Chapter 20 Chapter 18 The Last Plane Departs

The next short-haul round-trip flight left early.It was the third and final business jet to be recalled from Europe, with its dispatched crew ready three hours earlier, marking the first Gulfstream to fly to Baghdad to carry The other two generals then returned.Bedian sees himself more as a travel agent or dispatcher than a diplomat, in his unusual role.He just hoped it wouldn't take too long.Passengers on the last flight could be in danger because it's the last flight. But it's not known which one is the last one, is it?That last flight might leave under tracer bullets, leaving the people on the ground to clean up the mess, and Bedian knew he would be one of them, he shrugged, life has adventures, and He has been well compensated.They told him another plane would arrive in three hours and a fourth would arrive in five hours.There would be ten or eleven planes in all, and if the timetable was to go by, it might take another three days, and those three days seemed like a lifetime.

Outside the airport, the Iraqi army was still on the streets, and the conscripts, even the elite guards, must have been there for days, going about their boring, purposeless routine.They shuffle around, smoke, and start asking what the hell is going on?There will be no answer.The Master Chiefs would tell them to do their duty, then the company commander, then the battalion commander, up to the Supreme Commander, who would tell the questioner to shut up.In the army one should feel something fermenting, like a thorn in the foot, and if the thorn is dirty, the infection will spread throughout the body and kill.The generals should know such things, but they don't know anything, because the generals here have grown so stupid that they have forgotten everything.They forget that villas, servants, and cars are not sacred inheritances but temporary conveniences, and they fear Tayelan more than their own countrymen.

The seat on the right side of the cabin was still wet, where the general's youngest daughter was sitting.A few minutes ago, the general was in command of the 4th Guards Division, and now he was negotiating with a fellow Air Force colleague.The child felt the moisture linger on her hands and licked her fingers suspiciously until her mother asked her to wash her hands.It was less tense now, and according to reports from Khartoum, everything was normal there, with a platoon of Sudanese soldiers guarding the large house they were assigned.The generals decided to donate a large amount of wealth to that country to ensure their current safety and hope that they will not have to stay in that country for too long.Their intelligence chief is still in Baghdad and is on the phone to establish various contacts with various countries to find them a permanent safe house.Switzerland?They are curious.In terms of climate and cultural conditions, it is a cold country, but it is very safe. For wealthy investors, it is a country suitable for anonymity.

Who in there owns three Gulfstreams? Lieutenant, the plane is registered in Switzerland.Major Sabah said he had only just learned of the incident.Photos taken from Khartoum have organic tail numbers, so they can be easily retrieved from computer databases.He went from page to page, trying to find out who owned the plane.Its owner is a joint venture company.They have three of these planes, and some smaller turbo-propulsion planes, which they use to fly Europe.We'll have to do further checks to learn more about the company.Someone is always going to check, but it only finds the surface.They will find that the company has a medium-sized account with a commercial bank and a law firm to ensure strict compliance with local laws; Keep it organized; the company won't be in trouble because Switzerland doesn't bother with people who keep money in their banks and act according to the law.

Sabah thought that although he knew the first two men, and probably knew the two men who were currently being transported, it would be pleasant to have them in front of a trial bench, especially in Kuwait. In any case, the incoming generals were more of a concern than those leaving, and that was what the major was worried about. Well, I'm afraid that was a bad show for Mr. Wren, Ed.First, Dr. Brittanon has been an industry official since he was elected to office, Kirti said in an interview on the noon news.I was there when he made it out, and I was there when he refused to be considered for a senior government job. I figured he could stay where he was making his money.He was a man of talent, and an excellent engineer, Kirti smiled forgivingly, but he was not fit to be Minister of Defense.He shook his head emphatically.

What do you think President Wren's position on abortion is? CNN's Barry asked. The problem, Barry, is that he's not really the President of the United States at all, Kirti replied in a soft and methodical tone, which is the first thing we need to know.His statements in the news room were contradictory, ill-considered, and clearly lacked public understanding.Abortion regulations are the law of the country, that's all he can say.It is not necessary for the president to like those laws, but he must enforce them.Of course, for any public servant not to understand how the American people see it reflects not only his insensitivity to women's power to choose, but his incompetence.Wren just listened to his staff tell him what to say, but he didn't even do that.He's a cannon that fires indiscriminately, Kierti concluded, and we don't need someone like that in the White House.

