Firebase Freedom (6 page)

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Authors: William W. Johnstone

BOOK: Firebase Freedom
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When the anthem ended, the scene returned to the studio where a young woman was sitting behind a news desk. She was wearing a burqa and her face was covered so that only her eyes could be seen.
“Yesterday, in our nation's capital of
Muslimabad, a thief was captured, stealing
a loaf of bread. The thief was only eight years
old, so his life was spared, but as you can see
from this video he did not escape punishment.
On screen a uniformed officer of the SPS was squatting down beside the front wheel of a car. Lying on the ground beside him, his arm wrapped in a towel, his eyes filled with terror and tears, was a small boy. The SPS officer was holding the boy's arm in front of the car wheel with one hand, while with the other hand he was speaking into a microphone to all those who were gathered around to watch the show.
“What you are about to see is just punishment for the sins of this boy” [
the SPS officer said
]. “He violated
Moqaddas Sirata
by stealing from others. He took a loaf of bread from a store, and it wasn't just any store. He took a loaf of bread from the shelf of a store that is
Moqaddas Sirata
–compliant. In doing so, he committed a sin against our new republic, and our great leader. For that, he must be punished.”
“No, please,” the boy begged, crying. “I won't do it again. I promise, I won't do it again.”
The boy jerked his arm back, but the SPS officer punched him hard in the temple with his fist, driving the boy's face onto the pavement so hard that it knocked him out. With the boy unconscious, the SPS officer put the boy's arm under the front of the car wheel again.
“All right driver, come ahead slowly.”
The car moved forward, the wheel passing over and crushing the boy's arm. There were gasps of shock, horror, and even morbid excitement from the crowd.
“A blight in Boston was eliminated yesterday by the good work of the State Protective Service. A church which proudly, and profanely, advertised itself as one of the oldest Christian churches in America. This church continued, despite many warnings, to lead poor souls to hell by its heretical teachings. This sinful practice left a tolerant government with no choice but to act for the good of the people. As you will see here, the church was eliminated.”
On screen could be seen forest-green uniformed men gunning down the worshipers as they ran. Soon the church was in flames, those inside shot as they tried to escape the blaze.
“It is perhaps fitting that, for many of the infidels who were inside the building as it burned, their last memory on earth will be of fire. For surely they have been cast into the fiery furnaces of hell by their sinful denial of
Moqaddas Sirata
.”
The last picture was of the pastor's head being sawed from his body, then held up for all to see. The camera moved in for a long, lingering view of the severed head, one eye half closed, the other wide open, still reflecting the terror of the moment.
“
Behold the severed head of the sinner
,” the newswoman said.
“Allahu Akbar.”
The broadcast continued, intermixing scenes of burning churches and strict punishments, with scenes of smiling drivers filling their cars with fuel, and shoppers selecting food from filled shelves.
“
Mr. Jones, what do you have to say about the new order?
” a reporter asked, sticking his microphone in the face of a shopper.
“I say we live in exciting times. We are here at the birth of a new nation, led by the father of the new nation, the Great Leader, President for Life Ohmshidi. And it is good to know that, for the first time in my life, we are not threatening any other nation with aggression, as we have in all our sordid history.”
The broadcast closed with an earnest appeal from the news anchor.
“My fellow citizens, as you can see by the images we have shown you tonight, our country has recovered, stronger, and better than it ever was. But, as you have also seen, there are still examples of misguided people who are doing the work of Satan by not complying with the order of
Moqaddas Sirata
.
“This television station urges each of you to do your part in serving our beloved Great Leader, President for Life, Mehdi Ohmshidi, by reporting to the authorities anyone who would violate the laws of
Moqaddas Sirata
.”
The broadcast closed with a full-screen, stylized portrait of Ohmshidi in a pensive pose, looking slightly up and to his left. The rendering was in red, beige, and blue, with the words
Obey Ohmshidi
underneath. The letter “O” in “Obey” duplicated the new national symbol.
C
HAPTER
S
EVEN
Geneva, Switzerland—United Nations Headquarters
 
