Broken Borders, page 10
The general put on reading glasses and began. “The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Major Bobby M. Samuels, U.S. Provost Marshal’s Office, Criminal Investigation Detachment-Special Operations Unit (Airborne), Headquarters, Department of the Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the period of 20 to 30 September, 2005, while engaged in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. As an undercover military police officer, Major Samuels was kidnapped by a squad of al Qaeda terrorist insurgents who ambushed and killed Major Samuels’s companions with automatic weapons in a Baghdad restaurant. Major Samuels was handcuffed, beaten, tortured, and held in an al Qaeda safehouse in Baghdad proper. Preparations were being made to videotape and behead Major Samuels, when he, using his extreme initiative, training, and experience, escaped his bonds and set out an expedient signal for allied rescue forces and fought and dispatched, using hand-to-hand combat, an estimated reinforced squad of heavily armed insurgents and successfully escaped, thus demoralizing the enemy and single-handedly destroying a powerful enemy cell. His unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership, and personal sacrifice were directly responsible for the success of the rescue operation and were further instrumental in ensuring preventive measures against further kidnappings of American personnel. Further, during this same classified operation, Major Samuels successfully operated undercover, exposing himself to tremendous danger, and eliminated a dangerous al Qaeda infiltrator and saboteur. His personal example has added yet another laurel to the proud military history of this Nation and serves as the standard for all others to emulate. Major Samuels’s gallant deeds were truly above and beyond the call of duty and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the military police branch, the United States Army, and the United States of America.”
There was a thunderous round of applause and a long, cheering standing ovation in the room.
Then the President called Bo forward and pulled out a Silver Star as Perry read her citation, too. He pinned it on her, as Perry read, “The Silver Star is awarded to Captain Bo M. Devore, U.S. Provost Marshal’s Office, Criminal Investigation Detachment-Special Operations Unit (Airborne), Headquarters, Department of the Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the period of September 25, 2005 and extraordinary valor in a shoot-out with an armed and vicious al Qaeda terrorist and jihadist. Working as an undercover plainclothes military police officer, Captain Devore, while investigating the activities of an armed terrorist on American soil, was set upon and attacked by the spy and avowed terrorist by cowardly ambush, while she was showering. Using her training and experience, Captain Devore quickly slipped on her body armor and when attacked, took deadly bullets in the heart plate of her protective vest, and stood her ground returning fire with her nine-millimeter handgun, dispatching the al Qaeda combatant and potentially saving the lives of countless Americans. Her valorous actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon herself, the military police branch, the United States Army, and the United States of America.”
Again, there was much applause, and Bo and Bobby shook hands professionally with each other; however, he gave her a smile and a wink.
Bobby was then awarded a Purple Heart for the wounds he sustained in Iraq, second Oak Leaf Cluster, from the secretary of defense. He had received his other two Purple Hearts during the first Gulf War, as well as two Silver Stars, and a Bronze Star for meritorious service when he served as an A-Detachment commander with the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Special Forces Group and, shortly after, went to Delta Force.
Everyone sat and the staffers got out of their seats to let Bobby and Bo sit at the table. The press was escorted from the briefing room.
The President said, “Ladies and gentlemen. We are facing a dangerous time right now. I am counting on all of you to pull together as a cohesive force to eliminate and counteract this grievous threat to our nation. You are all part of a top secret task force, ordered by me, and it will be overseen by the secretary of homeland security. Major Samuels and Captain Devore will spearhead the investigative process of this operation and are to be given wide latitude in how they handle the problems and challenges they will be confronted with. They are to be given whatever support they need, immediately. I am counting on all of you, on each of you. Your country is counting on you. Now, on a personal note, these arrogant jihadist bastards think they are going to blow up our citizens on our soil with nuclear devices. We will not let that happen. Anybody who leaks anything to the press, or tries to politicize anything about his operation, will have my size-ten Presidential-sealed cowboy boot right up their ass. Do we all understand the import of this task before us?”
“Yes, sir,” came numerous simultaneous shouts around the table.
He started for the door, saying, “You will all be briefed by General Perry and his staff, and he will give you the security warnings about the classification of the briefing. Those same tenets apply to what I just said. Thank you all. I have to go visit with the president of Afghanistan in the Oval Office, and by the way, he once again sends his sincere ‘Thank you,’ to all of our military, especially Special Forces.”
Everyone stood as he left the room.
General Perry warned everyone of the Top Secret classification of the briefing and materials they would read. Each document passed out had a cover that was yellow and white with the large letters “TOP SECRET” on it. General Perry and his J2 gave an intelligence briefing based on what happened on the flight and on all the information they were able to get from the information the terrorists had. Plus, it was reported that Faarooq Ghasaan, the accomplice who was in the ground crew at Dulles, was apprehended by FBI and federal air marshals at work, and was immediately taken to Guantanamo Bay for interrogation. He had been, according to Jonathan Perry, “singing like an Elvis impersonator at a convention of recently divorced women.” They were able to assign a higher probability to his testimony, as much of what he confessed was verified by paperwork of the other two.