But you claim a raised hand coldly stopped the reporter. Barry, that's not a claim, it's a fact.I never resigned, I never left the position of vice president, so when RogerWhen Dooling dies, I shall be President.This is exactly what we need to do now, Mr. Wren, if he still cares about his country, should organize a judicial jury to resolve this constitutional issue and decide who is really the President of the United States.If Mr Wren doesn't do that, then he's putting his private interests ahead of the national ones.Now, I must emphasize that I have complete confidence in Jack.Ryan will act with his conscience because he is a respectable person, and he was a brave person in the past, but unfortunately he is now confused, just like what we saw at the press conference this morning.

A sanctimonious look.Jack, said Van Damme, and lowered his voice, how capable do you think he is? Ryan almost stood up from his chair.Bastard, Arnie, I've said it, and said it three or four times that's the law, and I can't break it.I've said it! Remember how I told you to control your temper when you lose your temper?The chief of staff waited for Ryan's face to calm down before raising his voice again. Most troubling, however, and Kirti now speaks, is Wren's appointment to the Supreme Court.Clearly he was trying to change a lot of things.The experimental project is on the issue of abortion and appointing only serious constitutional scholars to the Supreme Court.It makes one feel like he wants to overthrow the established system and who knows what else?Unfortunately, we have discovered that a president in this position wields boundless power, especially in the courts.Barry, Ryan really didn't know what to do.He doesn't understand, but we've already learned what he wants to do. It's scary, isn't it?

Arnie, am I on another planet?Jack asked, I never said any experimental projects, nor did I say any serious constitutional scholars, that's what the reporter said. Jack, it's not what you say, it's what people hear. So how much damage do you think President Wren will do?Barry asked on TV.Van Damme shook his head in admiration.Kierti is avoiding important things and showing his favorable side on TV, and Barry is also cooperating just right. Although he still refers to Wren as president when he asks questions, what he mentions are things that will shake the people's trust in him. The problem.Ed does have a knack for women, doesn't he?The general audience will not see the subtlety of his misleading Barry.What a connoisseur.

In this case, should the government be forcibly removed from office?It may take years to repair the damage he caused.Kirti said happily like a trusted family physician, but not because he was an evil person, of course he wasn't, just because he didn't know how to fulfill the duties of the President of the United States.He really can't, Barry. Barry told the camera: "We'll be back later.Van Damme has heard enough and doesn't need to watch those commercials.He picked up the remote and turned off the TV with a click. Mr. President, I wasn't worried before, but now I am.He paused, and tomorrow some big newspaper editorial might all agree that a judicial committee is necessary, and you have no choice but to go with it.

Wait a minute, the law doesn't say The law says nothing, remember?Even if it did have rules, the Supreme Court couldn't rule it.Jack, this is a democratic society. The will of the people will determine who is the president, and the will of the people will be influenced by the media. You can't use the media as well as Ed. Listen to me Arnie, he resigned and I was confirmed by Congress to be Vice President.When Roger dies, I'll be president, that's the damn law!I have to obey this law.I swore I would do it.I never wanted to get the damn job, but I never ran away from anything in life either.I'm a damn thing if I run away this time!Also, Ryan looked down on Ed.Kilt, he didn't like his politics, he didn't like his Harvard megalomaniac, he didn't like his private life, and he certainly didn't like the way he treated women.Ren yelled: Ani, don't you know what he is? Yes, I know, he's a horny man and a big liar.He had no convictions, never even obeyed