JULY 16, ‘25 // “This photograph was stored in our computerized database. As I said before, our experts did not invest their time in examining the photos of Mexico, so they never noticed the differences. After we received information about a Mexican terrorist base, they reviewed the photos and noticed the differences between the pictures taken two years ago and the present photographs. They focused the satellite camera on the area, and discerned openings leading into artificial caves that must have been built in the last one and a half years. Please turn the page to see something interesting.” The room was once again filled with the sound of turning pages. Several people let out a spontaneous yelp of surprise when they saw how the openings to the caves were constructed. The white lines were in the same spot as in the previous photographs, but there was a difference in one detail. In the white areas showing the artificial rocks, the white was darker in four separate spots. It looked like a shadow. “The openings were built under a stone overhang,” the NSA explained. “That way, it fits in perfectly with the other artificial rocks. Someone looking at this photograph would assume that the white lines were natural stones. It was only after we received the information about the military base being built here that we noticed the openings. The terrorists must have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy in concealing this base from our satellite, and, as I explained before, they knew how to go about doing it.” “There’s no doubt,” the Secretary of Defense added, “that these people are extremely dangerous. They invested tremendous time, energy and thought into creating this terrorist stronghold.” “In that case,” the FBI director said, trying to keep his voice calm, “how can you be so certain that they aren’t yet ready to strike?” The mixture of pressure and public criticism had taken a heavy toll on the FBI director. He was beginning to lose his patience. For the last few days, all his thoughts and efforts had been centered on how to prevent another terrorist attack against the United States. His staff had detained over a thousand people for various minor offenses— which, under normal circumstances, would almost certainly have been overlooked. Now, however, any affiliation to Islam and possible connection to al Qaeda was considered suspect and investigated thoroughly. “We’re keeping the base under constant surveillance,” the NSA said coolly, “to prevent any surprises. I’m not that concerned about it. I am far more concerned about the military bases that we do not know about.” A sharp retort was on the tip of the FBI director’s tongue. He felt she was treating the problem much too lightly. “That, of course, brings us to the purpose of this meeting,” the NSA went on. “We need to decide on a course of action concerning this base.” She turned around to face the Secretary of Defense. “I’ll let the Defense Secretary finish chairing this session, to let you in on his plan.” The Defense Secretary was on his feet even before the NSA sat down. “I have here a detailed plan to destroy this terrorist cell. Obviously, a major part of the plan is to capture Abu Salim and bring him here alive so he can provide us with crucial information.” “Abu Salim?” The cry erupted from everyone in the room. They all knew he was bin Laden’s chief assistant, second only to al Zawahiri. “Abu Salim is presently in charge of the Mexican base,” the Secretary of Defense confirmed. “We were given this information by our informant, a former high-ranking member of al Qaeda, and it was later confirmed through photographs taken by the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft. Abu Salim grew careless.” He smiled slightly. “He removed his hat just in time for the pilotless Global Hawk to snap his picture. We were clearly able to identify Abu Salim among the terrorists.” “So what’s the next step?” the FBI director asked. “A team of twenty hand-picked soldiers from one of our elite units is currently undergoing specialized training. The primary objective is to abduct Abu Salim and bring him safely back to the United States. Once that’s accomplished, we’ll destroy the base.” “Why don’t we tell the Mexicans about the operation, or at the very least, ask them for permission to operate in their country?” asked Martin Okner, an aide to the Secretary of State. The FBI director and the Defense Secretary traded glances that spoke volumes. “This is a 180
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