After the intelligence briefing was concluded, a fancy catered lunch was brought in for everyone in the meeting. Bo and Bobby finally had a chance to talk privately and congratulate each other as friends. The whole time Bobby was talking, he kept picturing Bo coming out of the shower that morning. He could tell she had a great body just by seeing her clothed every day, but he was haunted now by visions of just how great her shape was. Then, he would get upset with himself.
They went off to a corner of the room to eat, and she excitedly said, “Can you believe we were just awarded medals by the commander in chief!”
Bobby said, “I know, It was awesome!”
Bo giggled and said, “The President of the United States of America!”
Bobby said, “I know. It’s cool.”
Bo said, “The single most powerful man in the world!”
Bobby replied, “Come on, Bo, cheer up.”
Bo grinned mischievously and said, “Bobby, you received the nation’s second-highest award for heroism, the DSC. Only the fourth soldier in the Iraq War to receive it so far.”
Bobby said, “Yeah, that’s neat.”
Then, as if she had read his mind about the bathroom incident, Bo said, “What if when all the national press was in here, I told everyone you sit down to pee?”
Bobby had his iced tea come out his nose, he laughed so hard. Seeing what happened, General Perry walked over and shook hands with both, congratulating them again.
“Something must have been awful funny, Major?” he said.
Bobby still laughing, looked over at Bo, and back at the general, saying, “Captain Devore is acting like a total asshole, sir.”
The general looked at Bo grinning, saying, “I find that very hard to believe, Major Samuels.”
Bo said, “Believe it, sir. I have a mean streak sometimes.”
He laughed and said, “I am not pursuing this conversation any further, especially since you both carry handcuffs.”
After lunch, Perry turned the meeting over to the secretary of homeland security to discuss the Concept of the Operation and the actual Execution. In short, a lot of electronic surveillance was going to go on along the Mexican-American border, humintel would be increased well over five hundred percent, Bobby and Bo would be the investigative and operational spearhead of the entire operation.
After the briefing, the FBI deputy director said, “Mr. Secretary, this is unprecedented, sir. The FBI is responsible for domestic investigative operations in regards to national security. These two are soldiers. We have agents—”
An INS official stood and interrupted. “Hear, hear. We are talking about an operation involving the investigation of illegal foreign nationals, and that is our bailiwick, Mr. Secretary.”
The secretary of homeland security said, “Gentlemen, if you listened to the President, he asked that we all cooperate for the sake of our country.”
The deputy director of the Border Patrol stood and raised his hand, smiling politely. “Mr. Secretary, if I may.”
The secretary nodded.
“Everybody in the U.S. Border Patrol is very aware of the dangers following 9/11, and we all want to cooperate, but this is a question of jurisdiction. We are the agency with the jurisdiction here, sir. We are more familiar with Mexican border jumpers than any other agency.”
The FBI agent said, “Yeah, you guys have done a great job! We only have had eleven or twelve million slip through your grasp.”
Several in the room chuckled. Bobby and Bo were both getting exasperated.
The secretary of homeland security said, “We do not need this squabbling starting. Homeland Security has overall jurisdiction.”
The FBI senior agent raised his hand again, and the secretary almost made a face, but forced a smile and pointed at him.
The fed said, “Mr. Secretary, This has nothing to do with our patriotism. We are all patriots. As I said, you are putting two soldiers at the head of this investigation—”
The INS deputy said, “Wait a minute. If you are going to argue who will provide the best investigators, this is our forte.”
The Border Patrol official said, “And it is dealing with the Mexican-American border. That is clearly our specific jurisdiction, and soldiers should not be involved in domestic, civilian law enforcement.”
Bobby raised his hand.
The secretary said, “Major Samuels.”
“Sir, Captain Devore and I will be able to work with any of these individuals from any of the respective agencies, but I cannot believe what I am hearing right now, and with all due respect, she and I are tired of being dismissed as a couple of soldiers. Gentlemen, I am sorry but the commander in chief, our President, was just here and asked us all to cooperate for the sake of our nation. He has only been gone from the room a few hours, and some of you sound like a bunch of Crips and Bloods wearing badges, and you’re each protecting your hoods.”
General Perry could not help himself.
He said, “Hooah!”
The chairman of the joint chiefs and the secretary of defense both chuckled.
Bobby went on. “Sir, we are not just soldiers. We are both law enforcement officers. Good ones, in fact, and we both are very familiar, on a personal basis, with al Qaeda. In fact, we have both had several different shootouts with al Qaeda, and we are both still here, and they are not. We are sworn to protect the citizens of this country, and we are going to. We sure would appreciate all of your help, but we do not have time to argue about it anymore. There are several million Americans whose lives are going to be lost if we sit in a conference room arguing about who gets to shoot the pigeons out of the belfry. Thank you for the time, Mr. Secretary.”
The secretary of homeland security stood again, saying, “Major Samuels just summed it all up better than I could have. Maybe when he retires, he would like to become a speechwriter for the President.”
Bobby smiled and shook his head negatively.
