Part 34 (2/2)

Over the next few days while grasping at consciousness, and with the caring attention of the nurses, Ahether the strands of a storywhat happened to hi the wounded, desperate in their atteht of Irani children Allorders In the Iraqi Army you either did exactly as you were told, with absolute obedience, or you were shot on sight as a traitor Soht, but there will be more battles to win

Ahmed was the only survivor from his company, and there was no earthly reason that could explain why he lived He was ulated well in the hot desert sun, otherwise the blood loss alone would have killed hi pieces and packed them up for their trip to the hospital, but the doctors were unable to re-attach anything of significance

He was a eunuch With no legs and only one good ar himself dead proved to be the source of rest that contributed to his recovery Was he man? Was he woman? Was he, God forbid, neither? Why had he not just died along with the others, as he spared! Spared, ha! If I had truly been spared I would be living with Allah! This is not being spared

This is living hell and someone will pay He cried to his par- ents about his torment and his mother wailed and beat her breast

His father listened to the anger, the hate and the growing strength within his son's being Hate could be the answer that would ain Whole in spirit at least

The debates within Ahue, purpose, cause and reason He would take both sides of an issue, and see if he could beat hi one's opponents' thoughts when developing your own coun- ter argu with other patients He would take any position, on any issue and debate all night Argu completely described the patient

Over the rips with his infirmaries As much as anyone can come to terms with such physical mutilations He covered his facial wounds with a full black beard that raduated fro Anti-Islaan, the cowboy president, the Teflon president, the evil Anti-Musli American president Of course there was plenty of rooan was so easy to hate, so easy to blaht of grand strategies to strike back at the America

After all, didn't they support the Iraqis? And the Iraqis did this to hi orders: Do or Die Any rational person would have done the saan, not Hussein And he blamed the American people for their stupidity, their isolationism, their indifference to the rest of the world

They are all so sht up in their own little petty lives, and there are causes, people are dying for causes, and the Aan personified theet to be President of the United States? Ahhed to himself at the obvious answer He was the most qualified for the job

His commentaries and orations about the Iland, even the Soviet Union and their overwhel influence in the Arab world made Ahmed Shah a popular hly visible infirmities assisted with his credibility

In his sixth semester of study, Ahmed's counselor called him for a conference Beside his counselor was another arbed in Arab robes and tur- bans that always look filthy Still, he was the officious type, forh the turban, and his face shoed ample wrinkles of wisdoe wooden conference table that could easily have seated 20 Ahmed stopped his motorized wheel chair at the table, Farjani spoke, and curiously, the Counselor rose from his chair and slipped out of the room Ahmed and the Government official were alone

”My name is Beni Farjani, associate Director to the Undersecre- tary of Coanda I trust you are well”

Ah or lack thereof ”It is good to meet you, sir” He waited for more

”Ahmed Shah, you are important to the state and the people of Iran” Farjani said it as though his coe ”What I aain to serve Allah?”

”Yes, of course?” He bowed his head in reverence

”Good, because we think that you ht be able to assist on a s My son, you have the gift of oration, speaking,crowds to purpose I only wish I had it!” Beni Farjani sift I am only the humble conduit for his Will”

”I understand, but you have now, and will have raduate in 6 o to Graduate School”

”I am afraid that won't be possible Aher at hiraduate, your Govern, would like you to aped in surprise

”We fear that Ao to ith the United States” The words stunned Ahmed Could he be serious? Sure, relations were in pretty bad shape, but was Farjani saying that Iran was truly preparing for War? Jihad?

Holy War against the United States?