The Kremlin Wolf

By Ron Gordon

The Taliban and ISIS insurgencies in the Middle East conflict zones threaten to spread worldwide fear, enveloping Russia, America, and NATO forces. An unassuming antihero contractor is drawn into this conflagration of atrocities with a tough NATO soldier, Anje, mutilated by terrorists intent on spreading fear to the very nations combating the fanatical insurgents, destroying the ancient fabric of surrounding Middle East nations to subjugate and to impose a lifestyle of fanatical Islamic sharia laws.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Mar 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524561123

Ron Gordon

Engineering Contractor supporting NATO in Northern Afghanistan for three yrs. Other working Hot spots, include Africa, Papua New Guinea, with travels into UAE, Dubia, Chengdu ,China, Philippines, Thailand, & Istanbul, Turkey. Working life as FI/FO project development engineer to remote minesites, in Australia, PNG, & Africa.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Ron Gordon.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017903249

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-6114-7

                Softcover        978-1-5245-6113-0

                eBook             978-1-5245-6112-3

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/08/2017

Xlibris

1-800-455-039

www.Xlibris.com.au

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CONTENTS

EARLY PLANNING

OPERATION OVERSITE

WINTER

NATO CAMP MARMAL

OVERSITE

NATO WINTER

JOURNEY

RUSSIA

INSURGENTS

RUSSIAN NAVAL PORT

BREACH

ILLUSIVE INSURGENCY

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

INSURGENTS

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

INSURGENTS

INSURGENT FLIGHT

INSURGENT MEETING

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

OVERSITE

USA CAPITAL

NATO BASE COMMAND

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

OVERSITE

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

INSURGENT FLIGHT

OVERSITE

SOMALI ARRIVAL

NATO BASE COMMAND

INSURGENT MEETING

OVERSITE

NATO BASE COMMAND

OVERSITE

INSURGENT MEETING

INSURGENT BASE

NATO BASE COMMAND

INSURGENT BASE

CAMEROUN

MALAYSIA

INSURGENT HQ

NATO BASE COMMAND

MALAYSIA

OVERSITE

AFGHANISTAN CAPITAL

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

AFGHANISTAN CAPITAL

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

AFGHANISTAN CAPITAL

INSURGENT MEETING

WASHINGTON USA

INSURGENT BASE

ETHIOPIA

US CARRIER GROUP

OVERSITE

NIGERIA

HOLLAND

PHILIPPINES

EUROPE

NIGERIA

MANILA_PHILIPPINES

EUROPE

OVERSITE

EUROPE

NIGERIA

EUROPE

HOLLAND

PHILIPPINES

OVERSITE

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

PHILIPPINES

UKRAINE

OVERSITE

OVERSITE

WASHINGTON - USA

EUROPE

INSURGENT BASE

WASHINGTON – USA

USA

USA

RUSSIA

WASHINGTON – USA

USA

SOMALIA

WEST AFRICA

RUSSIA

INSURGENT BASE

AUSTRALIA

PHILIPPINES

SOUTH AFRICA

INSURGENTS UAE MEETING

US CARRIER GROUP

AUSTRALIA

SYRIA

WEST AUSTRALIA

USA

OVERSITE

RUSSIA

PHILIPPINES

OVERSITE

CORAL SEA

OVERSITE

RUSSIA

USA

CORAL SEA

OVERSITE

CORAL SEA

SOUTH OF NEW CALEDONIA

RUSSIA

AUSTRALIA

OVERSITE

PHILIPPINES

AUSTRALIA

UKRAINE

AUSTRALIA

OVERSITE

RUSSIA

EGYPT

INSURGENT BASE

PHILIPPINES

OVERSITE

AUSTRALIA - SYDNEY

NORTHERN PAKISTAN

RUSSIA

INSURGENT BASE

NORTHERN IRAQ

OVERSITE

CAMEROUN

UKRAINE

IRAN

UKRAINE

EGYPT

UKRAINE

OVERSITE

UKRAINE

OVERSITE

ITALY

RUSSIA

OVERSITE

OVERSITE

USA

RUSSIA

OVERSITE

USA

SOUTHERN IRAQ

ARABIAN SEA

OVERSITE

SOUTHERN IRAQ

ARABIAN SEA

GERMANY

SYRIA

IRAQ AIRSPACE

INSURGENT BASE

LIBYA

INSURGENT BASE

OVERSITE

IRAQ

OVERSITE

WANT SOME MORE? THE WOLF BITES

INSURGENTS HQ

To those who suffer FGM in the name of Religious belief, seek the help and compassion that is available in the western world.