the laws, yet he helped write a thousand laws.He was not a doctor, but he established national health policy, and he has been a career politician.He had never been in the economics of private business, but he had spent his life deciding how high taxes should be collected and how money should be spent.The only black man he ever met was the maid who helped tidy up his bedroom when he was a child, but he was a master at protecting minority rights.He's a hypocrite, a charlatan.But Mr. President, unless you put all your bad words and deeds away, he will win.Dump dry ice on Lane's tantrums, Van Damme said, because he knows how to play the game and you don't. According to the medical records, the patient had traveled to the Far East in October.While in Bangkok, he indulged in the sex services that country is famous for.Pierre.Alexander was a captain stationed in a military hospital in that tropical country, and he indulged in that sensual service himself, and didn't feel bad conscience, because he was young and stupid; but that was before AIDS .He told his patient, a white man, thirty-six years old, that he already had HIV antibodies in his blood, so protective measures must be taken when having sex with his wife, and his wife must also have a blood test immediately. Alexander felt more like a judge.It wasn't the first time he'd made such a revelation, and damn it wouldn't be the last; but at least the judge only imposed the death penalty for serious crimes, and the accused had a chance to appeal.The poor fellow was just too far from home, maybe drunk or too lonely, to be punished this way.Maybe he had a big fight with his wife on the phone; maybe she was pregnant and he couldn't get it; maybe it was because he was away from home. Who knows the consequences?Now, many people know, but also lost the opportunity to appeal.But that can change, because there are some brilliant people working on this disease. Alexander is one of them. It might be a breakthrough tomorrow, or it might take a hundred years. You don't look very happy. He looked up, Doctor Lane. Dr. Alexander, I think you know Ray.She compared the dining plate to the table, the place to eat today has been cleaned up, don't you mind sitting together? please sit down.He moved around. Bad today? He only said one thing: E ​​strain. HIV, in Thailand?Also found here? You did read the material.he smiled. I always have to keep up with my work mates.Is it an E-strain virus?Are you sure?Kathy asked. I have re-tested.He became ill during a business trip in Thailand.His wife is pregnant.Alex added.Professor Wren could only show a bitter face when he heard this. not good. Is it AIDS?thunder.Altman asked.The rest of the doctor's guard had spread out across the room; they'd rather she eat in her office, but Dr. Wren said it was the way Hopkins doctors interact with their colleagues, and it was part of her day job. One: Today we will talk about infectious diseases, and tomorrow we will talk about pediatrics. E-strain virus, Alexander nodded, explaining that the U.S. is mainly B-strain virus, the same as in Africa. What's the difference? Casey replied: The B-strain virus is quite difficult to infect, and it is mainly transmitted through direct contact with blood.Drug users can get infected from sharing IV needles, as well as from sexual contact, but mostly from homosexuals. You forget that bad luck is also one of the causes of the disease, because the probability is only about one percent.Alexander went on to say that at first it looked like an E-strain virus that popped up in Thailand, but it was clearly a stronger strain. Hasn't the CDC quantified it yet?Kathy asked. No, they take months, at least that's what I heard a few weeks ago. How bad is it?Working with doctors has turned into a learning experience, Altman asks. Ralph.Foster took a closer look at how bad things really were five years ago.Alex, don't you know about this? Just know the basics. Ralph was only on an official trip, and when he got off the plane, the Thai officer who greeted him at the airport customs said to him as he led him to his car: Do you need a lady tonight?At that time, he realized that the situation was serious. I believe, said