❗Hold up… this is Chapter 5.
Unless you’re the kind of thrill-seeker who reads the last page of a mystery first (you monster), you might want to backtrack.
👉 [Click here to start at Chapter 1] — where the real madness begins.
Otherwise, carry on… but don’t say I didn’t warn you when things stop making sense and someone you’ve never met suddenly dies.
Written by Thomas Mai
© Copyright held by Thomas Mai
Chapter 5 – The Man with a Plan
The room was filled with an intense silence until General Thompson finally spoke up. “Don’t let the Vice President’s words distract us from our mission,” he declared with unwavering determination. “He is trying to throw us off our tracks, and he will be back with a vengeance. But we have all been trained for this exact scenario. Our purpose is to protect and bring our President and fellow citizens back to safety.”
General Thompson spoke again, “These are our top priorities:
1) Locate the President and determine his status – is he alive, captured, or deceased? Preferably in that order.
2) Retrieve the passengers and or bodies from Air Force One. I need the flight manifests with their names immediately.*
3) Find out if there was any sensitive information on board – documents, war plans, allies, etc. Get me the Deputy Chief of Staff now.
4) The pressing question no one has asked yet: What caused the crash of Air Force One? Was it shot down, a technical malfunction, or something else? Air Force, give me all flight details, and CIA, gather any intel on the incident.
5) I want a live satellite image of the crash site right now.
6) Army and Air Force, how quickly can we have boots on the ground in Somalia?
7) Can the CIA provide me with a comprehensive overview of all the tribes, warlords, government structure, and history of Somalia?”
As soon as the orders were issued, the room was filled with a cacophony of urgent voices, and the sound of chairs being pushed back as everyone leaped into action. It was clear who was in charge at that moment.
Nadia Khoury spoke loudly and gestured towards a monitor. “We have a live satellite feed of the Air Force One crash site.” The initial view was from above, showing the area in its entirety. “Let’s zoom in and get a closer look,” she instructed.
Nadia Khoury was wearing a Somali sarong and headscarf. At just 35 years old, Nadia was already a top analyst at the CIA, known for her sharp intellect, keen insights, and unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth in every circumstance. She was exceptional at analyzing data and fiercely dedicated to fairness and honesty.
Originally from Somalia, Nadia came to the US as a refugee at just five years old. Her mother Farhia had made the brave decision to escape an abusive husband, a controlling Warlord, and a failed country to give her daughter a chance at a better life. Nadia specialized in intelligence operations within her home country at the CIA.
The camera zoomed in on the crash site, its lens capturing the devastation at a closer range. Shards of metal and debris littered the ground, a testament to the violent crash. The once grand and powerful Air Force One now lay in ruin, its broken and flaming pieces stretching out in all directions. The armed militia fighters added to the scene, their figures a stark contrast against the wreckage.
General Thornfield, the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, inquired, “Are those our soldiers?” His question hung in the air with a hint of optimism.
All eyes in the Situation Room were fixed on the live satellite feed on the monitor, revealing the unfolding events. Militia men were forcefully removing passengers from the plane at gunpoint and lining them up, ignoring their injuries.
One tall soldier approached the first person in line and began interrogating them. When they didn’t give a satisfactory answer, the tall man shot him in the head before moving on to the next person.
The Situation Room was filled with the sound of screams and disbelief as the terror of the footage played, showing a tall figure ruthlessly taking down passengers one by one. One of the crew members pointed in a different direction.
The tall man had a conversation with the crew member and spared their life. The tall man then gathered most of his men, and they all departed in the direction indicated by the passenger.
Meanwhile, the rest of the militia held the remaining passengers captive by the plane.
Nadia broke the silence. “I recognize that tall figure as Farid Al-Masri: a notorious warlord in Somalia known for his brutal tactics and relentless pursuit of power and control.”
Nadia added, “I believe that the President of the United States is still alive and fleeing from the plane.”
“Are you suggesting that the militia have a lead on the President’s location?” General Thompson asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
Nadia looked away from the monitor, meeting Thompson’s gaze with a determined look. “It seems that Farid Al-Masri and his men are already one step ahead of us, with boots on the ground,” she stated firmly.
“Ms. Khoury,” interjected CIA Director Malcolm Blackthorn, “What’s your assessment? The likelihood of the President’s survival in Somalia?”
At 63 years old, Blackthorn stood at an average height with a sturdy build. His ruggedly handsome face was marked by striking features, including a square jawline that gave him a chiseled appearance and piercing eyes that conveyed a wide range of emotions. His well-defined brow added to his distinguished look, as did his neatly trimmed short hair that showcased natural grey strands. Furthermore, he emitted an authoritative presence and spoke with a powerful, expressive voice that commanded attention.
Director Malcolm Blackthorn was a mysterious and shrewd mastermind. With his cunning and Machiavellian tactics, it was hard to pin down where Blackthorn’s allegiances truly lay; he operated in the shadows, always one step ahead.
Blackthorn had joined the CIA during his college years and remained a member of the agency, constantly undermining and betraying his colleagues to advance up the ranks.
After a lifetime of employing various subversive tactics, Blackthorn had risen to become the youngest Director in the history of the CIA. He had successfully maintained this position for the past two decades.
Blackthorn had an extensive file on every politician, containing their hidden secrets. This kept politicians from crossing or investigating the CIA, ensuring Blackthorn’s protection. The fear of having their secrets exposed by Blackthorn often deterred politicians from selecting him for senate hearings.