EARLY PLANNING

Cairo – Hotel Sevastopol – Nile

Salaam my friends, Al Shabab greets our Al Qa’ ida brothers and Taliban Commander and Representative, please refresh yourselves from your long and secret journeys, with our dates, and lamb delicacies. I would request not using names at this time, as most of you already know each other buy reputation, our host will be with you in a moment brothers.

Why not meet in Tripoli, as before? I can answer that intoned the tall Somali as he gracefully entered the Hotel room through the door from the adjoining suite. You will remember the last Al Qa’ ida commander kidnapped by the American Satan, and Al Qa’ida’s response in abducting PM Ali for conspiracy with the Americans? That is why we ignore Tripoli, as Libya is also embracing our insurrection. Who are you to make those decisions? asked the Al Qa’ida spokesman angrily. I am your host Kareem, welcome to the turmoil of Egypt my friends, as he removed his black Keffiyeh. I have a proposal which will further our interests, which have the potential for exceedingly better results than 9/11. If we could save our traditional bickering for supremacy till later my friends, we are after all equal partners here, are we not? Smiled the tall Somali deferentially. Kareem was dressed in taureg blue robes, and black turban, which still shaded his glittering eyes, as he removed the scarf from hiding his nose and thin lipped smiling mouth, and whitened teeth.

How so? came the questioning Taliban Commander in qmis (shortened shirt) and shalwar pants (baggy trousers), abrupt response. Before I proceed, I need your joint approval on further funding, of not only arms and ammunition, but the utmost secrecy from KW.

I cannot reveal the end game yet, but you have all witnessed the results of funding on our achievements, in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pirating in Puntland, and Somalia with kidnapping escalation in Nigeria, Mali and adjoining countries? Allah Akbah!" cried the assembled disident throng.

"Our plans to take this further, are all working well, but working together, we can do better than any of your local skirmishes with NATO in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mali and the CIA in Somalia, or Kenyan shopping mall assaults.

The western powers need reminding of our power not just here, but beyond, to strike fear wherever we choose, and with devastating effect, as New York 9/11. I have such a plan which will raise money from Muslims world wide, many have joined us already from Europe, America, Asia and Australia. I am assured through intermediaries of financial support, from the Moscow Magicians within the Duma, who continue to confound the west, but each cell will only know so much, to maintain security. Here are each of your details. Discuss and give me your answer tomorrow brothers. Allah guide you my friends."

Kareem my brother, we will meet at 10am tomorrow, from what I have seen, I will only have one question. Salaam, Allah be with you. Acknowledged the Taliban Commander, donning his pakul hat and nodding representatives, as Kareem and his presence glided from the room. The commander felt some strange presence also, but dismissed it as his imagination, in an unfamiliar location that he was not comfortable with.

OPERATION OVERSITE

Above the tropic of Cancer on the 30 degree parallel, the Gemstone Satellite sine waves quietly orbiting above the ancient Nile river, eavesdropping on the turmoil in Nigeria, Mali, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and later Afghanistan. This technically superior, Titanium and magnesium framed Satellite, powered by the solar array, sends and receives encrypted data to and from the Stonegroup facility in a secure compound in Colorado.

WINTER

Mazar E Sharif province

The massive white Zepplin like camp surveillance blimp, casts its small shadow from the weak afternoon sun onto the stark rippling relief of the snowcapped dusty brown mountains south of Camp Marmal, in the snow covered desert reaching the Uzbek and Tajikistan border with northern Afghanistan. High in the snowcapped mountains overlooking the camp, the grey, white fur of the Afghan Snow Leopard rippled under the breeze, disturbing the black oblong circles along the cats back. The footpads as large as a man’s hand, with long curved claws, gripped the rocks and loose shale as it climbed high above the mountains snowline in search of prey. The green eyes slit above bared fangs as the soft powder snow whirled around the cats head as it its gaze fell on the intruders to its wilderness, the massive snow covered NATO base in the deep drifted snow of the desert floor. The crouching snow leopard looked like any other snow clad rock as it lay in wait for its next meal. The usual white coated Onyx, and bronze Nubian Ibex, hunted almost to extinction, absent from the desert, and mountain pastures.

This descendant of the Caspian Leopard had adapted well to the snow covered mountains overlooking Mazar E Sharif City. The Caspian leopard had followed the Armies of Alexander, and the Caravans of traders on the Silk Road to China. Picking off the noisy small upright animals (children) straying from those guarding the caravans, any pets and food scraps also discarded from the Caravans, which would feed the wandering Caspian Leopard families, as they ambled unseen eastwards. The Leopards large incisors crunching savagely through the skulls of the small weak creatures or snapping the spines at the neck.