Alex, remembering how he nodded and smiled, Mr Altman, the number of people who got sick was astonishing.Almost one-third of the Thai army is now HIV positive, and most of them are E-strain viruses.This number is absolutely true. one third?There is a third? Ralph was up to twenty-five percent when he was there.That's a solid number, right? that means That could mean that within fifty years, Thailand would cease to exist, Kathy said in a deadpan tone that belied the fear that, when I was a student here, I had thought oncology was the domain of geniuses.She pointed Altman to Marty, Bert, Kurt, and Louise, who were working hard in this field.I thought I was up to it, but couldn't take the pressure, so I chose ophthalmology.Looks like I was wrong, we're on the verge of beating cancer.But I don't know anything about these damn viruses. The answer, Casey, lies in figuring out how the strings of genes in the virus interact with the host cell, which isn't that difficult because viruses aren't as complex as genome interactions.Once we understand it, we can defeat all viruses.Alexander, like most doctors who do research, is an optimist. So to study human cells?asked Altman, clearly interested in it.Alexander shook his head. Much smaller than that.We are now studying the genome, and the situation is like taking apart an unfamiliar machine, trying to understand the purpose of each part at each step, until all the parts are taken apart and their function is known, Then you can systematically understand all their functions.That's what we're going to do now. Do you know what to rely on to solve it?Casey asked a question and answered it himself: Mathematical. That's what Gus said in Atlanta. math?wait a minute.Atman objected. At the most basic level, the human genetic code is made up of four groups of amino acids, labeled A, C, G, and T.The letters I mean the arrangement of the amino acids determines everything, Alex explained that different arrangements make different things and different ways of interacting.Maybe Gus is right: the interaction can be defined mathematically.The genetic code is a code, and it can be cracked, and of course fully understood.Maybe someone will find this has some kind of teaching value polynomial he thought. So far, no one is smart enough to master it, Kathy.Ryan said, but I believe that one day, someone will achieve results to defeat the virus, which will give us a key to defeat all human diseases.Maybe we can unearth immortal medicine who knows?Or perhaps human immortality. Let's forget business, especially you, Kathy.The first human chromosome they want to study is myopia, then diabetes, and then "Professor, you have to forget about business first," said Casey with a mischievous smile. "I'm a surgeon, remember?"I also have trauma patients to treat.And sooner or later you will win your battles.Will this appear in this E-strain virus patient this morning?Alex wondered.Maybe not, maybe not. She was cursing them in French and sometimes in Flemish; neither language was understood by the medics.Moody spoke French very well, and he knew that such cheap curses were mainly caused by insanity.Jane.Baptiste's head has become infected, making it impossible for her to even talk to her god.Her heart was finally infected as well, which gave the doctor a glimmer of hope that death was imminent, giving her the belated gift that she deserved better from life.Maybe insanity has been a boon to her, maybe her soul has been separated from her body, maybe she doesn't know where she is, who she is, what's going on, maybe the pain doesn't hit her anymore, doesn't hit her anymore The vitals in the body.What the doctor needs is illusion, but if what he sees is mercy, what a terrible mercy. A large rash appeared on the patient's face as if she had been brutally beaten, her pale skin like an opaque window misplaced on blood.He wasn't sure if her eyes could still see; she was bleeding across the skin and inside her eyes, and if she could see, it wouldn't last long.She had almost left half an hour ago, and when he rushed into the treatment room, he saw her nearly suffocating with vomiting, and the medic cleaned her air tube, trying not to let his gloves touch her.She was