Chapter 7
Scorched Earth
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   Marvin Goldstein isn't his usual arrogant, overbearing self as he sits before the council, almost appearing he hardly knows what to say.  Finally, he looks at Karl Steiner and says, "I was wrong.  This damn Restoration, or whatever they call it, isn't some self-righteous collection of money-grabbers operating only between the church and bank.  The bastards are a real threat.  We must face that and formulate an action plan."  He faces another council member, having the same blonde, blue-eyed appearance as Steiner and asks, "How much of a threat are they?"
    "Considerable," the council member responds.  "They've enlisted quite a following, have recruited many party members and collected an enormous  amount of money.  What makes this such a threat is their work is so readily obvious to the general public.  Hell, they've renewed this idea of crusades.  All over the country, they're organizing work projects and setting up shelters to house the homeless.  On the more positive side, at least for the present, they have no means to injure the infiltration we have achieved into the political and financial networks.  Since their public appeal is largely based on emotion, the political infiltration may eventually become at risk but the financial aspect seems secure."
    Steiner follows his usual mannerism and speaks up without being recognized by the chair.  "Face facts.  All along, even when mass psychological retro-fruition reaches the most mature stage, it's always been acknowledged some form of overt action would be needed.  If this idea about nationalism takes hold, there may be no turning it back unless we resort to fear tactics.  We're still dealing with a great deal of theory and don't know what level of will exists among the general public.  No one can say just how much of this will and determination those bastards keep urging will stop or even reverse the retro-fruition that now exists."
    Goldstein doesn't show his usual intolerance towards Steiner and asks, "What do you suggest?"
    Steiner feels he is at last achieving the position of a policy maker and not simply a subservient responder.  His eyes are squinted and mouth drawn when he says, "We need to take advantage of our present position or I should say the conditions that already exists within the United States.  Please don't overlook the fact that The Master Plan always held that the races could never be blended and that, skillfully managed, conditions resulting in a race war could be injected into a fragmented society.  Certainly, nationalism is a threat to The Master Plan but please recognize that at least in the initial stages of such nationalism, the Chytinos and Indicos, maybe even the Malatas, are going to view this as a threat to them.  They've always felt they can only achieve their goals by remaining separate from the remainder of the society.  Only then, can they claim entitlement to restitution from past prejudice and mistreatment.  Then too, the Caucasians and Negroes keep claiming they are trying to recover the rights they have lost.  The setting is ideal for a race war that can be set in motion by a few well-placed terrorist acts.  The Restoration has very skillfully tailored its approach to appeal both to emotion and reason.  It isn't entirely based on religion but clear evidence of a national downfall anyone can see."
    Goldstein folds his hands on the table, seems lost in thought for a few moments and finally says, "Put something together.  I agree.  We must act, and we must act now."

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    The leader faces The Inner Circle representing all sections of Church command.  He looks towards Lt. Colonel Green, the C3 or Operations Officer, and says, "The recent attack suggests the Zonno is either starting to operate outside their original Master Plan or now feels it is time to devise a new strategy.  I feel it is a new strategy and that we are largely responsible for that.  We always predicted that as our level of success improved, additional threats would materialize.  Anyone with the most rudimentary knowledge of psychology knows that fear is a very powerful force.  Correctly employed, it can destroy conviction.  How to face such a phenomenon is an item of debate but we'll need to leave that to the scholars.  We can't advance on theory, unlikely to be resolved in our lifetimes, and must make a rather rote appraisal of fact."  He glances towards Cecil Stratman, the only enlisted man on the council.  The Leader never respected Cecil's rather extreme and short-sighted views when but felt he needed the insight of a blue collar worker when The Inner Circle was formed.
    Stratman is difficult to judge.  His mannerism could result from disrespect for anyone who does not share his own views or some condition that might require a psychiatrist months to figure out.  The 2 of them stare at one another for some few moments before Stratman curtly says, "I'm not going to say I told you so nor am I going to try to give the circle a lecture on the power of fear.  I'll just repeat Hitler was correct when he said, 'Fear will always be successful unless opposed by equal or greater fear.'  You don't need any suggestions from me.  What we need is an action plan unless we're going to walk around with our hands in our pockets and watch a bunch of wetbacks who aren't sure who their fathers are destroy all we hope to do."
    The Leader doesn't wish to debate policy with Stratman and asks Major Johnson,  the C2 Intelligence Officer, "What do we know about the Chytinos?  I don't mean their racial heritage.  Where do they stand politically and what capacity do they have for terrorist attacks? 
    Johnson, obviously well-prepared, opens his briefcase and removes a folder.  He has a very business-like approach and does not immediately jump into speculation but recites what he calls "undisputed facts."  "The Chytinos aren't tied to any line of work that we can determine.  They survive on drug trafficking and small-time crime such as burglaries and robberies.  They're also pimps but I can't see how they rent out that bunch of whores standing on the streets downtown.  They look like you could get VD from just looking at them.  At one point, they tried to gain representation in the Descendents of the World labor organization but were not admitted because of these facts.  That led them to the International Diversity Society where they have actively installed lobbyists at the state government level and are pressing to get more representation among political candidates.  The only thing in their platform is restitution against Caucasians and Negroes for, as they put it, past injustice and prejudice against immigrants.  Last year, they picketed the state legislature the whole time it was in session.  The lobbyists are trying to get some kind of bill passed requiring a quota hiring system.  I think they might have got something passed if most businesses were not laying off instead of hiring.  The attack on the Techside Apartments is the first thing of that sort they've done.  We strongly suspect they were encouraged and supplied by the Zonno."