Arriving in the Afghan autumn, the Caspian Leopards became trapped by the heavy winter snowfalls, and high drifts of snow. Game was initially abundant in the forested slopes of the mountains foothills south of Mazar.

Till the intruders arrived the Caspian leopard had found a new home to regenerate and raise Afghan Leopard cubs, to maturity. The Afghan Snow Leopard eventually became an even more reclusive big cat, retreating higher into the mountains, to avoid the violent noises and trembling ground that followed the warlike intruders.

Devastation followed, the land became barren, few trees grew on the mountains or valleys, grazing was sparse for sheep and goat herds. In spring the red poppies flourished, enriching the savage Warlords. This was tribal Afghanistan.

NATO CAMP MARMAL

The White Blimp cameras electronic eye surveys all movements below in daylight and using infrared by night. Like the Falcons eye picking out its prey below. Only this computorised electronic eye and digitized brain will report to the Mazar E Sharif Camp Control Centre, housed in its protected snow covered sandbagged concrete bunker in a razor wired compound. This control center could call on Apaches equipped with (TADS) Target Activated Designation Systems for hellfire missiles, the CH53 troop carrier helicopter, also (UAV’s) unmanned Aerial Vehicles or the German Drohnens, (Drones), who’s preflight, and activated GPS locator, and video camera feed was checked off, and all done by encrypted video link from a mobile control room prior to take off.

Meanwhile the Americans were awaiting completion of their next generation, Global Hawk Drone, MQ1-Predator, & the MQ9-Reaper Drone, NATO was also eagerly awaiting the completion of their prototype Euro Hawk Drone, with retractable wheels, Tail propeller, with triple tail wings and electronic feed video camera, under its bulbous nose section. Both able to carry larger payloads of missiles than their predecessors.

The arsenal will be completed with AWAC’s and F15 fighter jets parked at the Airport on the base, and from the Arabian Gulf the Aircraft Carrier Fighter Aircraft on standby, linked by Satcomms. (Satellite Communications).

This unknowing NATO control center, secured within multiple razor wired compounds, half the size of Mazar City, is also under surveillance from a clandestine Satellite station just coming online, whilst rotating beyond the sight of the base camp predator drones and blimp control center, in the heavens above the on board camera had also picked up a rare sighting through the flakes of snow swirling around the head of the Afghan Snow Leopard crouched in the lee of a snow covered boulder, vigilant to find its prey, just as the Satellite above was silently quantifying its prey.

OVERSITE

Gemstone Satellite Control –Colorado

Deep in the stunning wilderness of the Colorado Mountains, the Stone Group, funded as a communications attachment via the American governments National Security Agency (NSA), has assembled its own corporate façade, with additional corporate funding unknown to the NSA by private interests. The black ops funded organization has been online for months, building and gathering intelligence for its Clients, via CCTV, Phone and internet collation processes on an unprecedented scale.

The Leaks by Snowden from Russia, were the reason for the extra arms length corporate disguise that, would enable future deniability, in the event of legitimizing the Stone Groups activities. Controversially it’s Satellite, phone monitoring and Drone spying deployment worldwide was still secret, unknown to the American Congress, as was the server building housing the giant storage encryption machine, evaluating the electronic phone and video information, beyond WikiLeaks electronic reach. While the CIA was still working out how much Intel Snowden had, the Stonegroup access to the CIA security systems, and cameras, already knew how he had secured, and cleverly transported the USB through security. No matter how many times Snowden swapped SIM cards, and mobile phones, Gemstones sophisticated tracking systems always relocated the cleverly elusive Russian based paranoid Snowden.

NATO WINTER

As dusk advanced across the cold -12 deg. Afghan landscape, more thick flakes of snow rode the ice cold whistling westerly wind into camp Marmal, the wind creating deep snow drifts around Military and civilian vehicles, as well as the NATO soldiers barracks and outbuildings. Condensing fumes from the heated buildings to be blown and dissipated by the advancing snow storm. Beautifying the ugly, Sea Container accommodation, Canvas, and PVC, tent city built by Afghan and NATO troops over 10 long years, in this land of extremes. The silent settling snowflakes even softened the stark Camp Pratt concrete walls of the ‘District 9’ like, American zone. Even the razor wire coils here, around each compound, resembled a coiled white twisting dragon bringing Chinese New Year to Mazar E Sharif, Afghanistan. What further turmoil will the year of the horse bring to this extreme part of the world? Only time will tell.