The United Nations had moved from New York to Geneva in the “before time” within the first year of Ohmshidi's presidency. They did so, declaring that conditions in the United States were no longer stable enough for the UN. For a while, the United States continued to be a member of the United Nations, and to hold on to their position as a permanent member of the Security Council. However, shortly after the three nuclear detonations in America, resulting in the total collapse of the country, the United States no longer had a seat on the Security Council, nor even a place in the General Assembly.
The American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment tried to reclaim the seat once held by the United States, but they were denied membership. The American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment was, however, granted a seat as a nonvoting observer in the General Assembly. And today, Barrack Azid Hussein, who was Ohmshidi's observer to the United Nations (he did not merit the title “Ambassador”), had to listen as country after country condemned AIRE for its human rights violations.
“Christian worshipers slaughtered, a young boy's arm crushed under the wheel of a car—and these are not isolated incidents, but are the policy of the government in Washington.”
“A point of order, Ambassador, the name of the city is Muslimabad,” Hussein said.
Hussein was gaveled by the Secretary General.
“The gentleman is not recognized, and will not interrupt again.”
The ambassador from England continued. “It is, indeed, a sad commentary on the times, when the country that was once looked up to by the rest of the world, the country of tolerance, the country of good will, the country who held up a light of liberty for the rest of the world, has now become a pariah among nations. I weep for the hundreds of thousands of young Americans who, throughout the history of that once, great nation, gave their lives for the peace of the world. Great Britain supports the resolution condemning the—so called—American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment.”
Hamid Karim Rahman, ambassador from Pakistan, defended the American Islamic Republic.
“For many years, the United States of America conducted war against Islam, and, with bribes, encouraged Muslim to fight Muslim. Now, they are no longer a threat to peace in the Middle East. Pakistan, and the fifty-five other Muslim nations who are members of the United Nations, protest this proposed resolution, and join with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in praising AIRE for its awakening. We are proud to say that the American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment is a valued member of the OIC.”
Despite the protest of all fifty-six Muslim members of the United Nations, the resolution of condemnation for violation of human rights passed, and a formal censure was issued.
Resolution 3817 is hereby issued by the United Nations in assembly in Geneva, Switzerland:
1.
Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the disregard of human life by the entity identifying itself as the American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment, formerly the United States of America.
2.
Reiterating the responsibility of the AIRE authorities to protect their people and reaffirming that armed representatives of the government bear the primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of its citizens.
3.
Condemning the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and summary executions.
4.
Further condemning acts of violence and intimidation committed by the authorities against independent journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel, and urging these authorities to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law as outlined in previous resolutions issued by this body.
5.
Warning the authorities of the American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment (formerly the United States of America), that continued crimes against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity.
This resolution of condemnation was the first ever passed against the United States, though the resolution itself was quick to point out that the AIRE was no longer the U.S.A.
Nevertheless, news of the resolution appeared in newspapers and on radio and television around the world. The irony was that all the Western nations that used to be the allies of the U.S., such as Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, and Japan, were in support of the resolution. So too were Russia and China.
Those nations that once condemned the United States were quick to issue statements of support for the American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment. In fact, the fifty-six member nations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued two strongly worded resolutions, one condemning the UN resolution, and one offering support for AIRE.
 
Muslimabad
 
When Mohammad Akbar Rahimi sent for Ohmshidi, the president, who owed his position to Rahimi, responded as if he were an obedient student called to the principal's office. Without entourage or bodyguards, Ohmshidi went to Rahimi.
“You have seen the United Nation's resolution?” Rahimi asked.
“I have, Imam. I'm sorry if I have brought disgrace to the country.”
“It is not the country who is disgraced,” Rahimi said. “It is the United Nations. When we establish the World Caliphate, bringing everyone into Islam, we will replace the United Nations with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. And we will use the old UN building in New York as our headquarters.”
Ohmshidi smiled. “Yes, Imam, that is a wonderful idea.”
“I have a new program I want you to establish across the land,” Rahimi said. He slid a manila folder across the desk toward Ohmshidi. “Put it into effect at once.”
“Yes, Imam.”
 
 
One hour later, after having read the document Rahimi had given him, Ohmshidi called out to his chief of staff.
“Hassan?”
“Yes, Great Leader?” Raj Hassan answered, hurrying to respond to the president's call.
“You have read the resolution passed by the United Nations?”
“I have, Great Leader.”
“I know it is because of the incident of the young boy having his arm crushed for stealing.”
“Yes, Your Excellency, I believe that is so.”
“It was televised for the whole world to see,” Ohmshidi said. “I'm sure that there will be many who don't understand the necessity of such stern treatment. But if we are truly to create a new world, an Islamic world of
Moqaddas Sirata
, then we can make no exceptions.”
“Oh, I quite agree, Great Leader.”
“That's why I have conceived of Operation Blooming Flowers. If this young man had been part of Blooming Flowers, there would not have been the necessity of crushing his arm.”
“Blooming Flowers, Great Leader?”
“Yes. If we are to have a country united in
Moqaddas Sirata
, we must take steps so that the next generation will be united in service to Allah. We will accomplish that by intensive schooling of the young people.”
Ohmshidi, having revised the document given him by Rahimi so that it would appear to be his own idea, handed it to Hassan.
Hassan read the document, then nodded. “Yes, this is good. The entire country will bless you for your wisdom and compassion in establishing such a benevolent policy.”
“How soon can we start?”
“I will have to arrange for the learning centers, but I will get started right away, Great Leader.”
“Very good. Tell me now, where do we stand with the Jewish problem?”
“We have begun Operation Ultimate Resolution,” Rahimi said. “Already we are confiscating Jewish property and wealth, and soon the relocation will take effect.”
“Good. I want to be kept informed of the progress of both Ultimate Resolution and Blooming Flowers.”
“I will do so, Great Leader.”
 