    The Leader looks towards the C3 and asks, "Are there contingency plans to deal with something like this?"
    Lt. Colonel Green is nothing like Johnson, has no briefcase or notes and seems preoccupied with never writing anything down for fear of a breach in security.  He does, however, have all the facts neatly organized in his mind and begins, "They have a headquarters over there on Lee Street.  It's largely a blighted area with many vacancies and buildings having no maintenance in years.  The police department has raided it a few times but they seem to know when this is coming, and all they've ever found is a lot of hate propaganda they frequently pass out claiming injustice to immigrants and blaming Caucasians and Negroes for nearly every prejudice imaginable.  The last few times the police tried to get a warrant for another raid, the judge denied it based on some crazy law about right to privacy I don't understand and can't explain.  Oh yes, another time, some organization, I can't remember which, tried to stop them from passing out what they called 'divisive material' but the legal system denied that based on the right to free speech." 
    Stratman slaps his palm down on the table and begins staring at the ceiling.
    Johnson starts to go on but The Leader holds up his hand and says, "That's about enough.  I asked for a contingency plan and not a history lesson."
    Immediately, Johnson responds in a markedly louder tone.  "Direct retaliatory action!  We can't openly declare Church involvement but need to leave a vague suggestion that such action against any Church crusade will not be allowed to stand without a full response.  We have quite a number of Spanish party members.  It is the recommendation of the operations section that we stage a ruse attack on the Chytino headquarters by disguising a small attach force as Indicos, yellow headband and all.  Due to high crime around Lee Street, there's never anyone on the streets after dark.  We could get them in very easily without detection."  He pauses a moment, briefly glances at the other section officers and continues, "Sir, this might not be the right time to bring this up but all the staff officers feel that although we have quite rapidly gained considerable support throughout the country, our support base is too fragmented.  The homeless and unemployed have no political power and can't be expected to provide much of a deterrent to what I'm afraid is coming."
    "What?" The Leader asks.
    "A race war.  Surely, the Zonno realizes infiltration and subversion can only take them so far.  As sure as I'm standing here, right now, they're probably planning more overt action.  We don't have the large single-source support we need to meet anything of that sort.  When bullets and rockets start flying through the air, such fragmented support as the homeless and unemployed without training will break down very easily and...."
    The Leader speaks up.  "I've considered that.  Building up such an influential and powerful support base would require years.  We don't have that long.  I can't see how we can do anything but carry on with what we have."
    Cautiously, Johnson says, "Well sir, actually there is something we can do.  Please recognize there is general discontent throughout the country with what is happening in America.  That discontent isn't confined to those who have lost their jobs or life savings due to the decline in stocks and investments.  With the collapse of the American manufacturing system and the resultant requirement that most manufactured goods be imported from foreign countries, the threat of a major war has diminished.  Why would any country want to go to war with America when they've already got most of the economic power they could gain from such a war?  The military budget has been substantially reduced and manpower cut substantially to recognize this fact.  Due to uncontrolled immigration and the lack of allegiance to the United States by the immigrants, the armed forces now consist almost exclusively of Caucasian, Negro and American-born Spanish soldiers.  Now, most in the armed forces are career soldiers, and they have a firm commitment to American values.  All I have to do is make a few telephone calls, and I can have tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue in 20 minutes.  We've got a well-trained, motivated, single-source asset we need to consider."
    The Leader doesn't seem at all surprised by the rather radical suggestion and leaves the impression he knows more about single-source assets than anyone in attendance.  He only says, "We're not ready for that yet.  We need to deal with the Chytinos first.  What is your recommendation - be specific.  Don't go into another tangent about a second Civil War."
    Johnson pointedly says, "Scorched earth.  I can't remember the name of the village but during the Second World War, when a Nazi officer was assassinated, the Germans brought in explosives and bulldozers and completely demolished a whole village."
    The Leader is somewhat amused and says, "A bulldozer parked on The Church premises would be a dead give-away."
    Johnson is becoming annoyed and hurriedly speaks up, "I don't mean that.  I mean...."
    The Leader holds up his hand and quietly says, "Hit them and hit them hard.  Submit your tactical estimate within 3 days.  Headquarters will issue an operation order within 2 days after that."

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    When the tactical estimate was submitted to headquarters, the primary course of action was approved within 1 day, but the operation was delayed for several days in order that what the plan described as "special equipment" be obtained.  Within several days, Operation Charlotte Earnshaw is set in motion.