strapped to a bed, and although the doctors wore slick plastic hazmat suits, they grazed her skin, causing more bleeding and pain.The tissue of her vascular system had been completely destroyed, and as much IV fluid had flowed into the bed as had been infused; all the fluid was as deadly as the poison.Now, military doctors are too frightened to touch patients again, with or without gloves, with protective clothing or without protective clothing.Moody saw them fill a plastic bucket with diluted iodine, and one of them dipped gloves in the iodine, stirring it furiously without drying it, so that there would be a chemical barrier when he touched her Protects against pathogens that might pass from her to him.This precaution was not necessary, the gloves were thick, but neither could he blame those who were deeply frightened.It's time for a shift change, the new shift arrives, and the old shift leaves.One of them glanced back on the way out and begged Allah in a low voice to take the lady away before he came back again.Outside the door, an Iranian military doctor wearing the same protective clothing will take these people to the disinfection area.There, their clothes and bodies will be sterilized, and the clothes will be sent downstairs to be destroyed in an incinerator.Moody has no doubts about whether they will strictly implement the disinfection procedures. No, they will implement it meticulously; but even so, I believe these military doctors will still have lingering fears in the next few days. If he had a deadly weapon at his disposal here and now, he'd probably use it on her, and hope it worked right away.It was her resistance that made the torture so horrific; she was puny but had worked long hours for forty years and had earned astonishingly good physical strength.The body that supported her brave soul did not give up the battle for a long time, though it would be futile in the end. Moody, come here, I think you know best.The commander spoke behind him. What's the meaning?He didn't turn around and asked. How would things be different if she was still in a hospital in Africa?Wouldn't they have treated her the same way, taken the same measures to keep her alive?Blood, IVs, and everything else would be exactly the same.If anything, the care here is better.He stated the facts dryly, then turned to examine the charts.Five liters, great. we can start No.The commander shook his head and said, when her heart stops beating, we will drain her blood.Our work began after removing her liver, kidneys and spleen. At least someone has to pray for her soul. You would, Moody, because you're a good doctor, and if there was any chance of saving her, you would have done so.it is known. What are we doing, imposing this on On infidels, the Commander reminded him, on those who hate our country and our faith, those who spurn the words of our prophets.I agree that she is a virtuous person and I am convinced that Allah will have mercy on her, but you cannot choose her fate and neither can I.He had to convince Moody to go ahead, the young man was a talented doctor, so talented.The Commander thanked Allah for keeping him in the lab for ten years, when he might otherwise have succumbed to the same human frailties. Beidean insisted.Three generals were transported this time, and every seat was full.He pointed to the tower and explained to them, while the tower crew watched every plane coming in and out; by now they should have understood what was going on. They finally agreed with Beidean. He wanted to tell Tehran that it should send a damn airliner next time, but he didn't because there were bound to be objections; but that's okay, because no matter what you say, no matter how sensitive the issue, there will always be objections.And it doesn't matter whether Iran or Iraq opposes it, people will die anyway.Now he had nothing to do but wait; he could have had a little wine, but he decided not to.He may be close to death, but guilty or innocent, he is a Muslim and he will face death in a rightful way. Are you Jackson?Tony.asked Britannon. Yes, sir, J|Third Operations Division.I think I'm your combat officer.Robert replied that he found his seat with a stack of documents and sat