Hell's Own Thunder

By Leigh Michael Hartmann

Hell's Own Thunder combines a ruthless internationally sought terrorist, a crusty old man, a 55 year-old airplane and a 15 year old teenage girl in action and adventure that will leave the reader breathless at the end. And to add some flavor, add Rufus and over 50 of the most supremely trained troops the US has ever assembled.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483625225

Leigh Michael Hartmann

Leigh Hartmann is an older gentleman that enjoys telling stories. Deciding to write them down and share them with more and more people is a thrill for him. He currently has 2 books in print and is working on not less than 7 other projects. He will likely keep us entertained for some time to come.

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Hell’s

Own Thunder

A Novel

by

Leigh Michael Hartmann

Copyright © 2013 by Leigh Michael Hartmann.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013906784

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4836-2521-8

                Softcover      978-1-4836-2520-1

                Ebook             978-1-4836-2522-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. Date: 04/26/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

134443

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Forward

Prologue

Epilogue

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all of the men and women that put their lives in harms way so that we, as a nation, will continue to live as a free and prosperous people.

Having said that, my mother served during WWII. My mother-in-law also served during that same period. Normally we think of men in uniform, but a great many women have served and died for each and all of us.

God Bless them one and all for what we have today.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, it is my family that makes this and other works possible. The generous gift of allowing me the huge amount of solitary time it takes to write a book. Then they show the courage to criticize the work. No breaks, no quarter-no slack, they say it as they feel it. For this and a universe of other reasons, I am blessed and grateful to each and every one of them.

FORWARD

AFGHANISTAN

LATE 2011

Not long after the events of September 11, 2001, the United States of America traced the terrorists that committed the acts of terror against the nation to training grounds located in Afghanistan. It was determined that Al Qaeda, an international terrorist organization, was to blame. The Al-Qaeda organizations were based in the mountainous regions of the country and supported throughout the country by the Taliban, Islamic Fundamentalists ruling the country. In addition, Usama bin Laden, was felt to be the overall leader of the organization throughout the world.

To make matters worse, Afghanistan was a major supplier of Poppy’s. A beautiful flower and when processed, it becomes opium and later heroin. The money from the sale of the flowers is a staple of the Afghan economy. Mostly, the local tribal leaders controlled the sale and movement of the flowers and some of the processed by-product.

Hashish and hashish oil were also compounded and sent world wide. Ghanis as the drugs were known, were in the highest demand in the world and highly sought after. The potency of the drugs was unchallenged.

But life was hard for the average Afghan. To keep a family alive the head of a household had to not only herd some goats or sheep, but work the poppy fields and do the bidding of the various tribal chieftains and war lords.

During the 1980’s, the Soviet Union tried to do their best to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan. It was to little avail and after 8 years of war, Moscow decided to cut their losses and leave. It was the same for the USSR as the Vietnam war was for America. What remained was the fertile ground for the Taliban fundamentalists to build a government. The Taliban had created the strictest of Islamic governments. It was Sharia, strict Islamic fundamentalist laws. The attempts to bring Afghanistan into the modern world was forbidden. The country receded back many hundreds of years. The receding did not affect the Taliban leadership. They had cell-phones, computers, internet and a myriad of other current day conveniences. On the surface, the leadership bore the visual signs of the everyday Afghan, but behind closed doors was another world entirely.

Al Qeada found this to be a safe haven for their terror activities throughout the world. Training camps were spread throughout the country. Men and women from many different countries were constantly being trained and sent out on missions in the attempt to bring down the Great Devils of the West. To these extremists, the entire Earth must answer the call to Islam or suffer the fate all infidels. Death!

The idea that an education would elevate a man above the lot in life into which he was born, was simply out of the question. The most education men could lay claim to would be a couple of years. The majority of that time would be devoted to the Koran and its teachings. The schools were normally taught by Islamic clerics. The teachers were hard line—men were above women. Schooling would be for men only. Women were to do those things that made the house a home. She would bear as many children as her husband decided she should bear. She had no say about money or family policy. Also, she had no political voice of any kind nor did she dare to speak out with an opinion. Frequently, she had no say concerning her physical condition. The husband would determine whether of not she should see a doctor. The husband would speak for her, since she could not speak to another man, not her husband If medication was prescribed, the husband would have the final say as to whether she would be allowed to take it. If any sort of physical examination were required, only the husband could do the touching, never the doctor. Nor would the woman be allowed to reveal any part of her body to the doctor. It was little wonder that women had a mortality rate greater than men, many dying simply from childbirth due to the lack of basic medical treatment. What the women didn’t die from in the way of disease or illness, any breach of the strict Islamic law, could end in a punishment of death—by stoning or some other brutal form of life taking.