Nadia locked eyes with Blackthorn as she spoke, “We’re all aware that the President is a decorated Marine with a history of bravery and renowned tactics from his past tours, but that was a long time ago. This is Somalia, where he has no support. Can you give us an update on his physical condition? Is he injured? Is he on his own? What resources does he have for survival, such as food, water, or weapons? And most importantly, how quickly can we reach him to offer support?”
The Chief of Staff for the Air Force General Masimba Turner, cleared his throat and the room went quiet. Turner was a distinguished African American officer, who had served the Air Force with unwavering loyalty and dedication throughout his illustrious career.
Turner, a man in his 50s, had a distinctly expressive face with warm, friendly eyes that could convey a wide array of emotions, from intense passion to heartfelt vulnerability. Turner had a medium build and carried himself with a natural grace and confidence. Turner sported a well-groomed hairstyle, sometimes with short curls or a neatly trimmed look, which complemented his youthful yet mature appearance.
Turner’s father had fled Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during a time when apartheid, though not officially condoned, was heavily influenced by the neighboring country of South Africa.
In a calm and collected tone, General Masimba Turner relayed the latest information. “A C-130 Hercules aircraft will be departing from Camp Lemonnier air base in Djibouti within 1 hour, carrying the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. Our Airbase is around 550 miles away and we can deploy the paratroopers over the crash site within the next 4 hours. However, there are grave risks associated with parachute missions jumping into a hostile environment.”
General Turner continued, “Our main objective is to locate and secure the President. Our second objective is to secure Air Force One, eliminate any hostile threats, and safely rescue all passengers. Once we have secured the area, our next challenge will be getting everyone out of Somalia quickly and efficiently.”
Looking around the room Turner continued “We cannot afford to waste any time and I suggest using airlifts to transport everyone out. Unfortunately, the range of our Ospreys won’t allow round-trip flights for retrieval.”
The General looked at the Admiral for the Navy, “Admiral Borja, do you have any suggestions?”
Admiral Mathew Borja had a medium build and stood at an average height, around 5 feet 10 inches tall.
Borja was known for his youthful appearance and had a boyish charm. He had dark hair that he styled casually. His eyes were a light brown color and often conveyed warmth and humor. Borja had a clean-shaven face and maintained a well-groomed appearance.
Admiral Mathew Borja was a pioneering leader in the U.S. Navy, shattering boundaries and setting new standards for excellence. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in faith and compassion, Borja was surrounded by stories of bravery, duty, and devotion to the country from his father David, a pastor.
His mother Jennie, a school teacher, joined her husband in the difficult decision to leave their home country of Brazil in search of greater opportunities for their children. This strong familial bond left a lasting impression on Mathew, who dedicated his life to serving his new country as a decorated naval officer.
From a young age, he knew that military service was his calling. Admiral Borja addressed the group, “The Carrier Strike Group 2, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is currently making its way from the conference in Madagascar and is approximately 1,600 miles away. It will take an estimated 48 hours to reach Somalia at full speed. Once we arrive, we will have control of the surrounding waters and can provide air support and airlift as needed.”
General Masimba Turner of the Air Force chimed in. “Thank you, Admiral. Time is of the essence. Our bases in the Middle East are not close enough for our strike fighters or helicopters, but 6 reconnaissance planes are in the air and they will be able to cover and show us all the details we need on the ground. They will be over the air in Somalia in about 6 hours. Bombers and further paratroopers are standing by on high alert.”
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who also served as the Army Chief of Staff, said, “Within the next 12 hours, our bases in the Middle East will be sending approximately 20 tanks and 40 reconnaissance vehicles to Somalia for deployment. They should be parachuted in and be operational in about 24 hours in Somalia.”
General Thompson asked, “What is the latest visual coverage of the President and the rebels?”
Nadia swiftly briefed them on the current situation. “Based on the most recent satellite imagery, it seems that the rebels are chasing after someone. I believe it’s POTUS.” Everyone present in the room focused their attention on the screen, which showed a real-time view of the rebels moving hastily in one direction.
Chairman Thornfield muttered, “Can things possibly get any worse?” as he felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him. His eyes were fixed on the real-time satellite footage, only adding to his stress.
“Sir,” Nadia Khoury interjected, her voice slicing through the tension like a scalpel. “It can.”
All eyes turned toward her as she held up her tablet, the screen displaying a news report. Helena Martinez’s face filled the frame, the chyron beneath her pulsing with the breaking news: Air Force One Down in Somalia.
Nadia’s expression remained stoic, but her mind raced with the ramifications. “Helena Martinez has just gone live,” she said, relaying the information. “She’s reporting that Air Force One went down in hostile territory in Somalia and the status of the President is unknown: could be alive, could be dead, or maybe even taken hostage. The news is already spreading like wildfire on all media channels.”
“Damn it, Grant!” General Thompson cursed under his breath. “The Vice President is trying to stir up a media frenzy so he can claim the presidency, and we’re still in the dark as to the President.”
“Get me a line to Martinez, now!” barked the Chairman, his stoicism cracking as he reached for the nearest phone. “We need to control the narrative before it spirals further.”
“Sir, with this leak, we should assume that every ally and enemy faction in North Africa and the Middle East are mobilizing,” Nadia commented. Using her vast understanding of the regional militant factions, she added, “Everyone is determined to locate the President. They all want their pound of flesh.”
“Coordinate with the intel teams, Nadia. We need eyes on the ground, and I want options on the table five minutes ago,” Thompson ordered, turning to the other chiefs who were already moving into action.
“Time is not on our side,” the Chairman added with a hardened edge to his voice. “We need to find the President before they do.”
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Edit updates
18 August 2024 – Version 2.0 The original chapter 4 was split into 2 different chapters. This is the “new” chapter 5.