops. Similar units in Jeddah and other cities and ports would be ready to move by midnight. Mullah al-Harazi said his people would disseminate information on the heroic fight against the CIA/Zionist-led coup to all schools