Nuclear Ruse

Scientists and engineers around the world are constantly looking for stronger and stronger materials to use in building taller buildings and longer and larger bridges etc. But the most pressing need for the strongest of materials is in the armaments industry. The country that can develop the strongest materials will produce the best and most powerful arms. Countries that lack the where-with-all to develop these state-of-the-art materials will stop at nothing to steal the secrets from other nations. Titanium, with an ultimate tensile strength of up to 170,000 pounds per square inch (psi), is often thought of as the strongest metal. However, there are metals much stronger than this. An alloy of about 2% beryllium and 97% nickel, with a touch of titanium has an ultimate tensile strength of 300,000 psi. Scientists at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna New York, while conducting routine experiments in support of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, stumbled on an even stronger metal alloy; one that far surpassed the strength of any metal on earth. The, yet to be named metal alloy, containing various percentages of titanium, beryllium and nickel has an ultimate tensile strength greater that 500,000 psi and a weight to strength ratio more favorable than Titanium. It was this secret that Frank Solis had and that rogue nations wanted. ******************************** As soon as he got off the phone with Gabriella, Ali dialed the Tehran phone number of Jamal Qasim. Jamal was a middle age wealthy arms dealer who made millions selling arms and technology to anyone willing to pay his price. Though he seldom left his base of operations in Tehran, during the past 10 years he had artfully cultivated clients throughout the entire Middle East. He was known in the Muslim Community for his ruthless nature and disdain for Westerners. He was 13 years old when his father and mother were both killed in 1979 during the civil war to oust Shah Pahlavi. In the years that followed he roamed the streets of Tehran begging for food with other orphans in order to stay alive. Jamal never forgot the many nights he fell asleep on the sidewalk with an empty belly. As he got older he swore that he would do whatever it took to keep from being poor again. He quickly realized that the many conflicts in the Middle East offered the best opportunity to create his wealth. He was not happy to be getting a phone call at almost 4:30 in the morning, waking him up from a deep sleep. He had put up five million dollars at the promise of getting his hands on the secrets of the new miracle alloy and was not inclined to throw his money away. “Jamal, this is Ali. I have some disturbing news to tell you,” said Ali with hesitation in his voice. “Do not tell me you have failed. As Allah is my witness, you will suffer greatly if I am disappointed.” “No. No. I have not failed you. It is merely that there will be a short delay in my ability to send you the secrets I have promised you. It will not take my operatives long to address a small problem and then all will be as we planned.” “How long a delay are you telling me?” “I had promised to give you the secrets you desire by this coming Monday. Through no fault of my own, I will now deliver the secrets no later than the following Friday.” “Ali, I will humor you and give you until next Friday. But listen to me very closely, if you do not deliver by next Friday you will not live to see Saturday.” “Do not worry. I will not fail you.” With that Ali hung up the phone and began to worry. ******************************** Jerome was smoking and pacing when Julio and his two henchmen arrived. They immediately approached the large black man. “My name is Julio. This here is Arsenio and Paco. Gabriella sent us to help you recover our man Frank.” “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t need any help. That asshole Dwayne got my man but I got his number. I got a pretty good idea where they’re heading and sitting here waiting for you has cost me a couple of hours” “You’re the one that needs to be straightened up,” said Julio. “We’re paying you and we’re calling the shots. You’ve let us down and in so doing you have put our organization in a bad place. So let’s begin by you telling me where you think they are heading.” “They can only be heading to one place. Dwayne is not very smart and he’s not connected. I’d bet anything he is heading back to New York City; probably back to Harlem.” “I’m glad you’re a betting man Jerome. Because if you want to live he’d better be where you say,” said Julio looking straight into Jerome’s eyes. Both men stared at each other each trying to figure the other man out. Jerome knew, that if he wanted his money, he would have to play ball. But he didn’t like it. Julio was a professional and didn’t like working with amateurs. Both knew that to get Frank back they would have to work with each other. “We’ve missed the last flight from West Palm Beach to New York City. I suggest we get a place for the night and catch an early flight for New York tomorrow morning,” said Julio. The men agreed and all five got into Julio’s car and headed towards the airport to find a hotel nearby. As they neared the airport on Australian Avenue they noticed a Hilton hotel nearby. Julio turned his car into the parking lot and the five of them headed towards the lobby. They got two rooms, one for Jerome and Demond and a suite for the three Cubans. After checking in, the five men headed towards the bar. They found a table and ordered five drinks. Julio then got on the phone and reserved five seats on Delta flight 1842 leaving the next day at 7:00 AM and landing in New York City before 10:00. Once the reservations were made and the drinks arrived the men were able to relax. They spent the next couple of hours discussing their strategy when they reach New York City. When they were finished drinking they retired to their rooms with plans to meet in the lobby at 5 AM to have breakfast and head towards the airport.