Burqas covered the faces of all women old enough to marry. A man who did not compel his wife and older daughters to cover their faces would be sternly disciplined. The Laws of Islam were strict and harshin their interpretation. A woman that showed an interest in a man, not her husband, would be severely punished. A long and painful death was the punishment she could look forward to at the least. Adultery would bring death to both the man and woman.

So, in 2003, when the US and other NATO allies removed the Taliban from power, by force of arms, following the events of September 11, 2001, the tide of change came with them. It was not long before women were allowed to remove the burqa. Soon they were allowed to have a say about politics and their treatment.

In the process of change, came education and schools began to spring up nearly everywhere. First in the larger cities and later the smaller towns and hamlets dotted throughout the country.

Slowly at first, and later in greater numbers little girls were attending school. Some of the older girls were attending school for the first time in their lives. Young ladies of 12, 14 and even adult women were taking part in the schools. Learning to read and write, discovering geography and history was exciting. It didn’t take long for the idea to catch on that learning was not harmful. Learning and therefore an education was to be sought after and and cherished.

Later as democratic style elections began to select leaders and representatives, women would not only say who they wished to represent them, but some even ran for office. Unheard of in a prior time.

The tide had changed and there was no real way or desire to change the fact that the future would bring even more changes. Overall a better way of life to each citizen and the country as a whole. For all of the upset, violence, threats and intimidation, Afghanistan was emerging as a new nation. Even with internal problems, emerging nonetheless.

Still in all, there were those who would not accept the fact that change would be better. If it did not follow the Koran and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, then one was damned for eternity. There could be nothing better in life than that which the Koran promised. To seek betterment from any other source was sinful, even blasphemous

PROLOGUE

HIGH MOUNTAINOUS REGION

WESTERN AFGHANISTAN

EARLY 2012

Mahmoud al Haziz listened to the radio. The news was worse than ever. Tribal leaders all over the country were decrying the actions the terrorists. No longer were the tribal leaders supporting the terrorist organizations. The rampant killings, the bombings. The attacks on local and regional government installations were being less and less tolerated.

More than ever he thought, Infidels running rampant over this holy ground almost as bad as it could get for a good Muslim. Muslims assisting and even taking the life of other Muslims. To al Haziz, it was way beyond sinful and debase. An abomination before Allah, and it would certainly incur His Holy wrath. He felt he was being called to carry the will of Allah. It was for him to do and the time to do it was coming.

The promise of a future had taken hold however, and the vast majority of Afghans were not stepping backward any longer. They still had their faith, and strongly believed it. But they also saw that they did not have to live in rubble to show subservience to Allah. Citizens were cooperating with the government and the NATO forces. What was once an opportunity to return to the old ways, the ways the Prophet Mohammed proclaimed, was now disappearing more and more as time went by.

Mahmoud’s eyes teared, why did these people not understand their faith, the Koran, the teachings of the Prophet. Loudly he prayed curses down upon them.

Do they not understand the words of the Prophet!? He cried out! His frustration was overwhelming!!

Manmoud al Haziz was a purist in his thinking. Islam and the Islamic way was the right way. But more, the only way. There was no other way that would ensure ones entry into Allah’s Paradise. Each Muslim had the duty to pursue and lead others to follow his example as to what a true believer said and did. It was all so simple. His feelings were passionate. Passionate to the point that he felt compelled to act outwardly. He had to show the depth of his feelings. He had to encourage others to follow him and eliminate the wrongs that were being foisted upon Muslims, not only in his home country, but throughout the world. Things had to change.

Something had to be done and soon, he thought. Something of such a significance that the people would not only see the error of their ways, but see him, Mamhoud al Haziz, as leading this needed change. Bringing people back to the core of their beliefs.

Until then, the news broadcasts were bringing the worst news of all—brother Muslims turning on brother Muslims. Muslim nations joining in the fight to eradicate brother Muslims engaged in the holiest of wars. A Jihad.

After this particular newscast had ended, Mahmoud prayed. Then he called his most trusted men together and put to them the question of what could they do. What would draw attention to their cause, and its righteousness in the eyes of Allah. How best would they show their leadership and dedication to Allah—something had to be done—now!

Several hours later, and after many propositions were put forth, a real plan was being conceived and put together. This plan would shock the world into knowing the who the new leader of a new Islamic world order would be. The infidel United States would be brought to kneel in fear that the same fate would befall them. They would then answer the call to Islam. Its new leader would be Mahmoud al Haziz. Allah would bless him to go forward, he believed. He prayed 5 times a day for several days with this as the focus of his prayers.