“You all have heard the Defense Department’s J2 briefing,” he continued. “And you have heard our operations order. Now, if you have specific questions about either, please ask them, but you all heard what the President said, and the bitching is over, ladies and gentlemen. Your various departments will be here to support Major Samuels and Captain Devore with assets, personnel, matériel, or equipment, as they spearhead the investigative part of this operation. If anybody has a problem with it, you can always get a book deal to talk about how nasty this administration is and go on the speech circuit. I hear both pay very well.”
There were several chuckles in the room, and the Border Patrol deputy stood, saying, “Mr. Secretary, Major Samuels, you will indeed have the full support and cooperation of the U.S. Border Patrol.”
The FBI official stood grinning and said, “No whining here. We have your backs Major, Captain. In fact, if I get a choice, I would prefer covering the captain’s.”
Bo said, “The captain’s what, sir?”
Challenged now, he grinned and flirtingly said, “Whatever the good captain would like to have covered.”
Bo smiled, saying, “You’re all witnesses. I would like to have my gas bill for the month covered. Thank you very much, sir.”
Everybody laughed.
Bobby gave Bo a private wink and approving nod.
Other officials then spoke, one by one, pledging the full support and cooperation of their respective agencies.
The meetings went on for two more full days. Boom, whose real name was Brand, flew back to Colorado after escorting Bobby to several more AA meetings. It was decided that the task force would set up its command center, under guard, in the basement of the Pentagon.
7
GO WEST
The next day, they all assembled around a large table and listened to a report from the senior FBI official. The chief resident agent of Salt Lake City, like FBI officers all over the country, had been watching for any large purchases of fireworks or chemicals that could be used in the construction of bombs. According to him, several suspicious-acting Mexican immigrants bought five fifty-five-gallon drums each of aluminum metal powder and ferric oxide powder, which is granulated iron. They also bought a five-gallon bucket of potassium permanganate. The materials were bought with a credit card belonging to a Jessan Antonio Tapia.
Everyone agreed that there was definitely a sufficient, actually an abundant, amount of suspicious activity to warrant further investigation. The FBI learned that the same credit card had been used to reserve four rooms in Page, Arizona. This engendered much discussion in the room. It was agreed Bobby and Bo would immediately leave for Page, Arizona, on the first available flight, and try to get a room in the same hotel. The suspects were not checking in until the following day. The secretary of defense was present at the meeting, and insisted that they use his limo and driver. Bo called on her cell phone from the car, and the closest immediate connection she could find was a flight into Albuquerque and a connecting flight into Durango, Colorado, and they would have to get to Ronald Reagan International right away, rent a car in Durango, which hosted commercial jets, then buy clothes and toiletries in Page or on the way.
They were greeted at the airport by two U.S. air marshals, who escorted them through processing and security. Bobby used his sat phone to call the 1st Battalion of the 19th Special Forces Group headquartered just south of Salt Lake City in Riverton, Utah. He gave the commanding officer a list of items he needed delivered to him at Page with an equipment truck standing by.
On the plane, Bobby called Boom Kittinger, who was one of the most legendary Special Forces engineer/demolition specialists in history, quickly briefed him, and then said, “We had suspects buy five fifty-five-gallon drums of aluminum metal powder, five fifty-five-gallon drums of ferric oxide powder, and one five-gallon barrel of potassium permanganate. I have to know what they are planning.”
Boom answered immediately, “The biggest damned thermite grenade you ever saw in your life.”
Bobby briefed Bo, then said, “Keep talking.”
“They will mix the drums together and then probably pour glycerine into the barrel of potassium permanganate. The two together will ignite and get the thermite going. Once it is going, well, you have used thermite grenades in combat, buddy boy. Imagine one that size,” Boom said, “Whatever they put it on, it will burn all the way through it, steel, concrete, you name it. You saw demos in the army where the instructor sets a thermite grenade on a safe or an old tank and it just sits there and burns through the steel, making it melt and help it burn.”
Bobby said, “What kind of target?”
“Where you headed?”
Bobby said, “Page. Arizona.”
Boom immediately answered, “The Glen Canyon Dam, man. That much thermite would burn right through the concrete in the dam and nothing, not even all that water from Lake Powell, could put it out. It would cripple the entire Southwest, and if the dam went quickly enough, there is no telling how much damage you would have downstream.”
“It is that powerful?” Bobby said amazed.
Boom responded, “Thermite burns at over thirty thousand degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than any welding torch.”
“Whew! Thanks, Boom.”
Boom said, “Keep your powder dry. Holler if you need me.”
“Wilco, out,“ Bobby said, and immediately called it into DC while Bo overheard the details.
“Oh, man,” Bo said. “Why can’t we just get cases like some colonel’s wife gets drunk and kicks him in the balls?”
This really tickled Bobby, and he started laughing in earnest.
They landed in Durango and picked up their SUV, which was waiting for them. As Bo signed for the rental, a man and woman approached.
As the army cops stepped away from the counter, the two people pulled out badges and the woman said, “Major Samuels? Captain Devore?”
Bobby nodded and stuck out his hand, “Yes.”