The residents of camp Marmal are emerging to another cold and silent snow covered city morning of irregular shaped igloos, belching condensing fumes from the heat within each structure, as vents discharge hot air. Doors are hastily closed to keep in the warmth, in order to keep the chill wind from disturbing the cosey tranquility within.

Having breakfasted at the mess with the civilians, Americans and NATO troops from Armenia, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, and Mongolia, the Engineer had a rest day. The inclement cold snowy weather was not to the Australian Engineers liking, clad in his recently acquired fawn Engleburt Strauss multipocketed trousers, jacket, Tee-shirt, red Rivers shirt, with blue FCS beanie pulled down over his ears, so he decided to visit the local Afghan market to purchase a scarf to cover his face from the biting -12 deg. cold westerly blowing through the camp, and then to the Oases coffee shop. The market was over by the north eastern gateway, close to the Marmal Airport run by the Americans and NATO Military Machine, requiring multiple passes and paperwork to access. The engineer Greyson’s pass was strapped to his left upper arm. A pass was mandatory on the base, and off, to reaccess the base through the Main Gate policed by the Mongolian Troops, who he enjoyed training with in the German gym. Must try the American gym next week he thought.

After spending 7 days working in the water treatment plant run by FCS, the bracing activity of a walk would be invigorating, and as a gym junkie, he decided he could do with some exercise that morning. So donning a company issue winter jacket, watch cap (beanie), and boots over his clothing, he locked his accommodation container, and hands deep in his pockets trudged through the knee-deep snow drift against the door, out past the Afghan shoveling snow, and the ablutions container, through the door out of the snow covered razor wired FCS compound, and along the snow drifted foot paths towards the DFAC mess, and the northeast gate. The glare from the white canopy of snow was lessened through the Engineers dark safety glasses, they also helped protect his eyes from windblown gusting silent snowflakes, whipping across his face. With every step wisps of condensed breath issued from his mouth and nose. That scarf was looking a real necessity now. thought the Engineer. Guten Morgen called the engineer as he strode past the oncoming German soldiers leaving the mess. Who responded in kind to his cheery greeting, with a Morgen of their own.

The Afghan market was a cluster of containers, some with a glass front and glass door, so you could see some goods displayed inside, others had also an awning over the front to display goods outside, before enticing you further inside, to view the shelves packed with all manner of merchandise. It did not take much imagination to picture a souk of stalls on the Silk Road, with Afghan merchants in traditional waistcoat, long qmis shirt to the knee, and shalwar baggy pants, and patoo/kaish woolly winter scarf, bowing and greeting his next poor customer? Which the engineer felt was true in his case! Or why else would he be working here? What’s more the engineer thought, I am back for a second tour with FCS, go figure that one out? I must like a challenge, and who else back home would be able to do this, it sure isn’t for the pay? mused the engineer as he approached the group of snow drifted containers, spaced like a ‘C’ with its back to the airport and back to back containers between the horns of the ‘C’.

The engineer strode slowly into the shelter of the ‘Afghan Souk’. The weather had obviously closed some of the shops, as the windows were darkened. The tailors shop was opened with its machines running, alongside displays of tee shirts, and battalion badges, cap badges, humorous cartoon badges, and tee shirt print displays. The most promising shop displaying clothing, was in the farthest corner from the Engineers approach, next to the barbers shop, so trying to stay sheltered under the awnings, he purposefully advanced.

On opening the door, he saw shelves of exotic local wares, pots, trays, coffee pots all intricately engraved, wool pakul hats, silk scarves, gloves, coats, and coloured exotic lace garments trimmed with copper or silver coins typical of an Arabian movie set.

Yes sir, what can I get for you, jewelry, lighter, DVD’s? gushed the waist coated, qmis (shirt) clad owner. No, I would like to see some scarves please? explained the engineer. Yes, we have many wool, silk, and cotton scarves, of many design, if you will come this way to the back sir?" requested the owner obsequiously. The Engineer followed the owner to the curtained off area, at the rear of the quiet shop.

The Engineer reached for the green cotton scarf proffered by the merchant, and turned back to the curtain to view it in a better light.