*     *     *

AL BAKAR SCHOOL

KANDAHAR CITY, AFGHANISTAN

2 WEEKS LATER—

The cold winter winds had departed. The snow had ended. The sun warmed the earth and the school flourished. 156 children were experiencing learning for the first time in their lives. They were learning arithmetic, language skills, learning to read and write. There was even time for things like art and games. The chance to play and have fun, to laugh aloud. Boys and girls laughing and running about. The smiling teachers ever watchful to keep them safe.

The school was surrounded by a 6 foot high block wall. All of the classrooms were inside the wall and there was only 2 openings to the yard. Each entrance was guarded by 2 Afghan soldiers. They were armed and trained by the US personnel. Though there had been no threats in this area for several months, the government was not about to take chances with a school that was working and working well. This was but one of the many ways that the Afghans were taking back their country, protecting its institutions and reestablishing a way of life that held a future. The future in this case was the children. The children meant tomorrow—a brighter tomorrow.

Two pick-up trucks approached from opposite directions. A single driver visible in each, and canvas covering a frame over the bed of each truck. They passed the school at a normal rate of speed. The soldiers saw the trucks but paid them little notice. Then, in a flurry of dust and sand reversed their course and drove to each of the entrances to the schoolyard. Just as they stopped, the canvas covers were thrown back and men stood up and fired their AK47 assault rifles, full automatic rate of fire. The soldiers had no chance, they were gunned down before they could fire a shot in response.

Once the soldiers were dead, the men jumped out of the trucks and ran into the school yard. The children heard the shots being fired and froze. The teachers also heard the shots and began to shout for the children to come in side immediately. There was a few seconds delay, and in that time the terrorists were able to switch their weapons from full automatic to single shot. As each of the terrorists reset his weapon he took aim and fired.

The shots were not random, but aimed and most found their mark. Within a minute, many of the girls in the yard were shot. Most of them shot in the head. By this time, the children had heard their teachers call for them to get inside. Panic had begun to set in, there was crying and screaming and children running wildly in all directions. It took only another minute and a couple of the teachers were shot and several more children killed or wounded. Blood and gore was splattered throughout the schoolyard as the terrorists remounted their trucks and sped away. All in a minute and forty seconds.

Mahmoud al Haziz had made his mark. He was one of the men with an AK47. He was the culprit, the planner, the executioner. He left a letter accepting responsibility for the attack and warning of more violence if the country did not recognize him. The letter said in part,

" . . . such craven acts as the schooling of women and making them equal to a man is ugly and hideous before Allah. May Allah curse and condemn each and all of you. Such sins can never be forgiven."

It took only a few minutes for the Afghan Police and US Marines to respond to the scene. By which time, the attackers had sped away. Some of the men vomited upon seeing the ghastly sight. Children that were not killed were moaning and crying in pain. Some of the bodies were were not readily unidentifiable.

7.62mm ammunition is a fairly large bullet and designed to kill or maim. The small frail body of a child is no match for an AK47 bullet. The wounds were ghastly and gory beyond words.

Fortunately, in spite of the vicious attack, only 21 children were killed. Over 80 were wounded along with 3 teachers killed and 3 wounded.

The investigators counted 187 rounds fired in just under 2 minutes. From the footprints at the entrances they judged that 2 men came in each entrance after killing the soldiers.

Within an hour, the schoolyard was flooded with parents and local officials. The pain of loss was clearly obvious. The call for vengeance was being heard loud and unanimously.

Though the school would be reopened in a couple of weeks, the bullet marks in the walls and some of the blood stains would last much longer. The memory of this horror would last for many years.

With a true certainty, it didn’t take much longer for CNN, Fox News and a myriad of other news gatherers and reporters to arrive on the scene. The cameras were prohibited from shooting the horrific scene that had taken place. But the reporters were quick to begin their narratives of the attack.

SAME NIGHT

THROUGHT THE WORLD

NIGHTLY NEWS.

Fox News is reporting this breaking story! Payton Blessing began, Today, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, an attack on a school by Islamic terrorists left over twenty children and 3 teachers dead and scores of others wounded. Christopher Ramirez is on the scene and we hear from him—Chris… ?

The reporter gave as complete an account as possible. In the back round, mothers and fathers were weeping and wailing over the loss of their children. One family was reported to have lost all 4 of their children. A brief close-up shot of the fathers face depicted not only the loss, but the fierce anger in his eyes—hatred of a brother Muslim. The camera quickly panned away.

The reports came in with as much video as could be gathered and shown. There were interviews with numerous military and civilian pundits trying to explain and analyze the act of terror. On through the night the updates came in and were reported. Some of the wounded children did not survive their wounds, bringing the final total killed to 27 children and 4 teachers.