down, hurrying like a big white rabbit. How bad is it? We do too much.We also have two battle groups in the Indian Ocean guarding India and Sri Lanka, and are airlifting battalions of light infantry to the Marianas in an effort to regain control of that area, while overseeing the Japanese retreat.That's mainly for political purposes, we don't want other problems to arise.The forward-deployed aviation equipment has been sent back to the United States for modification, and the anti-Japanese military operations are also going well. So, you want me to speed up production of the F|Two II fighters and resume production of the B|Two bombers?The Air Force said so. Mr. Secretary, we have proven that stealth aircraft can multiply force, and we need all that we can get. I agree.So what do you think about the rest of the force structure?asked Brittanon. Our strength is too weak to undertake all tasks.If we were to return to Kuwait as we did in 1991, it would be impossible.We really don't have that much force to execute the plan.Sir, you know my job, I have to know how to do what we have to do.Well, the anti-Japanese military action has made us suffer, and Michael.Moore appreciates the plan you have devised and executed.The Minister of Defense pointed out. General Moore was too kind.Yes, sir, the plan is feasible, but our funds are limited, and that's not the way to keep the American military safe, Mr. Secretary.We're supposed to beat the crap out of the enemy on their first step out of the plane.I'll do it right away if I need to, but that's not my job.Sooner or later I'm going to screw it up, or someone else is going to screw it up, and we're all going to die in the line of duty. I agree.Britannon took a bite of his sandwich, and the President told me to get my hands on the department and do it my way.I'm going to spend two weeks building a new army. Two weeks, sir?If Jackson's face could turn pale, it would have been pale long ago. Jackson, how long have you been in the military?asked the Minister of Defense. Thirty years have passed since vocational school. If you can't do it tomorrow, you're not the right guy, but I'll give you ten days.Brittanon said indulgently. Mr. Minister of Defense, I am in charge of operations, not personnel, and Indeed, but in my opinion, good management of personnel can meet the needs of combat.Things like this should be left to hunters, not accountants.I also made this mistake when I took over TRW. It is wrong to ask accountants to tell engineers how to become engineers.That won't work, Brittanon shakes her head.If you're going to build something, it's up to the engineer to decide.In a situation like today, it's up to the hunters to decide what they need, and the accountants just have to budget it in.There will be struggles, but things will always work out. Oh damn.Jackson tried not to laugh.What is the standard? Assume the greatest possible threat and the worst crisis, and then design a force structure for me that can control the situation.They both know that even that is not enough.Past wars had sufficient guidelines to allow the United States to fight a small local war while fighting two long wars.But today, as Jackson just acknowledged, the United States no longer has enough economic power to conduct a single large-scale military deployment.The fleet has been reduced to half what it was a decade ago, and the army has been reduced even more.The Air Force, although still impressive thanks to its high-tech shelter, has cut nearly half its strength.As for the navy, although it is still strong and ready to call at any time, and the marine corps is also an expeditionary force, it can be quickly deployed to the designated location before the arrival of the backup force, but the lack of weapons is a bit worrying. ten days? You now know why I'm sitting at my desk, don't you?Brittanon knew that was the question the planner would always ask. Sir, give me a few days to get ready, but I promise we'll do it. Jackson? Yes!Mr. Minister. I have always had the records of our operations in the Pacific.One of my subordinates at TRW, Skip.Tyler, who was very good at this kind of thing, we were looking at maps and events every day at the time.The