    It is firm Church policy that a priest and medical doctor always accompany any Special Operations Group on a dangerous mission.  It is about midnight when 4 vans leave The Church compound and set out in 3 different directions. By chance, Howard and Leonard were assigned for the mission but neither has any knowledge of the objective which was strictly guarded by C3 due to security.  Neither has never taken part in anything remotely similar to what they are about to do, and it is with disbelieving eyes they stare at the 7 other men in the vehicle, all in black fatigues with their faces darkened with military black paste.  They're all Spanish except Cecil Stratman and are wearing the Indico headbank.  Stratman appears in charge of the mission, and both Howard and Leonard are surprised a hot-head enlisted man and not a more calculating officer was given command.
    The van turns off Spring Street and moves south for a few blocks when Howard says, "Oh, hell." 
    Up ahead are 3 Atlanta Police Department vehicles with their blue lights flashing and yellow crime scene tape stretched across Lee Street.  The van comes to a stop.  Stratman gets out and says something to the police who immediately remove the tape and admit the vehicle to Lee Street.  Both Howard and Leonard stare at the policemen through the rear windows as they again seal off Lee Street and remain with their vehicles.
    Leonard says, "I didn't expect the police would be in on whatever this is."
    Howard continues to stare at the policemen and says, "You know what I think?  I think The Restoration has more support than anyone realizes and all sorts of people and organizations are just waiting for some type order to move."
    Leonard seems surprised and asks, "You mean an insurrection?" 
    "Something like that but I'm sure it won't be called by that name."  He looks on the floor of the vehicle, points to a long brown object and asks, "What's that thing?"
    Leonard strains his eyes and finally says, "It looks like a battering ram."
    Some years ago, there were a group of pawn shops, high-interest loan companies and bail bond firms on Lee Street but the crime rate became so bad they all moved.  The vehicle stops in the middle of a block where the entire group of buildings is vacant and boarded up except for one where there is a dim light barely visible through the thick, black curtain drawn across the front window which has several cracks and is patched with duct tape.
    Everyone dismounts the vehicle and crouches on one knee, peering up and down the block.  No one is in sight.  Stratman looks at Leonard and Howard and says, "You 2 stay here.  If anything goes wrong, get the hell out of here.  Run across the railroad tracks down on to Murphy Street.  There's a van there."
    Four of the men pick up the battering ram.  They all run across the street and crouch at the corner of the building.  After observing the area for some few minutes, they move cautiously to the front door of the section where the light is.  With several strong strokes of the battering ram, the door flies completely off the hinges and the men rush into the building.  Howard and Leonard can see about 15 men inside who immediately reach for several rifles laid against the back wall but 2 members of the Special Operations Group spray automatic weapons fire across the top of the ceiling.  All the Chytinos fall to the floor, muttering something in a foreign language.  The group quickly enters the building, and the battering ram is again used to crash open the door to a spacious store room containing a large number of fully loaded rifle racks and many boxes of explosives.  There are a number of cellophane bags containing a white substance - apparently drugs that are sold in the same areas where the filthy-looking prostitutes pursue their trade at prices that have gone down faster than the stock market.
    One of the other vans appears adjacent to the railroad tracks.  Several men start spreading something across the ground that looks like a large fish net.  The group gathers all the weapons in the front room and escorts the Chytinos across the street where they are laid face down on the fish net.  Several other men in the group remove a number of weapons and boxes from the store room and place them at the sides of the Chytinos.  The others remain in the building and start pouring gasoline on the floor of the store room.
    Howard and Leonard are spellbound, and their intense stare at the bizarre scene is only broken by the sound of a diesel engine moving down the railroad track and stopping directly in front of the building.  It is pulling 3 flat-bed railroad cars carrying 3 objects covered with tarps.  Additional members of the group appear and must have come from one of the other vans.  They comb up and down the entire block to be sure no one else is there.  As they rejoin the others, someone pulls out what looks like a military communication device and simply says, "Clear."
    With that, 3 men pounce out of the diesel engine and begin uncovering the objects on the flat-bed cars.
    Leonard moves closer to Howard and asks, "What are those things on the cars?"
    Howard stares a moment and says, "Damn.  They look like rack rocket launchers."
    There is a mechanical whining sound, as the rocket launchers are trained squarely on the center of the street block.  Then, all in unison, they begin delivering hissing rockets directly into the buildings.  Red streaks fly across the street, and the gasoline ignites.  As the roof and walls begin to collapse, there is a massive secondary explosion from the storeroom.  Huge red and orange flames shoot into the sky, and a dense cloud of black smoke spews from the windows as they are shattered, sending small fragments of plywood and glass flying through the air. 
    Stratman and a few of the other men wrap the fish net around the Chytinos.  They place the weapons and boxes of explosives and drugs that were removed from the building at their sides and tightly secure the net to the railroad track.  One man moves up onto the tracks beside the bound men and drives a stake holding a black crucifix into the ground.
    Stratman seizes the communication device and issues the one-word command, "Withdraw!"
    The vans depart in 4 different directions.  The police are still in their same position.  Briefly, Stratman's van stops.  He jumps out and hands all the weapons that were in the front room to the policemen who quickly remove the tape, get into their vehicles and speed off towards the burning buildings with their sirens booming and blue lights flashing.