JULY 16, ‘25 // One by one, the long line of black limousines, the typical vehicle used by people in the government’s hierarchy, passed through the guarded gates of the White House. The newspaper reporters watched them enter and wondered what was going on. Several rushed to report back to their editors that the attack against Afghanistan would most likely begin that evening. The limousines entered the underground parking lot. Instead of entering the western wing of the building and heading upstairs to the President’s office, the subdued group quietly made its way downstairs to the basement, into the strategy meeting room. The National Security Advisor (NSA) was sitting at the head of the table, with the Secretary of State to her right and the Secretary of Defense on her left. The NSA looked around the long table, waiting for all the seats to be occupied before beginning the meeting. She began with a thunderbolt. “I have received Recap: Rachamim and Naomi are reunited with their sons. Bin Laden tells a dormant agent that the time has come for him to act. CHAPTER 33 reliable information about a high ranking member of al Qaeda who is presently located in this part of the world.” The room became charged with excitement. The implication was clear: another attack was imminent. “There is no immediate danger,” she cautioned. “According to the information we have, he is just in the beginning stages of creating a terrorist base.” “That’s not enough,” the FBI director said angrily. The events of September 11 had taught him not to rely on information provided by informants. He had learned the hard way that every piece of information must be thoroughly investigated. “This information could be six months out of date. An attack could be on its way here already!” The NSA kept her cool. She turned to the soldier standing at her side, holding a heavy folder. “Distribute the documents,” she ordered. The soldier removed a stack of white files with the insignia of the National Security Board embossed on their covers. Underneath the insignia 178
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