combat operations you lead are impressive.War, like all life, is not only physical but also psychological.You win wars because you have the best men; guns and planes are important, but heads are more important.I'm a good manager, a good engineer, but I'm not a fighter, I care about your advice, because you and your colleagues know how to fight.No matter when and where, as long as you need me, I will support you.In turn, I want to know what you really need, not what you want, which we can't afford.We can cut the bureaucracy to streamline personnel, whether it is civil or military, when I was at TRW, I eliminated a lot of useless people.But the difference is that it's an engineering company, and it's run by engineers, and this is a combat department, and it's supposed to be run by experts who have battle marks on their guns, you know what I mean? Sir, I think so. Ten days, it would be better if it could be shortened.Call me when you're ready. Clark.John picked up the direct dial phone and said. Holtzman.A voice answered, and the name made John's eyes widen. I guess I have the right to ask how you got that number, but you definitely won't tell. True guess, the reporter replied, remember the dinner we had together back in Esteban? Can't remember, Clark lied, it was a long time ago.There wasn't actually any dinner, but the tape recorder on the phone couldn't make out the truth. I owe you a meal. How about tonight? I'll call you back.Clark hung up the phone and stared at his desk.What's going on. Come on, that's not what Jack said.Van Damme told The New York Times. That's exactly what he meant, Arnie, replied the reporter, and you and I both understand. I hope you'll be kind to that guy, he's not a politician.The White House Chief of Staff said. Not my fault, Arnie.He takes on the job and has to follow the rules. Arnold.Van Damme nodded in agreement, hiding his anger at the reporter's flippant words.He knew the reporter was right, because that's the way the game was, but the reporter wasn't entirely right.Perhaps, he has been too supportive of President Ryan to the point where he can accept his weird ideas, but most of the media monopolized by private companies have openly cooperated with stock trading companies and have grown to the point where they have enough power to influence people's speech .That sucks, and what's worse, they're all having fun with it.They can make or break anyone, and they set the rules of the game, and whoever breaks the rules gets smashed. Lane was a naive man who thought he never wanted the job he was in.He came here purely by accident, so he just wanted to do this last opportunity to serve, and then leave for good, back to his old personal life.He wasn't elected, and neither was the news media, but Wren at least had his constitutional duties, and the news media crossed the line, thinking they were on the side of the law when they weren't. Who made those rules?asked Van Damme. This is self-evident. "New York Times" reporter answered. Well, the president isn't attacking abortion law, he never said he would.He's not going to pick a few judges off a park bench, he's not going to pick a liberal, he's not going to pick a conservative, I think you know that. So Ryan himself was wrong?The reporter's indifferent smile said it all.What the President meant by clarification was correction.Newspapers and magazines always have different interpretations. Not at all, you misunderstood him. Arnie, I can hear you very well. That's because you're used to hearing everything career politicians say, and our current president speaks straight.Actually, I like it that way, Van Damme goes on, lie, that way of talking is driving him crazy, because it makes your life so much easier, no more guessing and deciphering, just remember Good notes will do, or judge him by a fair set of rules.We have stated that he is not a politician, but you still treat him like one.Hear what he's really saying, okay?He's walking on eggshells now, talking to the media is like petting a new kitten, you never know when they're going to reach out and scratch you. Arnie, come on, you're the most loyal guy in town.Damn, you could have been a great family doctor, we all knew that, but