Richard Johnson - Deadly Cargo - A Chilling Naval Terrorism Thriller

“What do you know of the Holy Koran?”

“Enough to know that what you are doing now would be an outrage to Mohammed.”

“The Prophet Mohammed, Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam, would agree with what we are doing now. It is only to protect Islam from the pollutions of your world. I don’t expect you to understand, or to agree with it. You are not Muslim. You are contaminated by your society. But even as you do not want us to attack your world, we do not want the pollutions of your world to attack ours. We are courageous enough to do something about it. In your country, there is too much concern about political correctness for you to be able to solve your own problems. So we will do it for you. The world will be a better place after the jihad.”

“If I might ask,” – Josh looked over at Sorgei then back at al Din – “why do you need him? You guys seem to be capable of building your own weapons and bombs.”

“Sorgei has special talents. Just as you have special talents,” Husam al Din said.

“So you have this jihad plan that involves Sorgei and me. From what Sorgei said of his background, and from what you’re asking of me, I’m guessing your jihad is an attack on the Port of Miami, using a shipping container to deliver some kind of special weapon that Sorgei developed. And you’re hoping my expertise will help get you past port security. That about right?”

“You are quick to understand, Sergeant Adams,” Husam al Din said.

“Why pick on Miami?” Josh asked.

“I have done research, and Miami is a very decadent society that represents all that is offensive to Islam.”

“Yeah, but did you ever stop to think that there are lots of Muslims who live in Miami? It’s a big city, you know, and there are mosques there and I’m sure the population of Muslims is substantial.”

Husam al Din smiled. “I see what you are trying to do, Sergeant Adams, but it will not work. I am not persuaded to avoid attacking America simply because there are Muslims there who will be killed along with the kafir. We will all die someday. It does not matter how we die, only how we live. And it does not matter how long we live, only what we do while we are alive. Innocent Muslims who are casualties in our jihad will be rewarded by Allah. Jihad is a purification process for the world. America is on the wrong path, and it must be cleansed.”

“And you expect me to buy into that?”

“You admit that your political leaders are corrupt. They interfere in parts of the world where they have no business. Your foreign policy has ruined the way of life of so many in other countries. It must be stopped.”

Sorgei Groschenko stood up and walked around the table, stretching his back and arms. “If you guys want to argue politics and religion all night, that’s your business. Frankly I didn’t come here for this. Let’s get down to it.”

“You are right,” Husam al Din agreed, then looked again at Josh. “Sorgei and I have worked together for a while. But you are new to this. We need to be sure about your involvement. As they say in your country, the ball is in your court.”

Josh squirmed in his chair, then stood and walked around the inside of the large tent. Each step of the way, he was followed by the eyes of the two guards and muzzles of their AK47s. The fabric of the tent began to relax; the wind was quieting. Outside, the sandstorm was blowing itself out. After an uneasy moment, he sat back down and placed his forehead in his hands on the table.

“You are suffering with your decision,” Husam al Din said. “Do not waste your time or mine. Consider the suffering you will bring upon yourself if you make the wrong decision. Allow me to clarify things: you can either have your life and lots of money; or you can die tonight.”

“I have trouble with the concept of selling my loyalty at any price.”

“I do not expect you to sell your loyalty. I need only to be able to trust the information you give me. In exchange for that, you will have your life. When this is over, you will have enough money to be wealthy. This is a simple business deal. You get what you want and I get what I want. The choice is before you. Trust me when I tell you that if you do not cooperate, we will get rid of you tonight, and then we will simply find another to replace you. My plan might be delayed a short time,” – he shrugged as if it were a small matter – “but it will still go forward. You are merely a convenient way to learn what I need, but you are not the only way. I will do this with or without you. There is no way you can stop it by refusing to save yourself.”

Josh shifted in his chair and looked off into space. “You’re right about one thing. I have no doubt that our leaders are misguided. Some say they’re corrupt, but I think they’re just being stupid.”

“You are correct,” Husam al Din agreed. “They are stupid, but they are also power-hungry and corrupt. They want to police the world, but they have no right.”

“I know it isn’t right what they’re doing. They not only screwed up my personal life, they’ve done a lot worse than that. Our true system of government was bypassed to get this war started, and unless something is done things are going to get worse. I wish I knew how to stop the violation of our Constitution, but I am only one man – and the government won’t listen to only one voice.”

“You are right in feeling that way,” al Din nodded again. “Your government is deaf to your concerns, but there is a way to open their ears.”

“Not that I agree with your methods, but maybe a little attack on the port can shake things up enough to make people stop and think about what’s going on. Blow up a few containers, damage a ship and the terminal – maybe then they will start worrying about security at home and quit starting wars abroad. After what happened on September 11th, everybody pulled together for a while, but then the same old political wrangling started again. And now here we are. Something needs to happen.”

“You are beginning to think clearly,” Husam al Din said. “Perhaps you are thinking clearly enough to save your own life.” He turned to look at Sorgei, who at first shrugged his shoulders but then finally nodded. He turned to face Josh Adams and raised his eyebrows in question.

Josh stared at the table, then raised his eyes to meet those of Husam al Din, and he quietly nodded.

Husam al Din pushed back from the table and stood up. “Come, gentlemen, the Land Cruiser is concealed in a distant canyon. We have many hours to travel before we sleep.”

Late that night, the Land Cruiser approached the summit of a high pass. Armed men appeared from behind a cluster of boulders that narrowed the roadway from both sides, creating a natural gateway that was an ideal place for an ambush. The men stepped in front of the vehicle and trained their weapons through the windows. Husam al Din identified himself and spoke for a few moments with the men, who then moved aside and let the vehicle pass. In the early morning hours, deep in tribal territories, the three men arrived at a plain-looking, mud brick house. They were greeted by armed men, then shown inside where rooms had been prepared for them.

As he dropped from consciousness into sleep, Husam al Din thanked Allah for hating America as much as he did. A man needs purpose in life, a vision, a goal, and his was clear – to destroy America, at least as much of it as he could. If he died in the process, which he fully intended, so much the better. Eternal life as a martyr was the highest glory. He hated all Americans, even though he never actually met one in person until Josh Adams stepped into the tent only hours earlier. He found the young sergeant strangely affable and actually enjoyed arguing with him. It was an entertaining mental exercise, and only strengthened his love of Islam and the tenets of the Holy Koran.