“Don’t be an idiot, Jadallah—we’re all working together on this, remember?” Fazani said. The two men stared at each other for several long moments—Zuwayy looked almost psychotic, Fazani’s expression turning from angry to scared and back to angry again.

“Do it, Fazani,” Zuwayy told him. “I want the bombers airborne or the missiles on their way by tomorrow night. I’ll give Salaam one more chance to conclude our deal— and if she doesn’t agree, I’ll turn her precious oil fields into a graveyard.”

THE WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE
 DAYS LATER

“President Salaam, this is Thomas Thom. It is a pleasure to speak with you,” President Thomas Thom said. He was on a secure videophone link from his study next to the Oval Office. “I’m here in my study with Secretary of State Kercheval and Secretary of Defense Goff.”

“It’s a pleasure to speak with you, Mr. President,” Susan Bailey Salaam replied. “With me is my senior adviser and defense minister, General Ahmad Baris. Thank you for speaking with me.”

“First, Madame Salaam, I’d like to extend my sympathy and condolences for the terrible tragedy that has occurred in Egypt,” Thom went on. “All of the relief, rescue and recovery, and scientific resources of the United States are yours for the asking.”

“Thank you, Mr. President. The United States has long been a strong ally of Egypt, and I hope this will continue.”

“You’re welcome, Madame President. Let’s get down to business, shall we? Secretary Kercheval?”

“Thank you, Mr. President. Madame President, I understand you have received a message direct from the king of Libya,” Secretary Kercheval said without further preamble, “stating that a situation has developed involving the safety of Libyan workers in Egypt, and that the Libyan government sees this as a direct threat to its national security and peace in Africa. King Idris has said that it is unsafe for Libyan workers in Salimah and he has ordered all Libyan workers to leave Egypt immediately. He also warns Egypt to use every resource to protect Libyan lives.”

“You are very well informed, Mr. Kercheval,” Susan said.

“Our intelligence agencies have examined the situation, and we’ve analyzed all of the press reports coming in from Egypt from news agencies all over the world covering the explosive growth of the Salimah complex, and we don’t see any evidence of mistreatment,” Kercheval went on. “If anything, we see a very high incidence of anti-Egyptian government sentiment rising in the settlements and housing areas, but mostly from non-Arab countries that resent the sudden and very large influx of Arab workers. That represents a slight danger for Arabs, but not targeted specifically against Libyans, in our view.”

“That’s correct, Mr. Kercheval.”

“But despite this, you believe this threat to be credible? You actually believe that Idris will attack Salimah, even if there are Libyans still working there?”

“I do, sir.”

“Are you considering military action of your own?” Secretary Goff asked. “Some kind of preemptive strike?”