Dallas
 
Sam Gelbman stood in the alley behind his house on Davenport Court and looked out across the railroad track and the creek that ran parallel with the track. For the first few months after the country had collapsed, and during that time when there was neither water nor electricity, this creek had been the sole source of water. They purified it by boiling it over a charcoal grill, though as charcoal was not readily available, they had used scavenged wood.
Sam and Sarah had already been gardeners, and canners, so they fared better than many others, not only having a supply of food, but using it as a form of barter for other necessities. Sam had a .22 rifle that his father had bought for him for his twelfth birthday. Initially he had kept it as a remembrance of his youth, but it quickly became one of his most valuable possessions during the hard times, because he was able to use it to kill squirrels, rabbits, a few doves, and even a beaver. Once the national confiscation of personal weapons began, he wrapped the rifle in oil cloth and buried it in his garden, rather than give it up.
Electricity and water were available again, as was food. However, because he and Sarah were Jewish and not authorized to convert to Islam—not that he would have—their struggle to survive was only marginally easier than it had been during the time of total collapse.
And now that struggle was going to be even more difficult because his business, his house, and all personal property were being taken away by the
Decree on the Registration of the Property of Jews.
Sam had not yet told Sarah of the decree, and as he stood out in his backyard now, he was trying to come up with a way of breaking the news to her.
Like Sam, Sarah's grandfather had survived the Nazi concentration camps, though his parents had not. While still young, Sarah's grandfather had been adopted by Major David Goren, an American officer of Jewish descent, when the camp where he had been held was liberated. Brought to America when he was nine years old, he had grown to adulthood in Dallas, though the horror of the concentration camps was never far from his mind.
When Ohmshidi was first elected, there had been an unexpected wave of anti-Jewish sentiment that began to emanate from his administration, manifested first by America turning its back on Israel, then spreading to include American Jews as well. That movement had frightened Sarah, and Sam tried to comfort her, assuring her that what happened in Germany decades ago would never happen in America.
“I fought in Afghanistan for this country,” Sam told her. “I know America isn't going to turn its back on me.”
Sam had, indeed, fought in Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star. But, he realized, the America he had fought for was no more. And while the America he was born in, grew up in, and was proud to serve would not have turned its back on him, the American Islamic Republic of Enlightenment had done just that.
With a sigh, Sam went back into the house. There was a possible way out of all this. Along with the decree that had taken his business, was an offer that would allow Jews to relocate to an area where they could establish their own community.
Jews
Do You Wish to Relocate?
Land is being made available for you in West Texas.
Land and work are waiting for all Jews who would take advantage of this opportunity to relocate. You will be able to grow your own garden, raise your own poultry, and engage in productive labor which will be personally rewarding. If you refuse to take advantage of this opportunity you will see more and more of your freedoms taken from you, as good Muslims of faith will not stand by and watch our new society be corrupted by Jewish infidels.
Work shall make you free.
Of course, taking advantage of this opportunity meant that they would have to leave home, but the same decree that took his business was also taking his house, car, and all furnishings, so that was not even a consideration. When he asked how they were supposed to get to the new area without a car, he was told they would be transported, free of charge, by bus. Sam could see no alternative but to take the offer.
Sarah had been born and raised in Dallas, and Sam knew that it was going to be difficult for her to leave. They had met in college during a production of
Fiddler on the Roof
, Sam playing the role of Motel, and Sarah as Tzeitel. The stage romance developed into a real romance and the two planned to be married as soon as they got out of school. Upon graduation, however, Sam had to fulfill an ROTC obligation with the army. He went to Afghanistan, and they put the wedding off until he got back. Postponing the marriage had been Sam's idea, because he didn't want to leave a wife behind in case something happened to him. They were married as soon as he returned from Afghanistan twelve years ago.

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