JOURNEY

But the stabbing pain to his neck was the last sensation, he felt as his brain felt cloudy and disorientated, subsiding quietly to the floor in the back of the shop, behind a quickly drawn curtain by the smiling Taliban merchant. You have kept us waiting Mr. Engineer, now it is our turn to keep you, I hope you are worth the effort? the merchant said to himself. Akmed, quickly help me lift him into the back of the van demanded the merchant, whilst pushing open the back door of the container. What is that metal in his neck uncle? Asked Akmed. The needle must have broken when I pushed it through the thick jacket collar into his neck, pull it out, and leave it in the van with the syringe I will dump it for you uncle later Akmed offered, as he climbed into the van with the Bundeswehr markings on each side. Akmed started the van, and keeping to the 20Klm/hr speed limit inched away towards the northeastern gate. Because of the snow the guards were not checking all the vehicles today, and with the boomgate up a steady stream of Afghan plated, and military vehicles were proceeding through, passing the Khaki camouflaged Feldjager VW van with its blue lights flashing. The giant OSHKOSH troop carrier was motioned through by the Feldjager MP at the gatehouse, supported by the three Mongolian guards, with armalites at the ready. When her backup corporal excused himself to visit the latrine at the back. The Feldjager signaled him to go as the OSHKOSH trundled through the gate. As Akmed approached in the Bundeswehr van, the Feldjager MP turned and called Halten, what are you doing driving a German vehicle? she called. Akmed wound down the window and replied Repairs required Frau MP. You are not the usual mechanic, show me the order, schnell! yelled the MP. Akmed slid open the door and handed the MP his papers with one hand, slipped his arm behind the MP, stepping in and striking her exposed neck with the broken needle, whilst depressing the plunger on the syringe, to empty the remaining drug into her bloodstream. Akmed caught her as she slipped against him, and bundled her unceremoniously into the back of the van alongside the unconscious Engineer. Akmed jumped back into the driver’s seat and drove through the east gate, accelerating after 20 yards, to catch up with the other vehicles. Meanwhile a similar Bundeswehr van was leaving the camp Pratt, District 9" west gate towards the Mazar township at a greater speed attracting a cautionary note on the 20 Klm limit from the Feldjager MP, which the Afghan driver ignored, throwing his concentration in sliding through the snow clad bends on the main road leaving the razor wired compounds, into the City, passed Mazar’s high rises and industrial buildings, to reach the A76 and turn east beyond the city limits.

One hour later the alarm was raised by the substitute FCS manager that an employee was missing from report for shift duty at the water treatment plant. The substitute manager was out from German headquarters, unusually a likable German speaking Brit who had engaged the Engineer in conversation during dinner the night before.

The Mongolian MP at the west gate of district 9 noted an Afghan driven Bundeswehr van accelerating through the area. A shift change had occurred at the northeast gate, the duty guards had nothing to report from the previous shift, except the Frau Feldjager MP had finished early, possibly gone off sick with some female problem, joked the German sergeant? So the Feldjager MP was not missed.

RUSSIA

Kremlin -Moscow

Colonel Fyodorov, good morning, what is the meeting about this morning? Queried General Popovich approaching in full dress military uniform. "The Duma has written off North Korea’s $10 billion in debt from Russia’s Soviet days, and approved $1 Billion of spending owed by North Korea on the Trans-Siberian Railway network to North Korea through to South Korea, alongside the gas pipeline. To allow exports of gas and electricity to South Korea, and increase trade. Gas negotiations are continuing with Ukraine, Crimea is now ours but will need support, but the Sevastopol Black Sea port is not yet secure. Our militia are still hindering stability in northern Ukraine. Finance has been approved for increased trade with China, the west are calling this ‘Petrov’s Pivot’ away from the EU to cozy up to the eastern nations, to counter American initiatives in south East Asia, Philippines. Said Colonel Fyodorov, resplendent with campaign medals and gold braid, over his smartly pressed uniform. This will also focus America’s attention in the east and away from the Al Qa’ida, Taliban insurgency in the Middle East, that has also been allocated massive funding by the Duma through the Arms Dealer, and Arms commitments are to be discussed. Explained General Popovich, smoothing his uniform jacket. I must encrypt a message to Markus to sharpen his talents for supply and transport of heavy armaments. No rest for the Rodina’s Military then?" Sighed Fyodorov mentally composing a note to the Arms Dealer Markus.

The wait in the Kremlin, outside President Petrov’s Office was not long. The male secretary Aide ushered the uniform clad General and the Colonel into the grand Baroque Palacial office, to the two chairs in front of Petrov’s large neat Baroque desk. "Sit General Popovich, and Colonel Fyodorov, the western news agencies will soon have the opportunity for many outrageous headlines, secretly stimulated by the General, through you Fyodorovich, now with the Generals permission I would expect you Colonel Fyodorov, to manage the Arms Dealer, supplying arms and ammunition and financial demands from Assad in Syria, surplus obsolete equipment forward to the middle eastern Al Qa’ida and the Taliban for the next 6 months, to expedite their insurgency, that