HIGHER TECH (Complete Novel)

Chapter 17 -Oil

      Miss Reema Mahmoud frowned as she reread the message from FBI Hardforce leader Mark Samuels. She couldn't believe that they just assumed that she could easily get permission for them to enter the country. Although the King had already agreed to the help, if the need should arise, it wasn't that simple. King Hamza would not be pleased. He was a proud man and therefore would chafe under the "help" given him from the western world. King Hamza was a descendant of Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the first King. The whole country was ruled by the King and the princes of the royal family. Reema felt out of place here even though it was her country of origin. She had pretty much been raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Her parents had made sure she was educated in the customs of her homeland. Still, the fact that the Qur'an was the constitution for the whole country, was unnerving to her. Saudi Arabia is governed mainly on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). This made it difficult for her to have meetings with the leaders of the country. She felt that they wouldn't take her seriously because of her American accent and the fact that she was female, sure didn't help. Nevertheless, she had her duties under the Hardforce team that she had come to know and have great affection for. She also remembered that there was a time, only several decades ago, when such a meeting could never even happen at all.

      She mustered up her courage, by remembering the rhyme her father taught her when she was a little girl and her sleep was disturbed by a nightmare. She missed him so much. If only he knew before he died, how much that rhyme had helped her over the years.

      Prince Salman was the one she had to talk to. He was favored by the King, so he would be the one to gain a listening ear. He also understood the danger of the present threat to oil production in his country. He would plead her mission before the King. She felt confident, so off she went to meet with the Prince.

***

      Arnold Hatcher frowned as he cast his eyes toward the horizon. Nothing but desert! Even the large cities hardly had any green at all. It's color was a very unappealing light brown. He knew this country encompassed most of the Arabian Peninsula, with its Red Sea and Persian Gulf coastlines. From his aerial view Arnold could see most of it and he did not like what he saw. He could hardly believe why 79 million people would want to live in this harsh place. This thought made him even more resolved to accomplish his present course of action. This nation needed to be taught a lesson. Arnold was happy to be the one to provide that lesson. As they approached the target areas he smiled, not in anticipation of the horrible destruction he was about to wreak, but for the results it would bring on the rest of the world. This, plus the threat that he would make on the rest of the oil producers of the world, would transform it into something better.

      The Ghawar oil field occupies a strip of land in eastern Saudi Arabia. Stretching toward the Persian Gulf from south to north, it is about 280 km long by 30 km wide. There are many many oil wells there. The exact number was unknown. Arnold knew it would take a long time to destroy them all. This time they would be confronted by a formidable military force. Knowledge of this fact, did not make him worry. He merely viewed it as another opportunity to test the shields of the PW-3.

      "Okay Arn, I see it up ahead. I need to swing south a little so we can blitz it from south to north like you wanted."

      "Alright my friend, I'll get our weapons ready. They should be set on the proper setting to cause maximum damage."

      "Great. Thanks. I should be right with you in about three minutes as soon as I can put her on autopilot."

      The PW-3 swung south for about two minutes and then proceeded to go in a northerly direction. Darren slowed their speed so they would have enough time for targeting each well, then putting the PW-3 in autopilot mode he went to the back with Arnold. Both hatchways were open on each side. Arnold had the right and Darren took the left. As Arnold approached he realized it was going to be more difficult than he thought.