Strike Force

As commanded, the men stepped forward in several lines to sign up for work. The construction jihad was a popular way to get workers for a project. Although there was no pay, the workers were fed and housed at least as well as a soldier, were generally treated well, and received not only the benefits mentioned but consideration for other transgressions or wishes: a student wishing to get into a good college or madrasa might get a second look after he or his father participated in a construction jihad, or a man falling behind in his rent or utility payments might get part of his debts erased by volunteering.

The workers’ belongings were checked as they filed through the entryway to the base, and their persons were subjected to pat-down searches, but it was soon obvious that it was more important to get workers busy than it was to do thorough searches. Each worker signed his name and filled out a short form detailing where he was from, his skills, and his training. The names were cross-checked on a computer to scan for convicted criminals or wanted men. But a construction jihad was a way for convicted men to reduce their parole or probation period, so the computer usually turned up many hits on convicts. Those men were typically assigned to duties outside the base, on the wall or close by.

“These are all old men and children — we’ll never get this project done,” the commanding officer of the work detail, Pasdaran Major Abdul Kamail, said to his noncommissioned officer in charge. “I need workers, Sergeant, not drunks, kids, and handicap cases.”

“Best we could get, sir,” the NCOIC, Sergeant Qolam Loshato, said. “Putting out the word for a work detail without pre-screening individuals usually results in this type of turnout. Besides, they’re working in a Pasdaran facility — who in their right mind wants to voluntarily step within grasping distance of the Pasdaran?”

“If the people are innocent, they have nothing to worry about from the Pasdaran,” Kamail said dismissively. Loshato suppressed a chuckle — he knew no one ever wanted to cross the Pasdaran, innocent or guilty. “Anyway, I don’t care about the people’s paranoia — the priority is still to get that outer fence up. That shouldn’t take more than one or two days. Work them through the night if you need to, but I want that outer fence up.”

“Sir, may I suggest bringing some of the jihadis that do not have criminal records in to begin work on the training center and repairs on the security building?” Loshato said. “If we’re going to be asked to bring the Pasdaran force up to two hundred thousand in six months, we’re going to need those buildings repaired, wired, and ready for recruits and cadre.”

“I’m not worried about offices for cadre or barracks for training more recruits, Sergeant — I’m worried about insurgents getting into this base,” Kamail said.

“Our orders were to get the base ready at all costs…”

“And what about security while we repair and outfit this base, Sergeant?” Kamail asked. “Reports are that over two hundred insurgents were killed at Arān. Two hundred! They could have caused a lot of havoc if they attacked here instead.”

“Buzhazi’s total force is estimated at less than two thousand, sir,” Loshato said. “If the reports are true, we killed over ten percent of their entire force in one strike. Not only that, but their objective to steal supplies to keep themselves going failed. They sustained heavy losses and have fewer resources than they did. It was a great victory.”

“Sergeant, we still lost several dozen men and we blew up our own warehouses, which were filled with real supplies,” Kamail said. “What kind of asinine plan was that? Why didn’t we lay a trap for them outside Arān instead of right inside the damned warehouse complex itself?” He shook his head. “No. I want the perimeter secure before we bring in any more men and supplies. And I want as many of those jihadis checked as possible, especially any assigned inside the base itself. I don’t want any of Buzhazi’s men waltzing in to my base free and clear.”

“Buzhazi wouldn’t dare attack Doshan Tappeh again,” Loshato said. “There are over five thousand men here. He’d be crazy to commit the rest of his troops to the strongest Pasdaran base in the country.”

“If the man was smart, he’d be high-tailing it to Turkmenistan or Turkey right now,” Kamail said. He thought for a moment; then: “Very well, Sergeant. Pick the best of the ones not convicted of any felonies and assign them to work inside the base on the barracks and headquarters building. All others remain on the perimeter work details. Notify the security officer on duty that I’m bringing men into the base. Tell him to call me if he has any questions.”

“Yes, sir,” Loshato said. He saluted, then turned to his radio to issue the new orders.