Lane didn't know anything about it.His speeches at the Oval Office and at the National Cathedral are stupid. His President is like a Rotary club president. But who decides who is president and who is not? In New York it's up to me.The reporter laughed again. As for being in Chicago, you have to ask others. He is the president of the United States. But Ed.That's not what Kirti said.At least Ed looks like a president. Ed had quit, he had voluntarily resigned.Roger told me this after he got a call from Secretary of State Hanson.Damn, you still reported this. However, his possible motivation for doing so was So what was his motivation to please every woman who passed his eyes?asked the Chief of Staff.Good, he thought, now I can't control the media. Ed had always been a womanizer, but it never interfered with his work.The White House special correspondent made it clear.和他的報紙一樣，他是個女權運動的強力支持者。我想這個我們必須講清楚。 那麼《紐約時報》的立場是什麼呢？ 我會給你一份社論。那個記者保證說。 他再也受不了。凝視著漆黑的窗外，他拿起電話，撥了六個數字。太陽已經西沉了，雲層不斷地湧了進來。這個寒冷的雨夜將一直持續到黎明，而他能否看到黎明則還是個未知數。 Hello?第一聲鈴響未完聲音便響起。 我是貝德安。如果下一班飛機能大一點，就會更方便些。 我們有一架七四七正在待命，但我需要得到授權才能派飛。 我會在這邊繼續施加影響。 電視新聞讓他有所行動。今天新聞比往常更加沉默，連一則有關政治的新聞報導都沒有。而最令人感到不安的是，有一個關於清真寺的報導，一座荒廢失修的古老什葉派清真寺。報導對於這座擁有悠久光榮歷史的建築物，如今卻傾廢頹圮的景象感慨萬千，但卻沒有提到清真寺的倒塌是因為有一夥人曾在那裡密謀顛覆曾經是伊拉克人愛戴而如今卻幾乎被遺忘的政治領袖。最糟糕的是，畫面上出現了五位回教要人，他們站在那座清真寺的外面，根本沒看鏡頭，只是用手指著清真寺牆上褪色的藍色磚瓦，好像是在討論事情。這是由飛機運送來的五名人質，但在電視螢幕上卻是一個士兵也沒看到。在這當中，至少有兩位回教要人是伊拉克觀眾非常熟悉的。螢幕上短短的幾個鏡頭已足以讓當地人民認出那些來訪者的面孔而且得到訊息？但找出那個問題的答案將是危險的。 然而，當地人民並不重要，重要的是那些上校和少校們，而不在名單上的將軍們也很重要。他們很快就會知道，說不定已經有人知道了。他們首先會打電話探聽到底發生了什麼事，然後有人會聽到謊言，有人則什麼也不會聽到。他們會開始動腦筋，與各方取得聯繫，並在接下來的十二個小時互相討論，然後做出艱難的決定。他們和搖搖欲墜的政權命運相繫，他們不能跑，因為無處可去也沒有錢能帶走，只能坐以待斃。他們與失勢政權聯繫在一起，因此等於是宣判了死刑多數人都會是這個下場。不過還是有些人會有機會，而為了能夠倖存下來，他們將像全世界的罪犯一樣，不惜任何代價去挽救自己的性命。 有一架正在待命的七四七飛機有足夠的空間可以容納所有人。它會在九十分鐘內到達。He told everyone. 他們不會在梅赫拉巴德機場殺了我們吧？伊拉克陸軍副參謀長問道。 還是你寧願死在這裡？貝德安反問。 如果那是個圈套，怎麼辦？ 是有這樣的風險，不過那樣在電視上出現的那五個要人就會喪命。當然，他們是不會死的。部隊應該對已死的將軍忠心耿耿而且有所行動，但忠心在這裡並不存在。大家心知肚明，抓人質只不過是人類本能的行動，而在電視裡顯得無能為力的人可能是指揮伊朗衛隊的上校。他應該是一個可信賴的情報專家，貝德安回想起來了，他是一個忠誠的遜尼派官員，一名復興黨員的兒子。這可能意味著復興黨已經被收買了，事情真是發展得太快了。那些回教要人本來可以不揭發其使命的，不是嗎？但那已經不重要了。殺死這些人質於事無補，將軍們注定在這裡坐以待斃。他們殉難的消息對伊朗教士來說也許是件好事，因為這是什葉派傳統不可分割的一部分。 不，做好的決定就不可能再更改。這些資深的指揮官們還沒弄懂，他們還沒好好地思考過。 而且，如果他們確實曾是能幹的軍官，那他們可能早在多年前就被他們所擁戴的領袖給做掉了。 All right.最資深的一位說。 Thanks.貝德安拿起電話，再一次按下按鍵。 憲改危機直到昨天才開始轉烈，雖然這看來似乎是技術性議題，但實則不然。 John.Patrick.雷恩是一個有能力的人，但他是否有足夠的才能去完成他的總統職責則很難說。他最初的表現離成功還有段距離，而政府公職可不是業餘性質的工作。我們的國家要借助這些人，雖然這些人過去都只是少數，但他們最終定能按部就班地勝任自己的工作。 現在國家所面對的危機還沒有什麼秩序可言。這一點雷恩先生已經做了適當而仔細的處理來穩定政府。舉例來說，他臨時任命的美國聯邦調查局局長，丹尼爾．摩瑞就是人們可接受的人選。同樣地，喬治．溫斯頓也是財政部臨時的合適人選，雖然他沒有政治經歷。Scott.艾德勒，一個才華橫溢的職業外交官，也是當前內閣中的最佳人選雷恩跳過下面的兩段繼續讀。 Vice President Ed.基爾惕，不論他有什麼個人缺失，卻熟悉政府事務，他對多數國家議題所持的中庸態度使他在下次選舉新政府前仍地位穩固。但他所說的話是真的嗎？ What do you think?雷恩問《時代雜誌》的主編。 人們認得他，不認得你。范達姆回答說。此時電話響了起來。 Hello? 弗利先生找您，總統先生。他說有要緊的事。 好的愛德華？我把你的聲音放出來。傑克按了一個鍵，放回聽筒，范達姆在聽。 情報正確。伊朗正迅速大規模地展開行動。如果您有時間，我有錄影帶。 放映出來。傑克知道怎麼處理。在這間辦公室及其他辦公室都接有通往五角大廈和其他地方的安全光纖電纜電視。他從抽屜裡拿出遙控器打開電視。畫面只持續了十五秒鐘，接著就重播，然後定格。 who are they?Jack asked. 弗利一口氣就說完那些名字雷恩曾經聽說過其中兩個。是達葉蘭的中高級顧問。他們目前在巴格達，而有人準備把他們除掉。好了，我們知道資深的將軍正搭飛機逃離，而現在則有五位回教要人在電視上談論重建一所清真寺。明天他們會談得更大聲。尚未上任的中央情報局局長說。 有沒有當地派駐人員的消息？ No.愛德華承認，我要該站站長雷亞達去摸清狀況，但他到那裡時，那裡早已是人去樓空了。 那架有點大。一位在空中預警暨管制機上執行勤務的軍官說，他是由字碼顯示器獲知的。上校，中尉在指揮線上回答，我發現了一架七四七飛機正從梅赫拉巴德飛往巴格達，航線是二｜二｜○，速度是四｜五｜○浬，高度兩千呎。棕櫚碗在此航道向巴格達報告。稍後，這位資深官員便下令飛機檢查其顯示器，接著打開無線電向哈立德國王軍事城報告。 其餘的人一同到達。貝德安想，他們本該再等一會兒的，最好是能夠在飛機出現時到來，而且越快越好但是沒有。 看到他們這些有權有勢的人變成這副模樣實在十分好笑；一個星期以前，他們還四處趾高氣昂地展示他們的地位和權力。他們的卡其布軍衣上裝飾著各種勳章，以顯示他們的英雄事蹟。That's not fair.有些人曾帶領士兵打過一、兩次仗，也許他們有人確實曾經宰過敵人伊朗敵人，但現在他們卻要把自己的生命安全託付給那些人，因為對現在的他們來說，自己的國人更加可怕。 儘管自己也有生命危險，但貝德安還是忍不住覺得好笑。他將大半輩子都奉獻在這一刻的到來，他夢想見到以色列高級官員像這樣站在機場的這一刻已經很久了離開他們自己的人民去面對一個不可預知的命運，被他的所擊敗，這個譏諷並不好笑，不是嗎？三十多年了，而他所完成的難道就只是毀滅一個阿拉伯國家？以色列依然存在，仍受到美國保護，而他費盡心力所做的卻只是讓波灣國家的權力更迭。 貝德安承認，他跟他們一樣想逃走。他一生都不走運，幹這個工作也沒得到什麼；這些將軍們至少還擁有眼前的財富和舒適，而他則一無所有，只有失敗尾隨在後。想到這，阿里．貝德安不禁咒罵起來，然後坐回自己的椅子上，此時他正好看到一個黑色的影子，飛速畫過臨近的跑道。門口一個保鑣用手指著室內的人。兩分鐘後，那架七三七飛機又出現了。在飛機停穩並打開機門之後，那些將軍以及他們的家人、保鑣和情婦便匆忙地走進剛剛才開始下的寒冷細雨中。貝德安是最後一個走出來的，即使在這個時候他還是要等待。這些伊拉克人步下了階梯，由於人群擁擠而顯得有些混亂。他們忘記了自大和尊嚴，用手肘推開別人爬上客梯。站在客梯頂部的是一名身穿制服的機組人員，他機械性地笑著迎接這些他有各種理由去討厭的人。阿里一直等到樓梯上都沒人了才走了上來；走上小平台後，他回頭看了看，實在沒什麼理由那麼匆忙。載著困惑士兵的綠色卡車還沒到達，在他們一個小時之後抵達時，除了一個空蕩蕩的大廳之外將一無所獲。他搖了搖頭走進了飛機，機組人員在他身後關上了機門。 在前艙，機組人員正用無線電和塔台聯繫，要求起飛許可，這是一套自動化程序。塔台人員傳遞了這個訊息，但並未給與任何指示。他們看著那架飛機滑到跑道盡頭，加足馬力，飛入黑暗的天空，準備降落到他們的國土上。