WASHINGTON DC

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICE

1AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

The men and women gathered around the table were tired and yet not ready to call it a day. There had been a horrible act of violence perpetrated on innocent children and teachers. The man claiming responsibility was not new to them. Mahmoud al Haziz had kept under cover for the past 3 or 4 years. Taking credit now and then for various acts, yet nothing on this scale. But it seemed he was coming out and making a real effort to intimidate and frighten a nation.

The battle to free a people from tyranny and oppression had gone on for more than 9 years. That a person or group bent on the returning the country to the stone age, could not be allowed to happen. Those responsible for the attack on the school must be taken, taken alive and brought before the world to stand before fair and impartial triers. They must be allowed to assert a defense and show evidence that they are not guilty and should not be punished. This man or group of men must have access to the best legal minds and given every opportunity to state their case. At least that was the plan.

First, Mahmoud al Haziz would have to be located and captured. That task would not be easy. This being an election year in the United States, and an election that was hotly contested. For the first time in US history a third political party would have an opportunity to influence the outcome.

But the plan to capture al Haziz began with the insertion of a 13 member team of the newly formed Hells Thunder force. Haziz would have to be located and that would be no easy task. He was well known to move between Afghanistan and Pakistan without any trouble at all.

Since US troops could not actively enter into Pakistan on a combat mission, the mission of the HT force would be even more difficult. Haziz could not be taken in Pakistan without the help of Pakistani forces and permission from the government.

What with tribal leaders wanting to be left alone and many different groups trying to gain favor and hiding places within the tribal strongholds, the terrorist leaders were able to extort money, and weapons and provide protection to the highest bidder. Haziz paid very well. Many of the local tribes didn’t care who did what to whom, simply let them live their lives as they had for centuries in the mountainous regions of their birth. Everybody’s money spent well, so they didn’t care where it came from.

Just as quickly as the attack happened, the attackers had disappeared into the mountains. They put a lot of distance between them and any pursuers. Higher into the mountains they went and eventually to the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan and a secure hideout.

*     *     *

THE WAR CAMP OF al Haziz

MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN

ALONG THE PAKISTAN BORDER

Praise be to Allah!!! Praise be to His warriors!!! Allah akhbar! The terrorists shouted continually being exhorted by Haziz.

During periods of celebration, firing weapons into the air would normally be a part of the demonstration. Tonight, there would be no firing of weapons. It would be far too easy for spies to report them and tribal leaders wishing to collect a reward, cash in. No, tonight they would celebrate quietly—a few cheers—Haziz would speak and then prepare for the Pakistani Army to begin their search at the demand of the infidel United States. Although it wouldn’t be much of a search really, a dog and pony show would be more like it.

*     *     *

WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM

WASHINGTON D.C.

1345hrs-23JAN2013

Deep within the White House is a room in which some of the most important decisions regarding mankind have been made. Equipped with the most sophisticated audio, visual and electronic capabilities, the President of the United States can communicate with any Head of State, Foreign Government, US politician or US military commander anywhere in the world. He has at his fingertips the most recent and complete intelligence information available. Satellite photos with a clarity that reveal the average printed page captured from 300 miles in outer space is but one of the multitude of capabilities available to the President.

On a very cold day, snow, ice fog along with a crisp and penetrating cold wind, President William Irving Blair shivered as he was told of the weather conditions in the DC area. Having just entered the Situation Room, all of the Military personnel stood at attention, the remaining civilians were standing, hands at their sides.

President Blair had a commanding presence. At just over 6’3"and a trim 224 pounds, he leaves the impression that his physical stature suggests. That he is a powerful man, and in very good physical condition.

Take your seats, folks. He said.

Having served in the Marines as a combat sniper, Blair had reenlisted for a second term. He enjoyed his duty. He was decorated for having made the second longest sniper shot in history. 2598 yards verified by laser and GPS coordinates of his rifle and the target. The longest shot was that of a Canadian sniper. The best part of 2700 yards.

The Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan knew of his prowess and feared him. Their leader was now dead from a .50 caliber bullet that entered his chest, just to the left of the sternum, reducing the left lung and heart to a finely minced mush. The round then exited the body through the created opening, some 3 inches across. As the round sped away into a rock formation about 30 yards behind the terrorist, it took about half of the heart and lung with it. The gore splattered on several of the terrorists. The Al-Qeada leader fell, dead before he hit the ground. The entire group was frozen in place for nearly 30 seconds. That was easily enough time to get off several more rounds, but at the risk of Blair giving away his position. So the sniper rifle stayed silent. One shot. One target. One less terrorist. Exactly what Blair had been trained to accomplish.

After the incident, any reports of long range sniper activity that reached the terrorist leadership, caused them to move farther and farther away